Our alumnae provide a source of support and inspiration to current students, demonstrating the opportunities that await SDA grads. The Alumnae Association Board is a driving force, serving as the link between the alumnae and the present SDA community.
Members from this group respond to school programs, enriching our spiritual, educational and financial endeavors. Career days and guest lectures provide formal contact with the student body and there are many opportunities for informal contact as well, where our students learn of the many successes of our graduates.
The Alumnae Association Board also sponsors activities to aid fellow graduates both spiritually and professionally. In addition to an annual social meeting and various class reunions, our alumnae raise funds for scholarships and student activity programs.
Alumnae News
Spring 2007 Pentimento Now Available
The Spring edition of the SDA Alumnae newsletter Pentimento is now available on-line in PDF format.
Matching Gift Company List Updated
Do you work for a company that matches employee donations made to secondary schools? If so, your gift to SDA can go even further. Check here for the 2006-2007 list of companies that match employee gifts.
The Class of 1981 Celebrates Twenty-Fifth Reunion
On Saturday March 10, 2007, the Class of 1981 held its twenty-fifth reunion. Visit our on-line photo album!
Class of 1951 Members Sought for Sacred Heart School Sixtieth Reunion
If you are an alumna from the SDA class of 1951 and you attended Sacred Heart School in Jersey City (Jackson and Bayview Avenues), please call Jack Foye at 201-858-8870. A sixtieth reunion is being planned.
Gallery Reception for SDA Alumnae Art Chairs Held January 3, 2007
The St. Dominic Academy Alumnae Art Chairs were on exhibit at Jersey City's Brennan Courthouse January 3 - 11, 2007, with a Gallery Reception on January 3, 2007.
As part of SDA's Art Studio courses, Art teacher Celeste Giarratana had students paint the wooden chairs in SDA's Art Room. She said it was a great project because "Students learned how to paint, learned about the artists and gained experience working with a painted sculpture." She added, "For many alumnae, it was difficult for them to leave their chairs behind at SDA; they loved working on them and seeing the finished product."
Approximately twenty-five chairs, featuring such styles as Dali, Matisse, O'Keefe and Picasso, were on display. SDA's Classes of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 were represented:
| Artist | Alumnae/Students |
| Magritte | Christine Leung, 2006 |
| Klint | Alyssa Fasciano, 2005 |
| Vogue | Camry Lopez, 2004 Michelle Cahanap, 2004 |
| Patrick Nagel | Althea Gata, 2006 |
| Michelangelo | Liz Grunfield, 2006 |
| Dr. Seuss | Ashley Hajduk, 2005 Jennifer Zarichnyj, 2005 |
| Miro | Natasha Carles, 2006 Jennifer Ross, 2006 |
| Warhol | Jaime Collins, 2006 Francesca Dinnino, 2006 |
| Lichenstein | Jaime Collins, 2006 Francesca Dinnino, 2006 |
| Keith Haring | Kelly Rose Lynch, 2006 Julie Boland, 2006 |
| Dali | Cara Pernas, 2006 De'Anndra Carter |
| Anime | Hannah Adao, 2008 |
| Calder | Audrey Prado, 2007 Rollanda Bernadin, 2007 |
| Munch | Kelly Rose Lynch, 2006 Liz Garo, 2006 |
| Gaugin | Liz Grunfield, 2006 Julie Boland, 2006 |
| O'Keefe | Liz Garo, 2006 Francesca Dinnino, 2006 |
| Peter Max | Christine Leung, 2006 |
| Escher | Julie Boland, 2006 Johannie Valdes, 2005 |
| Henri Rousseau | Liz Garo, 2006 |
| Monet | Christina DePinto, 2004 Gina Condo, 2005 |
| Kandinsky | Christina DePinto, 2004 |
| Asian | Gabrielle Munoz, 2004 Jamie Tuazon, 2004 |
| Matisse | Jenna Talavera, 2005 Kelly Rose Lynch, 2006 |
| Picasso | Andrea Bombino, 2005 |
This art show was made possible by Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The January 5, 2007 issue of the Jersey Journal featured an article about the exhibit entitled "Standing Ovation," available on-line.
Alumnae Honored at November 4th Gala Awards Dinner-Dance
St. Dominic Academy's Board of Trustees honored alumnae leaders at SDA's eighth annual gala held on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at Casino-in-the-Park in Jersey City. The honorees were Kathleen Wynn Barnitt '59, Anne Dalton O'Brien '65, and Alumnae Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters.
SDA President Benjamin Dineen with honorees and Board members.
Left to Right:
St. Dominic Academy President Benjamin Dineen,Trustee Marie J. Varley, EdD '56, Kathleen Wynn Barnitt '59, Anne Dalton O'Brien '65, Andrea Fahrenholz '96, Elsie Mendoza-Thongvichith '94, Sharon Whelpley '94, Melissa Falco Gigante '94, Maureen Nally '84, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Sr. Alice Uhl, O.P., and Trustee Philip Frezzo, DVM.
Kathleen Wynn Barnitt '59 is a longtime supporter of SDA who spearheaded the reconstruction of SDA's beloved Madonna Hall, a reception and salon used for SDA's most special gatherings. Kathleen spoke fondly of her mother taking a job to help pay her $250 tuition so she could attend "Harvard on the Boulevard." Later, her mother would return as an 88-year-old to help polish brass on the floor of the 'new' Madonna Hall that her daughter renovated. Kathleen has been an educator and co-owner of an interior design firm, and currently enjoys restoring old homes. Kathleen also volunteers at the Sisters Academy in Asbury Park, NJ. A world traveler, Kathleen journeyed solo to Ecuador for two weeks to work with special-needs children as a 60th Birthday present to herself. A longtime Jersey City resident, Kathleen recently relocated to Bradley Beach. She is a Trustee emerita of SDA.
Anne Dalton O'Brien '65 was also honored for being a leader of SDA and in her community. "Whatever I have given doesn't compare to what I get back in return," Anne told the crowd when speaking of her myriad volunteer works. She coached SDA's soccer team from 1988 to 2005, winning three undefeated Hudson County Athletic Association Championships. She also established SDA's Sister to Sister Scholarship and runs an annual alumnae basketball game that helps fund the scholarship. She is a co-founder of North Arlington's Girls Basketball League and continues to coach the 8th grade travel team. She has served on North Arlington's Recreation Commission for over twenty years. She also founded Friends of North Arlington, which aided victims of catastrophic illness or accident. She has many volunteer and coaching awards to her name. Anne is currently employed by LLTeach as a Mathematics Coach.
The third category of honorees recognized all SDA alumnae who serve as public law enforcement officers or firefighters, including:
| Bayonne Police Officers: | Janine Nesheiwat Foy '88 (Sergeant) DeAna Mendez '98 |
| Delaware State Probation Officer: | Diane De Benedicits '94 |
| Hoboken Police Sergeant: | Melissa Falco Gigante '94 |
| Hudson County Sheriff's Officer: | Sharon Whelpley '94 |
| Jersey City Firefighter: | Maureen Nally '84 |
| Jersey City Police Officers: | Datina Rinn '74 (Captain) Amy Hulings Culhane '88 (Detective) Elsie Mendoza-Thongvichith '94 Andrea Fahrenholz '96 |
| NJ Transit Police: | Elizabeth Clark Farrell '91 |
Maureen Nally was one of the first female firefighters in the history of Jersey City. Elizabeth Clark Farrell became the only woman appointed to the Training Unit and the first female Firearms Instructor at the Essex County Police Academy.
Maureen Nally, who became a firefighter after 9/11, spoke on behalf of the law enforcement honorees and said that it struck her that all the women honored in her category live out the words to the school's alma mater, "boast of courage, truth and honor ," every day. She said SDA absolutely made her and all those honored at the gala the women they are today. She ended by joking that she is still afraid to step in fellow-honoree Kathy Barnitt's Madonna Hall (a rare privilege for SDA students).
Over 300 guests attended the gala and enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and addresses by SDA's administration, including President Benjamin Dineen, Principal Deborah Egan, and Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Sr. Alice Uhl, O.P. On behalf of SDA's scholarship recipients, Provident Bank Scholars Angela Condo '07 and Mitali Thakore '09 thanked attendees for contributing to SDA's scholarship fund. SDA's own Teacher of the Year for the Non-public schools of the State of New Jersey and Glee Club Director Mr. Joseph Napoli guided the performances of Alumnae Adrien Brizzolara '00 and Tara Kulbatski '00.
In addition to the 300 attendees, hundreds more made SDA's eighth gala a success by participating through journal ads, raffle tickets and ticket donations. All proceeds from the Gala benefit SDA's Scholarship Fund. Thanks to all who made the SDA Gala such a success, especially Director of Development Ruth Conner, Assistant Director of Development Christine DeBlois Zitzman, and Development Office Secretary Carmen Vega Correa.
Keep up with news of your fellow alumnae! Pentimento, the newsletter for SDA alumnae is now available on line. The Spring 2006 and Fall 2006 issues can be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can use the button below to download and install the latest version of this free reader:
Sister to Sister Scholarship Raffle Winners Drawn at Alumnae Basketball Game on 3/24/07
Saint Dominic Academy's Fifth Annual Alumnae Basketball Game in support of the Sister to Sister Scholarship Fund took place on Saturday, March 24, 2007. Raffle winners were drawn at half-time.
And the winners are:
| 1st prize: $3,200 | Rich Porfido and George Denehy |
| 2nd prize: $320 | The Dalton Cousins |
| 3rd prize: $320 | Kathleen McGurk |
| 4th prize: $320 | Barbara DeMarco |
| 5th prize: $320 | Robert Dalton |
| 6th prize: $320 | Ava and Joe Finnerty |
Spring Alumnae Reunion and Champagne Brunch Set for April 29, 2007
Plans are underway for the 2007 Reunion Celebration. All alumnae are welcome, with special honors for class years ending in 2 or 7. For more information or to get involved with Reunion Committee outreach and planning, email alumnae@stdominicacad.com or phone the alumnae office at 201-434-5938, ext. 39.
So save the date -- April 29, 2007! A full schedule of the day's events will be posted early in 2007.
SDA Father's Club Golf Outing on Monday, April 30
All are welcome to join SDA fathers for a great day on the green. Proceeds benefit the Academy's Scholarship Fund. Email development@stdominicacad.com or phone 201-434-5938, ext. 39.
On-Line Contributions Now Accepted
It's easier than ever to show your support for our alma mater -- we now provide a secure method for making a donation to SDA.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards can be used and contributions are processed through PayPal. Just click on the button below to get started!
If you prefer, you can call the office of development 201-434-5938, ext. 39, and provide your credit card to make a donation.
As always, you can still donate by mailing a check to:
2572 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Attention: Alumnae and Development Office
| Date | Event |
| 9/21/2006 - 7:30 PM | Alumnae Choir rehearsal at SDA |
| 10/06/2006 (Rain date:10/13) | Walkathon "Spirit Day" |
| 10/21/2006 - 6:30 PM | Night at the Races | 11/04/2006 - 6:00 PM | 8th Annual Gala Awards Dinner-Dance Casino-in-the-Park, Jersey City |
| 11/18/06 - 7:30 PM | Women's (Alumnae) Choir Caberet Night SDA ELAN Auditorium |
| 12/10/2006 - 4:00 PM | SDA Women's (Alumnae) Choir Christmas Concert St. Paul's Lutheran Church 440 Hoboken Avenue Jersey City, NJ |
| 12/17/2006 - 4:00 PM |
Glee Club Christmas Concert St. Aloysius Church 691 West Side Avenue Jersey City, NJ |
| 01/03/2006 -5:00-7:00 PM NOTE: Art display continues through 1/11/07 |
Art Chairs Gallery Reception Brennan Courthouse 583 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ |
| 3/7/2007,3/8/2007 5:30 - 9:00 PM |
Annual Phonathon |
| 3/09/2007 | Annual Career Day Call Jessica Moran to volunteer (201-434-5938, x53) |
| 3/10/2007 7:00 - 11:00 PM |
Twenty-Fifth Reunion - Class of 1981 The Merchant 279 Grove Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 |
| 3/12/2007,3/13/2007 5:30 - 9:00 PM |
Annual Phonathon |
| 3/24/2007 4:00 PM |
Fifth Annual Alumnae Basketball Game P.S. 11 (snow date: 3/31/2007) |
| late March/early April 2007 | Mother's Club Tricky Tray Auction Marist High School |
| 4/29/2007 | Reunion Celebration Champagne Brunch |
| 4/30/2007 | SDA Father's Club Golf Outing |
Other events on the calendar will be posted as they become available.
Keep in Touch!
Have you moved? Changed your email address? Have something you'd like to share with your classmates? Help us keep our records up-to-date by e-mailing Christine DeBlois-Zitzman, the Assistant Director of Development.
Meet the Alumnae Association Board
While the Alumnae Association has existed for many years, it was reorganized in 1983, creating a vibrant and effective support system for the SDA community. The board members meet four or five times a year to coordinate the one or two annual events sponsored by the association. The current board members are:
| Acting President | Marie Pompeo-Maffia, '79 |
| President Emerita | Kate Lillis Magnus, '83 |
| Vice President | Mary Lou Jenkins DePasquale, '54 |
| Secretary | Stephanie Barbi, '64 |
| Treasurer | TBA |
| Board Members | Nancy Doyle Gaynor, '56 Joan Raimondi Hall, '56 Lorraine Lemkan O'Connell, '75 Dorothy O'Reilly, '67 Maureen Nally, '84 Erica Rigby, '91 Kris Salmon Doty, '86 |
Alumnae Event Archives
Alumnae and Friends Gather at 'Ever a Part of Our Lives' Faculty Tribute on September 24, 2004
On September 24, several hundred alumnae, faculty and friends gathered at SDA to honor nine dedicated individuals who have served Saint Dominic Academy for twenty-five years or more.
From left to right, Pat Criaris, Joe Napoli, Marge Magaldi, Sister Jean Veronica Duszynski, Jane Albert, Sister Maureen Kelly, Sister Vivien Jennings, John Nagel, Cathy Jo Lombardi, Marilyn French.
Collectively, these individuals have given 238 years to the students of SDA!
Marilyn French - 29 Years of Service,
Librarian and Moderator of Peer Ministry
Sister Jean Veronica Duszynski, O.P. - 28 Years of Service,
Chairperson of History and Social Studies Department, History Teacher
Marge Magaldi - 28 Years of Service,
Secretary
Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, Principal, Treasurer, Religious Studies and Business Teacher
John Nagel - 26 Years of Service,
Director of Athletics, Cross Country and Indoor Track and Field and Outdoor Track and Field Coach
Pat Criaris - 25 Years of Service,
Chairperson of the English Department, English Teacher
Sister Maureen Kelly, F.S.P. - 25 Years of Service,
Chairperson of the Guidance Department
Cathy Jo Lombardi - 25 Years of Service,
Chairperson of the Physical Education Department, Physical Education Teacher
Joe Napoli - 25 Years of Service,
History, Sociology and Psychology Teacher, Moderator of the Glee Club and the Women's Choir