Page 26 - SPIRIT-Spring2017

alumnae association past events

Hundreds of Alumnae and Children Visit with Santa

Christmas arrived three weeks early at Cor Jesu, as the Alumnae Association
celebrated the 22 annual Visit with Santa on Saturday, December 3, 2016.
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CJ’s gym transformed into the “North Pole” for
this ever-popular alumnae event, which allowed “There were so many
children of all ages to experience the magic of fun activities for the
Christmas – and spend time with St. Nick himself. kids, from dancing
The day kicked off with crafts, games, music and on stage to playing
dancing and a donut breakfast in the café for the in ball pits, participating
children, who anxiously awaited having their dream in crafts and eating
of meeting Santa come true, as they had their picture fresh cookies.”
taken with him. Alumnae, Students Connect in Washington, d.C.
“We had a blast at CJ’s Visit with Santa,” stated –Christy Laufer Ertle ’04
Christy Laufer Ertle ’04. “It was the first time my
Santa was a busy man that day, as he listened to each Alumnae living near the nation’s capi- Corinne Liddy Clark ’06, elisa Kunz met with Christina, a LT in the Navy,
child’s Christmas list and took photos with each one. husband and daughter, Jackie, visited Cor Jesu, tal were treated to a Cor Jesu visit in ’89, megan reschke ’13 and dr. Brian at the Pentagon, as well as with U.S.
and my parents came along as well. While Jackie didn’t love meeting Santa quite their own neighborhood, when Direc- Hohlt. The graduates caught up with Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy
yet (she’s only 18 months), there were so many fun activities for the kids, from tor of Alumnae Relations Patty Ferrara each other, networked and made Blunt from Missouri and U.S. Con-
dancing on stage to playing in ball pits, participating in crafts and eating fresh ’85 and CJ social studies teacher, Dr. plans for what they hope will be more gresswoman Ann Trousdale Wagner
cookies. And the CJ volunteers couldn’t have been more welcoming!” Brian Hohlt, met with the 22 gradu- upcoming CJ-themed activities. ’80. Together with the Vianney stu-
Over 300 alumnae and their guests attended the event, which is sponsored by ates to catch them up on all the latest “Having an alumnae gathering dents who also took part in Close Up,
the CJ Alumnae Association. However, the day wouldn’t have happened without happenings at their alma mater. The like the one in D.C. is incredibly the CJ students learned from Ann
the help of our Alumnae Santa Committee! Many thanks to melissa ebel Brannan alumnae trip was planned in tandem important,” said Christina Gatti ’07, Wagner how Cor Jesu values have
’00, Carolyn gau guidry ’00, maggie o’Connell Horn ’01, emily Baumann with the annual Close Up Founda- “because it continues to shape how guided her through her career and
Kohlberg ’00, melanie sinak Kornblum ’08, Beth o’Connell Lauver ’99, margie tion’s student conference that is held we live our lives after we graduate how high school activities, like CJ and
geraghty-schaeffer ’67 and Angela roth staed ’98. Also, many thanks to all of in Washington, D.C., every February. from Cor Jesu. The CJ spirit is real Vianney musicals, shaped her college
our alumnae volunteers, our student elves and everyone who helped make this CJ and tangible, and you could see that
The Class of ’98 was well represented at Visit with tradition another huge success! Ten CJ students attended the event choice. She encouraged them to keep
Santa! L to R: Laura Alexander O’Connor, Sue Albers, this year, accompanied by Dr. Hohlt. at the dinner. It was a great oppor- pushing to fulfill their dreams and
Julie Suellentrop Drafall, Anne Marschner Weissler, Start preparing your Santa wish list now, as plans are being made for the 2017
Jenny Stockmann O’Connell and Tricia Faulstich The D.C.-area alumnae gathered tunity to make friends, strengthen serve their communities. The CJ stu-
Haywood Visit with Santa, which will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017. for a special alumnae happy hour at relationships and see the CJ network dents included seniors emily Brimber-
Pi. Those in attendance are pictured at in action. ry, marissa Colombo, Ceara Hunsa-
the top of the page: (front): Kelly Hoff- “In addition, seeing the CJ students ker, Hannah Klutho, olivia Hanford,
mann ’05, priya menzies ’05; (middle at the Pentagon was so poignant for rachel Haselhorst, Kathleen magee
row): Jen ramacciotti omegna ’02, me...and something I will never for- and natalia moonier and juniors sara
mary springer Hartley ’78, sawyer get. A chance to share my experiences Clemens and Lauren Kohn.
Judge ’15, Angelica Brice ’16, Con- and show them that, yes, women can

gresswoman Ann Trousdale Wagner do anything they set their minds to, is

’80, patty Ferrara ’85, Christina gatti so empowering. I can truly and hon-

’07, mia eppler ’11, maureen mahon estly say that I would not be working
We’re putting more “SPIRIT” into Spirit! From the Explore Select the CorJesu Tap the view icon
To see your Spirit magazine come to life, menu, touch the Public Auras option Varty ’10, Amelia schmidt ’03, An- at the Pentagon without the guidance
download the free Aurasma App for magnifying glass and and then select (center icon drea Bachmann ’06, meghan Clodius of Dr. Hohlt, the Closeup program
Android or iPhone. search for CorJesu. FOLLOWING. You on bottom row) and
should see the circle point your device on Karellas ’01, elise Viox ’11, stephanie and Cor Jesu Academy.”
change from an open any page where you
circle to a full circle. see the Aurasma logo Huff Aktipis ’98; (back row): maureen For the Close Up students, their
Book ’08, Jen mcguire ryan ’03, em- civics lesson came to life, when they
The CJ gym was filled with the Christmas spirit at the Abby Funke ’19 helped Claire Spence, daughter of Nina Bono Murphy ‘05 and her daughters, Luci and
Visit with Santa. Natalie Berra Spence ’85 at one of the craft stations. Mia, Leslie Garanzini Bono ‘75 and Carla Bono ’07 ily Karcher ’13, Colleen evans ’10,
and watch
the page come to life! Congresswoman Ann Trousdale Wagner ’80 met with
CJ and Vianney students during Close Up week.
24 COR JESU ACADEMY

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