Ursuline Academy Alumnae Newsletter II March, 2017X
Announcing Ursuline Academy's Lunch and Learn Series for Alumnae
We are pleased to present a Lunch and Learn series for our alumnae. The following lectures will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Convent board room. Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Convent Chapel prior to each program. All are welcome. RSVP here to any of the programs.
March 30: Women in Mission
with Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux '94, Director of Mission Effectiveness, UA
June 1: Honoring the Past and Securing the Future
with Rosann Whiting, President, UA
October 12: Women and Wealth
with Jane King '61, President, Fairfield Financial Advisors
Coming Soon to a City Near You! RSVP Today!
NEXT WEEK!
Wednesday, March 15: NYC Alumnae Networking Reception
St. Andrew's Restaurant & Bar, 140 W. 46th Street, NY, NY, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 27: Boston Alumnae Networking Reception
Metro Meeting Center, 75/101 Federal Street, Boston, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Contact Alumnae Director Susan Hehir to RSVP to either event.
We need your help for an Alumnae Task Force
The Ursuline Academy Alumnae Office is looking for 2 or 3 representatives from each graduation decade to serve on a newly formed Alumnae Task Force. If you would like to deepen your involvement and help establish a vibrant alumnae association for Ursuline Academy, please consider joining us. Email Kat McCarron, Director of Advancement, for more information.
The Ursuline Academy Alumnae Office is looking for 2 or 3 representatives from each graduation decade to serve on a newly formed Alumnae Task Force. If you would like to deepen your involvement and help establish a vibrant alumnae association for Ursuline Academy, please consider joining us. Email Kat McCarron, Director of Advancement, for more information.
Alumnae Spotlight
Allison Bailey Olson '07
"Thanks to Ursuline, I not only volunteered weekly throughout college and served on a student-run nonprofit board, I chose a career path focused on empowering and promoting volunteerism and giving within the workplace."
Allison Bailey Olson '07 was a junior in college when she was diagnosed with melanoma, after years of tanning beds and sun exposure. Ten years later, after initial extensive surgery, long-term recovery in a wheelchair, and additional diagnoses and surgeries, Allison spends much of her time raising awareness, educating student groups, and fundraising to promote healthy lifestyles and support cancer patients and research.
Shortly after her first recovery, Allison was tapped to share her story through Brigham and Women's Hospital as a means of promoting sun safety. Inspired by the positive feedback and support she received, she volunteered to speak to students as part of a required health curriculum when she returned to James Madison University and went on to rally her fellow classmates at the Relay for Life events on campus each year.
To mark her five year "cancerversary" Allison ran her first half marathon to raise money for the American Association for Cancer Research. She went on to run the Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016 and is training now for a second Boston Marathon run this April.
One of the organizations closest to Allison's heart is First Descents, which offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor experience designed to empower them and help them reclaim their lives. After participating in one of their programs, she joined a local committee to run events for First Descents, and continues to promote their programming. She hopes to serve as a "camp mom" for one of their week-long programs this summer.
Allison's commitment to serve extends to her professional life as well. She is employed by CEB as the Corporate Citizenship Specialist, managing their local volunteer efforts as well as their global volunteer efforts and gift match program. Allison credits Ursuline Academy with giving her the critical life skills to successfully balance her time and talents to improve the community around her and for broadening her individual perspective in challenging ways. The spirit of Serviam, ingrained in her at an early age and nurtured throughout her years at Ursuline, remains strong. You can read more about Allison's story and activities on her blog.
Alumnae on Campus
Are you a legacy family? We welcome alumnae mothers, aunts, grandmothers and current students or graduates to attend our next legacy event on Saturday, September 23.
Legacy of Love Breakfast
On February 14, fifteen Ursuline alumnae who have daughters currently enrolled at UA enjoyed our Valentine's Day Legacy Breakfast at the Convent, celebrating their mutual love for Ursuline with hot chocolate and heart-shaped marshmallows.
Reverse College Day
Alumnae from the Class of 2016 came back to campus in January and talked to our current seniors about how they navigated the college acceptance process and ultimately chose their colleges. They also shared how they have transitioned to college life including course work and extra curricular activities. Thanks to all who came back to share!
SAVE THE DATE FOR
HOMECOMING
AND REUNION WEEKEND
On September 23-24, Ursuline will welcome all alumnae back to campus for Homecoming and our Reunion celebration for the 2's and 7's. There will be special programs throughout the day for all alumnae to enjoy and an evening event to honor our Reunion classes.
Calling all Alumnae for Silver Jubilee Golf Tournament
Ursuline Academy will host its 25th Annual Fore the Girls Golf Tournament on Monday, May 22, 2017 at Wollaston Golf Club in Milton, MA. Alumnae are encouraged to fill a foursome and tee up for the Bears. After playing on the magnificent Wollaston course, golfers will join in celebration for dinner, silent auction and an award ceremony for Ursuline's student athletes. All proceeds benefit the athletic programs at Ursuline. For more information, contact Kat McCarron, Director of Advancement.
Serviam at Ursuline
Making Memories
Under the guidance of UA art teacher Mrs. Caroline Rufo, seventeen Ursuline students participating in The Memory Project completed portraits of children from Syria this winter. The Memory Project is an initiative in which students create portraits for children around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged. Given that kids in such situations tend to have few personal keepsakes, The Memory Project aims to provide them with special memories that capture a piece of their childhood - portable pieces of their personal history.
UA Students Spend Winter Break at Romero Center in Camden
This February break, as they have done in previous years, a group of Ursuline students, along with faculty members Katie McNally '10, Erin Cummins and Emily Linthicum, traveled to the Romero Center in Camden, New Jersey for their Urban Challenge program. The program incorporates prayer, service, education and reflection in a week-long immersive urban setting. Each day the students learned about the challenges of living in poverty and volunteered at nursing homes, adult disability centers, schools, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. The Romero Center provides Catholic education and retreat experiences designed to bring light to the issues of poverty and discrimination.
UA Congratulated for Making Strides Walk
The American Cancer Society recently released an announcement naming the students of Ursuline Academy as the 3rd place winners of the 2016 High School Challenge for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Boston last fall. Congratulations to all members of the Ursuline community who worked so diligently and passionately to raise funds to support #BostonStrides! Nearly 200 members of the Ursuline community participated in the 5 mile walk in October. Boston-area Alumnae are encouraged to join the Ursuline team this coming year to help us top our record!
Make the most of your UA Connections by listing Ursuline Academy-Dedham in your LinkedIn profile!
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Alumnae News
Darlene Jordan '85 was recently honored as a Woman of Distinction by Palm Beach Atlantic University for her support of education through scholarships and for her work on the Florida Board of Governors for the state university system, "an honor that has allowed me to serve the state and ensure that students who attend our universities receive the highest educational experiences." Read more here.
Darlene Jordan (right) delivers her acceptance remarks during the awards luncheon.
Class Notes
Elinor DiIorio '81 married Michael A. Gulla at a Catholic Mass at St. Catherine Church in Norwood. Elinor's daughter Colleen Gallahue '07 attended her mother as a bridesmaid.
Elinor DiIorio '81 married Michael A. Gulla at a Catholic Mass at St. Catherine Church in Norwood. Elinor's daughter Colleen Gallahue '07 attended her mother as a bridesmaid.
Leigh Moreno Lewis '98 is living in Kingston, MA, with her husband Tim and three children, Gabriella (6), Daniel (3), and Matthew (1). She is teaching English and serving as English Curriculum Coordinator in Norwell.
Kara McGann Cafasso '03 and her husband Frank welcomed their son Anthony Felice Cafasso on November 2, joining big sister Olivia.
Meghan George Deschamps '03 got married on September 17, 2016 in Sandwich, MA, with classmates Jilly Reilly and Alexandra Flores Spicer serving as bridesmaids.
Nicole Norton Vermillion '05 welcomed her second child, a future Ursuline girl, Josephine Michele Vermillion, on March 24, 2016!
Kathleen Porter Garro '07 married Pilar Elena Garro on October 10, 2016 in Bristol Rhode Island. Both have successful careers working for The Trustees of Reservations, the oldest land conservation in the country.
Skye Hawkins Mendes '08 married Anthony Mendes on July 2, 2016 in Burrillville, RI. Bridesmaids included (L-R) Alex Hawkins '13, Charlotte Harrison '08, and Lisa DiNapoli '08. Also in attendance were Victoria Masterson '13 and Abigail Sullivan '13.
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