Holy Child Academy Alumnus to Row Across Atlantic Ocean to Raise Money for ALS

By Elena Perri, HCA Director of Marketing and Communications

Holy Child Academy alumnus George Pagano has plenty of confidence to take on an ambitious challenge: rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. He and his teammate, Caitlin Miller, have entered the 2015 Atlantic Challenge to raise money for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and suicide prevention. The race begins in December 2015, and George and Caitlin are seeking donations and sponsorships to reach their $300,000 fundraising goal.

George’s grandfather passed away from ALS 11 years ago, so he chose the Blazeman Foundation as his charity because of their mission to raise awareness about ALS and funding for research.

George Pagano and rowing partner Caitlin Miller

George’s confidence can be traced back to Pre-Kindergarten at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He credits HCA teachers for encouraging him to go beyond his comfort zone and try new things. Among his favorite faculty members are science teacher Scott Hartsock and music director Carol McGarvey.

“What I really enjoyed about Holy Child is that I was very diverse in what I did (outside the classroom),” said George, now a senior at the University of Nebraska. “I think the teachers did a really good job of getting you involved in different things.”

While George played different sports at HCA, he also was in the choir and played the trumpet and cello for several years. “I joined the handbell choir and absolutely loved it,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest things I ever did at Holy Child.”

In addition, George had roles in school musicals and helped with stage crew. All these activities “helped me be a really well-balanced student,” he said.

After graduating from HCA in 2007, George attended The Haverford School in Haverford, Pa. While attending Haverford he was considering playing baseball until two fellow students invited him to a meeting about the school’s rowing team.

“I went to the meeting, and I’m glad I did because I probably wouldn’t have played baseball all four years at Haverford, and I definitely wouldn’t be playing baseball at Nebraska,” George said.

His willingness to try new things led to rowing for Haverford and now for Nebraska. George is majoring in business administration with a minor in criminology, and he hopes to attend law school after graduation.

“Actions Not Words,” the motto of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, remains an integral part of his life. The motto is “something that I tried to live by and still do,” George said. “I try to lead by example more because I think that’s a better way of showing than telling.”

This is especially relevant to being a member of a crew team. “We have to lead by our actions because we’re not supposed to talk in the boat,” George said. “Rowing is totally a team sport because you need everyone to follow each other.”

While George and Caitlin are taking on an incredible challenge to raise funds for ALS research and suicide prevention, he prefers the spotlight to be on their charities. “It’s not about me or my partner,” George said. “We’re the ones doing the challenge, but we’re not doing it for ourselves; we’re doing it for something that is bigger than ourselves.”

For more information on the Atlantic Challenge, visit http://www.thecranialquest.com/

Lee DelleMonache '82

Sports have been a constant throughout Lee (Mirenda) DelleMonache’s life. With two older brothers, Anthony ’76 and John ’79, who played on Holy Child Academy teams, it was only natural for Lee to become interested in sports. Lee, a 1982 alumna of HCA, played basketball, softball, and field hockey.

“My favorite memory of sports at HCA is that (Holy Child) Sister Barbara Foy taught me how to do a layup,” Lee said. “I have vivid memories of that gym, the basket we were at and what she taught me to do.”

Lee was named MVP of the girls’ basketball team in Eighth Grade but later experienced disappointment as a freshman at Archmere Academy. “I got cut from the basketball team,” she said. “That was very hard to go through, but I made the team the next year.”

As an athlete who played sports from grade school through her freshman year at Cabrini College, it shouldn’t be surprising that Lee’s career also involves sports. She was recently appointed as the director of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development at Neumann University. Lee had worked as the strategic planner of the Institute since 2005.

While exploring master’s degree programs, she decided on sports management at Neumann. “I got excited reading each course description,” Lee said. “It spoke to my heart and my soul.”

Her master’s research focused on the integration of the mission of Catholic colleges and universities into their athletic programs. During her studies, Lee did her graduate internship with the Institute. “That is how I fell in the love with the work and the mission of the Institute,” she said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

The Institute strives to emphasize the spiritual and ethical dimension in sports and to transform perspectives and inspire behavior that reflects an awareness of God's presence in our lives.

“Sports are too important to our culture not to have a positive impact on it,” Lee said. “We strive to help those involved with sports to deepen their relationship with God even further, to help them move a little further on their faith journeys.”

Lee noted that her work at the Institute connects with Cornelia Connelly’s motto, Actions Not Words. “I will never ever forget the motto,” Lee said. “It really is true in the work I’m doing now with college students.  I tie that back to my time at Holy Child.”

In addition to her work, Lee has been married to husband David for more than 16 years, and they have two sons, Anthony (AJ) and Steven.

Spotlight on Jennifer Heness

SPOTLIGHT ON MONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER JENNIFER HENESS

How does a graphic designer become a Montessori early childhood teacher? For Jennifer Heness, the answer is motherhood. 

Jen, who is a second-year teacher at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Temple University and worked as a graphic designer at the University of Pennsylvania for five years.

While at Penn she pursued a master’s degree at the Wharton School of Business. Jen completed the first year of the program, but did not continue because she was pregnant with son Aleks, who is now seven.

After her son was born, Jen became interested in how children learn and started taking courses in child development.  When Aleks was two years old, Jen began looking for a pre-school and discovered a local Montessori school. “I spent the day there, and I was completely wowed,” she said. “This looks so much fun -- this is not only where I want my son to be, but I also would like to do this.”

Montessori appealed to Jen because of the individualized approach to educating young children. “In an early childhood setting I just loved how every child is seen as an individual, a unique package,” she said. “That’s what I love about Montessori ‑- everyone is an individual and everyone learns differently. It’s totally OK to be different.”

The children are also empowered to follow their interests in the Montessori classroom. “I like how children are free to move around and choose their own work,” Jen said. “They’re like little sponges, and if you put them in the right environment and give them an array of materials, they really can’t go wrong. It just seems like a joyful approach to educating children.”

In addition to enrolling Aleks in the school, Jen eventually became an assistant teacher there. “I just got my feet wet in the classroom and absolutely loved it,” she said.

Jen decided to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education, and the American Montessori Society awarded her a scholarship to attend Chestnut Hill College. The college offers a master’s degree in education, Montessori certification, and state certification. “It was a perfect fit for me because I was able to channel everything into one effort,” Jen said.

She recently completed her coursework and will graduate with a master of science degree in education in May. The 3.97 GPA she attained is impressive given her work and family schedule.

Jen especially enjoys seeing children gain confidence when they learn a new skill. “It’s really exciting when a child makes a work choice and they complete their work,” she said. “I like it when they use the materials and get the results they want.”

While Jen initially chose a career in graphic design, she feels being a Montessori early childhood teacher gives her more opportunities to be creative.

“It’s funny because I started out in the creative field, but I feel more creative teaching pre-school than I ever did doing design work for a company,” she said. “Every one of the kids is a different puzzle. It’s much more creative to figure out how do I get this child to learn, how do I get this child past (counting) from one to 10, and how can I get this child to read.”

On April 26, 2013, Holy Child Academy (HCA) Middle School students enjoyed a visit from recent graduate Leighann Adelizzi ‘11.  A sophomore at Episcopal Academy (EA), Leighann spoke to HCA students about her recent service trip to Haiti.  Leighann had been selected to be part of EA’s first group of students to visit its partner school, the St. Marc’s School in Haiti.  Instead of vacationing with family or friends, Leighann spent a week away from all of the comforts of life and traveled to one of the poorest countries in the world.  Upon arrival at Port au Prince, Leighann was struck by the devastation caused by the 2010 Earthquake, the poverty, and the trash. 

The purpose of their trip was to visit St. Marc’s School and forge relationships with the children and villagers.  After a few days in the capital, the group set out for the school which was located on the top of a mountain.  The group had to hike for over 2 hours in 95 degree weather (and wade through a mud river) to reach the village that housed the school.  Along the way, Leighann was amazed by how friendly all of the local people were. The EA group was greeted by the school children and locals singing to them. Leighann was brought to tears by the sight (and admittedly by the happiness of having the trek behind them).

Her visit with the children of St. Marc’s was Leighann’s favorite part of the trip.  She said that although she speaks enough French to communicate, language wasn’t necessary to connect with the children.  They taught the children games like duck duck goose and the hokey pokey and they communicated through laughter.

Reflecting on the trip with the HCA students, Leighann said that she didn’t feel like the devastation defined Haiti.  “…[I]t wasn’t until I actually got to experience the interior part of [the country] the actual people, their faces, their stories, and the school that my perception drastically changed and I realized what a beautiful and amazing place that Haiti is.” 

In addition to her service work, Leighann is an avid runner.  Leighann’s 4 x 400 relay team recently won the Philadelphia Academic League at the Penn Relays.  She also plays volleyball for a travel team called the Keystone Juniors and is a member of the community outreach board at EA.  If life isn’t busy enough for Leighann, she was recently selected to be the photography editor for EA’s school newspaper.

When asked about her time at HCA, Leighann said she had “amazing relationships with the teachers and faculty at HCA.”  She went to say that she was “able to confide and trust in the teachers and faculty, and they were able to adapt to the individual learning of each student which really helped shape my educational framework going into high school.”

Gertrude “Trudy” Ezzo and Her Home Away From Home

 

For Trudy Ezzo, Holy Child Academy (HCA) in Drexel Hill has been home away from home for more than 27 years. Arriving in 1985 as the Third Grade teacher, Trudy moved in 1992 to the Pre-Kindergarten where she continues to teach today. Trudy recalls her excitement and readiness (early childhood studies at Immaculata University) for her new Pre-Kindergarten position, and that enthusiasm and preparedness still serve her and her students well today. Visit HCA’s Pre-Kindergarten class and you will witness happy faces in a warm and nurturing environment that fosters creativity, respect, and good manners.

 

Trudy’s interest in teaching started at an early age. In many respects, teaching is in Trudy’s genes as her Aunt Gert and Aunt Jane (Sister Regina Gertrude, IHM) were educators who influenced Trudy’s vocation. She shares that, in high school, she had spent a week in her Aunt Gert’s classroom, an experience that “sealed the deal” for her career path.  Now a master teacher herself, Trudy finds each day rewarding and professes to have the “best job in the house.”

In addition to her family, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus also has had an impact on Trudy’s life and career. Trudy is a proud graduate of Academy of the Holy Child in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Trudy reminisced that when her parents attended their first meeting there, Sister Elizabeth Fitzmaurice (formerly Mother Thomas Mary) told the audience that school is an extension of home and the sisters are called “Mother.” According to Trudy, her parents were impressed and delighted that the school was a gentle and caring place, just like home. To this day, Trudy fosters this nurturing atmosphere in her classroom. “I always keep “gentle and caring” in mind, and remember that I am here to take care of the children, like a mother.”

Trudy also attributes her Holy Child education in shaping the person she is today. “My high school life has made a huge impact on my life. I was always a shy, timid, child, and my parents felt a smaller, gentler environment would be best. My father always teased that I found my voice at Holy Child and the school found the best in me.”

 

According to Trudy, the Network of Holy Child Schools is a testament to Cornelia Connelly and her conviction to “develop mature persons capable of making choices which enrich their own lives and contribute to the lives of others.” Trudy knows firsthand that Cornelia’s teachings are alive, even in corporate America. “I once heard my daughter, a HCA graduate, tell a colleague that she always keeps Actions, Not Words, in mind.” Trudy continues, “Holy Child grads keep those lessons for life.”

Trudy reflects on her relationships with Holy Child schools and acknowledges their importance. “Whenever my high school friends gather, we reminisce about the superb education and the promotion of exceptional life goals and Christian values and how that sets us apart from other schools, just like HCA graduates today.”

Interestingly, Trudy has noticed a trend of Holy Child graduates becoming teachers…they gravitate toward Holy Child schools.  Perhaps it’s because the Holy Child schools are just like family, warm and caring – home away from home.

 

View the World through HCA Alumni Jeff Glasse's Invention

Holy Child Academy (HCA) had a chance to catch up with alumni Jeff Glasse ’84 this Fall.  Jeff currently lives in New York City and has an impressive career in video production, educational software and hardware.  Today, Jeff is the founder and CEO of Kōgeto.

After graduating from HCA, Jeff went to Monsignor Bonner High School and then received his undergraduate degree at Princeton University.  Upon graduation from Princeton, Jeff began a career in film production at the Cubist Post and Effects, a postproduction video editing company in Philadelphia.  He recalls enjoying his work there; but, as you will read, Jeff has an inner drive to keep challenging himself.  

In 1998, Jeff moved to New York City and founded DIGIT New Media, an award-winning documentary and interactive production company.  There, he produced videos and interactives for clients, including ESPN and the United Nations.

In 2000, Jeff joined Teachscape, an enterprise software company focused on the educational market.  While at Teachscape, Jeff worked on a project called “Measures of Effective Teaching,” a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Jeff was tasked with finding a way to record 18,000 hours of classroom time at a reasonable cost – in under six months.  Since traditional videotaping would have distracted the students and only captured what the camera was facing, Jeff designed “Lucy,” a panoramic digital video camera that could be placed in the classroom and record without a cameraperson.  This invention not only reduced the price of a panoramic camera from about $150,000 to $2,500, but it also dramatically reduced the time it took to process panoramic video (previously 40 hours down to a single hour of panoramic video). 

After 10 years at Teachscape, Jeff ventured out on his own and founded Kōgeto.  At Kōgeto Jeff designed and started manufacturing the “Dot.”  The Dot is a panoramic camera that fits onto the back of your iPhone and will record 360° of video from your phone.  Check it out at  www.kogeto.com  and don’t miss a Dotspot posted by Jeff’s sister HCA grad Jennifer Glasse ‘82 and a reporter for the Arabic News Network’s English Language Al Jazeera. http://www.kogeto.com/dotspots/H44AOBY9Y9XW?query=&page=2&hp=1&sort=featured#.UGnCP42PXSg.

After sharing details about Jeff’s exciting career and amazing new product, Jeff took a few minutes to look back at his time at HCA.  Jeff had fond memories and credited show producer Frank Jackson with his love for the theatre.  Jeff also proclaimed his 4th grade teacher Mrs. Jean Kasmer as the best teacher “hands down” -- a pretty powerful statement coming from a man who helped study teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom!

HCA Student Shared Birthday Joy with Soup Kitchen

 

 

 

Imagine a 1^st Grader requesting friends to bring a gift for the “missions” instead of buying a birthday present for herself.  Holy Child Academy 1^st Grader Victoria Hiscott did exactly that! 

Victoria celebrated her 7^th birthday a little differently this year. Friends and classmates of Victoria arrived at her birthday party with monetary donations for the Archdiocese’s Kid Snack Bags Project rather than toys, dolls, and games for Victoria. With the help of Victoria and her friends, nearly $300 was raised for children who eat at soup kitchens. These funds were then used to purchase, decorate, and fill paper bags with juice, granola bars, a box of raisins and a fruit cup.

Holy Child Academy learned of Victoria’s generous idea when Mrs. Hiscott called Lower School Director and Service Coordinator Ms. Anne Wood to inquire about the “missions” and to explain her daughter’s birthday wishes.  Apparently, Victoria’s thoughtfulness had been spurred on by Holy Child Academy’s year-long service projects to help others who are less fortunate and the school motto of Actions, Not Words. Victoria, however, took her “actions” to another level and shared her birthday joy with the needy. Ms. Wood commented that “Victoria’s thoughtfulness and generosity at such a young age left many of us of speechless.”