the maria Academy Magazine 4th edition b Spring 2017

inside: Home is where the heart is... The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b I Villa Maria Academy Board of Trustees, 2016-2017 Dear Villa family, ooking out over white fields to the white-capped bay, it seems winter refuses to surrender to spring this year. But it will. It’s inevitable. I’ve already seen the blooms on Sr. Sally Norcross, CND Lthe now-frozen trees and the crocuses under the snow. I can feel that springtime energy Sr. Teresa Barton, CND getting ready to break out in a riot of blooms and so many different shades of green. In the Mr. Paul Bossidy words of the poet Percy Shelly, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Mrs. Rose Burkhart The years since the economic crisis of 2008 have been years of consolidation; not just for the Sr. Marion Andreykovic, CND Villa but for Catholic schools across the nation. Gradually declining enrollment necessitated Ms. Helen Cannistraci creative thinking. Our winter gave us time to refine our mission to better support the reality of today’s families and respond to the needs of today’s students. Working together with Mrs. Roberta Garland faculty and trustees, we maintained our essential mission in leaner times, and learned how Sr. Eileen Good, CND to better communicate our good news to a wider community. Through it all, we continued Mrs. Gheri Kaufman to deliver the time-honored Villa Mrs. Catherine Leon education, achieving the highest standardized scores and developing Mr. James J. Liao the most academically prepared and Sr. Jane Scanlon, CND well-rounded young men and women who continue to gain acceptance to the best Catholic high schools. “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” And now a new spring is beginning for the Villa. We see it in our increasing enrollment. The annual Open House welcomed increased numbers of interested families. It was buzzing with teachers and students excited about the Villa. Many more students signed up for testing and registration compared to last year. A new initiative — the Villa Friend Day — brought in 5 new students alone! Another new event — the Junior High Open House — has been planned in response to increased requests for 6th-grade placements. Almost half of Guided by the vision our pre-kindergarten students have registered to become Villa kindergartners, over double the of the Congregation retention rate of other schools in our region! of Notre Dame, the Spring is all about new beginnings. Bats and gloves replace basketballs. Soon our first mission of Villa Maria plants will be pushing up through the soil in our garden as we measure spring rainfall in our Academy is to provide weather station and launch a conservation experiment in our backyard bay — all part of our new and exciting Outdoor Classroom. Plans continue to transform our science lab into a fully a foundation in functioning STEM lab as our new STEM afterschool club gains momentum. Meanwhile, our liberating education new Alumni Relations Committee will be supporting no less than 6 alumni reunions. Finally, within a nurturing the edition of “The Villa Magazine” you are holding in your hands celebrates the completion Catholic community. of the first year in quarterly circulation!

–Villa Maria Academy We welcome spring and all its manifold graces. We are grateful for renewal and revival. We Mission Statement pray for the continuation of God’s blessings on all our endeavors for all of our students and alumni. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, pray for us. God bless you and your family,

Sr. Teresa Barton, CND

2 b TheVMA Villa Magazine Magazine b 4th Editionb 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 3 Future

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”– Albert Einstein illa students are raised to be curious about the world around them. This is celebrated in the annual science fair that calls for experiments from all students in the 5th through 7th grades. Students come with a question, a Vhypothesis and an experiment. Winners go on to the Bronx District Science Fair at Mt. St. Michael’s Academy. Among this year’s most creative entries, two fifth-grade budding forensic scientists, Julianna and Vishna, examined blood splatter analysis. Victoria and Briana, two 7th-graders, converted salt water to freshwater. Both teams went on to win 2nd-place ribbons at the Bronx District Science Fair. A Future So Bright The graduating Villa 8th-graders are maintaining the school’s tradition of placement into some of City’s best high schools. Once again, Villa will be sending students to Ursuline Academy, Regis High School, St. Vincent Ferrer, Fordham Prep, Dominican Academy, Iona Prep, among many other esteemed schools. A number of students won placement in specialized high schools within the public school system including the Bronx High School of Science, Talent Unlimited and LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. The amount of scholarships exceeds $1.3 million — further proof that a Catholic education is one of the best investments most families can make! Home is where the heart is… Villa alumni returned to campus for the First Annual Alumni Career Day organized by the Alumni Relations Committee. Five alumni — Daniella Giorgio ‘09, Lou Pulice ‘00, Chris Hall ‘89, Gina Caliendo ‘80 and Lisa DiTomasso ‘85 — visited with students in every junior high classroom sharing a description of their chosen professions — pharmacy, speech pathology, fire fighting, marketing and education — and enlightening them with their wisdom won from many years in the world of “grown ups.” All alumni agreed that Villa prepared them well academically and supported them with a strong foundation that has served them well throughout their lives. Broadway in the Bronx The Villa 4th-grade players gave a thrilling performance of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” — complete with comedy, mystery and a lot of friendship. The cast deserves a lot of recognition after all the hard work they put in over a three-month period during which they rehearsed 3 times per week! Villa music teacher, Stuart Drosnes, was the choreographer and musician and director and producer all wrapped up into one. Along with the Junior High Drama Club, Mr. Drosnes is already up to his ears in preparation for the next big production — “Damn Yankees.” The students will be performing this baseball-themed classic on May 12th & 13th in the Visitation Center. Tickets cost $12 and will be available by calling Mrs. Haney at (718) 792-1751.

The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 3 Where are they now?

JULIA BARTELS CAMPBELL ‘49 t was such a thrill to be going to “The Villa”. After graduation from St. Mary Star of the Sea on City Island, several girls were accepted into Villa Maria Academy. Although we had to take two buses and travel about forty minutes to reach the school, we were all elated. Previous students spoke of it so highly. We loved the beautiful campus and all the activities that were available to us. The acapella choir was a particular delight as well as the Ielocution lessons. Chosen to be an actor in our school play “Smiling Through” was great fun. That experience gave me the courage to be active in community theater throughout the years. And I still am! Mother St. Thomas inspired my interest in chemistry and started me on the career path to my final destination as a Registered Dietitian. It was a circuitous route. After graduation from the Villa, I attended in the Bronx but love got in the way. A handsome Fordham graduate who had just entered the Army proposed marriage when I had completed my third year. We married and off we went to exciting destinations. Mother St. Hippolyte was my salvation when we landed in France. Four years of her instruction in French helped me communicate as we were the only Americans in the little French village of Allonnes. Mother St. Philippa’s Latin instruction also gave me a love of words and their construction which helped as well. But it was when we were stationed in Hawaii that I was able to continue my studies to attain a Degree of Bachelor of Science and Nutrition in 1971 from the University of Hawaii. Since I was of the class of 1949, that was a bit of a challenge but so worth it. After graduation I worked in a Model Cities program with a Samoan population. Upon returning to the States, I achieved my registration after completing an internship in Fairfax Hospital in Virginia and was employed there in the Cardiac Care clinic. As the wife of a military man, I found myself moving to a new location every few years. I was always able to find employment in my chosen field whether it be in Virginia, Georgia, New York, New Jersey or Texas. I believe attending school at Villa Maria Academy gave me a firm foundation for the rest of my life and I so appreciate it. a

4 b The Villa Magazine b 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 5 Dan Huxley

t’s challenging to assign a class year to Dan. He’s everything BUT a Villa alumnus. Still, he remembers watching basketball games in the basement gym in 1968 and going to the Villa prom at the Fountainhead in his Navy uniform just before shipping out to Saigon in 1969. But even before that, as a lifelong Throggs Neck resident, he knew the Villa’s reputation. IIt wasn’t just a regular high school. His graduating class at Mount Saint Michaels had nearly 400 kids but the Villa was exclusive and intimate. The girls were elegant, different, ambitious, and refined. They came from good families who were wholesome people. Decades later, he’s still helping support the school that meant so much to his family. Dan is the husband of Patricia ’69 and the father of Jennifer ‘93 and Daniel ‘97. Even though Dan and Patricia were born and raised in St. Benedict’s parish, Patricia was intent on the Villa so they enrolled their children when it was time for kindergarten. Dan spent 8 years as a trustee, 6 years as a basketball coach and many more as a volunteer for the Fathers’ Club and member of the Development Committee. He helped run the spring fair for years and was instrumental in the campaign to build the Visitation Center. Now he’s in the 4th year of a new position as guru of the Villa golf outing. Despite all those volunteer hours, Dan always finds time to golf so it makes perfect sense that he would combine his love of the sport, his endless energy and his support of the Villa into an annual golf outing. He has high hopes for this year’s outing that will be held at Rye Country Club and Whitby Castle — a beautiful venue for cocktails and dinner. Alumni and friends are welcome to come to golf or just to attend the dinner. The foursome fee is $800 while individual golfers cost $225. Tickets for dinner cost $85 per person or $150 per couple. There are many sponsorship opportunities. For instance, a new green sponsorship includes a personalized flag that is presented to donors in a commemorative frame in exchange for a $350 contribution. Tee sponsorships are also available for $250 as an exclusive sponsor or $125 as a shared sponsor. All of this year’s sponsors receive advertising at the golf course, the club house, and on the online journal. This year’s goals include increasing the number of golfers to 100 in an effort to raise $20,000.00. All funds raised support the mission of the school — especially new efforts to enhance the STEM curriculum through the Outdoor Classroom project. More information can be found on www.vma-ny.org/golf2017 or by contacting Dan at (917) 620-8844 or Caroline Hennessy at the Villa at (718) 824-3260. a

The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 5 Faith A Time of Quiet Listening These forty days of Lent are marked by acts of service and prayer to give the children a useful preparation for the Easter celebration. Ash Wednesday saw the distribution of ashes by Sr. Teresa, Sr. Blanche, and Mrs. Mastropietro, who, in collaboration with Sr. Louise, also planned a family Lenten hour. The 7th-grade class is preparing a stations of the cross. Non-sacramental reconciliation mini-services will be held for the Junior High classes. “What name do you give your child?” Villa teacher, Mrs. Kilgen, teaches the sacraments as the religion curriculum for her 2nd-grade students who will culminate the school year with the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The 2nd-graders bring in their baby dolls for a mock “baptism” to learn more about the sacrament that welcomed us into the Catholic family. “Fr. Kilgen” blessed baby dolls as proud “parents and godparents” looked on. Students also brought in photographs from their own baptisms as well as their bibs and Easter candles. Mrs. Kilgen will do a similar exercise for children later in the year to get an understanding of the sacrament of Reconciliation. In May, the First Communicants will gather with their families for a special mass and reception. “St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, pray for us.” One of the first celebrations of the New Year at Villa is always the feast day of CND foundress, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, on January 12th. This year, the 6th-grade class, led by Mrs. Mastropietro of Campus Ministry performed an inspiring skit for the entire school community. They acted out tableaus showing the different chapters in St. Marguerite’s journey from her home in France to the Canadian frontier and all the good works she accomplished along the way. Even the littlest ones sat in rapt attention. St. Marguerite is a friend to all of us at the Villa. Every student knows her story. They know she watches over everyone at the Villa and protects them. She is alive and well at the Villa where the faculty and students pray for her guidance and blessing every day. Laudate Si — Caring for our Common Home St. Francis tells us “we are called to make the Earth a beautiful garden for the human family.” Villa’s new Outdoor Classroom is shaping up with sprouting seeds and sunny skies. It will afford opportunities to enhance students’ understanding and exercise of environmental stewardship, right here at home, following study of St. Francis’ encyclical encouraging the human family to care for the Earth. The project will also enhance STEM learning using all the campus has to offer — land, sea and sky. A container garden, oyster farm and weather station will provide data for technology projects and opportunities to develop practical skills and have some fresh air fun. a

6 b The Villa Magazine b 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 7 Family

It Takes a Village Parents are the most important partners in the education of children. Villa is blessed with parents actively involved in school life. A long tradition of special events ensures that families are often on campus and that students in different grades get to know each other. Villa still feels like a second home to many alumni. In celebration of Dr. Seuss, Villa participated in “Read Across America,” a program to encourage reading at home and at school. The Kindergarten classes gave a wonderful Valentines Day performance at the annual Sweethearts Brunch. They memorized many songs and poems and performed them with confidence and energy. Next comes the Spring Fling starring the first-grade class. God’s angels keep you safe… The entire Villa community is praying for the successful mission of Jen Groger ’03. A U.S. Navy lieutenant, Jen recently departed for a mission in the Middle East with the rest of the crew of the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush. Jen has been in the service since 2007 upon her graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. She is currently serving our country as a helicopter pilot in search and rescue. We pray for her safe return when she will be greeted by her relieved mother, 8th-grade teacher Kathy Groger. Mrs. Marino’s first-grade class packed special Valentines including candy and notes for Jen’s crew. Over 30 crew members responded. 8th-grade students are helping their 1st-grade buddies create a mural from the letters. 3rd-grade students plan to correspond with the crew as well. The students’ interaction with the crew inspired the Alumni Relations Committee to launch a new effort. They will be reaching out to find other Villa alumni who are active duty or veterans of military service and organize outreach. a

The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 7 Alumni news Dean Monti Class of ’85 “A special place, completely different from any other school I have ever known.” ean’s first memory of the Villa is as vibrant as ever. At a tender age, he came to school for testing. He was feeling a bit overwhelmed in a large group of prospective students. The principal noticed right away. She moved him to a separate space where he could do D his work peacefully. That kind of nurturing attention would be an outstanding feature of his school life over the next 8 years. Thirty years later, he sees that same care given to his son, Frankie, a current Villa 3rd-grader. There are upgraded facilities and plenty of new faces, but that special Villa “TLC” remains a hallmark! Dean came to the Villa because his cousins attended and the school’s reputation in the neighborhood was strong. All these years later, that reputation remains. Ninety percent of new students first hear of the Villa through word of mouth. Villa remains a neighborhood institution. When it came time to find a school for Frankie, there was no question in Dean’s mind and it didn’t take long to convince his wife, Lynnae. “As soon as we drove through the gates and she saw the campus….” it was decided. Dean remembers sunny days, sitting on the lawn before the shoreline, listening to his teachers’ lessons on those days when the lure of the outdoors was just too strong to resist. The couple loved the intimate and secure environment of the Villa too — that feeling of home in that “nurturing Catholic community” that the school’s mission states. The Villa “preserved the innocence” of childhood. Next year, Frankie will be joined by his brother, Anthony, a soon-to-be Villa kindergartener. There were more Sisters teaching in his day and the memory of them makes Dean smile. They seemed to be playing guitars often! They were approachable, loving, and fun but they also made students fully aware of the Villa’s high expectations, especially when it came to how they treated their peers: respect, structure, excellence and effort were the over-arching themes. “There are things you stand up for — like prayer and values.” There’s a work ethic, too, things Dean noticed developing gradually during his time at the school and then becoming a part of his personality and staying with him throughout his life. Dean remembers spending long nights rehearsing and preparing for musical theater performances. These cherished memories kept him coming back even after graduation to volunteer. Now he is still giving back to the Villa, as a volunteer with the Alumni Relations Committee. a get involved There are many ways to support the Alumni Relations Committee: • Become a class representative and help communicate and reconnect with other classmates. • Update your contact information on our website at www.vma-ny.org/Alumni/KeepinTouch. • Send in your alumni notes and updates to Caroline Hennessy at [email protected]. • Make a gift to the annual fund to ensure that students have access to the unique Villa experience that has benefitted so many generations of Villa alumni. You can use the enclosed envelope or go to the website at www.vma-ny.org/support/annualgiving. If your class is coming up for a significant anniversary and you would like to participate in a reunion, check the website and reach out to Caroline Hennessy, [email protected] or Rose Burkhart, [email protected] or by calling the school at (718) 824-3260.

8 b The Villa Magazine b 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 9 Alumni news Sr. Elizabeth Moroney , CND, ’47 “A beautiful spirit…” hen she graduated from Our Lady of the Assumption School, Sr. Elizabeth wanted to go to Cathedral High School with the rest of her “crowd.” Her parents had a different opinion. She was unhappy about the turn of events but “it didn’t take long to fall in love.” The Villa W teachers were open and friendly and prayerful. There was “a beautiful spirit” that made it clear the Villa was the right choice after all. The transition to high school was challenging academically but the individual support made it feel seamless. Even with the addition of two new languages — French and Latin — the excellent teaching of the Sisters, and the warm family feeling of the Villa community, helped her excel and made her feel at home. Her new “crowd” developed over time. After graduation, she went on to work for the New York Telephone Company, attending classes in secretarial skills at the Grace Institute in the evenings. Before long she started thinking of the future when she felt drawn to follow the example of her beloved Villa teachers by joining the Congregation of Notre Dame. She moved up to Montreal where her French lessons stood her in good stead as she studied for the novitiate in a French-speaking Motherhouse. Before long she was a first-year teacher of 2nd-graders at St. John the Baptist School in New Haven, Connecticut. She also spent a few happy years teaching in the Junior High. She attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from and Masters in School Administration at Teachers College at — a new degree in “how to be a principal.” And that’s how she came home to the Villa — as principal of the Elementary School. It was a strange experience, at first, but she went on to successfully lead the school for the next 5 years. Sr. Elizabeth’s career unfolded in many roles in many places: principal at St. Anthony School in Providence, Rhode Island, Superior at the Provincial House in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Care Aide in the Social Services Department at Aging in America (supporting senior citizens with Meals on Wheels) and even a sabbatical in County Clare, Ireland and Troyes, France. Sr. Elizabeth graduated the Villa Maria Academy 70 years ago this June! She spent her life following the footsteps of St. Marguerite, liberating the minds and hearts of boys and girls and supporting their development in a nurturing Catholic community. Today she still spends two days per week dispensing her wisdom and enriching the Villa community with her bright smile and kind words. We are pleased that she is still at home at the Villa, “an oasis in the Bronx.” a

in memoriam: Christine Kovacs LaPadula ’69 “…the epitome of a Villa girl — intelligent, strong, kind, and loving.” hristine Kovacs LaPadula was a family, including her husband, John, graduate of both the elementary and her children, Stephen, Suzanne Cand high school and a true Villa and Andrew, were the cherished girl. She passed away in January after center of her life. a valiant struggle with cancer. Her “Christine lived life courageously, classmates and close friends from her lovingly, joyfully and fearlessly. The to find something good to say about Villa days contributed to replace a love she had for others gave her the others and always having the time to statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the strength to face the challenges she listen. All who knew her can attest to front garden in Christine’s memory. encountered in her life. Her faith the fact that Christine was beautiful Christine’s friends were an important gave her the strength to trust that God inside and out! Forever in our hearts, part of her life. She never lost her would see her through her journey. She she will be sorely missed”. strong connection to the Villa. Her was a kind and true friend, always able –Catherine Catania Leon ’69

The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 9 Karin O’Connor ’85

ou know how they say, “Everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarten?” It’s true if you went to the Villa like I did. I learned the ABCs and how to bless myself. I learned right from wrong and how to be kind. I learned about friendship and respect. I learned to try hard and do my best. Every day and year after that these lessons were reinforced. Integrity, Ydedication and faith became my foundation. The Villa has touched my life in so many ways. When my sister, Laura, unexpectedly passed away as a teenager, the community surrounded us with love and support. Sr. Anne Walsh, my 8th grade teacher, brought flowers to my mother every year on Laura’s anniversary. That feeling of belonging inspired my mother, Joyce, in her work at the Villa where she was librarian for 13 years. When the big fire in 2000 necessitated starting from scratch, rebuilding the library became her life’s work. She organized donations and furnishings and modernized the way things were done. She died on the last day of school in 2004, surrounded by the books she loved in that beautiful room. Looking around, she must have been content with the legacy she had lovingly prepared for the school that meant so much to us. At that moment, the Villa community again embraced us with love and support. This is why my husband and I chose to send our twins to the Villa. We know that they are building a foundation and making friends for life. We know that we remain part of a community that cares. The Villa is a small sanctuary where children receive individual attention. The Villa raises the whole child — academics, sports, arts, leadership and service. At the Villa, you’re not an athlete or an artist or an academic — you can be everything. Kids have opportunities to express themselves in all different areas and grow to become well-rounded individuals. They are encouraged to believe that they can achieve their best selves. The Villa taught me to give back too. I am fortunate to lead the Mothers’ Guild. Every year at the Eight Grade dinner, I feel inspired by uplifting and amazing stories just like mine. My family’s Villa experience is not unique. How lucky we all are to be a part of this community! The Villa has been there for us in times of need and times of celebration. It has been integral to the people we have grown to be. I am grateful for all the parents who work together with us to support this special school by giving back. I hope we continue to strengthen our bonds and support this institution that has meant so much to all of us. a

Top Five Helpful Hints from Mrs. Kilgen’s 2nd-graders 1. Don’t swim at dawn because sharks are most active at night. 2. Don’t stand on a toilet bowl or you will fall in. 3. Don’t jump off a cliff without a parachute. 4. Lock the door when using the bathroom for privacy. 5. Don’t put your hands near a treadmill; you can get your fingers cut off.

10 b The Villa Magazine b 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 11 Ways to Give GIFTS OF CASH Make your check payable to the Villa Maria Academy and send it using the enclosed envelope or mail to the Villa Maria Academy Advancement Office at 3335 Country Club Road, Bronx, NY 10465. CREDIT CARDS To make a secure credit card gift online, visit us at www.vma-ny.org. Go to Support/Give Now. You can also call (718) 824-3260. MATCHING GIFTS Please contact your human resources department to find out if your company has a matching gift program. If so, ask for the necessary forms and send them on to the Villa Maria Academy Advancement office at 3335 Country Club Road, Bronx, NY 10465. Planned Giving The Marguerite Bourgeoys Society recognizes individuals who support our founder’s vision for the future by including the Villa in their estate plans. The Society welcomes individuals who make gifts through bequests, charitable trusts, gifts of life insurance, or retirement assets. Your contribution is very important to the Villa. All gifts, large or small, make a difference. Thank you for your generosity. For more information, contact Caroline Hennessy, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or (718) 824-3260.

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Annual Fund 2016-2017 Do you love the Villa? Then please consider a gift to the Annual Fund. Send your contribution in the enclosed envelope or go online to www.vma-ny.org/Support. Every gift of every size goes to provide an outstanding Villa education to a new generation of Villa boys and girls. Thank you!

The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 11 Villa Maria Academy 3335 Country Club Road Non Profit Bronx, NY 10465 U.S. Postage www.vma-ny.org PAID White Plains, NY Address service requested Permit No. 1604

Upcoming Events April 7th June 3rd Father/Daughter Dance Spring Fair April 27th June 9th Class of 1953 Reunion Class of ’09 Reunion April 28th June 10th Class of 2013 Reunion Graduation June 2nd/3rd June 16th Class of 1967 Reunion Campout 12 b The Villa Magazine b 4th Edition The Villa Magazine b Spring 2017 b 12