Facing History and Ourselves

A Bird in the Hand is Worth…
Bragging rights!
Ursuline Academy is the first girls’ school
to participate in the Kiss 108 Turkey Toss.
Throwing a bird in the oven may be the
conventional start to Thanksgiving, but launching
a frozen gobbler across Medford’s Meadow Glen
Mall parking lot rang in the holiday just fine for the
hundreds of local high school students who showed up for Kiss
108’s Annual Turkey Toss on November 24.
As the sun rose, so did the frozen turkey. Though ‘tossers’ and
‘receivers’ are required to be members of their school’s football team,
the Matty In the Morning crew decided to open this year’s
competition to welcome their first ever female competitors from
Ursuline Academy. Strong athletes and members of UA’s unofficial Powder Puff
Football Team, seniors Jill Lawler and Cassandra Sadd practiced with a 12 pound
turkey and knew they had the skills to compete with the ten boys’ teams in
attendance.
Ursuline Academy Board
In This Issue
From the Principal ........................................................................................2
Drama..............................................................................................................3
Academics
Facing History, Finding Themselves ......................................................4
Robotics: Artificial Intelligence, Real Skills ..........................................6
Serviam
UA Hearts Unite to Fight Cancer..............................................................8
A Mission of Faith ......................................................................................9
Service in Small Doses ............................................................................10
Coming Full Circle ....................................................................................11
Preparation was half the battle, according to Jill Lawler, who admitted that
the toss would be her first chance to ‘shot put’ a turkey. Though students
listened each morning as host Matt Siegel shared his doubts about the team’s potential to
beat the strong competition, the girls were determined to make their mark in Medford.
“It will only make them try harder,” said Student Council Rep. Nicaela Chinnaswamy,
who took the bold first step of getting her school into the competition.
Spirituality....................................................................................................12
“[She’s] about to make history here,” said Boston sports anchor Mike Lynch, as he
introduced Jill just before the throw. A few feet away stood ‘catcher’ Cassandra, ready to
snatch the 22 pound bird from mid-air. On the sidelines, a man dressed as a turkey stood
in quiet anticipation. On the radio, we heard Kiss 108’s Lisa yelling “Let’s go girls,” as the
crowd roared. And then…the throw!
Division I Calling ......................................................................................16
“Long story short…they beat the Marines,” said Ursuline’s Principal Mary Jo Gorman Keaney, who
watched the girls complete a flawless pass to nab fourth place. “The Mighty Bears,” as they were
called by host Billy Costa, may not have won, but they certainly gobbled up a good chunk of the
competition, which included football quarterbacks and military men.
The girls, who will never look at Thanksgiving dinner the same way again, plan to pass their techniques
along to Ursuline’s next team of talented turkey tossers.
Members of the Corporation
Sister Angela Krippendorf ’59, O.S.U., President
Sister Rita Bourassa, O.S.U., Secretary and Treasurer
Sister Laurianne Michaud, O.S.U.
Sister Marcella Savoie, O.S.U.
Board of Trustees 2010-2011
David W. C. Putnam, P’89, Chairman
Richard Osterberg, Esq., Vice Chair
Timothy Codrington
Marlene J. DeLeon P’04
Alan L. Gosule, Esq.
Kevin Hines P’93
Adele Koza Kohler ’88
Sr. Angela Krippendorf ’59, O.S.U.
Timothy J. Lawlor
Marianne LeBlanc, Esq. ’86
Kathleen Nolan Levesque ’77
Joseph D. Magni, Jr. P’00
Mary Mullen, M.D. ’79
Sr. Madonna O’Hara, O.S.U.
Margaret Reynolds ’82
Mrs. Rosann Whiting, President of the Academy, ex officio
Annual Report ....................................................................................INSERT
Responding to Hard Times in ‘Big Easy’ ................................................13
Athletics
Lutz of Talent ............................................................................................17
Reaching New Heights ............................................................................18
Class of 2010 ................................................................................................20
A Fairy Tale Come True ..............................................................................22
Notes
Weddings ..................................................................................................23
In Memoriam ............................................................................................24
Thank You to all those who were kind enough to contribute information,
photos or personal stories to this issue of Serviam Magazine.
On the cover: Eleni Haberis ’15 displays a robot.Ursuline’s latest class offering introduces young
minds to the fundamentals of engineering and robotics. Photo by Sean Hennessy. Story, page 6.
Ursuline Academy Administration
President
Rosann Whiting
Principal
Mary Jo Gorman Keaney ’82
Serviam Publication Staff
Writer/Editor/Design/Photography
Patrice Howard ’04, Director of Communications
Communications@UrsulineAcademy.net
Layout/Design/Editor/Photography
Lisa A. Rubini ’79, Scrivo! Communications
www.ScrivoCommunications.com
Editor/Data Contribution
Cindy Harrington, Advancement Services Manager
Development@UrsulineAcademy.net
Photo Contributions
Dan Busler, Dan Busler Photography
www.DanBuslerPhotography.com
Sean Hennessy, Sean Hennessy Photography
www.HennessyPhotography.com
George Lucozzi, ASA Photographic
www. ASAPhotographic.com
1
drama
Pure Imagination
Enjoy this version of Serviam and be prepared to be delighted as you read about
all that is happening at Ursuline Academy. As a school community, we continue
to celebrate our mission and to explore rich and meaningful opportunities for our
students and faculty.
In October 2010, 197 members of our community participated in the Making
Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, and this year, our team raised over $25,000 to
help eradicate this terrible disease. On the stage of the Hatch Shell, our students
were recognized for their contributions to last year’s Walk, and student council
president, Jillian Lawler eloquently addressed the crowd about Ursuline’s mission
Serviam, and how it forms its students and impels them to make a difference.
In early November, Mike O’Connor, our new athletic director, arranged for an
outstanding student versus faculty soccer game that resulted in wonderful
memories. Later in the month, Ursuline students took fun to a new level and
entered themselves in the KISS 108 Turkey Toss. For the first time in the contest’s
twenty year plus history, a girls’ team competed with ten boys’ football teams, and
the girls performed masterfully. Team supporters including Vice Principal Pat
Leitsinger, Annual Fund Director Julie Griffin Carty ’05, and I departed at 5:45
a.m. on a bus bound for Medford with hopes of glory. Our girls came in fourth
out of eleven teams. How proud we were!
Throughout the year, we are engaging in a series of professional development programs
with Mrs. Deb Reed from Research for Better Teaching. Mrs. Reed is leading the faculty
in discussions regarding best practices for teaching, mastery objectives for content and
professional learning communities. Mrs. Lytle, Mrs. Morency and Mrs. Peters have
engaged with the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum, and they have shared
resources with all of our teachers so that our students are engaged in active learning
about the Holocaust and Human Behavior.
Our technology committee is currently developing a technology plan that will be our
blueprint as we work to enhance the Ursuline Academy educational experience for
students. Recently, Mrs. Mariano, Mrs. Schein and I visited MIT’s Open Courseware
office to learn about resources that will not only enhance professional development for
our faculty, but also assist in differentiating learning for students.
How blessed we are to be at Ursuline and how grateful we are for your support,
Mary Jo Gorman Keaney ’82
Principal
2
Next stop? The World of Pure
Imagination at Willy Wonka’s
Chocolate Factory in the Spring. With
impressive vocals, hilarious slap-stick
comedy and a moving glass elevator,
this show was enough to make a
sweet tooth out of anyone.
photos by Dan Busler Photography
Dear Ursuline Community,
Audiences followed the UA Drama
Club on an incredible journey during
their 2009-2010 season. First stop,
the Land of Make Believe in the
colorful winter production of Grimm’s
Fairy Tale Spectaculathon. Once upon
a time was only the beginning, as
characters came to life in a fun
mixed-up fairy tale fiasco, complete
with a happy ending dance.
3
Facing History
and Ourselves
is an educational program
One of the more unique
resources provided by the
Facing History program is
a list of speakers who are
willing to educate students
about their own experiences
dealing with hatred or
bullying.
This spring, Ursuline
welcomed Holocaust
survivor Rena Finder to
share her incredible story of
survival and faith with the
community. She was the
youngest person on
Schindler’s list.
“She has an amazing story,”
said Ellen Lytle.
Facing History
Finding Themselves
New program encourages students to
take responsibility, starting NOW!
Adolf Hitler was not on Facebook. The white students of Little Rock
Central High did not utilize FormSpring to ask negative questions
about the nine African American students who enrolled in their
racially segregated school in 1957. Bus driver James Blake did not
take a Tweet-pic of Rosa Parks at the front of the bus.
However, despite the fact that these historical bullies did not have access to modern
vehicles of communication, there is no arguing that their messages of hate and harmful
beliefs were not easily erased through time. In fact, the messages they sent by their
actions are what have defined them through history. Perhaps it is not the manner in
which we send messages that is important, but rather the intent behind those messages
we send?
The very manner of bullying at school has evolved. Confrontations in the school yard
have progressed into complex exchanges on rapidly advancing social networks, a fact
which is causing great concern to the many parents who find themselves a step behind
the technological curve. However, hope is in sight at Ursuline Academy, as faculty
members work to integrate a program which will help students to recognize that
spreading even small messages of hate can result in much bigger problems.
Facing History and Ourselves is an educational program which encourages students to
explore the “consequences of hatred…to recognize bigotry and indifference…and see
that their own daily choices can have major impacts and perhaps even be a
critical link to a safer future,” according to the program website. Through
the interactive study of historical dilemmas like the Holocaust, Segregation
and Genocide, students are presented with true facts about their history
and are encouraged to discuss the small yet critical activities that sparked
horrific incidents in their world.
“They want the kids to understand how it happened,” says long-time
Ursuline Religion teacher Mrs. Ellen Lytle, who is excited to integrate the
lessons into her curriculum. “It will give the girls a great background into
pre–World War II Germany, and will focus on events leading up to the Nazi
Occupation. Most importantly, there is an emphasis on how so few people
helped those in need during that time…basically we need to know our past
because we don’t ever want that to happen again.”
To learn methods of program implementation, teachers attend seminars
which provide the information and tools necessary to design a solid lesson
4
which encourages
students
to explore the consequences of
H AT R E D
and to recognize
bigotry and
INDIFFERENCE
plan. With help from a program liaison and free access to a library of historical references,
videos, and even multi-media resources, Ursuline teachers feel prepared to inspire and
inform students.
“We are currently looking for ways to integrate the program…to see where it would work
best, and how many ways we can introduce the new concepts,” said Lytle, who attended
an “amazing” seminar over the summer break.
There is a plan in place to gradually introduce aspects of the program into Religion and
History classes at Ursuline. However, it seems that some teachers are anxious to get a head
start. Mrs. Jane Morency already implemented strategies similar to those encouraged by
the program in her Religion class, by conducting a case study which prompted students to
identify with how a bully might feel during a confrontation.
“Some had trouble relating to the bully at first, but ultimately many realized that at one
time or another, they were the bully,” said Morency.
The Ursuline faculty supports the implementation of “Facing History” in the classroom.
Though it is not a complete solution to bullying, it does open students’ eyes to the harsh
consequences of hatred, while simultaneously introducing conflicts they may one day face
in the real world.
as seen in the Dedham Times
Takin’ Care
of Business
Eighth grader Eleni Haberis is barely old enough to
babysit, but that did not stop her from preparing for
the future by taking a sneak peek at the national
labor market.
Last year, she confidently entered the US
Department of Labor’s (DOL) national contest
focused on highlighting the fastest growing
occupations in the country. Utlilizing her videoediting and interviewing skills, Eleni created 15
short videos highlights a “day in the life” of workers
in quickly evolving, often environmentally friendly,
occupations. While touring the new Massachusetss
Carpenter’s Union facility, Eleni had the unique
opportunity to interview Governor Deval Patrick about job creation in the
Bay State. She dressed to impress for the interview, sporting her plaid
Ursuline skirt.
On January 14, 2011 the US DOL announced that 14 of Eleni’s videos
won, out of the 15 categories, and she won $14,000 dollars. Eleni said she
is going to save the money for college, a step she will take on her way to
entering the workforce herself!
Eleni’s videos can be found on the Department of Labor website and
YouTube.
Eleni with Governor Patrick and WCVB-TV’s Janet Wu
5
In fact, students at Ursuline Academy have
already created their own army of electromechanical machines in a new class that
introduces young minds to the constantly
evolving fundamentals of engineering and
robotics.
“In many cases, robots have replaced humans,” says
Ursuline’s Technology Director Ann Mariano, who
instructs seventh and eighth grade students each week.
“The girls first learn how to build the robots and then
program them to perform particular tasks. I think the
group work we do is really important.”
The curriculum for the weekly class was designed utilizing
Lego Mindstorms, a line of programmable robotics and
construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group.
These user-friendly kits give students a unique
“Students learn to think outside the box.
The girls learn everything from programming to structural analysis. We also talk
about how robots benefit us.”
- Technology Director Ann Mariano
opportunity to put their mathematic and scientific
knowledge into action, as they manufacture tiny robots
using basic techniques of construction and programming.
As our workforce evolves and human-labor is continually
replaced by programmed machines, the demand for
young people with a background in technology is
growing.
“Students learn to think outside the box,” says Mariano,
who took a training course at Tufts before implementing
the program last fall. “The girls learn everything from
programming to structural analysis. We also talk about
how robots benefit us.”
This year alone, we have witnessed the benefits of robots
working in our world. Following the Gulf Coast oil disaster, robot submarines dove 5,000 feet beneath the surface to investigate and ultimately
plug up the catastrophic leak. When thirty-three Chilean miners became trapped underground, it was robotic technology that supported
recovery efforts. While it is too early to determine if the first class of Ursuline robotics students will chose a career in engineering, they seem
to be enjoying the hands-on instruction.
6
“There aren’t a lot of clubs for kids who love math and science, so this is really
interesting,” says Haley Curtin, a freshman who was among the first group of
students to take the class last year. She is now a member of Ursuline’s Robots
Club, which encourages students in grades 9 through 12 to continue their
engineering education through high school. Currently, the club is preparing
to compete in local competitions.
“For a competition we would build the robot, program it and then create a field where it will navigate,” says Curtain, who often “drives”
the robot during challenges. “I like the programming part best, but it’s fun to see how it all comes together.”
Ursuline’s robotics program was funded by a generous donation from a forward-thinking parent. This contribution made it possible for
the school to prepare for the the First Tech Challenge, a mid-level robotics competition to help high-school students discover the benefits
of technology, science and engineering. According to Mariano, this competition opens doors to a wide range of collegiate scholarship
opportunities. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is just one of
many supporters.
“There aren’t a lot of clubs for kids who love
math and science, so this is really interesting....
I like the programming part best, but it’s fun to
see how it all comes together.”
- Haley Curtin ’14
“We have a few juniors in the club, so this might benefit them
when they are looking to apply to college next year,” says
Mariano.
As they prepare for the upcoming tech challenges, it is easy to
see that there is nothing “artificial” about the intelligence of
Ursuline robotic students.
as seen on boston.com
Model Students
UA students make their mark at Model UN Conference
Abby Hevert and Victoria Sitcawich like politics, so when they recognized that Ursuline did not offer
many opportunities for students to explore and discuss global affairs outside of the classroom, the girls
teamed up to initiate Ursuline Academy’s very fist Model United Nations Team. “We know that a lot
of girls at Ursuline are interested in politics, but there wasn’t an outlet for open debate or discussion,”
said Hevert, who recently signed up the team to participate in the 10th Annual Boston Invitational
Model United Nations Conference at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. The two-day conference, sponsored
by Boston University, welcomed over 1,300 high school students from around the world to discuss
civics, economics, diplomacy and globalization.
Twenty Ursuline students were divided into committees and represented a variety of countries. “We
got to meet lots of new people, from many different countries,” says Hevert, who represented
Norway during the event. “It was really fun.” Research and preparation was conducted prior to the
event, so that they were prepared to offer probable resolutions to current issues.
Though it was their first year as a club, Hevert says that Ursuline’s inaugural UN team made a
strong first impression at the annual invitational conference. “We learned a lot. Even thought it was
our first time, we definitely made our mark!”
7
Ursuline Girls reach out
Close to Home, Far Away…
Reaching Out...
Close to Home
UA fields a “Sea of Green”—
nearly 200 walkers—and wins
the ACS Making Strides High
School Challenge with $25,000
raised to fight breast cancer.
‘Ursuline Hearts Unite’
to Fight
Cancer
A crowd of roughly 40,000 migrated to Boston’s Hatch Shell on
October 2, 2010 to support the American Cancer Society’s 19th
annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Amid the
crowd of ‘pretty in pink’ supporters, Team Ursuline Academy
took the two mile stroll along the Charles River as a sea of
green, sporting school colors to demonstrate community
enthusiasm as advocates of the cause.
In addition to the nearly 200 students, teachers, parents and siblings representing UA
on the Esplanade, those generous contributors who supported the school’s effort by
making online donations were also considered members of the “Green Team.”
Numerous parents, friends and alumnae added to the pot, which tipped over $22,300
on the morning of the walk.
“Wonderful,” Jeanie Zmijewski Taddeo wrote in response to a post on the Ursuline
Alumnae Facebook page. “I am a 1989 alumna who was diagnosed with invasive breast
cancer when I was 15 weeks pregnant with my twin daughters. I am a 2 1/2 year survivor
now!” Numerous other alumnae demonstrated support by “liking” similar posts about
Ursuline’s participation, and some were kind enough to support the cause financially.
Last year, Ursuline followed quickly in the footsteps of brother school Catholic
Memorial of West Roxbury, and joined the Making Strides High School Challenge. The
contest was established to spark enthusiasm among local students. With just two
months to raise awareness among community members, Ursuline students successfully
netted just over $5,700 and won the “small school” category. Due to their success in
2009, the school was recognized from high atop the Hatch Shell at this year’s event.
Emma Hodges ’12 did not know what to expect when she left home on a youth mission trip
to El Salvador last summer. She knew that she would be outside of her comfort zone. She
knew that there was hard work to be done. She knew that most people her age would not
have the courage to venture far from home to help those in need.
She did not know that a mission trip would strengthen her faith. But it did.
I travelled to El Salvador this past summer with a church group, composed of ten
teenagers and four adults, called Youth Leadership Academy (YLA). Most nights, just
before bed, we would meet as a group and talk about what had happened that day. We
discussed how the trip was impacting our faith life. One of the questions posed to us by
the mentors was, “Where did you see God today?” The question really stuck with me. Just
before I fell asleep each night, I would ask myself that question, and the more I thought
about it, the more I saw God around me.
One day I saw God when I had woken up at 6:00 am. As I lay in the hammock outside
our hotel room door, I watched the sun rise over the mountains and was completely awed
at the beauty of the sight in front of me. Another moment I saw God was at our worksite.
The main reason for travelling to El Salvador was to help with the building of a church
in a small town called Hato Nuevo. There was a very excited group of kids who would
come down during their lunch break from school to help us move rocks and dirt. Five
boys in particular stand out in my memory. Manuel was there all three days. He recruited
“Another day I saw God in the children at the orphanage we
visited.…The children’s attitude towards complete strangers
reminded me of how God acts.”
“It is our honor to receive this award,” said Student Body President Jillian Lawler of
West Roxbury, who accepted the plaque on behalf of her peers. “As young women, we
feel that it is important for us to make a difference in our community.”
four friends, and together they moved a very large rock. To give you an idea of its size,
Tommy, Monisha, and I moved one of equal size that day. Tommy, the only boy on our
trip, stands tall at 6'4" or 6'5", and it took us an hour to move our rock while it took five
ten-year-olds half the time. It was a blow to our self-esteem, but it was amazing to see how
enthusiastic the kids were.
Though the walk has come to an end, Ursuline students are already anticipating ways
to further improve community participation next year. The difference between the
amount raised in 2009 and 2010 was approximately $19,300 an improvement that
made Ursuline’s Principal Mary Jo Gorman Keaney ’82 very proud of her students.
“What was so heartwarming and encouraging was how our students really embraced
Another day I saw God in the children at the orphanage we visited. A nun, who helped
run the facility, gave a tour and spoke about the 54 children they look after. Many of
them had either been abused or abandoned. We were standing in their gymnasium, which
was a pretty good structure, one of the better ones we had seen. The children start coming
in, watching us. All of the sudden, they ran into our group. They were fighting to hold
continued on page 14
8
A Mission of Faith
Reaching Out...
Far Away
Emma Hodges ’12 did not
know that a mission trip to
Hato Nuevo, El Salvador
would strengthen her faith,
but it did.
continued on page 13
9
In their Work,
Reaching Out...
In Their Work
Once squeamish at the site of
blood, Meghan Harrington ’07
now cares for the tiniest of
patients facing tough medical
challenges.
Service in Small Doses
Coming Full Circle
When Meghan Harrington ’07 talks about her nurse’s assistant
job in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital in
Boston, her focus is typically on the tiny patients.
In the spring of 1965, Maureen O’Keefe Doran attended her Ursuline graduation and received the
school’s most coveted Serviam Award for her leadership and selfless service. Now over forty years
later, life has come full circle for this proud graduate, as she works to serve the distressed people of
Botswana.
“I love working with the babies. It’s great to be working in a field that allows you to give
back,” she said.
Meghan is exposed to drama and trauma on a daily basis, working in an internationally
renowned department that cares for more than 500 newborns annually. Though she is
still a student, slated to graduate from Northeastern University’s School of Nursing next
year, she says that her responsibilities as an assistant go hand in hand with the work of
trained nurses on the floor. When they move, she moves.
“I work on a twenty-four bed unit. I actually have a lot more patient interaction than I
thought I would,” she said.
For a girl who once squirmed at the sight of blood, Meghan has come a long way. Her
first exposure to the sobering reality of hospital life was during high school, when she
volunteered to sit with her grandmother while she received blood transfusion therapy.
Though the experience was difficult, she says it helped her to recognize that a dose of
kindness goes a lot further than a dose of medicine in the eyes of a sick patient.
“I think the service projects at Ursuline are what
you make of them, and I really embraced it.”
“My grandmother was sick with Leukemia and hated hospitals, so I
would go with her,” said Meghan. “I couldn’t believe the way the
nurses interacted with her: the way they made her horrible
experience a little better. It really hit me.”
With that inspiration in mind, Meghan made the bold choice to
seek a full-time volunteer position on a general surgery floor at
Children’s in the spring of 2007, to fulfill her Ursuline senior
service requirement. She spent days organizing activities, learning
from childlife specialists and interacting with patients. Though
the stint only lasted a month, the impact of her experience
motivated her to pursue a lifelong career in nursing.
continued on page 15
10
& in their Lives!
It started with a postcard. Maureen Doran was living a life most would envy in the fall of 2009: married to her once college mate
Christopher (Kip), enjoying the company of two grown daughters and a “cute-as-a-button” grandchild, and working as a mental health
professional in her own practice. Maureen admits, “I have been blessed.”
Sifting through a pile of mail one day last year, Maureen came across a postcard inviting her to a Peace Corps recruitment meeting for the
Baby Boom Generation. “I put the card aside. I have received info like that before, but could not throw this one away for some reason,”
she said.
With the post card in clear view, it was only a matter of time before curiosity set in for Maureen and Kip. They decided to attend an
informal information session, which featured
a panel of returned Corps volunteers who
spent time serving distressed communities
“I teach ‘Life Skills’ with hopes of helping kids make smart
around the globe. Inspired by tales of selfless
decisions; I organize clubs, support groups, library projects…
service, the Dorans decided to drop everything
anything that might foster young women’s self-esteem and
and help. “We felt that to those whom much
has been given, much is expected. Our country
encourage teenagers to protect themselves.”
needed ambassadors abroad, and we were
ready,” says Maureen.
Shortly after learning about the mission of the Peace Corps, Maureen and Kip closed two successful private practices and wrote a letter
to their patients explaining that they had been called to serve a new community in need,
thousands of miles from home. Maureen says the decision to leave family and friends
was hard, but important.
“I loved my work, loved what I did, loved my patients…it just seemed like it was going
to be okay for Kip and I put our talents to use somewhere else,” Maureen said of her
decision to pack up and leave Denver for Botswana in April of 2009. “We have never
looked back.”
Reaching Out...
In Their Lives
The Republic of Botswana is currently dealing with a demographic disaster. Though
the country has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, their most prominent
crisis cannot be resolved simply with dollars and cents. The “HIV incidence is
considered the second highest in the world. One feels that a whole generation has been
wiped out,” says Maureen. African families are torn apart as a result of alcoholism and
abuse fueled by disease. While a huge majority of the adult population is dying from
1965 Serviam Award winner
Maureen O’Keefe Doran and
her husband, Kip, have served
in the Peace Corps since 2009.
It all started with a postcard.
continued on page 14
11
Students Respond to Hard Times in ‘Big Easy’
A Mission Tradition
With candy apples in their hands, tiny umbrellas in their smoothies and treats in their
pockets, the students of Ursuline Academy had the spirit of Serviam in their hearts at
the school’s annual Mission Day on October 5. Typical classrooms transformed into
colorful and thematic booths, each featuring donated items which were purchased by
students, parents and friends of the school.
“While we raised money for a good cause, we had a lot of fun,” said seventh grader
Ashley Haughton. Popular rooms this year were The Beary Best Bakery, Fenway Park
(featuring 2 Red Sox Championship rings, and franks of course), the Top Hat Raffle and
the tropical Smoothie Room. While students enjoyed spending their allowance on
Mission Day treats, they did so knowing that their contributions were ultimately going
to a worthy cause.
Over the winter break, Ursuline sophomores Caroline Gailius and
Saidhbhe Berry and freshman Maggie Wolfe spent six days in New
Orleans with their church youth group out of Milton, MA. The
service trip was inspired by the devastation caused by Hurricane
Katrina, which left many areas of the city destroyed and many
people destitute.
The students spent time painting a work house, demolishing a rusty shed,
caring for the elderly and cleaning up the grounds of an old cemetery.
They were very excited to visit the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans convent,
which was the only original building still standing in the city after two
devastating fires. The students said they were happy to put their time off to
good use, helping those in need.
My Brother’s Keeper, a local Christian charity that provides food and furniture to needy
families throughout the year, was the grateful recipient of this year’s collection. At a
beautiful opening Mass celebration, the community received a heartfelt “thank you”
from Mr. Erich Miller, Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper. “We believe service
is a privilege, not a duty or an obligation so we work hard to share that privilege with
as many people as possible…please know how grateful and humbled we are that
you’ve chosen to support My Brother’s Keeper today,” he said.
“There was a wonderful spirit this year,
and the kids had a great time.”
-Mrs. Tomase
Mission Day has been a cherished Ursuline tradition for over thirty years. Many
alumnae who return to visit mention their fond memories of that one day each
year when the school would come alive with activity and joy. What was once the
senior balloon send-off is now the senior balloon pop-off, for obvious
environmental reasons; however, that is the only major change to the program.
The oversized pickles are plentiful, the S.O.S. prizes are wrapped in newspaper
and the raffle tickets are still pulled from top hats. “I brought my boys a couple
years ago,” wrote graduate Katie Tower Verrette ’94 on Ursuline’s Facebook page.
“They had a blast and it was nice to see staff and all the changes to UA.”
“The generosity of parents, the generosity of time, and the will of the students is
what make this event possible each year,” said UA Campus Minister Marge Costa,
who has overseen the charitable fair for the past thirty years. According to Sister
Nesta, who worked feverishly in the cash room, Ursuline raised approximately
$14,800 for charity at this year’s event, which Mrs. Costa said was the most
money raised in the history of the event.
“The day was super-fantastic,” said Mrs. Tomase, who runs the Beary Best
Bakery. “There was a wonderful spirit this year, and the kids had a great time.”
12
Hodges: A Mission of Faith
continued from page 9
our hands or play with our hair or give us a hug. They were so warm and so embracing.
They didn’t know us, or even where we came from. They just knew that we were there
to play with them and that was enough. They took us by the hand and showed us
around, pointing out favorite spots in the orphanage. One girl led my friend Anna to a
statue of the Virgin Mary. The children’s attitude towards complete strangers reminded
me of how God acts.
Lastly, I saw God in the village of El Mezote. When we visited the town, it was a sobering
experience. In 1981, only 30 years ago, the government went in to interrogate the village
about the whereabouts of a rebel army. By all accounts, they were supposed to go in to interrogate the people and leave. But that’s not
what happened. The government separated and killed the men, the women and children. At the end of the day, out of the 5,000 people
in the village, just one woman named Rufina Amaya was left alive. When we heard the story, we all struggled to understand, but I don’t
think any of us ever will. What really made me think of God that day was visiting the village and seeing people, houses and stores. When
the government went in initially, they decimated the area. Things were burned, destroyed. But the people came back. They rebuilt their
village and continued to live their lives. There was a memorial that listed the names of every man, woman and child who had died in the
massacre. A plaque said something along the lines of, “They are not dead. They are with us.” It really touched me. That evening, we talked
about how much strength it must have taken to come back to a place where something so awful had transpired.
When I came home, I asked myself that same question: Where did I see God today? Some days I had the same answers. I saw God in the
beautiful scenery around me; I saw God in the children. I saw God in the third world country I travelled to. But, He’s not just in desolate
places such as El Salvador. He’s all around us, but the question is… are you looking?
13
Ursuline Hearts Unite: Making Strides
continued from page 8
this project and embraced each other,“ said Keaney, who
joined the community for the walk. “They really care to make
a difference in the lives of others, and I try to learn from them
every day.”
In March, Ursuline Academy was officially named the winner
of the 2010 ACS Making Strides High School Challenge, with
a grand total of $25,000 to contribute to the fight against
breast cancer. Every student, parent, grandparent, alum, and
friend of the school is a part of Team Ursuline, and we are
proud to be pacesetters in the race for a cure.
The true winners of the High School Challenge are those
patients who may someday benefit from the research supported by funds raised at the Making Strides event. Ursuline is proud to partner
with schools across the state to help those suffering with cancer, who are facing the biggest challenge of all.
If you are interested in walking with us next year, or would like to make a donation on behalf of Ursuline, please contact communications@ursulineacademy.net.
Doran: Coming Full Circle
continued from page 11
UA alums were ‘in the house’ at Rally for Ally, a February
fundraiser to support Alexandra “Ally” Smith. Ally attended UA
in 7th and 8th grade (class of 2006). She suffered a traumatic
brain injury on December 28th in a car accident. As of April,
she is continuing to undergo extensive therapy at Spaulding
Rehabilitation Center in Boston.
Pictured top (left to right) are Lisa Rubini ’79; Ally’s classmates
Diana Gulew, Jill Greim, Susie Gushard, Caroline Saad, and
Katie Douglas; and Robin Monahan Norberg ’79.
Pictured bottom (left to right) are Judy Heron with Laura
McCann Barrett ’02 and Alison McCann Sower, daughters of
deceased faculty member Martha McCann. Tim McCann was
also present.
Other UA community members were also there, including
committee member Yvette Grimm Shakespeare ’73, who
decorated and created picture boards, and Julie Monahan
Espinosa ’78 and Darin Monahan Brooks ’82. Alexandra’s family
appreciates all of the prayers Ursuline is sending their way.
AIDS, a younger generation is left to cope.
“The second week of my school placement, a student
hanged herself on a tree outside of the school dormitory,”
says Maureen, who was placed in the guidance office of a
village school that serves over 1,700 students. With her
husband just down the road at the District AIDS
Coordinator’s Office, Maureen works one-on-one with
the youngest victims of the disease.
“I teach ‘Life Skills’ with hopes of helping kids make
smart decisions; I organize clubs, support groups, library
projects…anything that might foster young women’s self
esteem and encourage teenagers to protect themselves,”
says Maureen. In Botswana, the Peace Corps mission is to
prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS by challenging it from
every angle, including mental health.
Students from the village school are benefitting from Maureen’s guidance
Though the adjustment to a new culture took time,
Maureen says that learning a new language and adjusting
to a smaller diet are insignificant hardships compared to
the harrowing struggles of Botswaninan youth. While she has the constant support of her Corps friends and family, tens-of-thousands of
African children are facing an unbeatable war with grace and strength. “These kids have maturity and depth far beyond anything that I
could have anticipated,” said Maureen, referring to one child who arrived in tears seeking help with her alcoholic father. “They have lost
so many to HIV, yet somehow pull through and have an understanding beyond their years.”
Though Maureen will ultimately return from Botswana, she says that the experience has allowed her to reflect on the true power of helping
others, as she once learned as a student. While she is proud of her career as a mental health professional, she says that the influence of her
Ursuline education is what ultimately inspired her to take a chance, a world away.
“My life since Ursuline Academy has come full circle,” she wrote. “Being honored with receipt of the Serviam Award at graduation, I have
been blessed to carry the spirit of service, and that of Ursuline, throughout my life and now throughout the world.”
14
Harrington: Service in Small Doses
continued from page 10
“Ursuline played a big part in helping me to realize that I want to be a
nurse,” said Meghan, who wrote her college essay on a brave little patient
she met while volunteering. Though her education prepared her for the
rigors of a nursing school curriculum, it was the opportunity to reach out
and help others that allowed her to recognize her passion before heading
to college.
“I think the service projects at Ursuline are what you make of them, and
I really embraced it,” she said.
Ryan Prendergas
t ’07 and Megha
Senior Service at
n
Children’s Hospi
tal, May
2007
While studying at Northeastern, Meghan worked in the Neurology ICU
at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which she believes was the true test of her ability as a nurse.
Many days, she was asked to care for patients after they had passed to facilitate the organ donation process. Though witnessing
codes and accepting death were difficult trials for a twenty-year-old, Meghan says she survived by looking on the bright side.
“The first time I had to take care of someone who passed was really hard, but the more experience I got with organ donations the more
I realized how amazing the process is. I got a lot of experience with the harder situations in nursing early on, which was important,” she
said.
These days, Meghan can be found caring for infants on twelve hour shifts, three times a week. When she is not working long hours at the
hospital, she is researching volunteer opportunities in less fortunate communities in the world. What started as a service project is now a
journey for Meghan, who in just one year will be able to call herself a nurse. “I think there is a lot of compassion in this career, and that
is something I picked up while volunteering,” she said. “If you are really dedicated, it’s an amazing job.”
15
Lutz of Talent
Division I Calling
Two UA seniors prepare to dive and dig
into Division I college teams
Ahead of its time in many ways, UA’s athletic program was up and running
long before stipulations of Title IX slipped in to open doors for female
athletes. Since Ursuline’s mission is to provide a well-rounded education for
young women, a program was put in place shortly after the school opened,
offering volleyball, basketball and softball to interested athletes.
Dana Weston and Katie Kenny
Back on the Team!
New AD is an old Friend
Michael O’Connor P’03, ’08 has
played many roles at Ursuline
Academy over the years.
In 1983, he accepted a position as an
athletic coach at a time when the
program supported just one team
per season. When he was not on the
sidelines, Mike taught an accounting
class to seniors.
In 1986, Mike left UA to join the
Boston Police Academy. While in the
force, he served on Ursuline’s Board
of Trustees and sent both of his
daughters to his favorite little school
on Lowder Street.
After retiring from the police force,
Mike returned to Ursuline Academy
in July of 2010 to reclaim his role as
the Director of Athletics. We are
happy to have him back on our team!
Over time, as the emphasis on health education for young people grew, so
did the number of athletes representing the Bears. The Ursuline Academy
athletic program has significantly evolved over the last three decades into
an increasingly competitive program featuring fourteen varsity teams.
A well-organized athletic program in an academically renowned school often breeds a
collection of outstanding and well-rounded athletes. In the past twenty years, we have
recognized three students for scoring 1000 points on the basketball court, seen
numerous young women honored by the MIAA for balancing sports and school, and
have proudly cheered on a handful of athletic achievers as they embarked on careers as
collegiate competitors.
The Class of 2011 has many accomplished athletes, each of whom exhibited leadership
and commitment as they moved up the ranks. For Katie Kenney and Dana Weston, the
journey is only beginning, as they prepare to leave the Bears in June to join Division I
collegiate programs next fall. Come September, all-scholastic athlete Katie Kenney of
Dedham will dive head first into a career with the Boston University Terriers, as a
member of the Women’s Swim Team. With a solid finish to her high school career last
November—she finished first in all her races, she is looking forward to being a small fish
in a bigger pond at BU.
“I couldn’t be happier about my choice to commit to Boston University. It is a great fit
for me,” she says. “The school has a very strong program for the area of study that I want
to go into—physical therapy, and when I went on my recruiting trip I clicked
immediately with the coaches and the team. I’m really looking forward to my next four
years as a Terrier!”
As for volleyball captain Dana, whose team wrapped up the season with an impressive
13-4 record and chance at the tournament, a smaller pond with a winning team is worth
the trip to Worcester.
“I am so excited to continue my volleyball career at a school I absolutely love,” says
Dana, who will join the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders in September. “Volleyball
is my passion and I cannot wait to learn more about it and to evolve into a better player
at a collegiate level.”
“My dad wanted me to be a hockey player,” says twelve-yearold Megan Wessenberg ’16, who recently achieved a 12th place
finish at the U.S. National Junior Figure Skating Championships
in Salt Lake City, Utah. “When I was little and saw the skaters on
the ice with us, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
Megan first hit the ice at age four and moved quickly up the ranks. When
she is not perfecting her routine at Boxborough’s Colonial Skating Club,
or increasing flexibility in dry-land training, she can be found challenging
herself in local and national competitions. For Megan, the rink is a home
away from home.
“Megan is very dedicated to the sport,” says Felicia Wessenberg, who
supports her daughter’s dedication to the time-consuming sport. “It is
difficult to get her to take time off from skating because she loves it so
much.”
After securing a fourth place finish at the New England Regional
Championships in October of 2010, Megan headed west to compete in the
juvenile (u-13) division of the Junior Nationals, where she went toe to toe
with the best young skaters in the country. Though the national
competition was her biggest yet, Megan slid onto the ice confident that
eight years of training would back her up.
“You are always nervous before a competition, but I practiced a lot,” said
Wessenberg, who glided along to Sarah Brightman’s mystical ballad
“Harem” while the judges watched her complete an impressive three
jump combination. According to Megan, the stakes of the competition
did not change the way she felt while performing the routine: calm and
ready.
Megan, who lives in Medway with her family, entered Ursuline Academy’s
seventh grade in September of 2010, less than a month before heading to
Regionals. She says that balancing schoolwork and friends with an intense
practice schedule is feasible, because figure skating is an equally important part
of her life. “I practice two to three hours a day, six days a week, says Megan, who
heads to the rink straight from school each day. “I usually just do my homework
in the car.”
In late January, Megan teamed up with former Boston Bruin great Ken Hodge
to cut the ribbon at Faneuil Hall’s new ice skating rink. Megan was chosen for
the gig by her coach, Debbie Leeming, in recognition of her accomplishment
in Salt Lake. “That was really fun,” says Megan, who wore a turquoise skating
outfit for the occasion.
These days Megan is working hard to perfect her jumps, most notably the
challenging triple lutz. Though her long-term goal of competing at Nationals
is in sight, Megan says she is taking it one jump at a time. “There is always something
more to work on. There is always a harder jump,” she said.
When asked if she is already thinking about Olympic gold, she smiled. “Yes, everyone does.”
continued on page 19
16
17
Soccer: Clean Play at UA
“It was a shock to win, but it is always a huge motivator to do well,” she said, adding
that international competitions are great places to connect with other young climbers.
Reaching New Heights
Francesca Metcalf knows no bounds. “I guess you
could say that I’m a professional rock climber,” said
the soft-spoken seventeen-year-old, who is currently
enjoying the last months of her high school career at
Ursuline Academy. That is, when she is not dangling
from the side of a rock wall.
In just a few months, Francesca will make the bold climb from high school to college.
Though she has not yet determined where she wants to matriculate, she plans to take
her climbing shoes along. “There is a college series for climbing. If the college I choose
doesn’t have a team, I want to start one. If they do have a team, I want to make it
stronger,” she said.
Francesca may be on the honor roll, but the rank she is most focused on improving
these days is number 38, where she falls in a list of the best female rock climbers in the
world. Yes, the world. While many teenagers spend their weekends hanging at the mall,
Francesca prefers to spend her free time hanging from the brightly colored pegs of a
rock wall.
After an easy win at the 2011 Dark Horse Series Championship in early February,
Francesca climbed her way to first place in the 2011 ABS 12 National Bouldering Youth
Championships in Colorado. Though she dislocated her ankle during a nasty fall on her
last climb, she received word at the hospital that she had won The North Face Young Gun
Award for young athletes.
“I started climbing when I was five years old, and fell in love with it,” said Francesca,
who started competing at age eight. Since her first ascent, she has been a regional,
divisional, national and continental champion. Last year alone, she made USA proud
with a 12th place finish at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Vail, followed by a 16th
place finish at the World Youth Championships in Scotland.
“That was probably one of the best moments ever. I am so touched and proud that USA
Climbing and The North Face think so highly of me...the satisfaction definitely
overpowered the gloom, and the pain,” wrote Francesca, on her Five Ten blog.
“I absolutely love competing—I go to just about every competition I possibly can, no
matter how small, just because I love the atmosphere that pushes me to push my
boundaries,” she wrote on the website of her sponsor, Five Ten.
When Francesca is not studying for a test or writing college essays, she can be found
climbing the walls of her local gym four to five times a week. She is extremely skilled
in bouldering, a style of climbing undertaken without a rope. Unlike traditional rock
climbing, this style requires great balance and
concentration, as the nature of the climb is typically
short and tricky.
photo by Pat Bagley
Even with new friendships formed on the road, Francesca says that it is the support of
her family that keeps her confident. Amelia (19) and Olivia (15), Francesca’s sisters, are
equally skilled athletes and have also made their
presence known in the climbing world. Olivia
“I absolutely love competing”
placed 12th at the 2007 Junior World
Championship, while Amelia finished 20th in
her division at the World Youth Championships this past September. According to
Francesca, her parents are their daughter’s greatest fans. “My parents have always been
really supportive. They really love traveling with us,” she said.
“The shorter the walls, the more powerful the climb,”
says Metcalf. Though her long days at the gym and
intense travel circuit often interfere with her homework,
she is determined to keep her grades as high as her
climbing aspirations.
“I’ve had a lot of late nights with homework, but that
is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I wouldn’t have been
able to come this far without the support of Ursuline,”
she said, grateful that teachers recognize and support
her unique talent.
While Francesca’s travels have taken her to all corners of
the globe, she most enjoyed her recent trip to Quito,
Ecuador where she finished first in bouldering at the
Pan-American Continental Championships. Though the
win helped to secure a third place finish for Team USA,
Francesca was modest about her accomplishment.
In the fall of 2010, Ursuline
Academy's Varsity Soccer Team
received the MIAA Sportsmanship
Award for their commendable
attitude toward opposing teams
and officials during the fall 2010
season.
The team was the only girls squad
chosen from a multi-division pool
of nominees, and athletic Director
Mike O'Connor P’03, ’08 was
happy to nominate the girls for
the honor. "I think they only got
one yellow card this season, and it
was debatable," he said.
According to the MIAA website,
"the awards are presented to
those teams who have
demonstrated a sincere
commitment to the highest ideals
and objectives of sportsmanship
during their season of play."
With an ankle brace secure inside her climbing shoes, Francesca is already back on the
wall. Though she does not yet know where her
climbing route will take her in the future, it
appears that the sky is her only limit.
“I can always get stronger. I just have to keep
climbing,” she said.
Division I Calling
continued from page 16
While some athletes pursue college-level
careers and others are recruited, it is well
known that coaches ultimately hope to attract
dedicated athletes who will be able to stay
above water academically as the season heats
up. Holy Cross Volleyball Coach Marritt
Cafarchia says that she asked Dana to join the
team because of her great ability and academic
promise.
photo by George Lucozzi, ASA Photographic
“I saw Dana play on a couple occasions this summer,” says Cafarchia. “She plays with
passion and has fantastic athletic ability. Not only is Dana a great player, she is also a
great student and more importantly a great person. Dana puts her heart into achieving what she wants. We look for players that have
enthusiasm, drive and determination to succeed, like Dana.”
No matter where their paths may lead, it is comforting to know that every UA athlete is a Bear for life.
photo by Dave Albeck
18
19
Valedictorian: Rose Bailey
Salutatorian: Lauren Vozzella
Commencement Speaker:
Mary Beth Murphy Roche ’81
Serviam Award
In Ursuline schools throughout the world,
the Serviam Award is the most coveted
honor. It seeks to reward outstanding
traits of leadership in service, awareness
of others, acceptance of responsibility and
academic achievement. This year, the
Ursuline Serviam Award was given to
Alexis Schneider.
Principal’s Award
In recognition of her appreciation of the
benefits of a Christian education, her
leadership on behalf of her class and her
willingness to serve others, the Principal’s
Award was given to Rosie Henry.
The Sister Mercedes Videira Medal
Established in 2009, this special award is
presented to the student who best
embodies the qualities of an Ursuline
woman as modeled by Sister Mercedes
herself: integrity, humility, generosity and
concern for others, coupled with a deep
love for the Academy. In 2010, this award
was given to Stephanie Spadoni.
20
Alexis Schneider and Stephanie Spadoni
Meet the Class of 2010
Miss Danielle E. Allen
Miss Kristina M. Angeles
Miss Rose C. Bailey
Miss Sarah E. Bielski
Miss Brittaney E. Browne
Miss Lauren E. Butler
Miss Angela M. Cakridas
Miss Nicole R. Caron
Miss Jennifer M. Carrozza
Miss Leighann E. Conlin
Miss Gillian R. Daly
Miss Kelly E. Dempsey
Miss Liann J. Devereux
Miss Alessandra A. Fagone
Miss Kristin N. Feeley
Miss Elizabeth Anne H. Gavin
Miss Kelsey L. Grady
Miss Sheila Griffin
Miss Clare I. Gunshenan
Miss Mary Kate Harrington
Miss Rosemary L. Henry
Miss Jennifer M. Hickey
Miss Margaret M. Horgan
Miss Victoria K. Howe
Miss Amanda G. Jackson
Miss Tessa H. E. Janus
Miss Amanda L. Judge
Miss Sarah M. Kane
Miss Stephanie L. Kangas
Miss Lauren E. Kelley
Miss Myra A. Kenny
Miss Jennifer K. Kent
Miss Catherine Levin
Miss Rachel Lord
Miss Alexandra I. Lowney
Miss Anna K. McFadden
Miss Kaitlin E. McGree
Miss Kathleen J. McNally
Miss Sarah E. Muccini
Miss Olivia Munro
Miss Nora Kate O’Brien
Miss Mary A. O’Dwyer
Miss Shannon M. O’Neill
Miss Jamie A. O’Sullivan
Miss Michaela C. Pastore
Miss Allyson L. Penella
Miss Sarah K. Peterson
Miss Chloe M. Potash
Miss Alexis M. Schneider
Miss Stephanie R. Spadoni
Miss Brinley E. Sullivan
Miss Noelle K. Sullivan
Miss Victoria M. Sullivan
Miss Michelle K. Surette
Miss Abigail R. Tarantino
Miss Kathleen M. Thokar
Miss Jennifer P. Tolland
Miss Kelly M. Tyman
Miss Lauren E. Vozzella
Miss Lauren E. Vozzella
Miss Margaret M. Warner
Miss Caroline C. Wilber
Miss Sara E. Wojda
21
A Fairy Tale
Come True
Weddings
Audra Boden ’00 married Stephen Kenny last October in Vermont, during peak foliage at the Inn at the Round Barn Farm. The couple met
while studying at the University of Vermont. In attendance were Audra’s
best friends and fellow Class of 2000 graduates: Molly Reedy Kling,
Caitlain McCarthy Hutto, Molly Wheeler, Katie O’Leary Collins and
Andrea Farwell. Class of 2005 graduate MaryBeth O’Leary was also in
attendance.
Once upon a time,
an Ursuline graduate named Jennifer Coliflores ’02
became engaged to her handsome prince, Eric
Rosenthal. The couple was so looking forward to
saying their vows, but knew that they could not
do so right away because Jen was being held hostage by the
evil bar exam. Jen is not your average damsel in distress; in fact, she was doing
quite well at Roger Williams University School of Law after graduating from Colby
College in 2006. Alas, she was still faced with the task of planning a dream wedding while
trapped in the dungeon of her law school library, studying from dawn to dusk.
Pamela Barros ’01 married Michael Murphy on July 18, 2009, in the
presence of many close Ursuline Friends! Pictured below, left to right,
are: Meghan McSheffrey ’01, Bridesmaid Kerry Tubridy ’01, Pamela
Barros Murphy ’01, Maid of Honor Kimberly Barros Boucher ’95, Kristen Leary ’01 and Susan Forshner ’01.
Audra Boden Kenny goes from plaid to fab
with classmates Molly Reedy Kling, and
Caitlain McCarthy Hutto (left), and
Molly Wheeler, Katie O’Leary Collins
and Andrea Farwell (right).
One day, just as Jen was about to crack open the books, her fairy godmother appeared and
clicked on Rhode Island’s NBC 10 WJAR News. Suddenly, a commercial advertising the station’s Free Wedding GiveA-Way contest appeared in a flash. “How fun would it be to win a wedding,” she thought, and knew that the contest would be her
only way to make a wedding happen as the bar loomed over her head. Jen filled out an application
and told the little bird in her window to take it to WJAR. (Okay, she applied online.)
Just as the leaves started to fall outside the library dungeon window, Jen received word that she and
Prince Eric made it to the second round of the contest! In lieu of relying on a glass slipper to
determine the winner, the station asked contestants to create a one-minute video explaining to
viewers why they deserved to win a dream wedding. As fast as you can say Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,
the couple transformed themselves to look like iconic NBC 10 anchors Frank Coletta and Patrice
Wood, and did a faux report about the wedding which aired during a broadcast. “We were
prepared to stand out as much as we could. We sent the link out to everyone we knew, and asked
them to vote,” said Jen. A week later, cameras caught the reaction of the couple, their friends
and family when they found out that they had won a $40,000 wedding.
Kathleen Giordano ’02 married Josh Holtz on the
shore of Lake Pearl in August of 2010. Pictured at
right is Kathleen the bride, with classmate Mary
Long ’02—her bridesmaid and future sister-inlaw. Their mothers are Sheila Schaeffer Giordano
’72 (left) and Elizabeth Devlin ’72 (right). Four
Ursuline Alumnae are now one big happy family!
With just ten weeks ‘til “I do,” it would seem that Jen and Eric would feel the pressure.
However, winning the grand prize also meant that they had the luxury of watching the nuptials
come together as if by magic. The ceremony would be officiated by daytime-tv star Judge
Frank Caprio, the reception was booked at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI. The
wedding music, photographer, videographer, attire for both the bride and the groom, rings,
invitations, honeymoon, hair, makeup, rehearsal dinner, and guest favors would all be decided
on by NBC 10 viewers. “Under normal circumstances, I would be your everyday ‘bridezilla,’
but having the viewers decide actually made the process more enjoyable, so I didn’t worry
about the little things,” said Jen. To make the ceremony unique, the couple made sure that their Phillipino and Jewish
cultures were both represented. “It was the best of both worlds.”
Bridget Quinn ’02 married Andrew Cobb in June, 2009.
Megan Quinn ’09 was Maid of Honor.
Jillian Tuleja ’02 married Xaverian Brothers High School
graduate Andrew Joseph on September 12, 2009. Jillian
is currently pursuing her goal to become a Physician’s
Assistant!
The Rosenthal nuptial aired February 15, 2010 on NBC 10, featuring Jen’s family, friends and even a few Ursuline pals.
With the wedding of her dreams behind her and Prince Eric by her side, Jen will continue to pursue her dream of defeating
the evil bar exam and starting her life as a lawyer. Perhaps if she keeps on believing, the dreams that she wishes will come true.
The End.
Ursuline alums in attendance were: Jessica Coliflores ’04 (Maid of Honor), Katie Flaherty Florek ’02 (Bridesmaid), Carolyn Bradley,
Noelle Rushton Wilson ’02, Sarah Rotiroti ’02, Patty Walsh ’02, Kate Foley ’02, Kayleigh McDonald ’07, Emily McDonald ’11
22
Caitlin O'Connor ’03 was married to James Thibeault on
September 24, 2010.
Bridget Quinn Cobb ’02
and Megan Quinn ’09
Jillian Tuleja Joseph ’02
and Andrew Joseph
23
In Memoriam
We offer our condolences to all members
of our Ursuline Community who have
lost a loved one since last published in
Serviam Magazine Fall 2009. We do our
best to acknowledge everyone, however,
if we have missed your loved one, our
sincerest apologies.
Cassandra Hickey ’54, dear sister of Raymonda Hickey ’58, February 8, 2009.
Attention UA
Alumnae: We want
to hear from you!
Wouldn’t it be great to know
what your former classmates
are up to? Well, they want to
hear all about you too!
Collegiate achievement?
Exciting career change or
promotion? Wedding or birth
announcement? We would love
to hear from you and share
your news in an upcoming
edition of Serviam Magazine.
Email our
Director of Alumnae Relations:
alumnae@ursulineacademy.net
Log in to the
UA Alumnae Portal.
For more information,
see the back cover.
24
Timothy John Dunn Lane, June 23,
2009, loving father of Jennifer Lane
Klein ’78, Amelia Lane Messina ’80,
Sarah Lane Smith ’83, Catherine Lane
Ariola ’90, Marjorie Lane ’96 and dear
grandfather of Kendyll Messina ’06.
John “Jack” Cribari, dear grandfather of
Alessandra Fagone ’10 and Marina
Fagone ’13, September 26, 2009.
Margaret Moore, beloved mother of
Mary Moore Welch ’70, October 10,
2009.
James George Strickland, loving father of
Trish Strickland ’77, October 13, 2009.
Mary Duffy, November 9, 2010, dear
grandmother of Colleen Duffy ’11 and
Caitlyn Duffy ’16 and mother-in-law of
Terri Murphy Duffy ’81.
Dr. Halim G. Habib, November 10,
2009, dear father of Judy Habib ’71,
Jacqueline Habib Gonzalez ’73 and
Susan Habib Piccione ’76.
Esther G. DePasquale, January 19, 2010,
beloved mother of John DePasquale, Ursuline basketball coach.
Anita M. (Ludvigsen) Clarke, alumna of the
Class of 1981, suddenly January 19, 2010.
Noreen M. McCarthy, cherished mother of
faculty member Maura McCarthy Polles
’86 on May 7, 2010.
Kathleen A. Murphy, the loving mother of
Abigail Murphy ’14 and Kaylene Murphy
’14 died at age 50 from breast cancer.
The beloved mother of Sandra Frezza ’81,
Philomena Fezza, passed away on January
23, 2011.
Randall Erk, cherished dad of Ali Erk ’15,
on May 18, 2010.
John S. Allison Jr., dear grandfather of Jillian Lawler ’11 and Shannon Lawler ’15,
November 6, 2010.
Ronald J. Pacheco, beloved husband of
Carol Kelley Pacheco ’66 and the devoted
father of Amy Pacheco ’96 and Kelly
Pacheco Davis passed away on February 4,
2011.
Kathleen Harlow, June 17, 2010, loving
mother of Elizabeth Harlow ’08.
Peter M. Flinn, 1973 alumni Catholic Memorial, devoted father of Erica Wilson ’11,
January 28, 2010.
Anne B. Horgan, dear mother of Fred Horgan, UA Business Manager, and cherished
grandmother of Elizabeth Horgan ’07 and
Meg Horgan ’10, on June 25, 2010.
Gerard P. “Jerry” Doak, January 26, 2010,
beloved father of Kelley Doak Lynch ’79 and
Kimberly Doak Green ’81.
Elizabeth V. Claus, July 2, 2010, beloved
mother of Elizabeth “Liz” Claus ’77.
Brendan G. Burke, Xaverian ’06, beloved
brother of Katie A. Burke ’99, February 5,
2010.
Martin F. Mayer, February 11, 2010, loving
father of Michael Mayer, faculty member.
Leo J. Buckley, February 12, 2010, devoted
dad of Terry Buckley ’79.
John E. Howard Jr., March 13, 2010, cherished grandfather of Patrice Howard ’04,
Catherine Howard ’08 and Bernadette
Howard ’12; and father-in-law of Beth McManus Howard ’76.
Daniel Michael Patrick Foley, March 15,
2010, beloved father of Patti Foley Cummins ’77, Kathleen Foley Graham ’85 and
loving uncle of Kristin Burke ’81 and Mary
Lou Afonso ’82.
John G. Kenney, March 17, 2010, devoted
father of Joan Kenney Sweeney ’76, Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Kenney Wakely ’82, and
Mary Kenney Monagle ’83.
Robert M. Capuano, Xaverian alumni
and loving husband of Jeanine Muse ’72,
suddenly on November 14, 2009.
Faculty member Lynn Petti’s mother,
Thelma Rubin, passed away March, 2010.
Sister Joanne Nee, SSND, a beloved faculty member, on December 12, 2009.
Ellen Hinchey, April 11, 2010, loving
mother of Jennifer Hinchey ’96.
Thomas M. Hand, January 8, 2010, loving father of Deirdre Hand Rourke ’96.
Joseph Francis Howard, April 17, 2010,
uncle of Patrice Howard ’04, Catherine
Howard ’08 and Bernadette Howard ’12.
Ernest J. Handy Sr., January 8, 2010,
cherished grandfather of Grace Handy
’09 and father of the late MaryBernadette Handy ’76.
Catherine Leahy, April 23, 2010, beloved
mother of faculty member Ellen Lytle and
grandmother of Rachael Lytle ’00.
Kenneth D. McGonagle Jr., July 3, 2010;
he was the adoring brother of Dawn McGonagle ’88.
Catherine M. Tully, beloved mother of
Carol Tully McSherry ’77 and Diane Tully
’80, on July 6, 2010.
Margaret L. MacKenzie Dunn, cherished
grandmother of Sara MacKenzie ’08, July
6, 2010.
Elizabeth Ann Kenney, loving mother of
Joan Kenney Sweeney ’76, Elizabeth (Betty
Ann) Kenney Wakely ’81 and Mary Kenney
Monagle ’83, August 11, 2010.
On August 24, 2010, Ralph Viscariello
passed away; he was the loving father of
Gina Viscariello ’07.
William A. Lovely, dear father of Mary E.
Lovely ’85, September 1, 2010.
Francis McGillivray, adoring grandfather of
Kathryn McGillivray ’16, September 18,
2010.
Eamon Christopher O’Holleran, cherished
infant son of Eileen Whyte O’Holleran ’87,
September 2010.
Marie-Elena F. (Cacchetti) Carrier ’65 on
October 4, 2010.
Owen Charles Lynch, the much adored
three-year-old brother of Casey Lynch ’14.
Joel C. Priestley, beloved husband of Margaret Campbell Priestley ’78, suddenly November 1, 2010.
Patrick Connolly, beloved father of AnneMarie Connolly Wilson ’85, November 11,
2010.
The cherished mother of Kate Nolan
Levesque ’77, Helen M. Nolan, passed on
November 14, 2010.
Timothy J. Sullivan, loving father of Maureen Sullivan Huddleston ’81, passed December 2, 2010.
Robert P. Reney, December 12, 2010, dear
brother of Sr. Barbara Reney C.S.J., faculty
member.
Allyson Penella ’10, her grandmother Margaret Penella passed away December 14,
2010.
Mary Angela Fay, sister of Joan Fay Olah
’79, suddenly December 11, 2010.
Paula Clair Fitzsimmons ’50, passed away
December 15, 2010.
Maureen Courtney McGaffigan ’60, lost her
beloved sister, Denise Rossi on December
19, 2010.
Robert Harrington, Catholic Memorial ’91
and loving brother of Lisa Harrington ’86,
passed away on February 12, 2011.
On February 18, 2011, Kevin Morrissey,
the loving father of Bridgette Morrissey ’96
and Melissa Morrissey Kelly ’98, passed
away.
Kenneth J. Clark passed away on February
25, 2011. He was the loving grandfather of
Kelly Clark ’02 and Kristina Clark ’06.
The loving mother of Alexandra Sulu ’02,
Linda Sulu, passed away on March 1, 2011.
Ralph E. Morgan Sr., dear grandfather of
Anna Dolan ’11, passed away on March 4,
2011.
Vincent A. DiIorio Sr., beloved father of
Elinor DiIorio Gallahue ’81 and dear
grandfather of Colleen Gallahue ’07 passed
away on March 5, 2011.
Karen Bryla Bruck ’65 Ursuline Academy
Springfield, passed away on March 5, 2011.
Catherine Estelle Bent, devoted grandmother of Kathryn Bent ’05, Amanda Bent
’08 and Sarah Bent ’13, passed away on December 20, 2010.
Patricia M. Tyrrell, loving sister of Mary
Tyrrell Coughlin ’81 passed away on March
9, 2011.
Robert J. Byrne, loving Papa to Dana ’11
and Jenny Weston ’16, passed away on January 4, 2011.
On March 10, 2011, Eileen Mann, grandmother of Rebecca Thorn ’12 and mother
of Kathy Thorn, Administrative Assistant
to the Principal, passed away.
Doris M. McAnulty, loving mother of Katie
McAnulty Hegarty ’97 and Erin McAnulty
’99, passed away on January 5, 2011.
Rita Bourque, dear grandmother of Susan
Bourque ’07 passed away on March 13,
2011.
Mary McDonough, cherished grandmother
of Mikaela McDonough ’12, passed away on
January 8, 2011.
Christopher R. Donlon, devoted twin
brother of Marissa Donlon ’12, March 16,
2011.
Cathleen Ball Foster-Smith ’74, sister of
Susan Ball Concannon ’79, passed away on
January 10, 2011, .
25
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