“Not only are our teachers extremely qualified, but the dedication and enthusiasm they demonstrate on a daily basis is truly inspiring,” said Rosemary Guarino, chair of the Foreign Language Department. “Our graduates consistently return and tell us how well-prepared they feel for their college language classes, with many of them opting to minor or even major in the language they studied at Notre Dame. There is no better testament to the success of our program.”

The PSMLA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures from kindergarten through university levels.

Schools that receive these awards must submit evidence that they meet the association’s rigorous criteria. In addition, signatures of the superintendent and/or principal, and supervisor or department chair are required to attest to the accuracy of the information submitted.

Foreign language teachers at the Academy of Notre Dame are from left to right in front row: Anna Budiwsky, Rosemary Guarino, and Aurora López. Back row from left to right: Sophie Alfonsi-Connaire, Clare Mulkeen Ziff, Katherine Stine, David Califf, Maria Gioia Sordi, and Marie José Napier.

More than 300 runners and walkers participated in the Academy of Notre Dame’s annual Sunflower Run on Saturday, April 20 at Ridley Creek Park. Thank you to our sponsors and participants for a fun-filled day. 

Proceeds from the Sunflower Run will benefit the Academy of Notre Dame.

To make a gift to the Sunflower Run, please click here and type "Sunflower Run" in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

The High School Golf Team team has started their season off with great promise as they look to defend their InterAc Championship. The team is 3-0, with wins against Springside, Baldwin and Episcopal. The team is working hard to improve their short and long game, while encouraging one another and having fun. According to Head Coach Mary Jane Wetzel, “With the addition of some strong and consistent freshmen, paired with our junior returnees, the team will once again prove to be unstoppable. Junior Coryn Mullen is playing extremely well with a three game average of 43 and freshman Maddie Keane is right behind her at 49. It isn’t about individuals though, this group is all about being members of our team.” The golf team hosts InterAc opponent Agnes Irwin on Monday, April 22 at their home course, Overbrook Country Club.

The High School Varsity Softball had gotten off to a good start with a 1-1 InterAc league record, beating rival Germantown Academy on April 2. According to Head Coach Tom Grogan, “Despite our 1-4 record, the team has battled well in most games, including two 1-run losses. Nina Diamond is doing a great job defensively and in the third spot in the order; Sarah Maloney continues to evolve in the pitching circle and struck out 14 batters in a win over Germantown Academy. Morgan Vockel has stepped up in a big way this year doing a great job at the plate and at second base for the team." The softball team hosts Episcopal on Tuesday, April 23 at 3:45 PM.

The High School Varsity Lacrosse season is under way. The team has a record of 4-4 and 2-2 in the InterAc League. According to Head Coach Erin Cook, “We have an incredible amount of talent and a great group of girls, a team that is a joy to coach, whether we are winning or losing. The InterAc has proven to be very even this year with a lot of teams stepping up and making our games very competitive. We are 4-4 right now, three of our losses being by one goal.

“We are led by very strong senior leadership and the outstanding play of junior midfielder Katie Schneider and sophomore defender Kirsten Mansfield. Carolyn Riegel has really stepped up for us in light of some injuries. Courtney Donovan had a great game yesterday in our one goal loss to Penn Charter. We plan to start from scratch in this second half of the season to improve our fitness, intensity and game strategy so that we can come away with a season we are proud to call ND Lax '13.” The team faces league rival Episcopal Academy on Tuesday, April 30 at Notre Dame at 3:30 PM.

Midway through the outdoor season, the ND track team is well on its way to having a successful and productive year. During the regular season of league dual meets, the Irish faced two short-handed losses to Agnes Irwin and Germantown Academy during Easter break, two wins against Penn Charter and Baldwin, and recently lost to heavy InterAc favorites Episcopal Academy and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (who finished second and third, respectively, behind Notre Dame last year). But all of this was just a warm-up for the three championship meets in May, as regular-season track results play no part in post-season rankings.

According to Head Coach Nick Vechik, “At this point in the year, well over half of the Irish runners, jumpers, hurdlers and throwers have set lifetime personal bests and look to perform even better in the weeks to come. Whether or not they can turn in a podium performance at Championships, they can take pride in the work they have done and the enormous improvements they have realized as both individuals and a team this year."

Notre Dame's rowing program continues to have a fantastic season. With one more regatta to go before the City Championships, the squad is looking stronger than ever. According to Head Coach Travis Schilling, “The team has continued to hold onto their points lead over all other InterAc programs, sitting in the number two spot behind Conestoga in the race for the overall sculling team championship.” The team looks to extend their season with podium finishes at City Championships that would earn them invites to Scholastic Nationals to be held on the Cooper River in Camden, NJ.

For up-to-date schedules and results, please visit each team’s website at: http://www.ndapa.org/page.cfm?p=352.

Notre Dame Junior School presented two rousing performances of their spring musical Dear Edwina on April 12 and 13. Ann Pinto McCarney directed the musical, and Brian Dietzler arranged the music. Daniel DiCecco designed the set.

The cast included the following students (in alphabetical order):

Caroline Beck
Sophie Bonini
Xandra Coleman
Cara DePiano
Addison Devine
Lauren Dietzler
Quinn Flannery
Lindsey Galarneau
Daltrey Granoff
Kathryn Hallinan
Jen Lepore
Katie Liebeskind
Molly McCarthy
Rose McDonald
Kennedy Monaco
Quinn Norris
Lexi Scavetti
Siobhan Slattery
Mary Tomcavage
Lucy Van Kula
Caroline Voegle

The cast also included three boys:

Evan Dampman
Colin Fulmer
Lukas Milby

McGurk finished her high school career with 1,466 points, ranking as the second highest scorer in the history of Notre Dame. She has accepted a Division I scholarship to Bucknell University. McGurk was a four-year starter at Notre Dame, and she was All Inter-Ac for four years. She also was recently elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State First Team.

In addition, Kathleen Fitzpatrick was elected to All-State Third Team.