Ursuline Academy Alumnae Newsletter III - June, 2017
Join us for Homecoming and the Dedication of our New Athletic and Convocation Center
This fall Ursuline Academy will welcome all alumnae back to campus for Homecoming and a Reunion celebration for the classes ending in '2 and '7. The festivities will kick off Saturday, September 23 with athletic games, a barbeque lunch, and two lectures. A 4 p.m. Mass will be held, followed by the dedication of our new Athletic & Convocation Center. For our reunion classes, the evening continues with a special reception and a brunch on Sunday. Keep an eye out for detailed mailings about the events over the summer. We look forward to welcoming you home this fall. For a schedule of events and hotel information click here.
Members of the Class of 2017 got a sneak peek inside the building before they graduated.
The new ACC, as construction winds down, with the school building in the background.
Memories of Boston
Boston Alumnae Take Swan Boat Ride
Not many current students and young alumnae may know that Ursuline Academy had its beginning in downtown Boston, at 12 Arlington Street, just across from the Public Garden. Each year, the young girls who attended Ursuline Academy were treated to a swan boat ride, followed by tea at the Ritz Hotel. Last month, this tradition was recreated for several of our Boston alumnae, graduates from the 1950s. The women gathered for a photo on the steps of their former school building, and then enjoyed a ride on the lagoon, accompanied by UA alum Lyn Paget '78, part of the family who has operated the swan boats since the 1870s. Following the outing on the swan boat, the ladies enjoyed a formal tea at the Taj Hotel, formerly known as the Ritz.
Boston Alumnae and Ursuline friends enjoyed the swan boat ride, ably navigated by Lyn Paget '78 (right)
Patricia Leary Dowling '52, Sr. Marcella Savoie o.s.u., Sr. Maria Goretti-Bernier o.s.u., Sr. Angela Krippendorf o.s.u. '59, and Maureen Corkery Abate '58, (l. to r.) gathered in front of their old school building at 12 Arlington Street.
A Fond Farewell to Norman Pashoian
Our Boston alumnae had many stories to share about Norman Pashoian, a well-known fixture in their Back Bay neighborhood. Doorman at the Ritz-Carlton, and later the Taj Hotel, for 66 years, Pashoian passed away on May 26 at the age of 89. Read More.
Alumnae Spotlight
Juli McDonald '06 and Caitlin Burchill '08
Juli McDonald '06 (left) and Caitlin Burchill '08 (right)
"It was a sisterhood like none other where we could gain confidence and learn who we were as young women...I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't been a Bear." (Caitlin Burchill)
"No matter what the interview is about, I try to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect. I never forget that I'm a human being first, and a journalist second." (Juli McDonald)
Two young Ursuline alumnae have a lot in common, from their days on the UA basketball court to their current careers as broadcast journalists. Caitlin Burchill '08 and Juli McDonald '06 began as fellow students, and have remained friends as fellow news reporters, with careers that have intersected and spanned the country. But even with a common starting point, their journeys have been unique. As Caitlin recalls, "Juli always knew she wanted to be a reporter….I really had no idea until I interned at NECN."
Alumnae Events
Lunch and Learn Events Bring Alumnae Back to Campus
This spring, alumnae were invited back to campus for two Lunch and Learn events in the UA Convent.
Alumnae from many different classes (pictured left) enjoyed each other's company at the Lunch and Learn in March, 2017.
The first Lunch and Learn, in March, was a presentation by Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux '94, Ursuline's Director of Mission, on "Women in Mission" and the importance of being a generous people who live the motto "I will serve." Our June program was facilitated by UA President Rosann Whiting, who presented a history of the academy with a glimpse toward the future.
We are pleased to continue our Lunch and Learn series for our alumnae. Our next lecture will be held on October 12, 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 the program. All are welcome. Contact Alumnae Director Susan Hehir for more information.
Thursday, October 12 - "Women and Wealth"
with Jane King '61, President, Fairfield Financial Advisors
Alumnae Return for Women in Leadership Symposium
This March, Ursuline held its 20th Annual Women in Leadership Symposium, with three alumnae returning to the academy to speak to the students in grades 9-12 about their careers and give professional advice. This year's participants were Nancy Sinclair '86, a software consultant and data designer for Sapient Corporaton; Carolyn Thorne '90, a veterinarian and owner of Veterinarian Services of Westwood; and Mary Kate Harrington '10, a RN on the kidney/liver transport floor at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington. The students were invited to a panel discussion with the women, followed by a question and answer session. If you would like to be considered for a future Women in Leadership event, please contact our alumnae department.
l. to r.: Mary Kate Harrington '10, Carolyn Thorne '90, and Nancy Sinclair '86
Networking Receptions Bring Alumnae Together
Groups of Ursuline Alumnae gathered in Boston and in Manhattan in April and May to network, catch up with old friends and get the latest news on Lowder Street from President Rosann Whiting and Director of Alumnae Relations Susan Hehir. The Boston group met at the Metro Meeting Center, while the New York group had dinner together at Connolly's Pub in Times Square. All agreed it was nice to share common experiences and learn about the ways Ursuline is strengthening itself to stay competitive, while staying true to its roots of service and academic excellence.
Alumnae from the Boston area met at the Metro Meeting Center in the financial district in April.
Alumnae who live or work in New York gathered at Connolly's Pub and Restaurant in Times Square.
Life on Lowder Street
Congratulations to the Class of 2017
The sixty-one members of the Ursuline Class of 2017, joined by family, friends and Ursuline faculty and staff, gathered on June 4 for the Academy's graduation. In keeping with tradition, the graduates processed down the staircase in front of the Ursuline Convent to begin the ceremony. Regina Sullivan '78, returned to deliver the keynote address. Ms. Sullivan is an Executive Vice President at Fidelity Investments and Head of Global Shared Services and Operations for Fidelity International. Congratulations to valedictorian Carine Hajjar, who will be attending Harvard University in the fall, and salutatorian Alexandra Rota, who will attend Boston College. See the full list of college acceptances here and more information about graduation and student awards here.
The Class of 2017 extends its gratitude to the alumnae community for accepting and reaching the challenge of 100 gifts to the school during the month of May, resulting in an alumnae-sponsored breakfast and iced coffee bar spread on the morning of their graduation rehearsal.
Shaving Heads for Pediatric Cancer Research
Ursuline's Abby Wukitch '18 is fundraising this summer for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support pediatric cancer research, after participating in one of their signature head-shaving events. Abby's mom, Dr. Elizabeth Mullen '81, is a pediatric oncologist. Inspired by Dr. Mullen's patients and their families, Abby has done many fundraising events before. Although this one promised to be the most visible, Abby was ready for the challenge. "My time at Ursuline has really helped me realize that I want to make changes to make the world better no matter how big or small my decisions are. Shaving my head was a little scary – but not nearly as scary as what kids with cancer have to face." Abby's event is not only raising awareness and raising funds, but she also donated her seventeen-plus inches of hair. Click here to learn more about the St. Baldrick's organization.
Make the most of your UA Connections by listing Ursuline Academy-Dedham in your LinkedIn profile!
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Senior Service: A Day in the Life, to Remember for the Rest of Your Life
by Caroline Ahearn '16, current student at Holy Cross,
reporting on the senior service project of two members of the Class of 2017.
Of the many traditions and rites of passage that Ursuline students experience, one of the most memorable and meaningful is the month-long service project girls complete at the end of their senior year. Students serve for a minimum of 110 hours at a wide variety of sites, from homeless shelters and food pantries to classrooms and hospitals. Although Serviam is a word heard all the time at Ursuline, the senior service project is distinctly different from other service opportunities, because it is almost like a full-time job for students and it is the final thing they have to do before they graduate.
This year, two members of the class of 2017 served at a popular site for past Ursuline students - the Ellis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Norwood. Alex Rota and Ashley Mullen had both been fulfilling their year-long service requirements for five years at Ursuline, and they had been sitting in the audience as past seniors spoke about their service on Class Day for just as long. When it came time to select their service site for this year, they had a lot to reflect on before making their decision. Read More.
"Culminating my Ursuline career with this project really awakened me to how much of an impact my own service can have on me, as this project touched my heart in a way I have never experienced before, and also the impact I can have on others, as my presence alone was enough to make the residents smile." -- Alex Rota '17
Elizabeth David-Dembrowsky '96 has founded Good Counsel, a not for profit organization dedicated to providing services to social entrepreneurs. Admitted to practice law in NY, NJ, MA, FL, and CA, she invites members of the extended Ursuline Academy community to contact her directly to learn more about the organization's work and how to be involved.
Elizabeth David-Dembrowsky's Good Counsel organization collaborates at a recent meeting.
After eight years living in Mexico City, Caitlin McHugh '03 and her husband David Luengas moved back to Boston in the summer of 2015 to start the next chapter of their lives as parents. Amalia Marie Luengas was born on December 24, 2015.
Kelly Clark '02 and her husband Brian welcomed their third daughter Kacie Kristina Clark on October 1, 2016. Kacie joins her sisters, Brenna (4) and Sierra (2). Kelly is a special educator of students with autism in Boston Public Schools and is also a dance teacher.
Bridgette Morrissey Kelly '96 and husband Patrick welcomed Teagan Katherine Kelly on March 10,2017. Excited siblings Maeve, Gemma and Finn love her so much.
Ashley Gioioso '16 was chosen as co-leader of the Peer Ministry program at Assumption College for the 2017-2018 academic school year.
Jackie Gonzalez '16, a freshman at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, tied for 2017 Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors in golf. Gonzalez shot 80-78-83, finishing at 241 to become the first Crusader in program history to earn a major award in women's golf.
To continue to educate young women in the Ursuline tradition we need your help.
A gift of any amount will directly benefit today's students.
Please make your gift by June 30.
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