Fall 2010 - Immaculate Conception Cathedral School

Steps
Class of 1960 celebrates 50th class reunion
Members of the Class of 1960 joined students, faculty and other alumnae to
celebrate Mercy Day Mass at the Cathedral on Friday, September 24. After Mass,
classmates reminisced and rekindled old friendships during brunch in Marian
Hall before touring the school. The celebration continued on Saturday with dinner
hosted by classmate Barbara (Piano) Strong. The alumnae also made a generous
donation of nearly $2,000 to purchase a classroom Smart Board in memory of their
former principal, Sr. Adrian Mulloy. +
Fall 2010
New magazine for
alumni, parents,
students, friends
Welcome to the inaugural issue
of Steps, a biannual publication for
alumni, parents, students and friends
of Immaculate Conception Cathedral
School!
Steps is produced by the newly created Office of Advancement (see page
2). Contributions, comments and story
ideas are welcomed and encouraged.
Our sincere gratitude to alumna
Jane (Kelley) Smith ‘67, owner of Designs by Jayne in Houston, Texas, for
designing the masthead and lending
her graphic expertise to the layout.
Other thanks to ICCS parents Barbara Himber and Michelle Jerome for
providing photographs, Marc Cerisier
for design work and Aileen Palmer for
helping us name Steps. +
In This Issue
New Elementary Principal, p. 2
Office of Advancement, p. 2
Capping Ceremony, p. 3
Student Spotlight, p. 4
Preschool Spanish Classes, p. 5
Around Campus, p. 6–9
12-Year Club—Six 1960 alumnae who attended ICCS from first through 12th grade
gathered for a photo at the class reunion . (From Left) Kathleen Kearney, Mary Evelyn DuBose
Brown, Janet Crain, Barbara Strebel Gallina, Sharon Solomito Davidson, Carey Dixon Regenold.
Alumni News, p. 10–11
2
Steps
Karen Gephart named Elementary and Middle School Principal
New Principal Karen Gephart (L) and
Diretor of Advancement June LaPorta
If you’re looking for the Elementary
and Middle School Principal, check
the classrooms or playground.
New Principal Karen Gephart has
wasted no time getting acquainted
with her students and teachers since
coming on board in July, becoming a
familiar presence around campus and
at school events.
Mrs. Gephart replaced Betty
Buchignani, who retired in June, and
brings more than 25 years of education
experience to the helm.
She was previously Head of District
Orff Music Instruction at Memphis
City Schools, where she directed Orff
curriculum for 150 elementary school
teachers.
She also taught music for 20 years
at Snowden Elementary School and
became well-known within music
circles for her Orff music knowledge.
She was recognized for her work in
2009, receiving the State of Tennessee
Administrative Award.
“ICCS is fortunate to have someone with Mrs. Gephart’s tremendous
knowledge and experience, both in the
classroom and in education management, heading up our elementary and
middle schools,” said Msg. Val Handwerker.
While still a music aficionado, Mrs.
Gephart is enjoying her new role.
“This is a wonderful school community,” she said, “I am thrilled to
be here and work with so many great
students and our talented, dedicated
teachers.”
Mrs. Gephart and her family have
been Cathedral parish members for 13
years. Her two children, Julia, a senior,
and Alex, an eighth grader, are both
ICCS students. +
ICCS adds Advancement Office, two staff positions
ICCS has added an Office of Advancement to manage fund-raising,
communications, admissions, and
alumni relations. The new department
brings two new faces to the campus.
“We have a great story to tell,” said
Msgr. Val Handwerker, “and we need
to be sure it’s told. We also have a
wonderful alumni base that we want to
keep connected with the ICCS tradition. We are excited about the possibilities and are confident this new
office will keep us poised for continued success.”
June LaPorta was hired in the leadership role of Director of Advancement in August. Previously Associate Director of Development for the
Hillsborough Education Foundation in
Tampa, Florida, Ms. LaPorta was also
Community Relations and Development Director for a St. Louis-area high
school for nearly eight years.
She held similar positions in public
relations and fund-raising manage-
ment with Catholic Charities of East
Tennessee and the American Red
Cathy Armstrong and daughter Macy (’11)
Cross in Knoxville.
Ms. LaPorta said she interviewed
for other jobs in Memphis but knew
right away that ICCS was where she
wanted to be.
“There was nothing to think about
when I was offered the position. I’ve
missed being in a faith-based atmosphere and am just thrilled to be here.”
Also new in the Office of
Advancement—but not to ICCS—is
Cathy Armstrong, who came on board
in September as High School Admissions and Alumni Relations Officer.
Mrs. Armstrong was a familiar face
on campus last year when she filled in
for Elementary and Middle School Admissions Officer Betsy McKay during
Mrs. McKay’s maternity leave.
She is also the parent of ICCS
senior, Macy, and former president of
the Home and School Association.
“I have no doubt that Macy’s experience at ICCS has been a completely
positive one and that she is well-prepared for college and life,” she said.
“It’s so easy for me to promote and
recommend ICCS because I have firsthand experience.”
Mrs. Armstrong was previously Director of Development for DeNeuville
Learning Center in Memphis. She
also worked in marketing for Wimmer
Cookbooks and has been a free-lance
writer for several local publications. +
Steps
New school year
rings in old tradition
It was easy to spot the freshmen on
campus the first week of school. Along
with plaid uniform skirts and cotton blouses, 33 high school fledglings
donned bright blue and white beanies
bearing the school logo, courtesy of
their new “big sisters.”
Following the opening-day morning prayer service on August 12, each
senior placed a school beanie on the
freshman girl who will be her ICCS
little sister for the rest of the school
year.
Steeped in school tradition, the
capping ceremony was the 61st in as
many years and kicked off weeklong
activities to honor freshmen. Seniors
wil be informal mentors for their new
classmates throughout the school year.
“In this world where few things
remain unchanged, I think it’s truly remarkable that this tradition continues
year after year,” high school principal
Sally Hermsdorfer told students at the
ceremony. “It's one of those things
that makes the ICCS school experience
such a special one.”
Highlights of Freshman Week
included a freshman-senior picnic at
Marquette Park and a Sunday afternoon tea hosted by senior Macy
Armstrong. +
(L-R) Kelsey Ray (’11) and “little sister”
Haley Stubblefield (’14) relax at a Sunday afternoon tea honoring freshmen.
Photo to the right (L-R) Freshmen Brooke
Jerome, Hayley Shaver, Carly David and
Allison Mohler show off their IC beanies on
their first day as high school students.
3
ICCS students get taste of college life from
dual-enrollment courses at CBU
ICCS seniors Elena Mosby (back),Theresa Dinh (L) and Kate Nidzgorski look over their physics
test.
An enhanced ICCS-Christian
Brothers University dual enrollment
partnership is giving juniors and
seniors college classroom experience
along with college credit.
In addition to the French IV dualenrollment courses available on the
ICCS campus, students now have
the opportunity to take Physics and
Chemistry classes alongside college
students in CBU classrooms.
"We are delighted to offer this opportunity for students to get real-life
college experience at CBU,” said principal Sally Hermsdorfer.
Twelve juniors and seniors are
currently enrolled in the on-campus
courses.
When asked about her college
physics experience, senior Kate
Nidzgorski said she is already reaping the benefits from the CBU course.
“There’s a lot of work to do and it can
be stressful, but I know it’s preparing
me really well,” she said.
Gisela Guerrero, a junior taking
Chemistry, agreed. "I love it! It's a
whole new adventure giving us college
experience that not many high school
kids get." +
4
Steps
Student Spotlight
Why I volunteer at
the Dorothy Day
House of Hospitality
By Julia Gephart • Class of 2011
My world is truly a fairy tale. I have
two incredible parents and a creative
younger brother. I’ve attended a
private school throughout my school
years and have always had a sweet
home. What could possibly be wrong
with that?
Julie Gephart (’11) stocks the shelves at the
Dorothy Day House of Hospitality
Just knowing that there are creations of God stirring around outside
looking for a place to sleep keeps me
up at night. All my life I’ve wondered
why I get these special privileges. Is
this fair? Of course nothing in life is
fair, but a six-year-old may think differently.
Why shouldn’t life be fair for that
six-year-old and his or her brothers
and sisters and their mother? Life
should be fair to them just as it is to
me.
I chose to become committed to
the Dorothy Day House because they
give that family a chance to live a life
close to the fairness they deserve.
They give them family and several others respect, love, peace, and happiness.
It is time for these families to see a
change in their lives, and I am willing
to help in all that I can.
Though I may be young, I am
still a child of God and have a strong
heart. There is no stopping me when
it comes to being a part of something
good. And this organization is definitely something good.
So let there be war around the
world, let there be disagreements and
fights, let there be temptations. Our
God is powerful and mighty and will
protect all of his children. We are simply the fortunate children with homes
of our own. It is our duty to fulfill
God’s will and protect those who do
not have shelter.
Together we will create the peace
that is needed in our world today.
Though the world does need our
gracious amount of help, the greatest
place to be right now is the Dorothy
Day House because it is true, “There’s
no place like home.” +
ICCS senior photographer catches eye of pro
By Sally Hermsdorfer, HS Principal
ICCS senior Sarah Wilson has
somewhat of a genetic claim to artistic
talent. Her parents, Rosanne and Scott
Wilson, are both Memphis College of
Art graduates. Any classmate who’s
been in a graphic arts class with Sarah
knows her ability with a sketchpad.
But even Sarah has been surprised by
the accolades she’s won for her photography.
When ICCS began the now-annual
campus photography contest in Jan.
2009, she entered several snaps she’d
taken on a Girl Scout trip to Europe.
Her ant’s-eye view of the Eiffel Tower
Her ant’s-eye view of the Eiffel Tower garnered
ICCS senior Sarah Wilson honorable mention
in the school’s annual photography contest in
2009 and grabbed the attention of National
Geographic photographer Tommy Wilson.
captured an honorable mention nod—
and caught the attention of one contest
judge, Tommy Wilson (no relation),
a local free-lance photographer for
National Geographic Magazine.
“Sarah’s got the best gift for composition I’ve ever seen in a photographer
with no formal training,” Wilson says.
He was even more impressed with
her entries for the 2010 competition
that earned her the blue ribbon, plus
a $7000 scholarship from Memphis
College of Art.
Those photos prompted Wilson
(the pro) to present Wilson (the amateur) a chance to be his lone student
for a summer class in his studio to
learn classic analog photography.
“The great artists of photography
shoot film and process their own
prints,” Wilson explains. “Professional photographers hate to think
that’s going to be a dying art.” Ilford
Photo, Inc. provided Wilson a text for
Sarah, and she earned ICCS academic
credit through the Art Department for
her seven weeks of work in Wilson’s
studio.
Continued on Page 5
Steps
5
Continued from Page 4
“He wasn’t ‘demanding-demanding,’” Sarah says about Wilson’s
teaching style, “but he kept challenging me and taught me things about
print-making that I never thought I’d
be capable of, like ‘spotting.’ It was
awesome.”
ICCS preschoolers eager to learn the lesson of the day from Spanish teacher Paola Bernard
Preschoolers mastering second language in
Spanish Immersion Classes
A new Spanish immersion program
implemented this year in the preschool
has pint-sized native English-speakers
quickly learning a second language—
and impressing their parents.
“I had some problems with my contact lens the other day,” said Jennifer
Brunson, whose daughter Natalie attends the preschool, “Natalie promptly
told me, ‘Mommy, your ojos are so
rojo.’”
Natalie is one of 24 students who
begin each school day with a 30-minute immersion into Spanish language
and culture with a lesson led by Spanish teacher Paola Bernard. A native
speaker, Mrs. Bernard uses no English
while she teaches traditional subjects
including Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Studies.
The immersion process continues
four afternoons each week when students view Spanish videos and participate in follow-up activities.
Just seven weeks into the school
year, preschooler Madelaine Fowlkes is
sharing her newly developed language
skills. “She said, 'Mom if you want to
order chicken in Spanish, you have to
say pollo',” said Dana Fowlkes.
“In today’s world, being bilingual
can be a huge advantage,” said elementary principal Karen Gephart, “it’s
much easier to learn when children are
very young. The Spanish immersion
classes also encourage students to embrace diversity. It’s a great experience
for them all the way around.” +
Sarah Wilson (’11)
“I was about her age when a
professional saw something in me,”
Wilson says, “and I’ve always hoped to
be able to do for a young photographer
what he did for me.” Wilson took the
prints he and Sarah agreed were her
best work and had them matted as a
congratulatory gift at the end of summer. She entered them in the Delta
Fair at DeSoto Civic Center in September and will submit them with her
university application portfolio.
With her hobby now a career
choice, Sarah plans to pursue a degree
in commercial photography. “I’ve
always had a thing about photography,
but I never thought of it as my future
until I worked with him.” +
First Day Smiles
Third graders Mary Harkins and Venice Fan
look ready for the new year.
Paul Phen (L) and Paulo Bernard-Santisteban
soon discover that preschool can be fun.
Kevin Smith (L) and Andy Oswald enjoy their
first day as 5th graders.
6
Steps
Around Campus
Campus Prays Rosary to Honor Our Lady
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of
Memphis observed a “Rosary in unison” on October 7, with every Catholic
school student in the diocese praying
at the same hour.
Reviving an old tradition, ICCS
school administrators and faculty
celebrated the Rosary in the amphitheatre adjacent to Marian Hall.
Using an outsized rosary furnished
by the East Memphis Knights of Columbus, students from grades 1—12
recited one of the oldest prayers of the
Catholic Church.
Student leaders from 2nd grade and
older led prayer in English, Spanish,
and French.
In all, 400 adults and children
including students, faculty and guests
participated in the moving prayer
service. +
Cat in the Hat and all that:
In celebration of legendary children’s
author Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Cathedral
parishioner Terry Gallagher donned a
Cat in the Hat costume and read “Green
Eggs and Ham” to ICCS preschoolers.
The literary celebration continued with
a breakfast of green eggs and ham prepared by preschool teachers Ms. Kimberly Bradley and Mrs. Nancy Miller. “It was
a big, yummy and very green breakfast,”
said Mrs. Miller.
Steps
7
ICCS cross country runners and coaches
show off ribbons after a recent meet.
(Front Row L-R): Coach John Juniker;
Christopher Himber, 2nd place for
5th/6th boys; John Harkins, 5th place for
5th/6th boys); Karen Candia, 5th place
for 7th/8th girls. Back Row: Coaches
Meriwether Truckner and Ryan Brennan.
New to the ICCS middle school this year,
the cross country and track programs
have generated excitement among student athletes and parents alike. “We’re
so glad that the students have another extracurricular activity to become
involved in,” said ICCS parent Barbara
Himber.
Sixth graders John Harkins (Left) and
Christopher Himber compete at a recent
cross country meet. The boys took 5th
and 2nd prizes, respectively, in their division.
Do you have pictures
of our student atheletes? Send them to:
alumni@ic.cdom.org
Above from left:
Catherine Sights (’12),
Maria Monserrat (’13),
and Kate Nidzgorski
(’11) on the volleyball
court.
At Right: Abby McDonald (’12) is ready to
receive a serve.
8
Steps
Everyone loves playground time
Second grader Isabel Martin is ready to
play ball.
First grade classmates Jared Chambers (L) and Trenton Shivers are full of energy as they
enjoy a sunny day on the playground.
Above: First grader Lily Reynolds (L) and
second grader Gino Giorgianni take a
quick break from recess fun to smile for
the camera.
At Left: Early in the school year, Jessica
Merrie, first grade (L), and preschooler
Ruby Elliotte are already the best of
friends.
Steps
9
The student body gathers on the Cathedral steps after Mercy Day Mass on September 24 and displays a small sampling of the items
they collected for the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, a transitional housing program for homeless families.
Fifth grader Riley Higgins (center) poses
with his parents,Vince and Barbara,
before beginning his school day.
HS Seniors (L-R) McKenzie Martin,Tess Kolesar, Sarah Wilson, Stephanie Motta, Julia
Gephart, Erin Bowlin, Lara Abu-Krabeh and Macy Armstrong enjoy a lighter moment in
the school garden.
Steps
10
Alumni Notes
What’s new with
you?
Your classmates would
like to know!
Send us your
updates and photos for
the Class Notes
section in the next
edition of Steps:
alumni@ic.cdom.org
The Class of 1985 gathered recently to celebrate their quarter-century reunion.
At left—Thirty-five years later the Class
of 1975 still has a great time together.
Pictured is the first night of their class
reunion, a Friday-night, alumnae-only celebration at the home of Debbie (Smith)
Meyers. The group enjoyed a couples
get-together the following night. The
classmates remain closely connected,
meeting every four-six weeks for a girls’night-out dinner.
At right—The class of 1980 gathered
for a reunion weekend that began with a
Friday dinner at a classmate’s home and
continued with a family get-together on
Saturday. Several of the classmates concluded the weekend by attending Mass
together at the Cathedral.
Steps
11
Senior Colleen Sauser interviews Class of
1967 alumnae Lydia (Stanfield) Meyers
(L) and Lynn (Stanfield) Queenan, after
they presented the class donation to the
Science Department.
Class of 1967 gives back to school
“These women were a great source
of knowledge,” said senior Colleen
Sauser, after Class of 1967 alumnae
presented a $2,035 check to the school
on September 17 and explained why
it’s important to give back to their
alma mater. “I looked at them and saw
my senior class in exactly 43 years,”
Miss Sauser said.
Several girls wiped tears from
their cheeks as an emotional Lynn
(Stanfield) Queenan shared her ICCS
memories and expressed her love for
the school.
“You may not have thought about
it before today,” she said, “but we are
and always will be your sisters. IC
girls are a family, and you really are
part of something so much bigger than
yourself.”
Students came forward after the
presentation to express gratitude,
exchange hugs, chat and pose for
photos with their alumnae sisters.
Mrs. Rita Quinn, a former ICCS
teacher who taught biology to the 1967
class, was a special guest.
The donated funds were used to
purchase digital microscopes for the
science lab, housed in Mulloy Hall,
named for Sr. Adrian. +
Julie Lammell ‘67 hugs future ICCS
alumna, freshman Carly David.
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Send your address to
alumni@ic.cdom.org
Peggy Steffan (L) and Helen Weirich (R)
with former science teacher, Rita Quinn.
HS Principal Sally Hermsdorfer accepts a
donation from alumnae Lynn (Stanfield)
Queenan (R) and Julie Lammell. .
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