Summer 2014 Newsletter

Newsletter
The evening of June 5th marked the
graduation of ND’s 98th graduating class.
All of the graduates received Regents
or Advanced Regents diplomas. The
commencement was held once again in
the historic Great Hall of Cooper Union.
Alexandra Galdi, the Selected Student
Speaker, delivered an address to the
graduates. Isabella Bogdanos, Senior
Class President, offered a fond farewell to
Chez Nous.
The medal for Academic Excellence
in Studies for four years was awarded
to Alexandra Galdi for highest
academic achievement. Alyssa Fiore
was recognized for second highest
achievement. Medals for excellence in
individual subject areas over four years
were won by Madison Marino for English,
Mathematics and Science, Marie-Pierre
Guiraud for Social Studies and Spanish,
Shantal Taveras for Religion and Latin,
Sara Christoforides for French, Elizabeth
O’Malley and Jordan Villaruel for Physical
Education.
The Anne de Xainctonge Award
was presented to Margaret Woods for
demonstrating outstanding school spirit
and a commitment to upholding Anne’s
Values at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame School’s Mother
Genevieve Marie Award was presented to
Elizabeth O’Malley for her outstanding
academic achievement, her contribution
to the spirit that characterizes Notre
Dame, and her service to the school
community.
The Sr. Mary Dolan, SU, Leadership
Award for demonstrating extraordinary
dedication to the Notre Dame School
community was presented to Isabella
Bogdanos. The Principal’s Leadership
Award for demonstrated ability to
combine academic excellence and
exemplary leadership roles in school and
community activities was awarded to
Chloe Fasanmi.
The Network for Teaching
Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by
the Stephen Cyrus Freidheim Foundation
providing the winner of the businessplan competition with a four-year college
scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie
O’Connor.
The 2014 National Merit Commended
Scholar Award for outstanding
performance on the PSAT/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test was
presented to Alyssa Fiore.
The theatre award was presented to
Tara Villaruel by the Drama Program and
Magis Theatre Company.
The New York State Education
Department Scholarships for Academic
Excellence were awarded to Alexandra
Galdi, Alyssa Fiore and Madison Marino.
The President’s Education Awards for
Outstanding Academic Excellence were
merited by Alyssa Fiore, Alexandra Galdi,
Marie-Pierre Guiraud, Madison Marino and
Spring/Summer 2014
Shantal Taveras.
The President’s Education Awards for
Outstanding Academic Achievement
were merited by Julia Bateh, Isabella
Bogdanos, Sara Christoforides, Melanie
Hernan and Merjyl Jurado.
The NY State Comptroller
Achievement Awards were presented to
Julia Bateh and Nicole Collymore.
The New York City Comptroller
Achievement Awards were presented to
Jordan Villaruel and Anthea Viloria.
The NYS Attorney General’s Triple
“C” Award for character, courage and
commitment were presented to Megan
Gong and Priscilla Guzman.
The NYC Speaker’s Achievement
Awards were presented to Brittany
Berrigan and Micaela Klein.
The Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards Certificates of Achievement went
to Marta Maciag and Jamilex Montas. The
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Certificates of Merit were presented
to Fatou Haidara, Kerry Matzelle, Edona
Oshlani, Regina Previl and Angelique
Ruggiero.
More than 90% of the graduates won
academic scholarships or awards from
outstanding colleges and universities.
Congratulations and God bless you all!
Student and Faculty News
Congratulations to Maria Javier ’16 for receiving Honorable
Mention in this year’s Gilder Lehrman Civil War Essay Contest
Maria’s essay was entitled “The Man for the Occasion: Jonathan
Letterman.” Congratulations also to juniors Joralyssa Conley,
Gabrielle Lacqua, Sophia Schaedle and Shirley Troche for being
chosen as entrants from our school and to their teacher moderators
Mr. Glenn Stordeur, Ms. Andrea Catenaccio and Ms. Eileen Frawley
The essay contest is a nationwide competition sponsored by
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a nonprofit
organization supporting the study and love of American history
through a wide range of programs and resources for students,
teachers, scholars and history enthusiasts throughout the nation.
Junior Sara Benitez had an article published in HPAC Young
Writers’ Review
The mission of the Hunts Point Alliance for Children is to get people
to recognize the talent of and potential for young people growing up
in one the city’s most economically challenged areas. Sara’s piece was
entitled “The Game of Survival.”
Gabriela Gonzalez ’15 wins
gold medals in judo
Gabriela Gonzalez ’15
competed in one of the most
regionally challenging judo
tournaments ; The TwentySeventh Annual Liberty Bell
Judo Classic in Bryn Athyn, PA.
She competed in the Junior,
and Senior Novice Divisions under 63 kg weigh class, and
took first place in both (two
gold medals!).
Shakespeare portrait cupcake bake
Over 300 cupcakes were baked by ND students and
arranged in a portrait of The Bard as part of Notre
Dame’s annual Shakespeare Festival.
Cafe 408, an ND tradition continues
Led by art teacher, Ms. Katie Walters, the art room
hosted a coffee house atmosphere on May 15,
showcasing student and faculty talent.
Pictured at left, left to right: juniors
Ourania Katehis, Maria Javier, Shirley
Troche, Kauribel Javier and Caty Seger
The Museum Club, moderated by Ms. Jean Halloran-Monaco,
visited the Rubin Museum of Art in April.
Junior Maria Javier led this tour because she is an intern at the museum
which is within walking distance of Notre Dame School. The Rubin
is dedicated to the collection, display and preservation of the art of
the Himalayas and surrounding regions, especially Tibetan art. They
are shown here viewing a sculpture of Dancing Ganesha, deity in the
Hindu pantheon, known as the remover of obstacles.
Princess Gordon ’15 was accepted to the Adventures
in Veterinary Medicine Summer Program at Tufts
University This high school residential session
at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
offers lectures from faculty and veterinary students,
opportunity to attend labs, engage in hands-on
activities with animals and participate in clinical
rotations.
Kauribel and Maria Javier ’15 won acceptance to the
Questbridge Summer Program.
Ashley Arnold ’15 was accepted to the Global Kids
Summer Institute for High School Students at the
Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C.
Isabel Ortiz ’15 was accepted to the Summer Science
Program at St. Francis College, Brooklyn.
Notre Dame School meets Laura Bush and David McCullough
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of America History gala was held at
The Pierre on the evening of May 22. ND Social Studies teacher,
Ms. Eileen Frawley arrived with a mission, “To get Laura Bush’s
ear,” and tell her that she had visited her husband and fatherin-law’s presidential libraries on a recent visit to Texas. Ms.
Frawley has visited 10 of the 13 presidential libraries in the US. In
their conversation, Ms. Frawley noted to Ms. Bush that she was
impressed that her husband’s library has a section dedicated to her -- Ms. Bush is a libararian.
Ms. Frawley accomplished her goal, with a 15 minute conversation in which ND seniors, Alex Galdi and Elizabeth O’Malley
participated. Next, they met author, David McCullough, Ms. Frawley telling him she uses his book 1776 as a text. Elizabeth is
interested in going into politics. “I read it twice,” she said. To top it off, a representative of the Gilder Lehrman Institute mentioned
Notre Dame in her address to the assembly.
Maya Fidelia ’15 will be attending the Collegiate World Series, hosted by the National Hispanic Institute. From their website: “The CWS is designed for students who not only wish to make informed choices about college, but who are ready to evaluate, analyze, and make conscious decisions about their life direction.This program builds success behaviors for students to excel
in the college admission process and in college life, both academically and socially, while engaging students to reflect on the
cultural, moral, social, and personal values that inform their identity and life goals.
Sara Benitez ’15 will attend the 2014 Summer STEM Program at The Cooper Union Albert Nerken School of Engineering.
Annual Girl Up Fashion Show
The 3rd Annual Girl Up Fashion Show took place on Wednesday, April
16 with performances from the Notre Dame Step Team, Spirit Team
and Glee Club. All proceeds raised from the event went toward the
United Nations Foundations Girl Up.
The Girl Up Ensemble takes a bow
Frantzca Pascal ’17
Amor Dominguez ’14 with escort
Xiomara Santiago ’14
Chez Nous Steppers performed
Notre Dame Social Studies Teacher, Mr. Glenn
Stordeur Meets Honoree,
Stephen Spielberg, at the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln
Prize Dinner
This past April, Mr. Stordeur attended the annual
Lincoln Prize Dinner held at the Union League Club
in New York City where Director Stephen Spielberg
was given a Special Achievement Award for directing
and producing the film Lincoln. Mr. Stordeur took
an opportunity to speak with Mr. Spielberg, who had
many questions about teaching. Also of note from Mr.
Stordeur, “I received an AP Redesign Scholarship from
the College Board to attend an AP US History Summer Workshop at Manhattan College.”
On May 3, Mr. Stephen Haller chaired a panel at St. John’s University’s World History Theory and Practice Conference in lower Manhattan. The conference focused on
larger trends students and scholars can find in world history, and effective pedagogical
tactics teachers can use to impart this to students. The panel Mr. Haller chaired, Identities in World History, focused on the different tactics that subnational groups have used
to form their identities, and what scholars and students are able to learn from these
experiences.
Newly elected Student Council
Executive Board:
President, Brianna Bosque ‘15
Vice President, Ourania Katehis ‘15
Secretary, Rianne Pyle ‘17
Treasurer, Julia Pesola ‘17
Chez Nous Benefit Luncheon and Auction 2014
The friends and families of Notre Dame School gathered on a
bright spring Saturday, March 29, to celebrate the very best of
Chez Nous and raise support for the school. Over 330 attendees
gathered at Pier Sixty - Chelsea Piers and enjoyed a gourmet lunch,
Hudson River views and lively bidding on live and silent auction
prizes. Honored for their great service to the school that day were
Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59, and parents Patricia Donohue and
Brooke Thomas. For more on the Chez Nous Benefit, look for Encore
Chez Nous alumnae magazine due out next fall.
Left to right: Mackenzie O’Connor ’14 and her mother Brooke Thomas,
Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U., Patricia Donohue and her daughter Elizabeth
O’Malley’14
Seniors on hand to process donations, standing left to right: Regina Previl, Julia
Caccavale, Xiomara Santiago, Tiffany Toribio, Oksana Kramarchuk.
Seated left to right: Amor Dominguez, Danielle Melendez, Steffany Molina,
Nicole Collymore.
A crew of cheerful raffle ticket sellers, ND seniors: Paige Guevarra, ND
teacher, Ms. Victoria Abad, Micaela Klein, Julia Bateh, Madison Marino, Sara
Christoforides, Mackenzie O’Connor
Pictured left: Antoinette
LeQuire Schott ’59, winner of
the Anne de Xainctonge award,
with Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U.
Below: senior student helpers,
Melissa Pena, Jessica Wilson,
Margaret Woods, Alyssa Fiore,
Above: ND seniors ready to sell raffle tickets: Anthea Viloria, Marie-Pierre Guiraud,
Madeline Tavarez.
Kelly Atkinson. Pictured below right: Chloe Fasanmi ’ 14, one of four graduating
seniors who offered reflections on their experience Chez Nous.
Honors Assembly
An assembly honoring
students in the 9th, 10th and
11th grades was held on the
June 26th. Highlights follow:
Maria Javier merited an
Academic Excellence Award for
achieving the highest overall
average in the Eleventh Grade,
Angela Perez in the Tenth Grade
and Julia Pesola in the Ninth
Grade.
Kauribel Javier merited an
Academic Excellence Award for
achieving the second highest
overall average in the Eleventh
Grade, Natalie Jara in the Tenth
Grade and Deztynee Rivera in the
Ninth Grade.
Certificates for perfect
attendance were awarded to:
11th Grade:
Kauribel Javier
Maria Javier
Isabella Lupo
Ashley Nally-Nagel
Gabriella Ruiz
Shirley Troche
10th Grade:
Annie Afranie
Maria Elena Bilello
Courtney Gordon
Miranda Inzerelli
Sheila Janeo
Taimar Leslie
Nneka Nwaokorie
Angela Perez
Emily Uruchima
9th Grade:
Kaela Adams-Black
Adelina Balidemaj
Sarah Doumbia
Isabella Frasca
Gabriella Gamab
Paola Hernandez
Jordan Lighty
Emilia Muga
Deirdre O’Donnell
Allyssa Olivan
Julia Pesola
Mia Bella Santana
Montana Schelchere
Chynna Seck
Cameron Villaruel
Certificates of achievement
were awarded to students who
achieved the following:
100% on the English
Regents Examination
Juniors:
Abigail Collins
Kauribel Javier
Stephanie Licciardi
Kathe Rodriguez-Morick
Sophia Schaedle
100% on the FLACS Regional
Spanish Language Examination
Juniors:
Emily Espinal
Maria Liz
Melissa Pena
100% on the FLACS Regional
French Language Examination
Junior:
Maria Javier
100% on the U.S. History
Regents Examination
Junior:
Maria Javier
98% on the Global History
and Geography Examination
Sophomore:
Angela Perez
97% on the Algebra
Regents Examination
Freshman:
Isabella Frasca
95% on the Geometry Regents
Examination
Sophomore:
Gabriella Phillip
91% on the Trigonometry
Regents Examination
Junior:
Maria Javier
96% on the Biology
Regents Examination
Freshman:
Julia Pesola
93% on the Physics
Regents Examination
Junior:
Maria Javier
Certificates of Membership in
the Foreign Language Honor
Societies were awarded to the
following:
Spanish Honor Society
11th Grade
Ashley Arnold
Brianna Bosque
Emely Espinal
Maya Fidelia
Princess Gordon
Kyanna Johnson
Ourania Katehis
Gabrielle Lacqua
Ewa Lecewicz
Maria Liz
Alexandria McElroy
Isabel Ortiz
Melissa Pena
Kathe Rodriguez-Morick
Olivia Santos
10th Grade:
Kenya Arias
Caroline Bozzuffi
Regan Burke
Gabriela Calero
Katherine Caracappa
Beverly Chodorov
Nieve Corrigan
Sheila Janeo
Nicole LaGreca
Violante Masetti-Zannini
Kathleen McErlain
Thalia Nunez
Nneka Nwaokorie
Julia Passarelli
Samantha Patterson
Angela Perez
Kymberly Pryce
Ashley Varlack
Megan Vella
Cameryn Verderame
Kristen Walsh
Samantha Zabroni
French Honor Society
11th Grade:
Sara Benitez
Jasmin Bulter
Joralyssa Conley
Fanessa de la Rosa
Magdalena Dunmar
Elizabeth Escobar
Ashley Gomez
Gabriela Gonzalez
Kauribel Javier
Maria Javier
Stephanie Licciardi
Sabrina Limchayseng
Carine Norvez
Leila Perazic
Sabrina Perez
Sophia Schaedle
Caitlin Seger
Shirley Troche
Michelle Yip
10th Grade:
Annie Afranie
Maria Elena Bilello
Kimberly Cruz
Mercy de la Cruz
Natalie Jara
Athena Karavasilis
Zoe Li
Klea Lisi
Madison Marino
Samantha Moura
Victoria Ocasio
Gabriella Phillip
Amalia Robles
Maria Sciancalepore
Yamilex Tavarez
Emily Uruchima
Kathleen Valonis
Latin Honor Society
11th Grade:
Ashley Arnold
Jasmin Butler
Ayanna Camara
Fanessa de la Rosa
Magdalena Dunmar
Elizabeth Escobar
Ashley Gomez
Princess Gordon
Kyanna Johnson
Ourania Katehis
Alexandria McElroy
Melissa Pena
Sabrina Perez
Jenna Tuzzino
Michelle Yip
The Helping Hand Awards for
completing 40 or more hours
of community service were
awarded to these juniors:
Maya Fidelia–40 hours
Savanna Ruiz–40 hours
Alexandria McElroy–41 hours
Alyssa Roldan–43 hours
Faustyna Legacka–44.4 hours
Sara Junior–45.5 hours
Maura O’Halloran–48 hours
Julisa Mendez–50 hours
Kyanna Johnson–50 hours
Delia Butler–60 hours
Katie Ionescu–60 hours
Georgia Ionescu–60 hours
Isabel Ortiz–60 hours
Magdalena Dunmar–60 hours
Jasmin Butler–63 hours
Gabby Lacqua–64 hours
Sophia Schaedle–70 hours
Diomercy Espinal–72 hours
Sandra Williams–88 hours
Emely Espinal–90 hours
Ashley Gomez–93 hours
Ayanna Camara–95 hours
Ashley Arnold–100 hours
Chloe Makowsky–100 hours
Olivia Santos–104 hours
Ourania Katehis–105 hours
Stephanie Serrano–105 hours
Caitlin Seger–105 hours
Ashley Nally-Nagel–107 hours
Princess Gordon–108 hours
Jennifer Fox–112 hours
Brianna Bosque –117.35 hours
Joralyssa Conley –120 hours
Stephanie Licciardi–135 hours
Isabella Lupo –176 hours
Sabrina Limchayseng–184 hrs.
Michelle Yip–200 hours
Carine Norvez–217 hours
Sierra Williams–229 hours
Maria Javier–285 hours
Kauribel Javier–326 hours
Elizabeth Escobar–331 hours
Shirley Troche–340 hours
First Honors were awarded
to students who achieved an
average of 92% or above for the
entire year:
11th grade–28 students
10th grade–30 students
9th grade–36 students
Second Honors were awarded
to students who achieved an
average between 88% and
91.99% for the entire year:
11th grade–13 students
10th grade–19 students
9th grade–26 students
Congratulations!
National Honor Society Induction
Notre Dame’s National Honor Society Induction was held on the evening of May 1st. Thirty-nine seniors were inducted and
thirty-seven juniors were received into NHS as candidates for induction next year. Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U., President, Ms.
Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal along with NHS Moderators Ms. Karina Vargas, Vice-Principal and Ms. Anne Crosson presented awards
and certificates. The following 11th grade students were named as candidates:
Ashley Arnold
Sara Benitez
Brianna Bosque
Jasmin Butler
Abigail Collins
Joralyssa Conley
Fanessa De La Rosa
Magdalena Dunmar
Elizabeth Escobar
Emely Espinal
Maya Fidelia
Gabriela Gonzalez
Princess Gordon
Kauribel Javier
Maria Javier
Ourania Katehis
Gabrielle Lacqua
Ewa Lecewicz
Faustyna Legacka
Stephanie Licciardi
Sabrina Limchayseng
Maria Liz
Isabella Lupo
Kristal Martinez
Alexandra McElroy
Carine Norvez
Brianna Parker
Melissa Pena
Leila Perazic
Sabrina Perez
Kathe Rodriguez-Morick
Olivia Santos
Sophia Schaedle
Caitlin Seger
Shirley Troche
Jenna Tuzzino
MichelleYip
Students recite the National Honor Society Pledge (above 2 photos). At right, Isabella Bogdanos receives her
award from Principal, Jaclyn Brilliant.
College, Here We Come!
One of the springtime traditions at ND is a walk out and about in the Village to show off our college sweatshirts and
take some selfies. What an accomplished group of seniors we are sending to some of the world’s best colleges!
Sports Banquet
’16, Varsity Basketball—Madison Marino
’14, J.V. Basketball—Blake Lackmann ’16
and Regan Burke ’16 , Varsity Softball—
Kristen Carita ’15 and Mia Bella Santana
’17, Varsity Soccer—Regan Burke ’16 and
Paaige Guevarra ’14.
The evening of May 8th marked a special
celebration of ND’s student athletes. A
festive family dinner in the Dolan Center
was planned by Ms. Maria Vulcano,
Athletic Director.
The Spirit Awards for demonstrating
extra support regardless of playing time
were awarded to: Varsity Volleyball —
Kerry Matzelle ’14 and Hera Bogdanos
’16, Varsity Basketball — Jessica King
’16 and Gabriela Gonzalez ’15, J.V.
Basketball— Gianna LaGreca ’16 and
Nicole LaGreca ’16, Varsity Softball—
Micaela Klein ’14 and Gabrielle Lacqua
’15, Varsity Soccer—Blake Lackmann ’16
and Brigitte Henderson ’14.
The Most Improved Player Awards for
demonstrating continuing dedication
and exhibiting improvement in their
abilities and skills to play were merited
by: Volleyball—Taylor Watson ’14
and Isabella Bogdanos ’14, Varsity
Basketball—Isabella Bogdanos ’14 and
Maria Sciancalepore ’15, J.V. Basketball—
Brigid Bianco ’17 and Nicole Mastellone
’17, Varsity Softball—Abigail Collins ’15
and Jordan Villaruel ’14, Varsity Soccer—
Tara Bradley’15 and Penelope Fowler ’14.
The Sportsmanship Awards for
consistently showing spirit of fair play
were won by: Varsity Volleyball—Amor
Dominguez ’14 and Maria Sciancalepore
The Most Valuable Player Awards for
demonstrating plays that were vital to
the success of their teams were given to:
Varsity Volleyball—Elizabeth O’Malley
’14 and Jordan Villaruel ’14, Varsity
Basketball—Jordan Villaruel ’14 and
Margaret Woods ’14, J.V. Basketball—
Jenna Mastellone ’17, Varisty Softball—
Daniela Creighton ’14 and Elizabeth
O’Malley ’14, Varsity Soccer—Madison
Marino ’14 and Cora Coughlan ’14.
Captain Trophies were presented to:
Varsity Volleyball—Elizabeth O’Malley
’14, Alanna Beauchamp ’14, and Jordan
Villaruel ’14, Varsity Basketball—Jordan
Villaruel ’14, J.V. Basketball—Gianna
LaGreca ’16, Cameryn Verderame ’17,
Nicole LaGreca ’17 and Blake Lackmann
’16, Varsity Softball—Elizabeth
O’Malley’14, Jordan Villaruel ’14 and
Daniela Creighton ’14, Varsity Soccer—
Sara Christoforides ’14, Cora Coughlan
’14 Penelope Fowler ’14 and Madison
Marino ’14.
Congratulations to all our good
sportswomen!
ND Annual Fund Invites You to Join With Us
Dear N otre D ame Friends and F amily,
What a banner year we have had
here at Notre Dame School! We are
fully enrolled with a stellar freshman
class coming this fall, new technologies
enhancing our classic college-prep
curriculum, and a truly amazing list of
colleges where we’re sending our seniors
this fall. I am ever more aware that none
of what happens here is possible
without the love, prayers and generosity
of YOU, our many friends and family.
To those who have made your
contribution to the 2013-14 Annual
Fund, please accept our heartfelt
gratitude. If you have not yet
contributed, it would mean so much to
us to hear from you before we close
the books this summer, via mail (address
on the back of this newsletter), by phone
(212) 620-5575 ext. 315, or our website
(www.cheznous.org click on giving).
If any of our ND Friends or Family
are aware of any family foundations
to whom we may apply for grant
funding, we would be so grateful for
your reference.
Gratefully,
Notre Dame School
327 West 13th Street
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Stamford, CT
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New York, NY 10014
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Calendar
Tuesday, July 22
Begin purchasing books from Follett Virtual
Bookstore -- link on www.cheznous.org
Friday, August 1
Student data sheet & medical form due
Wednesday, September 3
9 am-Noon -- 9th Grade Orientation
10 am-Noon -- 12th Grade Orientation
Thursday, September 4
9 am-Noon -- 10th Grade Orientation
10 am-Noon -- 11th Grade Orientation
Friday, September 5
Classes begin, 12:30 p.m. dismissal
Monday, September 8
First full day of classes
Food service begins
Friday, September 19
Mass of the Holy Spirit
Sunday, October 26
Open House for Prospective Students
2:30 to 5 pm
Thursday, November 6
Alumnae Mass and Reunion in the Dolan
Center
Members of ND’s Class of 2014
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