Events News - Villa Maria Academy High School (2024)

Villa Maria senior Carly Catania has been named Athlete of the Week by the Main Line Times for April 15-21, 2024.

Carly is a standout member of Villa's basketball and soccer teams, who is also active in Peer Ministry and is a Speak-Up leader.

This article will be published in the April 21 issue of the Main Line Times & Suburban

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Spring Art Show and Concert: Thursday, April 25th. Art Show begins at 5:30 p.m. Concert starts at 7 p.m.

Dance Showcase: "Girl Power" full-length Performance on Sunday, April 28th at 5 p.m. (Student preview on Thursday, April 18th.)

VMAHS Marian Masques Presents: The Sound of Music
May 17th & 18th at 7 p.m. and May 19th at 12 noon. Advertising opportunities now available; ticket sales coming soon.

Details

Current 7th graders who are thinking about where to go for high school are invited to attend the popular 7th Grade Admissions Fair on May 1st.

Designed by Villa Admissions as a fun and informative introduction to our school, the 7th Grade Admissions Fair offers student-led campus tours, a welcome and information from Villa administrators, and the chance to meet current students, faculty, and staff.

Registration for the 7th Grade Admissions Fair is free and easy. See you on May 1st!

Register today

A variety of workshops, service opportunities, an assembly, and time for reflection marked the DEIB Social Justice Day at Villa Maria on March 22nd. Villa's Director of Service and Social Justice, Mrs. Kara Bielli, and Villa Maria's DEIB Committee, worked for months on the plan and structure for the day. The day is designed to increase insight and awareness, and to offer students (and some faculty members) the opportunity to offer presentations on topics that are personally meaningful. Thank you to all who helped make this special day at Villa Maria a success.

View photo gallery.

Manasvi Koneru won in the Behavior and Social Science division.
Giana Nieves won in Biochemistry.
Natalie Ade won in Medicine and Health.
Rosie Dugary won in Zoology.
Claire Smith won in Microbiology

Congratulations to Villa Maria senior Megan Ronan. Megan was selected Main Line Student of the Week for March 11-17.

Megan is a very active and engaged student and student-athlete at Villa Maria. In addition to beinga valuable member of the volleyball team, she is a member of the NHS and the Math Honor Society. She also serves as a Peer Minister, and is Editor in Chief of VMA's Literary Magazine. Read the full article here:

Read Main Line Times Article

As Villa Maria's Admissions Department continues to accept applications for the freshman class starting this fall, the team'sattention also turns to 7th graders who will start high school in the fall of 2025.

A series of events specifically for 7th graders has been created, beginning with a Science and Technology Experience on March 14th and continuing to the 7th Grade Admissions Fair on May 1st.Registration is open for all of Villa's spring events at www.vmahs.org/events.Hope to seeyou at Villa this spring!

Register

Villa Maria teachers and students went head-to-head on the Fox29 Local network's show, The ClassH-Room, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. The locally-popular show features student vs. teacher matchups each week. Taped back in December, the VMA participants kept the results quiet for two months so that the results would remain a surprise. The group of three Villa teachers - Mrs. Bowker (history), Mr. Cucinella (history), and Mr. Kolter (science) won the competition and accepted a check to Villa @ $500. The student participants were Sarah Nardone, Lucy Conish, Kaitlin Maguire, and Bella Valdeviezo. Congratulations and well done!

Note! The show will be RERUN on Fox29 on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Villa Maria's ten senior members of the swimming and diving team celebrated Senior Day at their home venue, Malvern Prep.

Senior Days offer an opportunity for graduating athletes to be recognized and celebrated for their hard work and dedication over - in some cases - four years of team involvement. Parents and family members often attend Senior Days and Villa makes sure to capture the events in photos.

Additional photos are available on Villa's social media.

National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the USA. Special activities are plannedat Villa Maria throughout the week for students, faculty, and staff. The week began with a visit from Father Royce Thomas, CS.s.R., who shared inspiration in song and words during a morning Liturgy.

Villa Maria students collectively engaged in thousands of hours of serviceduring the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year. Service is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a Villa Maria education. Service hours are required at Villa, but it is not uncommon for students to go above and beyond the requirements.

Congratulations to this accomplished VMA senior!

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Villa's December 14th Christmas concert- presented as a preview to students on Thursday morning and to the public on Thursday evening - was a beautiful testament to the incredibly hard work and dedication put in by students and teachers all semester. Thewide variety of performances included selections influenced by The Nutcracker, traditional Christmas music, Christmas music "mash-ups," and - for the first time - a piece of music from a film score.

The livestreamed recording and concert photo gallery arenow available.

View concert

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One of Villa Maria'sfavorite traditions, Carol and Ring, was held on Thursday evening, December 7, 2023, in the Marian Center Auditorium. The Class of 2025received their class rings during a beautiful ceremony filled with song and celebration. Visit our online gallery for many more photos of this very special evening for Villa's juniors.

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Congratulations to this talented Villa senior!

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For the past several years, students in Mrs. Anastasi's US History classes made posters honoring relatives who served in the military. The posters are displayed in the main hall of Regina Mundi during the month in celebration of Veterans Day. The Villa community is able toreflect on and appreciate the photos and stories throughout the month.

View Veterans Day project photogallery

On Saturday, November 18, 2023, Villa Maria defeated Palmyra High School to become the PIAA 2A Field Hockey State Champions! The game, held at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA, was tight for the first half, with the Hurricanes falling behind 0-1. Villa Maria surged in the second half of the game, scoring three goals to secure the 3-1 victory.

Congratulations to the team, managers, coaches, and hundreds of student, parent, faculty, and staff supporters who followed the team all season. Go Hurricanes!

The Villa Maria Alumnae Association hosted the annual Shoppes at Villa event on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The gym was filled with more than 35 vendors offering a wide variety of items in a festive setting. Santa Claus showed up to add to the Christmas/holiday mood.

For the past several years, theevening before Shoppes at Villa has been designed as "Preview Night." A $10 admission fee offered anearly shopping opportunity, plus refreshments. (There wasno fee to attend the event on Saturday.)

Proceeds from Shoppes at Villa benefit the Sr. Mary Kelly Scholarship Fund.

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The Villa Maria community came together on Friday morning, November 10, 2023, for acelebration of the anniversary of the founding of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The presentation focused onTheresa Maxis duch*emin, who was one of the founders ofI.H.M. Communityin 1845 along with Father Louis Florent Gillet.Thestory of Theresa Maxiswas presented beautifully by Villa students, accompanied by dynamic slides, singing, and a number of performances by the Villa dance students.

The Villa Maria Hurricanes continue to roll as the fall sports season winds down. Both varsity field hockey and varsity soccer won their district championships last week and have now moved on to the first round of state championships. Field hockey will compete against Red Land on Tuesday, November 7th at 3:00 p.m. at Villa Maria and soccer takes on the same school at Great Valley High School at 5:00 p.m. on November 7th. Go Hurricanes!

Tickets are required for both games and are available for purchase here.

The 2023 Mother-Daughter Fashion Show, hosted by the VMA Parents Association, was sold out weeks in advance. Thisyear’s event, held at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, included a delicious plated lunch, raffles, a variety of shopping opportunities, a VMA School Store display, and the grand finale - a fashion show featuring Villa seniors and their moms. Thanks to the VMAPA for hosting such a lovely event.

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Villa alumna Carly Aquino ’14 returned to campus on October 18thto talk to Ms. Anastasi’s U.S. History classes and Mme Goddard’s French classes about her experiences living in West Africa and serving in the Peace Corps.

A fluent French speaker, Carly talked about her life in Benin, the cultural differences between the two countries, and the value of studying abroad in college if given the opportunity.

It is always a treat to have Villa alumnae return, especially when they are able to share life experiences that support and enhance lessons.

Villa Maria's Homecoming 2023 was held on Saturday, October 7th. The fun kicked off at 10:30 a.m. with kids' games, a DJ, face painting, and a visit from the ice cream truck. Villa volleyball and field hockey played in the gym and the turf, and a barbecue lunch was served in the dining hall. The afternoon brought a bit of rain for the soccer game, but that did not diminish the enthusiasm of the spectators. Villa cheerleaders were on hand throughout the day to help keep spirits high. It was great to see so many alumnae, friends, families, faculty, staff, and current students on campus. Thanks to all who attended Homecoming 2023!

More than 150 Villa students were on campus last Sunday morning for the Fall Open House, hosted and coordinated by Villa Admissions.The very special annual event -- designed for prospective students who are currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades -- offersan opportunity to tour Villa, meet faculty, students, and staff members, enjoy a presentation by Sister Regina, hear from an involved parent, and attend an activities fair.

Students served in various capacities, including acting astour guides, welcoming arriving families, offering directions as guests arrived, helping at the School Store, and participating in the activities fair. There are no better ambassadors for Villa Maria than the students, who brought their usual enthusiasm and energy to the event.

If you could not make the Fall Open House event and you are considering Villa Maria for high school,we would love to offer you a campus tour during the school day or after school. Please reach out toadmissions@vmahs.orgto schedule a visit!

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A much-loved Villa Maria tradition is Fall Ball. For the past few years, the dance has taken place under a huge tent on the track. But the weekend's heavy rains forced the party indoors this year. Nothing could dampen the spirits of Villa students, though, as they danced in the gym and the student union. Fall Ball 2023 was a huge success.

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Another Villa Maria student is being recognized by the Main Line Times this week. Senior Carly Catania has been selected Main Line Athlete of the Week for September 25 - October 1. Carly is a standout soccer player as well as a talented member of Villa's basketball team.

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Villa Maria senior Kendall Nevins has been named Student of the Week by the Main Line Times for September 25 - October 1, 2023.

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Villa junior Ava M.spent a week at the Service Learning in Public Policy (SLiPP) program at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge in August, 2023. The SLiPP program is an advanced leadership development workshop for exceptional high school students eager to become catalysts for change.

The program enables students to connectwith peers to immerse themselves in service-learning and public policy through action-oriented experiences.

Avawas placed in the public health track. The group as a whole learned about different leadership skills and public policy from wonderful speakers. The highlight of Ava’s week was visiting the Lankenau Hospital pathology department, where she viewed the pathology lab, the grossing room, and the autopsy suite. It was an immersive learning experience as she collaborated with others to work towards creating a public policy.

In their most recent issue, Suburban Life Magazine featured a detailed story about Villa Maria's service and research trip to the Central American nation of Belize last spring. The article features beautiful photos from the trip as well as a detailed description of the students' experiences.

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Villa Maria senior Reagan Duffy hasbeen named a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Reagan is one of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists who have the opportunity to continue in the competition. In the announcement made on September 13, 2023, the NMSC indicated that the pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Finalists will be announced in spring.

Congratulations!

Villa is blessed and grateful to have 37 legacy families this year. This special bond was celebrated on Friday morning, September 8th,atthe annual Mother-Daughter Legacy Prayer Service & Breakfast. The beautiful morning event, scheduled before the start of the school day, brought Villa Maria alumnae mothers and their current-student daughters to the lovely Parsons Chapel in the Theresa Maxis Student Union. A brief prayer service and pin exchange was held, followed by breakfast in the Holloway Dining Hall.

We thank all our legacy families for the gift of your daughters!

Villa's Admissions Department spent the summer preparing for the informational sessions, Fall Open House, Entrance-Scholarship Exam opportunities, and Visit Villa Days thatwilltake place starting this month. As Villa welcomes our new freshman class, new transfer students, and our returning sophom*ores, juniors, and seniors, we are also thinking about our future sisters - members of the Class of 2028 and beyond.

Dozens of current Villa students will serve as ambassadors during the fall admissions season,partnering with our visiting 8th graders on Visit Villa Days, leading tours at the Fall Open House, and participating in the just-announcedVilla Maria Dance Experience. Villa administrators, faculty, and staff will also support the admissions season by attending events, preparing materials, and offering welcomes to our fall visitors.

Fall Admissions Events

• Public to Private School: What to Expect (9/20)
• Entrance-Scholarship Exam (9/23 & 10/15)
• Visit Villa Days (September, October, November)
• Fall Open House (10/1)
• Villa Maria Dance Company Experience (10/1)

The deadline to apply to attend Villa Maria in the Fall of 2024 is November 8th.

Prospective Student Events

Members of theClass of 2024 gathered in the Regina Mundi parking lot before school on Thursday, August 31st, to celebrate the beginning of the year with an opening "tailgate." Music and laughter filled the Regina Mundi parking lot as students posted for quick photos and greeted friends. The opening tailgate was the perfect way to launch the 2023-2024 school year and itwas one of dozens of traditions the senior class will experience in their final year at VMA.

Opening Day at Villa Maria was held on Friday, August 25, 2023. The day was warm and welcoming, as "old" friends reconnected, new friends were made, and our community came together to begin the year. A prayer service in the auditorium was followed by the formal installation of our 2023-2024 Student Council. Next, a brief run-through of classes offered a preview of the year to come. Lunchtime and afternoon fun and games made Opening Day one to remember.

View photo gallery

Villa's new transfer students arrived on campus for their first day on Tuesday, August 22nd, and the freshman class arrived on Wednesday, August 23rd. Both days were busy and exciting for Villa's newest sisters as they met members of Villa's faculty and staff, toured campus, and made new friends. The transfer students were welcomed by a unique "Better Late Than Never!" transfer team, made up of upperclass students who also transferred to Villa. Student Council welcomed the incoming freshman class, with the kind of enthusiasm that makes Villa so special.

On Monday afternoon, August 14, 2023, the Villa Maria community gathered for the dedication of the new Ostrowski Performance Center on campus. Located behind the Villa Athletic Center within the Marian Center and accessed through the gymnasium, the Ostrowski Performance Center will be a place where students can go to rehab from injury and proactively avoid injury through workouts.

Villa Maria is grateful to Peggy Evans, the Ostrowski family, and Excel PT for their generous support in making the Ostrowski Performance Center – and Jeff Ostrowski’s legacy – a reality at Villa Maria.

Father Arul, O.Praem, from St. Patrick's in Malvern shared the following during the dedication:“Grant that all who meet here may find the healing touch of grace you offered so often through your good and faithful servant, Jeff Ostrowski.”

In the words of Jeff Ostrowski, “Get After It.”

This time last year, the Villa community was getting a first look at the new Theresa Maxis Student Union building on campus. We couldn't wait for the students to arrive and explore the new offices, collaborative spaces, and counseling center, experience the beauty and peace of Parsons Chapel, and enjoy lunch in the Holloway Dining Hall and on the Hewes Family Terrace. The new building became a bustling hub of activity and the spiritual center of Villa's campus, just as we'd imagined. Now, we cannot imagine our campus without "TMax."

On Saturday, July 22, Villa alumnae gathered in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, for our annual "Villa Storms the Shore" gathering. This casual get-together, held at The Point in Sea Isle and open to our "over 21" alums, offered a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy the enduring #sisterhood.

Villa Maria's Class of 2023 will head to 56 different colleges and universities in 22 states and two countries (USA and England) this fall. Although it is difficult to imagine campus in the fall without our beloved seniors, the entire Villa Maria community wishes our graduates well as they embark on new adventures far and wide.

The Daily Local News recently announced its spring season All-Area Teams, and Villa Maria athletics were well-represented. Congratulations to the following outstanding VMA players:

Lacrosse

First Team: Kaelyn Wolfe, Maggie Traynor
Second Team: Brynna Hill, Alice Kash, Kayleigh Touey
Honorable Mention: Allie Meyer, Mackenzie Liberatore, Lila Traynor, Olivia Greene

Read DLN article

Softball

First Team & Team MVP: Ari Butler
First Team: Emilia Falcon
Second Team: Ella McHugh
Honorable Mention: Alex Kilpatrick

Read DLN article

Track and Field

First Team: Maddy Kelley, Mary Cate Doughty
Honorable Mention: Marin Rosser

Read DLN article

Many members of the Class of 2026 traveled to Disney World last week as part of Villa Maria'sannual freshman trip. The experience was more than just an unforgettable opportunity for students to celebrate the end of their first year of high school; it was also a unique learning and growth opportunity.

Early in the week, the girls attended a presentation by Disney expert, teacher, consultant, and coach, Mr. Lou Mongello. Mr. Mongello's motivational presentation included leadership lessons from Walt Disney.The morning also featured a "Concert of Faith" by LaVoz, a brother and sister Catholic music group, who offered energetic songs of praise and reflection.

Later in the week,the group experiencedDisney'sImagination Campus at Disney's HollywoodStudios, learning how Disney Parks tell stories using all five sensesand gaining insight into the creative and technical roles that help create Disney experiences.

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Villa Maria’s Senior Capstone Project, required of every graduate, involves selecting an area of interest and investigating the topic during the course of senior year. Each student forms an “essential question” and spends the majority of the year learning about the topic through research. In the spring, the class participates in job shadowing or service work to learn more.

The areas of interest investigated by the Class of 2023 includelandscape architecture, nutritional sciences, veterinary medicine, marketing, fashion design, engineering, law, environmental science, graphic design, psychology, real estate, forensic science, medical/healthcare, communications, publishing, technology, music psychology, aviation, film, education,social work, and more.

Villa Maria’s Capstone Coordinator, Mrs. Cara Walsh ’04, oversees the program and helps students make connections and plan their Capstone experiences. She encourages anyone who is interested in supporting the program (via mentorship, job shadowing, etc.) or learning more to contact her at cwalsh@vmahs.org

Congratulations to the 20 student-athlete members of the Villa Maria Class of 2023 who will compete at the college level next year.

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Read more about Villa Maria athletics

The Baccalaureate Mass/Graduation Ceremony for Villa Maria's Class of 2023 washeld at Saints Simon & Jude in West Chester, PA, on Thursday evening, June 1, 2023. Congratulations to all!

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Villa Maria will be livestreaming several events this week. Visit our livestream page to link to livestreams of the Alumnae Induction (Tuesday), the Honors Convocation (Tuesday evening), Daisy Chain and Senior Sing (Wednesday), and the Baccalaureate Mass/Graduation Ceremony (Thursday evening).

View livestream page

Villa's rowing team traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee over the weekend to compete at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championship Regatta.

The varsity 4+ crew took home medals for earning 2nd place.

Congratulations to the rowing team and to coach, Liz Miller.

Three distinguished Villa Maria seniors were among 129 students recognized on Tuesday evening, May 23, 2023, at the Archdiocesan Honors Convocation in Philadelphia.

Held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and presided over by Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, the ceremony recognized scholars from 30 Archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools.

Congratulations to Kate Kent, Riley Laskowsky, and Jordi De Jong, members of Villa's graduating Class of 2023.

The VMA softball team secured a decisive victory on Tuesday, May 23rd,in the District 1 4A semifinals vs. Springfield Township. The home game was shortened to four innings as the Hurricanes jumped to a 16-1 lead.

They meet Upper Perkiomen at the District 1 4A Softball Final tomorrow (Thursday) at 4:00 p.m. at Methacton High School.

Go Hurricanes!!!

We are proud to announce that another Villa Maria student has been selected Student of the Week by Main Line Media News.

Allie Lange is an active member of the junior class, involved withStudent Council, Villa Broadcasting, NHS, The Quill and Scroll Society, and more.

Allie is Student of the Week for May 15-21, 2023.

By Ella Nugent '23

Reprinted with permission from The Villa Voice, April 2023

Madeline Ladd is working with young leaders across the country of Africa in her role as the Project Management Intern for the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Read the rest of the article in The Villa Voice

The 7th Grade Admissions Fair offered an excellent opportunity to those considering choosing Villa Maria Academy for high school to get to know the Villa community, learn about our academics and activities, and experience the enthusiasm and VMA knowledge of our outstanding student tour guides.

For more information about Villa Maria admissions, visitwww.vmahs.org/events.

Villa Maria’s annual Spring Arts Festival, held on April 28^th in the Marian Center, was an opportunity for our art and music students to shine. The festival was a culmination of months of practice and rehearsals for the musicians, and dozens of creative hours in the studio for our art students.

The results this year were truly outstanding and inspiring. Congratulations to Dr. Mosakowski, Ms. Leah, Sr. Dolores, Ms. Brown, Ms. Bacastow, and all of the students, faculty, and staff who helped make this year’s festival a huge success.

View the online photo gallery

On Friday, April 21, 2023, Villa Maria's graduating student athletes who will be playing at the college level were recognized in a ceremony and photo shootin the Holloway Dining Hall.

The colleges and universities that will welcome the VMA student athletes this fall include Rowan University, the Catholic University of America, Dickinson College, Boston College, University of Southern California University of Tennessee Chattanooga, James Madison University, Montclair State University, Lafayette College, Gettysburg College, College of the Holy Cross, University of Scranton, University of Iowa, and Penn State University.

Pictures of the athletes from the event can be found in the Athletics section of VMA's website.

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This year's Junior/Senior Prom was held at Ballroom at the Ben in Philadelphia on Friday, April 14th. View the beautiful pictures from the evening in our photo gallery.

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Villa Maria science teacher, Mrs. Keglovitz, organized a trip for Villa students to Belize during spring break in early April, 2023.Activities included spending a morning collecting and cataloging trash on the protected reef for the National Geographic Foundation, and reef and mangrove forest snorkels,where they observed vibrant sea horses, sharks, barracuda, parrot fish, and more amazing sea life.

The studentsalso experienced a night snorkel and a reef sampling snorkel. Theycollected data on coral bleaching and infection by diving down and examining color change in the different types of coral and uploading the data to the reef protection site.

The students searched for macroinvertebrates for a river study, participated in night bat captures, tracked white lipped mad turtles, met a scorpion, and formulate their own research projects.

Villa junior Sophia Conish was named Main Line Student of the Week for the end of March, 2023. A junior at Villa Maria Academy, Sophia Conish is an executive leader on the school’s Mission and Ministry club, an assistant editor for “The Villa Voice” school newspaper, and a member of the school’s Student Advisory Board and French Club. She belongs to the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, is a member of the school’s Liturgy Planning Committee and is a reader at the Villa Maria Academy’s Mass liturgies.

Congratulations to Sophia for this well-deserved recognition.

On Thursday, March 23rd, Villa'sfreshmen and sophom*ores had the opportunity to participate in Project LIVE (rhymes with "give"), a student-driven initiative that promotes wellbeing.

Activities offered in the gym during Smart Lunch included mindful coloring, a wellness presentation, yoga, mindful meditation, and visits with therapy dogs. A similar event was held last fall for our juniors and seniors. Both events offered the opportunity to take a brief break between classes, relax, and enjoy laughs with friends (and animals)! LIVE is an acronym for Listen, Inform, Validate, Educate.

Villa held a STEP OUT on Tuesday, March 14th, to recognize swim team standout, sophom*ore Keriann Collison. Keriann will represent Villa at the State Swimming Championships next week!

Tuesday's high winds and snow squalls prevented students from gathering outside for the STEP OUT, so Keriann ran through the hallways of St. Joseph's Hall before moving outside to wave to students in the other buildings alongside Athletic Director, Mrs. Taylor.

Villa's "Stall Day" was held on Friday, March 10th, on the final day of our Mission Drive. On Stall Day, Villa teachers counted hundreds and hundreds of coins that hadbeen donated by students, faculty, and staff throughout the week, and classes were"stalled" until the counting wasfinished. As the teachers counted, the students played games, created Lenten crafts and cards for Camilla Hall, relaxed with friends, watched movies, enjoyed yummy bake sale items, and enjoyed a little break from classes.

More than $8,000 in coins were donated and counted. The funds will be used for Villa's special charities, which include the IHM sisters in Peru, St. Mary's Catholic mission parish, Pardada Pardadi educational society, and Mother Mercy House in Kensington.

View ourphoto gallery from the day

Two new courses have recently been added to the series of enrichment classes that will be offered at Villa Maria this summer: English Readiness (for incoming Villa 9th graders), and Studio Art (for rising 7th - 9th graders).

English Readiness, which will be held the week of June 26th, is designed to build confidence to bridge the skill gap from 8th to 9th grade. The coursecovers writing mechanics, usage, grammar, literary analysis, and essay writing.

Studio Art, which is also held the week of June 26th, offers four days of creativity, exploration, and fun. Students will create original drawings, paintings, and collages while exploring a range of artistic styles.

Villa's Summer Series also includes athletics camps for students of all ages.

Visit Summer Series page

Villa alumna Helen Ryan Dobrowski '01, a senior producer and co-director with Sarah Colt Productions, visited Mr. Cucinella's Freshman Scholars class on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Ms. Dobrowskihas helped produce multiple documentaries for PBS's American Experience, such as Billy Graham and The Gilded Age. Sheshared her knowledge of the documentary filmmaking process; specifically about turning research into a compelling documentary that tells a story.

The students are in the process of creating original short documentaries throughout the course of this semester.

Updated 3-3-23.

Villa varsity basketball will play Rustin in the Division 1 5A Championship at Temple University on March 4th at 12:00 noon. Click for additional information and ticket link.

Villa's basketball, swimming and diving, and indoor track and field teams have each had strong seasons, and the excitement continues this weekend.

On Friday, February 24th, Villa basketball will playBishop Shanahan in the District 1 5A Semifinal game at 7:00 p.m. The winnerwill play either Gwynedd Mercy or Rustin in the final on March 4th at Temple University. Purchase tickets here.

The swimming and diving team sent eightVilla athletes to the District 1 Championships in York, PA, taking place on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th.Congrats to swimmers Natalie Ade, Brinley Beck, Keriann Collison, Ainsley Ingram, Riley Meriwether, Ava Meyers, Riley Mulhern, and Graciella Schofield.

On Sunday, February 26th, three Villa athletes will compete at the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Penn State University. Pole vaulters Maddy Kelley and Mary Cate Doughty, and high jumper Talia Davidsonwill compete.

Roll canes!

Villa's summer enrichment and athletics camps kick off in June, and registration is now open! Secure your spot at the session(s) of your choice by registering today!

Villa Maria junior Mackenzie Duffy has been selected Student of the Week for February 13-19.

Read Main Line Times Article

With the big game just days away, Villa's chorus showtheir Eagles spirit by performing a beautiful rendition ofthefight song.

Watch performance
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On Monday, January 30, the Hurricanes defeated Merion Mercy 52-30 and celebrated Senior Night. The broadcasters were joined byVilla alumna and standout VMAbasketball player,Lisa Mirarchi '13.

On Thursday, February 1, Villa defeated Gwynedd Mercy 30-27 in overtime.

Villa's win resulted in a first place ranking as they move to the AACA Championship tournament.

During each game, student broadcasters provided play-by-play coverage and color commentary. Their genuine excitement - especially during overtime at Thursday's game - made their commentary all the more effective. Villa broadcasting experiencedthe highest livestream attendance to dateduring that game.

Watch the last few seconds of Thursday's game:

This week at Villa Maria we celebrated Catholic Schools Week, starting with liturgy on Monday morning. The remainder of the week was spent showing and expressing our appreciation for our parents, faculty, staff and students, through social media messages, spirit days, a faculty/staff breakfast, and an ice cream treat at lunch.

"Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States...Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation. - NCEA.org/csw

Villa Maria celebrated DEI Week during the week of January 23, 2023. A highlight of the week was Tuesday's assembly, which featured Villanova graduate and STEM professional, Michelle Ducombe.

View photo gallery

On Friday, January 20th, Villa Maria students gathered on campus for an early-morning prayer service, and then boarded buses and traveled to Washington, D.C.to participate in the annual National March for Life.

"The right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.

The March for Life is an inspiring, peaceful, vibrant, and joy-filled rally of women, men, young people, and children from all across the country. Every year, tens of thousands of pro-lifers converge on the National Mall and march on Capitol Hill on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling..." - marchforlife.org

Updated 1-17-23

Updated 1-26-23

The City of Basketball Love website featured VMA in two recent articles:

December 29Villa Maria stays unbeaten with big goals in mind
January 12Villa Maria locks down Gwynedd Mercy in battle of unbeatens

Main Line Media News, publisher of the Main Line Times & Suburban, regularly highlightsVilla Maria students in the"Student of the Week" and "Athlete of the Week" features. On this first week of January, 2023, two Villa students have been selected for special recognition.

Kenya Cook, a VMA senior, is Student of the Week. The Main Line Times article includes details about her extensive involvement at VMA, including a discussion of her goals as Vice President of the National Honor Society, her role as President of Villa's orchestra, and her favorite books.

Read full article

Villa senior Marah McHugh is Athlete of the Week. The Main Line Times article includes a discussion of Marah's start in basketball, fun facts (like her favorite pre-game pump-up song and her favorite course at VMA), and her mentors.

Read full article

Villa Maria Academy High School offers our warmest wishesfor a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Enjoy our Merry Christmas video!

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Villa students, faculty and staff gathered in the Marian Center for theChristmas Liturgy. Father Kevin Gallagher from St. Denis in Havertown was the celebrant at the beautiful Mass, which included traditional Christmas songs, a blessing of the junior class rings, and a rousing renditionof "In Old Judea," sung by the student body, as the recessional.

This is the students' last day of classes before Christmas break. We wish the entire Villa community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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Villa Maria's Music Department presented a preview of the annual Christmas Concert last Friday, to the delight of students, faculty and staff.

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The livestream from Friday evening's Christmas Concert is now available.View the livestream.

The following update is provided by Kathy McCartney, Director of Advancement at VMA.

The Ostrowski Performance Center

Today at Villa Maria we broke ground on the Jeff Ostrowski Performance Center.Located on the back of the gym, thiswill be a place where students and faculty can go to rehab from injury or proactively avoid injury through workouts.

In November 2020, the Villa community lost Jeff Ostrowski, father of Carly '17, and husband of current volleyball coach, Peggy Evans. Jeff was a renowned physical therapist who wanted to help folks live functional, pain-free lives after injuries or illness. Jeff was the co-founder of Excel PT.

Thanks to the generosity of his coworkers at Excel and the deep commitment of his own family and friends, this project is fully funded, and Jeff's legacy will forever be part of Villa Maria.

Villa is so grateful to Excel and to Peggy Evans for their commitment to the health and well being of everyone in the Villa community.

Tennis Court Installation

The installation of new tennis courts at Villa Maria was part of our Honoring Our Past...Building Our Future campaign. Through the generosity of our donors, these courts are fully funded and will be built in the spring. They will be ready for the 2023 tennis season.

Carol and Ring is a Villa tradition thatcoincides with the Christmas season. Students gather on stage to sing classic songs, and then each junior receives her ring from Principal Sister Regina Ryan.

The event was held onWednesday, December 7, 2022 in the Marian Center Auditorium.

Watch the recorded livestream

A photo gallery of images from Villa's fall play, Around the World in 80 Days, is now available. Revisit the wonderful adventures of Phileas Fogg and his faithful companion, Passepartout, as they set out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. The play was presented byVMA Theatrical Production and Design on November 18 & 19, 2022.

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The week of November 14th-18th was National French Week! French Club members enjoyed French pastry lessons at Strawberry Bakery in Malvern, making croissants, mini-baguettes, macarons, and cupcakes. On campus, the French Honor Society hosted a crêpe sale during lunches, proceeds going to purchase fresh produce for ourThanksgiving baskets. Thanks to World Languages Department Chair and French Teacher, Mrs. Goddard, for your enthusiasm in leading the efforts. Bon appétit!

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November 22nd was a special day at Villa Maria. Students, faculty and staff came together for a beautiful Thanksgiving Liturgy. Following the liturgy, the senior class debuted their senior song, written by Jordi De Jong, Clare McGill, Anjana Mosakowski, and Natalie Young. Seniors were presented with white roses and gathered for pictures outside. The liturgy and senior song were livestreamed, and the recording is available for viewing. Happy Thanksgiving!

View Thanksgiving Liturgy and Senior Song Debut

On November 10th, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary celebrated Founders’ Day. On behalf of the Villa Maria community, we honor and thank the sisters for their dedication to love, fidelity, and creative hope. On November 10th, Villa students, as well as many faculty and staff members, engaged in service projects and activities both on and off campus. The inspiration of the sistersguidedand motivatedus. Happy Founders’ Day!

Emmaus 2022 featured two speakers, both on-campus and off-campus service opportunities, and a film viewing followed by small group discussions. Carly Aquino ‘14 returned to Villa to share her work as a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin as well as her current position as a Cultural Orientation Specialist who works with newly arrived clients on adjusting to life in the United States. Carly is passionate about building strong, inclusive communities that celebrate diversity, justice, and equitable access to opportunities.

Junior Mackenzie Duffy shared her work with Pamoza International. Mackenzie has started a programcalled Girls Rise which organizes and facilitates educational programs for girls in Malawi. On-campus service opportunities included education and activities with the following organizations:

Achieve and Believe Foundation
Butterfly Baskets
Camilla Hall
Cardz for Kids in English and Mandarin
Girls Rise
Project Ensonga – Days for Girls
Off-campus service opportunities included the following service sites:
BVSPCA
Cradles to Crayons
St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter
Stoneleigh, Natural Lands
Sunrise of Paoli
Thorncroft Equestrian Center
Variety

Students viewed the film The Biggest Little Farm which follows a couple and their dog on their journey from city dwellers to sustainable farmers outside of Los Angeles. The film was followed by small group discussions and a reflection on Villa’s day of service and social justice.

View Emmaus Day of Service Photo Gallery

VMAField Hockey Update

Next game: Wednesday, November 16th vs. Mechanicsburg at 7 pm, Governor Mifflin HS, Shillington.

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Go Hurricanes!

On Sunday, November 6th, more than 120 Villa mothers and daughters attended the annual Fashion Show, hosted by the VMA Parents Association. Thisyear’s event, held at the White Manor Country Club in Malvern, included a delicious plated lunch, raffles, a variety of shopping opportunities, a VMA School Store display, and the grand finale - a fashion show featuring Villa seniors and their moms. Thanks to the VMAPA for hosting such a lovely event.

On Friday, October 28th, Villa students, teachers and staff members came to school in their Halloween finest. The senior class dressed as Vector from "Despicable Me!" Happy Halloween!

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Congratulations to Villa junior Miriam Knutson, who has been named Student of the Week by the Main Line Times.

Read the article here!

The week of October 17-21 was Respect Life Week at VMA. Hosted and organized by Villa’s Respect Life Club, the week was designed to spread awareness, inspire important conversations, gain understanding, strengthen friendships, and support others. Activities and events included an assembly, a diaper and wipes drive, a movie and pizza day, a Butterfly Baskets service opportunity, and information sharing with the Respect Life club at lunches.

The mid-week assembly featured a presentation by Ryan Bomberger, the co-founder and Executive Director of The Radiance Foundation, a life-affirming organization that creatively illuminates that life has purpose.

The Villa community answered the call when asked to donate diapers and wipes during the week, donating 6,101 diapers and 371 packages of wipes.

Many thanks to Mrs. Rightley and the VMA Respect Life Club for their hard work in planning an important and engaging week.

Congratulations to Villa's soccer and volleyball teams. They are both AACA Conference Champions!

Villa Maria has been empowering young women to lead lives of spiritual growth, intellectual inquiry, and Christian service for 150 years, and the Villa community has spent the year celebrating this tremendous milestone. A highlight of the anniversary year happened on Friday, September 30, as the Villa Maria communitycame together for mass at Parsons Chapel on campus, followed by a reception and concert at People's Light in Malvern. The concert featured Anna Wilson '90, and her husband, Monty Powell, both of whom are successful artists, songwriters and musicians. The duo alternated between performing beautiful songs and telling entertaining stories, with Anna sharing memories about her time as a Villa student.

Additional reading: On Stage Extra: Villa Maria celebrates 150th anniversary with concert, The Unionville Times, September 30, 2022

Congratulations to Villa senior Mary Cate Doughty, who has been named Student of the Week by the Main Line Times.

Read the article here!

Villa Maria held our annual Fall 7th & 8th Grade Open House on Sunday, October 2, 2022, as theremnants of Hurricane Ian swept through the area. Not even the storm could dampenthe spirits of Villa students, parent volunteers, faculty and staff as they provided tours, answered questions, and talked about what makes Villa Maria Academy so special.

8th grade students who wish to enroll at for the 2023-24 school year and/or be considered for scholarships are required to take the Entrance-Scholarship Examat Villa Maria on October 16 or October 22, 2022. Register today.

Villa Maria welcomed this year’s peer ministers with an induction ceremony in the Marian Center on Friday, September 23. This group of seniors forms a community of Christian leaders who engage in private and shared prayer and who are trained in communication skills. Members help to plan retreats, including the writing of retreat talks and facilitating discussions and activities.

Other service groups inducted were DEI, Mission and Ministry, and Eucharistic Ministry. The freshmen and anyone new to Villa Maria received their Children of Mary medals, the oldest and most treasured tradition at Villa Maria.

"Passionate leaders, generous donors, dedicated hearts, and willing hands have brought us to this day, a day of blessing - opening the doors of Villa Maria's Theresa Maxis Student Union."

On August 26, 2022, as Villa Maria Academy High School students arrived for their first full day of school, the Villa community gathered for a blessing and ribbon cutting at our new building.

Villa students, faculty, staff, alumnae, supporters and friends joined us on campus for the 8:30 a.m. ceremony, which included a blessing by Father Vincent E. Smith, OSFS, a ribbon cutting by Principal Sister Regina Ryan, IHM, and the singing of Villa Maria's Alma Mater.

Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed tours of the new building and light refreshments.

The Theresa Maxis Student Union is located in the center of campus, between the Marian Center and St. JosephHall. It is the new home to Villa's Administrative Offices, Connelly Commons, the Raymond Family Memorial Garden, the Counseling Center, the Holloway Dining Hall, the Nurse's Suite, the Hewes Family Terrace, and Parson's Chapel.

Villa’s Marian Masques delighted us with Mary Poppins last spring. The club is excited to announce their 2022-2023 productions.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Fall Play: November 18-19, 2022

In 1872, on a gentleman's wager, Phileas Fogg and his French manservant Passepartout attempt to traverse the globe in just eighty days. The two encounter strange new countries, colorful (and at times hostile) characters, and even love. A faithful, swift adaptation of Jules Verne's classic adventure novel.

INTO THE WOODS

Spring Musical: May 19-21, 2023

This 1987 musical is based on the book by James Lapine and features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests.

The 2022-23 school year is here!Our transfer students arrived onTuesday, the Class of 2026 last Wednesday, and all students on Friday, August 26.

Students enjoyed returning to campus to many changes. The new Theresa Maxis Student Union will be a hub of activity, as it houses the school administrative offices, counseling center, Parsons Chapel, the nurse's office, and the Holloway Dining Hall. The Hewes Terraceoffers comfortable seating for an outdoor lunch option. The former cafeteria, in Regina Mundi Hall, has been transformed into a large, multi-purpose room and a conference room.

Looking forward to a great year at Villa.

After more than five years of planning, two years of capital campaign development, and one year of construction, Villa Maria Academy High School is pleased to announce the opening of the Theresa Maxis Student Union,just in time for the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Located on Villa's ring road between the Marian Centerand St. Joseph Hall, the Theresa Maxis Student Union features the new Parsons Chapel,a bright and welcoming cafeteria, the counseling center, and the school's administrative offices.