Past Principals Honored at Legacy Award Dinner

On October 22, Villa Maria Academy Lower School invited all Alumnae, Alumnae Parents, Former Faculty and Staff to come home and celebrate 145 years of Empowering Young Women through Leadership and Service in the IHM Tradition by honoring the legacies of our past principals at an inaugural Legacy Award Dinner.

Our Distinguished Honorees were a memorable group of women connected by a common thread: they all practice Villa Maria Academy’s mission of leadership and service in the IHM tradition: Sister Margaret Gradl (formerly Sister Anne Bernard), Sister Anne Kelly (formerly Sister Dennis Maureen), Sister John Magdalen, Sister Mary Burke, Sister Rose Mary Walsh and Sister Mary Ellen Tennity.

The evening began with Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel, celebrated by Father John Joseph Novielli, a Norbertine priest of Daylesford Abbey, Villa’s Chaplain and friend of the Sisters. Alumnae members participated in the mass, and the gift presented by the Honorees. Following the mass, guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner and desserts in the Villa Maria House of Studies Dining Room before the award ceremony.

Alumna, Kirsten Malonoski Early ’93, was the guest speaker and awarded each honoree with a special mention and gift on behalf of Villa Maria Academy.

The evening ended with Villa’s Director of Music Activities, Sister Margaret Logrip, leading the guests in the school song.

We would like to thank our six past principals for their leadership and service.