A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT SPIRIT. MIND. BODY. CORDECHO 3 Greetings SHA Family, It is such an honor to welcome you, on behalf of the Board of Directors, to this edition of the Cordecho. Each of us has our own special connection to and memories of SHA. We “work and read and pray in the halls of SHA” still epitomizes the day-to-day experience of the SHA student journey. For me, it was the Franciscan charism coupled with the exceptional academic and student life that were the ties that bind! What was your special connection? Maybe it was a special teacher, a challenging assignment you didn’t think you could ever complete, a special friendship, the junior ring ceremony, the mother-daughter communion breakfast, the father-daughter dance, or commencement—no one can ever forget the red roses! These traditions continue, and new traditions have been started—some of which you will read about here. In this issue, you will also see some of the important Board work undertaken by us. You may be wondering who your Board is and what exactly do we do. Your Board is a dedicated group of individuals focused on one goalpost: to ensure that SHA continues to achieve its mission in a fiscally responsible way. A mission that has stood the test of time and is worth repeating here: Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart is a community committed to providing young women with a comprehensive, balanced, and challenging Catholic education rooted in the core values of the Franciscan tradition. We are indeed blessed to have four Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity on our Board: Sr. Jo-Ane Grabowski, osf ’67 (Provincial Minister), Sr. Diane Bernbeck, osf ’64, Sr. Dorothy Mueller, osf ’60, and Sr. Terri Miklitsch, osf (Provincial Councilor). Their presence keeps our Franciscan values front and center. The Academy is likewise blessed to have an exceptionally accomplished and caring Head of School, Ms. Jennifer Demert, who works alongside us and in concert with the 20232028 Strategic Plan. Over the past year, we have devoted considerable Board time to reviewing progress on the strategic plan; approving plans for the new Wellness Center and an advancement plan; participating in the accreditation process for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, supporting the introduction of the Middle Years Program (MYP), celebrating the incredible work our talented students and faculty do every day, marveling at the SHAKe Up projects (highlighted in this issue) and wishing we could be a current student at 3860 Main Street. At our June Board meeting, outgoing Board member Sr. Linda Lewandowski, osf ’70, in her opening prayer, reminded us that we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. For me, this was the past President, Eileen Scanell. A verse from the impactful song seems a fitting close to this message because it reminds us not only of our connection to SHA but also of our connection to each other: “I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me I am honored by their passion for our liberty I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me” (Joyce Johnson Rouse, 1995) Please join me and our Board in celebrating those who came before us and an incredible year at the Academy! Yours in Appreciation, Christine M. (Carroll) Licata, ’67 President, Board of Directors Sister Diane Bernbeck, osf ’64 James Biddle Lauren Byrd Gerbino ’03 William Christ Jennifer Demert, Head of School Carrie Fahey, Secretary David Faturos, Treasurer Sister Jo-Anne Grabowski, osf ’67, Provincial Minister Khristian King ’03 Christine Licata ’63, President Anne McCaffrey Joan Horrigan Maira ’77 Sister Terri Miklitsch, osf Gail Mitchell Sister Dorothy Mueller, osf ’60 Melissa Weiksnar, Vice President Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart 2025-26 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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