Question of the Month
What important celebration of women is celebrated in March?
Watch for the answer here next issue.
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Celebrating Black History Month
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 Diane I. Wilson, a member of the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) faculty, presented "The Great Migration of Blacks" at St. Catharine Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The audio-visual presentation, which focused on the artwork of African American Jacob Lawrence, was part of St. Catharine's celebration of Black History Month.
The Migration Series, consisting of 60 portraits which Lawrence painted in his 20s, traced The Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North in the first half of the 20th century. Prof. Wilson said, "If you want to study history, study art."
Wilson also explained how Lawrence's art encouraged others to begin to tell their stories. "Lawrence encouraged others to create art history, instead of using words they used art."
Students were touched by Lawrence's work. Senior Katera Griffiths said the paintings sent a strong message as they told the story of African Americans. "They were kind of painful to look at, but I also felt empowered. The pictures show resilence and that you can get to a better life if you are persistent."
Aliyah Williams, also a senior, is taking AP Studio Art this year. She observed that with art there was not as much censorship for African Americans so they could tell more layers of their story. "With the paintings, I saw the whole entire story visually....I can sympathize and empathize with the people depicted."
Senior, Brianna Fleming, said the lecture was inspiring. "It was nice to see [The Great Migration] perspective in art, especially for me since I am not really into art and this opened me up to it."
Learn more about Prof. Wilson.
View The Great Migration Series |
Robotics Team Clinches Slot at States
The SCA Robotics Team clinched a slot at States in Glen Cove on Long Island on March 5 as they made it to another Regional Finals Round. The girls received an acknowledgement that they aced their judges interview and excellence in engineering skills (knowledge).
They were also awarded
recognition for "Special Programming Skills," an honor they have now earned twice this season.
Earllier this month they reached regional finals at Vaughn College.
SCA also placed 9th at the regional competition at the Harvey School earlier this year.
Quoted in the Vaughn College newsletter, Amanda Denning said, "I got into robotics because I was injured and couldn't be a cheerleader anymore. A friend suggested I come with her to robotics team practice and I fell in love with it."
St. Catharine's is still the only all girls team with a female coach, Sheree Petrignani. This year's team includes: Gianna Lozano, sophomore, captain; Gabriel Vega, sophomore, co-captain; seniors, Mirna Gonzalez, Jaydene Collman, and Nya Truesdale; sophomore, Stephanie Njoku; and freshmen, Ashley DeLeon. Amanda Denning, Leanna Mullamphy, Shania Burrus, Mariah Villalon, and Angelique Vega.
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Students learning ballet in SCA's Dance Studio.
Dance Students Attend Alvin Ailey Dance Show
St. Catharine's dance students attended a performance of the
Alvin Ailey Dance Company in December. T
he trip was made possible by alumnae who contribute to the SCA ballet fund.
The students, led by dance teacher Janika Hawthorne, who attended St. Catharine's, are studying a variety of dance styles throughout the year, including ballet, modern, West African and hip hop.
Freshman Ashley De Leon, says
"My experience witnessing a dance performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company is one that I will never forget."
Saying she was skeptical at first because she wasn't interested in modern dance, Ashley added, "When I went to see the dancers perform, I immediately became inspired to continue my journey through learning this style of dance. It opened my eyes and I was able to see a different perspective of dance."
Ashley and the other students found the dancers captivating. "Every move they made was breathtaking," says Ashley."I recommend this experience for anyone who is interested in dance. Even if you're not, it is a beautiful event to witness and it is something you'd want to cherish."
Senior, Jaquira Truesdale, sums it up, "It was the best Christmas gift I've ever had."
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For Shayla Colon '16 Education is Elementary
Shayla Colon '16 has volunteered for more than 400 hours at her elementary school in the Bronx, Santa Maria School and those are just the hours she officially counts.
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Santa Maria has always been more than a community to me, it has been like another home," says Shayla, who lost her Mom in the 911 Attack. "For me it provided a great foundation to excel in my future aspirations, and when I graduated, I knew that my time in the school was not over, that I would have to find a way to give back to this loving community."
After tearing her ACL, Shayla found she had plenty of downtime. "I went back to Santa Maria to lift my spirit a bit...
There is no greater reward than having a child smile at you and seeing that in their eyes. They truly do appreciate having you around."
When asked about the influences on her life, Shayla says, "T
wo people who have influenced me the most at school have been Roseanne Riolo, my English teacher at SCA, and Alicia Vazquez, my mentor and life long friend of Santa Maria."
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Br. Thomas J. Scanlan, FSC,
receives ACCU'S Hesburgh Award
President
of Manhattan College from 1987 to 2009, Br. Thomas has been a member of the SCA Board of Trustees since 2011.
Named in honor of the influential former Notre Dame president, the award is typically given to a former college president who has made outstanding contributions to Catholic higher education through service and academic work.
Read more.
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| Cheerleaders Are National Champions |
SCA congratulates the JV Varsity for its 1st place finish at UCA competition and the Varsity for placing 7th in the Small Varsity Division II. Congratulations to their coaches who include Alumnae Danielle Pennacchia (JV) '04 and Nicole Pennacchia Sallustio '00 on such a great accomplishment! To read more.
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The St. Catharine Academy Varsity basketball team finished a great season placing fifth in quarter finals after a tough loss to Aquinas. We are proud of our team!
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Reunion 1's and 6's
Calling all members of Classes ending in 1 and 6. Join us on Sunday, April 24.
Register here.
HAP Program
Share SCA's summer program with 6th and 7th grade girls who are preparing for the Catholic high school entrance exam (TACHS).
Information for HAP, including a registration form, can be found on the
website.
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