ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2011

MOTHER SETON ACADEMY STUDENTS WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS

tudying American history is often

related to walking in the footsteps of those who came before us. Although students read and write about history, they rarely have the opportunity to actually follow the footsteps. This year, under the guidance of U.S. History teacher

A ranger from the National Park Service Mr. James Rossi, the leads Mother Seton Academy students in a students at Mother reenactment of the Civil War.
Seton Academy were able to break that mold at one of the most important places in American history, Gettysburg.

In preparation for their march in Gettysburg, the 8th grade students had to complete basic training at Mother Seton Academy. First, each student assumed the identity of a real soldier from Virginias 57th Infantry. From there, they made their battle flag, studied maps of central Pennsylvania, practiced Civil War slang, and learned to march in proper formation. By the

end of October, the students were marching at a quick step in the schoolyard while Sr. Joan Warner, Mother Seton Academys 8th grade science and math teacher, corrected their marching mistakes. Upon arriving in Gettysburg, the 8th grade quickly fell into ranks to begin their assault on the Union lines. Led by a National Park Ranger, they marched from Seminary Ridge into the low land near Emmitsburg Road where they waited patiently for orders to attack. When the orders came through, the 8th grade rose to their feet. As the Mother Seton Academy flag waved in the wind, they began their assault on Cemetery Ridge. Maya Smith, Captain of the Regiment, orchestrated a beautiful left oblique. One-hundred yards from Cemetery Ridge, the 8th grade let out a Rebel Yell and charged up the hill, thus completing Picketts Charge. Social studies at Mother Seton Academy is much more than PowerPoint presentations and worksheets. These Mother Seton Academy students not only know what happened at Gettysburg. They know what Gettysburg smells like. They know what it feels like to march through the tall Pennsylvania grass. They understand the sacrifice that took place to preserve our country. This Gettysburg experience is just one example of Mother Seton Academys holistic approach to education. Gettysburg, to these 8th graders, will be much more than a paragraph in the textbook.

7th Grade Student from the School of the Cathedral Generously Supports Mother Seton Academy
When we speak about the many generous donors that give to Mother Seton Academy, we are not only speaking of you but we are also speaking of Tim Mudric, a 7th grade student at the School of the Cathedral and one of our most loyal and generous supporters. Last year, Tim came to visit Mother Seton Academy with his fellow classmates from the School of the Cathedral. While touring the school, Tim learned about the varied backgrounds of our students and the obstacles they have overcome to attend Mother Seton Academy. And he witnessed firsthand the extraordinary
(Continued on page 2)

Tim Mudric shares his beliefs on giving back to the community with Sr. Charmaine Krohe.

WAY TO GO, SISTER JOAN!

r. Joan Warner, Mother Seton Academys 8th grade math and science teacher, was given the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurs (NFTE) Award as Educator of the Year 2011. NFTE

is a national program that inspires young people from low-income communities to stay in school, recognize viable business opportunities and find their path to success. Sr. Joan was invited to join the NFTE program as a trained educator over 4 years ago, and quickly began incorporating it into her curriculum for the 8th grade students at Mother Seton Academy.

Sr. Joan offers guidance to NFTE members.

As a NFTE-certified educator, Sr. Joan teaches her students to come up with a new business idea, research and prepare a well thought-out plan and present it to NFTE judges. As a result of all her hard work, Mother Seton Academy students have won the city-wide competition among over 24 Baltimore schools for the past two years, and have gone on to compete regionally in New York City .

staff spotlight
James Scott, Plant Manager for Mother Seton Academy, first began his relationship with us in 2003 as the proud father of James Andrew Scott, then a newly admitted 6th grade student. Mr. Scott was working in home improvement at the

RAVENS ESSAY WINNER

ndrew Britt, a 7th grade student at Mother Seton Academy, was the first place winner

of an essay contest challenging our students to define the qualities of a great football player, and identify which Ravens player exemplified these qualities. Andrew won with his wonderful essay about Ray Rice and received a top-notch prize donated by Mother Seton Academy supporter Betty Contino. On December 19th, at the Ravens vs. Saints game, Andrew had the honor of meeting the Ravens owner and generous Mother Seton Academy benefactor, Steve Bisciotti, and running onto the field to collect the tee.

Mr. Scott proudly smiles while time, and found lots to posing with his daughter. improve in and around
our school. He would linger after dropping off his son and volunteer to change light bulbs, do gardening and shovel snow. In 2009, when we decided to move to our current location, Mr. Scott was asked to become a permanent part of Mother Seton Academys school community as our Plant Manager. Mr. Scott arrives each day by 5 am and stays until 6 pm or later. He is always cheerful, ready to greet you with a smile and ask you if alls well. Mr. Scott never wanted to work in a business atmosphere. He said he feels honored to work in the spiritual atmosphere at Mother Seton Academy. I have been blessed by all that Mother Seton Academy has given my family, I just want to give something back in return.

(Continued from page 1) motivation our students have, and their appreciation for receiving such an excellent education. Tim gained respect for the benefits of a good education from his parents, Tim Sr. and Mary Beth. Tims father wanted to benefit from a solid Catholic high school and college education, financing most of it himself. His mother currently works in education at Loyola University as the Director of Student Support Services. They have taught Tim and his sister Gabrielle that gaining a good education is the cornerstone of a rich and fulfilling life. Tim wanted to help make this same foundation possible for the students at Mother Seton Academy. So he works hard at home mowing the lawn, painting the house and helping his parents so he can give a major portion of his allowance to Mother Seton Academy for our students education. Each month Tim faithfully sends in his generous donation and helps bring the gift of learning to the boys and girls at Mother Seton Academy. Thank you Tim for being such a wonderful example to others.

7TH GRADE STUDENT SUPPORTS MSA

PAGE 2

ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2011

OUR BUTTERFLY
IF I HAD NOT STARTED AT MOTHER SETON ACADEMY I DO NOT KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE TODAY, BUT I AM SURE IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOOD.

from the president

Its hard to believe that we are completing our second year in our new building and our 18th year in existence as Mother Seton Academy. Soon we will be graduating a class of 21 from our 8th grade and celebrating the High School graduation of 23 Mother Seton Academy Alums from the class of 2006. We are so proud of the outstanding accomplishments of our students present and past. All 21 of our current 8th grade graduates have been accepted into some of the finest Catholic, private and public schools in Maryland. Most have been awarded full or significant partial scholarships. Our students success is only possible because of the dedication of our staff, teachers, volunteers, board members, sponsoring religious communities and donors. As we close out this school year and prepare to welcome 30 new sixth graders in September 2011, we continue to work toward providing a scholarship for every child. Being a tuition-free Catholic School in todays economy is a tremendous challenge yet so vital when helping families break the cycle of poverty through education. Your generosity allows us to continue the vital work of Mother Seton Academy- transforming lives through education. No matter the amount, your donation impacts the opportunities available to our students and makes a profound difference in their lives. For all you do to make this happen, we are grateful. God bless you, Sr. Charmaine Krohe, SSND

India Lindsey 04 is impressed with the new 2004, came to Mother library-media center at Mother Seton Academy. Seton Academy because
her mother, Tiffany Lindsey, a cafeteria worker at a Baltimore public school, wanted a better education for India. The transition from public school to Mother Seton Academy was not easy at first. India was known in public school for being a fighter and getting her way by bullying others at school, not for her obedience and understanding.

ndia Lindsey, class of

But all that changed at Mother Seton Academy. At first India rebelled, thinking life was much too strict at Mother Seton Academy. She was used to fighting to get her point across; that was what she had to do to get through her previous school. But under the caring tutelage of Sr. Mary Bader, former principal of Mother Seton Academy, she was able to see that fighting was not going to work and if she wanted to stay she had better buckle down and study hard. India learned to focus on my education and not the fights and it changed my life. If I had not started at Mother Seton Academy I do not know where I would be today, but I am sure it would not have been good. By the time India reached 8th grade at MSA, she was no longer the student that bullied her way through her classes but was instead focused on her education and proud of her achievements in school. At her 8th grade graduation ceremony from Mother Seton Academy, India was given the prize for being the Little Engine That Could a prize given not because she was the smartest but because she had most significantly changed her life for the better. India went on to graduate from Catholic High School and attend Seton Hill College, where she is currently a junior. She recently found a position for the summer as a Social Media Marketing Intern for a Baltimore media relations group and is well on her way towards achieving her goal of working in media and public relations. As India said, I was a struggling caterpillar when I first came to Mother Seton Academy and a beautiful butterfly when I left.

L eave a L asting Impression

A bequest is one of the simplest ways to support Mother Seton Academy. This thoughtful gift will
make it possible for us to continue giving our children a chance at a fulfilling future.For more information about how you can include Mother Seton Academy in your estate plans, please call Anne Doyle at 410-563-2833 or email [email protected].

PAGE 3

2215 GREENMOUNT AVENUE BALTIMORE MD, 21218 p.410.563.2833 f.410.563.7353 mothersetonacademy.org

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT NO. 4315

ISSUE 2 | SPRING 20 11

PRESIDENT: Sr. Charmaine Krohe, SSND PRINCIPAL: Laura Minakowski MEMBER BOARD: Sr. Barbara Bowers, SSND - Chair Bro. Arthur Caliman, CFX Sr. Ellen Maroney, IHM Sr. Anne Patrice Hefner, OSF Sr. Joan Keating, DC Bro. Frank ODonnell, SM, JD BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bro. Frank ODonnell, SM, JD - Chair Brendan Baloh Sr. Donna Desien, OSF Jonathan Dubin, M.D. Sr. Mary Gilbart, DC Sr. Ellen Maroney, IHM Ricardo Johnson Mary Ellen Kaplan Bro. James Kelly, CFX Michael Kelly, Esq. Larry Lawson Dana P. Moore, Esq. Michael Naccarato, Esq. - Treasurer Suzanne Price Paul Speargas, CFA Lisa Stromberg Sr. Josephann Wagoner, SSND - Secretary Sr. Charmaine Krohe, SSND - ex officio

2011 graduation will be June 8th at 1pm

Isabella Carrillo Cristo Rey

Cierra Chandler Institute of Notre Dame

Jose Covarrubias Calvert Hall

DAsia Faulkner Cristo Rey

William Gonzalez Cristo Rey

Kori Harris Cristo Rey

Tiann Harris Seton Keough

MyKerra Lucas Cristo Rey

Fantasia Luck-Harris Institute of Notre Dame

Dally Lesley Melgarejo Montenegro Baltimore Saint Pauls Polytechnic Inst. School for Girls

Justine Mudiay Cristo Rey

Valentin Mudiay Cristo Rey

DaTrell Pitts Mt. St. Joseph

Arath Rivas Calvert Hall

Brandon Saenz Cristo Rey

Maya Smith Western

Lila Tapahuasco Catholic High

Amber Wainwright Notre Dame Preparatory

Keynell Washington Cristo Rey

Everett Winchester Gilman