How Can We Help Rejoicing!

Aviat
The
LINK
Mount Aviat Academy
•
Childs, Maryland
•
Winter 2012
How Can We Help Rejoicing!
D
ear friends of the Oblate Sisters,
please rejoice with us as we share
our good news. Our beloved
father and founder, Louis Brisson, is soon
to be named Blessed. The Beatification
will take place on September 22, 2012 in
Troyes, France, Fr. Brisson’s home diocese.
How can we help rejoicing!
Many of you celebrated with us as we witnessed the
Beatification and Canonization of our spiritual mother,
St. Leonie Aviat. Wherever St. Leonie is known and loved,
people come to value her mentor, Fr. Louis Brisson. It is hard
to imagine Mother Aviat without her devoted teacher and
spiritual guide, the man who invited her to collaborate with
him in founding homes and workplaces for young working
girls in 19th century France. Together, they founded the
Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales in
1866 in Troyes, France.
Louis Brisson was, in every way, a man of his times. He
was a fervent priest who was keenly aware of the growing
needs of the working class in the midst of the Industrial
Revolution. Although his intellectual gifts seemed to destine
him to be a seminary professor, his social conscience called
him to do more. He could not ignore the working class that
was springing up in cities throughout Europe.
Those with whom Fr. Brisson worked appreciated his
deep kindness, his lively sense of humor, his stirring sermons
and his deep piety. They were impressed by his inventiveness
and organizational abilities. Fr. Brisson was enthusiastic
about the scientific advances of his time, and used his
particular genius as an inventor and architect.
Now, less than ten years after Pope John Paul II
canonized Leonie Aviat as a saint of the universal Church,
Pope Benedict XVI has opened the way for her spiritual
father to be beatified. On December 19, 2011, he decreed
that a 1953 miracle in Ecuador could be attributed to
Fr. Brisson’s intercession. His decree takes into account the
careful studies of theologians, doctors and Church officials
who have scrutinized every facet of Fr. Brisson’s life. Experts
also reviewed the evidence surrounding the Ecuadorian
miracle with great care: a young boy’s foot was crushed
by a tractor, then completely healed without any medical
intervention, but only through the prayers of his family,
friends, and the local Oblate Sisters, who gave a relic of
Fr. Brisson to the family. Carlos healed so well that he was
able to join the military as a young adult.
We are planning a pilgrimage for this blessed event
in the life of our Congregation and our Church. For more
information, please contact the Oblate Sisters.
Mount Aviat Academy
399 Childs Road, Childs, MD 21916
410.398.2206 (main)
877.398.8063 (fax)
www.MountAviat.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Harry E. Hammond, Chairman
Carl Danberg, Chair of Long Range Planning Committee
Brenda Hendron, Chair of Endowment Committee
Brian Lockhart, Chair of Buildings and Grounds Committee
Martin McDonough, Chair of Finance Committee
Mary Ellen Powers, Education Committee
Anthony Farina, Communications
Brian Corbett, Buildings and Grounds
Brandon Hollenbaugh, Long Range Planning
Mark Manniso, Finance Committee
Bridget Landis, Secretary
Eric Palm, Environmental Planning
Marie Classen, Education Committee
Sr. John Elizabeth Callaghan, OSFS, Principal
Sr. Anne Elizabeth, OSFS, President of the Board
From the Principal’s Desk:
O
n December 19th, plans to
beatify Father Louis Brisson were
announced, as you probably read
on the cover of this edition of The Aviat
Link. With this announcement comes
great pride in the history of the Oblates.
I can’t help but think of all that has been
accomplished among the Oblates since
the time of Father Brisson and specifically
all that has been accomplished here at Mount Aviat. From establishing a
high school, then elementary school, and finally a preschool, Mount Aviat
has a rich history, and we are indebted to Father Brisson for his efforts to
establish the Oblates.
As you can tell from the pages of this Link, Mount Aviat offers
students many opportunities to take part in what have now become school
traditions. The students have been a part of many uplifting experiences at
school including the Living Rosary, crib ceremony, Christmas shows, and
so many more events. I look back on what we’ve accomplished in 2011 with
much happiness, and look to the Spring with anticipation for what is to
come—including the installation of solar panels! My, how far we’ve come.
Thank you for your commitment to Mount Aviat, and for providing
your children with a strong foundation for their future
Yours in Christ,
ADMINISTRATION
Sr. John Elizabeth Callaghan, OSFS, Principal
Sister John Elizabeth Callaghan, OSFS
The Aviat Link
Charlene Nichols, Editor
Designed by Gamine Graphics
MISSION
The Mission of Mount Aviat Academy is threefold:
• to provide instruction in the message of Christ,
according to the teachings of the Catholic Church,
within the context of the gentle and caring spirit of
St. Francis de Sales;
• to offer an educational environment that promotes
high academic standards;
• to instill the principles of scholarship, citizenship and
service in the minds and hearts of the students.
Educating students to be
no more and no less
than their best.
2 Mount Aviat Academy
celebrating our 8th Grade Scholars
M
ount Aviat Academy is very proud of the success of our
8th graders on the entrance tests into Catholic High
Schools. Students are receiving letters of acceptance
into the school of their choice.The following students performed
exceptionally well on the entrance exam and have been offered
scholarships. We applaud their efforts.
Archmere Academy: Julia Classen, Matthew McCurnin, Joseph Spall
Padua Academy: Julia Classen
Salesianum: Leo Bacchieri, Joseph Spall
St. Elizabeth High School: Matthew Welch
St. Mark’s High School: Leo Bacchieri, Julia Classen, Joseph Spall,
Matthew Welch
Traditions We Treasure…
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1
5
2
6
3
1. Second graders happily prepare for a busy first day of school. 2. Sixth
gradersenjoy a song of praise during the Thanksgiving Mass. 3.Students gather
around the grotto during the celebration of the Living Rosary. 4.The MAA
band awes the crowd during their Winter Concert performance. 5.Joseph and
Mary, played by Sean Spych and Riley Pennington, celebrate the birth of Jesus
in the Lower School Christmas Show. 6.The Preschoolers shine in their first
Christmas Show. 7.The Kindergarten class shows off their wonderful variety of
Halloween costumes.
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The Aviat Link
~ WINTER 2012
3
1st Annual Fishing Tournament
T
he Aviat Foundation’s 1st “Fishin’ for Kids”Rockfish
Tournament was a huge success! Despite Mother
Nature’s fury of high winds, snow, and sleet, which
caused the tournament to move from Saturday, October
29th to Sunday, October 30th, the tournament still went off
without a hitch.Twenty boats entered the tournament with
approximately 60 fishermen and fisherwomen. The first place
$5,000 winner was a 4 pound Rockfish caught by Mr. Robert
Straiton of Charlestown, MD. The second place winner of
$1,300 was a 2.9 pound Rockfish caught by Mr. Jack Rinker
(owner of The Nauti Goose in North East). The third place
winner of $300 was a 2.7 pound Rockfish caught by Mr.
Allen McDaniel. Mr. Rinker and Mr. McDaniel graciously
donated their prize money to The Aviat Foundation. We
thank them for their generosity! Finally, perhaps our most
important winner, fourth-grader Tyler Uhde, caught the
heaviest catfish and won a gym bag filled with MAA Spirit
wear. Congratulations, Tyler!
After months of planning and organizing the
tournament, Amy Lucky, Butch Trainer and Matt Trainer
raised approximately $17,500 for The Aviat Foundation. We
thank them for their commitment and hard work to make
the Rockfish Tournament such a huge success! Furthermore,
the success of the tournament was also largely due to its
sponsors. We sincerely thank them for their generosity and
support: Anchor Boats, GTL Remodeling, ASI Waste,
Ramsey Ford, Sentrylight, Cecil Bank, McDaniel Yacht &
Basin, Premier Auto & Tire, Woody’s Crab House, Envy Spa
& Salon, Northside Pharmacy, Vlamis Liquors, Stillwaters
Marine Transport, Mesco Marine Coolers, Comcast Cable,
The Nauti-Goose, VFW of North East, Steak & Main, 84
Lumber, Equity Mortgage, Affordable Automotive, Adams
Chevrolet, Cecil Whig, Paul Risk & Associates, Turchi
Investment Management, Karen Michaels of State Farm
Insurance, Sentman Distributors, Best Western of North
East, West Marine, Kellogg Marine Supply, Sarge’s Bait and
Tackle, Sure Power, Woody Jackson of Jackson Marine, Kim
Madigan, Mr. and Mrs. Moran, Phil Farmer, UBS of Cecil
County, Mrs. Mary Ellen Powers, Mr. Mark Manniso, and
ABC Building Supply.
We look forward to the Fall for the 2nd Annual “Fishin’
for Kids” Rockfish Tournament. More details will follow in
the Link this summer, and also look for our signage in North
East, as well as on Comcast Cable’s Weather Channel. To
learn more about the Aviat Foundation or to volunteer your
services in the next fishing tournament, please contact Amy
Lucky at [email protected].
4 Mount Aviat Academy
Above: Tyler Uhde, with help from his father Travis, proudly holds
his prize-winning catfish at the 1st Annual “Fishin’ for Kids” Rockfish
Tournament. Below: Several Oblate Sisters joined in the fun at the Fishing
Tournament aboard Mr. and Mrs. Hendron’s boat, “The Wild Rover.”
Second Annual 5K Run/Walk
O
n Sunday, September 11, 2011, Mount Aviat
Academy held their 2nd Annual 5K Run and
Sister Walk. Many runners began the event with
Mass in Holy Family Hall. Then, over 180 runners ranging
in age from 1 to 73—including Sr. John Elizabeth, Sister
Anne Elizabeth, Sr. Joseph Anne, and Sr. Audrey Frances, as
well as several other Oblate Sisters and teachers—completed
the hilly 3.1 mile course. Everyone enjoyed the race and the
picnic that followed, which included the debut of the school’s
new moon bounce much to the students’ delight. This race
would not have been a success without the support of its
sponsors. We would like to thank the following organizations
for their contributions: GTL Remolding, G-P Industries,
INC., R. T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., Tri-State Surgical
Associates, Family Healthcare of Elkton, Premiere Auto and
Tire, City Pharmacy, and Rush Uniforms. We also would
like to thank Philly Soft Pretzels, Costco, Martins of Rising
Sun, BJ’s, Bagelmania, and John K. Burkley Insurance for
their donation of food or supplies. Their donations kept our
runners well-hydrated during the race and full of energy
afterward. A big, next-door neighborly “Thank You!” to the
Moose Lodge for allowing us to use their parking lot for our
finish line, and to the Cecil County Sheriff Department for
their presence during the race. We look forward to another
successful event next school year. Check the Link this
Summer for details.
19th Annual Dinner Auction
O
n October 19th, over two hundred guests gathered
in St. Joseph Hall to attend Mount Aviat’s 19th
Annual Dinner Auction. The theme of the night
was “Education Takes You Places,” and the air was full of
excitement as bidders won items that will certainly take
them places. Items won included tickets to cultural and
sporting events, a trip anywhere in the world, and even a
Harley Davidson motorcycle. Guests enjoyed delicious food
and gelato while socializing and partaking in the auction
activities.
Thank you to all of the auction attendees for your
generous bidding and support of Mount Aviat. The proceeds
will be used to enhance technology in the classrooms as
well as supplement Mount Aviat’s Endowment. Moreover,
the auction included teacher “wish list” items where bidders
could purchase items for each teacher’s classroom. Every
wish list item was purchased, and the teachers are all
enjoying their gifts. Thank you for a very successful event!
Look for details about our 20th Annual Dinner Auction in
the Summer edition of the Link.
The Aviat Link
~ WINTER 2012
5
Behind every great person is a
a fabulous teacher…
Happy to Serve: New Service Club
Congratulations to our 5th Grade Girls for their Undefeated Season!
Volleyball News
“Challenging,” “tough,” “awesome,” and “fun” are all words
used by the team members to describe the 2011 volleyball
season for the fifth grade Knights. The girls, led by Mr. Larry
Ertle and Mr. Camponelli, learned a lot about the game and
themselves as they went undefeated in the CYM league.
Jessica Kraus said, “It was a really lucky season for us!” Her
teammate Olive Twum-Danso agrees. All eight girls agree
that they are excited for next year, and they hope to go
undefeated again.
The fourth-grade volleyball team, led by Mrs. Corbett
and Mr. Ertle, finished the season with 8 wins and 2
losses, and the sixth-grade team, led by Mrs. Frati and Mr.
Willemsen, finished the season with 4 wins and 6 losses. The
Varsity girls, led by Mr. Ertle and Mr. Johnson, were runnerup Division Champions with a final record of 9 wins and 4
losses. Go Knights!
A
n eighth grader recently exclaimed, “Sister, I hate to
say it, but service is fun!” He was happily spraying
down cars as they pulled up in front of the convent
for a carwash. This was one of the Saint Leonie Aviat Service
Club’s first events of the school year, a fundraiser for the
Cecil County Pregnancy Center. The students lathered and
wiped down cars for more than an hour-and-a-half, and
raised over $450 in donations.
With over twenty members from 5th-8th grade, the
Service Club, begun last year by Mrs. Keefe and Sr. Audrey
Frances, is continuing to expand its activities and its outreach
to the local community. Members meet about every two
weeks to plan and to prepare service activities. So far in
2011-2012, these activities have also included baking
cookies for over 100 handicapped residents in the local
area, advertising the Christmas Giving Tree for Immaculate
Conception Parish Outreach, making cards for the Outreach
program’s Christmas dinners, and making Valentines for
residents in a local nursing home. Students are also encouraged
to develop a service-oriented attitude in their homes and
neighborhoods, learning to be servants as Christ served.
Woo-Hoo! Wednesday
T
his year, a new clubs program has been offered to our
students in grades 5-8. Once a month, on WooHoo! Wednesday, students have been able to meet
with a club of their choice during the school day. Moderated
by Mount Aviat faculty and staff, our clubs for the first half
of the year have included a baking club, drama club, ball club,
movie-making club, scrapbooking club, science club, singing
club, and farm club. The students and teachers have all been
very enthusiastic about this opportunity to get to know
students in different grade levels and to learn outside of the
classroom.
8 Mount Aviat Academy
Thank you readers of the Cecil Whig for voting MAA #1 Private School in
Cecil County!
Alumni News
Alumni Thomas Reynolds, Adam
Ostmann, Donald Ostmann, and
Andrew Mottel lend a hand with the
preparations for the Oblate Sisters’
Thanksgiving Dinner.
Thomas Barr ’99 graduated from Vanderbilt Law in May.
Cecelia Baggott (’97-’98) and Molly Baggott (’98) currently attend the
University of Delaware.
Jim Baggott (’96-’98) graduated from the University of Delaware and is
currently working as a cameraman filming a documentary for the Discovery
Channel.
Julianna Baggott ’83 is anovelist, essayist, and poet. Julianna’s new book
Pure, the first book in a science fiction trilogy, is due out in February 2012.
Julianna Manniso ’02 graduated from Catholic University in 2010 and
received her masters from the University of Delaware in August 2011.
Jennifer Louise Newman ’87 is a social worker in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Brianna Nickle ’03 recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary
Education from Wilmington University.
Caitlin Pierce ’01 was married on May 14, 2011
to Matthew Kehnast. The wedding took place at
Cherry Hill Methodist Church, and the reception
was held at the Tea Barn in Fair Hill.
Tony Strayer ’02 studied abroad in Italy in 2011 and then graduated from the
University of Delaware with a B.S. in Accounting and in Business Management,
with minors in International Business and Economics.
Kelly Strayer ’99 teaches in the Montgomery County Public school system
where she is directing a high school musical production of Legally Blonde. Kelly
sings with The City Choir of Washington.
Lauren Wegman ’95 lives in Philadelphia and runs a production company
called Sickening Thud Productions. She has worked as a director, editor, producer, crew, actor, and promoter on many projects. Lauren has received a best
editing nomination for her last film, “The Battle in Suburbia.”
Deanna Wegman-Sakeley ’96 was married on October
19, 2011, in Maui, Hawaii, to Jason Sakeley. Deanna is
currently working as a Lead Behavior Evaluator at the
Kent County SPCA.
Deanna Rosseel ’02 will receive her master’s
degree in social work in May 2012.
Meghan Shand (’87-’89) lives in Chestertown, Maryland, where she has a
practice as a massage therapist.
Jonathan Shand (’85-’89) lives in Arlington, Virginia, where he is a project
manager for IN-Q-TEL.
Christopher Steenkamer ’08, a senior at St. Mark’s High School, made First
Team All-State in Cross Country.
Teacher Update!
Mrs. Anne Slater,former teacher and current volunteer, and husband, Sheldon, welcomed their first great-grandchild, Anneliese Sophia.
If you would like to help plan events for alumni or you have alumni news you would like to share,
please contact Mrs. Charlene Nichols, Advancement Director, at [email protected].
A Firm Foundation...
A Promising Future!
A gift to the Aviat Foundation leaves a lasting legacy,
and insures the future of Mount Aviat Academy.
Our campaign, A Firm Foundation…A Promising Future, has an ambitious goal—an endowment of $2 million.
Create a scholarship in your name, establish a specific endowment to support
Mount Aviat Academy’s curriculum, or make a bequest in your Last Will and Testament.
Your gift will help the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales carry out their mission to educate children
to be no more and no less than their best at Mount Aviat Academy for many generations to come.
Please contact Amy Lucky, Endowment Campaign Chair, at [email protected]
to explore ways that you can support the Oblate Sisters and Mount Aviat Academy.
“Each of us is an instrument in the hand of God.” -Saint Leonie Aviat
The Aviat Link
~ SUMMER 2011
9
Friends’ Events: Roast Beef Dinner,
Trunk-or-Treat and Christmas Bazaar
O
10 Mount Aviat Academy
~
C
Thank you for your years of service to the Friends, Mr. Lombardo.
of Friend
e
l
c
s
ir
~
n September 25, The Friends and Family of the
Oblate Sisters hosted their annual Roast Beef
Dinner. We had great weather this year, thankfully,
and a total of 428 people were served our traditional roast
beef and mashed potatoes dinner. We had great support from
our families in terms of providing volunteers and desserts
for the event. Thank you to everyone who made this day
successful. We really showed off the camaraderie and spirit of
the school.
This year The Friends hosted the first ever Trunk-orTreat on October 30. Set up in the parking lot by St. Joseph
Hall, Trunk-or-Treat was an old-fashioned family-friendly
good time where the kids dressed up in their Halloween
finery and paraded from car to car admiring the decorations
in every car’s trunk. Between the gorgeous fall weather, the
wonderful trunk decorations, and the kid-friendly games,
this event is destined to become a new favorite. Thank you to
all of the families who attended this inaugural event.
The Friends’ Annual Christmas Bazaar is always a fun
school event that draws fans from our larger community.
This year did not disappoint. As usual, the food was
outstanding. People enjoyed the stuffed cabbages, meatball
sandwiches, and, of course, the cream puffs. Everyone
enjoyed the various booths from Dip’n Win to the White
Elephant to the Food Wheel. Children lined up to get their
pictures taken with Santa. Thank you so much to all of the
volunteers who helped run the booths, cook the food, serve
dinner in the dining room, and provide baked goods for
our sale. This event showcases the true Salesian spirit that is
Mount Aviat Academy. Mark your calendars for November
17 so you don’t miss our 50th Christmas Bazaar.
upcoming events:
February 26
April 5-13
April 24
April 27
May 9
May 25
June 5
Welcome to Mrs. Charlene Nichols, MAA’s new Advancement Director,
and Mrs. Amy Lucky, Endowment Campaign Chair.
Open House, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Holy Week and Easter Vacation
Awards Assembly, 7:00 p.m.
Preschool Spring Show
Grandparents’ Day
Family Day, Mass 11:00 a.m.
Eighth Grade Graduation
The Rewards of Mission Work:
Sharing Notes of Thanks
“Our great mission is to love the Savior and to make him loved.”
Father Brisson
M
Welcome to our new Friends President and Vice President, Mrs. Erin
Dymowski and Mrs. Bridget Landis.
Annual Drive: Circle of Friends
T
he Annual Drive for 2011-2012 has raised a
total of almost $56,000 in pledges. To help us
reach our goal of $80,000, please send your
contribution to: Mount Aviat Academy, 399 Childs
Road, Childs, MD 21916. The Annual Drive closes on
June 30, 2012. For more information about the Annual
Drive, contact Mrs. Charlene Nichols at 410.398.2206,
ext. 17 or [email protected].
Listed below are giving totals as of late January 2012:
Alumni
$1,400
Alumni Parents $8,830
Businesses
$1,100
Grandparents $15,855
Parents
$15,490
Special Friends $ 12,865
AA’s mission statement challenges us to ‘Live
Jesus’ through service to others. What better way
than to support our Oblate Sisters in mission
countries. During the past year our students have worked to
help students of similar ages in Columbia, Ecuador, Namibia
and South Africa. And what a difference MAA students
have made. We have received notes of thanks from our missions:
“Only God knows how we prayed for support and He
sent you to us. We can only repay you by keeping you in our
daily prayers.” Sr. Maria-Antonia, St. Anna School in northern
Cape Town, South Africa
“We helped two poor seminarians who were going to
leave the seminary because they could not afford to stay.
Your gift also helped two Haitian refugees, two young
girls who work hard in school and want to receive a good
education. In addition there are always cases of urgent
rescue of the sick, food to give to the poor and so on. The
opportunities for charity abound and, thanks to your students
and families, we are able to help a few of them.” Sr. MarieClotilde of Ecuador
“I want to take the opportunity to thank you from my
heart for the donation sent to our school, St. Blaize in Mossel
Bay. The school has bought a data-projector. I will send you
pictures of how we use it in the classroom. May you be blessed
for such kindness. It is such a joy. Thank you very, very much!
You are in our prayers.” Sr. Eva-Bernard of South Africa
“We send our profound thanks for your generous
assistance and your fidelity to our children. Be assured
that each dollar is used for the education of our children
and young adults. We offer our thankful prayers; may the
blessings of God be with you.” Sr. Therese-Jacqueline of
Ecuador
The Aviat Link
~ WINTER 2012
11
Tribute to MAA Teachers…6 | Clubs and Sports News…8| Friends’ Events…10
Father Brisson’s Beatification…1 | Community Building Events…4
Mrs. Keogh brings her enthusiasm for learning to her fourth-grade classroom
Celebrating Teachers!