VIEWS of VILLA Empowering Young Women Since 1872 A magazine for alumnae, parents, faculty and friends of Villa Maria Academy Fall 2016 Letter from the Director Dear Villa Maria Alumnae, Friends, and Family, “Yes, yes, yes we do, we have spirit how about you?” This cheer has resounded on buses, fields and gyms here for generations. This fall there has been plenty of evidence that the Villa spirit is alive and well. On August 29th we welcomed 119 members of the Class of 2020. They brought with them unbridled enthusiasm for their new home away from home. Our inaugural Homecoming weekend began with the Hall of Fame dinner on Friday night, where our first class of four athletes and seven Fidelis Award recipients was inducted. Each inductee speech referenced the Villa spirit and how the school had positively influenced their lives. Even a little rain the next day couldn’t dampen the spirit of all the alumnae, their families, and current families who came out to celebrate Homecoming. Everywhere I went, I saw alumnae proudly showing their children where they went to school, while others gathered to relive the glory days. We celebrated our state champion volleyball teams in the morning and our state champion field hockey teams in the afternoon. It was truly an awesome “Villa Spirit” day. As I write this, the Thanksgiving season is upon us, and I want you all to know how grateful we are for your support. You support us with your prayers, your time as volunteers, and your monetary contributions. As we enter the holiday season, know how grateful we are for each and every one of you and for all that you do for Villa. As the year continues, I hope that you will find time to connect with us. Let us know what is happening in your lives. We want to celebrate the good times with you and support you through your challenging times. I hope that you will remember us in your prayers as we strive to continue the tradi- tion of excellence you all remember. It is challenging work but so rewarding as well. So, the next time someone says, “yes, yes, yes we do, we have spirit how about you?”, I hope you can answer with a resounding, “Yes I have spirit!” Sincerely, Kathy McCartney Director of Advancement FALL 2016 Features Villa Storms the Shore 4 Graduates, past parents and friends of Villa Maria gathered in Avalon to enjoy cocktails, light snacks, and great conversation. VIEWS of VILLA A magazine for alumnae, parents, faculty Villa Maria Hall of Fame Inducts Inaugural Class and friends of Villa Maria Academy 6 Four women were recognized for outstanding achievements in athletics, and seven individuals received the Fidelis Award to recognize their outstanding commitment to the mission of Villa Maria Academy. Sr. Regina Ryan Principal Homecoming 2016 10 Lots of photos from Villa Maria’s first-ever Homecoming celebration. Dorothy Martin Toomey ’77 Alumnae Executive Board President IHM Leadership Society Reception 12 Sr. Regina Ryan, I.H.M. hosted the second annual I.H.M. Leadership Magazine Staff Reception on September 2, 2016, to recognize their continued Kathleen McCartney commitment and support. Director of Advancement 13 Meet the Villa Maria Advisory Board Marguerite Esmonde This group of talented, dedicated professionals works tirelessly as advisers to the administration. Director of Communications Maureen Egan Director of the Villa Fund Parents Gather at Back to School Day 15 On Sunday, September 11, 2016, the excitement of a new school Dee Ruley Person ’95 year was in the air as the current parents, faculty and staff attended Director of Constituent Relations the annual Back to School Day. Diane Zwaan Class of 2020 Welcomes Grandparents to School Director of Special Events 17 Proud freshmen happily shared an afternoon with their grandparents at Villa Maria. Sarah McGovern Database Manager Report of Philanthropy Views of Villa is published two times 23 The annual report of giving, recognizing those who supported a year by the Advancement Office Villa Maria Academy from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Departments VILLA MARIA ACADEMY 16 Become a Villa Maria Class Agent 22 Calendar of Events and Reunions 370 Central Avenue 18 Class Notes 22 In Memoriam Malvern, PA 19355 On the Cover: Field hockey players from the state championship teams in 1993 and 1994 reunited at Villa Maria’s 610-644-2551 Homecoming on October 8, 2016. Left to right: Renata Burigatto Lindsay ’96, Tessa Burigatto Walvoord ’96, Melissa www.vmahs.org Conaway Teti ’95, Allison Hoffman Murray ’95, Heather Mangold Oswald ’96, and Carolyn Rodichok Denier ’98. 3 Alumnae from across 67 years met up for a summer gathering 1 Villa Storms the Shore illa Maria Alumnae once again “Stormed the Shore” on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at the Avalon summer home of Laura DelRaso Melvin ’73. Graduates, parents and friends gathered for cocktails, light snacks, and conversation. The Alumnae Association donated fantastic prizes for the raffle, and Mary Johnson Kinka ’87 won the Vcoveted beach basket. The fun continued with additional drawings, and nearly everyone went home with a prize. Villa Maria is very grateful to Laura for offering her warm hospitality once again this year, and to all those alumnae and others who took time to stop by, celebrate and catch up with friends at the shore. The alumnae at the event generously donated $880 to the Sister Mary Kelly Scholarship fund. 1 Alumnae and friends gathered at the home of Laura DelRaso Melvin ’73 2 New graduate Natasha Walters ’16 with her mother Karen Walters ’76 3 Kristen Scardellette ’09 (event co-chair), Katie Magargee ’10, Mary Lauren Magargee ’07, and Stephanie Dunn ’06 4 Debbie Cook Altonji ’75 and Patty Cook ’79 5 Maureen Murphy Roberts ’85 and her mother Kathy Murphy enjoy happy hour at Laura’s shore house 6 Class of 1978 grads Barbara DelRaso Dougherty (event co-chair), Malea Klingelhoeffer Scardellette and Sue Pillarella Margargee 2 7 Malea Klingelhoeffer Scardellette ’78 with her daughters Courtney ’06 and Kristen ’09 8 Class of 1987 friends Mary Johnson Kinka, Maureen Donohue Shrader and Cathy Whalen Mulqueen 4 Views oƒ Villa 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fall 2016 5 Villa Maria Hall of Fame Inducts Inaugural Class illa Maria inducted the inaugural class of the Villa Maria Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Friday, October 7, at Waynesborough Country Club. Four women were recognized for out- standing achievements in athletics, and seven Vindividuals received the Fidelis Award to recognize their out- standing commitment to the mission of Villa Maria Academy. Doris D’Innocenzo (Mrs. D) — Hall of Fame oris “Mrs. D” D’Innocenzo is a Villa Maria legend, and the original architect of the Villa Maria athletic Ddynasty. Doris attended Scott Senior High School in Coatesville, where she was involved in athletic and musical activities. She earned her degree in Health and Physical Edu- cation from West Chester University, and began her teaching career at Claymont High School in Delaware. Later, at St. Kath- Maurene Moore Polley ’64 — Hall of Fame erine High School in Wayne, she coached Florence Spingler, uring her time as a Villa student, Maurene Moore a versatile guard on the basketball team. They won three Polley ’64 developed a passion for athletics, espe- championships together. In 1961, Doris received a call from Dcially field hockey and basketball. At West Chester Florence, who had become Sr. Rose Anthony, I.H.M., stationed University she earned a degree in Health and Physical Educa- at Villa Maria Academy. Sr. Rose invited Doris to interview for tion and played field hockey for legendary coach Vonnie Gros. the open PE job at Villa Maria, and the rest is history. In 1968, Maurene returned to her alma mater as Athletic Doris was hired in 1961 to teach PE to grades 1-12, as Director; during her tenure she coached field hockey, basket- well as Health in the high school. She coached the varsity ball and tennis, and taught Health and Physical Education. She field hockey, basketball and tennis teams, and took bowling, also coached swimming and volleyball in Catholic Academy swimming and volleyball teams to league play days. She won inter-school tournaments. Maurene was the catalyst for the titles in every sport she coached. In 1968, when Doris left enormous growth of the Villa Maria athletic department, which Villa Maria, she had the foresight to reach out to her former now fields 13 varsity teams. Under Maurene’s leadership the student, Maurene Polley. Although she only spent seven years Villa Maria athletic department became one of the most suc- on our campus, her impact was felt for many years afterward. cessful in the state. Doris remained an active member of the Philadelphia As a field hockey coach, Maurene is without equal. High- Board of Basketball Officials, serving as chairman for seven lights include: 584 wins, including a 61-game winning streak; years. She was chosen to referee the college regional play-off PIAA State Championships in 1993 and 1994; 11 PIAA District games five times. In 1983, Doris went to work for State Repre- 1 Championships (6 consecutive titles from 2007-2012); and, sentative Bob Flick as his administrative assistant. She retired 17 AACA Championships (10 consecutive titles from 1985-1994). in 2006. 6 Views oƒ Villa Rene Muth Portland ’71 — Hall of Fame Angie Brown ’94 — Hall of Fame ene Muth Portland was an avid Villa athlete, playing t Villa Maria, Angie Brown was a standout athlete in field hockey, basketball, and volleyball. She is legendary both basketball and track and field, and an active R as a basketball player and coach, but admits that field Amember of Student Council.