Summer 2012 Take Note Visit us online @ www.amsu.org Update from the President Letter from the Principal Dear Alumnae and Friends, Dear Alumnae and Friends, This TAKE NOTE comes to you after a “The end of a melody remarkable winter in the northeast. is not its goal: but, The birds started singing and the nonetheless, had the daffodils were blooming by the melody not reached its second week in March! Spring fever end it would not have started early for all of us, but no one reached its goal either.” is complaining. Our registration for (Nietzsche) incoming freshmen looks promising, considering the many hurdles It’s hard to believe catholic schools continue to face. A that we’ve reached the redesigned website, TV commercial, conclusion of another and print advertisements brought the successful academic school into the limelight. Our tuition will be $6975, making an Ursuline year. For faculty, staff, and students alike, this greatly education affordable for many struggling families, but placing a heavier anticipated ending of one year is not merely a segue into burden on our development efforts. This year we anticipate providing another; instead, it is an indication of achievement, a goal nearly one million dollars in financial aid to families with proven needs. We pursued and attained. While the melody of academic year are able to do this because of the overwhelming generosity of the Bedford 2011-2012 has faded and the halls are now empty and Park Community of Ursulines, the Eastern Province of Ursulines, and the quiet, in such a world where endings signal new beginnings, loyal support of our alums and benefactors. THANK YOU! this opportunity to pause, relax, and refresh is critical to cultivating the renewed sense of spirit necessary to tackle Since 2015 will mark our 160th year (Quite Amazing!), we are looking the next, hope-filled new school year - one that brings to mark the occasion by asking every graduate to help us continue this us ever closer to our 160th year! We look forward to this remarkable tradition.’ Some of you have already been contacted. Ms. Kerri challenge with eager anticipation. Gould Reynolds 86 will lead this effort. Her dedication, generosity, and loyalty to AMSU are a reminder of the wonderful influence the teachers As Fr. Vigilanti noted in his letter, AMSU’s students are indeed and staff have had on generations of graduates. We are being ambitious the school’s greatest assets. This issue of Take Note will and hope to raise $3 million before our 160th. The reason: To provide celebrate many of our students’ academic accomplishments. targeted instruction and programs in order to embrace a wider audience However, it will not be comprehensive. For example, it will of students in need of intensified instruction. More about this as the school not tell the story of those who have struggled with their year begins. studies and, who, after much hard work and perseverance, have made great strides. Likewise, it will not tell the story Our students continue to be our greatest asset, as this Take Note makes of those whose melody plays on, as they continue their clear. While academics remain our primary focus, we initiated our first academic struggle in summer school, sacrificing summer school dance in 30 years with the participation of boys from Fordham, respite for more work, and a second chance at success. Hayes, All Hallows, and Mount St. Michael. It was a wonderful evening Let us not forget to celebrate these accomplishments as made possible with the collaboration of teachers and parents. Our first well. What this Take Note will do is highlight the vibrancy production of Aida in March was a great success. We had our first sleepover of the AMSU school community, and serve as a testament for seniors and sophomores in the auditorium in April. Our RCIA program to the Ursuline mission in action. As you turn each page, brought one student into the Catholic Church, allowed 10 to receive the read each article, and view each colorful photo, you will see sacrament of confirmation, and one to receive her first communion. a community living part of St. Angela Merici’s last counsel – a community “living in harmony, united together, all of Please let us know what you are doing by placing a notice in our class one heart and one will.” We are so pleased that you choose notes. Drop a line/photo to our Alumnae/Development office. Reconnect to sustain your own personal melody, remaining a part of with the school and your classmates. Nothing gives us greater pleasure that one heart and will. We feel privileged to be but a small than to know how members of our school family have used their Ursuline part of a larger whole, which encompasses the Ursuline education and have fulfilled our motto “Serviam.” Enjoy the final days community, AMSU alumnae, and dedicated supporters of of summer and pray that this coming winter (in the northeast) will be a our mission. We thank you for remaining a connected part repeat of last year! of the AMSU family and remind you of your open invitation to visit us, anytime. Sincerely, Happy, relaxing summer … Sincerely, Fr. John A. Vigilanti Ed.D. President Lisa A. Harrison - 2 - Principal Take Note Visit us online @ www.amsu.org Message from the Executive Director Letters from Administration ............................................................................ 2-3 Dear Alumnae and Friends, ContentsAcademic Achievements .................................................................................... 4-5 The Arts ..................................................................................................................... 6-9 We are beginning to plan Living Serviam ...................................................................................................10-13 for the 160th anniversary Student Events ..................................................................................................14-17 of the Academy of Mount Alumnae Events ................................................................................................18-19 St. Ursula in 2015. The Class Notes/In Memoriam ...........................................................................20-23 Development Office will be organizing several area events, fundraisers and a special campaign SSP Opening Dinner .............................................................................October 17 to “Ensure Their Future.” CalendarRing Day ...................................................................................................October 19 Kerri Gould Reynolds Open House .............................................................................................October 28 ’86, Susan McCarthy TACHS Exam .........................................................................................November 9 Cronin ’65 and I will be International Night ..........................................................................November 16 coordinating the details of the celebration. We hope you Young Alumnae Reunion (Classes of 2009-2012) ........ January 3, 2013 will join us at one or more of the events and will consider Alumnae Reunion for Classes ending in 3s and 8s .......... April 21, 2013 supporting a milestone campaign for the school. There are not many institutions which can say they are in existence and still strong after so many years. AMSU alumnae continue living the Serviam motto. This year Fr. John A. Vigilanti, Ed. D. Debra Kiernan O’Connor ’77 was given the Serviam Award ContributorsPresident at her reunion in April for her continuous support of the SSP [email protected] and Adopt-a-Student programs. Judy Coyle Boyle ’57 traveled Ms. Lisa Harrison to Ethopia to help with the terrible water system conditions. Principal Kerri Gould Reynolds has volunteered to help manage the [email protected] upcoming campaign at AMSU. Adrienne Rolla ’76 and Kerri’s husband, Richard, have generously helped to update the 2nd Ms. Anna Parra Ramos Executive Director of Development and 3rd floor bathrooms at the school. [email protected] I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know Mrs. Jessica Ruiz AMSU’s students through our Tuition Assistance programs, Development Associate events and clubs. I see first hand how these young women [email protected] thrive at AMSU in Academics, Arts and Service. It is because of Mr. Patrick Dannenhoffer the wonderful teachers here that they are so well rounded in External Relations Associate the three pillars of the school. If you are interested in spending [email protected] half a day at AMSU attending classes with a host student, you too will see how remarkable the education continues to be The Academy of Mount St. Ursula has made every effort to accurately present here. You can read more about the shadow day experience on all information. We apologize in advance for any errors. Please contact the page 15. office with any corrections at [email protected]. This fall AMSU will hold its largest raffle to date. We are selling a limited number of tickets, only 300 chances for $100 each. The grand prize for one lucky winner is $10,000! The drawing will take place on November 20th. Please look for information on our website, Facebook or call us at 718-733-6242 to get more information on how to enter. I hope you enjoy this issue of Take Note. Please forward any stories or updates for our next issue. Sincerely, Anna Parra Ramos - 3 - Executive Director of Development Summer 2012 Visit us online @ www.amsu.org Academics VALEDICTORIAN / SALUTATORIAN PROFILE FIRST IN EXCELLENCE