THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019
Thomas A. Kardish, President Ι Lauren Carr '00, Principal
First Things
Founded in Faith. Fulfilling the Mission
Sunday, March 3, more than 60 guests joined Villa President, Tom Kardish, and our Sisters of St. Casimir for a celebration of the kickoff of Villa's first capital campaign, Founded in Faith. Fulfilling the Mission. Master of Ceremonies Dave Alexander introduced Sr. Immacula Wendt, SSC, Board Vice Chair Mary Smithson, Sydney Amspacher '17, Madison Buchinski '19, Mackenzie Seewagen '19, Fine Arts Chair Ellen Brooks, and Performing Arts Administrator Melissa Holdren, who spoke on their support for the campaign and how funds from this initiative will create facilities that will represent the "incredible promise and limitless potential of our young women."Already, $3.4 million has been raised from 80 donors, including a $1 million gift from the Sisters of St. Casimir. This historic campaign will support the Villa Mission by creating space for our young women to collaborate and further develop the skills needed to be tomorrow's leaders, provide for further expansion of classroom space into St. Joseph's Hall, and allow for increased availability of financial aid to attract and retain the most academically focused students, regardless of their financial circumstances. The Board of Directors has approved this $6 million campaign in support of these efforts.
Mrs. Holdren commented that, through the realization of the expansion and Founded in Faith. Fulfilling the Mission, "Villa students will experience 21st century learning head-on – an educational future that is rigorous, relevant, rooted in faith, and overflowing in boundless opportunity."
Student Spotlight
Feast of St. Casimir
Day of Service
On Sunday, March 3, twenty-two Villa families served at places as far as Sarnelli in Kensington and as close as the Churchville Nature Center! They made casseroles, deep cleaned our chapel, exercised with residents at Chandler Hall, and weeded beds for new gardens. Then they came together for Mass in the Chapel with Srs. Margaret, Immacula, and Elizabeth Ann. Over 50 people attended this Mass, celebrated by Fr. Mike Davis.
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Building Our Way to the Top
The robotics team participated at Norristown Area High School: VEX Robotics - Eastern PA State Championships this past weekend. They made it to the elimination rounds at 11th seed. The team also won the Sportsmanship Award for being "courteous, helpful, respectful" and "demonstrating excitement and enthusiasm throughout the event." Congratulations Jems!
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All the World's a Stage
Congratulations to Grace Matwijec '21, Erin Devine '19, and Mackenzie Seewagen '19, who performed on Saturday, March 2, at DeSales University's PSF Shakespeare Competition. Grace performed a monologue by Hermione from The Winter's Tale, and Erin and Mackenzie portrayed a scene from As You Like It as Orlando and Rosalind respectively. They all superbly represented Villa. Great job ladies!
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Taking the Lead
Mrs. Bedrosian, Amelia Fisher '20, Shannon Henes '20, Sarah Cahill '20, and Emily Dwyer '20 attended the 4th Annual West Point Leadership & Ethics Conference at Villanova's Connolly Center on Monday, March 4. The theme of the conference was "Character Does Matter." The students developed leadership skills and networked with various leaders in various branches of military and business.
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Villa on Video
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Annual Fund 2018-2019
Help Us Meet Our Goal This Year!
Nearly 50% of our faculty and staff have made a donation this year in support of our Jems. Have you? We cannot meet our 2018-2019 goal without your support!
Please remember that every gift, regardless of size, enables Villa to build on its educational culture of excellence, provide access to students of all socioeconomic circumstances, maintain the school's facility and campus, and support the professional development and growth of our extraordinary faculty.
Construction Corner
Construction Update
(Above left) Here is a view from our current school hallway into the new construction. Offices are on the left and the lobby and new Auditorium are straight ahead. We can picture the students walking down this hallway already! (Above right) Who remembers Villa's phone booths? They're now gone to make room for more exciting things to come.
Athletics News & Notes
Becky Flynn Hensel '99, Athletic Director | VJMAthletics@vjmhs.org
We're Searching for a Golf Coach
The Villa Golf Team is searching for a head coach for the upcoming 2019-2020 season. Anyone interested should email Athletic Director Becky Flynn Hensel at VJMAthletics@vjmhs.org or call 215-357-8810, ext 125.
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Good Luck to Our Swim Team!
Congratulations to the members of Villa's swim team who qualified to participate in the PIAA State Championships next week at Bucknell University. Best wishes to the 200 medley relay team of Lillie Corino '22, Sabina Hartman '21, Megan Iannacone '21, and Caitlin Whalen '20. Additional best wishes to Sabina (100 breaststroke) and Caitlin (200 individual medley and 100 butterfly) who will both be competing as individuals at that meet as well. Go Jems!
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Rowing: New 8s Arrive
The spring season started this week. The program took delivery of 2 new 8s, which will help the program compete on a higher level. In rowing, it is a tradition that boats are named. The new 8s are to be named for Mother Maria, Villa's Foundress, and Coach Musial, our Head Coach. A formal boat christening will be held in April; keep an eye out for that announcement. In the meantime, Villa rowing has ended winter training and awaits warmer weather to get on the water.
Admissions News & Notes
Stephanie Gahagan, Director of Admissions | sgahagan@vjmhs.org
7th Grade Essay Contest
Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6 p.m.
Seventh-grade girls are invited to participate in the 7th Grade Essay Contest for a chance to earn a one-year scholarship award. Participants choose from one of two dates, at which a topic is presented to them. They have 45 minutes to compose a well-organized written response to their topic. Essays will be judged by Villa's English Department, and three winners will be selected:
1st Prize: A $2,000 scholarship award
2nd Prize: A $1,000 scholarship award
3rd Prize: A $500 scholarship award
Please register on our website, using this link.
Alumnae News & Notes
Alumnae Social in Bucks County: March 28, 2019
Please join us to connect and catch-up with your fellow Bucks County-area Villa Alumnae! Register using this link by Friday, March 22, 2019. Bring a friend! Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Alumnae Social in New York City: March 14, 2019
Our New York-area Social is next week. If you'd still like to register for that event, use this link to register right away!
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Take a Jem to Work Days: Monday, April 15—Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Our Take a Jem to Work Program allows Villa Alumnae to serve as mentors to current Juniors and Seniors, interested in pursuing a similar career, by allowing the student to shadow the Alumna at her workplace for a day. We are currently scheduling shadow days for April 15 & 16, 2019 and are looking for Alumnae in the following professions:
• Arts
• Law
• Medical
• STEM
• Veterinary Medicine
If you are employed in one of these professions and are interested and available to serve as a mentor to a student on the dates listed above, please complete the form under Take a Jem to Work Days at www.vjmhs.org/alumnae/events. For more information, please contact Mary Beth Walinskas '96, Alumnae Relations Coordinator, at mwalinskas@vjmhs.org or 215-357-8810, ext 208.
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Career Day: Thursday, April 25, 2019
Villa's annual Career Day will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019. Career Day gives Alumnae, current parents, parents of Alumnae, and other family members and friends the opportunity to share their careers with Villa students through a college-fair style presentation in Villa's gym. If you are interested, please complete the form under Career Day at www.vjmhs.org/careerday. For more information, please contact Mary Beth Walinskas '96, Alumnae Relations Coordinator, at mwalinskas@vjmhs.org or 215-357-8810, ext 208. Please consider being a part of this very worthwhile activity!
Development News & Notes
Jennifer Drayer-McDonald, Director of Development | jmcdonald@vjmhs.org
Interested in donating to our Annual Spring Auction? We've made it easy for you! Use this link to view our Amazon wishlist. Also, check out a sneak peek above of some awesome exclusive items that will only be available at our Auction on March 30. (And stay tuned for more sneak peeks in the coming weeks on Villa's social media sites.) For more information about the event, and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.vjmhs.org/auction.
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Villa Scrip Program
Check out Villa's Scrip Program! Through ShopWithScrip.com, Villa offers gift cards to hundreds of retailers that provide a direct benefit to you and our school — a percentage of your purchases will be donated to Villa and an equal percentage will be applied to tuition for the following school year for your daughter or another student of your choosing. Click here to learn more!
Guidance News & Notes
Anne Perez, Director of Guidance | aperez@vjmhs.org
College Planning Night
We have rescheduled our College Planning Night for Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Villa gym. We will have a panel of admissions counselors and will provide an overview of the college planning process at Villa. This evening is highly recommended for the Class of 2020, but we encourage the Class of 2021 and 2022 students and families to join us, as well.
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Upcoming College Fairs:
Lancaster Co. Regional Fair: Thursday, March 14, 2019: 8:30-11 a.m.
Main Line Regional Fair: Monday, April 8, 2019: 6:30-9 p.m.
Northeast Regional Fair: Monday April 29, 2019: 8:30-11:30 a.m. & 6-8 p.m.
Northwest Regional Fair: Tuesday, May 14, 2019: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
2019 Spring Regional College Fair Dates
Mission & Ministry News & Notes
Stephanie McCarthy, Director of Mission & Ministry | smccarthy@vjmhs.org
Ash Wednesday
Grace Borell '19, Jackie Armetta '19, and Holly Gola '19 created a wonderful prayer service for Ash Wednesday. Following the prayer service, students ate a simple meal together and received Ashes. Erin Devine '19 honored the Sisters by presenting them with flowers.
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Litany for Mother Maria
The Archbishop of Chicago recently approved a new Litany for Mother Maria. Please join the Villa community in praying this litany as we continue to pray for Mother Maria's canonization.
Parents' Guild News & Notes
Anita Wagner, President | vjmparentsguild@vjmhs.org
Campus Store
The Campus Store (in our temporary location - Room 211) will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays during all lunch periods starting March 5.
School News & Notes
Marissa Brown, Dean of Student Affairs | mbrown@vjmhs.org
Important Reminder for All Students and Parents
• Please follow all traffic patterns including, and most importantly, the 15 MPH speed restriction.
• Students should not be dropped off at the first stop sign because this backs up traffic. Please pull forward.
• Parents, please do not arrive to school for pickup until 2:50pm. Thank you!
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Senior Quotes for Yearbook
Attention Seniors! Please submit your personal quotes for the yearbook by March 22, 2019. These quotes will appear next to your portrait. You can submit your own words, words from a person you admire, scripture, or a famous quote. Please do not exceed 25 words. Send an email with your full name, your quote of choice, and the speaker of said quote to VJMYearbk@vjmhs.org. Any questions, see Mrs. Oakley.
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2019 Phillies All-Star Teachers Contest
The Phillies will honor great educators in the region who are making a difference on May 3, 2019, during the 19th annual Teacher Appreciation Night. Now through March 15, 2019 at 4:59 p.m. ET, you can nominate a teacher, past or present, who has positively impacted your life. For more information or to submit your nomination, click here.
The Week Ahead
THIS WEEKEND
Friday, March 8
Day 3 - Schedule A
Saturday, March 9
Father/Daughter Dance:
6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 10
Monday, March 11
Day 4 - Schedule A
Tuesday, March 12
Day 5 - Schedule B
Club Photo Day:
8:45 a.m.
Essay Contest:
4:00 p.m.
Auction Committee Chairs Meeting:
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13
Day 6-3 - Schedule A
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Thursday, March 14
Day 1 - Schedule A
National Latin Exam
Essay Contest:
6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 15
Day 2 - Schedule A
Course Selection Sheets Due
Saturday, March 16
Sunday, March 17
Important Links
- School Calendar
- Athletics Calendar
- Liturgy Calendar
- Prayer Intention Submission Form
- Download the FREE Villa Joseph Marie App for all Apple-based mobile devices:
- Go to the App Store.
- Search for Villa Joseph Marie.
- Click Install.
- Follow the prompts on screen.
Parents, share your photos with us! If you post photos from Villa events and activities on Facebook, please tag us at Villa Joseph Marie. Our Alumnae and fellow parents really enjoy seeing the many good things our Jems are up to! (Note: The Facebook account entitled "Villa Joseph Marie High School" is not an official account and is not managed by Villa). Photos also may be emailed to efranzzo@vjmhs.org
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Please forward your submissions for This Week at Villa to Erica Franzzo '03 at efranzzo@vjmhs.org. Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Submissions may be edited or omitted for space, clarity, or content at the sole discretion of the editor. We also welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions. Thanks for reading This Week at Villa!
