Wall of Fame
In its over 85-year history, Villa Joseph Marie has been blessed by the presence of countless remarkable people, who by their hard work and dedication to the Mission of Mother Maria Kaupas, helped Villa become the amazing place it is today. With the introduction of a Wall of Fame, we as a community will give special honor to individuals whose commitment and service to the students of Villa Joseph Marie was particularly extraordinary, or to Alumnae whose personal and professional lives exemplify Mother Maria’s challenge: “Always more, Always better, Always with love.”
- Induction Ceremony
- 2021 Inductee: Sr. Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC
- 2021 Inductee: Thomas Reardon
- Submit Your Nomination
- Criteria for Nomination to the Wall of Fame
- Nomination & Selection Process
- Selection Committee
- Past Inductees
Induction Ceremony
2021 Inductee: Sr. Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC
Sister Elizabeth Ann has been involved in the ministry of education for 40 years. More than half of those years were spent teaching high school girls, which began when she taught Theology, Algebra, Foods, and Sewing at Villa from 1983 to 1992. Sister Elizabeth Ann was also the Theology Department Chair and Moderator of the Freshman and Junior Classes (at different times), Student Council, and CSC. Sister began the Maria Holy-Cross Hospital Volunteer Program which involved 100 students each year and in 9 years, volunteered over 46,000 hours. She has been named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, inducted into the Maria High School Alumnae Hall of Fame, and received the Archdiocese of Chicago Heart of the School Award for the Arts. She has fulfilled her dream of working with infants by volunteering over 500 hours in the newborn nursery at Holy Cross Hospital, taking photos of the newborns and rocking babies that were born addicted to cocaine. She currently serves on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Casimir, VJM Board, and VJM Mission Committee.
Sister Elizabeth Ann was one of the greatest teachers that I ever had in my 12 years of catholic school. She went above and beyond to connect and engage with her students. She had a special flair that I know will be in my heart forever.
Karen Garvey Danner ’93
During my time at the Villa, Sr. Elizabeth Ann was instrumental in making me who I am today, especially in faith, starting with her being my Freshman homeroom teacher in 1989-1990. She always tried to make things better for the students. She was instrumental in eliminating ugly blue oxfords and replacing them with penny loafers that the girls still wear today. She always wanted to make things better for the students and the community. She used her gifts and talents to enhance community relationships and development.
Sr. Elizabeth Ann is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. She was so dedicated to her girls, not only teaching them classroom learning, but also teaching them etiquette, humanity, and spirituality. Even after she went back Chicago, she has kept in touch with me and many of her former students. She is reverent, kind, compassionate, and one of the greatest human beings to ever walk the Villa hallway. I think many people will agree!
Dr. Carla T. Altomare, PhD, CCP ’93
It is a blessing to know that Sister Elizabeth Ann is being inducted into Villa’s Wall of Fame! Sister’s love for Villa was so evident from the moment I met her on my very first immersion trip to Chicago in 2016. Sister was beyond excited to spend time with students from “the Villa” and her love was witnessed by her patiently teaching them how to sew. This was a highlight of the trip and is something the now alumnae from this trip still connect over today! Something that I find very impressive about Sister Elizabeth Ann is her ability to remember names of past students she taught at “the Villa” over 20 years ago! Not only can she retell their names but she remembers what class period and seat they sat in! This is a model for me of the importance of celebrating the dignity of each student and creating a community that is nurturing always remembering that without one part or one person the whole Body of Christ is not complete. Sister Elizabeth Ann, thank you for modeling this important lesson to me and to so many others. I am grateful to know you. Congratulations on being inducted into the Wall of Fame! Always with love,
Stephanie McCarthy, Villa’s Director of Mission and Ministry
Sister Elizabeth Ann taught me many valuable lessons when I was a student at Villa. I truly believe that my faith is so strong today because of her influence on my life.
Amy Dawson Diesel ’90
Sister Elizabeth Ann served the young women at Villa with a big heart and a warm smile every day. She made learning interesting and helped us to be reflective and Christ-centered, helping us to discern our own purpose and plan for our futures. Sister’s impact on my own life has lasted decades, and I am glad she helped shape the person I am today.
Jennifer Bahm Becker ’89
Sister Elizabeth Ann was an amazingly patient and insightful teacher and mentor. She was ALWAYS available to talk when needed. She was a HUGE influence in helping guide me in my faith. I am so happy that she is finally being recognized by Villa! Love her.
Jennifer Tomlinson Forman ’93
Sister Elizabeth Ann was a remarkable teacher and mentor. She expected the best from us and was always available to help us achieve our goals. To this day I think back on my time in her company and am grateful for all that she taught me
Allison Raymond Krefetz ’89
2021 Inductee: Thomas Reardon
Thomas Reardon was a Physics teacher at Villa from 1997 to 2004. Undoubtedly, he helped propel Villa’s science department forward to what it is today, and his impact is being fully realized with the upcoming STEAM hallway expansion on Villa’s horizon.
Tom’s former colleague, Mike Bolognese said of Tom, “His years of service to both the students and faculty were unsurpassed in their dedication. He was an educator's educator and always available to his students. His knowledge and compassion were unsurpassed. Without question, he deserves to be permanently remembered as a great contributor to the spirit of Mother Maria and to our school.”
Tom’s biography also includes service to our country as an Electronics Instructor with the United States Air Force, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University.
A gifted teacher, a quiet leader capable of directness yet never being forceful, Tom Reardon represented admirably the qualities of ‘Joseph’ in Villa Joseph Marie High School for many years. Tom, who always was more than well-prepared for his classes, was a humble, loving educator who always instructed his students with as much zeal and compassion, as if these students were his own daughters or granddaughters.
Never boastful about his own achievements in the business world before choosing to give back as a teacher, Tom taught his students greatness and the need for service by his magnificent example. As a lifelong Catholic known for his faithfulness, Tom taught the faith by his treasured appreciation of his subject matter, Science, but he never once minimalized the need for Religion and Science to be partners, not adversaries.
Tom’s years of service to both the students and faculty were unsurpassed in their dedication. He was an educator’s educator and always available to his students. His knowledge and compassion were unsurpassed. Without question, he deserves to be permanently remembered as a great contributor to the spirit of Mother Maria and to our school.
Mike Bolognese, former Villa Theology teacher
I am so excited to celebrate my grandfather Thomas Reardon and am so proud of him! Villa means so much to him. I have fond memories of sitting in on his Physics classes at Villa while I was in middle school. He inspired my continued love of Physics and the sciences; I wouldn’t be where I am today without him and the Physics classes at Villa!
McKenna Kardish
Congratulations! I remember Mr. Reardon’s Physics class. He was so patient with all of us.
Amy Techtmann Pasqua ’00
Mr. Reardon’s Physics class got me interested in the sciences, and I went on to earn a BS in Meteorology.
Reneé Konopka Marshall ’00
Submit Your Nomination
Criteria for Nomination to the Wall of Fame
- Nominee must be a Sister of St. Casimir; a lay member of the Villa Joseph Marie Faculty, Staff, Administration, or Board; or an Alumna of Villa Joseph Marie.
- Nominee may not be a current student or employee of Villa Joseph Marie.
- Nominees from the Faculty, Staff, or Administration must be retired, no longer working at Villa Joseph Marie, or deceased.
- Nominees from the Faculty, Staff, or Administration must have worked at Villa Joseph Marie for a minimum of five (5) years.
- Alumnae nominees must have graduated in good standing from Villa Joseph Marie a minimum of five (5) years prior to nomination.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominee must model high standards of excellence in his/her personal and professional conduct that exemplify the Mission of Villa Joseph Marie.
- Nominees from the Faculty, Staff, Administration, or Board must have made significant contributions to the growth and development of Villa Joseph Marie.
- Alumnae nominees must have made noteworthy contributions in their chosen field or in any appropriate areas of endeavor, including religion, education, public service, medicine, law, research, business/entrepreneurial, finance, media, arts/entertainment, philanthropy/volunteerism, military service, athletics, etc.
Nomination & Selection Process
- Any member of the Villa Joseph Marie community—current and former students, staff, parents, and friends—may nominate a candidate for the Wall of Fame.
- A Nomination Form will be posted online. Only nominations submitted via this form will be accepted. If you wish, you may print out the form and forward to: VJM Wall of Fame, Villa Joseph Marie High School, 1180 Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966.
- Nominations are due by May 1 in any given year.
- Up to three (3) Wall of Fame Members will be chosen by the Selection Committee from the pool of nominations submitted each year, with the exception of the inaugural year (2014), in which 10 members were named.
- All nominations will be considered by the Selection Committee and judged according to the criteria outlined above. The Selection Committee reserves the right to name more than three (3) Wall of Fame inductees in a given year or to name no inductees in a given year, based on the quality of the nominations.
- If a nominee is not elected to the Wall of Fame for a particular year, that nominee may be resubmitted in following years.
- The nominations and nominee identities shall be held in confidence by the Selection Committee.
- The Selection Committee will announce its selection(s) in The Profiler, on the Villa Joseph Marie website, and on social media.
- The decision of the Selection Committee is final.
Selection Committee
The Wall of Fame Selection Committee is comprised of eight members and all previous Wall of Fame inductees, who are charged with the administration of the program, the review of nominations, the selection of inductees, and the recognition of inductees. Members are:
- Wall of Fame Committee Chair
- President
- Principal
- 3 current Villa Faculty/Staff members (employed by Villa for at least 5 years)
- 3 Villa Alumnae
- Past Villa Wall of Fame inductees
Past Inductees
Inductees are invited to attend future Wall of Fame ceremonies and other Villa events. Inductees’ photos and name plates are added to a Wall of Fame display at Villa Joseph Marie.
2020
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Sister Margaret Petcavage, SSC '52, former Member of Villa Joseph Marie’s Board of Directors and Former Assistant General Superior and Councilor for the Sisters of St. Casimir
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Marie Politowski, teacher in Villa’s Science Department from 1990-2012 and served as Science Department Chair
2019
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Sr. Johanna Marie Shainauskas, SSC, Spanish & Music Teacher 1977-1988
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Maureen Cleary, Admissions Director & Director of Institutional Advancement, 2000-2015
2018
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Mary T. Michel, First President of Villa Joseph Marie, 1993-2015
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Lizanne McBride '74, Government/Public Policy
2017
- Rev. Casimir P. Sirvaitis, Ph.D., Chaplain/Theology Department Chair, 1959-1972
- Aileen Kevane Alexander '94, Government/Public Policy
2016
- Sr. Agnesine Dering, SSC, Ph.D., Principal, 1955-1961
- Sr. M. Elaine Kuizinas, SSC, Principal, 1982-2001
- Marie Leonard, Latin Teacher, 1991-2009
- Sr. Margaret Zalot, SSC '67, Board of Directors; Former President, Maria High School (Chicago, Ill.)
- Dr. Amy Reed, M.D., Ph.D. '91, Physician
2015
- Sr. Reginald Tamulevich, SSC, Music Teacher, 1964-1970
- Lois Tyburski, Science Teacher & Department Chair, 1994-2014
2014
- Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, SSC, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Casimir and Villa Joseph Marie
- Sr. Mary Balkus, SSC, Principal, 1967-1976
- Sr. Madeleine Bunevicius, SSC '45, Art Teacher & Department Chair, 1968-1994
- Sr. Bernadette Marie Janus, SSC '52, Board of Directors; Former Principal, St. Bede the Venerable School (Holland, Pa.)
- Lucy Carroll, Registrar/Typing Teacher, 1962-1977
- Nancy Coyle, Basketball Coach/Physical Education & Health Teacher, 1969-1978
- Norma McCauley, Science Teacher, 1973-1989
- Edward O’Connor, Theology Teacher, 2001-2010
- Margaret “Peg” O’Neil Schenk '60, Journalist/Villa Joseph Marie Historian
- Dr. Lucy E. Carroll '64, D.M.A., Musician, Music Instructor & Author