Kensington, MD – September 16, 2024 – The Academy of the Holy Cross was honored to host a momentous occasion on Friday, September 13, celebrating both the annual Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Ground Blessing of the institution’s new Athletic and Wellness Center.

His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory presided over the special Mass, during which he extended his blessings to The Academy’s new President, Emily A. Kasof, and new Principal, Kathy Hannah, as they embark on their inaugural year. The Cardinal’s presence underscored the significance of this new chapter for the school community.

Exciting remarks also came from the Student E-Board leaders: Gabby Hill, President; Kathryn O’Boyle, Vice President; Megan Depman, Treasurer; and Sophie Epshteyn, Secretary. The students presented the Sisters of the Holy Cross with a community quilt to celebrate their work in advancing peace and justice globally. Each square of the quilt was thoughtfully hand-painted by The Academy’s students as part of the school’s signature celebration, “Holy Cross Gives, Thanks.” The designs were specifically inspired by the congregation's commitment to Laudato Si' and our collective call to care for God's creation.

“We continue to live out the legacy of the Sisters each and every day here,” said Kathy Hannah. “We are blessed by your witness of faith and action in the world. We cannot thank everyone enough for being here with us today.”

Following shortly after the Mass, His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory led the Ground-Blessing ceremony for the new Athletic and Wellness Center, at the upcoming new location. The event was well-attended by excited community champions, the ADW team, The Academy’s Board of Trustees, local clergy, parents, faculty, staff, and the excited students. Their enthusiastic participation highlighted the strong support for this new exciting development.

”We are truly standing on the shoulders of many who are here today,” said Emily A. Kasof. “This new Athletic and Wellness Center represents a continued growth for The Academy in its mission towards academic excellence and athletic achievement. This space will foster community involvement and support our girls' future endeavors. We cannot thank His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory and The Sisters of the Holy Cross enough for supporting us.”

The day's celebrations continued with the Holy Cross Day Games, a tradition that engages students in spirited and fun-filled activities, further enhancing the sense of community and school spirit.

"This Athletic and Wellness Center will be a space where our students can maximize their God given abilities and pursue their passions in a state of the art facility, while becoming the best version of themselves," said Kelly Flaherty. "This incredible resource will enhance the Academy of the Holy Cross and position us for generations to come. Through God’s will, our opportunities are endless. It’s truly an exciting time to be a Tartan."

The Academy is deeply grateful to supporters of the #EmpowerdGirls campaign and those who joined in making this a significant milestone. The new Athletic and Wellness Center represents a pivotal advancement in our commitment to fostering holistic student development and wellness.

For more information about media and The Academy of the Holy Cross, please contact Hoang Nguyen-Ortiz, Director of Communications and Marketing, at hdnguyen@academyoftheholycross.org.  For inquiries regarding the #EmpoweredGirls campaign, which contributed to the funding of the Athletic and Wellness Center, please reach out to Cassandra Hoye at choye@academyoftheholycross.org. For questions regarding athletic programming, please contact Kelly Flaherty, Director of Athletics at kflaherty@academyoftheholycross.org.