Alumni Class Notes
Class Notes 2022/2023
Victoria Wasylak '13 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Boston
Victoria, a 2013 graduate and award-winning music journalist, has been selected by Forbes for the publication's inaugural 30 Under 30 list for Boston. This distinction follows Victoria's three Boston Music Awards for "Music Journalist of the Year" (2019, 2021, 2022) and the 1,500-plus articles she has written for The Boston Globe, Vanyaland, and Paste. Victoria has a decade of experience in the realm of music and culture journalism, and recently ventured into podcasting for two years, writing scripted episodes of DISGRACELAND, the number-one most downloaded music podcast in the world. Her episode on Taylor Swift is one of the most-downloaded episodes in the show's history. She currently serves as Music Editor, Boston, at Vanyaland and City Editor at BOStoday.
Nicole Rocha Clark '98 Presented with Service Member Patriot Award
Congratulations to Nicole Clark, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, FASHP, FMSHP, pharmacy director, on receiving the Service Member Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense. The award is presented to work supervisors and managers for support provided directly to employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve.
The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Nicole was nominated by a former pharmacist employee who is now serving overseas in the army.
Class Notes 2020/2021
Here at the Academy we are extremely proud of all of our past graduates. Many have gone on to fulfill their dreams, share their talents, and make a positive impact on the world around them. Check out some stories about our impressive alumni below.
Gina Shamshak '97
Dr. Shamshak was recently promoted to the rank of Full Professor of Economics at Goucher College. She joined the College in 2009 and has served as the Coordinator of the Economics Program since 2017.
Maria Frawley O'Dea '68
The Class of 1968 has been in touch since our wonderful 50th reunion in 2018 and mini 51st in 2019 hosted by Corinne Barrett. We hope for a 53rd in 2021 post-COVID. I graduated from St. Mary's College at Notre Dame, IN in 1972 and received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (1988) and a Certificate in Advanced Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (1996) from the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies in NY. Currently I am Executive Director of Presbyterian Psychological Services in Charlotte, NC. A specialist in trauma, I addressed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at their 2002 Dallas meeting on sexual abuse and I wrote a book, Perversion of Power: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church as a result. I attribute my writing skills to Sr. Winifred, SND and was able to tell her that shortly before her death. Our door is always open to Class of 1968 members who might want to escape winter and head south to Charlotte!
Amanda Dinis Varga '01Married on July 18, 2020 to Nicholas Varga. A small family ceremony was held at their home in Pelham, NH to celebrate love among the craziness of the world. In attendance were Amanda's sister, cousins and dear friends: Meghan Dinis '08, Ashley Silva '08, Jessica Pedroso '04, and Sara Silva-Landry '90. Congratulations Amanda!
Kaelan O'Fallon '14
Kaelan married Jonathan Saldamando on March 28, 2020. Kaelan's original ceremony and wedding celebration was canceled as a result of the global pandemic. In an effort to come up with a new plan, Kaelan reached out to NDA to use Our Lady's Chapel for her ceremony. Unfortunately, the stay at home order was issued before plans could be finalized. Kaelan was able to marry Jonathan in a backyard ceremony with her family and closest friends. Congratulations Kaelan!