News from St. Agnes Academic High School

20 Pages·2017·7.44 MB·English

News from St. Agnes Academic High School
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 1 11/20/17 1:00 PM
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Friends,
St. Agnes Academic High School kicks off our
NEWS FROM ST. AGNES ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL 110th anniversary in strong financial shape with
a growing enrollment and alumni giving at an
Issue: Fall 2017 | Volume: 4 all-time high. As one of two remaining all-girls’
Catholic High Schools in Queens, our beloved
St. Agnes Academic High School St. Agnes is a shining example of excellence in
13-20 124 Street Catholic Education.
College Point, NY 11356
Our expanding STEM program offers The
St. Agnes Academic Health Sciences Program due in large part, to the
PRINCIPAL
extraordinary generosity of St. Agnes alumni. We are so grateful to Maureen
Mrs. Susan Nicoletti
Fritch ‘78 for her continued generosity, Elaine Kaupp Smith '74, Acting Dean
of Nursing at Adelphi for her knowledge and guidance, Lisa Verber Kerr '90
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
from Henry Schein and Laura Ellingham McDonagh ‘90, Director of Pediatric
ACADEMICS
Service Line at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center for helping us secure
Ms. Anne Forde
essential medical equipment.
STUDENT LIFE
Two weeks after the ribbon cutting, St. Agnes received a generous gift from
Ms. Kathleen Gaughan Ursula Hannigan Sellitti '55 for the new medical lab. Her generosity will make
a tremendous impact on securing additional state-of-the-art equipment for
STRATEGIC PLANNING the program.
Mrs. Keri-Ann Wade-Donohue
In July, I received a wonderful letter from Maria De Nunzio' 71 who
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT offered tuition assistance for a girl whose family is struggling to pay for
the education she was so fortunate to receive. Maria has joined a growing
Ms. Denise Fetonte
number of generous Angels who have changed the lives of dozens of girls
PRINT & DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS at St. Agnes Academic High School. Our students, their families and the
entire school is so grateful to Maria and all of our Angels for their continued
Ms. Theresa Hynes
generosity.
I hope you will join the celebration and participate in the BIG BUCK$
GENERAL OFFICE
BIRTHDAY BASH. We will begin selling tickets in the new year and end the
718.353.6276
year with a big party where we will give away *$50,000 in prizes and raise
In This Issue important funds for the school. (*based on ticket sales)
FAX NUMBER
718.353.6068 Thank you for your support and for your prayers. Together, we will build a
stronger St. Agnes Academic High School for the next generation of young
ONLINE
women. Stay tuned for more good news!
stagneshs.org
Sincerely,
OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
718.353.6276 ext 30
Susan Nicoletti
Principal
MISSION STATEMENT W H AT ’S I N S I D E AG N E W S ?
St. Agnes Academic High School, founded
by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is a culturally
diverse Catholic High School for young women SECTIONS FEATURES
that develops a strong foundation for lifelong
learning. By building upon each student’s faith 2 AROUND CAMPUS 3 CIAO BELLA: THE TRIP TO ITALY
and challenging her full academic potential, our
mission is to graduate women who are open to 5 ALUMNI NEWS
growth, intellectually competent, socially aware, 9 110 YEARS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
13 GIVING
morally discerning, and committed to being
women of integrity and truth.
17 ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING 16 LEADING THE WAY IN STEM
1 S T . A G N E S A C A D E M I C H I G H S C H O O L
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 2 11/20/17 1:00 PM
AROUND CAMPUS
BLUE ANGEL
CHAMPIONS
The soccer team are champions for the second year
As many of you are aware, the St. Agnes Theater Club in a row. The Blue Angels finished the season unde-
put on “The Wizard of Oz”, our first full length feated in their 8 games with 69 goals scored.
production in over twenty years. The performances took
place during the first week of April 2017. This would not
have been possible without the talent, dedication, and
hard work of Ms. Conlon and Mrs. LoCascio. Countless
hours went into preparation for the performances. Over
40 students were involved in the production, some
starring in it, while others worked on scenery, costumes,
makeup, and lighting. Amy Ford '17 did a marvelous
job playing Dorothy, while Kristen Maddalena '17,
Vivian Murdock '17, and Jenna Giamarino '19 did a
marvelous job as the lion, the tin man, and the scarecrow,
respectively. And who could forget Gilda McCrann '17
as the Wicked Witch of the West, or Carisa Lau '17 as the
Great and Powerful Oz. And we would be remiss if we
The JV volleyball team is Brooklyn/Queens B
did not recognize the hard work put into set design and
Champions for the 2017 season. Congrats Blue
costumes by Mrs. Hand, parent volunteer; we could not Angels!
have done it without her. It truly was a team effort.
2017 WALKATHON
Our Annual Walk-A-Thon took place on Friday, October
27th! This year we surpassed our goal of $50,000 and
the funds will go towards purchasing our very first bus,
The St. Agnes Blue Angel Express.
CIAO BELLA: THE TRIP TO ITALY
(pictured left: Marianne Peterman-Geraghty '64 and Janet
110 YEARS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Comerford-Dann '64 walked to help raise money for the new
Blue Angel Express.)
LEADING THE WAY IN STEM
A G N E W S : F A L L 2 0 1 7 2
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 3 11/20/17 1:00 PM
IN THE NEWS
CCCiiiaaaooo Bellas!
SSSttt... AAAgggnnneeesss SSStttuuudddeeennntttsss VVViiisssiiittt IIItttaaalllyyy
By: Ericka Conlon, Class of 1980
Buongiorno! As a graduate of the Class of 1980, I was On Thursday, April 13th, 42 students and 7 faculty
thrilled to return to St. Agnes in 2015 as a member of the chaperones met at JFK Airport to begin their journey.
faculty. As I prepared myself for this new adventure in We landed in Venice the following day and immediately
my career, I pulled out a group photo of my junior trip to started soaking in the sites and culture. Our first stop was
Washington, D.C. and had it framed to proudly display to the quaint city of Padua where we were overcome with
in my new classroom. That black and white photo held awe at the breathtaking Basilica of St. Anthony. The next
what were to me some of the brightest and most colorful day, we took a private boat across the canal to Venice.
memories of my high school days at St. Agnes. Those four There we took a historic walking tour of this wondrous
days in Washington gave us the opportunity to explore city and visited the magnificent Murano glass factory. Our
new places, forge new friendships, and get to know day ended at a small Venetian mask workshop where
teachers on a more personal level. each of us learned about the history of the Venetian mask
and the art of making them. Inspired by our lesson, we
It was much to my delight that Mrs. Nicoletti, our school each created Venetian masks of our own to take home!
principal, asked me to be one of the chaperones on
the Belle Italia trip this past spring. There was no need Sad to be bidding farewell to Venice, we boarded a bus
to mull it over, I was in and so excited to be part of to Florence. On our way we stopped in a beautiful town
the first international trip at St. Agnes in many years. called Ravenna where we attended Easter Sunday Mass.
However, I was not the only one elated to be part of this This was truly one of the most memorable moments
international adventure – 42 girls signed up to become of our trip. Far from our homes on Easter Sunday, we
world travelers on this fun and educational trip to the stood together and celebrated Eucharist with our St.
beautiful country of Italy! Agnes family. I’m sure that I am not alone when I say
that it was a blessing for all of us. We then boarded the
3 S T . A G N E S A C A D E M I C H I G H S C H O O L
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 4 11/20/17 1:00 PM
IN THE NEWS
Bellas!
St. Agnes Students Visit Italy
bus and headed to Florence and The Academia to see with street vendors and musicians – each place beautifully
the statue of David and many other beautiful works of breathtaking! The last leg of our journey was a visit to
art. The following day was jam packed with adventures. Pompeii. It was amazing to be standing in a place that we
We began with an absolutely magnificent walking tour have all learned about in textbooks! It was memorable to
of Florence, visited the Misuri leather factory, shopped say the least!
until we dropped, and then attended a cooking class at
Apricius Culinary School! Teachers and their students On our last night, we stood in front of the brightly lit St.
worked side by side to create a scrumptious meal. Peter’s Square and shared our most memorable moments
Undoubtedly, this is a memory that will last a lifetime. of the week. We laughed and cried because we were
bidding Italia farewell and yet we knew that it would live
Exhausted but certainly not ready to bid Italy goodbye, on in our hearts forever. Back here at St. Agnes as we
we boarded a bus and headed to Rome. This was the pass one another in the hall there is a new bond that joins
moment we had all been waiting for – The Vatican! Words us together and one that will never be forgotten.
cannot adequately express the feelings I felt as I stood
in St. Peter’s Square and waited to enter the Basilica. The I would be remiss if I did not thank our foreign language
anticipation took my breath away and tears rolled down teachers, Mrs. Bagdziunas and Mrs. Schiller for planning
my face as I entered. As I looked around at the girls, it this entire trip, and to our principal, Mrs. Nicoletti for her
was clear they were feeling the same. This was a blessing leadership and support in allowing the girls of St. Agnes
I will cherish forever. to experience the joys and educational opportunities of
international travel.
We loved every minute in Rome! The Coliseum, The Trevi
Fountain, The Spanish Steps, and the many squares filled A trip to Spain is being planned for April 2018.
A G N E W S : F A L L 2 0 1 7 4
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 5 11/20/17 1:00 PM
ALUMNI NEWS
in 1969. Moved to Montauk, Long Island and raised 3
children (2 boys/1 girl). Grandma to 5. Was Director of
Montauk Chamber of Commerce for 12 years. Worked
WE'D LOVE TO
for Gov. George Pataki. 5 years M/A/T. Retired and still
lives in Montauk with husband, John. Approaching our
48 years together. I loved my 4 years at St. Agnes.
HEAR FROM
Audrey Michaels Ford ’64 celebrated 50 years of
marriage on June 17, 2017 to a man she met on the
annual “boat ride to Rye Beach” in 1963 with Holy Cross
Y O U !
HS.
Maryanne Warren McCormack ‘64 retired – both son
& my daughter took over our company. I am presently
SEND US YOUR NEWS
running our non-profit company called “Thair for You”.
It’s a wig program I started at the end of 2011. We give
by email: [email protected]
free wigs to women who have lost hair to cancer. We
or mail information to shave their heads & fit and cut a free wig to anyone in
St. Agnes Academic High School Texas. I’m a survivor eight years this October!!!
Alumni Class Notes
13-20 124 Street, College Point, NY 11356 Maria Nollenberger Nolen ’65
I think the Day of Giving on the feast day of St. Agnes is a
wonderful idea!
1940s
Diana Bando Sarfin ’66 was blessed in November with
Mary Elizabeth Rienzo Noll ’43 her 6th grandchild in 4 years from 3 children.
I will always be grateful to St. Agnes for the time I spent
there. I loved every minute. I raised my 9 children
1970s
with the principles learned there and now my 44
grandchildren are profiting also. Lois Perillo ’75 Our family continues to thrive in the San
Francisco Bay area. We made our long planned trip to
1950s
Europe. What an adventure we had, driving over 1200
Mary McKeon Brown ’54 km throughout Italy, as far North as Firenze and as far
graduated in June 1954 – “St. Agnes was a great school. South as Pizo, Calabria – seeking our roots. Then off to
My sister Anne graduated in June 1951 and my sister Normandy, France to tour with friends. Here’s to the next
Pat in January 1952. Both of my sisters are Grey Nuns adventure!
of the Sacred Heart. I married and have 5 children and
6 grandchildren. Life has been good to us! My “nun” Karen Cop ’79 had wonderful experiences being a
sisters also say hello to St. Agnes High School!! student at St. Agnes.
Mary Jane Huggins Korson ’55 moved from Arkansas
1980s
to South Carolina in October 2016 and is enjoying the
change. “It is always a pleasure to review my years at St. Barbara Ferguson-Jankowski ’83 so very grateful to St.
Agnes” Agnes for my excellent education and my amazing sisters
in the Class of 83!
1960s
Mary Ann Mastropaolo Healy ’60 is enjoying retirement! Christine Hadlow ’86 The only thing that rules more
She enjoys doing watercolors in the park and runs a tiny than Table 17, are the stupendous women from the Class
vintage shoppe in Cold Spring, NY (upstate). She has of 1986! Aggie Sisters 4 Life!
5 grandchildren that are such a gift! “I’m Blessed!”
Elisa Machacek Delaney ’86 attended for freshman/
Joan McTaggart Kayser ’61 sophomore years only, but the school has a special place
Go St. Agnes, great great school! Love and proud to be in my heart and I made lifelong friends there. Happy to
an Alumna! help in my small way!
Marilyn Sullivan Behan graduated in 1963 went on to Mary Morhart (parent) Thank you St. Agnes for giving
Claremont Secretarial School; worked & lived in NYC. 5 my daughter, Katrina the best 4 years and the guidance
years in advertising/marketing. Married John Behan to go forth and succeed! Amen!
55 SS TT .. AA GG NN EE SS AA CC AA DD EE MM II CC HH II GG HH SS CC HH OO OO LL
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 6 11/20/17 1:00 PM
ALUMNI NEWS
CLASS OF 1967 REUNION
On June 24, 1967, 266 young women graduated from with proceeds going to the school. There was also a 50/50
St Agnes and began their journey through life. College, raffle which also was given to the school to benefit the
careers, marriage, children and grandchildren followed. Angel program. On a special Memorial table were pictures
Sadly, some classmates have passed away. of classmates who have passed away. There was also
a special picture frame showing the names of beloved
Fifty years later many returned to celebrate their 50th
faculty members who meant so much in helping each
reunion. It began with an invitation to attend the spring
student prepare for life.
concert as special guests. On Friday a group returned to
the school and were treated to a breakfast followed by The biggest surprise was a special guest, Miss Ann
a tour of the building and a chance to meet some of the Morrissey, who taught Freshman biology. Everyone was so
students. On April 29th, seventy members of the class of excited to see her and thank her for her work.
1967 gathered at Verdi’s Restaurant. Amid hugs, laughter
Cake and coffee rounded out the afternoon. Promises were
and some tears these mature women suddenly became 17
made to get together in the near future. Also, most talked
and 18 year old teens reminiscing about four wonderful
about another reunion in five years. It was a special day
years at St Agnes.
that brought back some wonderful memories.
After eating a delicious buffet, everyone had great fun
Through fundraising efforts the class donated just over
posing for pictures at the photo booth. Thanks to some
$2,000 to The Angel Program to help support a freshman
very generous classmates, there were gift basket raffles
in completing her first year at St. Agnes.
W E R E M E M B E R
OUR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WHO PASSED AWAY THIS YEAR
Patricia Sullivan Wartmann, Jan ’49 passed away in March S. Providence Giammalvo, OP (S. Antoinette Imedla, OP)
2016. She is survived by her husband, two children and passed away March 30, 2017. Sister was 101 years old. She
four grandchildren. taught at St. Agnes from 1968-1970.
Mary Lee Pace Sakson, Jan ’51 died in February 2017. Krista Gottlieb, former faculty member, passed away in
She was a dear friend through grammar school, high school her winter time home in Oldsmar, FL in May 2017. Krista
and college to Patricia Pendergast Greenspan, Jan ’51. served the St. Agnes community well for many fruitful years
innovating the Phys Ed program with dance, gymnastics
Madeline Nemeth McDonald ‘55 died on May 13, 2016.
and yoga, one of her passions!
Lois Kryda Youdelman passed away June 28, 2016.
Anthony Barone, peacefully passed away on May 19,
S. Irene Garvey, OP (formally known as) S. Joseph Paul, 2017 with his children and grandchildren by his side. Mr.
OP passed away on August 30, 2017. Sister Irene taught Barone was 93 years old and had just recently received his
English in St. Agnes in the late fifties and early sixties. In diploma from St. Agnes in 2016.
1973 Sister Irene was elected prioress of the Sisters of St.
Please remember Mary Mucha McAlpin ‘73 who suffered
Dominic and held this office until 1981. She will be missed
a stroke and died suddenly at home on April 8, 2017. Mary
by many people, especially the Amityville Dominicans. May
is survived by her loving husband, Bill and sisters Eileen
Sister rest in peace.
Mucha Connolly ‘64 and Kathleen Mucha Winkler ‘68.

A G N E W S : F A L L 2 0 1 7 6
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 7 11/20/17 1:00 PM
ALUMNI NEWS
Cake Wars
A T S T . A G N E S
By: Ericka Conlon
On May 17th, St. Agnes held its 2nd sandy beaches, barbecue grills, picnic
Annual Cake Wars Competition in the grounds, flip flops and a VW vintage
school cafeteria. This year’s competition bus!
was all the more exciting and enjoyable
due to our guest judge, Elyse Fonseca. Pastry chef Elyse Fonseca was quick
to give the girls advice, feedback and
Elyse Fonseca is a St. Agnes Class encouragement.
of 2010 alumna and a pastry chef at
the trendy pie shop, Four and Twenty She is the epitome of a strong St. Agnes
Blackbirds located in Brooklyn. woman who is willing to share her time,
talents and love for her alma mater with
Each team was comprised of 2 to 3 the St. Agnes community!
participants. The teams were given
baskets filled with frosting, fondant, Needless to say, it was a fantastic
decorating kits, rolling pins, spatulas afternoon. A great time was had by all
and more. All they needed to “create” especially our first place winning team -
the perfect Summer Fun themed Emma Kegel '17 and Lily Fitzpatrick '16.
cake. Right from the start, there was
a feeling of excitement in the room They captured the summer roadtrip
as Elyse opened our contest with the perfectly with their VW Bus cake!
contest rules. They had one hour to turn
undecorated layers of cake into virtual The Annual cake Wars Competition has
works of art! And true to the spirit of become one of the most anticipated
our school, the girls did not disappoint! events of the year.
There were cakes that looked like
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Natalie Williams ‘16
Born and raised in Queens, Natalie Williams has always felt at home in St. John’s.
After graduating from St. Agnes Academic High School in the neighboring city
of College Point, Queens, Natalie was grateful to remain in a Catholic learning
institution. In her high school, she took St. John’s accredited classes that helped
her adjust to her life in college.

Natalie is currently a chemistry major in the St. John’s College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences. Choosing this major was simple for Natalie, even though she
was interested in many subjects in high school. When asked why she chose to
major in chemistry, she answered, “It was the only subject in high school that I
can see myself pursuing the future.” Natalie’s favorite classes are her chemistry
7 S T . A G N E S A C A D E M I C H I G H S C H O O L
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 8 11/20/17 1:00 PM
AAA NNNooottteee FFFrrrooommm MMMaaauuurrreeeeeennn KKKeeeooouuuggghhh RRRiiieeennnzzzooo ‘‘‘555000
Cake Wars
Last week I visited my sister in law, Mary
Elizabeth Rienzo Noll, a graduate of the Class of
1943. She is 92 years old, still alert and living
in her own home. Liz must be one of our oldest
alumni. She remembers her days at St. Agnes
with fondness and also sadness as many of the
boys after graduation marched off to war. After
she graduated she attended Misericordia College
in PA and just celebrated her 70th reunion. She
wwwaaasss aaannn aaaccctttiiivvveee mmmeeemmmbbbeeerrr ooofff ttthhheee AAAllluuummmnnniii AAAssssssoooccciiiaaatttiiiooonnn aaannnddd
served on the board until just recently. She is a remarkable and beloved
woman. A few years after graduation from college she married Dean Noll,
a Manhattan College engineer and moved to New Jersey. She and Dean
raised nine wonderful children. Liz is now the grandmother of 21 and great
grandmother of 20. I love her dearly and wanted to let you know of this
wonderful St. Agnes alumnus!
labs, despite the hard work they demand because she is Broadway plays in her spare time, and has an immense
intrigued by the hands-on learning and understanding love for music. Music has always been one of her passions,
it requires. Natalie is a member of the STEM Scholars as she plays two instruments; piano since age seven and
Programs, which supports research trumpet since age nine. She loves to
and teamwork among students Music has always been perform, as she is always dancing and
majoring in fields of science, singing when with her friends and family.
technology, engineering, and one of her passions, Her fondest memories include playing
math. In the future, Natalie hopes trumpet in her middle school concert
as she plays two
to study abroad in Paris through and jazz bands and piano in high school
the Discover France; Chemistry performances. If there is a concert on
instruments; piano since
Program. When Natalie graduates campus, you can almost be sure that
with her Bachelors in Chemistry in age seven and trumpet Natalie is either there or on her way
spring of 2020, she hopes to go there to experience the music. She was
on to graduate school with an end since age nine. originally a music minor but changed her
goal of earning her doctorate and minor at the beginning of her sophomore
becoming a cosmetic chemist. year to graphic design to challenge
herself. Natalie hopes to further both her musical and
Natalie is also a lover of the arts. She loves to draw, attend artistic talents throughout her years at St. John’s.
A G N E W S : F A L L 2 0 1 7 8
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 9 11/20/17 1:00 PM
11111 11111 00000 YYYYY EEEEE AAAAA RRRRR SSSSS
Academic Excellence
of
Founded in 1908 by The Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville,
NY, St. Agnes Academic High School opened with two teachers
in a one-room schoolhouse in College Point. A year later, the
School moved to 14th Avenue and expanded academic and
commercial courses while students boarded in the “old” school.
St. Agnes received a temporary charter in 1910 and, two In 1966, Principal Sister Jean Clare, OP, St. Agnes High
years later, held its first graduation with only 12 students. School received its Middle States Accreditation. The
accreditation was renewed in 1976 under the leadership
On April 25, 1925, the School received its permanent of Sister Kathleen Waters, OP; in 1987 under the
legal charter by the University of the State of New York leadership of Sister Marguerite Warren, OP; and in 2007
and remained co-educational for forty years. under the leadership of Sister Joan Martin, OP.
In 1949, St. Agnes Academic High School became an all In 2014, Mrs. Susan Nicoletti became the first lay
girls’ school. Principal of St. Agnes Academic High School.
9 S T . A G N E S A C A D E M I C H I G H S C H O O L
Agnews_Fall_2017_FINAL.indd 10 11/20/17 1:00 PM