8 CORDECHO SPIRIT. MIND. BODY. SHA ALUMNAE DRAW STRENGTH FROM The addition of Sources of Strength as part of Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart’s student wellness initiative was a natural fit. Two of the pillars of the program have been integral to the fabric of Sacred Heart for decades. Most notably, supportive friends and mentor relationships have long enriched the lives of SHA girls. The Sacred Heart sisterhood runs deep, extends beyond the classroom or sports field, and endures long after graduation. Karen Kukoda ’86, the class of 1965, and the many alumnae who contribute to the education of today’s students all have profound experiences that illustrate the power of the very special relationships that form at Sacred Heart - and how those relationships are sources of ongoing strength. “One of the greatest treasures from my time at SHA was the mentorship I received from Maria Clare. As a religion teacher and campus minister, Maria’s passion for Catholicism and genuine heart for serving others was such a gift to me. She inspired me to live my faith more intentionally and was certainly a major influence in my decision to pursue further theological education and work in ministry. The support she has offered me in my adult life has helped me navigate countless challenges, and I feel so blessed by her friendship.” -Andrea Waclawek Collins ’12 “Becoming a coach is not only a way to stay involved in the Sacred Heart community, but it also allows me a unique experience to follow in the footsteps of some of the most influential mentors I have had. During my time as a student at Sacred Heart, I was fortunate to have Mrs. Marciniak as my English teacher for both junior and senior years. She used her experience to help coach me to write the most compelling essays - including those for college applications.” -Izzy Redding ’20 “As a student at Sacred Heart, I didn’t yet have the perspective to fully appreciate the educators and experiences that would shape me. Twenty years later, however, I have regularly found myself reflecting on the significant impact that certain mentors have had on my life. First as a freshman, and then again as a junior, I labored through Mrs. Brady’s English Honors classes, and while the work was often challenging, her high standards and lessons consistently motivated me and pushed me to do better, even when I didn’t think I could (spoiler: I could, and she had known I could). She emboldened us as young women and encouraged us to think critically, analyze thoroughly, and write effectively. When I later attended college, I often joked that the essays were a breeze compared to Mrs. Brady’s assignments! I’m still building on those foundations as an ardent reader and creative writer. In our SHA library, a puckish nostalgia hits me when shelving those same books that I once read in class.” -Tia Federice ‘06 “I can safely say that without Mrs. Brady, I would not be who I am today. From teaching me how to become a complex thinker in her English classes to helping me hone key practical skills like public speaking as a mock trial member, Mrs. Brady gave me much of the foundation I used to discover my strengths and eventually become a teacher myself.” -Victoria Rucinski ’15 “As a student at Sacred Heart, I had the privilege of taking AP Physics and Intro to Engineering with Mrs. Mugel. Her journey from engineering to teaching inspired me and revealed the many opportunities a STEM degree can provide. Now, as a teacher myself, I deeply value the impact of her passion for STEM and remain grateful for her mentorship.” -Aoife Scannell ’18 Andrea Waclawek Collins ‘12 (right) first served as a leadership camp counselor for Maria Michalek Clare ‘95 as a SHA junior. Since that time, the two have worked together on many programs, sharing their love for faith and community with students, prospective students, faculty, and families. In addition to her service to Sacred Heart, Andrea is a chaplain at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Izzy Redding ’20 was proud to coach Ava Schleer ’25, Kenzie Larrabee ’25, and Ella Yusick ’26 to victory at All Catholics. In addition to coaching tennis at SHA, she works as a freelance writer, video editor, and social media marketer. The Sacred Heart library is brought to life by Tia Federice ’06 in her role as library assistant. In addition to helping students find a love of books and reading, she serves as the SHA Art Club moderator. Victoria Rucinski ’15, pictured top left, enjoys working with students as part of the leadership team for the sophomore retreat. She completed her master’s degree in creative writing at Columbia University before returning to Sacred Heart to follow in the footsteps of longtime SHA English teacher Nancy Brady. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in mechanical engineering, Aoife Scannell ’18 (right) worked as a project engineer. She joined the SHA faculty this year to share her love of math and computer science with today’s students. She is thrilled to have the chance to work alongside her SHA mentor, Tammy Mugel.
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