Sr. Jacquelyn Celebrated
With a prayerful gathering filled with energy and surprises, more than 1,400 students and staff from Notre Dame Elementary School and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin filled McGarry Gym on May 5 to give thanks for the ministry of the schools’ President Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane.
Sr. Jacquelyn’s legacy of service and transformative change was honored with spectacular event demonstrating that Notre Dame Schools really are “Better Together.” The event began with a traditional May Crowning by first-grade students. Student Council leaders Jaiden Mangelluzzi and Lydia Gattozzi of NDES and senior Sarah Fox of NDCL presented Sister Jacquelyn with several sentimental gifts, including fleece blankets printed with photos of every student and staff member, a glass candle holder made by art students of both schools, and a framed painting of the Annunciation.
Sister Jacquelyn also received an architectural rendering of a prayer garden to be constructed in her honor near NDCL’s Annunciation Chapel. The garden will be named Nazareth Garden, recalling the town in Galilee where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.
Past and present families, alumni and donors celebrated with gratitude Sr. Jacquelyn’s decade of leadership as president of NDCL and then Notre Dame Schools. On June 30, Sister will conclude her leadership role leaving a lasting impression for future generations.
Power of Creative Dance
On May 4, NDES preschoolers performed at the annual dance performance choreographed and taught by Mrs. Elaine Nelisse. Movement to Music is a dance program and is part of the NDES preschool curriculum designed to cultivate the imagination and enhance fine and gross motor skills. The after-school Dance Club, featuring students in grades K-4, also performed at the recital.