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The festivities
began on Wednesday,
October 4, when
Loretta Mansfield
Simpson ’26 visited
AHC for a special
luncheon in her
honor. 2006 marks
Mrs. Simpson’s 80th
high school
graduation
anniversary and her
99th
birthday and she
returned to her alma
mater to celebrate.
Students, faculty
and staff wrote
congratulatory notes
in a special
hand-made birthday
card that was
presented by members
of the student
council during the
luncheon. No
birthday would be
complete without an
enthusiastic
rendition of “Happy
Birthday to You,”
which was also led
by student singers.
Mrs. Simpson lent
many precious Holy
Cross mementos to be
shared with the
reunion attendees
which are on
temporary loan, and
prominently
displayed in AHC
showcases.
The Academy welcomed
back more than 100
“Holy Cross Girls”
on the evening of
Friday, October 6,
for a wine and hors
d’oeuvres reception
in the elegant
Theatre lobby of the
2001 school wing.
Student ambassadors
were on hand before
the reception to
lead tours of the
new wing.
Anniversary classes
gathered for group
photos as the
evening progressed
and all enjoyed
mixing and mingling
with one another.
Reunion offers
alumnae the chance
to visit with not
only those in their
own class but all
who benefited from
their Holy Cross
education.
On Saturday, October
7, the alumnae
gathered for a
special Mass
celebrating the
special connection
the Academy has with
the Blessed Mother
Mary. Student
members of the
Madrigal ensemble
and the Cecilian
liturgical choir led
the assembly in song
while alumnae
proclaimed the
readings and prayers
of petition.
Following the
Liturgy, alumnae
attended a reception
and special dinner
honoring the 2006
Distinguished
Alumnae. The six
recipients were
introduced by
classmates who
shared briefly the
impressive
accomplishments of
each recipient. Each
honoree then spoke
about how The
Academy of the Holy
Cross impacted the
paths that they took
in careers and
commitments to
serving others.
Whether it was
teachers,
classmates, courses
or entire high
school experiences,
all remarked that
their Holy Cross
years were vital in
shaping the
direction of their
lives. They each
noted that “courage,
compassion and
scholarship” (from
the AHC Mission
Statement) were
woven through their
lives from their
Holy Cross years up
to today. Each guest
at the dinner
received a special
publication
detailing the
endeavors of the
Distinguished
Alumnae and included
57 additional
Alumnae of Note.
Carol duFief
Gonzalez ’70,
President of the
Alumnae Board, gave
a report on Annual
Fund Anniversary
Class Giving. This
year Alumnae have
established an
Annual Giving goal
of $50,000 for the
Anniversary Class
gift. The
kick-off campaign
was in September,
and AHC has already
received $10,000, so
they are well on
their way! She
asked that alumnae
make a special
effort in this
Anniversary Year to
contribute
generously to the
Annual Fund.
As a
closing treat,
Distinguished Alumna
Joan Cushing ’64,
entertained alumnae
by playing the piano
and singing her
original “shopping
song,”
Target! (Tarjaaay!)
At the conclusion
dinner, each alumna
celebrating an
anniversary year
received a Carol
Dyer folk art print
of the Academy as a
special gift to
commemorate the
occasion.
“Celebrating Our
Heritage” was the
reunion theme, and
all attendees were
poignantly reminded
during the weekend
of how fortunate
they are to have
such a special
heritage.
Distinguished
Alumnae Awards
Nomination Form |
