Redefining Momentum - ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
S A C R E D H E A R T I S O N T H E F R O N T I E R O F E D U C AT I O N ➤ E X P L O R I N G T H E F U T U R E ➤ A L U M N A E N E W S ➤ A N D M O R E ➤
the
ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
Redefining Momentum
S A C R E D H E A R T I S O N T H E F R O N T I E R O F E D U C AT I O N ➤ E X P L O R I N G T H E F U T U R E ➤ A L U M N A E N E W S ➤ A N D M O R E ➤
We give our girls
the the faith, freedom and
encouragement to
explore and excel.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES ➤
ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
Redefining Momentum
Message from the Headmistress
“The higher we want to fly, the greater
the risk, but that is the glorious part
of it. The great uncertainties in which
we trust God, the breathless risks we
run, with no assurance but our great
trust in God, that seems to me to
be of the essence of our life and
its beauty.”
- Mother Janet Erskine Stuart
Former Superior General, Society of the Sacred Heart
This issue of The Bridge magazine describes “momentum”— What is in motion tends to stay in motion.
a quality of progress, motion, and movement usually reserved
What is happening at the Rosary is about the momentum
for discussions by physicists. Here in our magazine, we leap
of encouragement, the momentum of drive, and the
into the conversation about momentum to share with our
momentum of velocity that comes with the spirit of
readers the energy, force, and motion that is propelling us
mission. As Mother Stuart observes, flying high comes with
forward at the Rosary.
tremendous certainty in God, and it is, indeed, the “essence
Our times are amazing times. of our life and its beauty.”
Look into the eyes of a Little Heart at the Rosary, and you see Momentum is infectious.
stars: voluminous lights of innocence, of hope, of promise.
In this issue, you will read about our newly designed
Our youngest students look at you with faith. They look at you
learning spaces, our new digital portfolio program
with inquiry. They look at you with openness.
Message from the Headmistress ...................1 that documents the journey of our students at Sacred
Redefining Momentum .................................. 2 Higher and higher, we fly. Heart, our new student-produced TV show, the Arctic
Seeing the Bigger Picture.............................12 adventures of one of our Middle School teachers, and the
Just imagine… Our prekindergarten students are learning
Exploring New Frontiers .............................. 14 entrepreneurship of our alumnae. You will find yourselves
Mandarin. Our fourth graders are engineering motorized
NewsflASH ...................................................... 16 turning each page of this issue with the same wonder and
lighted streetcars and signs in their class on electricity and
Alumnae Profiles ........................................... 18 hope of our Little Hearts!
various forms of energy. Our seventh graders are making
Bicentennial Celebration ............................. 24
New Faces at the Rosary .............................. 26
robotic hands with our 3-D printers in partnership with a Our journey continues…
Outside cover photo: Fourth and fifth grade students explore the recently nonprofit who provides them to those who cannot afford
Good Sports ................................................... 28
renovated Katherine and Robert Boh Innovation Lab and Makerspace. prosthetics. Our Upper School students are diving in
Our Milestones ............................................... 32
Inside cover photo: Middle and Upper School athletes utilize the new running track submersibles and learning how to launch rockets into space.
Our Events ...................................................... 40
and the Gayle and Tom Benson Sports Field at the Sacred Heart Outdoor Athletic Sr. Melanie A. Guste, RSCJ, Ph.D. ’70
Yes, this is Sacred Heart today. Believers. Bold. Brilliant. Our
Our Alumnae .................................................. 48
Complex. Headmistress
girls will change the world.
2016-17 Annual Report ................................. 58
Photography by Jackson Hill
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 1
1 THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2018
B Y C A R O L I N E AV E G N O ’ 0 4 A N D S R . M E L A N I E G U S T E , R S C J ’ 7 0
Exciting things are happening at Sacred Heart as we “Our 150-year-old history is a long story of how we continue
continue to meet the needs of our students through to update educational programs to reflect the changing
innovation, propelling them forward on their journey needs and interests of our students and to reflect the
through life. Our girls are building prototypes using best practices in education,” Sr. Guste adds. “Together,
advanced design tools. Our average ACT score surpasses we continue to explore what it means to be on the
state and national averages. We now offer instruction in ‘frontier of education’ in New Orleans and to live up to
four world languages. We have hosted community service the highest standards of excellence in education and
projects open to Sacred Heart students across the country. character formation.”
We have hosted several big-name speakers, such as Sheryl
Through our comprehensive five-year strategic plan, which
Sandberg, Jane Goodall, and Rick Riordan, as well as
was launched in November 2016, our focus has been in
numerous events open to the community. Our girls recently
the areas of curriculum, instruction, and professional
took home their tenth state championship in cross country
development; educational technology; global education;
in the past 12 years. Our girls are exploring new frontiers
and community partnerships. Already, our students and
every day, much like one of our founding mothers, St. Rose
teachers are enjoying the benefits of newly designed,
Philippine Duchesne, did 200 years ago when she brought
digitally connected learning spaces to the east wing of the
Sacred Heart education to North America.
building fronting St. Charles Avenue on the Rosary Campus.
Redefining Moment um THE JOURNEY CONTINUES ➤
Some have characterized it as a time of “renaissance” and Additionally, we have made significant upgrades to our
a time of “metamorphosis,” suggesting that there are outdoor athletic facilities. These spaces enable our girls
profound shifts in the culture, strategy, and processes to be scholars, athletes, and artists and give them the
that are underway in the school community to move it opportunity to reach for the stars.
forward in a holistic way. “And it’s true,” says Headmistress
Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ. “Our school community is in a Take a look at some of the ways our physical
productive period of growth as we continue to renew spaces have transformed this year. ➤
ourselves through reflection on our mission and vision for
the future!”
Times have changed, and so have we changed to reflect
changing educational standards and practices. As
our pedagogy has evolved in relation to the powerful
inventions, innovations, and insights of the 21st century,
our educational architecture and definition of space has
been altered. The environment surrounding our students
inspires them to create, and we continue to fulfill St. Rose
Philippine Duchesne’s vision to “educate to the life and
times in which we live.”
2 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 3
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 3
21st-century learning between the spaces. Two classes can “Using the tools in our new I-Lab, fourth
be accommodated in the I-Lab at once, which is double
grade students combined their scientific
the capacity than was initially envisioned. Fifth and sixth
grade students attend regularly scheduled classes in the
knowledge of various forms of energy
I-Lab to lay the foundation in design thinking and gain with acquired engineering and technology
knowledge of the new tools. Beyond that, Middle and skills. Through this process, our girls gained
Upper School teachers of all subjects utilize the space for
confidence, improved their problem-solving
their classes to collaborate on projects across our STEAM
curriculum. But the I-Lab isn’t limited to students on the skills, and really began to think outside of
Rosary Campus—fourth graders too have begun to work the norm.”
on projects of their own. – Jennifer Adams, Lower School Science Teacher
Katherine and Robert Boh Innov ation Lab and Makerspace
This school year, we opened the Katherine and Robert Boh Innovation
Lab and Makerspace, which provides our girls with advanced tools that
teach 21st-century skills, turning their design thinking ideas into realities.
Design thinking allows students to manage their ideas and find solutions to real-
world issues by creating prototypes, and with the new equipment in the Innovation
Lab, also known as the I-Lab, the possibilities are endless.
The new I-Lab features a laser cutter, four 3-D printers, two CNC milling machines,
two sewing machines, a drill press, a bandsaw, a circular saw, and many other tools.
Plus, there are 16 new computers with advanced design software such as Adobe
Illustrator, Tinkercad, 123D Design, SketchUp, and Fusion 360. These programs
teach students programming, design, and engineering skills and allow them to
use the new equipment to build more sophisticated prototypes.
With the advanced equipment and technology and efficient layout of the new
space, the I-Lab is inspiring more students than ever. A glass wall and door
strategically connect the I-Lab to the Mother Soniat Library and Sr. Shirley Miller
Courtyard, playing an important role in the fluidity of movement and sharing of
4 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 5
5 THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2018
Mother Soniat Library
Connected to the Katherine and Robert
Boh Innovation Lab and Makerspace,
the updated Mother Soniat Library
focuses on collaboration and integration
with 21st-century technology.
Modeled after university libraries, the new space features
new seating, shelving, lighting, and carpeting. Several
booths and couches provide students a comfortable and
inviting space, much like a coffee shop, to work on both
group projects and individual assignments. Moveable ta-
bles and chairs allow many options for meetings and for
classes to collaborate as larger groups. Students also utilize
higher table seating and a laptop bar. New, shorter shelves
promote easier access and more book displays, adding to
the inviting feel. In short, we upped the level of collabora-
tion and working space.
The updated library is also far more integrated with
21st-century technology. The school acquired a col-
lege-level database, JSTOR, which provides access to a
wider depth of scholarly articles and enables higher-level
analytical thinking that prepares students for college-lev-
el research. A new moveable A/V unit helps with demon-
strations as students learn to use the new database. Plus,
“With the renovations to the Mother Soniat Library, we are better equipped to the librarians have launched a more efficient and stream-
lined self-checkout system for Middle and Upper School
support and empower our students in their educational journey to becoming
students, as well as increased organization of resources by
lifelong learners. Our new collaborative meeting spaces provide students with genre for easy access.
the opportunity to practice and perfect communication and cooperative skills
that they'll need in their future endeavors.” – Diane Aiken, Middle School Librarian
6 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 7
7 THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2018
“I have always thought that the addition of a comprehensive arts center,
including performing and fine arts, makes an educational institution
complete and whole… Art raises the quality of our lives. I am pleased to
be part of all of this, which will bring many opportunities to offer the
students of the Academy of the Sacred Heart for many years to come.”
– Richard “Dick” Colton, Jr., Donor
Richard C. Colton, Jr. Center for Performing and Fine Arts
In October 2017, we officially dedicated the Richard C. Colton, Jr. Center for
Performing and Fine Arts (previously known as the Assembly Room).
The new space features an art gallery for both student and “This beautiful new educational space allows our girls to
traveling exhibits, as well as new seating and lighting and share their art with others, to learn about the art inspired and
acoustical improvements. The gallery provides the avenue created by others, and to raise the bar on their theatrical
for professional artists to display not only their works of art, performances with better acoustics and equipment,” says
but also to collaborate with our students through commu- Sr. Guste. “Mostly, they receive the gift of learning to under-
nity partnerships. The debut exhibit in the new art gallery is stand, know, and love the arts—something they will do for the
the “Women of the World” art collection initiated and com- rest of their lives.”
piled by Claudia DeMonte. In 2000, DeMonte asked female
artists across the globe what it meant to be a woman, and
the result is an inspiring collection of works of art from 176
nations. Similarly, this collection serves as inspiration to our
students to open their minds and let their creativity flow.
8 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 9
Sacred Heart Outdoor Athletic Complex
featuring the Gayle and Tom Benson Sports Field
Over the summer, our outdoor
sports area received an extensive
facelift, reflecting the importance of
kinesthetic learning. The new Sacred
Heart Outdoor Athletic Complex is
now open for all to utilize.
At the center of the integrated sports complex is the
Gayle and Tom Benson Sports Field, which has a new
drainage plan, updated irrigation system, and leveled
sod. Surrounding the field is a two-lane running track
that measures 8.75 laps per mile, with long straightaways
for hurdlers and sprinters as well as a long jump pit.
Additionally, the complex features a 4,000-square-foot
turf putting green, reflecting our goal of maintaining
a top golf program in the state. The new space enables
both athletic teams and physical education classes to train
safely outdoors on campus and to up their level of health
and fitness. It will undoubtedly serve as a coveted green
space for many years to come.
“This dynamic facility reflects the
importance of sports in education
and curriculum at Sacred Heart.
The space inspires our athletes
to achieve excellence by elevating
and expanding the ways our
students can safely learn and train
at an elite level.”
– Sarah Reiss, Athletic Director
10 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 11
11 THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2018
Early Childhood Division
Head, Maria Schneider,
explains Sacred Heart’s
can use her Android device to videotape a student working
strategies for moving
on an art project, singing, or reciting the alphabet and share
forward with the
it with her parents. Shannon Salmon, who teaches three-
understanding that each
year-olds, explains, “In Little Hearts, we are using Seesaw for
division has different
Schools to create digital portfolios for each of our students.
needs based on the ages
Seesaw provides a variety of tools to help capture what the
of the girls.
children are learning in the classroom. It creates a wonderful
home/school connection, where parents see what’s taking • Little Hearts through Lower School will focus on
place inside the classroom in ‘real-time.’ One of my favorite showing student growth, as well as highlighting the
features of Seesaw is videotaping the girls as they work. I uniqueness and special talents of each learner.
love how they are able to explain their work or what they Android devices were purchased for teachers to
have created in their own way.”
enhance the design portfolio creation.
College Counselor Allie Pierson adds, “More and more, I
Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Middle School girls will all participate in a technology
am seeing a dependence on a digital representation of
class that includes digital portfolio training. Teachers
applicants in the college admission process.” Earlier this year,
will empower students to design their own unique
she asked Upper School students to digitally save two pieces
portfolios. Collaborative projects from the Innovation
from each discipline, including anything relevant in telling
Lab will also be included in portfolios. Students will
their “story." She counseled, “Consider it like you would a
scrapbook.” Examples include research papers and projects, have access to Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops.
“The digital portfolio is a descriptive multimedia narrative of
a student’s journey at Sacred Heart,” explains Headmistress science experiments, speeches, graded papers, or anything
• In the Upper School, freshmen and sophomores will
Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ. “Like the scrapbooks of my day, it a student is proud of or represents her learning. Mrs. Pierson
spend time in their computer applications class
Launching Digital Portfolios tells a glorious story that opens one to the deeper mystery tells parents that they may need to help their daughters
learning about Google Drive and digital portfolios.
of life through a collage of photos, awards and recognition, by including art pieces, game footage, competitions, and
By Liz Manthey Juniors and seniors will work with the College
essays, reports, graphics, and video. Lasting a lifetime, the recital pieces in their portfolios.
Counselor and faculty members in the construction
story is enriched with what we bring to it—year after year, In today’s fast-paced world, just putting technology and design of their digital portfolios as a marketing
it offers one more meaning and insight. It is a treasure and, into students’ hands isn't enough. Students need to use tool. Upper School teachers will continue to work with
At Sacred Heart, we are on a journey to incorporate new indeed, priceless. We are glad to initiate this opportunity for it to demonstrate how and what they are learning and students to help in the selection of pieces that could
technology while preserving the one-on-one experiences our ASH students.” save it in a digital format which will assist them in how
possibly be part of their digital portfolios.
that make a Sacred Heart education so valuable. We they are ultimately presenting themselves for college
In August 2017, the faculty was provided with professional
continue to discover new tools for connecting teachers with and the job market. Sacred Heart has
development on digital portfolios and how to use them
students and parents and educate with an appreciation of always been on the cutting edge of
as tools to connect with students and parents. Digital
what the future will be. Over the past year, we have been educational developments.
portfolios expand on the repertoire of techniques available
implementing a five-year strategic plan which encompasses
for engaging students in learning tasks and developing When students leave Sacred Heart, they
all four divisions of the school. Our first goal addresses
communication skills vital to 21st-century skills application, will take their portfolios with them, so it
academic rigor and innovation. One component of that
such as use of technology and saving projects, artwork, is crucial that they understand how to
objective is the design and implementation of digital
speeches, writing, and more to a digital platform. They also document their learning and be able to
portfolios for all students. A digital portfolio is a computer-
allow students to track and demonstrate their growth and generate their personal vision, as well as
based collection of a student’s performance over time.
unique perspective during their journey at Sacred Heart. demonstrate their work.
Portfolios make classroom learning more accessible to
parents, teachers, and administrators and provide a window Parents are given increased access to their child’s work, which
into a student’s learning and development. They are also helps them to experience what’s happening in the classroom
wonderful conversation starters. via a designated app. For instance, a teacher in Little Hearts
12 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 13
EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS
B Y B R Y N N J O H N S O N , Middle School Mathematics Teacher
I’m often asked, “Ms. Johnson, where are you heading this voyages in order to raise geographic awareness in their In August, I traveled just south of Mexico City as a Teach I returned from these fellowships with a renewed zeal
summer? What adventure do you have planned?” The classrooms and communities. Our expedition ship, The Earthwatch Fellow. Earthwatch aims to “engage people and passion for creating a classroom environment that
truth is, I rarely have an adventure planned per se, but I am Explorer, circumnavigated around Svalbard, a Norwegian worldwide in scientific field research and education to mimics much of what both of these fellowships embodied.
intentional about seeking opportunities to explore new archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. promote the understanding and action necessary for I gained an incredible sense of empowerment to be an
frontiers and to be an active, global learner. As an educator a sustainable environment.” I worked with a group of informed and engaged global citizen. Being back on
No two days were alike, except that every day was an
at Sacred Heart, it is a privilege and a responsibility to seven other educators from all over the United States. Sacred Heart’s campus has only solidified this passion.
adventure. We hiked, kayaked, went on zodiac cruises,
model lifelong learning. I enjoy putting myself into new Our fellowship focused on conserving the Xochimilco At Sacred Heart, we are supported and challenged to go
and spent hours looking over the bow of the ship taking
environments and situations that challenge my thinking wetlands and traditional agriculture in Mexico. Each day, beyond the norm and think of the bigger picture. We want
in the mesmerizing shapes, colors, textures, and sounds of
and push me outside of my comfort zone. We ask we assisted science researchers in collecting data on all of our girls to have an education where they are able
the ice. This remote area seemed so stark and isolating at
something similar of our students daily—to stretch out of water quality and land use. Each afternoon, we went on a to develop and become motivated, passionate problem
times, but it was full of life. We observed walruses, bearded
their comfort zones and open up to new experiences that different cultural outing. solvers, who think creatively and empathetically about
seals, fin whales, beluga whales, arctic foxes, so many birds,
will bend and mold their perspectives. the world around them, and at Sacred Heart we can truly
and even polar bears! Each day, National Geographic and We stayed at Casa Xitla where we experienced an intentional
develop this empathy.
This past summer, I participated in two incredible Lindblad Expedition experts offered presentations about and sustainable way of life. Composting was the norm, and
professional development programs. In June, I traveled the history, culture, and wildlife. Many of our presentations mindful water consumption was the way. For example, in
to the Arctic with National Geographic and Lindblad focused on the impact that diminishing sea ice is having our bathrooms, there was a bucket that we used to catch
Expeditions as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. The Grosvenor on the direct species that depend on it for survival, as well the extra water from the shower before it had completely
Teacher Fellow Program seeks to empower educators as the overarching global effects it has for each one of us. heated up. This extra water was then used to water gardens,
with firsthand experience aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ flush toilets, or repurposed in another way.
14 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 15By Elise Garvey ’18
In a world increasingly reliant on technology and telecommunications,
connecting the computer to the classroom is becoming of greater importance.
The rise of STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics—also points to a need to empower students by giving
them access to these fields before college, where these skills are often
already assumed. It is especially important to give young girls access to these
almost entirely male-dominated fields, and what better place to start this
breakthrough than at Sacred Heart, where even the school motto boasts how girls
change the world.
One way that the school has incorporated technology is through its new semester-
long multimedia class, taught by Mrs. Mary Lane, a former television producer and news
photographer. “The focus of the class is to learn how to work and broadcast media and
learn how to put together a weekly newscast,” she shares. In addition to teaching students
to be tech-savvy, Mrs. Lane affirms that there are more 21st-century skills that are taught
through the class, such as working with deadlines and time management, teamwork, public
speaking, and writing. Mrs. Lane believes that teaching these skills to young girls in particular
is essential to both empowering them and giving them equal opportunity. The class also
provides girls with a way to consider a career that doesn’t have as much female representation.
The multimedia class centers around the production of the aforementioned weekly newscast,
affectionately named “NewsflASH” (emphasis on the “ASH”). It is shown during Upper School
assembly, and the fun doesn’t stop there; often, it is talked about for a long time after, as
students share parts of the presentation that made them laugh or topics covered that they found
particularly interesting. Several Upper School students have dubbed the newscast as the “highlight
of [their] week” and something that they always look forward to. The multimedia students, too,
enjoy presenting their weekly show, but there are other projects that the class works on.
Ranging from smaller weekly current event quizzes to large-scale productions, there is never a
shortage of learning opportunities in the multimedia class. In November, students helped produce
ACCESS AND EMPOWERMENT!
the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans’ Street Requiem concert, working alongside Executive Producer
Steve Scaffidi to manage cameras and equipment and gain real-world experience in media. Though
quite an undertaking for the class—especially one with not much prior experience—the production was
successful, described by Mrs. Lane as both “phenomenal” and “wonderful.” The multimedia class had
another opportunity to learn outside of the classroom when they took a tour of a local news broadcasting
station to see exactly how the job is done by professionals. Mrs. Lane plans to provide additional real-world
learning opportunities for her students in the future.
The multimedia class stands out as an interesting, challenging class dedicated to Sacred Heart’s 21st-century
education. It fosters a love of learning where the students live by the “work hard, play hard” mindset; they work
together to produce the weekly newscast that brings laughter and light to the Upper School. By providing real-
world learning experiences, Mrs. Lane’s class prepares her students beyond the classroom so that they
can go out and change the world.
16 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 17
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 171987
Alison Vega-Knoll ’87
By Lisette Bayle ’83
Alison’s former teachers at ASH dine at Station 6.
From left are Mrs. Becky Ripps,
Señora Patti Brechtel, Sr. Jan Dunn, RSCJ,
Alison, Dr. Lynne Neitzchman, and
Mrs. Phina Schloegel.
A Taste for Cooking and Leadership
Alison Vega-Knoll '87 grew up in a home where her mother was always cooking. and the friendly staff to the feeling that they are just gathering around a family table,
She loved setting the table, planning the menu, cooking, and the whole experience just like I had while growing up in my home.”
of having friends and family gather around the table. It was only natural that she Alison credits her years at Sacred Heart with giving her confidence, compassion,
ended up working in a restaurant. She started waiting tables in college; then one day and grace. “I have always known that I would achieve my goals because of the
when a cook did not show up, she made her way into the kitchen. From that moment confidence that was instilled in me during my years at Sacred Heart,” she says. “I
on, preparing food has been her passion.
Today, Alison, along with her husband, Drew, is the owner/operator/chef
learned compassion from the loving faculty. Compassion has been the backbone “I have always known
of my relationships with people from the many different social and economic
at Station 6, which has been described as an updated version of a neighborhood
seafood joint, and she is a partner in Cajun Caviar Company. In addition to her
backgrounds who are employed in the hospitality industry. And I received the that I would achieve
gift of grace to be thankful for the blessings I have been given throughout my life,
culinary success, Alison is the mother of four very active boys ranging in age from
10 to 17 years old.
including the opportunity to do something that I truly enjoy.” my goals because of
Alison adds that she is also thankful for the lifelong friends she has made at
Alison honed her culinary skills working under some of the best chefs in New
Orleans. She opened her first restaurant, Vega Tapas, when she was only 27 years
Sacred Heart and how her Sacred Heart family continues to support her to this the confidence that
day. She specifically acknowledges
old. Choosing to focus on small plates, Alison pioneered a new way of dining in
New Orleans with this venture. She and her husband moved to Antigua in 2003 and
Dr. Neitzchman, “who visits my was instilled in me
restaurant probably more often than
opened a restaurant called the Larder. However, they wanted to be closer to home,
so they returned to New Orleans in 2011 and opened Station 6 last year.
I used to try to get out of class just to during my years at
visit her,” and Señora Brechtel, “who
When Alison started out in 1992, not many women were leading in kitchens, but
she has been in charge for most of her career. She feels she has been given respect
patiently taught me Spanish and is Sacred Heart.”
always introducing new people to the
in the kitchen because of her calm demeanor and the fairness and attention she has restaurant.”
in return given her staff—listening, helping, and cultivating talent. Living with a Alison's greatest advice to young
houseful of males, she maintains this same disposition at home. girls (and anyone really) is to do
When asked what challenges Alison faces as a female in what has historically what you love, and you will shine.
been a male-dominated field, she answers, “There are many stereotypes that you Considering this question brought
hear about when it comes to female chefs in the kitchen, but I have always been to Alison's mind the fond memory
led by my passion for food and family and have been able to avoid many of those of Sr. Torian playing her guitar and
stereotypes. By creating something that I loved, that fit my dream, I have achieved singing “This Little Light of Mine.”
exactly what I wanted.” Sr. Torian said, “By letting your light
Alison has accomplished so much throughout her culinary career, but what she is shine, anything is possible!” Alison is
most proud of is that she has employed so many amazing people and created a place certainly proof of that.
where they feel appreciated for who they are and what they offer. “I am very proud of
the fact that I have created restaurants where customers can enjoy the food and feel
at home—a place where they appreciate the whole experience, from the casual décor
18 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 19
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 19that donates 100% of the profits to the Steve Gleason Foundation.
Additionally, Sarah has created ornaments, pillows, and other items
for the home. “Every year, I design new t-shirts, jewelry, and other
items that inspire me—I’ve always had a creative mind,” Sarah ex-
Sarah Sullivan Ott '89
1989
plains. “I then work with a graphic designer and printer or jewelry de-
signer to transform my ideas into a reality. My designs are for people
By Caroline Avegno ’04 who love New Orleans, whether they grew up here, are transplants, or
have moved away.”
Sarah never anticipated how much her business would grow. She
launched her online store, www.sarahott.com, in 2011 and continued
selling wholesale to a plethora of local boutiques—Fleurty Girl, Feet
First, Jean Therapy, Little Miss Muffin, Pippen Lane, and Ruben-
Volunteer. Creative Thinker. Entrepreneur. stein’s, just to name a few. Next up was a brief but successful kiosk at
the renovated Riverwalk that opened in 2015. In 2016, she opened
her current namesake shop on Maple Street, which is run by a full-time manager.
During the early days of her business, Sarah and
A Mom Who Has It All.
her husband, Spencer, sold Sarah’s designs at
“I never planned on opening a store because my first priority is to be a mom,” says Avenue Marketplace in 2010.
Sarah. “Having an employee enables me to create during non-work hours. I think of
ideas while I’m driving or while my kids are at school and then write them down and
When it comes to New Orleans style t-shirts and accessories, the designs of do a quick sketch. Then, I am fortunate to have talented people I work with who
Sarah Sullivan Ott ’89 are everywhere. Odds are, you’ve seen her products sported help to bring my ideas to life, and it all comes together.” “My Sacred Heart
by Mardi Gras revelers, Saints fans, and anyone who loves to show their NOLA Indeed, it has all come together for Sarah. What started out as a parent volunteer
pride. Sarah’s locally inspired designs include t-shirts, scarves, jewelry, and various project for Sacred Heart has turned into an impressive and growing business, thanks
to Sarah’s ingenuity and courage to take a risk. Sarah credits her Sacred Heart educa-
education made me
items for the home, and since the launch of Sarah Ott, Inc. more than eight years
ago, her business has grown from operating out of her garage to selling wholesale to tion and lasting connections for her success. “My Sacred Heart education made me
independent and strong, and the sense of family I gained is empowering,” she shares.
independent and
boutiques and online sales to opening her own storefront in 2016.
It all began at Sacred Heart with a volunteer project. Sarah, who is the mother “It made me feel like nothing could hold me back, and it set me up to be able to do
what I’m doing now. I truly believe that the gift of a Sacred Heart education enables
strong...It made me
of Ella ’20 and Merritt ’26 as well as a son who attends Newman, was a member of
you to change the world.”
the inaugural Avenue Marketplace Committee in 2009. When the committee brain-
Sarah feels fortunate to be able to pass on the Sacred Heart experience to her
feel like nothing
stormed ideas for something to wear to distinguish themselves as volunteers, Sarah
daughters and continues to give back to the school as both a parent and alumna. Re-
took the lead. She picked up red t-shirt fabric from a craft store, printed the ASH
flecting on her journey as a designer and business owner, Sarah offers advice. “If you could hold me
logo, and hand-stamped it to create custom Sacred Heart scarves.
think you have a great idea, don’t let anyone discourage you. Go with your instincts,
The vibrant red ASH scarves were an instant hit at Avenue Marketplace, and
Sarah received a request to re-create them for the Sacred Heart bookstore (now the and keep on pushing through until it comes to fruition.” Sarah certainly is living back, and it set me
ASH Cornerstore). Jean Therapy, a vendor at the event, also took notice and encour- proof of that.
aged Sarah to produce and sell the scarves. “I didn’t know where to begin and didn’t
up to be able to do
feel comfortable producing the scarves myself,” Sarah recalls. “I was fortunate that
Jean Therapy shared the contact for their screen printer. I went home that weekend,
what I’m doing now.”
mulled it over, and decided to go for it.”
Sarah started small, creating scarves with school logos first for Sacred Heart and
then for other schools. A few months later, she broadened her focus to New Orle-
ans-inspired scarves with themes such as streetcars, neighborhoods, the Saints, and
Mardi Gras. Her new scarves debuted at the 2010 Holiday Home Tour hosted by
the Preservation Resource Center and once again caught the eye of a local boutique,
Feet First, the first store to sell her products. To this day, wholesale is a paramount
part of her business. “Once I began selling wholesale to boutiques, I realized I might Sarah’s business began
be on to something,” says Sarah. “I started to design t-shirts, and from there, my with a scarf she created for
business slowly evolved. It was perfect timing because the city was going through a Avenue Marketplace
revival period, and the Saints had just won the Super Bowl.” Committee members in 2009.
One evolution was Sarah’s jewelry line, through which she gives a portion of her
proceeds back to local organizations, such as the St. Bernard Project, Coalition to
Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), and Teach for America. She also has a necklace
20 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 21
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 21“There are so many lessons I
learned about business and
starting a business, and mistakes I
2004
Charlotte Kohlmann Dales ’04
By Emily Lane ’04 know not to make anymore.”
accidentally switched out with another classmate. Though
Charlotte suspected the score on the other test was not
Charlotte (wearing the pink sweatshirt) with her CAKE team members
near 98, she brought the switch-up to the attention of Mrs.
Mattesky. Mrs. Mattesky used her pen to add 20 points to
time you hire someone, or do anything, if it all falls apart, Charlotte’s grade, rewarding her for her honesty.
Having Her “Cake” and Eating It, Too it’s all on you. You have employees, and their lives depend
on it. Investors put money in it, and you want them to get
their money back. Your reputation is wrapped around all of
“That is one of the first times that I learned that,
sometimes, doing the right thing is not the easiest thing, but
you usually get rewarded in the end,” Charlotte reflects. “So
E very start-up company has its “war stories,” according to Charlotte Kohlmann
those things.” many times, I wanted to give up. But I would think, ‘That’s
Cake Technologies grew to a company that employed 15 not right to do for my investors and employees. Certainly, if
Dales ’04. She and the other co-founder of CAKE are no exception. “We made every people and was live in more than 200 restaurants in London. I can keep going, I will figure it out.’”
mistake in the book,” says Charlotte. The company was sold to American Express in October 2017. While the stress was like a tunnel that sometimes seemed
It was 2012 when Charlotte and her business partner, Michelle Songy, got the “The biggest sensation is relief,” Charlotte says. “And then I to have only a sliver of light at the end, Charlotte says she
idea for the mobile-paying app, CAKE. The two of them and several other friends thought, ‘Did we really do this and pull it off?’” cherishes the experience of starting her own company and
dined out at a restaurant in Chelsea, London, near where they both lived, to celebrate Charlotte’s faith–faith in herself, in her company, in even wants to do it again. “I feel so fortunate. Not many
Michelle’s younger brother’s visit. It took an hour to pay the bill, Charlotte recalls. God, and in St. Jude–helped push her toward the finish people get to go through this. Even though it was so hard—I
There had to be a better way, they thought. line. When she was 12 years old, her mother, Mary Bond loved my job, every second.”
“Michelle and I both really wanted to do our own thing, and we didn’t want to Kohlmann, gave her a prayer card with St. Jude, the patron
stay at our current jobs,” Charlotte says. They saw the frustration and the disruption saint of hopeless causes. The prayer is titled, “Don’t quit.” It
of their dining experience as an opportunity to fill a need through technology. would become Charlotte’s anthem. “Randomly, a year ago I
Charlotte, who graduated in 2008 from the University of Colorado in Boulder, thought of it. I read (the card) every day for the past year and
had been living in London for about a year at that point and worked in finance eventually memorized it,” Charlotte says. “I would recite it
at Deutsche Bank. Michelle, a friend from Atlanta, worked in corporate finance on the tube on the way to work, repeating it over and over.”
for Coca-Cola. The two had known each other since college when Michelle was Growing up Catholic at Sacred Heart planted the roots
roommates with Charlotte’s friend from Sacred Heart, Brooke Parker ’04. of Charlotte’s faith, and those years of leaning on her faith
The idea for the app was hatched at the dinner, and the planning began. “We when the odds seemed stacked against her and her start-
literally started this company sitting on my bedroom floor, writing stuff down,” up company prevented her from losing hope. “There are
Charlotte and her business partner, Charlotte says. For nearly two years, the partners planned on the side while working so many lessons I learned about business and starting a
Michelle Songy, started CAKE on her at their corporate jobs. Then at the end of 2013, they had raised their first batch business, and mistakes I know not to make anymore. The
bedroom floor—literally! of money from investors—mostly friends and family—and quit their jobs. They only thing that I knew for sure, the whole time, regardless
devoted their full time and attention to their new company. of what was happening, was that my gut just kept telling me
“It started as a bill-splitting app, but we quickly realized that by integrating with that I shouldn’t give up when many people probably would
the restaurant’s existing point-of-sale system [computer systems where servers input have,” says Charlotte. “As my mom says, if you keep putting
customers’ orders], we were connecting all these fragmented systems that existed in one foot in front of the other, you will keep moving forward.
restaurants,” explains Charlotte. And getting restaurants on board was key. It’s your decision to give up or to keep going.”
“By doing that, we were actually collecting data that no one else was collecting,” In such a competitive atmosphere, doing the right thing
Charlotte adds. That data helps companies develop valuable customer profiles. often meant doing the hard thing. A lesson Charlotte
While the app aimed to make bill paying a piece of cake, as the name suggests, received from her sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Mattesky,
starting a technology company from scratch proved a constant roller coaster of provided a bedrock reminder that doing the hard thing
challenges. “Everyone says when you start your own company, you have to work pays off in the long run. She recalls receiving a test back St. Jude’s prayer “Don’t quit” has served as
really hard. You’re busy, and you’re working a lot,” Charlotte says. “What no one from Mrs. Mattesky with a score of 98, an A+. When she inspiration for Charlotte over the years.
says is how much stress and anxiety you have. The biggest challenge is that every went back to her desk, she realized that her test had been
22 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 23
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 23200 YEARS
B I C E N T E N N I A L CELEBRATION Isabel Evans ’21 and Katherine Wise ’22 participated in the
Bicentennial procession.
Here at the Rosary, we commemorated the occasion with a Bicentennial Mass held
at St. Louis Cathedral on November 18, the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.
Celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Headmistress Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ, Through our yearlong Bicentennial
Aymond, the Mass opened with a with a proclamation from the French Celebration, we remember Philippine’s
beautiful procession that featured government honoring Philippine’s pioneer spirit as she overcame many
Religious of the Sacred Heart, students, contribution to Catholic education obstacles through faith and perse-
alumnae, and other members of the in the New World. Following Mass, verance to plant the seeds of Sacred
Sacred Heart community. Additionally, guests continued the celebration at Heart education, a spirit that contin-
members of the Lower, Middle, and a reception at the Old Ursuline Con- ues to inspire our girls each day as they
Upper School choirs performed during vent, a nod to the Ursuline sisters who explore new frontiers of their own.200
the Mass, and Vincent Sciama, French offered Philippine hospitality when
Consul General in Louisiana, presented she first arrived in New Orleans.
This school year, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools
is celebrating a milestone—the 200th anniversary of
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s arrival in New Orleans
from France and the beginning of Sacred Heart
education in North America.
Elise Khoury ’26 and Amelia Stein ’26 represented Sacred Heart Headmistress Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ ’70, Archbishop Gregory Aymond, and Sr. Sheila Hammond, RSCJ, Provincial of Bicentennial Committee members Kay Gibbons Favrot ’53
foundresses St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and St. Madeleine Sophie the Sacred Heart U.S.-Canada Province and Sr. Jan Dunn, RSCJ
Barat as part of the Bicentennial procession.
24 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 25NewFaces at theRosary NewFaces at theRosary
SHARA HAMMET PEYTON BUSH WIL JACOBS MARK ROMIG
Lower School Division Head Trustee Trustee Trustee
Shara Hammet's varied educational Peyton Bush is currently the Chief Investment Wil Jacobs originates and manages a Mark Romig is the President/CEO of
experiences over the past 25 years have Officer of Bollinger Enterprises, LLC, a single- commercial loan portfolio as an officer of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing
allowed her the opportunity to collaborate family investment office in New Orleans. In Hope Enterprise Corporation. He is also Corporation (NOTMC) and also serves as
with educators in the United States and this role, he is responsible for overseeing all proud of his role as Housing Director of the volunteer President/CEO of the 2018
internationally. She has demonstrated investment activities and asset allocation for the Louisiana Recovery Authority, where NOLA Foundation, the support arm for the
educational and administrative leadership a portfolio that includes publicly-traded debt he devised initiatives to restore housing City’s 2018 Tricentennial Commission. He is
during her years of work at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Boston, and equity securities, hedge funds, and direct investments in both after the hurricanes of 2005. He previously the stadium announcer for the New Orleans
where she was responsible for building a team of full-time and per real estate and private equity. Previously, he was a Vice President at furnished debt for buyouts and merger and acquisition transactions Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. As a public relations and
diem trainers. She worked in schools and classrooms across the LongueVue Capital, LLC, a New Orleans based private equity firm. in the leveraged finance group of a national bank in the Midwest. marketing professional, he served as Vice President – Public Affairs
country, delivering and overseeing professional development for He has also worked at Highland Capital Management, a multi- Wil is active in the Fathers’ Club at Sacred Heart and chaired its for Hibernia National Bank and enjoyed a sixteen-year career at
superintendents, curriculum directors, principals, teachers, and strategy alternative investment firm in Dallas, TX, with over $30 Mardi Gras fundraising activities during the 2016-2017 school year. Peter Mayer. Mark is a member of the boards for Covenant House,
parents. Previously, Shara traveled to Singapore to collaborate and billion in assets under management, and was an Investment Banking He is the Past Chair of Café Reconcile and serves on the boards of Legacy Donor Foundation, New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, and
create a series of quality professional development services for schools Associate for JP Morgan Securities. Peyton earned a Bachelor of the Audubon Nature Institute and the New Orleans School Facility the Fore!Kids Foundation. He is also past Chairman of the Board
and districts adopting Singapore Math in the United States. She Science from Tulane University and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilt Finance Foundation. He was a founding board member of the of The Idea Village and currently serves as Chairman of the Board
currently serves in a consultancy role for Scholastic International, University, and he served four years as an Intelligence Officer in the Crescent City Community Land Trust and has also completed service of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association. Mark attended the
offering expertise on Singapore Math implementation in U.S. United States Marine Corps. He is married to Elizabeth Ehrensing on the boards of Stuart Hall School for Boys and St. Augustine High University of New Orleans, where he received a B.S. from the School
classrooms. Prior to joining Sacred Heart in July 2017, Shara served Bush ’94, and they have a daughter, Charlotte ’25, and two sons, School, his alma mater. Wil holds a B.A. from the University of New of Business Administration (School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism
at Isidore Newman School, where she worked with teachers and Peyton V and William. Orleans and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and is the Administration) and was named the program’s outstanding alumnus
administration to build consistency in best practices and instruction. father of a daughter, Isabella ’25, and a son, Nicholas. in 1984 and again in 2012. In 2008, Mark was honored by the Young
Shara and her husband, Patrick, have three daughters: Lucy ’16, NINA WESSEL ENGLISH ’92 Leadership Council as a Role Model and received St. Elizabeth’s
Virginia ’17, and Martha ’23. Guild Volunteer Activist Award. Mark’s mother, Janice Margaret
Trustee WILLIAM LUNN, M.D. Collins Romig ’50, is an alumna of Sacred Heart.
Upon graduation from Dartmouth College, Trustee
MEGAN BARRY KEPPER ’06 Nina Wessel English went to work for the A graduate of Tulane University, Dr. William
Director of Alumnae Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She Lunn was recruited to serve as President &
Megan Barry Kepper is a native New then moved to the West Coast, earning a CEO of Tulane Health System in August
Orleanian and graduated from Sacred Heart law degree from the UCLA School of Law. of 2014. Originally from Texas, he was a
in 2006. She attended Louisiana State Nina’s legal career began with a clerkship medical student at the University of Texas
University and returned to New Orleans for Honorable F. A. Little, Jr., the former Chief Judge of the U.S. in Dallas, a resident at Emory University,
to begin her career at The Idea Village, a District Court, Western District of Louisiana. She then practiced and he completed fellowships at Vanderbilt
local nonprofit organization. For the last University and Harvard University. Dr. Lunn is the recipient
law for several years at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in Los Angeles.
seven years, Megan has gained experience in many roles throughout of numerous awards, including the American College of Chest
In 2004, Nina returned to New Orleans with the firm of Gordon Physicians’ Young Investigator Award and the Fulbright and Jaworski
the organization from external affairs and marketing to technology. Arata McCollam Duplantis & Eagan, where she became a partner
Most recently, she served as the Director of Development, managing Award for Educational Leadership. He has authored several original
practicing commercial litigation and labor and employment articles published in various medical journals and book chapters. He
fundraising and relationships for The Idea Village donor base. In
law. Two years ago, Nina elected to take a break from law and is has been guest faculty at numerous courses, as well as national and
2016, Megan returned to Sacred Heart as a parent of Corinne ’33 in
the Little Hearts program and began her role as Director of Alumnae currently devoting her time to philanthropic pursuits. She serves international meetings. Dr. Lunn and his wife, Mary Lynn, have three
in July 2017. as Board Chair for New Orleans People Program and as Board daughters: Elizabeth ’16, Emma ’18, and Mary Aliene ’24.
Vice-Chair and coach for Girls on the Run, New Orleans. A 1992
graduate of Sacred Heart, Nina has remained actively involved
CONNIE LA NASA SHANNON ’90 GRAHAM RALSTON
with the Rosary, including serving as a member of the Alumnae
Chief Financial Officer Board and as Parents Annual Giving Campaign Chair. She and her Trustee
Connie La Nasa Shannon received a husband, Patrick, are the parents of three daughters: Maria ’24, Graham Ralston joined Regions Bank in
Bachelor of Science in Management from Colette ’27, and Emeline ’31. 2013 as a Commercial Banking Executive for
the A.B. Freeman School of Business at the South Louisiana Market and was named
Tulane University. She became a CPA New Orleans Market President in early A FOND FAREWELL: Retiring Trustees Recognized
and joined Arthur Andersen LLP in New 2016. Prior to joining Regions Bank, he led a
commercial banking group at Whitney Bank We recognize Byron Adams, Jr., Rachelle Albright, Patrick Hammet,
Orleans, where she worked for almost
in New Orleans, where he began his career Octavio Mantilla, and Machelle Payne for their efforts in support
seven years as an auditor and audit manager. After retiring to raise
in 1997. Graham earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of the Rosary.
her family of four, Connie returned to the workplace at Holy
Cross School in 2014 as a Controller. She was later promoted to of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from Tulane University. He also
the leadership position of CFO, where she was responsible for all earned a CFA Charter in 2006 and is a past President of the CFA
aspects of financial and accounting relationships for the school. Society of Louisiana. Graham is a member of the Business Council
Connie has served on the board as Treasurer of the Junior League of Greater New Orleans and currently serves on the boards of GNO,
of New Orleans, including service on its Finance Council as Chair Inc. and the Regional Loan Corporation. He is the current Board
and Sustaining Advisor. She has volunteered for the Mothers’ Club President of the Preservation Resource Center. Graham and his wife,
at Sacred Heart and is the mother of two daughters, Colette ’25 and Adele Michaelis Ralston ’94, have two daughters, Riley ’26 and
Chloé ’27, and two sons, Collin and Colby. Emma ’30, and a son, Mears.
26 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 27
THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 27good Sports
2016-2017 good Sports
10
SPORTS
Volleyball, Cross Country, Swimming, Cheerleading, Basketball, Soccer,
Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field, Tennis, Golf
143
JV & VARSITY
ATHLETES
71
4 ❤ State Champion
INDIVIDUAL TITLES
4 ❤ State Runner-Up
4 ❤ State Bronze Medalist
5 ❤ Regional Champion
4 ❤ Regional Runner-up
3 ❤ Regional Bronze Medalist
23 ❤ District Champion
15
14 ❤ District Runner-Up
80%
10 ❤ District Bronze Medalist
TEAM TITLES
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1 ❤ State Champion
1 ❤ State Runner-Up
S P O R TS PARTIC IPANT S 2 ❤ State Bronze Medalist
4 ❤ Regional Champion
7 ❤ District Champion
28 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 29
29 THE BRIDGE | WINTER 2018good Sports good Sports
126 10
16 ❤ All-State
CROSS COUNTRY STATE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
7 ❤ All-Metro
1 ❤ Clarion Herald
Elite Team
13 ❤ All-Region
7 ❤ District MVP
Honorees
58 ❤ All-District
INDIVIDUAL 1 ❤ All-Academic
Composite
HONORS IN 12 YEARS
Athlete
23 ❤ All-Academic
Award
4000
ADDIT ION AL FACILITIES
sq.ft.
4,000 ❤ new square feet of putting green turf
8.75 ❤ laps to a mile on new outdoor
The Cardinals were crowned the 2017 Class 3A Cross
Country State Champions—their tenth state title in
12 years under the leadership of Coaches Greg and Jenny
Caro. Mary Nusloch ’19 was the individual state champion,
which was her fifth individual state title in either cross
country or track, and all seven of the Cardinals’ runners
finished in the top 20.
Cross Country State Championships
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
running track
30 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 THE BRIDGE | SPRING 2018 31You can also read
