Press Room
June 2023
Holy Angels Community Hosts Sendoff for 2023 Retirees
Demarest, NJ: The month of June brought several changes to the Academy of the Holy Angels, including the retirement of several key staff members. Those who are leaving their posts include School Social Worker Sister Mary Foley, SSND, Athletic Director Patti Gorsuch, Main Office Manager Ellen Schiff, Facilities Manager Robert Shanney, and Campus Ministry Director Kathleen Sylvester. Together, they gave AHA nearly 100 years of service; half of which were logged by Shanney. Read more»
Middle School Angels Complete 8th Grade with Family, Friends
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School celebrated eighth grade commencement on June 9, 2023. The school’s second graduation exercises and Baccalaureate Mass were held at Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cresskill with Father Samuel Citero, O. Carm, presiding. Read more»
Catherine Tuohy Receives Angel Award as AHA Honors Senior Athletes
Demarest, NJ: Three-sport athlete Catherine Tuohy has earned the prestigious Angel Award for her contributions to the Academy of the Holy Angels’ spring track, volleyball, and basketball programs. Tuohy was honored in absentia, as she was celebrating her graduation in Europe. Read more»
Joyful Day: Academy of the Holy Angels’ 143rd Class Earns Diplomas
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels’ Class of 2023 engaged in a joyful celebration of individual and collective accomplishments and enduring friendships at the June 2 graduation exercises. The school community, family, and friends gathered to witness the 143rd Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass, which were held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Read more»
May 2023
Double Treat: AHA’s ‘Twelfth Night the Musical’ Garners Nominations for Metro & bergenPAC High School Awards
Demarest, NJ: Those associated with Holy Angels’ award-winning theater program are currently enjoying limelight of another type. This month, the Academy’s production of “Twelfth Night the Musical” garnered multiple nominations for Metropolitan High School Theater Awards AND the inaugural season of bergenPAC High School Musical Awards. Read more»
AHA Varsity Golfers Win First State Title
Demarest, NJ: Holy Angels’ golfers capped an exceptional season by earning the Academy’s first state title in this sport. Golfers who participated in the May 16 tournament at Raritan Valley Golf Course included senior Amelia Shen of Demarest; sophomores Sharanya Agarwal of West New York, Inha Jun of Edgewater, and Angelina Kim of Tenafly; and ninth grader Olivia Lee of Closter. Read more»
‘Angelic Evening,’ AHA’s Spectacular Signature Celebration, Turns 25
Demarest, NJ: Angelic Evening turned 25 this year, and the Holy Angels community celebrated with touches of silver decorations and gift bags. The Academy hosts this spectacular signature celebration each spring, demonstrating appreciation for AHA’s steadfast supporters while showing everyone a wonderful evening of prizes, dinner, and dancing. This year, everyone gathered at the Edgewood Country Club to pay tribute to Distinguished Alumna Award recipient Geraldine Wacker (AHA ’88) and Legacy Award honoree The Mario & Theresa Spola Family Foundation. Read more»
On Stage at Alice Tully Hall! AHA Musicians Make the Grade
Demarest, NJ: Five devoted instrumental musicians from the Academy of the Holy Angels spent May 4 performing at the 39th Annual Young Musicians Concert. The event was held at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. Read more»
Holy Angels Community Uses Service Day to Build a Better World
Demarest, NJ: Every member of the Holy Angels community is encouraged to see God in other people and share God’s love each day. On Service Day, the Academy joins forces to build a better world by collaborating on projects that improve the environment and uplift people in need. This annual May event reflects AHA’s status as a National Service Learning School and a sponsored work of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Read more»
Future Angels Get to Know AHA at Spring Open House
Demarest, NJ: Spring Open House drew multiple prospective families to the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School. Visitors at the May 2 event enjoyed a warm welcome from the Angel Ambassadors and robotics team members, who showcased their recent creations. Student-made robots, items crafted with the 3-D printer, and LED projects that are programmed to pulse in time with favorite songs highlighted AHA’s nationally-recognized STREAM curriculum, an award-winning blend of science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics. Read more»
AHA’s DECA Aces Excel at International Event; Two Reach Top 10
Demarest, NJ: Savvy business students from the Academy of the Holy Angels earned Top 10 recognition at the DECA International Career Development Conference held April 21-26 in Orlando, Florida. Seniors Jaclyn Larraz of Blauvelt, New York, and Shivani Sahu of Paramus finished in the Top 10 in virtual business challenge/fashion and automotive services marketing, respectively. Sahu also earned awards for receiving excellent test and role play scores. Read more»
April 2023
Holy Angels Students Honored for Academic Excellence
Demarest, NJ: Students from the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School were recognized for maintaining excellent grade point averages through the third quarter of the 2022-23 academic year. Angels are named to the Principal’s List for maintaining a GPA of 95 or higher, or receive Honor Roll recognition for posting an average of 90 through 94. Read more»
AHA Middle School Students Named to Dean’s List & Honor Roll
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School is pleased to announce that several students have attained Dean’s List and Honor Roll status for maintaining excellent grade point averages through the third quarter of the 2022-23 academic year. Read more»
AHA’s Bespoke Course at Oxford Imparts Knowledge for Life
Demarest, NJ: Imagine having the chance to attend a world-renowned university where you immerse yourself in a class that was tailor-made for you. Each spring, students from the Academy of the Holy Angels enjoy this exciting opportunity through the upper school’s Oxford Study Abroad Program. Read more»
Kindness Award Winners Set an Example at Holy Angels
Demarest, NJ: Federica Zazzali, Elena Fiorentinos, Gianna Enriquez, and Mina Puma have received the Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award. The Academy of the Holy Angels honored these students for carrying on the nurturing spirit S. Catherine, a School Sister of Notre Dame, demonstrated during her years as an AHA religious studies teacher (1982-2014). Read more»
Angels Enter National Science & Math Honor Societies
Demarest, NJ: STEM standouts from the Academy of the Holy Angels were recognized at a joint induction ceremony held on April 4. Angels who excel in the sciences were welcomed into the Science National Honor Society. Students who demonstrate excellence in mathematics are now members of Mu Alpha Theta. Read more»
‘Waging Peace in a Divided World’ Is Focus of AHA’s Awareness Day
Demarest, NJ: The Holy Angels community recently participated in Awareness Day, a time to build knowledge of themselves and the global community. Students at AHA Middle School examined peace on a personal level, while upper school students focused on “Waging Peace in a Divided World.” Read more»
Five Weeks of Auditory Delights: AHA Hosts Music in Our Schools Month®
Demarest, NJ: March is charmed at the Academy of the Holy Angels, where vocal and instrumental performers remind everyone it’s Music Our Schools Month®. Tri-M Honor Society President Faith Youn took the reins this year, organizing five weeks of MIOSM® performances at the start of the school day and during lunch. Read more»
March 2023
AHA Dancers Earn Six State Titles, National Honors
Demarest, NJ: The last few weeks have been supercharged for the dance teams from the Academy of the Holy Angels. AHA has been hard at work earning state and national honors, pitting their skills against some of the best teams in the country. Read more»
AHA’s Arizona MAP Experience Personalizes Immigrants’ Struggles
Demarest, NJ: Enduring memories are the mark of each thought-provoking Mission Awareness Process trip. Just ask the travelers from the Academy of the Holy Angels, who recently spent a week at the Arizona-Mexico border. Angels visited both sides of the international border on their quest to learn more about the immigration issue. Read more»
AHA Welcomes New Admissions Team with Alumna at the Helm
Demarest, NJ: There is a brand new admissions team at the Academy of the Holy Angels, and an enthusiastic alumna is at the helm. This March, veteran AHA educator Stephanie Dowling (AHA ’08) and new Holy Angels staff member Melani Salibian stepped into the roles of director and assistant director, respectively. Read more»
February 2023
Angels Consider STEM Careers with Alumna Engineer Nina Sinatra
Demarest, NJ: Nina Sinatra, a 2008 graduate of the Academy of the Holy Angels, recently addressed current Angels about her exciting career as a senior mechanical and materials engineer. Read more»
Flutist Chloe Hahn Ascends to Top Seats in Region I Orchestra & Ensemble
Demarest, NJ: Instrumental musician Chloe Hahn of Cresskill has been named principal flutist for the Intermediate Region I Orchestra and second chair flutist for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Read more»
Red Carpet Events Entice Personalities of the Past to AHA History Class
Demarest, NJ: Two invitation-only red carpet events enticed notable personalities, including Billie Holiday, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Katherine Hepburn, to the Academy of the Holy Angels on February 9 and 10. Their host: AHA Social Studies Department Chair Gail Fair. Read more»
January 2023
Holy Angels Welcomes Class of 2027 at Afternoon Reception
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels’ January 22 Accepted Students Reception was a fun-filled, information-packed afternoon. Members of the Class of 2027 and their parents/guardians received a warm welcome as they got to know the Academy’s administration, faculty, alumnae, current students, and each other. Read more»
AHA’s Senior Scientists Mentor Sixth Grade Health Class
Demarest, NJ: Senior scientists from the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School exhibited scholarship and mentorship as they hosted an impromptu mini-health fair for the sixth grade. Read more»
AHA Earns AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels has received The College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award. AHA was recognized for achieving high female representation in Advanced Placement Computer Science A during the 2021-22 school year. AHA is one of only 209 schools in the nation to be recognized for closing the gender gap in AP CSA. Read more»
December 2022
AHA Middle School Fencers Show Their Skill at Home and Abroad
Demarest, NJ: Teen fencers Rebecca Cho, Lavender Lee, and Jane Yu are demonstrating their skill in state, national, and international competition. This fall, these Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School eighth graders successfully competed at several events with the Top Fencing Club, where they work with Coaches Seoung-Woo Lee and Hwanhee (James) Lee. Read more»
AHA Christmas Concert Began with Tradition; Ended with a Twist
Demarest, NJ: This year, the Academy of the Holy Angels Christmas Concert infused seasonal favorites with a very special finale. Held at Saint Mary’s Church in Dumont (while the auditorium renovations continued), the festivities began with Caccini’s “Ave Maria,” an anticipated annual staple. Concertmaster Faith Youn (’23) played the violin solo as the chorus processed up the aisle, candles in hand. Read more»
AHA Dancers Earn Five First Place Trophies at Competition in Virginia
Demarest, NJ: Strong performances at the action-packed regional competition in Arlington, Virginia, netted five first place trophies for the Academy of the Holy Angels Dance Team. The December 10 United Dance Association DC Regional event was held at Bishop O’Connell High School, and drew multiple teams. Read more»
AHA Juniors Are New Jersey Scholars Program Candidates
Demarest, NJ: Georgette “Gigi” Ochs of Fair Lawn and Natalie Yoo of Englewood Cliffs are the Academy of the Holy Angels' candidates for the 2023 New Jersey Scholars Program. NJSP is a highly-selective, five-week summer program for rising high school seniors. AHA’s nominees will now begin the rigorous statewide application process. Finalists will be announced in the spring. Read more»
Angels Leave Teen Hunger Summit Inspired to Alleviate Food Insecurity
Demarest, NJ: During the holiday season, when many people focus on abundant feasts, students from the Academy of the Holy Angels attended The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Teen Hunger Summit. AHA Campus Minister Maryanne Miloscia coordinated AHA’s participation in this virtual event, which inspired many attendees to take action to ameliorate food insecurity: the lack of reliable access to sufficient affordable and nutritious food. Read more»
Twenty-two Angel Musicians Enter Tri-M Honor Society
Demarest, NJ: Chapter 2150 of the Modern Music Masters National Honor Society has accepted 22 top-flight musicians from the Academy of the Holy Angels. The Tri-M induction, which was held December 2, recognized each new member’s musical accomplishments, scholarship, character, leadership, and service to others. Read more»
Try on Your Wings at AHA Middle School’s Open House
Demarest, NJ: Imagine yourself as an Angel! Try on your wings at the Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School Open House on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon. If you will be entering Grade 6 in the fall of 2023, you and a family member are invited to learn more about how you can get the all-girl advantage in AHA’s growth mindset environment. Read more»
November 2022
AHA Middle School Releases Q1 Dean’s List & Honor Roll
Demarest, NJ: Traci Koval, dean of the Academy of the Holy Angels Middle School, congratulated multiple students who achieved Dean’s List and Honor Roll status for maintaining excellent grade point averages through the first quarter of the 2022-23 academic year. Read more»
Holy Angels Students Complete First Quarter with Honors
Demarest, NJ: The Academy of the Holy Angels recently honored multiple upper school students who achieved excellent grade point averages during the first quarter of the 2022-23 academic year. Angels are named to the Principal’s List for maintaining a GPA of 95 or higher, or receive Honor Roll recognition for posting an average of 90 through 94. Read more»
Five Teens Chosen to Represent Holy Angels at HOBY Conference
Demarest, NJ: A select group of Holy Angels sophomores will represent the Academy at the 2023 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. AHA’s delegates are Cara Boyce of Old Tappan; Margaret “Molly” Doherty of New City, New York; Isabella Kim of Cresskill; Xenaya Medina of Clifton; and Gina Certo of Wyckoff (alternate). Read more»
Giving Thanks: AHA Teens Carry on S. Catherine’s Legacy of Kindness
Demarest, NJ: Academy of the Holy Angels students Camila Reynoso, Taylor Glynn, Trinity Savage, and Breanna Hetzer have received the Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award in appreciation of their inspirational attitudes. These teens, who were honored during the November 21 Thanksgiving Prayer Service, exemplify the kindness for which S. Catherine was known. Read more»
AHA Senior Is Harvard BOLD Ambassador; Eleven Angels Were Guests
Demarest, NJ: Several aspiring business leaders from the Academy of the Holy Angels spent the weekend of November 12 and 13 at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business BOLD Conference. BOLD, or Business Oriented Leadership Development, is an annual, two-day event where high school women explore the business world and sharpen their organizational and communication skills. This expo of business opportunities includes panels and workshops with women leaders and entrepreneurs. Read more»
AHA Donates 65 Turkeys to Community FoodBank of NJ
Demarest, NJ: Students and staff from the Academy of the Holy Angels actively respond to the School Sisters of Notre Dame call to serve others. As Thanksgiving approached, the Academy collaborated to donate dozens of frozen turkeys to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside. Read more»
Rho Kappa Welcomes 52 Angels, Top Tally in AHA Chapter’s History
Demarest, NJ: The Alice Paul Chapter of Rho Kappa reached a high water mark on November 15, as the Academy of the Holy Angels inducted 52 outstanding social studies students, the top number of inductees in chapter history. Read more»
Future Angels Enjoy Classes & Camaraderie at Showcase Day
Demarest, NJ: Future Holy Angels students from near and far enjoyed upper school classes and camaraderie during Angel Showcase Day (November 10, 2022). The AHA Admissions Team organized the full-day event so incoming ninth graders could explore their interests with current upper school students, meet faculty members, and develop new friendships. Read more»
Angels for Veterans Fundraiser Will Help Train Service Dogs
Demarest, NJ: In honor of Veterans Day 2022, the Academy of the Holy Angels raised over $2,500 to help bring a trained service dog to a military veteran. This timely event was hosted November 9 by AHA Upper School’s Angels for Veterans organization and the students at AHA Middle School. Students, faculty, and staff (50 in all) received donations for completing laps around the Academy’s track. Funds benefit American Humane’s Pups4Patriots™. Read more»
Angels to Sing at Carnegie Hall; One Will Also Appear in Sydney
Demarest, NJ: Three outstanding vocalists from the Academy of the Holy Angels have been named to the 2023 Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series. AHA’s nominees are Caroline Ko of Hoboken, Victoria Velasco of Woodcliff Lake, and Isabella Wisniewski of Paramus. Read more»
AHA Facilities Manager Bob Shanney to Retire; Luis Mendoza Will Be Successor
Demarest, NJ: Facilities Manager Robert Shanney, who has been keeping the Academy of the Holy Angels campus safe and clean since 1973, will be retiring at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. This month, following an extensive search and interview process, current AHA Maintenance Department Supervisor Luis Mendoza-Milian was officially named Shanney’s successor. In early November, Shanney and Mendoza began working side-by-side to ensure all of Shanney’s institutional knowledge is passed on to Mendoza. Read more»
Connect with Holy Angels During ‘Discover Catholic Schools Week’
Demarest, NJ: Connect with the Academy of the Holy Angels as the National Catholic Educational Association (ncea.com) hosts Discover Catholic Schools Week: November 13-19, 2022. Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, Holy Angels is Bergen County, New Jersey’s oldest private all-girl school. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from many backgrounds. A high percentage of Angels earn acceptance into their first-choice colleges and universities. As a class, AHA seniors receive millions of dollars in scholarships to fund their undergraduate studies. Read more»