TakeNote Summer 2021 - The Academy of Mount St. Ursula
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Take Note
Summer 2021
Corporation Members
Sr. Maureen Welch, osu, Chair
Table of Contents Sr. Brenda Buckley, osu
Sr. Patricia Schifini, osu ’78
Principal’s Message.................... 3
Development Directors’
Messages.................................... 4
Academic Excellence.................. 5
Trustees
English Dept. Update.................. 6
Dr. Diane Ramos Kelly ’69, Chair
Social Studies Dept. Update ������ 7
Health & Wellness Update ��������� 8
Robert Billings
Science Dept. STEM Update ������ 9 Francesca Kosick Bossey ’86
Religion Dept. Update............... 10 Sr. Brenda Buckley, osu
Student Ministry & Activities Dr. Mary Erina Driscoll
Dept. Update........................... 12 Danielle Flores ’09
Music & Art Depts. Update....... 14 Anne Marie Hynes ’67, Esq.
College Acceptances................ 15 Sr. Elizabeth McAdams, osu
Graduation 2021........................ 16 Sr. Marilyn Muldoon, osu
Senior Reflections..................... 18 Joseph Muriana, Esq.
165th Celebrations.................... 19 John Reilly
Adopt A Student........................ 20 Adrienne Rolla ’76
Class Notes................................ 24 Sr. Patricia Russell, osu ’60
AMSU Retiree ............................ 26 Ron Schutte
Alumna Spotlight....................... 28 Maeve Marie Scott ’77
Save the Date!............................ 29 JoAnn C. Stonier ’80
In Memoriam.............................. 30 Claudia Toni-Smith ’92
Share Your Good News............. 31
-2- Take NoteMessage from the Principal
Greetings,
During this memorable 2020-2021 school year, the Academy of Mount
St. Ursula celebrated its 165th Anniversary. The Ursuline tradition of
educating young women has been taking place in the Bronx since
1855 making us the oldest continuously operating Catholic high
school for girls in New York State. AMSU has survived and flourished
even during this Covid -19 pandemic time. Just as at other times in
our history, this year was a challenge. But we persisted and are still
marching forward getting ready for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Blessings also abounded during the year.
We learned a whole new way of operating as a school, developed
new school policies, and added an entirely new set of vocabulary to
include such words as asynchronous and synchronous learning, hybrid,
remote, online, virtual or in person learner, cohorts or pods, Google
Meet, Google Drive, Google Docs, DocuSign, One Drive, Blackbaud, HEPA
filters, ventilation, health screening survey, Social Emotional Learning
(SEL), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Sown to Grow, Workshop Fridays, Virtual Shadow Days and
Meet and Greet, Livestream, daily temperature checking, disinfecting and sanitizing, Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), Academic Boot Camp, “You’re muted,” “Turn your mic on,” social distancing, “Write
your thoughts in the chat,” mask-wearing, “Camera on,” Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc. Most importantly,
our students, faculty, and staff rose to the challenges of the pandemic, and it strengthened us all to be
creative in ways that we didn’t know were possible!
Essential to the Ursuline method of education is paying attention to each individual and educating
the whole person; one’s body, mind, heart, and soul (spirit) which AMSU truly lived up to this year.
Students progressed in Academics, Arts and Service. They were expected to complete schoolwork and
attend class whether in person or remotely. Teachers went above and beyond in preparing lessons
without the traditional tools of paper, pens, and books. Everything was done online, and teachers
had to teach students in person and on Google Meet simultaneously. Our Art and Music classes as
well as Enrichment Day, various activities and assemblies continued. When in person Service became
impossible, our students adapted. They attended advocacy workshops to learn about environmental
issues, climate change, rent issues, mental health, homelessness, voting etc. AMSU students learned
ways to be heard about these issues to help make a difference.
I am most proud of our school community for working on Social Emotional Learning and Mental
Health. We made sure that our students knew they mattered and that to acknowledge and take care
of one’s feelings is so important! Talking about these once ‘in the shadows” areas became normal. Our
young women were exposed to meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities.
Discussions took place about racism, sexism, toxic relationships and belonging. Prayer involvement
thrived. Our mornings began with prayer over Google Meet (2 grade levels together) and students
actively shared their intentions aloud or in the chat box. We learned so much about each other. Many
students attended the optional Friday Virtual Rosary and are doing so even now during the summer.
We are nearing our 50th consecutive week!!
Our health and wellness coach, Jennifer Brenlla asks our students What are you doing to invest in
yourself today? We remind them that our many generous supportive alumnae, donors and friends
invest in their education and therefore they, our AMSU young women, must do some investing in self-
care, prayer, reading, study, exercise, good nutrition, and sleep to show their appreciation. Please know
we at AMSU are extremely grateful for your support whether it be in encouraging words, financial
donations, gifts in kind, service time, or prayers. Hope to see you at our 166th Anniversary Gala on
October 29, 2021–whether in person at New York Botanical Garden or virtual. Come celebrate with
us the great work going on at our beloved school on the hill in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx!
Loving God, thank you for our AMSU community, St. Angela, watch over us always. St. Ursula,
protect our future.
Prayers and blessings,
Sr. Jean Marie Humphries, osu, PhD, AMSU ’89, Principal
Summer 2021 -3-Message from the Executive
Development
Director
Directors
of Development
Dear AMSU friends, Time flies! Nearly five years
I am so delighted to be here ago, I accepted a position at the
to celebrate this very special Academy of Mount St. Ursula.
year ahead. Looking at the Little did I know at the time what
rich history of the Academy an impact accepting the position
of Mount St. Ursula, I am awe- would have on the lives of others
inspired. For 166 years AMSU and in my own life. Not only was
has stood the test of time – it has survived I able to be in the company and
through wars, depression, ever-changing mentor students who deserve the world, but I was
social change, and now a pandemic. That is able to become part of a special community. This
why it is now more important than ever to special community is really more like a family.
renew our commitment to making AMSU a A family that is there for one another, especially
safe and secure beacon of hope for the next when the going gets tough – as seen during these
generation of young women to grace the unprecedented times. Sr. Jeannie and the Ursuline
halls and take on their dreams. Sisters dedication to vocation, along with the
Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, all provide an
We know our students have limited education that speaks to the head and the heart,
resources and that is why we are all called that asks students to work for the good of all of us,
upon to help. Providing high-quality and and then shows them how to do it. I realized some
affordable Catholic education, conducted time ago that the quest for academic excellence,
in the Ursuline tradition for almost two the desire to be the bellwether of Catholic
centuries doesn’t happen by accident. secondary education, would not amount to much
Such longevity occurs because of alumni if we did not make sufficient provisions and
benefactors like you who make a difference allowances for student assistance. It has been a
in the lives of young women for generations privilege to work toward that each and every day
to come. and to work with all of you in the community who
I am honored to take on the position of are part of this special family, to ensure a quality
Director of Development & External Affairs. education through the Ursuline traditions for
Over the past few weeks, Jasmin Abbatiello many years to come. The strides we have made,
and I have worked together to plan an have been made together and have always had a
exciting year ahead. I realize I have big shoes focus on AMSU’s mission, which is so important
to fill, and my hope is to continue Jasmin's for the women leaders of our future.
hard work and dedication to AMSU. It is It is with great pleasure that I welcome AMSU’s
my belief that my experience in corporate Director of Alumnae Relations, Development
Marketing and Fundraising will lend a and External Affairs, Ellen Manger. I am more
positive impact on AMSU. I am energized confident than ever that with her leadership and
with many new ideas and will build upon the partnership within AMSU’s community, we will
current campaigns to carry out our collective continue to work together to ensure the necessary
mission. I also look forward to meeting each resources are given to students for them to strive.
and every one of you this year. I want to hear I thank the entire AMSU community for your
your AMSU Four Years to Last Lifetime story continued support and look forward to seeing
and share that with the students of today. everyone in person on October 29, 2021, at the
Together, we can continue the mission of New York Botanical Garden, as we come together
empowering AMSU’s young women to be the to celebrate AMSU’s 166th Anniversary, and all
leaders of tomorrow. that we have accomplished as a family.
Warmly, Prayers and blessings,
Ellen Manger Jasmin Abbatiello
Incoming Executive Director of Alumnae Outgoing Executive Director of Alumnae Relations,
Relations, Development and External Affairs Development and External Affairs
-4- Take NoteAcademic Achievements
Congratulations to AMSU’s Honors In Excellence students!
Jannatun Akhund Chanel Cole Analisa Brown-Beebe Samantha Encarnacion
General Excellence General Excellence General Excellence General Excellence
Grade 12 Grade 11 Grade 10 Grade 9
AMSU’s newly elected 2021-22 Advisory Board
Lauren Contreras Krisna Rivera Taylor Rogers Annette Ibarra-Varela
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
Mercy College School of Business Leadership Academy:
Mercy College School of Business Leadership Academy: This summer, two of our rising
seniors, Krisna Rivera and Marisol Suarez participated in the Mercy College School of
Business Leadership Academy. The program is highly competitive and welcomes high
school students from around the United States to apply for a chance to attend a week-long
session in person at their Westchester campus in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Rising high school seniors
experience college first-hand during this week-long, action-packed summer program. They
learn about leadership and business careers from Executive Faculty in the School of Business
who have worked at top global companies. In groups they did their own take on Shark Tank
and had to create a company figuring out finance and marketing pieces. Besides business,
students enjoyed pool parties, painting, karaoke ad so many other activities that helped them
bond, have fun and make
new friends. Thanks to one
of our generous donors,
Carole Kakos ’61 (also an
alumnae of Mercy College)
our two AMSU students
were able to attend the
program at no cost. Many
thanks to Carole, and good
luck to Krisna and Marisol! Carole Kakos ’61 Krisna Rivera Marisol Suarez
Summer 2021 -5-English Department Update
This year Ms. Masick’s English 11 classes
read The Crucible, which was thoroughly
enjoyed by everyone. The students were
asked to write an opinion piece on Abigail
Williams, one of the main characters in
the play. They had to decide if Abigail was
a victim or an instigator and were tasked
to use text from the play to support their
opinion. The students also rigorously
prepared for the Regents exam (which
was offered to Juniors this year) by
practicing reading comprehension skills.
Ms. Masick’s English 12 class studied The
Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Students
closely examined the main character,
Pecola, and discussed the effects that
racism and a broken family home had
on her.
Students also worked on a Poetry Unit and
analyzed poems for themes, metaphors,
symbols, etc. This also led to a Poetry
ER
Project in which students chose three
M poems and analyzed them for literary
SUM ING elements.
D AMSU's English classes are a prime
REA example of AMSU’s mission to promote
academics, arts and service.
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9th GRA
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11th GRA
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10th GRA
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AP Engl
12th GRA
-6- Take NoteSocial Studies Department Update
Ms. Cokinos’ Social Studies classes experienced culturally
responsive and multimodal lessons that engaged all hybrid
and virtual lady bears! For US History and Global 10, Ms.
Cokinos used synchronous documents from Engage NY/
New Visions along with PowerPoints to deliver content
and instruction. Sometimes, students watched informative
videos with guided questions and notes. Throughout the
lessons, students were prompted to participate in different
ways either through discussion or breakout rooms.
In AP World History: Modern, students in Ms. Cokinos’ class
were given weekly reading assignments from their AMSCO
textbook. The chapter readings were chunked and structured
with outlining assignments. Content was delivered through
PowerPoint, Crash Course, Albert.io, and Heimler’s History.
Students were given scaffolded and engaging assignments
such as one summative assignment: “Decline of Classical
Civilizations” Which classical civilization would you want to
live in? Why? List three beneficial/positive things about living
in this society. List two challenges that this society had that
might affect you. How does your society decline? Can you think
of anything that would help prevent this decline?
Lastly, Ms. Cokinos implemented Social Emotional Learning
(SEL) routines in all her classes. At the beginning of each
class, Ms. Cokinos did a “mental health” check-in with her
students. Occasionally, students would type their “emoji
emotions” to dictate their feelings that day or the “grateful
routine” where students told her one thing they were
grateful for that day! SEL was an important component of
keeping our Lady Bears engaged throughout the year.
Summer 2021 -7-Health and Wellness Department Update
This past year at AMSU we incorporated social
and emotional learning (SEL) into our entire
school curriculum. Every Friday a different grade
level came into school or joined us virtually
for spirituality, SEL and college guidance. Our
focus was on self-awareness, mindfulness, and
developing a growth mindset. We also worked
via an online platform with Sown to Grow to help
students reflect on their work and set goals.
The students participate in Health and Wellness
class during their junior year. This year we
created a dialogue and safe space to talk about
how Covid-19 has impacted our community.
The overall goal of the class is to develop core
competencies and make good choices in regards
to relationships, self-care, and overall wellness.
Mental health is at the center of this class where
students begin to realize their own potential,
learn to cope with stress, and work productively
while setting realistic goals. Think of this class
as a year-long conversation where students
learn to search for their identity, develop good
coping skills, and learn to agree to disagree in a
supportive environment. Psychology, sociology,
and gender studies are incorporated into this
discussion based class. The year ends with a
debate on a hot button issue that affects the
health and well-being of New Yorkers.
This was our second year of our mental health
awareness club: Bring Change 2 Mind. Last year
we were able to spread kindness and began to
tap into how culture and environment impact
our mental health. BC2M provides teens with
a platform to share their voices and raise
awareness around mental health. Our goal is
to empower students to educate one another,
their communities, and to create a culture of
support at AMSU. Students will be participating
in a national BC2M Virtual Summit on October
24th to tackle issues that include BIPOC and
mental health and slaying negative self-talk.
Mrs. Jennifer Brenlla, Health & Wellness Coach
-8- Take NoteScience Department STEM Update
The students in Chemistry and
Physics adapted excellently to
the hybrid model of teaching,
incorporating both in-person
and remote teaching formats.
The various technological
platforms of Google meets,
Blackbaud, and Google Apps like
Jamboard and Breakout rooms
provided new and innovative
approaches to teaching, and
the students embraced and
welcomed the new way of
acquiring knowledge.
All assignments, assessments,
and laboratory activities
were conducted online. The
students in the Physics classes
participated actively in labs
sponsored by the Engineering
Tomorrow organization; these
activities included water
treatment, bridge construction,
and embedded systems and
provided the students with
the opportunity to collaborate
with professional engineers and
engineering.
Summer 2021 -9-Religion Department Update
AMSU’s Virtual Rosary Fridays
Since the first Friday in October 2020,
(October is the month of the Rosary),
members of our school community gather
virtually every Friday for 30 minutes at
2:30pm to pray the Rosary together, a special
prayer to our Blessed Mother. The number of
students, faculty, and staff who participate
ranged from 20-100 people each week.
Families also join their daughters in prayer.
The Virtual Rosary Fridays have been so well
received that it was featured in the Catholic
New York magazine February edition.
Administration, faculty and students have
VIRTUAL
been praying the Rosary together virtually
each Friday over the summer too! We are
so blessed to have Mr. Soliman, Religion
ROSARY
Teacher, who spearheads this initiative for
our school community.
AMSU’s Prayer and Spirituality Corner
FRIDAYS
Ms. Tiffany Lee, Religion Teacher and
Social Justice Minister, described what she
offered students on Fridays this year and
how she operated her Religion classes with
Our faith sophomore and seniors. While one grade
each Friday participated in their Workshop
Day, the other students were on remote
gives us
learning.
“When I first started teaching, a mentor of
mine advised me that the more routines
strength
you establish from the beginning, the better
for both teachers and students. As one such
routine, I decided to assign a different type
of prayer to each day of the week: Meditation
to bring us Mondays, Saints and Current Events Tuesdays,
Student-led Prayer Wednesdays, Traditional
Prayer Thursdays, and Gratitude Fridays.
through
With the previous 6-day rotating schedule, all
the classes would be exposed to different types
of prayers at one point or another. This all
worked well, and students especially looked
covid forward to starting the week with meditation
and ending the week with reflections on our
gratitude for the week.
- 10 - Take NoteDuring this time of Covid-19, as we learned of the
new reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school
year, I realized the “prayer day” schedule would
need to be adjusted since our “Angela” cohort
students will always be in Mondays and Tuesdays,
and “Ursula” cohort students will always be in
on Wednesdays and Thursdays, therefore, the
former system would not allow each group to
experience different types of prayers, reflections,
and meditations. As a result, we have adapted
the schedule to offer students a variety of
opportunities for prayer and reflection. During
the week, I varied the daily class prayers, keeping
in mind the liturgical calendar, saints’ feast
days, current events and social justice themes,
incorporating traditional prayers of the Catholic
Church and offering space for students to share
their own petitions and special intentions, as
well as opportunities to lead prayer themselves.
Then on Fridays when the whole school was
in virtual classes and alternating days for in-
person workshops on College Prep, Faith and
Spirituality, as well as Social-Emotional Learning,
Ms. Lee’s Religion classes will supplement those
“Meditation Mondays” and “Gratitude Fridays” to
include a virtual reflective period of meditation,
gratitude sharing, and office hours to go over
any questions or review any topics from the
week’s course material.
Those students who participated in the Friday
sessions have reported feeling calmer, more
relaxed, and more grounded after the meditation.
Some also shared openly about their gratitude
for the week and have made use of the office hour
time to ask clarifying questions to make sure they
are on track with upcoming assignments and
service opportunities. These many adjustments
we continued to make serve as further evidence
of the Holy Spirit’s presence among us, inspiring
us and guiding us to adapt to the times, always
reassured of the intercessory prayers of our
Patroness Saints, St. Ursula and St. Angela, and
trusting in God’s enduring presence in our lives
and in our AMSU community!"
Summer 2021 - 11 -Student Ministry and Activities Update
Looking back on this past school year: 2020-2021
Ms. Jeanne DiBenedetto, Coordinator of Student Ministry and Activities
As I sit and contemplate my 21st year at AMSU, I
remember last summer, receiving countless e-mails
from Sr. Jeannie regarding all of the Covid restrictions
we would have to follow for the coming school year. As
the Student Ministry and Activities Coordinator, I sat
perplexed thinking- “This is all we cannot do - what can
we do?” How will we have Masses? Assemblies? What
about Ring Day? While I was creating a short re-opening
video for our students and families, I started to center
myself and slowly figure it all it- piece by piece, event
by event. I knew that International Night and the Spring
Musical were two things that could not happen - so I
accepted this and moved on!
I was overjoyed to learn that we now had access to
the Google Education Suite. I had already held some
Virtual Retreats and activities on Zoom during Spring
2020, but I felt that Google Meet was more user friendly
for my type of events. As all of the teachers and club
moderators began to familiarize themselves with the
Google platform, more and more activities were suddenly
up and running. We even had some new clubs, Debate
Club and the Plot Twist Script Writing Club, plus a Friday
afternoon Latin Language Class. We managed school-
wide Assemblies and Prayer Services with half the school
on a Google Meet and the rest watching a livestream. On
Holy Days of Obligation, we were able to attend Virtual
Mass through YouTube in collaboration with Holy Cross
Church and School. We were also doing in person Friday
Social/Emotional Workshops for each class. AMSU was
back! But there was still the question: What to do about
Ring Day?
I realized early on that we would not be able to get
the City permit required for our traditional skating
event. I checked the permit site every day and was met
with the same message in red ink every time “No Event
Permits are being approved at this time.” So on to plan
B, a socially distant parade around the property with
music and banners. As the weather forecast for the
day grew worse and worse (thunderstorms predicted)
we moved on to Plan C. With the amazing help of our
maintenance crew, we were able to have the ceremony
in the auditorium with full social distancing for the Class
- 12 - Take Noteof 2021 and with the faculty sitting in the balcony. The
event was also livestreamed on YouTube for the rest of
the school and our families. I was even able to write and
create (with help from members of the class of 2022) a
pre-recorded Junior Skit called “Tales from Google Meet.”
It was not the Ring Day we were used to, but the Seniors
were happy and so was I!
Sometime around the Christmas holidays we made the
decision for our Friday workshops to go all remote. This
proved to be a great decision, as we were able to branch
out to different types of activities and have guest speakers.
In early January, we provided Mornings of Retreat for two
grades at a time. We started with connecting our Freshmen
and Seniors and then paired up our Sophomores and
Juniors. The theme of the retreats were “New Year-New
Life” and were led by Faculty and the most amazing Senior
Retreat Team to ever grace AMSU.
We then moved into some Arts exposure days with the
entire school being able to view the Broadway Musical
Hamilton. Next up was our very first Virtual Mini
Enrichment Day. Divided into their Sister classes, both
groups viewed a performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance
Theatre and experienced a live virtual field trip to the
Mystic Aquarium!
We also had our very first Virtual Career Day with a
wonderful line up of speakers. The panel was comprised
of alumnae and friends of AMSU whose careers include
lawyers, nurses, educators, a NYPD detective and an
international flight attendant.
Though this has been a very different and sometime
difficult year, I have to say that being able to provide all of
these special activities not only helped the student body
get through it all, but the faculty as well. As the Coordinator
of Student Ministry and Activities, I am so grateful for
everything I learned to do this year and for all the help
I had doing it. I was able to regain my sense of purpose
and help us all find new ways to connect, socialize and
pray with our wonderful students.
Now on to School Year 2021-2022!
Full Steam Ahead!
Summer 2021 - 13 -Music and Art Department Updates
T his year, AMSU welcomed Mr. David Levitt as our new Music Teacher. We share Mr.
Levitt with a neighboring elementary school, Our Lady of Refuge. He writes:
This year has been a challenge for all educators like no other beforehand. I’ve
marveled at how my colleagues transitioned into this hybrid/remote learning
model with ease. Being a specials (Music) teacher I realized my challenges
would be similar in some ways yet different in others. I teach a course called
Music Exposure to 10th graders here at AMSU. I’m new to the school this
year and my goal was to quickly connect with all my students. I wanted to
do my part to make them comfortable no matter what their situation was
regarding in-person, remote, and/or hybrid.
Planning for a year like this takes creativity in order to be successful. Between
the strong administration here at the school and several other colleagues
that I speak with regularly I felt very supported in my endeavors. I wanted
to set a strong foundation in Music History to start. The first few weeks we
touched on some Classical Music as well as Jazz. I was impressed with the
students’ feedback as they were very possibly hearing music they had never heard
before.
A few weeks in we went way back to the Baroque Period. Besides the music we were
studying we were looking at the artwork as well as the architecture of that time.
We continued our chronological journey which included the Classical as well as
the Romantic Period. Students made several connections between music we
were listening to and where they may have heard it. In some instances, they
connected the pieces to television commercials, cartoons, movies
and even social media platforms like Tik Tok!
The end of the first half of the year saw us explore the
Impressionistic composers of the late 19th and early 20th
Century. This period introduced us to the first female
composers in our study: Nadia and Lili Boulanger.
The class also learned about the adaptation of music for the Symphony Orchestra. Haydn was
one of the first to write symphonies, and the class listened to some of his work. Other pieces
that we studied include: The Four Seasons by Vivaldi, The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, Ave
Maria and The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach, and Handel’s Messiah.
Throughout the pandemic, AMSU art students have continued creating. Here are
some examples of the work of talented rising senior, Leah Claudio '22.
- 14 - Take NoteCongratulations to the Class of 2021
AMSU class of 2021 students have been accepted
to 150 schools. In addition to acceptances, our
seniors have reported merit scholarship awards of
over $18.5 million in four-year scholarships.
Adelphi University La Salle University
Alfred University Le Moyne College
Allegheny College Lehigh University
Arizona State University-Tempe LIM College
Ave Maria University Long Island University - Brooklyn
Barnard College Long Island University - Post
Barry University Loyola University Chicago
Bentley University Lynn University
Berkeley College - New York Manhattan College
Bethune-Cookman University Manhattanville College
Binghamton University Marist College
California State University-Los Angeles Marymount Manhattan College
Centenary University Medaille College
Champlain College Mercy College
Clarkson University Molloy College
College of Mount Saint Vincent Monroe College SUNY College at Brockport
College of Saint Elizabeth Montclair State University SUNY College at Geneseo
Concordia College-New York Moore College of Art and Design SUNY College at Old Westbury
Connecticut College Moravian College SUNY College at Oswego
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College Mount Saint Mary College SUNY College at Plattsburgh
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Mount St. Mary’s University SUNY College at Potsdam
CUNY Bronx Community College Nassau Community College SUNY Morrisville
CUNY Brooklyn College Nazareth College SUNY Oneonta
CUNY City College New England College SUNY Westchester Community College
CUNY College of Staten Island New York Institute of Technology Syracuse University
CUNY Hostos Community College New York University Temple University
CUNY Hunter College Niagara County Community College The College of Saint Rose
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Niagara University The College of Westchester
CUNY LaGuardia Community College Nichols College The New School
CUNY Lehman College Pace University The University of Tampa
CUNY Medgar Evers College Pennsylvania College of Technology University at Buffalo
CUNY New York City College of Technology Penn State University-Main Campus University of Bridgeport
CUNY Queens College Penn State University-Harrisburg University of California-Riverside
CUNY York College Penn State University-Lehigh Valley University of Connecticut
DePaul University Quinnipiac University University of Delaware
DePauw University Ramapo College of New Jersey University of Hartford
Dominican College of Blauvelt Rider University University of Houston
Drew University Rochester Institute of Technology University of Maine at Augusta
Drexel University Rutgers University-Camden University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Duquesne University Rutgers University-New Brunswick University of Massachusetts-Boston
D’Youville College Rutgers University-Newark University of New England
Farmingdale State College Sacred Heart University University of New Haven
Fashion Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Felician University Saint Leo University University of Rhode Island
Fisher College San Diego State University University of Rochester
Fordham University Sarah Lawrence College University of Scranton
George Mason University Seton Hall University Utica College
Georgia State University Seton Hill University Vassar College
Georgian Court University Siena College Villanova University
Hampton University Spelman College Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Hartwick College St Francis College Western Connecticut State University
Hawaii Pacific University St John’s University-New York William Paterson University of New Jersey
Hofstra University St. Joseph’s College-New York
Hudson Valley Community College St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Iona College State University of New York at New Paltz
Ithaca College Stony Brook University
Johnson & Wales University-Providence SUNY at Albany
Kean University SUNY at Fredonia
Keiser University - Flagship Campus, FL SUNY at Purchase College
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania SUNY Buffalo State College
Bold indicates enrollment
Summer 2021 - 15 -AMSU Class of 2021 Graduation
Jannatun Akhund, Valedictorian
- 16 - Take NoteChristy Nguyen, Salutatorian
Summer 2021 - 17 -Senior Year Reflections
Yumiko Figaro
Enrolling at AMSU four years ago was the best decision I could have made
for the future I envisioned for myself. Being surrounded by such brilliant,
motivated students really pushed me to be the best version of myself.
There were a lot of unexpected circumstances that completely changed the
narrative for my senior year, but having this unforeseen event thrown my
way has prepared me for what comes next in the upcoming years of my life.
I would not have come as far as I have without the teachers of AMSU
rooting for me every step of the way. It has meant so much to me as I have
grown older, to know that there are people who care about my well-being
and success. Interacting with my teachers in the classroom is definitely
something I have missed about high school; being able to raise my hand
and spout the most ridiculous answer I could think of just so I can put in the
right amount of effort was important to me. With virtual learning, it became
difficult to speak up. Even though I knew every student in the Google Meets, it became strange to
speak to icons on my screen, and I became more comfortable with keeping my answer to myself. It was
certainly a challenge to have my senior year fully remote, but in the end, it worked out for the best.
Being away from some of my closest friends taught me a bit about independence, and also showed me
the extent of my hard work and ability.
My senior year of high school was nothing like how I’d envisioned it to be. Although I missed some
opportunities to see my teachers and classmates throughout the year, I learned so much about myself,
about who I am, and what I want to bring to the world. I am grateful for AMSU’s hard work in making
sure we had a prom, senior brunch, and graduation. The effort has meant so much to me. AMSU has
not only shaped me to be the young woman I am, but also the woman I am going to be by the end of
college. I have learned the value of friendship and sisterhood, and I am glad to be attending Barnard
College in the fall, in a place where, just like AMSU, the community is very connected and empowering
women is a priority.
Amber Javonero
This past school year flew by in a flash and I had many ups and downs
during that time. The downs were some changes that greatly impacted
both my mindset and my future; the ups were some amazing moments
in my life that I’ll never forget. I remember in the beginning of the school
year I was deeply conflicted with college applications, and trying to decide
which college I wanted to attend for the next four years of my life. I had to
consider location, tuition, financial aid, scholarships, application fees, and
much more, as well as keep up with my three AP classes and homework.
Fortunately, with the help of my guidance counselor and a lot of research, I
was able to make a good decision about colleges and applications.
And then it was spring, when the acceptances or rejections were anxiously
awaited by all of the high school seniors in the country. I thought that with
my grades and my extracurriculars, I had a good chance of getting into my
“dream” school but to my dismay, I was not accepted. It was a feeling of disappointment like I’ve never
experienced in my life; the impact was surreal. Eventually, I got over it. I knew I had to keep a positive
mindset. One of the schools where I was accepted was the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter
College and that is where I decided to attend.
Along with the challenging college process, I grew into the young woman I am today through the
experiences I’ve had with my close friends. When my Junior year ended with such short notice, because
of covid, I suddenly realized that the time I had with my friends was limited. I learned to cherish the
last moments of my high school career; the moments I had both with friends and my family before I
went away to college. If I could relive my Senior year again, I would do it in a heartbeat. But for now,
I am content with my experiences and accomplishments. Now I truly understand the AMSU saying of
“four years to last a lifetime.”
- 18 - Take Note165th Anniversary Celebration
1924 1927
Students, faculty, staff, alumnae, friends,
trustees, benefactors and Ursuline Sisters
gathered on Thursday, October 1st, 2020, for
an all-day Virtual Celebration & Fundraiser 1940 1957
in honor of the 165th anniversary of the
Academy of Mount St. Ursula.
The festivities were kicked off with a prayer
from our Principal, Sr. Jean Marie Humphries,
’89 and a proclamation from the Office of
the Bronx Borough President, recognizing 1969 1980s
October 1, 2020, as The Academy of Mount St.
Ursula Day. As part of the day-long celebration,
everyone was treated to slideshows
highlighting the history, memories and
changes of the school throughout different 2003
decades. 1994
2005
At 6:55pm (18:55 in military time) the live
portion of the event started with a warm
welcome and introduction from Sr. Jeannie,
followed by a prayer and reflection from Sr.
Alice Marie Giordano, osu, ’52 and a brief
history and personal reflection from Sr. 2009
Barbara Calamari, osu. We also heard from 2020
AMSU Board of Trustees, Chair, Dr. Diane
Ramos Kelly, ’69, who toasted to AMSU’s
165 years highlighting the strong sense
of Serviam, service to other that has and
continues to a be strong tradition and value
that permeates through the school today. We
were also honored to have received messages
from the Ursuline Sisters, Leadership Team, 2008
His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan and
Michael Deegan the Archdiocese of New York
The AMSU 165th Anniversary Celebration(virtual) was a Gift
Catholic Schools Superintendent of Schools that kept on Giving!! All the constituencies, from alums (near
and the son of Julia Noonan Deegan, ’39. The and far), the Ursulines, the students, and board members
night was capped off with more enjoyable to the people who make the school sparkle every day, they
slideshows and a trivia game. all were able to come together to share their Love for our
This remarkable milestone of our 165 “beacon on Bedford Park”!
anniversary is a testament to all the dedicated And for me personally, being able to videotape a segment
faculty, administration, students, alumnae, with Jamila Atif, a senior student, was a special highlight.
and friends that have grace our beloved We connected and engaged so quickly and easily, as we
school since it’s inception. talked about our experiences as students (though many
165 (166 now) and counting!! years apart) But those years between us fell away, because
of the “sisterhood” we proudly hold in our hearts. What a
Whether virtual or in person, AMSU has a joy to know her!!
future of many more celebrations!! Be on the Susan McCarthy Cronin ’65
lookout for them!!!
Summer 2021 - 19 -Adopt A Student Program
The Academy of Mount St. Ursula’s Adopt-A-Student Program
aims to provide financial aid to dedicated students and their
families who would otherwise be unable to attend AMSU.
At the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, we believe that every
child should have the opportunity to a high-quality Catholic
education. We also understand that enrolling a child may cause
financial hardships. Through the Adopt-A-Student Program we
are able to help families who otherwise could not afford to send
their daughter(s) to AMSU.
We invite you to be part of the solution. Your contribution
will help impact the lives of our young women and provide an
opportunity that their family could otherwise not afford
Your generosity makes a difference in our student’s lives. This
year, AMSU’s Class of 2021 earned more than $18.5 million in
academic and merit college scholarships and were accepted to
over 150 different colleges. These numbers are a testimony to
the potential that every young lady in our school has, and with
your help there is nothing they can’t accomplish. Your support
is the driving force behind these successes.
Personal Connection
Sponsors who make a gift of $1,000 ($84 a month) or more will
be paired with a student(s) and receive:
• Personalized letters throughout the year from assigned
student(s)
• Report Cards and Class Schedule
• Photograph from assigned student(s)
• Invitations to Virtual and or In-person Mix and Mingle events
throughout the year for you to meet your assigned student(s)
and see the progress they are making.
You can donate as an individual or enlist some of your former
classmates and make it a class gift.
Donate Online
You can make a credit card donation by visiting www.amsu.
com/donate
Send A Check
You can also mail a check to:
Academy of Mount St. Ursula
Attn: Office of Alumnae Relations, Development and External Affairs
330 Bedford Park Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10458
- 20 - Take NoteSummer 2021 - 21 -
Adopt a Student Program
Your gift directly impacts our students. Thanks to generous donors, the Adopt-
A-Student program has become a great success. During the 2020-2021 school
year we received a total of over $435,000 in donations, allowing 150 of our
students to receive aid through this program.
Ayco Charitable Foundation Dr. Monica and Thomas Coyle '62
Bright Funds Victoria Crescenzi and Peter Carlo '81
Thank You!
Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, Inc. Rosemary and Daniel Crimmins '63
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Susan and Daniel Cronin 65
Icahn Charter Foundation Noreen Culhane '68
Morgan Stanley Dr. Margaret Cullinan '47
Brooklyn Benevolent Society Aileen Del Prado '83
Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC Katrina Dengler '85
UBS Financial Services Yolanda and Gilbert Dicola
Aquinas High School Maryanne and George Diskin '64
St. Ignatius School Margaret Downey '81
Brothers of The Christian Schools Catherine and Robert Draeger '75
Vanguard Charitable Catherine and David Duffy '91
The Michael Gordon Foundation, Inc. Anne Dunn '51
Blackbaud Giving Fund Dr. Joan Fallon '75
Frontstream Barbara and William Ferrante '59
The Partnership for Inner-City Education Danielle Flores '09
Missionaries of Charity Una and John Flynn '66
Vanguard Charitable Diana and David Foote '73
Bristol-Myers Squibb Employee Giving Program Patricia and Thomas Forde '63
St. Ignatius School Mary Ellen and Raymond Furlong '69
Ursuline Community of Hering Avenue Eymee Garcia
Ursuline Community of Kimball Avenue Brenda and Louis Gazinski '70
Theresa and Emanuel Adikimenakis '84 Wayne and Chris Gentry
Ellen and Edwin Alger '62 Janet and James Gettler
Kathleen and Dennis Anderson '62 Lorraine Gillan-Doyle '66
Anne Marie Barrins '69 Marie and Anthony Giuriceo '63
Concetta and Clement Bele '54 Mary Ellen Golden '57
Debra and David Boyle '80 Karen Goodwin '65
Judith and James Boyle 57 Rita Gorman '58
Catherine and John Bridge '68 Susanne and Randle Grossman '63
Eileen Burke '51 Linda and Leonard Guglielmo '69
Marian Burke '73 Adrianne and Jeffrey Hamilton '86
Jane and Patrick Burns Nora Harrington '84
Theresa and Brendan Cameron '75 Dorothy and William Harris '63
Dianne Campbell '92 Judy and Sterling Hartnett '69
Helen and Nicholas Capece '60 Catherine and James Healy '60
Joan Carroll, MD '60 Pamela Healy and Bill Reilly '71
Priscilla Ceron '89 Margaret and Charles Healy '60
Ann Marie Clancy '66 Barbara and William Hecht, Esq
Dr. Alice and David Clement '60 Barbara Higgins '61
Joan Close '65 Arleen and Thomas Hoffmann '71
Diane Coffino. Esq. '72 Beth and John Hofstetter
Patricia Connolly and Mario Gentile '61 Marie and Daniel Houlihan
Mary Lee Cooper '72 Anna and Joseph Houlihan
Mary Ellen Cositore '71 Hunts Point Alliance
- 22 - Take NoteT h a n k Y o u !
Anne Marie and James Hynes 67
M. Jane Johnson '62
Lisa and Robert Murphy
Linda and John Murphy '67
Camille and Douglas Johnston '54 Daryl Neubecker
Carole Kakos '61 Nancy Oakes '64
Margaret and Denis Keating '62 Gail and Justin O'Neill '65
Donna and Hugh Kelly '54 Marilyn Paul
Evelyn Kelly '62 John Payne
Gail Kelmer-Ramirez and Carlos Ramirez '70 Geraldine and John Pender '64
Eileen Larkin-Sullivan and Brendan Sullivan '68 Jane Perkinson
Arielle Lloyd '07 Denise and Richard Phalan '65
Mariana and Robert Lulgiuraj '93 Yesenia Pichardo '92
Elizabeth and William Lynch '57 Mary Pinto '66
Ruth Macnamara '57 Patricia Platan and Richard Hannapple '69
Patricia and David MacRae '81 Nadine and Vincent Rapacioli '87
Bernadette Manning and James Kelly '74 Pamela and Gerald Ridge
Mary and Gregory Martin '65 Anne Marie Robertson
Paula Maslyk '70 Georgina and Richard Robillard '72
Emily Mattia '63 Sharon Rosmond '87
Robert McCarthy Susan Salice
Elizabeth and Paul McDermott '56 Annette Sambolin '67
Jane McDonnell '62 Mary Sayers '53
Catherine and William McElroy '66 Kathleen and Edward Schneller '62
Regina and James McEneaney '67 Jill and John Schwartz '62
Joan and George McGauley, II '55 Emma Schweip-Dunbar and Ronald Dunbar '70
Kathy and John McGoldrick Linda and John Signorini
Dr. Angele and Patrick McGrady '59 Sheila and Michael Sohr
Joan McGreevy-Glatzl '69 Linda Spagnuolo '81
Mary and Thomas McInerney '72 Richelle Spaulding '08
Sheila and George McMahon '59 John Sullivan
Elizabeth McQuillan and Roy Gerke '75 Eileen Sutter '66
Mary Ellen Melnyk '63 Mary and Michael Tangney
Gracie Mercado '96 Kathleen and Donald Tashner '59
Jenny Mercado '93 Sakinah Taylor '90
Elizabeth Mercer Noreen Tobin '64
Anne and Frederick Michaels '60 Col. Sheila Toner '60
Kathleen Mimnagh, MD and Fernando Sevallos '79 Dominick Toque
Patrice Mitchell '02 Vice Admiral Patricia Tracey and Richard Metzer '66
Clasina Mittiga Susan and Kenneth Trank '66
Mary Mittiga Julia and Hugh Turk '67
Jennifer Molina '02 Eileen and Edwin Tweedy '70
Colleen Molloy Mary Jane and Martin Vonnegut '60
Gloria Montenero Eileen Walsh-O'Shea and Daniel O'Shea '72
Eileen and James Morgan Regina Ward '93
Breda Moynagh Edwina Weisheit '42
Patricia Muldowney '57 Elizabeth and George Zahn '51
Joan Mullee '75 Ellen and Thomas Zuercher '59
Bridget Murphy '70
Summer 2021 - 23 -Class Notes
1960
Barbara Stronczer was honored on
June 30, 2020 by the Stagg Group, a
residential development company in
the Bronx, for her decades of service
to the Bronx community. Ms. Stronczer
has spent many years encouraging and
implementing green space throughout
the Bronx. We are so proud of Barbara;
she is a wonderful example of our
Barbara Stronczer and Mark Stagg graduates living out our SERVIAM motto
Photo courtesy of Marisa Marotta (Norwood News)
by giving back!
1973
Rose Sullivan wrote in right before
Christmas, to let us know she and some of
her fellow members of the class of 1973
held a mini-class reunion over Zoom! We
cannot wait until we are able to meet and
celebrate in person again!
1989
Gianna Dellolio wrote in to tell us a
nice story of her meeting a fellow AMSU
sister! “AMSU girls are everywhere! Today
I had the pleasure of meeting Laura
Bufano Brish ’85! Laura coordinated
a gift drive at her office for BronxWorks
teens where I work. She dropped off
the gifts and we started chatting - and
realized that we were sisters! Laura truly
lives our SERVIAM motto and BronxWorks
Laura Bufano Brish ’85 and Gianna Dellolio ’89 is so grateful for her kindness.”
1991
On Friday, June 11th, Class of 1991
alumnae Elizabeth Cruz and Christine
Zeiss visited AMSU! They took a walk
down memory lane by touring the school
and caught up with Ms. Corticcio and Ms.
Peri! It was great to see them!
- 24 - Take Note1999
Congratulations are in order for
Natasha Anderson and her now-
husband, Jamall Dixon! The happy
couple married over the Christmas
break. Natasha is also a member of
AMSU’s Development Leadership
Committee. We wish her and Jamall a
life full of joy!
2011
On Friday, April 23rd, Ashley Scott
visited the school in order to accept a
reissue of her service certificate and
medal from the US President’s Office
that she originally received in 2011. Her
original certificate and medal were lost
during a move. It was great to catch up
with Ashley and discuss how her service
work at AMSU influenced her life living
out SERVIAM! As always, alumnae are
welcome to visit AMSU! If you plan to
(l-r) Science teacher Leo Soliman, Ashley Scott ’11
visit just give us a call to receive covid and Principal Sr. Jeannie Humphries ’89
guidelines before your arrival.
2019
Katelyn Rosado recently shared
how she is applying the skills learned
while she was a member of AMSU’s
Marketing Club! “I launched my own
jewelry business two weeks ago!!! My
business is called KaytieJewelry and I
have been so excited about it.” Katelyn
is running the business on her own and
leading all of the financing, marketing,
and analytics. If you would like to VRSVLA LAVRVS
check out her business, you can visit
the Instagram Page: @kaytiejewelry
or the website: https://kaytie-jewelry.
myshopify.com
Katelyn currently attends Iona College.
Summer 2021 - 25 -Happy Retirement!
Katherine Corticcio has retired after 44 years of
service to the Academy of Mount St. Ursula! During
her tenure, Ms. Corticcio has served as a teacher and
Department Chair in our Social Studies Department,
as the videographer for International Night, organizer
of the Medieval Banquet (former event), and as
moderator of our school Photo Club.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Ms. Corticcio attended
New York Public High School PS 112 and knew she
wanted to be a teacher since the 5th grade. She attended
Hunter College to get her teaching degree and was the
last class in Hunter College Bronx campus before it
became Lehman College in 1970. She continued her
studies there for her master’s degree.
Ms. Corticcio came to AMSU in the fall of 1977,
following several years of experience teaching at
Aquinas High School, St. Pius V High School, Msgr.
Scanlon High School and Herbert H. Lehman High
School. Throughout the four decades she taught at
AMSU, her quiet and intense persona earned her the
respect and admiration of her peers as well as students
and parents.
During her storied career at AMSU, Ms. Corticcio’s class
and “Notebook” have become a thing of legend. Ms.
Corticcio’s notebook is a set method of oral notetaking
and learning tactics. Many students will attest to the
fear, frustration and tears that were shed while taking
her class. However, many have come back to visit Ms.
Corticcio to personally thank her and express how
valuable her note taking lessons have been while
attending college and throughout their professional
career. This year the Student Tech Committee was
tasked to digitize Ms. Corticcio’s Global Notebooks.
The students in the committee supervised nine
freshmen and sophomore students in transcribing the
scanned notebook pages into Google Docs. The goal
is to combine everything together into separate 9th
and 10th-grade global notebooks complete with Ms.
Corticcio’s signature annotations and diagrams. With
the famous global notebook digitized, Ms. Corticcio’s
legacy will continue at AMSU long after she retires.
Thank you for your 44 years of dedication and service,
Ms. Corticcio!
- 26 - Take Note“Aga po, Ms. Corticcio!”
The greeting pops up around our school and others.
AGA PO
In the Bronx and in Yonkers, in Virginia and California.
Anywhere an AMSU graduate ends up, the memory
of Katherine Corticcio goes with her.
Ms. Corticcio has been the history teacher at AMSU
for 44 years. I’ve shared 36 of those with her, and
discovered a colleague, role model, and wonderful
friend. Though her no-nonsense manner had a
way of convincing generations of students that she
was “mean,” Ms. Corticcio’s strongest qualities are
anything but. Her dedication to her subject, her craft,
and her vocation made her the sort of teacher you
couldn’t possibly forget. She is uncompromising,
dedicated, and is loath to let a student struggle.
She has always believed that all challenges can be
overcome with the help of perseverance, patience,
and an organized mind.
As the founder and longtime moderator of the Photo
Club, Ms. Corticcio has helped document the day-
to-day life of AMSU’s Lady Bears, as well as instill
valuable skills in so many club members. The sight
of her wheeling her tripod and camera through the
halls for Ring Day and International Night is familiar
to us all. She has made countelss videos of many
school events.
Above all else, however, Ms. Corticcio has been an
invaluable friend to so many of us. There is a reason
so many alumnae who return to the school will have
“Is Ms. Corticcio still here?” right on their lips. She
isn’t the kind of person you can forget. Her warm
spirit and peerless devotion to our school has made
her the best representative of what AMSU is. We
couldn't ask for more.
On behalf of the entire AMSU community, I wish
Kathy a happy, fun, and restful retirement. Though we
will all miss her, she has left footprints in our hearts.
Aga po, Ms. Corticcio.
Ms. Linda Peri
Modern Language Chairperson/Spanish and Italian teacher
Summer 2021 - 27 -Alumna Spotlight! Dr. Maria Finaro Cleary graduated from the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in 1965 and received degrees from City University of New York – Lehman College, Boston College and Seton Hall University. She is an interim school superintendent and has also worked as a principal and teacher from the elementary school levels through post-graduate. Dr. Maria Cleary is also the President of Readeezy and the mother of a learning-disabled young adult. Together with her son Jeff, a reading teacher, they have published their first digital book, programmed specifically for others like her daughter for whom reading has become very difficult as they age. Below is an article from Dr. Maria Cleary explaining how her daughter became the inspiration behind Readeezy.com and why they designed a digital book series just for young adults who learn differently. “Reading Makes My Brain Hurt” One Family’s Path to a Reading Solution for their LD Child by Dr. Maria Finaro Cleary Maria and her daughter, Desi Our daughter Desi came to us from an orphanage in Bulgaria when she was almost three. We had no idea she had special needs until she started having difficulty acquiring language. After a visit with a neurologist and an MRI, we were told she had left brain hemiatrophy, a form of cerebral palsy. The left side of her brain was half the size of the right, probably as a result of a stroke or some other vascular incident either in utero or at birth. When we asked about her prospects, one doctor said, "Well, she probably won't go to Harvard." However, Desi just forged ahead, blithely unaware of her "prospects." She was a patient student, sitting for hours trying to learn. In fact, there was nothing she wouldn't try. We found out that, contrary to expectations, Desi was athletically inclined and we enrolled her in Special Olympics where she gave her all to soccer, basketball and track. She would run races, have a seizure in the middle of the track, then get up and finish the race. She left everyone speechless. But despite this kind of success, her learning problems persisted. We made some progress with reading and had hopes that she would be able to manage books on grade level at least through adolescence. We were wrong. By middle school, she had outgrown the picture books that had supported her reading. And books that were age-appropriate were not illustrated and difficult to understand. So she just stopped reading altogether. In fact, she said, “Reading makes my brain hurt.” This was very alarming because we’d now learned that once a person stops using a specific part of the brain, neural connections begin to get pruned away in that section. “Use it or lose it,” said experts in the field. Another thing to worry about. So that’s how Readeezy came to be with our whole family on board. My husband encouraged me to use some of our retirement money (scary!) to create something that was engaging, age-appropriate and digital because it kept her attention for a longer time. Desi’s brother Jeff is a reading teacher so he and I wrote a book that we thought would be appealing to this audience. I then hired folks to illustrate and animate it and a developer to program it. As educators, Jeff and I knew that challenged readers often have trouble keeping their focus so we included checks for understanding at the end of every chapter. Best of all, we tested it. We did a peer reviewed study with readers at least two grades below level and were overwhelmed at the positive results. In every category - comprehension, retention and engagement - readers rated it over 85%. We were overjoyed. Of course, now we had to spread the word that we had this resource and we had to figure out how to create a whole library. One book was great but wouldn’t have the kind of impact we wanted. And that’s the journey we’re on now. The dream is to have an entire collection of books that challenged readers can just visit and enjoy whenever they want. So we’re reaching out to the world to help make that happen. For those of us who’ve ever enjoyed a good book, we know the fun of losing yourself in a story. We hope that Readeezy can be the kind of place where any reader can climb inside the pages, learn something new, go on an adventure and most of all, have a wonderful time doing it. Please check our her website at www.readeezy.com or contact her at maria@readeezy.com - 28 - Take Note
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