Sacred Heart Greenwich was filled with excitement when alumnae came home to King Street September 20 to September 21 for the annual Alumnae Reunion.  During the event, they received tours of the school, participated in a liturgy, and shared in a luncheon.  The two-day reunion was a chance for graduates to reconnect with their classmates from Sacred Heart. 

The weekend commenced Friday, September 20 with Upper School Career Morning.  Dr. Joanna Groden ‘74 and Ms. Stephanie Mellert ‘14 discussed their careers, shared their experience as women in the workforce, and offered suggestions and advice to current Upper School students.

Dr. Groden is a Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Groden graduated from Middlebury College in 1978 with a degree in Biology.  In 1989, she graduated from Cornell University’s Graduate School of Medical Sciences with a degree in Cell Biology and Genetics.  In addition, she studied at the University of Utah from 1989 to 1993 and graduated with a degree in Human Genetics.

Ms. Mellert is an investment banking analyst for Rothschild & Co.  She graduated with a double major in Finance and Political Science from the Mendoza College of Business and the University of Notre Dame Center for Political Science at the University of Notre Dame in 2018. 

Following Career Morning, Dr. Groden received the award for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  The school grants this accolade to an alumna who has distinguished herself in a particular Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Mathematics (STEAM) field.   Ms. Mary Musolino, Upper School Science Research Teacher, presented the award on behalf of the Upper School STEAM departments.

The Mary Aloysia Hardey, RSCJ luncheon, for those who have Sacred Heart Greenwich mentioned in their will, succeeded the award ceremony that afternoon.  That evening, the Mary Aloysia Hardey, RSCJ Observatory was open to all.

Saturday, September 21 brought warm weather with the annual Fall Festival, with over 250 alumnae in attendance.  The activities began with a fiftieth reunion luncheon for the graduating Class of 1969.  In the afternoon, student volunteers led tours of the school to show the alumnae the classrooms, facilities, and recent renovations.

Following the tours, alumnae attended a liturgy in the Chapel, offered for previous graduates of classes ending in ‘4 and ‘9.  Ms. Catherine Cunningham ’14 enjoyed her first Alumnae Weekend celebrating the five-year reunion with her former classmates from the Class of 2014. 

“It was really great seeing everyone from our class, especially because of the amazing turnout,” Ms. Cunningham said.  “We all had fun catching up with not only each other but the teachers as well.”

Subsequently, there was a cocktail reception and Mrs. Pamela Juan Hayes ’64, Head of School, dedicated the bricks for the Alumnae Walkway.  The Alumnae Walkway is used by the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School students and faculty. 

Ms. Cunningham reflected on the 2019 Alumnae Reunion, and she looks forward to celebrating more reunions in the future.

“I couldn’t have had a better reunion, and I can’t wait to do it all again,” Ms. Cunningham said.

Featured Image Courtesy of Ms. Rachel Zurheide