Nativity Academy News Spring 2019 Vol. XII No. 1 Spring 2016 An independent Catholic middle school that transforms the lives of students who have a commitment to achievement and whose families demonstrate financial need. Our Graduates Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Success! Dear Friends of our students to be their best selves, Faculty Spotlight Nativity, and 3,500 donors who give selflessly Karen Woo to support this mission. Collectively It is with great pride they all make Nativity Academy Nativity Academy is and excitement flourish. We do this with the enduring very fortunate to that we present support of each and every one of you! have Karen Woo to you our Spring whose talent in Newsletter with I am often reminded that in the early teaching ranges special emphasis on our Graduates. years even the most ardent supporters from Religion to In this edition, you will find so many felt there was no way this unique Social Studies, stimulating and inspiring stories educational model could survive. Geography, World highlighting our Nativity Academy Collectively we beat the odds, just History and American History. During Graduates as they overcome like our students do each day, and the her 19 year teaching career in obstacles, receive accolades and Academy is thriving as it moves to its Archdiocese of Louisville schools, she achieve high levels of success. next fifteen years. has shared her talents at St. Rose, Holy Family, Mt. Carmel, St. Nicholas As we conclude the celebration of I hope you enjoy learning of the and St. Martha. Her strong educational fifteen years since our founding, exciting accomplishments our background includes a BA and MAT in we are grateful for so many things students are encountering in so many Secondary Education with a major in – students entrusted to our charge, arenas. The Nativity Academy family Psychology and a minor in Sociology parents who are fully involved in their is truly proud and hope you, our from the University of Louisville. student’s lives, over 100 sponsors Nativity family, feel the same. who engage and support their “I met Carol Nord, current Executive students’ growth, over 200 active Blessings to all, Director of Nativity Academy when she volunteers who give of their time and hired me for a position at Mt. Carmel talent, 39 Board/Associate Board in 2003, and I also worked for her at members who devote countless hours St. Nicholas. After we both left St. to guide the school with thoughtful Carol A. Nord Nicholas, I would occasionally see her decisions, 20 Faculty/Staff who inspire Executive Director out and about, and she would never fail to tell me about Nativity Academy. She is a true crusader for the Academy. Special Edition: Graduate Support Program on the Rise I chose to apply for a job at Nativity Academy in 2016 because I believed in the mission of the Academy. I want Orion Rushin Ithzi Gonzalez Alexis Cammock to share my talent as a teacher with University of Louisville Hanover College Presentation Academy students who are often underserved. I believe that all students can learn. It’s my job to get these students to believe in themselves. With that being said, this is the hardest job I’ve ever had. For me, it is a calling that I’ve chosen to answer.” -Karen Woo We encourage all of our donors to visit Nativity Academy and see our faculty in action. Just give Carol Nord or Chip Keeling, Advancement Director, a call to set-up a time. For these and other inspiring graduate success stories see pages 3 and 4 Paula's Pantry Ignite Lisa Brents (pictured above third from right) Nativity Academy Director of Student Services & Community Engagement, and her Ignite Louisville team What better way to celebrate the first day of National Catholic members, who delivered over $90,000 in value to the Sisters Week and International Women’s Day than by blessing House of Hope and over 600 hours of service. They Paula’s Pantry, named for our beloved Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht. raised $8,400 from multiple fundraisers and applied for, and received, a $5,000 grant from the Gheens Student leaders from Sacred Heart Model School (SHMS) and Foundation. Congrats to Lisa and her team for the Nativity Academy gathered today to bless the completed pantry important work they did for this very worthy nonprofit. with school leaders, Sister Paula and Fr. Jeff Shooner, Pastor of St. Boniface. In speaking of the students’ decision to build the pantry and name it after her, Sister Paula stated, “the very reason Nativity Auction 2019 we wanted to start Nativity and why SHMS exists was to show our concern for others, to bring our gifts to help people and to help The 2019 Nativity Academy them help themselves. This is the biggest honor I have ever had.” Auction recently completed was Before Father Jeff blessed the pantry, he reminded the students a tremendous success thanks to that their efforts to “feed the hungry are a reflection of God’s the hard work and dedication of presence in this world.” our volunteers. Cathy and David Durik, pictured left, this year’s The Pantry will eventually be placed outside where any who need Chairs of the event, provided assistance will receive it, and all who can donate to the cause outstanding leadership and com- are able. Stay tuned for the next step in this amazing servant mitment to bring this about. leadership experience. Cathy & Dave, working along with a very talented group of individuals including Suzanne Glaser, Laura Pisacrita, Associate Board 2019 Therese Reid & Jenny Reid (Decor / Theme), Sarah Ball (Silent Auction), Erin Lamon (Check In / Check Out), Pat Robison ($10,000 Raffle), Nativity Academy Associ- ate Board members (Wheel of Chance & Spirit Wall) and Susan Johnson, Richard Rink, & Stephanie Duvall (Food & Beverage) made this year’s Nativity Academy Nicholas Marshall Torrence Williams Julie Laemmle Watts Lauren Broadus Ben Weyman Auction the best yet! Treasurer Secretary Parliamentarian President Vice President Regional Sales Grover Enterprises Inc Associate Attorney Senior Event Manager Associate and Service Sales Engineer Wyatt, Tarrant & Splendid Events, LLC Bingham To everyone who supported the 2019 Nativity Academy Representative Combs Greenebaum Doll Auction, THANK YOU! Republic Bank Charity Navigator Charity LaPrecious Brewer Ashley Clay Maria Gurren Client Relations Specialist Attorney Public Protection Coordinator Navigator CBRE Anthem Blue Cross Louisville Metro Criminal Justice recently gave BlueShield Commission Nativity Academy a four-star rating, the highest rating a non-profit can Karly King Demetria Pierce Morgan Szabo achieve. Territory Sales Assistant Billing Manager Programming Associate Representative Park Duvalle Muhammad Ali Center 2 Keystops LLC Community Health Center Special Edition – Graduate Support 97% of Nativity students 82% of Nativity students graduate go on to high school post-secondary education Mayor's Outstanding Students 2019 Ithzi Gonzalez - Hanover This year 49 high school seniors were recognized by Louisville Congratulations to Ithzi Gonzalez Mayor Fischer, and two are graduates of Nativity Academy. 2019 Nativity Academy graduate who Each student is nominated by their school principal or high has earned the Benjamin Templeton school senior counselor. Students who are selected not only Scholarship to Hanover College! demonstrate outstanding academic accomplishments, but also Hanover representatives surprised represent those who have developed strong character through Ithzi with this full scholarship for all community service, medical or family challenges or those who four years. have overcome language, immigration or physical obstacles in pursuit of excellence in education and in their community. The Templeton Scholarship honors students with outstanding academic Nigel Blackburn records who have worked to build DeSales High School strong high school communities by bridging gaps among economically, Nigel has a wonderful talent for creative socially and racially diverse groups. Designed to identify and writing and art, and his poetry was in- reward students who have made significant leadership and cluded in a publication recognizing young cultural contributions to their high school communities, this writers. He is very active in his commu- scholarship hopes to give those students the means to make nity, working at New Roots and the Youth a significant contribution within the Hanover community. Violence Prevention Research Center. He is also a member of the Office of Safe and We are ecstatic for Ithzi as we have watched her grow and Healthy Neighborhoods’ Youth Implementation Team. Earlier thrive at Assumption High School. We know that she will this year, Nigel was honored to meet President Barack Obama. continue her integrity, excellence, compassion, and faith Nigel has overcome several obstacles and personal losses after graduation and we cannot wait to see the things she during his time at DeSales. With his unrelenting optimism and will do with her life! effort, he has served as a valuable role model to others. Nigel plans to attend college and get an education that allows him to continue working as a social advocate to better his community. Nigel is deeply committed to caring for the needs of others and Orion Rushin using his energy, bright spirit, and perseverance to making Meet Orion Rushin, a Nativity great things happen. Academy graduate, one of the Scholars Of Kentucky and a recipient Alexis Cammack of multiple scholarships from the Presentation Academy Community Foundation of Louisville. Orion describes her goals and Alexis is a strong spokeswoman for motivation below. Congratulations her classmates, her school, and her Orion! The Nativity Academy family community. Over the past few years, is very proud of you. she has learned to use her voice to empower those around her and to unite “I want to become a pediatrician communities, both in the school and and one day open my own practice. in the greater Louisville area.