On Tuesday, March 27, The Moreau Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 78 new members from the Classes of 2018 and 2019. During the ceremony, the officers of the NHS gave explanations of the four traditions: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The candidates recited the NHS pledge and each received a certificate and pin. President Katy Prebble gave congratulatory remarks and NHS member Emily Walsh '18 gave a reflection on the importance of the honor society in her life at the Academy.

Lourdes Amaro '19
Belane Ayelework '19
Mary Claire Basso-Luca '19
Katherine Beall '19
Alexandra Bruno '19
Leilani Chew '18
Emily Clark '19
Samantha Copeland '18
Margaret Cosgrove '18
Maureen Cosgrove '18
Claire Coyle '19
Nicole Dao '19
Josephine de la Oliva '19
Mary Rose DePont '19
Emily Dimond '19
Eileen Dinn '19
Madeline Doukouris '19
Kylie Draddy '19
Katherine Durbin '19
Madelijn Ewers '19
Catherine Fay '18
Katherine Foley '19
Leslie Fontaine '19
Elizabeth Holt '19
Caroline Howley '19
Martha Hrdy '19
Arden Ireland '18
Mairead James '19
Mary Johnson '18
Charlotte Jones '19
Julie Joseph '19
Serena Kemp '19
Clare Kimiecik '19
Yvette Kiptoo '19
Catherine Kiyonaga '19
Mary Kolbe '19
Lindsay Konz '18
Sofia Koudjeti '18
Haley Krause '19
Chewon Kwak '18
Marin Larkin '19
Sofia Leusch '19
Fionna Long '19
Maura Lyons '19
Maria Maloney '19
Siobhan Martinez '18
Josephine Matta '19
Grace McCord '19
Ashlyn McDonald '19
Leah McNamara '19
Sara Melley '19
Aidan Mooney '19
Julia Muzzatti '18
Ann Myers '19
Elizabeth Myers '19
Muna Nwokike '19
Grace O'Connor '19
Annya Onyekwere '19
Emily Orem '19
Sydney Parbs '19
Martha Philipos '19
Dulmi Ratnasiri '19
Cecilia Rogers '19
Margaux Ryan '19
Christina Stavish '19
Molly Sullivan '19
Ella Torp '19
Sophia Vaccaro '19
Sirigorn Valairucha '18
Danielle Valcarcel '19
Mira Varghese '19
Rebecca Welton '19
Megan Witt '18
Eleasa Woodson '19
Lucy Young '19
Olivia Young '19
Gloria Zhang '19
Zoey Zhang '18

The Holy Cross community gathered on Wednesday, March 28 to celebrate Holy Week with Stations of the Cross. During the service, organized by Campus Ministry, students brought forward candles to set at the foot of the cross and wrote prayers to post on the cross symbolizing the intentions of the community. All were invited to add their own prayers and intentions after the service.

Chewon "Chelsea" Kwak '18 has received a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Washington, DC Princeton Prize in Race Relations. Chelsea received the award for her efforts in with the Asian American Student Association, the Korean Culture Club, and the annual Asian/Pacific-American Heritage assembly at Holy Cross.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes and rewards high school students who have had a significant positive impact through volunteerism on race relations in their schools or communities. The volunteer-run organization operates in 27 regions nationally by Princeton alumni. Chelsea is one of nine high school students selected for the award in the Washington area. The awardees will be recognized at an awards event on Monday, April 23.

On Wednesday, April 11, the Academy recognized the girls in the Class of 2018 who completed the Madeleva Scholars Program during a special evening reception. The students have been working towards the achievement since their Freshman year.

The Madeleva Scholars Program provides a structure enabling students to achieve most fully those qualities articulated in the Mission Statement of The Academy of the Holy Cross: courage, compassion, and scholarship. The program is named in honor and recognition of Sister Mary Madeleva, CSC, a noted member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and is unique to the Academy. In addition to maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average, students must follow criteria for academics, service, leadership, athletics or activities, and enrichment. These requirements include additional service hours performed; enrichment learning activities taken in the summer; and a 10-page research paper written on a topic of the student's choosing.

During the reception, six of the seniors spoke about their experience in the program and discussed their papers—Imani Fetherson, Caroline Floam, Chelsea Kwak, Alexandra Lauderdale, Samantha Miller, and Shauneen Miranda. Following the presentations, the Madeleva Scholars received their certificate and a ribbon that they will wear with their caps and gowns at the commencement activities.

Madeleva Scholars 2018

Kiara Elysse Beckham
Bridget Mary Brown
Sydney Nicole Bruno
Áine Máiréad Cribbin
Madeline Rose Dent
Imani Nicole Junie Featherson
Caroline Lillian Floam
Ariana Garcia
Claudia Lee Giunta
Claire Elizabeth Guarini
Violet Mary Gurdon
Ava Nicole Haley
Elizabeth Dorothy Haywood
Isobel Eve Hermans
Zora Marie Hermans
Chewon Kwak
Alexandra Grace Lauderdale
Siobhan Mary-Ann Martinez
Emily Catherine May
Samantha Elizabeth Miller
Shauneen Elyse Miranda
Elise Grace Mitchell
Stella Cross Mitchell
Mary Catherine Murray
Nya M'chel Myrie
Helena Antonia Orrego
Sharvari Puri
Anna Catherine Ramsayer
Mary Denise Rowedder
Margaret Kathleen Ryan
Courtney Kathleen Shuck
Jordan Mary Shuck
Kathryn Selina von Heeringen
Emily Therese Walsh
Alexandra Marin Whittington
Lindsay Ann Wright

On Wednesday, April 11 Holy Cross hosted its first blood drive in many years. The drive, organized by the Holy Cross Social Justice Office, benefitted Children's National Medical Center. Over 20 donors, including members of the junior and senior classes and faculty/staff, contributed 17 units of blood. The units collected will help at least 85 children!

On Monday, April 16, Holy Cross recognized three seniors who have committed to Division 3 athletics in college next year at an all-school assembly. The girls' family members attended the assembly as well.

Kate von Heeringen '18 has committed to become a member of the DIII Swimming and Diving team at The Catholic University of America next year. Kate has been a dedicated member on the Holy Cross Swim and Dive team since her 9th grade season on the team. Kate was a part of the record-breaking relay for the 400 Freestyle relay, a record that held for 20+ years before her relay team broke it. Kate worked tirelessly to recover from hip surgery in her junior year season, to come back strong in her senior year; she was awarded the Tartan Award for 2017-2018 season. Kate is ecstatic to be swimming as a Cardinal next year!

Christine Mpembele '18 has committed to playing DIII Soccer at Mount Aloysius College next year. Christine was a member of the Holy Cross Varsity Soccer team for this past year, as she moved from Georgia to Maryland during the summer before her senior year. During her four years in high school, she has been a member of a varsity soccer team. At Monsignor Donovan, her former high school, she was a member of the All Region title and was named Offensive MVP and the Top Goal Scorer Award for two years as well. Christine is ecstatic to be a member of the Mountie community next fall!

Lily Behrens '18 has committed to playing DIII Soccer at The Catholic University of America next year. She has been a vital contributor to her club team and while she has faced some medical hurdles along the way, she looks forward to representing the Cardinals next fall!

A special Pinning Ceremony was held on Monday, April 16 to recognize the outstanding work of the 12 Class of 2018 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates. As part of the ceremony, candles were lit symbolizing the three areas of the IB Diploma: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Action, Service.

After receiving their IB pins, which they will wear at graduation events, the candidates received a blessing from their families and teachers. After the ceremony, the girls signed an IB banner which has been signed by previous Holy Cross IB Diploma candidates.

Class of 2018 IB Diploma Candidates
Sara Castellano
Aine Cribbin
Ariana Garcia
Claudia Giunta
Claire Guarini
Elizabeth Haywood
Brigid Johnston
Shauneen Miranda
Elise Mitchell
Margaret Ryan
Alexandra Whittington
Lindsay Wright

On Tuesday, April 17 author Jordan Denari Duffner spoke at a special assembly coordinated by the World Religions classes. Jordan spoke about how interreligious dialogue with those of other faiths can enrich our faith and draw us closer to God. Speaking from her own experience of dialogue and friendship with Muslims in the United States and the Middle East, Jordan spoke about the rich spiritual tradition of Islam and discussed similarities and differences with the Catholic faith. She also talked about the Catholic Church's teaching on interreligious dialogue, and standing up with and for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the face of prejudice and discrimination. Students posed questions at the end of her talk.

President Katy Prebble, World Religions Teacher Dr. Damon McGraw, Jordan Denari Duffner,
Principal Melissa Huey-Burns and students in the World Religions classes.

Jillian Dunston '14, a senior at the University of Michigan, has been selected as a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) 2018 All-American Athlete Award recipient.

"It is an honor to continue to recognize the consistent dedication to strength and conditioning that the student-athletes at the University of Michigan demonstrate year-in and year-out," said Mike Favre, the director of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning at the University of Michigan.

See the full article here.

Kimberly Peeler-Allen '94 and her co-founder Glynda C. Carr have been selected as Essence magazine's '2018 Woke 100 Women'. The list is comprised of women who "continuously fight the good fight by inspiring us and igniting movements." Kimberly and Glynda are the co-founders of Higher Heights, a national organization building the political power and leadership of black women from the voting booth to elected office. Kimberly was recently the recipient of a 2018 Roddenberry Fellowship.

See the full list here.

On Monday, April 23 the entire school community left campus to perform a Day of Service as part of the 150th Anniversary. The event celebrated the deep commitment the founders of the Academy, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, have to social justice. Groups traveled to 18 different locations in Maryland and Washington, DC to complete numerous different service activities such as cleaning, gardening, preparing and serving meals, organizing donations of food, clothing, toys, and housewares, greeting veterans, and visiting with residents. The sponsoring organizations were extremely grateful for the assistance and offered much praise to Holy Cross for the project.

Organization for the Day of Service began before the start of the 2017-2018 school year and has been the yearlong project of Emily Teter, Director of the Holy Cross Social Justice program. She orchestrated all details to ensure smooth operation of the day, which included an introductory and closing program on campus for the girls.

On Tuesday, May 1, Holy Cross celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a special assembly organized by the Asian American Student Association. The presentations highlighted the vast diversity of Asian culture. The assembly included a trivia contest, student created videos, a presentation on microaggressions, an audience participation song, and two dance performances.

Holy Cross Asian American Association with Moderator Jean Cotter,
President Katy Prebble and Principal Melissa Huey-Burns

Congratulations to the 16 girls in the Class of 2022 who have been awarded scholarships from Holy Cross.

Two girls are the inaugural recipients of the Gillespie STEM/Sancta Crux Scholarship: Raquel Bowman (St. Philip Apostle) and Caroline Killian (Holy Cross Elementary).

Seven girls have been awarded Sancta Crux Scholarships: Tess Boone (Holy Redeemer, Kensington), Marina Buziak (St. John's Regional Catholic), Madison Dias (Blessed Sacrament), Brennan Flynn (Holy Redeemer, Kensington), Maggie McIntyre (Mary of Nazareth), Christine Nguyen (St. Peter's, Olney), and Adaugo Umeh (St. Pius X Regional).

Seven girls have been awarded Performing Arts or Visual Arts Scholarships: Iko Ayamunongo-Visual Arts (Blessed Sacrament), Addie Bounds-Theatre (Pyle Middle), Hannah Cameron-Dance (Farquar Middle), Bianca Cala-Dance (Lakelands Park Middle), Katiushka Howell-Vocal (St. Ambrose), Isabella Pineda-Instrumental (St. Raphael's), Isabella Pla-Theatre (St. Mary of Assumption.

See details about Holy Cross Scholarships here.

On Friday, April 20, three outstanding alumnae were recognized with the Distinguished Alumnae Award. Sylvia Cole Mackey '59, Nancy Morrison O'Connor '69, and Lisa Ridgway Slater '82 were honored for their amazing accomplishments.

Sylvia was introduced by her classmate and friend Margaret Morris Schacter '59, who shared about Sylvia's dedication to her husband who developed Frontotemporal Dementia after playing in the NFL. She shared about Sylvia's work to support other families of NFL players resulting in the 88 Plan, which provides retired players funds for medical and custodial care.

Nancy was introduced by her classmate and friend Nancy Noonan '69, who spoke about Nancy's days as a student at Holy Cross and her drive to success that continued up to present day. Nancy is the General Counsel at The Catholic University of America and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Lisa was introduced by her sister Dana Ridgway Goldsmith '78, who spoke about the many ways her sister Lisa has supported Catholic education—as a volunteer, as a leader through board and committee membership, and through her philanthropic support. Lisa has been a committed part of the Shepherd Foundation, which has raised over $10 million for Catholic school tuition aid.

Read more about these accomplished women here.

The Catholic Standard newspaper has posted an article highlighting the Holy Cross day of service – "Holy Cross Marks 150th anniversary with Day of Service". The article quotes Director of Holy Cross Social Justice Emily Teter and several Holy Cross girls including Sydney Bruno '18 who said, "Our school was founded on giving back to the community. "So there is no better way to celebrate."

Read the full article here.

The Academy of the Holy Cross stole the show at the John Carroll Society Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 21 when Olivia Young '19 won first place for the second-year-in-a-row in the Margaret Mary Missar High School Essay Competition focused on religious freedom and the First Amendment. Danielle Valcarcel '19 won second place and Christina Stavish '19 was awarded third place. In an amazing sweep, Holy Cross students also won eight of the 11 honorable mention awards: Claire Coyle '19, Olivia Madaras '20, Abigail Malone '20, Lillian McKinnon '20, Hathaway Packard '21, Christina Marie Rivera '21, Siobhan Wampler '20, and Cailyn WIlliams '20.

John Carroll Essay winners with President Katy Prebble and Theology Faculty
Mary Martino (left), Matthew Newell, and Mary DeBroeck (right).

Catherine Hunt-Neu '20 received her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest Girl Scout achievement, for developing a giving library, which provided 800+ books to immigrant children at St. Camillus Food Pantry and St. Francis International School. She also received the Silver Trefoil Award for dedicating 100+ service hours to her community, Girl Scouts, and the world.

Summer at The Academy of the Holy Cross welcomes students in grades 4 through 12. Campers play numerous sports, prepare for important placement exams, and take singing, acting and filmmaking classes—forming incredible friendships along the way.

The knowledge, skills and memories created here will last far beyond one summer.

Find out more here

2018 Coach Sheahan Excellence Award Winners
Nicole Dao '19 and Eileen Dinn '19

The Academy presented the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award to Eileen Dinn '19 and Nicole Dao '19 on Tuesday, May 22, during the Underclass Awards Ceremony. This is the first time the award has been presented to two recipients in the award's six-year history. The award, given as a surprise to the recipient, is named after the late Bill Sheahan, who coached the Academy's basketball team to its 115-game winning streak and enjoyed a 27-year relationship with the Academy. The award that is presented to a rising senior who exemplifies the values that Coach Sheahan ascribed to in his own life and coaching style: A Christ-centered life, a devotion to family, a conscientious student, a leader and person of integrity and commitment who is loyal to herself, her school, and her community. The award includes a scholarship towards tuition.

Eileen was nominated by Lacrosse coach Katie Triplin who wrote, "In her interactions with peers and teammates, [Eileen] stands for positivity, friendship, and love... she is always there to uplift her teammates. She is dedicated to the success of her team and is committed to being a kind and compassionate friend to her teammates.. All the while demanding their very best effort. She is a leader and ambassador for many causes that represent decency, fairness, and good principal." In addition to Lacrosse, Eileen plays on the Field Hockey and Ice Hockey teams.

Nicole was nominated by Volleyball coach David Geiser who wrote, "[Nicole] is a young women at peace with herself and her environment...a wonderful athlete, a hard-working scholar, a natural and curious learner, and an individual committed to serving her family, her classmates, her community, and God. She is the on-court leader, who calls the plays, runs the offense, and makes key decisions. She is the player on the team who is on time, focused, works hard, encourages others and is willing to put in the extra hours to study game film to ensure her team is successful. [She is] an honest person with a clear set of moral values. She consistently demonstrates a high professional standard for her interactions with her teammates and classmates." Nicole is also a member of the AHC Transformers Robotics team coached by David Geiser.

Athletic Director Dena Rapoport announced the award and included a remark from last year's recipient, Jeasmine Ebessa '18, who noted, "Receiving recognition for the simplest of things like hard work, dedication, and kindness made me feel like it was all worth it."