St. Mary of the Springs Academy Alumnae Newsletter Summer 2018 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, 43219-2098 Editor: Louis Fabro E-mail: [email protected]

GREETINGS ALUMNAE a great need to reinforce the values we were

taught. “THE IDEAL ST. MARY’S GIRL”

“The St. Mary’s Girl is always thoughtful of others: She is kind in her acts, kinder in her The 2018 luncheon was held on Saturday, April words, and kindest in her thoughts; By a 21, 2018 at St. Charles Preparatory School and, concrete charity and courtesy, she revels that as I observed, it appeared to be fun time for all she is not petty or selfish; She never imposes who gathered. extra work upon anyone else because of her indifference, negligence, or omission; She is a good sportsman. She realizes that to be a good loser is preferable to being a poor winner; and She realizes that the measure of her conduct towards others will determine that which she may expect in return.”

The excerpt above is from a pamphlet entitled “The Mary Way” Handbook of St. Mary of the Springs; Columbus 3, Ohio 1944. The content was written in 1944. On the front cover of this pamphlet is printed: LAUDARE, BENEDICERE, Class of 1958 luncheon attendees celebrating PREDICARE (this is the Dominican Order’s their 60-year reunion were (Front row, from Motto). left) Jeanne Chase Warnick, Sister Ellen Dunn, OP and Marianne Heinmiller Vargo; Second LAUDARE (praise) … to all alumnae who paid row, from left) Marianne Lehman Brown, Ann their dues (it is not too late to send yours in for Golden Rieser, Jane Durbin Sotak and Ruthie this year); made contributions to the scholarship Holzafel Fortkamp; (Third row, from left) fund; made contributions to the museum Noreen DeSantis Drake, Jackie Klinker endeavor; attended the luncheon; and, to all Hammond and Mary Beth Obert; (Top Row, those who keep the memory of SMA alive. from left) Patti Rodenfels DeSantis, Molly McKinnon Wang and Ann Drake Shepman. A special “laudare” to the current Mary-like board members who strive to promote and At the luncheon, the museum committee support the values taught us by the Dominican provided a walk down memory lane with their sisters and who personally purchased a locker displays; Manor served a great lunch; for the SMA Jubilee Museum Room. Of course, stories of old were shared and enjoyed by one “laudare” to the museum committee and and all. I enjoyed the look on the faces of our BENEDICERE (bless) them also. eldest graduates when they discovered their class year in Roman numerals. To all alumnae, please PREDICARE (preach) keep sharing stories about the “good-old days.” An aside—thank you Norma (Altman Johanni In today’s political and cultural climate, there is ’59) for humoring me.

The board did a fabulous job planning and executing this much anticipated event. Beanies- off to all who helped and especially to Sr. Margaret Hoffman ‘60 for directing ladies to the correct place and to Louis J. Fabro (Administrative Assistant for the SMA Board and St. Charles Director Alumni Affairs and Communications) for setting-up, taking and posting pictures, serving, and cleaning-up.

I want to leave you with this thought--all famous authors, world class athletes, business tycoons, singers, actors, and celebrated achievers in any field have one characteristic in common--they (Above) An official St. Mary’s Class Ring. Do all began their journeys when they were none you have one at home – or some other SMA of these things. We have each come a long way item you would like to donate to the Jubilee Museum Room? from the campus of old SMA and we have a long way to go on our journey called “life.” Make Of course, we need funds for the project. What each day a GOOD one, a day better than is the money for, you may ask? Well, we hired yesterday and continue to make our teachers a contractor to build the set for the mannequins and parents proud. God bless you. and paid to have the room painted. --Katy Ryan Paolini ’61, Alumnae President

Additional expenses include a video player for SMA JUBILEE MUSEUM ROOM DVDs, display tables, a professional restorer to The year 2018 marks 150 years since the clean the floor, and the professional scanning of founding of St. Mary of the Springs Academy. over 100 photos--some of which dated from the The location at the time of the founding was 1800's. The list goes on and on. known as Shepard, Ohio.

In the 1923 St. Mary of the Springs yearbook, How fabulous to be able to commemorate the 5th grade student, Ione Connor, wrote, "When wonderful school we attended as well as provide they thought over what they had done, they awareness of this historic women's so-called found their happiest moment … was time spent "Literary Institute" which originated in 1830 in in prayer." Ione became the mother of LuAnn Somerset, Ohio! Yardley Ransom '56 and Jeanne Yardley Bogen

'57. The Jubilee Committee continues to gather many treasures from SMA alumnae but we still With your help and prayers, the essence and need class graduation group pictures. knowledge of the St. Mary's girl will live on and

on. We thank all who have already generously We are also looking for year books and any donated time, money, and memorabilia. other keepsakes from your time at the

Academy. We are very close to the opening of Questions about tax deductions or to arrange the “St. Mary of the Springs” room in the Jubilee pickup of items? Please contact Ann Seren at Museum (the former Holy Family School) which [email protected] or call 614-237-1379. is located just west of downtown at 57 S. Grubb Donations should be mailed to Carol Bringardner Street. Klunk ‘57 at 3002 Plymouth Ave, Columbus,

Ohio 43209 (Make checks payable to “SMA For design and space reasons, our room Room, Jubilee Museum.”). designer, Mary Beth Hughes Obert ‘58, is urging us to collect everything ASAP.

2018 ERSKINE AWARD HONOREE In 1977, she took another path and became a Our sincere congratulations to Sr. Carolyn nurse’s aide at Mohun Hall. Her next step was Thurn ‘55, who was awarded the 2018 to attend nursing school at Capital University Erskine Award at our annual May luncheon. and at St. Frances/St. George Hospital in Cincinnati. Sr. Carolyn has been an inspiration to all who have known her. Her sister chose to attend St. From 1982 through 1984, Sr. Carolyn was a Joseph Academy and Sr. Carolyn wanted only nurse and In-Service Director at Mohun Hall. to attend St. Mary of the Springs. From 1984 and into 1992, she worked for Home Health Nursing and the Association for All her life, Sr. Carolyn has been surrounded by the Developmentally Disabled in Columbus. her Dominican family, loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews—all whose life she has In 1992, she began working at the Mohun touched. As a teenager and before entering Health Center. At Mohun Health Center, she convent, Sr. Carolyn was often chosen to be a held coordinator position for Nurse/Staff bridesmaid at family weddings. Development, Education, and Central Supply.

Sr. Carolyn was the youngest of five siblings. Throughout her life of service, Sr. Carolyn has Her mother passed away when Sr. Carolyn was been a vital member of the communities she in grade school. As a young girl, Sr. Carolyn served. She has actively supported families in worked for the family business, Thurn Meats, various ways, including house and pet sitting, at a stand at Central Market in downtown and providing child care. Further, she Columbus. graciously welcomes ALL people into her life.

For several years, she has been a supportive friend to Louie and Joey, who have developmental disabilities. Sr. Carolyn, Louie, and Joey have been on many excursions like cruises, camping, ball games, and movies. She treats everyone as if she/he is family. Her kindness is far reaching.

She has retired more than once and is now a full-time volunteer with the Dominican Sister of Peace. She also serves on the SMA Board. She is an inspiration to the SMA Board, her ‘55 (Above) St. Mary’s 2018 Erskine Award classmates, and actually anyone with whom honoree, Sr. Carolyn Thurn ’55 (left) with she has contact. Rose Tonti Deffet ’55 at the annual luncheon. NOMINATIONS: 2019 ERSKINE AWARD Sr. Carolyn has always been a giving person. Please take the time to nominate a special alumna who has made a difference in her Graduating St. Mary of the Springs Academy in vocation, church, and/or community. The 1955, she continued St. Mary’s College and Erskine Award recipient will be recognized at became a teacher. She taught elementary our annual spring Alumnae Luncheon. school and she went on to teach Home Compose a note which includes a short bio and Economics in high schools. During her teaching why she deserves this honor. Submit your career, she taught in Lancaster, OH and nomination to: Katy Ryan Paolini at 8997 Filiz Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, and Steubenville. Lane, Powell, OH 43065.

SMA SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Christ Child Society (CCS) of Columbus As published in previous newsletters, an SMA offers a program which screens scholarship scholarship fund has been established at The applicants who have attended Catholic grade Catholic Foundation. school and who plan to attend a Catholic high school. The CCS scholarship committee has Presently, our first scholarship winner, receiving assisted us in identifying and awarding our first $1000.00 per year, will be a junior this fall at scholarship. Bishop Hartley High School. Since this scholar has maintained academic excellence, her By the by, the CCS scholarship committee scholarship has been renewed and, again, if she members were so impressed with our SMA maintains academic excellence, it will be scholar applicant that CCS matched the amount renewed for her senior year. of our award.

Here is a little something about our first scholar: Going on, many of the CCS scholarship she successfully completed Honors Algebra I recipients have stated how much they have and Honors Geometry; has a GPA of 3.03; and learned by being awarded scholarships and how is active in several sports including Varsity track, much it has meant to their families and how the JV & Varsity basketball. scholarship contributed to their academic success in high school. She enjoys leading and mentoring the younger players on her teams. Her goal is to have these Most of these CCS recipients have gone on to younger players feel included, have them college and have proven they are able to become successful athletes, and, finally, overcome their struggles and establish become model teammates. themselves as contributing members of our community. They have expressed the hope that She is also a volunteer at Franklin County Board they will one day be able “pay forward” to of Developmental Disabilities Summer Center another student. We hope the same from our and at Ronald McDonald House. SMA scholarship recipients.

One of her Bishop Hartley teachers commented As the SMA scholarship fund grows, more that she is a “joyful and willing” participant in female students will be selected to receive this Religion 10 Class. According to this teacher, she tuition assistance for Diocesan high schools. is an exemplary student, a leader among her peers, and has a very mature grasp of her Catholic Faith.

Going back, she attended All Saints Academy (AAA) from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Her teachers at AAA also noted that she was an exemplary student, a student with a model work ethic, the desire to be successful, and a faith practitioner.

She stated in her SMA scholarship application Class of 1963 luncheon attendees celebrating that she realizes the sacrifices her parents have their 55-year reunion were (from left) Sister made to be able to send her to Catholic schools Mary Ruth Leandres, Toni Boehm Long, Linda and she realizes that this scholarship lifts some Cianelli Younkin, Sandra Spence DeVictor and of the financial burden for them. Molly Forrester.

Our SMA scholarship fund at the Catholic was able to get her diploma without any Foundation has $46,300.00 on deposit. It would additional coursework and another learner is be wonderful to continue growing this fund getting tutoring for her OGT (Ohio Graduation since the monetary award to the scholarship Tests.) recipient is directly proportionate to the interest received from the fund. About 5% of the fund’s The DLC discovered a great need for a GED interest is distributed yearly. Preparation Class in Spanish and presently have nine learners coming on Saturday morning and As having been established, a quarter of interest 20 plus on the waiting list. earned goes to the Dominican Learning Center (DLC). Going forward, the DLC will continue to The DLC accepts tutors and learners of every receive 25% of that interest and the other 75% faith, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, will go to the scholarship winner. gender identification. The DLC outreach to the immigrants and to the generationally poor is in Donations are welcome at any time. If you have line with Jesus’ command, “What you do to the questions feel free to contact any board least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.” member or Katy Ryan Paolini ’61 at 614-595- 2326. You may make a donation to this worthy All of the learners at the DLC would be classified cause by sending a check (made out to “The as marginalized. They are those in generational Catholic Foundation”) with a memo that it is for poverty and/or immigrants seeking a more the SMA Scholarship Fund. peaceful life. Most of the DLC learners are mothers and are often the sole breadwinner in You can mail the check either to The Catholic the family. Foundation or to Katy (see the addresses at end of story). Your donation will be a tax deductible The DLC would not be able to survive without donation as The Catholic Foundation is a 501(c) its volunteers. The DLC volunteers are the (3) organization. How better to leave a legacy lifeblood of the program and give of their time, of the spirit of St. Mary of the Springs Academy talent, and often treasures to help others. than by supporting this initiative? At present, the DLC has 190 tutors but is always The Catholic Foundation or Katy Paolini looking for more. The next training session for 257 East Broad St. 8997 Filiz Lane new tutors is August 25, 2018. Classes resume Columbus, OH 43215 Powell, OH 43065 September 5th under the leadership of its new director, Lisset Mendoza.

DOMINICAN LEARNING CENTER (DLC) The DLC is grateful for the financial assistance In June, the DLC completed another school year provided by SMA graduates. To date, the DLC tutoring 237 learners in the English Language have been gifted around $10,000.00 from the Learners (ELL) Program as well as tutoring 66 SMA Treasury. WE are truly grateful for your Adult Basic Education and High School generosity.! Equivalency preparation. If you are interested in helping financially or by The DLC has expanded our Parish Partnerships becoming a tutor, please phone the DLC at program to three parishes: Christ the King, St. (614) 444- 7330. Thank you in advance for Mary Magdalene, and St. Peter. A partnership making a difference. was started with the Guadalupe Center of Catholic Social Services and with a company, G. Core, to provide ELL to their workers.

This year, the DLC also added help in the State of Ohio’s 22+ Program. One of the DLC learners

Graduates of St. Mary: ‘Donations’ needed Wanted: a demerit slip from the old St. Mary of the Springs Academy.

It could end up in a museum.

Surely, a few slips have survived, given that the nuns of St. Mary ran a tight ship (no talking in the halls; no lipstick; no gum).

St. Mary was a Catholic girls’ school on the site of what now is Ohio Dominican University on Sunbury Road. It was founded in 1830 in Somerset and moved to Columbus in 1868, Photo taken in 1948 at St. Mary of the educating generations of girls, first as a Springs Academy (Dispatch file photo) boarding school and later as a high school. Mary at dismissal time. (When the nuns started Although it closed in 1966, the school retains a writing down license-plate numbers, the boys strong hold on its graduates, who say they began covering the plates.) received an excellent education and a lot of moral support at a time when women didn’t The nuns graded students on conduct, with the always get it. highest score possible being 95 out of 100 — “because they assumed you were doing things “I felt encouraged to be the best I could be,” they couldn’t see,” White said. said Louise Drake White, a member of the class of 1966. But the strict atmosphere came with a great education, said Molly Forrester, class of ’63. St. Her mother’s compulsion for saving things left Mary produced lawyers, teachers, nurses, White, a Reynoldsburg resident, with a trove of ministers, at least one mayor and the first school memorabilia, including her school female foreign correspondent to win a Pulitzer uniform and a mimeographed sheet of field-trip Prize (Anne O’Hare McCormick of The New rules (no squirt guns in the hotel room). York Times, class of 1898.)

Some or all of that might end up in the Jubilee The memorabilia graduates have kept all these Museum (jubileemuseum.org), the splendid years, Forrester said, “kind of says a lot about institution that houses Catholic artwork, church school.” artifacts and other treasures at 57 S. Grubb St. in Franklinton. The museum is planning a room Seren encourages graduates with school devoted to the school. artifacts to contact her at [email protected] . She’s especially eager St. Mary has about 800 living graduates, many for class graduation photos and, of course, of whom have contributed items, said Ann demerit slips. McKinnon Seren, of the class of ’57. Among the treasures: an 1896 diploma, the beanies Column by Joe Blundo, published July 17, 2018 in students were required to wear to chapel and a the Entertainment & Life Section of The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH field hockey stick. The Columbus Dispatch and Gatehouse Media, Former students still reminisce about sneaking LLC, Copyright. All Rights Reserved. See Terms cigarettes behind a statue of the Virgin Mary or of Service & Terms of Use: Copyright and playing coy with the boys from St. Charles Personal Non-Commercial Use sections. Preparatory School who liked to cruise by St.

DO YOU KNOW 1. Saint Mary of the Springs Academy dates back to 1830 when the Dominican Sisters opened Saint Mary's Academy in Somerset, OH to educate frontier Catholics.

2. The Academy relocated to Shepard (which later became part of Columbus) after a fire in 1866 destroyed the Somerset school.

3. Theodore Leonard, a Columbus businessman, donated land and bricks for a new convent and school building which opened in 1868 in Shepard.

4. The new school was named Saint Mary of To view digitized/enlargeable photos, visit the Springs Academy because the new site had www.HMdb.org. Enter "Saint Mary of the many natural springs. Springs Academy" or "Anne O'Hare McCormick" into the search box. 5. Anne O'Hare McCormick, who graduated from SMA in 1898, was the first woman to win Suddenly I recalled how in unison, my class the Pulitzer Prize for foreign correspondence rolled down the nearby hillside to the bottom (1937). She interviewed many world figures, of the glen during our retreat while we including Mussolini, Hitler, Churchill, and Stalin. solemnly maintained our silence. How did we signal one another? The above information is included on the Ohio Historical Marker erected near the site of the I can still "see" the grotto in the glen where 1868 brick building that once housed the early long ago girls in white dresses had their Saint Mary of the Springs Academy and the old graduation pictures taken. As the rain convent in Columbus. persisted, I got up to leave but decided to return the next day to try to get better The academy in Columbus opened 150 years pictures. ago! I did go back the next day although the One side of the marker commemorates the role weather was about the same. I think I just and history of Saint Mary of the Springs wanted to sit on the bench again and enjoy the Academy. The other side honors the life and solitude of my own memories of the academy. achievements of SMA graduate and journalist, I tried hard to imagine the experiences of the Anne O'Hare McCormick. girls who boarded at the academy.

To see the marker, enter the grounds of the I noticed some of the sisters were out walking. Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace A sister walked over to talk with me. She said at 2320 Airport Drive. Continue about halfway she had read the plaque many times. She up the hill toward the Motherhouse until you seemed pleased to talk with a SMA grad. Turns see the historical marker and a bench on your out we both taught at Watterson at the same left, just north of the glen. time. Surely she recognized me 50 years later!

I stood on a step stool and took pictures but Pictures of the Somerset school and the red retreated to the bench and waited for the brick building that housed the early Academy lighting to improve and the rain to stop. and old convent in Columbus, and a picture of

Theodore Leonard will be displayed in the SMA Hail to St. Mary’s Room which is planned for the Jubilee Museum Hail to St. Mary’s, her glory and her power. in Columbus. Carry her fame to the ends of the earth. Singing her praises wherever we go. Telling all ‘round us the joy that we know.

Chorus: Right here at St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s our own. Her blue and her white ever dearer have grown. So S.M.A. we sing to you; We hail you St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s our own. Live for St. Mary’s (Above) In 2003, Ohio Historical Marker No. 49-25 was erected by The Ohio with purpose in your heart. Bicentennial Commission, The International Work for St. Mary’s, do nobly your part; Paper Company Foundation, and The Ohio Play for St. Mary’s, whatever the game. Historical Society (now The Ohio History Cheer for St. Mary’s, Connection). stand firm by her name. Repeat Chorus These pictures or scanned copies have been generously donated by the Motherhouse Archives. Bricks from the early academy and OFFICER CONTACT INFO convent will also be on display. These pictures President: Kathleen Ryan Paolini and artifacts help tell the SMA story. mailto:[email protected] [email protected] / (614)-595-2326 More about the early academy and our alumnae may be shared in subsequent Treasurer: Patricia Ryan newsletters. I hope you find time to visit the [email protected] / (614)-570-7584 grounds and sit on the bench by the marker commemorating SMA. I hope your memories Secretary: Linda Cianelli Younkin are fond ones. [email protected] / (614) 989-5449 --Molly Forrester ’63 Death Notices: Barb Fernandez Murphy [email protected] / (614) 235-7508 IN MEMORIAM

Mary Alice Richter Burns ’41 5/21/18

Elizabeth Baumann Reitter ’45 5/23/18

Bonnie Welch Pond ‘63 6/18/18

Ruth Franz Whitlatch ‘45 7/09/18