Posted May 28, 2010

IMMACULATA -Students of Villa Maria Academy Lower School, Immaculata, won first place awards in three categories in the local computer fair competition. Villa Maria Academy Lower School was the only Catholic school from Chester County to compete in the state-wide computer fair at Dickinson College in Carlisle May 26.

Food still in when school is out


PHILADELPHIA – Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia worked to make sure that children in the five-county area would not go hungry when school is closed for the summer. As a sponsor of the Seamless Summer Option Food Service Program for Children, NDS partnered with hundreds of dedicated community leaders to provide a service that could benefit families and contribute to the health and well-being of area children. Last summer, nearly 600 sites participated in the program, and more than 25,000 children received lunch daily. Eligible programs are located at approved sites that are in low-income areas or that serve a group of children, most of whom are low-income. Most Philadelphian and many suburban neighborhoods qualify to participate in the program.

Participating sites offer children lunch and a choice of breakfast or snack. NDS meals are available June 21 to Sept. 3.To sign up for the Seamless Summer Option Food Service Program for Children, contact NDS at 215-895-3470.

The Seamless Summer Option Food Service Program for Children is a federally-funded program operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the PA Department of Education.

Our Lady Help of Christians School fundraiser considered success

ABINGTON – The principal of Our Lady Help of Christians School, along with teachers and Home and School board members, participated in Rita’s Celebrity Scoop fundraiser May 3. They raised funds from Rita’s water ice to support the students’ activities at the school.

There were raffles and prizes for participants

Our Lady of Confidence enjoys Olympic Day

WILLOW GROVE – Our Lady of Confidence Day School, Willow Grove, held its annual Olympic Day May 11. Students enjoyed a fun-filled day of friendly competition. The children of Our Lady of Confidence Day School were joined by their St. David School “buddies,” whom they share their campus with, during the fun.

St. Mary Magdalen students receive over $340,000 in scholarships

MEDIA – Eighth grade students of St. Mary Magdalen School, Media, received more than $340,000 in scholarships to local high schools, in recognition of significant academic achievement, leadership and service.

Thomas Allen received a partial scholarship to Devon Preparatory School. Benjamin Aman was the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship to Malvern Preparatory School and the Ignatian Scholarship to St. Joseph Preparatory School and was a finalist in the Cardinal O’Hara High School Scholarship competition. Sarah Brown was awarded partial scholarships to Merion Mercy Academy and Archbishop Carroll High School. Bruce Byrne received a partial scholarship to Cardinal O’Hara High School, and Julio del Peon received a partial scholarship to Archmere Academy. Mary Hope received a Mercy Scholar scholarship to Merion Mercy Academy, while Ross Kelley received the Ignatian Scholarship to St. Joseph Preparatory School. Celine and Leah Lombardi were awarded partial scholarships to Villa Maria Academy. Katelyn Markley received a partial scholarship to Merion Mercy Academy, the Academy of Notre Dame and Cardinal O’Hara High School, and she received the Neumann Scholar Award. Stephen McAlee received the Rev. Stephen Bendik Scholarship to Devon Preparatory School. Christopher Smith received the Kevin Flatley Scholarship to Devon Preparatory School and a partial scholarship to Archmere Academy. Michael Stangis was awarded the Martin Devine Scholarship to Devon Preparatory School, and Eric Toddy received the Kevin Flatley Scholarship to Devon Preparatory School and a partial scholarship to Archmere Academy. Andrew Wilson received the Kevin Flatley Scholarship to Devon Preparatory School and a partial scholarship to Archmere Academy.

St. Stanislaus students perform Godspell

LANSDALE – The choirs of St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, under the direction of Marian Helinsky, performed Godspell in the school gym April 23 and 25. Noah Fink portrayed Jesus, and Abigail Derstine portrayed both John the Baptist and Judas. Other soloists, actors and narrators included BrendanClarke, Anne Fillenwarth, Daniel Foore, Jennifer Miller, Abigail Pinder, Emma Madden and Paula Borlando. Eric Bellitto, Theresa De Cree, Laura Knaak, Mary Cate Coyle and Jonathan Luecke were also featured as actors and narrators in many of the parables.

Immaculata University alumnus receives Amethyst Award

IMMACULATA – The Alumni Association of Immaculata University honored Michael V. Ziccardi with the Amethyst Award during Reunion Weekend. The Amethyst Award is given annually to graduates in recognition of outstanding service to their parishes and communities.

Ziccardi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2004 and a master’s degree in 2008 from Immaculat, is chair of the finance council at his parish, Our Lady of Ransom in Northeast Philadelphia, and serves on the parish pastoral council and as a lector and usher. He serves on Immaculata’s Alumni Board of Governors and the Graduate Student Advisory Board, as well as being involved in the Sons of Italy and the Columbus Day Committee of Philadelphia, among others.

Ziccardi currently works as the leader of the global disaster recovery team for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

Immaculata University alumna receives Medal

IMMACULATA – Immaculata University alumna, Mary Beth spanine of Drexel Hill was named the 2010 recipient of the Alumni Medal. The Alumni Medal is presented to an alumnus or alumna with outstanding volunteer service and support to Immaculata University.

As an advocate of strong Catholic principles, spanine believes that Immaculata’s traditions and values are what keep her so close to its community.

Mary Beth graduated from Immaculata in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration. In 1992, Mary Beth received a law degree from Temple University School of Law. She has been an active elected member of the Immaculata Alumni Board of Governors since 1999. She has also served as chair of the Social Action Committee and the Constitutional Committee since 2002, among others.

Sacred Hearts Students win trophies in academic challenges

Sacred Heart of Jesus students participated in the West Catholic High School Academic Challenge Jan. 27. They won two trophies, placing second overall and third in the lightning round out of 17 schools and 32 teams.

In addition to participating in the West Catholic High School challenge, a group of Sacred Heart students participated in the SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Academic Bowl where they came in first. They received a trophy, medals, and a $1,000 academic scholarship to SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti.

Villa Maria student wins State Farm scholarship

MALVERN – Emily McAveney, a native of West Chester and senior at Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, was selected as a 2010 State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship recipient. The award is awarded through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. One hundred four-year scholarships ($3,000-$8,000 per year) are awarded annually.

McAveney is Villa Maria’s valedictorian. She started her high school career with an academic scholarship and attained academic excellence awards in English, theology, Latin, history, biology, and chemistry. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, and the Children of Mary service organization. She received distinguished honors throughout her four years at Villa and competed in the AMC 10 and 12 math contests. In addition to her studies, McAveney’s passion is dance and she has been a student at the Dance Center and Brandywine Ballet since 1994. She will attend Mercyhurst College