2021 Fountain Magazine

THE FOUNTAIN

THE FOUNTAIN 2021 - 2022 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 5 OFFICE OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS

BRIDGING OUR PAST
TO OUR FUTURE

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 2

A Message From the Principal 4 EDITOR/WRITER
The Wiser Program 6 Gloria A. Musto
Student Artwork 8 [email protected]
In Memoriam 10 #FHALUMNAE
Student Artwork 12 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Featured Story 14 Neli Brussi
Class Notes 15 World Language
Faculty Notes 22 Chairperson
Fontbonne Traditions 26 Dawn Duggan
International Women’s Day 28 Math Chairperson
A Day in the Life of a Bonnie 34 Karissa K. Miles
College Acceptances 36 Director of Development
Student Artwork 38 PROOFREADERS
Faculty Emeritus 39 Linda Jean-Louis
Summer Soirée 40 Linda Winslow
Alumnae Emeritae Society 42 DESIGNER
A Message From Alumnae Director 43 Lauren Gueli
[email protected]
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NICOLE DICAMILLO ’20

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
MARY ANN SPICIJARIC

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Dear Alumnae, As the coronavirus pandemic shut schools in March of
As we welcomed our students back this past September that year, in accordance with New York State Department
to five days a week of in-person instruction, there was of Education guidelines, the administration scheduled
excitement and happiness, coupled with uncertainty and eight short graduation ceremonies that were held in the
concerns for health and safety coming from students, courtyard on campus. Since many of our families faced
parents, faculty and staff. Like all schools across the financial challenges, students were permitted to choose
country, we came back hoping for school to be the way to wear either the white evening gown or the cap and
it had been in a pre-pandemic world, but on some level gown. Finally, in the fall of 2020, the Class of 2021 re-
we all knew that this school year would be one where we quested that the administration move the white evening
need to create our new normal. gown to the baccalaureate mass and allow for the cap
On September 14, 2021, Education Week ran a story enti- and gown to be worn at the graduation ceremony held
tled “10 Ways to Tackle Education’s Urgent Challenges”. at St. John’s University on Staten Island. The Bacca-
It asked educators to reflect on our successes since the laureate Mass begins our week of senior celebrations,
pandemic, and it also listed some areas that have been and the administration agreed that it seems only fitting
revealed to require our attention in our post-pandemic that our graduates now begin this week by wearing the
approach to education. Homeless students, racism in attire that honors the thousands of Fontbonne alumnae
schools, teacher and student mental health, the pros and that have come before them, and concludes their week of
cons of remote learning, and what the role of education celebrations with them graduating wearing the academic
really needs to now be as we educate our young people attire that they have justly earned, and that symbolizes
for what is a world with challenges we never anticipated for them all exceeding the requirements for graduation
our students would be facing, are all items with which from high school in New York State.
educators are grappling. There is no doubt that change The evolution of our traditions is a beautiful example
is upon us, driving us towards evolution and growth. of the good work that our faculty is doing. Our students
Fontbonne is no different. are questioning, thinking, and looking to us to adapt
During our Alumnae Information Night, held at the their education and their high school experience to a
beginning of the school year, we updated our graduates world and a time that they will need to be prepared to
on enrollment trends, the reasons for our rebranding lead us through.
campaign, our outstanding course offerings in the In the words of the Sisters of St. Joseph Schools Mission
humanities, music, art, science and math, and finally, Statement, “We strive to develop compassionate, con-
how our traditions continue to anchor Fontbonne in fident students, rooted in the gospel of Jesus, who use
the successes of her past but also evolve to bridge her their exceptional academic skills to address the needs of
to her future. the time.” We are proud that our students see the need
The best example of a tradition that has changed to for change but also understand that they stand on the
meet the desire of, and have significance for, the young shoulders of those that came before them.
women of today is the evolution of wearing the white Please know that all of you are always welcome to engage
evening gown at our graduation ceremony. In 2015, the in our movement towards Fontbonne’s future. We need
cap and gown was added and worn at the baccalaureate your financial support to help us continue to provide
mass. This allowed our graduates to have “the best of an exceptional all-girls’ college preparatory education
both worlds” in wearing what had been worn by our to our young women. Equally important to us, is your
graduates since 1941, but also wear the academic attire partnership in thinking and exploring the adaptations
symbolizing their academic achievements. Three years Fontbonne needs to make in order to continue to evolve
later, in 2018, students began questioning the practice to meet our students’ needs and to continue to be a top
of wearing the cap and gown at the baccalaureate mass choice school for mission-appropriate families and their
and the white evening gown at graduation, and many daughters.
students requested that the administration consider Thank you for being part of our past, and an even more
switching the attire for each venue. These questions important part of our future.
and requests continued in 2019 and in 2020, the request All my best regards,
arose again. The administration decided that it was
time to hold multiple student focus groups to explore Mary Ann Spicijaric
and listen to opinions from any senior that wanted to Principal
be part of the conversation.

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WISER PROGRAM JUDGES

Kathryn Chepiga Özgün ’06 Corine Fitzgibbons ’09 Giovanna Diffenback ’09

WOMEN IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND RESEARCH.

The WISER program Symposium is an annual
Science Department virtual symposium in which
students present their projects through the use of
online technology such as Google Meet or Zoom.
Alumnae judges, who are in the sciences are asked to
judge. This year, our judges joined us from around the

world and the U.S. Thank you to…

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Kathryn Chepiga Özgün ’06 Since she began her tenure at NAVAIR she
After graduating from Fontbonne in 2006, she has held several positions, most recently as a
majored in chemistry and minored in biology program manager at the Advanced Arresting
at Wagner College on Staten Island. She then Gear onboard the Ford class aircraft carriers.
went on to get her PhD in organic chemistry Her organization affords her the opportunity to
at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Thereafter volunteer in her local community, specifically
she moved to Germany for a post-doctoral with their STEM outreach program.
fellowship at the University of Münster and “I am proud that I am able to support our
now works at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. At Bayer, armed forces and continue to represent
Katie has held several positions including lab FH through my hard work, dedication,
head in drug discovery and process chemistry. and service to the community.”

She is now chief-of-staff of the Chemical and Giovanna Diffenback ’09
Pharmaceutical Development Management
Team who are responsible for supplying clinical
trials with medication.

Katie is passionate about enhancing inclusion Gigi is a 2009 Fontbonne alum. She earned her
and diversity within her company and is a B.S. in Childhood Education with a concentration
founding member of the local GROW (growing in Earth Science and M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and
representation & opportunities for women) Instruction from the College of Saint Rose in
group at her workplace. Albany, NY. She is pursuing her Doctorate of
Education in Educational Leadership at the
Corine Fitzgibbons ’09 University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky.  Gigi
After graduating Fontbonne in 2009, Corine began her career at Saint Stephen of Hungary
attended the Polytechnic Institute of NYU in School in Manhattan, teaching science and
downtown Brooklyn where she majored in religion while taking a lead role in developing
mechanical engineering and minored in aerospace a STEM-ready lab.  She led successful efforts
engineering. Between playing three varsity securing a “littleBits” grant for the school,
sports, holding a part-time job, and her class enabling mechanical lab projects and led her
workload she was extremely stressed. She stated, students to victory in the BOSE speaker building
“I learned important skills at FH that helped me regional competition in Spring 2018.
manage the chaos. Time management, efficient In Summer 2018, Gigi began teaching middle
note taking and study habits, and relying on your school science at Saint Edward School in Nashville,
community of friends/family/classmates are just TN. She is the school’s team instructor for the
some of the skills that FH has ingrained in my state regional Science Olympiad competition.
character.”After graduating NYU Poly she started She also enjoys coaching golf.
her career at the Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR) as an engineer for the V-22 aircraft
platform and is currently enrolled in the Drexel
University graduate program on base, from which
she received an MS in Mechanical Engineering.

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JACQUELINE COX ’22

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SARAH DOWNEY ’22

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IN MEMORIAM

The Fontbonne Family wishes to remember the members of our community who
have gone to their eternal resting place.

“Eternal rest grant onto them Oh Lord...

Frances Pittaro Villani ’50* Florence Izzo
October 11, 2015 Grandmother to Laura Izzo O’Neill ’07
Mother-in-Law to Rosemary Izzo, former faculty
Annette Patricia Cucchiara ’67* September 15, 2020
2018
Christian Santo
Audrey Neilson Mullholland ’56* Brother to Nicole Santo ’12
February 18, 2019 September 18, 2020

Faith Ryan McGowan ‘48 Jacqueline Louise Kinman
November 4, 2019 Mother to Ian Kinman former FH Faculty
October 7, 2020
Helen Schippicase ’45
March 30, 2020 Marion Lane Murray ’52
November 16, 2020
June Picaro Palo ’70
April 5, 2020 Kimberly Flynn Lustgarten ’98
Sister to Jennifer Flynn ’03
Maria Fabbricini November 18, 2020
Mother to Adele Fabricini Vitali ’87
April 2020 James Anthony Venturni
Husband to Eleanor ’55
Joseph Sparacio Father to Jean Venturini ’80 and
Son to Marie Niedrich Sparacio ’57 Laura Venturini Bruno ’82 and
May 2020 Karen Venturini Gnerre ’86
Grandfather to Victoria Gnerre ’15, FH Staff
Corinne Connor Dillon ’53 November 24, 2020
June 27, 2020
Sister Mary Catherine Sullivan
Carol Brigio Barch ’63 Retired FH Faculty
July 1, 2020 November 27, 2020

Katherine Kokenakos Lliaridis ’84 Bernice Falisi
August 1, 2020 Grandmother to Stephanie Cipriano’10
and Michele Ciprano ’13
Barbara Ryan Casey ’53 FH Faculty
August 8, 2020 November 29, 2020

Susan Hart Sister Edith Fitzsimmons
Mother to Ali Hart ’00 Board of Trustee Retired BKHS Faculty
September 3, 2020 November 30, 2020

Carol McCabe Fromann ’56 Rosemary McCauley Tobin ’44
September 6, 2020 October 23, 2020

Raymond Jabara Sr. Mary Philotheo Blake ’48
Brother to Kathy Jabara Kunkle ’71 October 27, 2020
September 12, 2020

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Dominick Pascale Anne Wolfe Walsh ’57
Father to Dawn Pascale ’86 April 11, 2021
November 9, 2020
Henry Gillen
Carol Sarno Crager Murphy ’55 Father-in-law to Romeo Petric, FH Athletic Director
December 4, 2020 April 25, 2021

Jaimie Santa Maria ’08 Jean Marie Reardon Baumann ’57
December 5, 2020 May 5, 2021

Daniele A. Pucci Rosemary Kennedy Lane ’41
Father to Francesca Pucci ’11 Grandmother to Kathleen Lane Belcastro ’06
December 18, 2020 May 10, 2021

Lara Halwani ’09 Nicole DeMeo Sharabi ’93
December 26, 2020 May 15, 2021

Frank Serini, DDS Joanne Gugliotta
Husband to Michelle Comito Serini ’66 Mother to BriAnna Gugliotta ’11
January 8, 2021 May 22, 2021

Nina Cione Rubinstein ’74 Maria LaPointe Tullo ’70
January 17, 2021 May 24, 2021

John Spicijaric Frances Fumo Chionchio ’51
Brother to Mary Ann Spicijaric, FH Principal June 30, 2021
January 21, 2021
Sue Anne Volpe DeMarco ’67
John Gillen August 13, 2021
Father to Margaret Gillen Rizza ’93 and
Marykate Gillen Gallagher ’97 and ...“May their souls and all
Joanna Gillen Hasselblad ’04 the souls of the faithfully
February 5, 2021 departed, rest in peace.
Amen”
Lottie Slomka
Mother-in-law to Beverly Cordella Slomka ’70 *Note: Some notifications only provide
February 7, 2021 the month and year or only the year or no
information was provided or notification was
Virginia Gardella Breslin ’44 made recently.
February 20, 2021
Please share obituary notifications for Alumnae/
Rose Marie Fiordaliso ’69 or their family members with the Office of
March 5, 2021 Alumnae Relations so they may be acknowledged
in future publications.
Mikes Tsangaris father to Stacy Tsangaris, FH Staff
March 11, 2021 Email: [email protected]

Jeanne McKinney Palladino ’53
March 28, 2021

Dorothy Jean Downing Plante ’48
April 6, 2021

Agatha Cilmi
Grandmother to Alexandra Caso ‘13
April 6, 2021

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EMILY SNYDER ’22

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ALEXANDRA ARNDT ’22

ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHTTHE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 14

ANDREA MODICA ‘78  Photo by Richard Renaldi “A picture is worth a thousand words”

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is an adage attributed to several people including Federick
R. Barnard, Henrick Ibsen, and also a Chinese proverb, but for Andrea Modica, Class of 1978, it
is an expression of art and vision and a talent developed while she was a student at Fontbonne.
Andrea shared that while at Fontbonne she was taught all the standard subjects, read the Bible
and J.D. Salinger, had speech classes, learned how to investigate sexism in journalism and
advertising, but most of all, Fontbonne taught her to question everything! “I have woven all
these lessons and methods into a class I teach at Drexel University,” Prof. Modica shared. She
continued, “Fontbonne encouraged girls to be curious, responsible, and even a bit rebellious.
Graduates in all fields are prepared to be scholars and leaders, inspired to live a life of ethics and
compassion, and encouraged to pass that torch on to future generations.” She attributes Mr.
Bellinger for inspiring her to channel her feelings into her work, which she learned to do as his
student and embraced that practice for decades.
Ms. Modica lives in Philadelphia, where she works as a photographer and teaches in the
Photography Program at Drexel University. She is a graduate of Yale School of Art, is a
Guggenheim Fellow and a Fulbright Scholar! Her books include Treadwell (Chronicle Books),
Barbara (Nazraeli), Minor League (Smithsonian Press), Human Being (Nazraeli), Real Indians
(Melcher Media), Fountain (Sintehour Editions), L’Amici del Cuore (Nazraeli), As We Wait
(L’Artiere Editions – now in its second edition), January 1 (L’Artiere Editions), Lentini (Kris Graves
Projects) and Reveal (Yoffy Press). Her upcoming book, which will be published with TIS, is titled
Theatrum Equorum.
Ms. Modica exhibits nationally and internationally, and she has had solo exhibitions at the
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Boulder Museum
of Contemporary Art, and the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts. Andrea Modica’s
photographs are part of the permanent collections of numerous institutions, including the
Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American
Art, the Brooklyn Museum (in NYC), the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American
Art Museum, the International Museum of Photography and Film at the George Eastman House,
and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, France.
Andrea’s work can be found on her website www.andreamodica.com or on her Instagram account
AndreaModica.Photo (www.Instagram.com/andreamodica.photo).
We are proud of Andrea Modica and happy to have her as our featured alumna this year. She
exemplifies a Fontbonne alum; a life-long learner, a woman of substance who challenges the
status quo, and an independent woman who knows SHE CAN!

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CLASS NOTES

The Fontbonne Family

52 Sally Coyne ’52 called to let us know Katherine Ruth Ross ’60 paid us a visit with her
that her granddaughter graduated son. They were in town for a party at which she
Tulane Medical School in 2020 and visited with Sr. Karen, a former campus minister
would be serving her internship at NYU Lutheran at FH. Thanks for the visit Katherine, it was
here in Bay Ridge…congratulations Sally…such lovely meeting you and your son.
wonderful news!

60 Margaret Schaefer Lamberton ’60
wrote in; “It is so interesting to see
how Fontbonne has evolved over the
past sixty years. My family had five girls, all of
whom attended Fontbonne.Two of us are still
alive.” Pictured here, celebrating Dolores’ ninetieth
birthday, are Margaret Schaefer Lamberton, Dolores
Schaefer Burris ’48, and Mary Ryan Carter ’48.
Thank you so much for sharing this Margaret!

62 Barbara Casolaro Shields ’62 visited
with several of her sisters from the
Class of ‘62… Mary Errichetti Fletcher,
Marietta Valerio Lawlor, and Terry Vacca Saporito
shared good times, good talk, and good food…
keeping their Fontbonne sisterhood alive in Del
Rey Beach, FL

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67 Mary Cordato ’67 is a 25-year-member Adrienne Lamia Liander ’71 wrote in to share
of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the news about the birth of her granddaughter,
the Civil War and received this ribbon Lyanna, in 2020 to her son Peter and his wife
in honor of her Silver Anniversary. Such an honor! Amanda. Congratulations! Her fondest dream
is that Lyanna would be a member of the Bonnie
Class of 2038. In an additional note, Adrienne
wanted to thank Mrs. Ellen Simpson for being
an outstanding Social Studies teacher and
remembers her as being a woman ahead of her
time, well respected, and brilliant. Ellen Finn
Simpson is an FH graduate as well...

76 Barbara D’Arecca Belluomo ’76 was
featured in a September 2020 issue
of the Tablet. She and her husband,
Mario, returned to Our Lady of Angels on their
40th Anniversary to reminisce and celebrate.
Barbara shared that if she hadn’t attended
Fontbonne she would have never met her husband.

Debbie San Antonio Langiulli ’67 sent us a memory 79 Kathryn Bartolomeo Raborn ’79
and thanked Sr. Mary Eugene. “Thank you for wrote in: “after 39 years in financial
making believe you didn’t see us breaking some services, I’m ready for my second
rules.” I am sure she is watching from heaven now. act. Just graduated from Lerner Business School
at the University of Delaware with my MBA in
71 Judy Marmone Donadio ’71 shared Healthcare Management.” Kathryn, new chapters
these photos of her 4 beautiful are so exciting…best of luck in all your new ventures!
grandchildren…some future Bonnies
in the family!? 86 Members of the Class of ’86 couldn’t
wait to celebrate with each other…they
missed their annual Christmas party
so they had Christmas in May! Thanks Margaret
and Noelle for sharing these great photos!

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Congratulations to Christine Curran Canny ’90,
owner of Vented in Brooklyn, who was recognized
for her efforts in fundraising. She partnered with
the Third Avenue Merchant leaders and raised over
$6,000 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Congratulations Christie for living out the Mission
of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Fontbonne.

91 Kristen Carlsen Lubinsky ’91 updated
her mailing address and shared that
she is the proud mom of three beautiful
children; Izabella-21, Conor-14, and Logan -12.
89 The Class of ’89 met via Zoom and She wrote; “I loved all my teachers! Fontbonne is
celebrated a milestone birthday the best place to grow up!” Thank you Kristen…
together…congrats to Joann Nicolo, yes, it truly is…
Julie Mongelluzzo, Jennifer Boscarino Green, Susan
Persico Spata, Susan Lobosco Sirna, Constance Anastasia (Sia) Petropole Sipp ’91 posted this
Gangemi Slampiack, Marie Lamicella DiCarlo, Nicole picture of two FH rings...Sia’s and her daughter,
Pernice Giuzio, and Jennifer Lacapella McVey… Eleni’s ’22. Ring ceremonies hold a special meaning
the best is yet to be! You look “mahvahlus” ladies! at FH...Mother/Daughter Bonnies...Fontbonne
Forever!

Celia Barbuto Schirtzer ’90 wrote 03 Jennifer Flynn ’03 sent us this
picture...while at an open house at
90 in that she is fondly remembering Notre Dame for her niece, she noticed
her days at Fontbonne as she and her a brick dedication to Sr. Anne Clancey, a former
husband plan for their twin boys’ Principal. Thanks Jenn, Sr. Anne certainly deserves
graduation from high school. Exciting days ahead that acknowledgment and honor!
indeed, Celia. Congratulations and thank you for
sharing your family milestone with us!

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 18

06 Jackie Collins Macapugay ’06 sent Christabel Grullon ’06 shared these pictures of her
in these photos of her beautiful baby beautiful daughter with us…many blessings always
daughter and family. Christabel for your family.

08 Dana Jean-Louis ’08 became engaged
to James Iucci on Christmas Eve 2020.
Congratulations Dana…all wonderful
things ahead!

Kathryn Chepiga-Özgün ’06, Gigi Diffenback ’09,
and Corine Fitzgibbons ’09 participated as judges in
our WISER Symposium and judged student projects
in Chemistry, Biotech, Living Environment, AP
Bio, AP Environment, Forensics, and Engineering.
The wonders of technology allowed these alumnae
to participate from Germany, Tennessee, and New
Jersey! Thanks so much for your time! Fontbonne
gone global! See our featured Alumnae section
for more...

Patricia Ednie ’06 is a Nurse Practitioner at the
Outpatient Breast Surgery Unit at Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center.

Brittany Mescall Romano ’06 was married to Michael
Romano on October 12, 2019 and is living on Staten
Island.

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Anna-Maria Montalto ’08 wrote in …”I am a these wonderful wedding photos! You made a
chemical engineer by nature and I love working at an beautiful bride Christina!
operating-facility making process improvements and
driving efficiency projects. Having the opportunity
to be a part of a rotation program at Air Products
the last two assignments were about becoming a
better process engineer by doing design work and
process controls work. Now I get to apply what I
learned at DuPont.”

Look who celebrated with Catherine Muldoon
Turturro ’08 …Adrianna, Kristen, Jane, Michelle,
and Joanna...Bonnie sister love. Congratulations
Catherine!!! Let us know when you give birth.

Stephanie Cipriano-Wakeham ’10 and her husband
welcomed a baby girl, Ashley Morgan, in June 2021.
A new Bonnie class of 2039!

09 Ashley Schirripa ’09 gave birth to 11 Brianna Caiazzo ’11 earned a DPT,
Rocco Nicholas Tiberi on July 22, Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
2020…happy first birthday Rocco!!! AND became engaged! Woohoo!

Gigi Diffenback ’09 sent an update from Nashville The Olivers have had a busy and wonderful year!
where she lives and works as a Catholic school Congratulation Jillian ’11 on your engagement and
science and religious-ed teacher. She also coaches kudos to Kate ’14 on earning your DPT degree;
the Golf and Science Olympiad. She is a Doctoral Doctor of Physical Therapy…well done!
student in Education Leadership…thank you Gigi
for sending along these updates and many blessings 12 Congratulations to Samantha
for the work you do…Good Luck in your doctoral Marinello ’12 on your engagement
program as well… another Bonnie life-long learner!! on December 24, 2020! So exciting…

10 Christina Canitano Sciascia ’10 is Carla Menezes ’12 works with MPH, CHES, as
celebrating an anniversary and shared a public health professional with a strong focus
on patient engagement. She’s worked in several
non-profit organizations since graduating from
Fontbonne Hall. She uses her creativity and team

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 20

building skills to provide accessible services within Cinzia Chiriac ’13 is a Government Relations
the public health sphere, whether those are Specialist at Bloomberg L.P. in London. She earned
designing workshops aimed for parents and families, her Masters of Arts in International Affairs from
conducting surveys in resource-limited areas, or John Hopkins University – School of Advanced
consulting with patients on their future health International Studies. She sent a special shout out
options. She currently works as Project Coordinator to Mrs. Brussi, her FA…”thank you for making FA
at Lupus Research Alliance, where she manages feel like a family.”
initiatives to amplify patient voices in the clinical Jennie O’Hara ’13 J.D., is a graduate of George
trial space to hopefully find a cure for lupus. There Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
are many of us who personally thank you for your Arlington. She lives and works in the D.C. area.
work there!

Kristina Schiano ’13, drummer extraordinaire, was
the 8G Band Sit-In this past June on Late Night
with Seth Meyers…follow your dreams and success
will come!

Barbara Wasserman ’13 opened her 14 Christine Parascandola ’14 has
private practice. Barbara is a been accepted to the LIU School of
psychologist. Congratulations and Veterinary Medicine. Dreams do come
all the best…well done you! true! Congratulations…
13

15 Stephanie Banat ’15 is a journalist
with Herald Community News.
Melissa McKenzie ’15 completed her Masters of
Elisa Csorba ’12 wrote in April to share exciting Professional Studies in the Business of Fashion
program from LIM with a 4.0 GPA and Alpha
Beta Kappa honors. She continues her home
fashion career in account management with Core
Home, where she manages kitchenware, tabletop,
hydration, organization, cleaning, outdoor, pet, and
giftware categories for their global retail clientele…
this is awesome news…so proud of you!

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 21

Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor trainee. Advice
on the market???

19 Catherine Russo ’19 is a junior at
Fordham University at Rose Hill.
Catherine is majoring in Psychology
and was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2020
and spring 2021 semesters. Well done!

Taylor Nardi ’15 moved to Florida and is working YOUNG ALUM UPDATES FROM MERIT
for the Walt Disney Company in Hotel Management.
Merit is an organization that recognizes and
16 Amanda Larney ’16 graduated Hunter verifies the accomplishments of their registered
College in June of 2020 from the students and reports those accomplishments to
Thomas Hunter Honors Program Phi the students’ high school. Fontbonne is a member
Beta Kappa! She was also accepted into the Disney school.
College Program and is currently pursuing her Rawan El-Choum ’17 was named to the spring 2021
Masters in Arts and Media Management at Pace Presidential Honors List at New York Institute of
University. Impressive! Congratulations Amanda! Technology.
Anastasia Stadnik ’17 was named to the University
of Scranton’s spring 2021 Dean’s List.
Kate Collins ’18 was named to the spring 2021 Dean’s
List at Loyola University, Maryland. Students must
achieve at least a 3.50 GPA for the term.

SUNY New Paltz congratulated Caitlyn Schmidt ’18
for earning the spring 2021 Dean’s List Honors.

Adelphi University announced their spring 2020
Dean’s List recipients:

• Amanda Celona ’19
• Brianna Alicandro ’20

Aline McCarthy ’20 was named to SUNY Oneonta’s
spring 2021 Provost’s List. The Provost’s List
honors students with a 4.0 grade-point average.

SUNY Cortland’s President’s List honors students
for the spring of 2020. Students must earn a grade
of A- or better in each course while carrying a course
load of 12 hours or more. Enrolled are:

• Katherine Cappiello ’17
• Katherine Wasson ’19

17 Anne Russo ’17 graduated magna Please send your updates to the Office of
cum laude from the Gabelli School Alumnae Relations via email to:
of Business at Fordham University [email protected]
in May 2021. Anne has joined Bank of America

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 22

FACULTY NOTES

There have been many transitions this past year in what is otherwise a very settled faculty…

Faculty & Staff News Faculty & Staff Transitions

Michele Cipriano ’13 became engaged to John Transitions
Arpino on April 17 in Tarrytown, NY. John enlisted
her besties, Joana Salvatore, Crystal Cepeda, and The following faculty and staff members have left
Kaitlin McLaughlin, also class of 2013, to assist in Fontbonne to begin new chapters in their lives. We
the surprise. Congratulations Michele! The best is wish them well…
yet to be…years of joy for you and John.
Nicolas Aszling
Catherine and Frank Marinello became grandparents Tania Castillo-Rivera
for the 4th time…congratulations to Nicole and John Christie Cino
Herron on the birth of your son, John on August Megan Correira
7th….Frank you can start a boy’s team… Concetta Durso
Gloria Musto ’71 became engaged to Sergio Danielle Glasser
Nacinovich on August 19, 2021. The introduction Victoria Gnerre
was made by Gloria’s Fontbonne classmate, Ian Kinman
Marianne Fioravanti Morea, whose son is married Christopher Rendinaro
to Sergio’s daughter! Danielle Rosete
Gina Cruz celebrated the wedding of her daughter, Katherine Holmes Sollazzo
Laura, on August 29th after a year’s delay due to Daniel J. Ugenti
Covid. She married her love, Mazen, in a small Jessica Welge
ceremony followed by a rooftop reception at the Alexandra Wurglics, and
Box House Hotel. Congratulations and blessings Lauriann Wierzbowski our AP extraordinaire
to the newlyweds!
A special thank you Lauri for all that you have done
for us for the last six years; guiding academics,
programming, mentoring teachers, being a pinch-
hitter in the Math department, bringing us through
our mid-term Middle States Review with flying
colors, fire drills, planning graduation, helping
anyone with whatever was needed and so much
more…your quiet, calm, and generous spirit will
be missed. We wish many blessings in your new
venture.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 23
Retirements

Olinda Franceschetti came to Fontbonne in 2013 Our favorite “happy apple” began her career here
and became an immediate value-added member of at Fontbonne in 1981 and the World Language
the World Language department with her extensive department would never be the same! She taught
knowledge of Italian and Spanish vocabulary, Italian and brought her effervescent personality
grammar and literature and a no - nonsense approach to everything she did on campus.
to teaching. She was always practical, serious, Her FA loved her and to this day recalls the many
focused, and purposeful. Her Chairperson stated, happy days begun in St. Martha’s Room 202 which
“you hated wasting time in the classroom, every day was always decorated with the international flags,
she was an educator on a mission. And the mission travel posters, and foreign language word cards.
was a most noble one: to educate, empower, and Sr. Rosemarie, affectionately called “Sr. Roe” by so
engage the next generation of young women who many, remained a member emeritus of the WLD,
will continue, even beyond high school, to learn always at the ready to cover classes and resources,
new languages and explore new cultures. You were assist with grading and attendance, and served as
a tireless professional, a helpful coworker, and a our after-school receptionist. The Foyer resource
friend.” was her realm and kept all her “apples” quietly
We wish Mrs. Franceschetti all the best. You deserve working and using resource time effectively.
to relax, spend more time with your family, and Her presence on campus was invaluable as the only
try new things and hobbies that you will now CSJ on staff. She provided the presence of the
have the time to pursue. The World Language Josephite community and you would often hear
department won’t be the same without you. Thank the students calling, “Good Morning Sis…have a
you for everything you did for the department and great day!”
Fontbonne and know you will be missed.

Sr. Rosemarie retired this year and now resides
at Stella Maris. “Toots” you will be missed but
never forgotten.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 24

Tribute to Cathy Barton Congratulations on your retirement. We wish you
all the best in your future, may it be filled with lots
of fun and happiness.
Fontbonne will not be the same without you...we
all wish you God Speed!

Fontbonne Hall is happy to announce the
addition of our new Administrators.
Join us in welcoming Ms. Andrews
and Ms. Douglas!

Emma Andrews-Crean as Assistant
Principal for Faculty and Instruction

Teaching was so much more than just a job for Cathy
Barton. Her passion and love for students inspired
each lesson, in each encounter with her students,
in each interaction with her peers at Fontbonne.

In her classes she challenged limitations, raised Mrs. Crean was born and raised in Buffalo, NY.
expectations and inspired achievement. While She attended Syracuse University from 2009-
she expected a lot from her students, they didn’t 2013 graduating with a dual Bachelor’s Degree
mind the amount of work, the daily homework in Secondary Education and Mathematics. Mrs.
assignments, or the tests and projects. They always Crean taught Algebra 1, Algebra II, Geometry,
knew that in her classes work leads to success and Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus in her eight year
learning where no students would be left behind. teaching career.
Cathy never gave up till each and every one of her While teaching, Mrs. Crean attended Fordham
students understood the content. Fontbonne will
not be the same without Mrs. Barton, she was more
than just a math teacher. Even if a student never
had her as a teacher they most certainly interacted
with her at one point or another, whether it was
catching them for being late, sitting with them
while they served detention, being an FA teacher,
helping students with countless math questions in
a resource as well as every morning and afternoon
offering more math help to anyone in need. The
math department thanks you so much for going
above and beyond and bringing out the best in all
of us. Thank you for your years of service, you will
be dearly missed.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 25

University from 2017-2018 and earned a Master’s Coach, Dean, and Assistant Principal. She attended
of Science Degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Stella Maris High School and she looks forward to
Crean is a New York State professionally certified continuing the work of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Teacher. Her previous leadership experience “At Fontbonne, I hope to continue to integrate the
includes STEM Department Chair and Summer mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph into all aspects
Dean (Summer Institute program).  of the student experience and ensure we are actively
Mrs. Crean believes that a rigorous, loving, and recruiting young women to be the future pioneers
supportive educational environment can help any and change agents in our world.”
woman reach the full potential for who she wants Ms. Douglas’ experience as a youth leader and
to be and is excited to join the Fontbonne Hall religious education teacher will bring value-added
community. She fully embraces “SHE CAN” and experience to this new position. Her philosophy
will work toward ensuring the curriculum enables aligns with that of Fontbonne and the CSJ mission
each student to reach her full potential. of all-inclusive love, unity, and reconciliation and
believes that all students deserve to be honored,
Stephanie Douglas as Assistant Principal recognized, heard, and supported. Her goal
for Student Life. is to incorporate the mission in all she does at
Fontbonne so each student may reach her potential,
be empowered, and continue to be “authors of her
destiny.”

Ms. Douglas’ career as an educator has been driven
by her passion to provide all students from all walks
of life with access to a quality education. She is a
native New Yorker and Teach for America alumna.
Ms. Douglas graduated cum laude from Howard
University and received her Master of Science in
Educational Leadership from Loyola Marymount
University. During her tenure in education, Ms.
Douglas has served as a teacher, Instructional

PHILANTHROPYTHE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 26

FONTBONNE TRADITIONS Bonnie Pride

Did you know that the word philanthropy is derived from the Greek words philos, which means
loving, and anthropos, which means mankind? Simply put, philanthropy translates to the love
of mankind.
As an educational institution, Fontbonne Hall, at its core, is a philanthropic endeavor. It is from the
love of humankind that our educators devote their professional lives to being teachers. They offer
their time, their knowledge, their wisdom, their empathy, and for many, their money; to empower
the next generation of young women to be independent thinkers. It is an act of generosity and
a gift of love.
Philanthropy at Fontbonne has been woven into our story since our very beginning. It is
critical to the advancement of our mission to develop young women who will excel in college and
in life, contribute to their communities, lead in a changing society, and grow spiritually. Though
philanthropy may look a bit different now, it was present every time a Sister of St. Joseph would
put a call out to parents to repair the roof or a leaky pipe. It existed through various traditional
Fontbonne events like Communion Breakfasts, Mother/Daughter Luncheons, Father/Daughter
dances and more. When Fontbonne needed a new academic building in the late 1970s, philanthropic
gifts from parents, alumnae, and community members made that dream a reality and now the Ita
Ford building stands as a centerpiece on our campus.
As time evolved so has Fontbonne’s approach to philanthropy. While we continue to hold staple
fundraising events like Walkathon, The Lucky Bonnie, and our annual gala each year, we also ask
members of our Fontbonne Family to make philanthropic contributions to the Fund for Fontbonne.
This fund closes the gap between revenue from tuition and operating expenses and supports all
aspects of a Fontbonne education: scholarships, campus improvement, innovation and technology,
and more. Having a strong base of support from alumnae, parents, board members, faculty and
staff, and parents of alumnae, signals to the outside world (including foundations and potential
major contributors) that our Fontbonne Family is all in.
When you are asked to make a donation this year, please know that your contribution of an amount
that is right for you, not only continues Fontbonne’s longest running tradition, it demonstrates
your commitment to our school and our students - past, present, and future.
At Fontbonne, philanthropy is ingrained in our culture and reflects the true spirit of the phrase
we use so often: Bonnie Pride.
If you have any questions, or would like to further discuss the ways you can have an incredible
impact on the lives of our students, please email Karissa K. Miles at [email protected].

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 27

JACQUELINE COX ’22

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 28

2021 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

On Monday, March 8, 2021, Fontbonne celebrated International Women’s day with an
assembly of accomplished alumnae and break-out sessions for students to have one-on-
one time for questions of particular interest. This celebration of women, with its theme of
“Choose to Challenge”, also served as a career day for our 11th and 12th grade students
who met with our alumnae after the program. We are grateful to these successful women
for sharing that day with us…little did we know that only four days later we would be in
quarantine. We are sharing their bios as part of our milestones and events this year…

LIZ BERGER ’03 Liz is currently an Internal Audit Director
with Protiviti,  a global consulting firm. At
Liz Berger is a finance and accounting Protiviti, Liz assists banking and insurance
professional based in New York City. clients with enhancing  their processes,
A graduate of  Fordham University’s assessing and mitigating risks, and creating
undergraduate and graduate Gabelli School operational efficiencies. She divides  her time
of Business, she holds multiple  professional between Protiviti’s NYC headquarters and
certifications including Certified Public client sites across the country. In addition
Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner  to  her client work, she is passionate about
(CFE), and Chartered Global Management helping her teams accomplish their goals and
Accountant (CGMA). At Fordham, she was succeed  in their careers. Liz is also actively
actively involved in extracurricular activities involved in Protiviti’s college campus and
and served as an officer in Beta Alpha Psi, experienced hire  recruiting efforts.
an accounting  honors society. In addition to her day job, Liz has participated
Liz started her career as a public accountant in various speaking engagements  sponsored
with PwC serving large international  by professional organizations. She most
corporate clients in the financial services recently served as a guest speaker for the 
industry. After a successful five years with Institute of Internal Auditors New York
the firm,  she left PricewaterhouseCoopers Chapter annual conference and spoke about
to pursue managerial positions with several the impacts  of COVID-19 on the accounting
other companies,  including AlixPartners profession and the future of auditing. 
and Capital One. Outside of her career and professional life,
Liz enjoys traveling the globe for fun. She has
traveled  to such distant places as Southeast
Asia and the Middle East. Her favorite travel
memories include: trekking 500 stairs to
experience the Nungnung Waterfalls in Bali,
Indonesia and exploring the  Souq Waqif
market at night in Doha, Qatar. Liz is also an
avid runner. Liz has successfully completed 
over six marathons, including the NYC
Marathon, Long Island Marathon, Marine
Corp Marathon,  and Richmond Marathon.
Finally, Liz is a self-proclaimed foodie.
Her favorite activities include  trying new
restaurants wherever she goes and sharing
a meal with family and friends. 

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 29

CHRISTINE CARLOZZI ‘78 ASHLEY DANIELLE HUNTE ‘12 

Christine Carlozzi is an alumna of Fontbonne Ashley Danielle Hunte is an Interior Designer,
Hall Class of 1978. She attended and as well as the CEO and Founder of Style Meets
graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Strategy, a Creative Studio and an online
Nursing and embarked in her nursing career digital platform for creative entrepreneurs.
encompassing several fields including: Style Meets Strategy began in 2018 as an
medicine and finally settling in the behavioral online digital platform and resource outlet to
sciences. She worked in both Adult and Child connect young creative professionals in their
Mental Health Units, and the Psychiatric transition to an entrepreneurial journey.
Emergency Room. Ashley was able to grow her online digital
Looking to secure her future and having presence during that time. Reputable brands
an interest in Law enforcement, she made were reaching out to work with her for digital
a change and began training for her second content creation and tips on how to grow their
career as a New York City Police Officer. She online presence in a creative strategic way.
was sworn into the NYPD on April 5, 1990. This became a pathway for Ashley to work
Her background in nursing opened doors to on brand campaigns for companies such as
several specialty units within the NYPD. Raymour & Flanigan, The Container Store,
After spending 4 years on General Patrol, and TJ Maxx, just to name a few.
she joined the Homeless Outreach Unit and Along with Style Meets Strategy, Ashley
in conjunction with other City Outreach is also the owner of The Little Shoppe. The
Teams, began assisting the most vulnerable Little Shoppe was born in 2020 to highlight
of the City’s population. After several years and support small artisans both locally and
she became a team member in the NYPD globally. The essence of The Little Shoppe is to
Counseling Unit where she assisted members bring together unique artisans from around
of the service and their families when coping the world and carry a unique selection of
with different issues. While in this unit, their best products. It is a curated collection
she earned her CASAC and was promoted to of mindful and beautifully crafted pieces for
Police Detective. She was honored to assist a well-designed home.
in the aftermath of 9/11.
Christine retired on June 28, 2009 after
completing 20 years of service and is currently
enjoying her retirement.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 30

PAIGE INNAMORATO ‘12 LISA M. SANTORO ‘02

Paige Innamorato is a Process Engineer at Lisa M. Santoro, AICP is an accredited
The Estee Lauder Companies. She graduated urban planner with over thirteen years of
from Fontbonne Hall in 2012 and went on to experience working on urban planning and
receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical policy initiatives, large-scale infrastructure
Engineering in 2016 from Villanova projects, and capital  programs. She is
University where she is currently pursuing currently the Manager of the Brooklyn Office
a Master’s Degree.Her interest in chemical for Hatch LTK, where she provides project
engineering stemmed from mentor programs and contract management support for myriad
introduced to her at Fontbonne, the ACE rail vehicle procurement and engineering 
Mentorship Program, and Manhattan College projects as well as supports business
Summer Engineering Program. It was development and strategic planning efforts
through these programs that she was able for the New York  market. Her expertise
to explore the possibility of being an engineer. also includes project implementation,
When she arrived at Villanova, she felt the grant management, financial analysis and
presence of home that she had at Fontbonne transportation policy. Prior to her current
and knew that this was where her journey position, she has worked for SYSTRA
would continue. In her academic career Consulting,  URS Corporation, the NYC
she was challenged to become a problem Department of Sanitation, NYC Department
solver and an out-of-the-box thinker, the of City Planning and the  Greenwich Village
foundation of every engineer’s education Society for Historic Preservation. From
and skills she began to develop at Fontbonne. 2018 to 2020, she served as Co-Chair of the
Like Fontbonne, Villanova provided the Women’s Transportation Seminar New York
support and guidance to flourish. Through Mentoring Program, a year-long program
the network she built at Villanova, she began designed for women with mid-level experience
working in the medical device industry which within  the transportation profession. In
was only the starting point for her career. The addition, she was selected for the 2018 Rudin
industry experience learned in that position Center Emerging Leaders in Transportation
coupled with her academic background Fellowship. She is also a freelance writer
brought her to her dream career, an engineer focusing on architecture and urban history
for the leading company in prestige beauty, and has written for such publications as the
Estee Lauder. Since the Fall of 2018 she Architectural League of New York  (Urban
has continued to grow in her position where Omnibus blog), Untapped Cities, The Wooden
project management, interpersonal skills, House Project and was the featured writer for
and problem solving are critical. Each day she the “Curbed Classics” column for Curbed New
continues to grow, learn, and consider herself York. She holds a Master of Science degree 
very blessed to be able to do what she loves in City Planning and Historic Preservation
which is to be a part of empowering women. from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Arts
degree in  English and Government from
Manhattan College.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 31

LISA M. TANZI ‘94 DR. SUSANN VARANO ‘86

Lisa M. Tanzi is a SVP, Deputy General Dr. Susann Varano was born and raised in
Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Brooklyn, New  York, and is a proud graduate
Secretary  of Sirius International Insurance of Fontbonne Hall (Class of    1986). Dr.
Group, Ltd. Lisa advises Sirius Group on a Varano graduated St. Joseph’s College with
wide-variety of  corporate and compliance a BS  (Biology) in 1990. She would go on to
matters including corporate governance, graduate from The  Chicago Medical School
SEC disclosure, corporate  transactions and in 1994 and be accepted at Yale  University
economic and trade sanctions. She is the in Connecticut in an Internal Medicine
executive responsible for overseeing the Residency position.
implementation of a multinational group- After completing The Yale University
wide compliance and ethics program. Prior Primary Care    Residency Program, she
to joining Sirius Group, Lisa was Vice was selected to be Chief Resident  at Yale
President, Assistant General Counsel, University’s Affiliate, Norwalk Hospital. Dr.
Co-Chief Compliance Officer  & Corporate Varano  completed her chief residency and
Secretary at Outfront Media Inc. and Vice continued her education  as a Yale University
President, Counsel at CBS Corporation. Geriatric Medicine Fellow. Upon completion,
She began her career as an Associate in the Dr. Varano was the only Fellow selected out of
Global Corporate Group of Milbank, Tweed, her class to work for Yale New Haven Hospital
Hadley  & McCloy LLP where she specialized as Medical Director of the Yale Nursing Home
in corporate transactions, including mergers Practice, and Yale New Haven Hospital as
and acquisitions and technology outsourcing. Co-Program Director and Geriatrician  for
Prior to joining Milbank, Ms. Tanzi spent The Hospital Elder Life Program. 
one year as a law clerk to the Hon. Steven M. Dr. Varano was selected to work in the Yale
Gold, United States District Court, Eastern University Hospital Affiliated Program, a
District of New York. Ms. Tanzi graduated position where she would give the prestigious
from Brooklyn Law School, Magna Cum Medical Grand Round lectures to Medical
Laude, where she served as the Executive  Staff as well as  community physicians.
Notes and Comments Editor of the Brooklyn She would run Ward Teaching Rounds
Journal of Law and Policy and Binghamton and give numerous lectures to the medical
University,  Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta residents and medical students. Dr. Varano
Kappa, where she studied Political Science served on the speakers bureau for Forest 
and Italian. Ms. Tanzi lives in New York City Pharmaceutical and Pfizer Pharmaceutical
with her husband, son, and rescue dog, Gypsy.  as an expert in her field from 1998- 2011, and

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 32

in 2012  became a part of the Trans Con THE DR. MARIE
family as a Medical Consultant, giving back MARRONE-MORIARTY SOCIETY
to the community  by providing education
and memory screens to Hamden Health and Honoring loyalty,
Candlewood Valley Health Care communities. commitment, & tradition
In 2013 she would help create the first ever
Yale New Haven Hospital  Inpatient Geriatric Fontbonne Hall is eternally grateful for
Consult Service, working as the consulting any and all giving, but when a donor’s
physician for the new program. After 19 years participation spans years of uninterrupted
at Yale, Dr. Varano stepped down from her support, the message is clear: Fontbonne
Yale position to focus on consulting work with matters. It is only fitting that this Society
nursing homes, and her principal investigator is named for one of Fontbonne’s most
responsibilities in clinical research. Dr.  unwavering alumnae, Marie Marrone-
Varano has presented her clinical research Moriarty ’81.
work at several international conferences.  
In 2020, The World Health Organization Never seeking public acclaim, Marie, is
declared COVID 19 to be a pandemic; finding a wonderfully generous alumna and past
a vaccine  to prevent COVID-19 was an urgent parent who is always ready to help the
need. Dr. Varano and her team were selected school at all times. It is with immense pride
as one of 152 sites globally to participate in and humility that we celebrate Marie,
Pfizer’s 26 month study with enrollment goal and those like her, who are invested in
up to 43,998  patients. Due to the critical Fontbonne’s success.
nature of the pandemic, Dr. Varano is no
longer with Maplewood and  now spends Members of The Dr. Marie Marrone-
most of her time dedicated to ending this Moriarty Society are recognized for their
pandemic via vaccine trials. loyalty, dependability, and philanthropic
She does however continue to serve as an conviction. Members will be highlighted
adjunct faculty member for Sacred Heart on a digital plaque displayed on campus
University Master of Physician Assistant and will be granted private access to
Studies program, and as adjunct at the exclusive programs and events.
University of Bridgeport Physician Assistant
Institute. Dr. Varano’s involvement in the To qualify for membership in The Dr.
Covid 19 trials has led to TV stations and  Marie Marrone-Moriarty Society, simply
Assisted Living and Long-Term Care facilities make a gift, of an amount that’s right for
requesting her to share her story. you, three years consecutively. For more
information, or to request your giving
history, contact Karissa K. Miles, Director
of Development, at 718-307-5820 or
[email protected].

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 33

NICOLE DICAMILLO ’20

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 34
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BONNIE

YOUR GIFTS IN ACTION 8AM TAKE IN THE SIGHTS
ON FONTBONNE’S
BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS.
Each year donor support helps to fund campus updates.
In addition to new exterior paint on all the buildings, this
summer Fontbonne made repairs to roofs and gutters,
repaired the staircase leading to the Fab Lab, rewired
classrooms to enhance our technological offerings, and
acquired new student and faculty desks. All thanks to the
generosity of our community!

100,000 reasons to smile.
At this year’s Summer
Soiree Fontbonne raised
nearly $100,000 for the
modernization of Ita Ford.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 35

10AM TIME TO HEAD
TO BIOLOGY!

Did you know that Fontbonne is able to partner
with institutions like the Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory thanks to donor support? The world-
renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to
8 Nobel Prize winners, offers Fontbonne students
dozens of hours of lab instruction as well as access
to scientists conducting sophisticated experiments.

Money raised during Giving
Tuesday supported our Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory
partnership. That’s $16,400
in donor support!

12PM WHO’S HUNGRY?

Let’s head to the cafeteria where students are able to
hang with friends and build lifelong friendships with
peers from all walks of life. A Fontbonne sisterhood!
Thanks to scholarship support, students and their
families can worry less about financing the Fontbonne
experience and more about experiencing it.

Fontbonne students give back too!
Through peer-to-peer fundraising, FH
students raised more than $40,000 for
Walkathon 2020.

2:45PM THE SCHOOL DAY MAY BE OVER BUT
THE FUN DOESN’T END HERE – TIME
TO HEAD TO A CLUB MEETING!

With more than 30 clubs and organizations, there’s
always something to do at Fontbonne. Whether
it’s collecting canned goods and coats for those in
need or writing letters and sending cards to soldiers
overseas, Fontbonne students love giving back. Last
year, students completed approximately 10,000 hours
of community service.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 36

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

The class of 2021 received
$38,295,704 million dollars in scholarships.

Adelphi University -City College of New York
Allegheny College -College of Staten Island
American University -Hunter College
Appalachian State University -John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Arizona State University -Kingsborough Community College
Barnard College -LaGuardia Community College
Boston College -Medgar Evers College
Boston University -Queensborough Community College
Brookdale Community College -Queens College
Caldwell University -NYC College of Technology
California University of Pennsylvania -The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
Centenary University -York College
Chestnut Hill College Dominican College
Clarkson University Drew University
Clemson University East Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
College of Charleston Elon University
College of Mount Saint Vincent Fairfield University
Concordia College New York Fairleigh Dickinson University, Metro Campus
Connecticut College Flagler College
City University of New York Florida Atlantic University
-Bernard M Baruch College Florida Gulf Coast University
-Brooklyn College Florida State University

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 37

Fordham University, Rose Hill State University of New York
George Mason University -Albany
Hartwick College -Binghamton
High Point University -Buffalo State
Hofstra University -College of Brockport
Holy Family University -College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Indiana University, Bloomington -College of Geneseo
Iona College -College of Plattsburgh
James Madison University -Cortland
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus -Farmingdale State College
Keiser University, Flagship Campus -Fashion Institute of Technology
Kutztown of Pennsylvania -Fredonia
Lafayette College -Nassau Community College
Le Moyne College -New Paltz
La Salle University -NY Upstate Medical University
LIM College -Oneonta
Lock Haven University -Polytechnic Institute
Long Island University, Brooklyn -Purchase College
Long Island University, C.W. Post -Stony Brook
Louisiana State University -University at Buffalo
Loyola Marymount University Syracuse University
Loyola University, Chicago Temple University
Loyola University, Maryland The American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Loyola University, New Orleans The Catholic University of America
Lynn University The College of Saint Rose
Manhattan College The College of the Holy Cross
Marist College The George Washington University
Marquette University The New School
Marymount Manhattan College The Ohio State University
Mercy College The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Michigan State University The University of Alabama
Molloy College The University of Arizona
Michigan State University The University of Scranton
Molloy College The University of Tampa
Monmouth University The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Montclair State University Union College
Moravian College University of Bridgeport
Mount Saint Mary College University of California, San Diego
New York University University of Central Florida
Northeastern University University of Colorado Boulder
Notre Dame of Maryland University University of Connecticut
Nova Southeastern University University of Dayton
Pace University University of Delaware
Palm Beach Atlantic University University of Florida
Pratt Institute University of Georgia
Providence College University of Maryland
Purdue University University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Quinnipiac University University of Massachusetts, Boston
Radford University University of Miami
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Mississippi
Sacred Heart University University of New Haven
Saint Joseph’s University University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Saint Vincent College University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Salve Regina University University of Rhode Island
School of Visual Arts University of Richmond
Seton Hall University University of San Francisco
Siena College University of South Carolina, Columbia
Spring Hill College University of Southern California
St. Bonaventure University University of Vermont
St. Francis College Villanova University
St. John’s University, Queens Wagner College
St. John’s University, Staten Island West Chester University of Pennsylvania
St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn West Virginia University
St. Joseph’s College, Long Island Xavier University
Stonehill College

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 38
Artwork pages

NICOLE DICAMILLO ’20

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 39

Emeritus status is an honor conferred by many educational
institutions to show respect for a distinguished career. It says that
even though you are no longer an official part of the school, you
have shown such merit that we gather glory from your reflection. We
are thrilled to have paid respect to these great educators for their
dedication and devotion to Fontbonne Hall.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 40

SUMMER SOIRÉE

In June, Fontbonne held our Summer Soirée. This hybrid event was
incredibly successful - one of the highest grossing events in Fontbonne
history! Special thanks to alumnae, parents, local businesses, and
friends who went above and beyond to sponsor, donate, and attend
this event, in person and virtually. Proceeds from the Summer Soirée
were designated to the Modernization of Ita Ford.

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 41

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 42

The Alumnae Office welcomed the Class of 1961 as the latest
class to be inducted into the Alumnae Emeritae Society.

ALUMNAE EMERITAE SOCIETY Gertrude Stahl Adduci Did you
Mary Altamura Alotta know...
JANUARY 2021 Eugenia Gallagher Anderson
FONTB Ruth Sanson Bastien If you are 70 ½ or older you
GIRLSJoan Brizza Benson can use your IRA to make a
Jane Flynn Burke gift directly to Fontbonne?
Lorraine DeMaria Cafero
Claire Barbagallo Calabretta IT’S EASY TO DO
Paula DiOrio Calcagno AND IT WILL:
Judith Penna Chiarchiaro
Patricia Higgins Comer • Count toward your RMD
Catherine Ryan Commisso
Denise Larsen Connaughton • Be excluded from your gross
Carol DiNorcia Crimi income and federal taxes
Nancy Meringolo D’Amico
Jo-Ann Graffeo Donaghy • Support Fontbonne’s
Loretta Acker Dressler academics and scholarship
Luciana Duce Dugan awards
Irene Doval Fuster
Mary Ellen Murphy Gaffney ONNE HALL AL
Kathleen Joerger Gallagher UMNAE
Stephanie Tocco Gebhardt To get started, THE LA
Luise Gikas call 718-307-5820 or B SCHOOL FOR
Marilyn Marcigliano Grosso
Alice Schlehlein Hacker email [email protected].
Mary Sheehan Hicks
Roberta DiMattina Ilardo
Margaret Rock Irwin
Angela Cinelli LaGiglia
Maria Latorraca
Maureen Leahy
Marlene Cosenza Maltese
Barbara Lombardo March
Constance Cusack McEnaney
Kathryn Fraser Megali
Elizabeth Enright Mirabella
S. Mary Ann Napier, C.S.J
Margaret Reilly O’Connell
Mary Ann DiMattina Orlando
Ann Agemian Raley
Rose Scozzaro Reinhardt
Christina Baransky Samilenko
Maryclaire McGarry Sampognaro
Carol Ferrara Samra
Anne Frawley Sansevere
Marilyn Wildes Schweitzer
Harriet Semple 
Ellen Finn Simpson
Anne Francis Sullivan
Donna Saltray Trott
Eileen Ann Monteodorisio Virgona
Patricia Hand Vitacco

THE FOUNTAIN FONTBONNE HALL 43

A MESSAGE FROM
ALUMNAE DIRECTOR
GLORIA A. MUSTO

own homes. Fontbonne evolved in her traditions
bringing what made sense to her students
and allowing them a sense of belonging and
connectedness. We have been fortified.

“We face the future fortified with the Today, brings us new challenges…a new
lessons we have learned from the past. reality in education, but because we have
It is today that we must create the been strengthened by our past, we are able to
world of the future.” adjust today’s needs and, in doing so, create
a Fontbonne for the future.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT We are excited and motivated by these
challenges and changes. The modernization of
Dear Sister Alumna, the Ita Ford building, adding new curricula to
This has certainly been an interesting time to be our offerings, changing our pedagogy, listening
in education and Fontbonne has once again risen to and accepting the needs of the students
to the challenges presented by this pandemic. today, all makes us stronger for our many
When we became a Google School, who knew tomorrows.
that this transition would make us ever-ready This magazine provided some glimpses into
to move from in-class learning to fully remote what we have reaped from the past, where we
over a weekend and then to a hybrid model are today, and where we hope to be tomorrow.
the following September. Who knew that Pope John Paul II reminded us, “Let us
emphasizing the mission of the Sisters of St. remember the past with gratitude, live the
Joseph in all that we do here would allow us to present with enthusiasm, and look forward to
easily adopt the new direction statement of the the future with confidence.”
Sisters of St. Joseph and continue to move to We remain grateful for and to all of you, we are
strive to be a more inclusive community based enthusiastic about what we are currently doing,
in the teaching of Jesus and demonstrate all- and we look to the future with confidence. With
inclusive love, unity, and reconciliation in all our alumnae by our side, we will continue to
that we do… do great things.

In these 84 years, Fontbonne has always evolved With my warm regards always,
with the times. She has moved forward in Gloria A. Musto ’71
creating curricula that would prepare her Alumnae Director
young women to move beyond her gates into
the world and become change makers whether
in business, education, medicine, or in their

OFFICE OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS

9901 SHORE ROAD, BROOKLYN, NY 11209

WWW.FONTBONNE.ORG

Upcoming Events

2021 - 2022 School Year

2021

December 17 - Wreath Lighting & Christmas Concert
December 22 - Fontbonne Christmas & 12 Days of Christmas (Young Alumnae)

2022

March 8 - International Women’s Day Celebration
March 11 - Lucky Bonnie Virtual Raffle
April 2-3 - Sports Night
April 28/29 - Art Showcase/Courtyard Rock Concert
May 6/7/8 - Drama Presentation
May 13 - Spring Concert
May 13 -15 - Alumnae Retreat (Hampton Bays)
May 25 - Science Symposium
June 8 - Principal’s Dinner