Vincentian Connection

Issue XXIII | April 2024



Senator Ruiz presents SVA with a Recognition for Outstanding Civic Service

On March 27, Saint Vincent Academy (SVA) proudly held it’s Students-in Community (SIC) Celebration of Service event.

Established in 1974, under the guidance of SVA’s President Sister June Favata, the four-year SIC Program plays a critical role in shaping students’ spiritual and social selves. The heartbeat that fuels Saint Vincent's is the 50-year-old SIC Program of community service.

In helping others, Saint Vincent students see themselves as capable and confident young women, ‘agents of change’ for better tomorrows. And, so it was proclaimed, in this 50th Anniversary year! Guest speaker, New Jersey Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, presented a Proclamation Award in recognition of the outstanding civic service commitment made to the City of Newark by the SVA Community.

Senator Ruiz spoke to students saying, "We cannot allow people to make decisions for us, we have to be part of that process. We cannot allow people to think that women of color should act a certain way because we know the greatness within us. We cannot let those insecurities keep us from asking those important questions, from leaning in and stepping up when something is wrong."

The Senator continued, "I send my love to Sister June. In the moments when so many people turned their back on this great city, Saint Vincent's stayed, and stayed steadfast, to make sure you had a safe place to nurture and grow. Happy Birthday for 50-years of service.“

This year’s SIC Celebration of Service ceremony opened with an entrance procession accompanied by a violin solo by student, Kimberly Vito (Bach’s Double Violin Concerto). Scripture readings, and students’ shared experiences followed. Reflections on the Legacy of Service were made by Religious Studies teacher, Gregory Hann. There was a very special Proclamation presentation and the distribution of mementos. Closing remarks were made by SVA’s Principal, Joan Tyburczy.

We are thankful to Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Senator Cryan, Assemblywoman Quijano and Senator Ruiz for the proclamations presented to our SVA community. 

Sending Forth Changemakers in the Community

SVA students were excited to live up to the Vincentian legacy of service as they prepared to distribute gifts to the community. This year our Freshmen and Sophomores focus of service was to the growing population (15% of kids in Newark) of those effected by food insecurity.

In order to better understand the challenges of families who struggle with food insecurities, our teachers had their students work on household budgets using average income figures against expenses. The disparity is real, and Newark is ranked in the nation's top food deserts.

This year, SVA's Students-in-Community Program partnered with St. John's Soup Kitchen, Mercy House, Toni's Kitchen and St. Augustine's. Our young women went above and beyond in preparing sandwiches and homemade desserts, along with inspirational notes and gifts to the recipients.

With the Easter season in mind, our teachers and students prepared individual brown bags which were personalized with heartfelt words and spring flowers. Keeping their budget in mind, handmade crafts were also made which were included in activity bags that were distributed to families with children.

Time was well spent and well received at Bethany Senior Center in Newark, NJ. Our students enjoyed lunching together, games and pleasant conversations. Our Juniors and Seniors dedicated their time by partnering with daycare centers, hospitals, schools and seniors centers like Agape Children's Academy, Community Day Nursery, Community Hills Learning Center, New Community Extended and St. Michael's Medical Center. We are honored to continue to make a meaningful impact for our students and the community.

The Way They Were - Alumnae Reunion Luncheon Making More Memories with SVA

The rain did not stop our SVA's Alumnae Association from putting on a crowd-pleasing event at the 2024 Spring Reunion Luncheon! North of 110 guests were in attendance at The Olde Mill Inn.

Welcoming all, SVA Alumnae Association President, Christine Williams '80, singled out our most senior alumna, Sister Pat Beaumont '46, and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

It was a lunch to remember with 34 graduating classes represented. Brigitte Andrade '77, traveled from Florida, excited to share an animated history picture book of SVA that she authored, with plans to donate the proceeds to SVA. You can pre-order your book here.

In keeping with the SVA tradition, candles were lit in loving memory of all the departed SVA sisters.

Whether you won a raffle prize or not, everyone enjoyed their time together, reminiscing about the past and sharing current updates, too. And, we hope you will share your story with us. Let us know how SVA has impacted your life. Please contact the Development Office at development@svanj.org.

Thank you to all, especially our Alumnae Association organizers, who made our Spring Reunion Luncheon a memorable event!

Alumnae Receive a Special Science Lab Tour

You could 'feel the chemistry' of excitement and joy from SVA's alums as they toured the two new science labs. The evening began with a meet and greet of established women from 13 graduating classes, some accompanied by their daughters. Together they reminisced about their SVA days of sisterhood, kinship, learning and encouragement.

Jessica Barbosa '06, a nurse practitioner at University Hospital, was overjoyed with the new science wing as was Vanetha Wood-Stratford '92. Vanetha said she loved science because she had a great science teacher, Sister Noreen Neary. Seeing one of the labs dedicated to Sister Noreen delighted all of her former students.

Jenifer Campbell, ED.D. '81, Dean of Students with Fordham University, said, "Attending SVA, I felt empowered to be taught by such strong women educators. Their role in my life led me to where I am today."

SVA's Dr. Harish Radha was on hand with students to demo some of the new science equipment. Fraina Charles '27, demonstrated a blood drawing technique used in her 10th grade Principles of Biomedical Science class. Jonae Marcelin '24, used a pulse monitor to demo an EKG reading, used in her Biomedical Innovations class for juniors and seniors. This and much more is being taught in the Biomedical Innovation class, which is an elective course being offered to both the 11th and 12th grade. As part of their coursework, the senior students also created an app that helps speed up the collection of data from ER patients. 

Although the science labs are a new addition to the school, many of the alum felt that SVA still held the same invaluable spirit. Sister June played a vital part in enhancing the school with the modern tools many hospitals and engineering institutions use in the science field today. We are honored to share these gifts with our students, past and present. Be on the lookout for more events like this from SVA.

Gifts of all sizes - whether it's $10, $100, or $1,000 and more -

help us build a community of confident young women who are ready to pursue their dreams boldly.

Saint Vincent Academy

228 West Market St., Newark, NJ 07103

www.svanj.org | (973) 622-6406 | admissions@svanj.org