Spring 2011 - St. Agnes Academy

Th e Voice and Vision of St. Agnes Academy Since 1906
Spring 2011
in this issue
5 SAA visions for future
6 Uniform changes announced
10 SAA’s night on the red carpet
10Alumnae celebrate connections
Write your own page in history
of St. Agnes Academy,
you can leave a lasting
legacy to protect and continue the school’s strong Dominican tradition
of excellence. A planned gift made to St. Agnes ensures a diverse and
challenging college-preparatory education, imbued with the tenets of
the Catholic faith, will remain for future generations.
As an alumna, parent or friend
A planned gift may also provide your estate with a charitable deduction while
allowing control of your assets (or income from them) during your lifetime. If
you are interested in becoming a member of the 1906 Society, please learn
more by contacting Bridget Hennessey ’90 at [email protected].
Dominican Trustees
Sr. Carol Mayes, O.P.’56, Prioress
Sr. Antoinette (Kitty) Carter, O.P. ’57, Vicaress
Sr. Pat Casey, O.P. ’61, Councilor
Sr. Julie Marie Greig, O.P., Councilor
St. Agnes Academy 2010 – 2011 Board of Directors
Paul Antolik
Cathy Beathard
Gary Bentz
Robert Bobo
Ken Delery
Sr. Adrian Dover, O.P.
John Dickinson
Cynthia Dopjera
Chris Fenelon
Maureen Graf
Suzanne Smith Grant ’79
Mike Heim
Jerry Kimmitt
Robert Ladd
Regina Lewis ’76
Bob McLamb
Peter McStravick
Jim Murnane
Adriana Pineda, Chair
Mary Raia ’77
Kathy Rose
Julie Plessala Samson ’80
Greg Schockling
Elda Smith
Tom Staudt
Jim Ulm
Laura Lee Vaio
Tom Vaughn
Th e Voice and Vision of St. Agnes Academy Since 1906
From the Head of School ............................................... 1
Academy News . ............................................................ 2
Advancement News ...................................................... 13
St.
Agnes AcAdemy Foundation Trustees
Brock Akers
Andrius Kontrimas
Sharon Copper
Terry Lester
Jeannine Flynn
Kevin O’Donnell
Jim Gilligan
Diane Thornton
Alumnae News ...............................................................15
St. Agnes Academy Administrative Team
Alums on the Town.......................................................... 20
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P.
Head of School
Deborah Whalen
Academic Dean & Director of Admission
Brigid Schiro ’81
Dean of Students
Alumnae Updates........................................................... 22
In Memoriam ..................................................................25
Deborah A. Skelly
Director of Guidance
Elaine Henderson Eichelberger ’79
Director of Advancement
H. Leon Howard
Director of Finance and Facilities
Office of Advancement
Elaine Henderson Eichelberger ’79, Director of Advancement
713-219-5405
[email protected]
Korin Mercer Burnett ’96, Director of Alumnae Relations
713-219-5493
[email protected]
Megan Clark, Director of Communications
713-219-5404
[email protected]
Anne Liddle, Director of Annual Giving
713-219-5402
[email protected]
Mary Louise Berry, Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
713-219-5401
[email protected]
Nanette Bledel, Gift Processor
713-219-5420
[email protected]
Stephanie Haseltine, Advancement Associate
713-219-5406 [email protected]
For change of address or other questions, contact Editor Megan
Clark, Director of Communications, at 713-219-5404 or
[email protected].
St. Agnes Academy
9000 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036-4683
P: 713-219-5400 | F: 713-219-5499
www.st-agnes.org
Stay connected to St. Agnes on the web
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Mission Statement
Rooted in the Dominican tradition, St. Agnes Academy
provides a Catholic college preparatory education
that encourages young women to develop intellectual curiosity,
to work for social justice and to act
with integrity and compassion.
On the Cover: St. Agnes Academy students gathered for fun in the
Cameron Library during the school’s annual Veritas Vacation Day earlier
this year.
From the Head of School
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P.
“This
is an exciting time in our history! The Dominicans have been
actively planning for a vibrant future in two ways. First,
more than 100 people are part of the Dominican Family – a
group comprised of women and men, Catholic and non-Catholic, who are responding to
the Dominican charism and its tradition of seeking the truth, of preaching the word of
God in word and deed, and of promoting the dignity of all persons. Steeped in Dominican
spirituality and formed in how to live out the four pillars of prayer, study, community and
preaching, the goal of the Dominican Family is to be actively involved in partnering with
the Houston Dominican Sisters in their ministries and in living the Dominican charism.
Second, the Academy actively participates in the Dominican Association of
Secondary Schools (DASS). This organization unites Dominican schools
throughout the country to share, support one another, and strengthen our
Dominican roots. Last October, the
bi-annual convocation, with a theme
of “Partners in Ministry: Sustaining
the Mission,” was held in Houston.
Representatives from 22 member
schools across the nation reflected
on the commonalities in Dominican
education, and the challenges of remaining true to the mission of Dominican
schools. Today that translates to a shared
tradition of excellence in Catholic
education and a growing partnership
with lay women and men who have
embraced the charism, heritage and
mission of Dominican education.
of all, we want them to be dedicated to Veritas – truth – and to lead with
integrity and compassion. We are blessed to have an outstanding faculty,
the “keepers of the mission.” Our kids say they are more than our teachers;
they are friends!
Students are consistently involved in promoting and living the Dominican
charism. Four students each summer attend a Dominican High School
Preaching Conference. They join students from Dominican schools across
the country in Michigan to learn more about the Dominican charism,
meet other Dominicans, and develop a plan of action to take back to their
respective schools.
We are more than well equipped to carry on the bold vision of our foremothers and forefathers who in 1906 founded a Dominican all-girls high
school in Houston amid uncertain
times. Today, with the purchase
of 18.7 acres of land, we envision
a new athletic complex. This frees
up land on our main campus for a
state-of-the art theatre and student
center with additional parking.
“most of all we want
them to be dedicated to
veritas - truth - and to
lead with integrity and
compassion...”
Sr. Ann Willits, the noted and beloved
Dominican preacher, asked this question
in her opening address: “What Holds Us
Together?” Sr. Ann reminded us of St. Dominic’s passionate commitment
and encouraged us to not just speak of the school’s mission statement
but to have a sense of deep ownership to become that mission statement.
We do this by deliberately helping our students to develop a strong spiritual
and moral compass that keeps them focused, especially during those difficult
times in their lives. We want them to find their voices, so they can advocate
for themselves and others, and speak up and out for the vulnerable or the
disenfranchised. We want our students to develop intellectual curiosity that
makes them want to learn more and not be afraid of the hard questions.
We want to help them cultivate an independent spirit that challenges them
to be all they can be and to have a desire to work for social justice. Most
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So, what does the future hold
for Academy women? A strong
Dominican education with firstclass facilities that further the
mission and the strong legacy of
fine arts, music, drama and athletics. Committed faculty and staff,
many of whom are members of
the Dominican Family or who are
alumnae, will ensure the future and
vision that boldly began in 1906.
Thanks to each of you who have been part of our past, those that continue
to support our present, and those who accept the challenge of our future.
Each young woman who walks the halls of St. Agnes has been blessed and
enriched by your support.
God bless you,
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P.,
Head of School
AcademyNews
Vision for the future
St. Agnes Academy continues to remain at the forefront of Catholic education by offering Houston-area young women
an excellent college-preparatory experience steeped in Dominican tradition. With a core curricular that revolves around
theology, English, mathematics, science, language and social studies, elective courses and extra curriculuar programs
continue to grow to offer students a well-rounded high school education. Developing additional programs means a new
vision for the SAA campus. Following on the heels of the purchase of 18.75 acres of land at the corner of Fondren Road
and Bellaire Boulevard last fall, the Board of Directors approved
a new Master Facilities Plan with a 10-year vision that will further develop the St. Agnes athletic program, provide new space for the current
campus, and help strengthen performing arts and student activities on
campus. With outdoor athletics moving down the street to the new
property, space will be freed up on the current campus for a Student
Life Center and a new Performing Arts Center/Auditorium venue for
school celebrations, events and productions. Additional parking and
renovated administrative space also is part of future planning.
Phase one of St. Agnes’ new vision for the future includes work
at the new property at Fondren and Bellaire this summer - the
first step in off-siting the Academy’s outdoor athletics program.
Work will be completed by August on two competition fields
for use by the school’s field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball
teams. Restroom facilities and a security/infrastructure at the
new complex also will be finished this summer. The second
phase of the visionary plan involves returning to the core campus for upgrades related to the performing arts program. For
more information, please visit www.st-agnes.org.
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
5
have you heard?
St. Agnes Academy uniform gets an update for 2011-2012
No, the freshman beanie is not making a return as part of the St. Agnes
Academy uniform policy. And students will not be expected to wear
homemade petticoats, aprons, pantyhose or espadrilles, as Academy students were required in the school’s first century. But St. Agnes is saying
good-bye to the blazer and hello to a new official uniform for 2011-2012
and beyond.
Following a detailed review
of the uniform standard, St.
Agnes is proud to unveil an
entirely new look for the required, official school uniform.
It was recommended by the
school’s Faculty/Staff and Student Advisory Committees.
“Our uniform policy helps distinguish our students as young
women who attend our Catholic, college preparatory school,”
Head of School Sr. Jane Meyer,
O.P. said. “This new uniform
clearly identifies our students
as Academy women who attend a Dominican school.”
The new uniform includes a required assembly-dress uniform of a glen
plaid, pleated skirt; a white Oxford shirt; a black sweater cardigan; black
or white socks or tights; and black dress shoes. Optional, everyday items
that will be part of our updated uniform dress code, along with the skirt,
include a black or white contour polo shirt and a black sweater vest or
DeFINING Veritas |
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pullover sweater. All of the uniform shirts and sweaters, including the
Oxford shirt, will bear an embroidered Veritas shield.
St. Agnes also will be consolidating uniform-approved Spirit Store apparel that can be worn on campus daily. See these items and more at our
school Spirit Store at www.st-agnes.org/store.
The new uniform was on display at
Ninth Grade Registration April 6 and
students modeled uniform options at
a school pep rally in May. Items will
be available for purchase beginning in
June through Parker Uniform.
The Class of 2013, the Class of 2014
and next year’s incoming ninth-grade
Class of 2015 will be required to
wear only the new uniform by August
2011. The Class of 2012 may continue
to wear the current dress-code approved uniform, although shorts and
pants will not be allowed. However,
members of the Class of 2012 who
participate in leadership positions are
required to have the assembly-dress
uniform by August 2011. This includes
rising seniors who participate in any other group representing St. Agnes.
“We are excited about the new uniform and look forward to sharing
more in coming months,” Meyer said.
St. Agnes Academy is excited to unveil the school’s updated logos for 2011 and beyond.
For more information on St. Agnes’ official logo, colors and brand, please contact the
Office of Communications at [email protected].
AcademyNews
Top left: Junior Sophia Dao performed at
New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall on
March 6. Sophia performed alongside Strake
Jesuit College Preparatory Senior and cellist
Simon Lee.
Second from top, left: Ninth grader Jillyan
Moor was crowned Miss Teen Houston on
Nov. 13. She also was the recipient of the Fitness Award and the People’s Choice Award.
Third from top, left: University of Houston
System President Rhena Katour spoke to the
SAA community during Diversity Week in
January.
Bottom, left: Students and faculty from the
foreign language department made a Spring
Break trip to Europe, including a stop at the
Temple of Adolpho in Delphi.
Top, right: Senior Tatiana Angulo and her
father, Jose, during the 2010 Father-Daughter
Brunch skit.
Second from top, right: Junior Nicole Jones
was elected president of District 13 for the
Texas Association of Student Councils. District 13 includes 36 public and private high
schools throughout the Houston area.
Third from top, right: The performing arts
department presented “Zombie Prom” as
the spring musical. It was nominated for a
TUTS Tommy Tune Award for best musical
direction.
Bottom, right: SAA celebrated Black History
Month at an assembly in February.
SAA seniors recognized as 2011 national merit finalists
Seniors Eli Britton, Alexis Igwe, Kaitlyn Kennedy and Molly Styslinger are
St. Agnes Academy’s 2011 National Merit Finalists. They are among 15,000
students selected for this achievement from across the nation.
These students were eligible for more than 8,400 scholarships totaling $36 million. They were notified in March on their selection. The National Merit Corporation has recognized top U.S. students since 1955 for their academic excellence.
They are pictured here, left to right: Molly Styslinger, Alexis Igwe, Eli Britton
and Kaitlyn Kennedy.
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Top left: The Tiger Girls dance team came
away from the Crowd Pleasers West Houston
Showcase in February with multiple team and
individual awards.
Second from top, left: Students named to
the TAPPs All-State choir included Patricia
O’Brien, Veronica Molina, Cristina Perez,
Kyla Sloan, Sofia Saavedra, Jenni McMichael,
Alexa Janda and Alex Vaio.
Third from top, left: A group of SAA students
made the annual trek to Washington, D.C. for
Close-Up.
Bottom, left: Students from SAA, St. Thomas
High School and St. Pius X High School
participated in a Spring Break mission trip to
Eagle Pass.
Top, right: After being challenged by Head
Coach Jeff Hollinger in March 2010, Junior
Raquel “Rocky” Carvajal managed to shoot
her 10,006th basket the week before basketball season officially began.
Second from top, right: St. Agnes hosted the
annual Dominican Association of Secondary
Schools Conference in October.
Third from top, right: Student celebrated during the annual Veritas Vacation Day with face
painting and other fun activities in March.
Bottom, right: The St. Agnes community
kicked off the Lenten season with the annual
Ash Wednesday Mass.
junior earns debate team accolades, named to state position
Junior Keni Sabath’s long list of achievements continued to grow this spring as
she was sworn in as the lieutenant governor of the Junior Statesman of America/
Texas for the 2011-2012 school year (left). This year, she also received the National Forensic League’s Academic All-American Award, the Wellesley College
Book Award and the Randoph College Department of Classic Book Award.
She’s also the president of the St. Agnes Green Club and chaired the school’s
Earth Week the past three years. Keni attended the global Zero Student-Leader
Convention in Washington, D.C. in April and is the St. Agnes delegate for the
Texas Bluebonnet Girls State in Seguin in June. She also will present a paper at
the James Fenimore Cooper Society at SUNY College in Oneonta, New York in
July. Last June, Keni advanced to the quarterfinals in the national competition
for Lincoln-Douglas debate and also attended an international debate conference in Jordan hosted by Gen. Tommy Franks that included a visit with His
Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.
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AcademyNews
SAA’s FALL, winter sports finisH top
seasons, break records
St. Agnes cross country and volleyball teams
kicked off the sports year with winning seasons.
With a number of important wins, including
coming in No. 1 at the Rice Invitation meet, the
SAA varsity cross country team finished second
in their division and junior varsity finished
first. Senior Marielle Pichon led the winning JV
team to the top spot and was named division
champion. Varsity medalists included Seniors
Caroline Bortz, Haley Boyd, and Torey Dierckman; Sophomore Shannon Gaden; and Ninth
grader Alexandria Gonzales.
The JV volleyball squad went unbeaten in
district play except for a loss to district rival, St.
Pius X High school for the title game. The varsity squad crushed St. Anthony Catholic High
School of San Antonio to finish as quarterfinalists, losing to state runner-up, Bishop Lynch
High School in Dallas. Senior Emily Sweet and
Juniors Rebecca Staudt and Elysse ChappellDolby were named to the Texas Association of
Parochial Schools all-state teams.
The SAA varsity basketball team rounded out
the year with 19 wins and a historic victory
against Bishop Lynch High School. The Tigers
finally broke the 23-year streak against Bishop
Lynch, winning 32 to 28 and advanced to
regional play. Ninth grader Michelle Nwokedi
received city-wide recognition for her role
in the victory, and was named the Houston
SAA students part of
roaring crusaders
engineering team
Chronicle’s Girl Athlete of the Week by scoring
19 points.
The St. Agnes swimming and diving team
made history by breaking multiple records.
With a second-place finish against Clear Lake
High School and Clear Creek High School,
Senior Molly Styslinger, Junior Lindy Reamer,
Sophomore Caroline Matlock, and Sophomore
Kathleen Whaley set a new pool record of
1:56:66 in the 200-medley relay. A second pool
record was set by Ninth grader Angel Hoang in
the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 1:00:89.
The swimming and diving team went on to take
the South Region Championship and finished
third in the state finals.
St. Agnes soccer went into Division I play with
a winning record, beating Trinity Christian
Academy of Addison 4-2 in area play. The team
lost a close 1-0 match against state runner-up
Nolan Catholic High School finishing in the
quarterfinals. Senior Torey Dierckman, along
with Juniors Caroline Taylor, Sophia Vennix,
Kim Polasek, and Sophomores Allison Carter
and Claire Lafferty, were named to the TAPPS
All-State teams.
Seniors Haley Boyd and Senior Marielle Pichon competed in fall meet for SAA’s varsity cross country team. The team finished second in their division in 2010.
St. Agnes students became Roaring Crusaders
this spring - a joint effort between students interested in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics at St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. The team came together in late
2010 to prepare for the FIRST robotics competition locally at the George R. Brown Convention
Center and then at the regional competition in
San Antonio where they were named regional
quarterfinalists. SAA team captains included
Sophomore Laura Mason and Seniors Anna
Morales, Amy Brown and Ann Meister. The
team received the High Ranking Rookie Award
and Amy received a $5,000 scholarship. “The
Roaring Crusaders is an amazing idea for anyone
interested in science or working with robots,”
Anna Morales said. “There’s a lot of opportunity
to get hands-on experience and find something
to be good at.”
Honors physics students competed in an oncampus Rube Goldberg contest that later took
them to Michigan for the national competition
in March. A Rube Goldberg machine, device,
or apparatus is a deliberately over-engineered
machine that performs a very simple task in a
very complex fashion, usually including a chain
reaction.
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
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:
Snapshots
Saa Celebrates 2011 legacy gala and auction
St. Agnes Academy guests were sent down the red carpet at the school’s
Annual Legacy Gala & Auction - “Red Carpet Riviera” - Saturday, Feb.
26 at the Hilton Americas-Houston honoring alumnae parents Judy and
Richard Agee.
The Agees, lifelong supporters of Catholic education and dedicated alumnae parents of daughter Erin Agee ‘98, received the 2011
Dominican Spirit Award. The award illustrates the faith and visionary leadership of the Dominican Sisters who founded the Academy in
1906. Today, the award is bestowed to an individual or organization that
carries on the tradition of the Dominican Sisters by paving the way for
St. Agnes now and for the next 100 years.
“We are truly grateful for the support and friendship the Agees have
shared with us, and thankful for their dedication to our mission,” said
Head of School Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. “Their passion for Catholic educa-
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tion ensures St. Agnes maintains its tradition of excellence.”
Chairing this year’s gala in support of the school’s continuing endeavors,
were current parents Becky Healey and Jeanne Klein. Silent, live and big
board auctions, as well as dinner and dancing, were part of the evening’s
festivities. Entertainment included music by the Beatles’-inspired band,
The Fab 5.
All gala proceeds support St. Agnes’ operating costs. Fund raisers conducted throughout the year maintain the mission of the Dominican
Sisters of Houston by helping to keep tuition costs affordable for the
school’s diverse student population.
AcademyNews
ST . AGNES ACADEMY
LEGACY GALA 2011
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Junior speaks at conference for women
Junior Hannah McAughan was a featured
speaker at the 11th annual Texas Conference
for Women, hosted by First Lady of Texas
Anita Perry and Gov. Rick Perry at the George
R. Brown Convention Center in November.
Hannah spoke on the topic of good nutrition
at the Young Women’s Program representing
the Teen Board of the Oliver Foundation.
Seniors receive award from local club
Seniors Casey Spreen and Jill Koenighain were
honored by the Woman’s Club of Houston
in December with the Jewel Boone Gunter
Award. The award recognizes high academic
achievement, outstanding leadership, compassion, generosity of spirit, and participation in
numerous school activities and community
service.
Students receive honors in essay contest
Sophomore Shannon Gaden was one of the top
five writers in the Embracing Tolerance Essay
Contest at the Boniuk Center for Religious
Tolerance at Rice University in the 9th-10th
grade division. Ninth graders Isabel Sutter
and Marina Ibraheim both received honorable
mention. Students and their families were
invited to an awards ceremony in April.
Sophomore Wendy Ojeniyi participated in the
2011 Queen of Queens Pageant of Houston
in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King and
took home the top prize. Wendy performed
a worship dance as her talent and also was
crowned Miss Fashionette. As a result of her
win, Wendy participated in the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day parade in January.
Mary Ellen Chang, Mary Jordan Hill, and
Alexandra Vaio all received Silver Keys in
writing. Lauren Bostick, Samantha Brenstein,
Nicole Cazares and Grace Rabalais received
Gold Keys for their work on canvas and in
photography. Elin Britton, Ellen Heiman,
Gabriela Barrios, Shadeh Mehrinfar, Aenea
Ponce de Leon, Ana Montross, Eleanor Pardee
and Cristina Hernandez received Silver Keys
in art.
Music students excel at state level
Sophomore takes to local stage
St. Agnes Students Laura Chahin, Courtney
Cousino, Mireille Hammock, Michelle Lee,
Amy Schockling, Jessica Segalla, and Cara
Shapiro joined students from Strake Jesuit
College Preparatory to represent the SAA/SJ
band and orchestra at the Texas Private School
Music Educator Association (TPSMEA)
all-state concert in January.
Sophomore Alejandra Mangini appeared in a
spring production of “Hairspray” at the Miller
Outdoor Theatre in Houston’s Hermann park
in April through HITS Theatre.
Sophomore crowned Miss Black Heritage
Students receive art, writing awards
SAA students were recognized by the Harris
County Department of Education for their
outstanding submissions to the Scholastic
Writing Competition. Isabel Sutter, Sydney
Reed, and Caroline Winzenried received Gold
Keys for their work in writing. Mackenzie
Koetting, Gabriela Barrios, Madeleine Keogh,
Students earn Girl Scout Gold Awards
Junior Sarah Rohrman, Andie Price and
Madeleine Keogh earned their Girl Scout Gold
Awards. Seniors Andie and Madeleine also
earned the Bishop’s Gold Award and the Spirit
Alive Medal , the highest Catholic award in
Girl Scouts.
Sophomore promotes ‘license to give’ to houston area
When a new chapter in her life began October 2, 2008, St. Agnes
Academy Sophomore Elizabeth Hibbler began looking for a way to
give back to the people who saved her.
“This is the first – big thing – I’ve done and I’ve been looking for a
way to show my gratitude for the people who helped me,” Elizabeth
said. “I wanted to thank my donor, my donor’s family and my doctors
for giving me another chance at life.”
tions following the procedure, and is now a healthy, recovering
young adult.
“Recovery is hard work, but I am 100 percent healthy. My transplant gave me a whole new life and I am forever grateful for the
gift I was given,” Elizabeth said. “I will do whatever I can to give
back.”
Elizabeth, a transplant recipient and passionate believer in organ
donation, hosted her first-ever License to Give event in early May at
the Strake Jesuit College Preparatory track. The event was aimed at
making more young people aware of organ donation.
At St. Agnes, Elizabeth also is a member of the Key Club, Student
Council and is a new member on the school’s Campus Ministry Team. She’s also a member of the diving team. She plans to
make increasing awareness about organ donation the focus of her
junior-senior service project.
“If you’re driving, it’s a simple check mark on a driver’s license,” she
said. “I just want people to be aware of what a difference they can
make in helping to save a life. The statistics are unbelievably sad and so
many people die waiting for organs. One person can save up to eight
people through donation.”
“She had such grace, throughout the 13 years she had to live
through this. When you’re given a cross like that, it takes a very
special person to carry it while keeping other aspects of their life
in perspective,” said Kathleen Miggins Hibbler ’84, Elizabeth’s
mother.
As a young child, Elizabeth was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis which led to an enlarged spleen and a compromised liver. As her
health became precarious in eighth grade at John Paul II Catholic
School, Elizabeth was put on the transplant list at Texas Children’s
Hospital. She waited only 76 days for a liver, but suffered complica-
The event included a huge group from the sophomore class, other
SAA students and friends, and Elizabeth’s family. Proceeds supported Texas Children’s Hospital and the Chris Klug Foundation.
For more information, visit “License to Give 2011” on Facebook
or visit www.licensetogivetx.org.
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AdvancementNews
teacher commits to 1906 society, planned giving
Mark Albright wakes up excited to come
to work. Unlike many professionals, Mark
says, “In 28 years, I never thought ‘I don’t
want to go to work today.’” Pulling up to
the St. Agnes Academy faculty parking lot
feels like coming home.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Mark
headed to Texas in 1979 to work for a
summer stock theater in Galveston. He
always planned to return to his home state
at the end of the summer until he read a
story in the Houston Chronicle about the
Houston Independent School District
needing more than 800 new teachers.
Mark had been struggling to find a teaching
position elsewhere and took this as a sign
to stay in Texas a little longer. In 1979, he
began teaching at Our Lady of Guadalupe
near downtown Houston. The principal at
his school, a former SAA teacher, advised
Mark to always keep an eye out for opportunities at St. Agnes.
In 1983, Mark left the teaching field to
work for Jones Hall for the Performing
Arts and the Chocolate Bayou Theater
Company. Though this year only reaffirmed his need to be in the classroom, it
also introduced him to Art Buckley, the
SAA’s performing arts chair. Buckley called
to invite Mark to interview for a position
to work in the theater department, as well as
serve as a full-time teacher.
Mark joined the faculty in 1983. Immediately,
he felt SAA provided a welcoming and supportive environment of friends, as well as colleagues. While Mark thinks most fondly on
his first 10 years at St. Agnes, he also enjoys
pondering the amazing changes that time
has brought to the school. “When I started,
we were a very good school. Now, we are an
amazing, nationally recognized educational
institution,” he said.
Mark admires the school’s progressive attitude
in looking forward and envisioning the future.
Expectation of the faculty is high, but Mark
believes it is matched by support from the
school community alongside the right tools.
“This school gives me the resources to be all I
can be as a teacher,” he said.
Twenty-eight years later, Mark is the history
and social sciences chair. Through all the
school’s improvements, he believes the
fundamental values of the Dominican tradition, both faith-filled and educational,
have not changed.
Through all the years and changes, it is
still the place he loves to pull up to in the
morning. When finalizing his estate plans,
Mark said, “Leaving a gift to the school
wasn’t a ‘want-to’ situation, it was a ‘haveto.’” He feels connected to St. Agnes’
history and respects its ability to make the
most of every donation. He believes every
dollar counts and that the Academy will
maximize his planned gift.
“The school gave to me, and I need to give
back,” he said.
class challenge unites alumnae to support alma mater
Alumnae are again setting the pace in the
second annual St. Agnes Academy Alumnae
Class Challenge. It’s a close competition with
multiple classes racing for the top finish with
the highest giving percentage to the Learning
Today, Leading Tomorrow Annual Fund.
Please visit www.st-agnes.org/alumnae to
learn more about the Class Challenge or www.
st-agnes.org/annualfund to learn more about
how you can give to support the Academy’s
mission of providing a Dominican education
to worthy Houston-area young women.
Class of 1964-23.38%
Class of 1950-22.41%
Class of 1956-20.72%
Class of 1962-20.00%
Class of 1960-15.94%
Class of 1953-15.28%
Class of 1951-14.29%
Class of 1952-13.04%
Class of 1961-12.63%
Class of 1980-12.50%
Class of 2001-12.35%
Class of 2000 - 11.95%
The top leaders as of May 1 are:
The class with the highest percentage
total will receive a complimentary reception with Head of School Sr. Jane Meyer,
O.P. The winning class also receives a commemorative brick paver to be installed
Class of 1957-45.00%
Class of 1949 26.67%
Class of 1955-24.66
in the walkway in front of the new
Center for the Sciences and Student
Services Center. Give today and help
your class win the SAA Alumnae
Class Challenge!
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
13
players swing into supporting saa at annual tournament
Thanks to all our players who came out to enjoy a beautiful day of golf at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas. SAA welcomed 150 golfers and raised
more than $55,000 for the Academy. Special thanks to Robert Stanley and Greg Schockling, golf tournament chairs, for putting together a great event.
14
www.st-agnes.org
AlumnaeNews
Calendar
of Events
Saturday
June 11
Join on our online alumnae community, sign-up to receive our e-newsletter and learn about
upcoming events at
WHAT: All Alumnae Reunion
Where: Center for the Sciences and Student Services
WheN: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 11
www.saaconnect.org
Friday
Nov. 15
WHAT: Fannin Street Luncheon
Where: Junior League of Houston
WheN: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11
giving back to beloved
Dominican Sisters
St. Agnes Academy’s Alumnae Association Board visited with retired
Dominican Sisters in April. Board members provided lunch at St. Dominic
Village in Houston, reconnecting with Sisters and thanking them for the
impact they made on the Academy and its students. Pictured at left are
board members and Sisters who shared the afternoon together. A Chickfil-A lunch was donated by Juli McMahon Salvagio ’91.
2010-2011
Alumnae Association Board
Rosalie Montalbano Brandino ’64,
Chair
Kim Beathard Kendall ’81
Jodie Guarino ’01,
Vice Chair
Juli McMahon Salvagio ’91
Emily Aguilar ’93
Kathy Kyle Barry ’68
Kathlyn Coulter Curtis ’99
Christina Luna Finley ’89
Ann Traynor Palms ’57
Erica Sedeno ’02
Dominique Marshall Varner ’87
Korin Mercer Burnett ’96,
Director of Alumnae Relations
Margeaux LaFleur Gorman ’01
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
15
SAA HOSTS luncheon for fannin Street alumnae
Alumnae from the Academy’s original campus on Fannin Street met to reminisce and reconnect at the 2010 Fannin Street Luncheon at the
Junior League in November. Classes dating to 1963 enjoyed learning about what’s happening at St. Agnes today and sharing memories with
one another.
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www.st-agnes.org
AlumnaeNews
Class Agents
1953Peggy Wilkening Walker
[email protected]
1988Lorraine Sebastian Pinter
[email protected]
1956
1988Stephanie Lee Grover
[email protected]
Carolyn Fitzgerald Matlock
[email protected]
1956Mary Leona Miles Williams
mary [email protected]
1989
Christina Luna Finley
[email protected]
1957Mary Ann Chambers
[email protected]
1989
Carol Prokop Poston
[email protected]
1957
Carolyn Carbajal McCairns
[email protected]
1989
Adela Garcia Armendariz
[email protected]
1958
Carol Celman Schottie
[email protected]
1990Micheline Keating Smith
[email protected]
1958
Kay Stindt Kelly
[email protected]
1991
1959
Helen Grillis Grace
[email protected]
1992Marion Bormans McCann
[email protected]
1959
Charlene Tirreta Jameson
[email protected]
1992
Jennifer Barron
[email protected]
The Class of 1957 at one of their
regular dinner meetings in houston.
Julie Sacco
[email protected]
1962Frances Casey Schiel
[email protected]
1993Emily Aguilar Capps
[email protected]
1962Sue Ann Baranski Allen
[email protected]
1994
1964
Theresa Pizzitola
[email protected]
1995Tina Boutros Kirby
[email protected]
1964
Kathleen Caspersen Jamail
[email protected]
1996Lori Redd Huffman
[email protected]
Andrea Montgomery Stewart
[email protected]
1972Diane Knebel Watler
[email protected]
1999
Jennifer Standish Wilhelm
[email protected]
1975
1999
Heather Ives
[email protected]
Ardis Bartle
[email protected]
alumnae updates
in pictures...
1975Sydney Free
[email protected]
2000Elizabeth Tanner
[email protected]
1977Mary Raia
[email protected]
2001Margeaux LaFleur Gorman
[email protected]
1980
Valeria Mattioli Brock
[email protected]
2001
1982
Ana Maria Gonzalez Wood
[email protected]
2001Emily Picheloup
[email protected]
1983
Catherine Castille Pierce
[email protected]
2002Erica Sedeno
[email protected]
Rene Hoelker, rachel hoelker and
simone ford in italy last summer.
Catherine Zeis
[email protected]
1984Lannie Earthman Bluethmann
[email protected]
2003
Christina Lambert
[email protected]
1985Mary-Clare Mertes Day
[email protected]
2003
Amanda Sitomer
[email protected]
1987Diane Driscoll
[email protected]
2004
Alexandra Sedeno
[email protected]
Vita marie montalbano ’99 and
husband andrew doughtery at the
sacred heart co-cathedral.
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
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all saints day 2010
St. Agnes Academy honored 33 alumnae during the All Saints Day remembrance Mass in November.
Audrey George Schreider 1928
Celeste McAshan Scott 1937
M. Rita Walls Cox 1938
Lois Schott Spencer 1939
Katherine Read Koury 1939
Ada McTernan Kmiecik 1940
Rosemary Glaviana Thomas 1942
Aurelia Giangrosso LaGesse 1945
Lola D'Amico Martin 1947
Margie Rynd Benjamin 1949
Dorothy Kelly McGee 1949
Patricia Weikerth 1949
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Barbara Bradshaw 1951
Charlotte Olivier Calhoun 1951
Norma Morton Keller 1951
Bettie Hains Sullivan 1951
Mary Beth Bounds Murphy 1952
Barbara DeFoy Schwarzbach 1952
Eleanor Russell Kurtz 1953
Dorothy Dobraski Skolaut 1953
Dorothy Zawacki Jordan 1954
Lucy Keller 1954
Sally Ward Combs 1955
Sr. JoAnn Niehaus 1955
Patricia Johnson Besch 1958
Carmen Villarreal Orta 1959
Mary Olivier Daly 1962
Frankie Bonno Dispensa 1962
Rosie Kruppa Harris 1962
Suzan Bujnoch Leonard 1965
Estelle Webre Elledge 1971
Allison Wilson 1979
Mary Tichenor Metzinger 1982
AlumnaeNews
:
s
t
o
h
s
p
a
n
S
young alumnae Yearbook party and pancake breakfast
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
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houston-area alumnae: on the town
Houston-area alumnae gathered at the home of Mary Raia ’77 last fall to reconnect and share memories of
St. Agnes Academy, while learning more about activities and changes on campus today.
20
www.st-agnes.org
AlumsontheRoad
SAYPO KICKS OFF WITH EVENT AT BLANCO’S
St. Agnes Academy’s Young Professionals Organization kicked off their fall membership drive with a happy hour event at
Blanco’s in October. For more information on SAYPO, please visit the group’s Facebook page for upcoming events and opportunities to network.
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
21
We want to hear from you! Please let us know what is happening in your life by updating us via
AcademyConnection at www.saaconnect.org or e-mailing your news to [email protected].
1951 Charlene Wedelich is director of mission support
for the Sisters of Divine Providence.
1952 Barbara Heiser Alban’s granddaughter, Chelsea
Ryan McCurdy, starred in the Stages Repertory Theatre’s
musical comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” Her
grandson is performing in The Chicago Theatre. The
Albans had four college graduations to attend last year.
Sylvia Gadbois Burum Molbert, daughter Leana
Gadbois-Sills and granddaughter Brittney Nicole
Lubojasky feature an online gallery of their own art and
unique jewelry creations at www.audenstreetarts.com.
Kitty Rynd Inman welcomed her first great-granddaughter in February. Her first great-grandson followed in May.
Kitty’s grandson is married to the granddaughter of Jo
Ann Goodrich Pennington ’50.
Jo Ann Camarda Hanson welcomed her second greatgrandchild in November.
1953 Lucia Bonno, Theresa Farge Neeson, Pat
O’Rourke McCrory, Ellie Contestable Tamborello,
Joanne Viviani, Peggy Wilkening Walker met at the
Junior League in November for the annual Fannin Street
Luncheon. Joanne Vivianni reported she had an exciting
three-week vacation in Italy. Pat McCrory and husband
Don’s son, Tim, recently married. Lucia Bonno is very
involved with Republican women groups in Houston
and Texas. Theresa Farge Neeson enjoys playing bridge
frequently. Ellie Contestable Tamborello enjoys her
morning coffee on her condo patio near downtown
Houston while watching the morning commuters. Chell
Anne Montz Golla and husband, Damian, are retired
and living in Seguin. Patsy Corbett Fowler still prepares
students for Confirmation at St. Frances de Sales Catholic
School. Barbara Vaughn Coleman and husband, Arland,
celebrated Christmas with their family, including 16
grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Dolores
Ambrose Gawlik is a very proud grandmother of two
little boys. Peggy Wilkening Walker recently received a
25-year pin for service to The Charity Guild of Catholic
Women. Did you know Mimi Fiber Vossler is a professional clown? Mimi performs at Houston-area hospitals.
Class of ‘53, we would love an update on your news. Please
update your information at www.saaconnect.org or e-mail
your class agent, Peggy Wilkening Walker, at pegw728@
gmail.com.
1956 Annette Bay Payne has another grandson - Cole
Robert Santschi, born Dec. 13.
1957 A quilt made by Sara Abright Dickson was
chosen to be included in The University of Texas Press’
book on Texas quilts: “Lone Star III: Texas Quilts Today,
1986-2011,” in conjunction with the 175th anniversary
of the Republic of Texas in the Fall of 2011, which will
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be the International Quilt Festival’s Texas theme show.
The untitled, machine-pieced and hand-quilted piece was
made in 1998 and is made of hand-dyed cotton fabrics,
along with solid black, and black-on-black, 100 percent
cottons.
1961 The class of 1961 will celebrate its 50th
Reunion June 11 at the home of Grace Angelo Givens.
Still need to contact a lot of members. If you can
help, please email Brenda Beust Smith, bbbsmith@
sbcglobal.net
1962 Barbara (Bobbie) Ann Navarro Orr has worked
for the Department of Justice for the last 18 years after a
rewarding 23-year career as a homemaker and mom, raising three children. She was recently selected for a Legat
Operations Assistant (LOA) position working at the U.S.
Embassy in Moscow. She is serving a two-year tour of duty
and hopes to retire upon completion of the assignment.
She moved to Moscow in June 2010.
1970 Beverley Crispin Heffernan was Chief of the
Environmental Group at the Bureau of Reclamation in
the Provo, Utah area office. She was recently promoted to
manager of the Environmental Resource Division in the
Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Regional Office in Salt
Lake City, Utah.
1971 Margaret Armbruster Radzwill and Cathy Mott
Sheeren are working on the 40-year reunion festivities!
Classmates, please update your information at www.saaconnect.org so that class agents can get in touch with you
about our planned events.
1973 Karen Dillawn Fenter and husband David cel-
ebrated 32 years of marriage on Nov. 11. Karen and Dave
moved to Doha, Qatar in September 2009 and are enjoying their stay and opportunity to travel. Their daughter is
expecting their first grandchild in April. Their middle son
is in his second year of seminary in Denver. Their eldest
son will marry in Hawaii in June and their youngest son
will graduate from Franciscan University of Steubenville
in May.
1975 Jaime Teas Dilger is now the juvenile arthritis
program coordinator for the South Texas Division of the
Arthritis Foundation. She plans events for children and
families affected by juvenile arthritis in South Texas, and
provides support to newly diagnosed families.
1981 Elaine Shimek Schroeder and son Michael took
a week-long trip to the Holy Land in September. It was an
early graduation trip for Michael who turned 17 Oct. 14.
1984 Laurie Lyons Buchsbaum and Lisa McGarvey
Richards reconnected in December. Classmates from
fourth through 12th grade, they got to be together
after not seeing each other for 15 years. Neither had
changed at all! Lisa is a teacher in Washington, D.C.
and Laurie is a nurse in Houston.
1985 After 18 years of practicing dentistry, Janice
Florance Babin has finally built her dream dental office.
She is excited to have all the latest technology in dentistry
today - digital X-rays, cerec 3-D milling machines for
crowns in an hour, and a 3-D cone beam machine for
guided implant surgery. Her new office is located at 14800
Westheimer, Suite M in Houston.
Lori Lewis Steffek met, fell in love and married Alvin
Steffek (St. Thomas HS ’77). Between the two of them,
they are now proud parents to six children ranging in
age from 23 to eight. They also have a nine-month-old
grandson!
1986 Dorothy Del Castillo Jarnagin is now registered
as a Texas State University student and plans to graduate
in 2012. She is in her 10th year at Great Oaks Elementary
School in Round Rock. She is currently in her fifth year as
an ESL aide. She and husband Rick have two daughters
Caitlin, in 10th grade, and Becca, in sixth grade.
1987 Jennifer Nesser Ciavarra, husband Kevin, and
sons John, six, and Ryan, five, recently moved to New
York City, where Kevin accepted a new job. Jennifer
enjoys staying at home with the boys.
1988 Lori Sebastian Pinter began working for the
Houston chapter of the American Cancer Society as an
events manager in October. After years of volunteering for
organizations, along with fulfilling a day job, she is finally
doing what she loves for a living.
1989 Patricia Suarez Davis and husband Dr. Kevin
Davis welcomed a baby girl, Ana Cristina Davis, on July
10.
1991 Lisa Staben Burnside and husband Lawrence
are thrilled to announce the birth of their second child,
Lauren Reese born Sept. 30. Lauren joins her big sister
Allie who was born in October 2006. Lisa and Lawrence
have been married for eight years and she has been teaching in the Houston Independent School District for
nearly 15 years.
Thais-Marie Hernandez Hudson and husband Isaac are
excited about the September arrival of their second child,
Isaac II. He joined big sister Havana born July 2005.
Christine Pitcaithly was surprised with an engagement ring on Christmas Eve. Her fiancé, Ryan, lives
in Manhattan and is the owner of a commodities company. Following a fall 2011 wedding in Massachusetts,
Christine will relocate to Manhattan.
1992 Carmen Izzo Rodriquez welcomed her second
Alumnaeupdates
Kristen Ernstberger ‘10 and Sarah Martin ‘09 with Sydney
Ernstberger and cousin Ankhi in Calcutta, India.
Sister Mary Regina, O.P. ’60 (formerly Joan Frederickson), a
Dominican contemplative nun living in Vancouver, British Columbia,
visited St. Agnes last fall for a tour with member of the Advancement
Office.
son, Rocco Pierce Rodriquez,on born August 4.
Charlotte, is very excited about becoming a big sister.
Sarah Goff Loconto and husband Rick welcomed their
first child, Anna Laura, on November 10 in Austin.
After enjoying 14 years travelling the world with
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, IBM and as a partner with
Aspire for three-and-a-half years, Sarah is now an independent SAP consultant.
1997 Erin Duhig O’Neill gave birth to her first child,
Hailey Elizabeth, August 15. Erin is an elementary
school counselor for the Upper Deerfield School
District in Seabrook, NJ. The family resides outside of
Philadelphia in Southern New Jersey.
1993 Diane Love married Chad Patrick Maness in
October. They are residing in Houston where Diane serves
on the board of directors for the Junior League. She also
volunteers on committees for the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo’s Director’s Club and calf scramble.
1994 Andrea Montgomery Stewart and husband Paul
Vita Marie Montalbano ’99 and Andrew James
Dougherty (SJ ’96) were married on December 4,
at Houston’s Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
Celebrant of the Nuptial Mass was Bishop Vincent M.
Rizzotto. Among the bridal attendants were Elizabeth
Hight Harris ’99 (matron of honor) and Leeanne
Dougherty Moore ’04. The couple will make their home
in Houston.
2011, Sarah will start a new career working in the corporate office for Qatar Airways as the human resources
special projects manager.
Silke Koester became engaged in July in the Teton
Mountains of Wyoming. Her wedding was slated for
February in the Catskill Mountains in New York
Margeaux LaFleur Gorman and husband, Ted (Strake
Jesuit ’93) joyfully welcomed their first child, a daughter
named Meara Faustina August 29. Margeaux has since
embarked on her most challenging assignment yet - a new
career as a full-time mommy! Meara’s aunts include Tracy
Gorman Galloway ’95, Allison Gorman Botard ’88 and
Jennifer Gorman Germani ’85.
Andel Koester faces her final year of studies in her master’s
degree in public policy program at the Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University. In addition to writing
her master’s thesis, she is currently job interviewing for the
summer of 2011.
Lauren Miller married David Etlinger (St. Thomas ‘01)
on August 7. The wedding party included classmates
Melanie Markowski, Jennifer Renaud, Sally Schwartzel,
Catherine Zeis, Sarah Campbell, and Cheryl Etlinger
’94. Lauren graduated from the University of Houston Law
Center in 2008 and recently completed a two-year federal
clerkship in the Eastern District of Texas. The couple resides
in Houston and Lauren is an associate with Fulbright &
Jaworski LLP.
Kathleen Hernandez Gilliam recently welcomed son
Jackson.
Melissa Maher Stowers and husband Jesse Stowers welcomed Bennett Scott Stowers on May 12.
Kim Coffey Scoville, assistant academic dean at St. Agnes,
welcomed daughter Phoebe Bird in October.
Marion Tarrillion Graviss and husband Matthew welcomed son Cooper Timothy on March 8, 2010.
2002 Connie Garibaldi and husband Andrew Moore
1996 Michelle Hollopeter Hitt started a non-profit dog
Catherine Conlon Sanders and husband Josh welcomed
their first baby, John Charles Sanders, Dec. 22. Jack was
welcomed by many St. Agnes alumnae, including aunts Julia
Conlon ’98, Sarah Conlon ’04, and Mimi Conlon ’08.
Also present at the hospital to welcome Jack were Lauren
Brady ’00, Katie Clay Dalrymple ’00 and Kim Katopodis
’00.
welcomed their first child, William Glen, Oct. 3.
Staci Melancon Weber published a book – “Sinful.” It
is a psychological/supernatural thriller set in League City
centered on a young woman coping with the death of her
mother and a dark force determined to avenge an ancient,
sworn enemy.
1995 Emily Pappas Burke and husband Trey celebrated
the birth of their third son, Matthew, in March. He joins
big brothers Luke and Ryan. Emily stays home with her children and tutors when she can.
rescue organization where dogs are fostered and trained by
women in prison. Michelle and husband Steve have three
kids - Cameron (14), Kayla (nine), and Christian (seven).
Michelle also plans to return to school to become a doula.
Gabrielle Sitomer Koy gave birth to a baby boy, Landon
James, on Jan. 10. His big sister, Ashlyn, is amazed by her
baby brother and wants to be with Mom to help all the time.
Emily Braden Macey is a proud mom to Anna Maria
(“Annie”) born March 2009 and Louis Albert born August
19.
Kristi Polasek Standish and husband Brian welcomed
Brian Jonathan on Nov. 24.
Meredith Jamail Rice and husband Mike are expecting
their first baby, a girl, in June. Meredith’s step daughter,
2000 Mara Purcell works in probate law and helps with
SAA’s mock trials with teacher Rodney Miles.
Katie Laidlaw moved to New York City and joined the
Boston Consulting Group, a strategy consulting firm. She is
enjoying life in Manhattan.
(St. Thomas HS ’02) are happy to announce the birth of
Maximilian Peter Moore born Dec. 30. He joins his proud
siblings Sebastian (five) and Francesca (three).
2003 Elise Balhoff graduated from the University of
Houston-Downtown in May 2007 with a computer science degree and Spanish minor. She worked as a software
developer at NetIQ in Houston until September. She is
currently pursuing a MBA with a focus on film production
from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego.
She is currently producing a short film entitled “Mr. Swan”
that was shot in early December. More information at www.
indiegogo.com/David-Swan.
2001 Sarah Miller moved halfway around the world
to Doha, Qatar last March. Sarah first travelled to the
region in mid-2007, while working on the new airport
design program. During one of her many trips to Doha,
she met Fergal Duff, an Irish architect, through mutual
friends. The two became engaged in May 2010. In early
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
23
Jacqueline Jones will graduate from Northwestern
University in June with a master’s degree in higher education administration and policy. She tailored her degree
to have a special focus on student development, which is
the direction her career will take moving forward. She is
excited to finish work on her thesis, “A step in the global
direction: The influence of international service learning
programs on student development.”
Bryttany Anastas graduated from the University of
Texas-Austin in May 2007 with a bachelor of science
degree in retail merchandising, and a McCombs School
of Business Foundations Certificate. After working retail
and marketing in Austin for three years, she moved to
Dallas in 2010. Bryttany is an assistant buyer for Neiman
Marcus working for the gift galleries division. In addition,
she manages Dallas Tidbits, which is an editorial e-mail
subscription and accompanying Web site that provides
gal-friendly local content. Dallas Tidbits launched in
February. She is the public relations chairman for the
Dallas Pi Phi Alumnae Junior Night group, and is on the
Dallas Pi Phi Alumnae Advisory Committee advising the
vice president of communications at Southern Methodist
University.
She earned her master’s degree from Auburn in applied
behavior analysis and developmental disabilities in August
2007. She lived in Boston working as a consultant at the
May Institute, advising families of children diagnosed
with autism attending public schools. In February 2009,
Amanda returned to Houston and is working with the
Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of
Harris Country as a program manager and lead board certified behavior analyst for the autism day program.
2004 Kata Yackley graduated from Purdue University
in August with her master’s degree in nutrition. She is
doing a six-month dietetic internship program at the
University of Houston. She is engaged to Troy Walker,
whom she met at Purdue.
2005 Aimee Langlinais graduated summa cum laude
from St. Edward’s University in 2009 after playing four
years of collegiate soccer. She will graduate from the
University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business
with a master’s of business administration in May. She
plans to work for Accenture, a global outsourcing and
technology firm, in their management consulting division
in Houston.
Katie Glaser graduated from the University of TexasAustin with a bachelor’s degree in art history in 2007.
After taking a year off to work with abused and abandoned children, she found her way back to UT and earned
a master’s degree in accounting. She is now living in
Houston and is a CPA with Deloitte. She spends her free
time planning her wedding and playing with her puppy.
2006 Margaret Wingfield Cronin married Sean
On June 26, 2010, Ellen Flohr married Jeff Cairns in
Austin. Bridesmaids included fellow alumnae Sarah Flohr
’06, Mary Tschoepe Hogan ’03, Emily DeAyala ’03,
Hailey Burdick ’03, and Megan Sweeney ’03. Ellen and
Jeff are living in Houston.
Nneamaka Okafor graduated with honors from the
University of Houston with a bachelor of science in economics and minor in global business in December 2009.
She worked as a manager for the U.S. Census Bureau Field
Operations. Currently, she serves as a Peace Corps Health
Economic Advisor volunteer in Ethiopia. She will be
working with the country’s Ministry of Health. After she
returns to the United States, Nneamaka plans to pursue a
MBA in international development.
Renee Gremillion Smith completed her international
Montessori certification in July at the Montessori
Institute of North Texas. On November 15, along with
her husband, Ryan, she celebrated the birth of her second
son, Liam Patrick. He was welcomed with open arms
and gentle kisses from his older brother, Dominic, who is
two. Renee is enjoying a pause in her career in Montessori
education to stay home with Liam.
Tatiana Bakhoum graduated from the University of
Texas-San Antonio in 2008 with two bachelor’s degrees
in French and business management. After graduation,
she immediately started working with Enterprise RentA-Car and was with the organization for more than
two-and-a-half years. She moved back to Houston in
September and is pursuing a master’s degree in hospitality
management from the University of Houston’s Conrad
N. Hilton College.
Allison Kamel graduated from the University of TexasAustin with a degree in radio, TV and film in May 2007.
Afterward, she lived in Prague studying photography
and art. She is currently living in Austin and works as a
production manager for a video production company. She
also provides voice-over and on-camera talent.
Amanda Sitomer graduated from Auburn University
with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in August 2006.
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Cronin (St. Thomas HS ‘04) in December 2008. She
graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a
degree in theology in December 2009, and taught middle
school religion and history for the next year. Margaret and
Sean welcomed their first son, Jude, on Dec. 7. They currently live in Tomball and enjoy life as a growing family.
Arreanna Rostosky graduated summa cum laude from
Vanderbilt University in May 2010 with a bachelor’s
degree in vocal performance, high honors in musicology,
and a minor in mathematics. She is currently living in
Los Angeles studying at UCLA in the master’s/Ph.D.
program for musicology. Last year, her first published
article appeared in “Nota Bene,” a Canadian undergraduate musicology journal. In March, she presented a paper
derived from her senior honors thesis (on “Sweeney
Todd”) at the national conference of the Society for
American Music in Cincinnati.
Leah Schmidt graduated magna cum laude from Texas
A&M University in May. After a family cruise to Alaska,
Leah began working in the accounting department at
Troy Construction last July.
2007 Eleanor Todd welcomed daughter Saraiah Grace
Rodriguez Sept. 12. They are currently living in New York
City.
Rene Hoelker graduated early from Texas Tech
University with a bachelor of science degree in architecture. She also traveled to Europe last summer. She is
currently working toward a master’s degree in architecture
with plans to graduate in December 2012. Rene studied
abroad in Paris last summer and was joined by her sister,
Rachel Hoelker ’06, and Rene’s classmate and best friend,
Simone Ford ’07. While traveling through Rome, they
decided to pay tribute to the cathedral dedicated to St.
Agnes.
Allison Louis graduated magna cum laude from the
University of Texas at Dallas, earning a bachelor of arts
degree in psychology. She gave the student commencement address at the Dec. 18 ceremony for the School of
Behavioral and Brain Sciences. She plans to attend a Texas
medical school. See her address here: www.utdallas.edu/
graduation/2010/louis/
Stefanie Solar joined the Teach For America 2011 Corps
and was assigned to work in Houston.
2009 Katelyn Kovski is approaching her fourth
semester at Texas A&M University. She’s enjoying her
classes and seeing many St. Agnes graduates on campus.
She recently took the entrance exam and completed her
applications for nursing school. She’ll find out where she’s
headed next summer.
Hannah Dyer-Holzhauer spent the first three weeks of
2011 at St. Agnes for her January school term this year.
Rather than enroll in a regular course or a travel course
through Austin College, Hannah opted for a career-study
course. She spent her time observing several language
teachers at St. Agnes and worked more specifically with
Mary Jo Langston ’63, SAA’s longtime French teacher.
Lexi Schmidt finished her first year in Miami with a tan,
as well as recognition on the dean’s list. She interned in
the welding department at Kaspar Wire Works Shiner
last summer.
InMemoriam
Sincere sympathy is extended to the loved ones of:
Joseph (Joe) Wesley Baxter; father to Anne
Baxter ’76
Casey, O.P. ’59 (dec); grandmother to
Melanie Bujnoch ’05
Norm Belleggie; mother to Sally Belleggie
Pelow ’66 and Mary Belleggie Hamilton ’71
John Joseph Castille, Sr.; brother to Letty
Anne Castille Haest ’50; brother-in-law to
Jo Anne Auer Castille ’50; father to Emily
Castille Prus ’74, Elizabeth Castille Crowe
’80 and Catherine Castille Pierce ’83
Harry Yandell Benedict; husband to Mary
Lee Cottingham Benedict ’51
William Glimm; grandfather of Chloe
Hamilton ’09
Renee Blanchard; daughter to Georgianna
Fraser Blanchard ’86
Christine Brady ’04
Allison Cecile Wilson Chargois ’79
Robert R. Fretz, Sr.; husband to Margery
Melville Fretz ’45; father to Mary Fretz Senn
’79, Anne Fretz Garza ’80 and Elizabeth
Fretz Meuser ’81; brother-in-law to
Charlotte Melville Smith ’40 (dec), Mary
Helen Melville McKirahan ’42, Barbara
Melville Morrison ’44 and Patricia Melville
McMillan ’49.
Patricia Anne Gause Cobb ’53
Patsy Manley Gatlin ’57
Jan Pursch Collins ’67; sister to Judy Pursch
Burgess ’64
Thomas C. Brennan, III; father to Liz
Brennan Clearman ’97
Dorothy “Dot” Pitre Conner; mother to
Carol Conner Wilson ’66 and Jane Conner
Huckaby ’69
Patricia Ann Pape Broussard ’48; sister to
Mary Jo Pape Reed Fields ’54
Woodrow Coppedge; grandfather to
Victoria Gibson ’09 and Sarah Coppedge ’12
Mary Esther Burton; mother to Laurie
Burton Farris ’74, Rosemary Burton ’79 and
Mary Theresa Burton ’81
Olivia D. Coulombe; mother to Catherine
G. Coulombe ’04
Ruby Anne Nolan Busker ’29
Ida Louise Schackelford Cronin; mother to
Anne Cronin Schneider ’71; grandmother
to Rachel Delaney Krenek ’90
Mary Santarcangelo Camarata; mother to
Bessie Camarata Benefiel ’55 and Mary Jo
Camarata Boultinghouse ’62
Peter Cangelosi, Sr.; father to Donna
Cangelosi Bruns ’70 and Virginia Cangelosi
’71
Joe L. Cardenas; father-in-law to Jennifer
Contreras Cardenas ’86; grandfather to
Claudia Cardenas ’10, Cecilia Cardenas ’12
and Cassandra Cardenas ’14
Frederick Gordon Carl, Jr.; husband to
Joan Chambers Carl ’65; brother to Sharon
Carl McEntee ’56, Lynn Carl Lang ’60, and
Marie Carl McCorkle ’75; brother-in-law
to Ann Theresa Chambers Cashiola’58, and
Agnes “Aggie” Chambers Dulin ’69
Sofia Casale; mother to Claudia Casale
Ridge ’63; grandmother to Risa Taub
McDonald ’68
Hazel Brann Casey; mother to Sr. Catherine
Horno ’56 (dec)
Robert E. (Bob) George, Sr.; father to
Celeste George Wheatley ’67 and Cynthia
George Forgas’ 72
William M. Gottliebson; husband to Renee
Ogle Gottliebson ’87
Geraldean “Gerry” Gratzer ’59; sister to
Rose Gratzer McGreevy ’58 (dec)
Carlton Edward Curry; grandfather to Kelli
Michelle Bunch ’11
Judge Joseph M. Guarino; husband to Della
Grace Trapolino Guarino ’44; father to
Kathy Guarino Danna ’75; father-in-law to
Cecile Scroggins Guarino ’77; brother to
Natalie Guarino Voelkel ’49; brother-in-law
to Mary Ann Saragusa Guarino ’55; grandfather to Jodie Guarino ’01 and Allison
Danna ’02.
Doris Mae Hruska Darilek; mother to Mary
Pat Darilek Wilson ’70
Edward John Harris; father to Cindy Harris
Visnaw ’75 and Brenda Harris ’81
Ann Weber Didion ’54
Charlotte Franks Henderson ’62
John Steven Dudar; father to Nan Dudar
Lawson ’78
Mary Alice Herbert; mother to Mary
Herbert Dawson ’72, Meg Herbert Smith
’73, Marcia Herbert Logan ’75, and Nancy
Herbert Koerth ’76
Karen Browne Dugas ’57; sister-in-law to
Diana Dugas Porcarello ’58
Sr. Fidelis Enderle, O.P.; sister to Sr. Paula
Enderle, O.P.
Sr. Marie Fertitta, O.P.
Joseph M. Flaherty; father to Therese M.
Flaherty ’79
Yolanda Compean Forcade ’49; sister
to Idalia Compean Krippner ’49, Belen
Compean Diaz ’55 and Judith Compean
Elizabeth Therese Glueckert Herveat;
mother to Andrea Herveat Clark ’89; motherin-law to Jan Mitchamore Herveat ’92
Mary Elizabeth Colvin Hill; mother to
Elizabeth Hill Stanley ’79, Catherine Hill
’82, Teresa Hill Flannery ’86 and Susan Hill
Iwanski ’93; grandmother to Allison Stanley
’13
Linda S. Holt; mother to Stacy Holt
Wadsworth de la Torre ’87
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
25
Antony Paul Kitchen; husband to Primrose
Hebert Kitchen ’48
William Kosloff; father to Marian Kosloff
Whitney ’97
Sr. Mary William Kowis, O.P.; SAA past
faculty
Margaret (Marge) Elias Laflin; mother to
Carol Laflin Ahles ’66; grandmother to
Emily Ahles Dickey ’95
Gene L. Lee; father to Sandy Lee-Dean ’79
and Susie Lee ’81
Harvey Edward McBee, Sr.; grandfather to
Patricia McBee ’08, Audrey McBee ’11, and
Gabrielle McBee ’13
Francis Lawrence McCarthy; husband to
Charlene Mueller McCarthy ’56; brotherin-law to Cara Mueller Kendall ’43, Johnnie
Mueller ’47, Mewes Mueller Goetzmann ’52
and Maud Mueller Lipscomb ’60
Shirley Bart McCarthy; mother to Anne
McCarthy Britt ’78, Janet McCarthy
Fosdick ’82 and Louisa McCarthy Grover
’85; mother-in-law to Tina Hanson
McCarthy ’76; grandmother to Jennifer
McCarthy Perez ’01, Kate McCarthy ’08
and Melanie McCarthy ’14
Russell Lowell McClaine; father to Jane
McClaine Granahan ’81
Bruce M. McGown; grandfather to
Courtney Guess ’12
Frederick Bernhard Machol; father to Mary
Lou Skelton Frye ’67
Dorothy Mae Maher; mother to Pat Maher
Garwick ’62 and Dottie Maher Derden ’65
Charles Maiorana; husband to Linda Puhl
’69; brother-in-law to Carolyn Puhl Osborn
’71 and Suzan Puhl Murphy ’73
Dorothy Louise Martin Morrow; mother
to Jenny Morrow Senac ’67, and Eileen
Morrow Caudle ’73
Bernice Lopez Murphy; mother to Debbie
Murphy Spurlin ’72
26
www.st-agnes.org
Lucina Kathryn Jones Musselman ’55;
sister to Jane Elizabeth Jones Divine ’38
(dec), Ann Carolyn Jones Guidry ’42 (dec),
Margaret Jones Furstenberg ’43, Rachel
Lee Jones Abbott ’44, Mary Camille Jones
Takacs ’45 (dec), and Ramah Frances Jones
Briganti ’54
Shelly Clarac Musselman ’69; sister to
Meredith Clarac ’64
Clara Newton; mother to Cora Nina
Newton ’70
Laurel Moore Novo ’39; mother to Charles
Novo, SAA faculty member and Annie
Novo ’68; grandmother to Claire Novo
Reynolds ’91
Joe H. Peters; husband to Vessie Hajovsky
Peters ’54; father-in-law to Joel Mouton Peters
’84; brother-in-law to Jane Hajovsky Newman
’42 and Catherine Shaub Hajovsky ’42
Nancy Judith Overall Poage ’61
James Marcus “Mark” Powell; husband to
Leslie Tuffly Powell ’73; brother-in-law to
Pamela Tuffly Steinberg ’74; son-in-law to
Rosemae Hugo Tuffly ’42 (dec)
Mike Provenzano; grandfather to
Vinceanne Mandola Green ’87 and Mary
Dana Mandola Corbett ’89
Rosetta Frances Navarro Raia ’50; mother
to Mary L. Raia ’77
Mary Virginia Halick Rismondo ’53
John Joseph Rossi; father to Laura Rossi
Nies ’87, Christine Rossi ’89 and Elizabeth
Rossi ’90
Sr. Lucille “Lucy” Sala, O.P.
Priscilla Sandy; mother of Anne Marie
Sandy ’93
Robert E. “Bud” Saunders; husband to
Mary Lanzo Saunders ’74; brother-in-law
to JoAnne Lanzo Neslage ’65 and Carolyn
Lanzo Smith ’69
Rodney Eugene Stenborg; husband to
Margaret Schwender Stenborg’58; brotherin-law to Sr. Laverne Schwender, O.P. ’60
Sandra Vogelsang Stoltz ’63; sister to Jackie
Vogelsang Cone ’59 and John Vogelsang
SAA former police officer and past parent
Mary Janet “Jane” Studdert ’36; mother to
Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Studdert Kierum ’72
Patricia Taylor; grandmother to Krista A.
Castro ’10 and Victoria A. Castro ’13
Patricia Fremin Triche; mother to Teresa O
Triche ’72 and Nancy Triche Robichaux ’74
Douglas James Trumps; son to faculty
member Becky Rushing
Dianne Atchison Tubbs ’53; sister to
Suzanne Atchison Brennan ’48; sister-inlaw to Sue Amer Atchison ’55
Sylvester Simon (Sam) Vacek; father to
Joanne Elizabeth Vacek ’70
Elmer James Volmert; father to Sandy
Volmert Walsh ’70, Kelly Volmert Smith
’79, and Patti Volmert Hall ’82; grandfather
to Courtney L. Walsh ’06
Learning Today.
Leading Tomorrow.
Support the Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Annual Fund
and the Dominican mission as we educate young women to be tomorrow’s leaders.
Go to www.st-agnes.org to find out how you can support the Annual Fund.
Veritas Magazine | No. 5
27
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