Two Schools, One Faithful Legacy: Celebrating 75 Years of Dual Academic Enrichment
Sometimes, the universe has a way of aligning things in symbolic, meaningful ways—often not in the ways we expect. This year marks a remarkable milestone for two places that have profoundly shaped my life. During middle school, I didn’t follow the typical public school path; instead, I attended a Catholic school. My father had taught there for several years, and my previous school hadn’t quite met our expectations, so it felt like a natural choice for my sister and me. Years later, my professional journey led me back to another Catholic institution—this time as part of my career. Coincidentally, both Catholic schools I’ve been connected to, at very different stages of life, are celebrating their 75th anniversaries this year. As they mark their diamond and gold jubilees, I find myself reflecting on the lasting impact they’ve had: one laid the foundation for my education, the other continues to shape the foundation of my career.
While each school has its own identity, they share a common mission: nurturing young minds through the lens of Catholic values, service, and academic excellence. Even though I am not Catholic, the values that these institutions have taught me transcend beyond religious beliefs and have shaped me as a whole person.
What 75 Years Means
After conducting some brief research, it's clear that the number 75 carries a variety of meanings depending on the context:
Biblical Significance: In the Bible, the number seventy-five often symbolizes completeness and transition. It is notably associated with the number of Jacob’s family members who entered Egypt, reflecting a pivotal moment of change and fulfillment.
Numerological Perspective: More generally, 75 is a composite number that blends the qualities of knowledge and creativity. It suggests that a person’s spiritual journey may involve deep intellectual exploration combined with the creative use of their insights.
Angel Numbers: Numerologically, 75 is seen as a sign to take courageous steps toward success. It encourages embracing change, trusting one’s intuition, and confidently pursuing personal goals. This number represents a transformative journey marked by spiritual growth, inner wisdom, and openness to new experiences.
Anniversary Symbolism: The 75th anniversary is traditionally associated with both diamonds and gold. Diamonds symbolize enduring strength, while gold represents the prosperity and joy shared by a couple over the years. Together, they honor the remarkable achievement of reaching such a significant milestone in a relationship.
Seventy-five years is a long time! Both schools have not only endured but evolved—updating their campuses, embracing modern educational tools, and continuing to serve diverse student populations with the same mission at heart.
In different ways, each school gave me something essential:
One taught me who I am.
The other taught me who I could become.
St. Anne’s Catholic School: The Foundation of Character
I started my journey at St. Anne’s, a place where education went beyond textbooks and the occasional field trip. It was there I learned the importance of faith - not necessarily in others (although some of my friends today were from those days) and the importance of faith in the development of the person, but having faith in myself. Daily morning prayers and Psalm 23 being ingrained in my mind instilled a strong faith compass in me from an early age.
St. Anne’s gave me my first glimpse into the power of a community rooted in faith, even though it was not my own. I still remember All Saints’ Day and Country Day celebrations, the quiet power of school-wide weekly Masses, and the consistent message that our talents were meant to serve others. I also remember that this community also bonded us in the experiences that we went through together. My teachers (shout out Mr. Thiers, Ms. Schneider and Ms. Wingard!) were considered some of my first role models. Mr. Mooney, my eighth-grade/science teacher, who passed in 2014, also believed in me to the fullest extent that a teacher could give his students, while not taking any excuses.
One of my most cherished memories is from my eighth-grade graduation. There was a tradition at our school that carried a beautiful and timeless meaning. At the beginning of the school year, the eighth graders would give seeds to the kindergarteners. By the time graduation arrived, the kindergarteners would return the gesture by giving us back the blooming flowers. I still remember them serenading us with "Bloom Where You’re Planted" in the chapel (pictured below)—a moment that felt both symbolic and deeply moving.
Marymount University: The Challenge to Grow
Years later, as I continue to paint upon the canvas this turbulent and messy landscape we call life, I continue my journey at Marymount University, a Catholic institution that challenged me in new ways, but not as a student. Here, I was pushed professionally, spiritually, and socially. With my current job, it’s not just about absorbing knowledge—it’s about questioning, applying, and living it. Once again, these lessons need not be applied only in a Catholic environment, but I constantly implement it both in and out of the office.
Marymount taught me to ask bigger questions about professionalism and purpose. I have been through ups and downs, challenges that have pushed me to my limits, and have experienced a treasure trove of knowledge from so many good people - students, faculty, Board members, staff - every singe person whom I have written a story about, made a video for, posted on our social media pages about or highlighted in some significant way, has been rewarding because it gives me the chance to do what I have wanted all along - sharing their story.
I have also started to see the fruition of the work that I do, but to me, it’s all part of the bigger picture. Recently, a word that has been thrown in my direction as a descriptor for my work and being at Marymount is “a blessing”, a high praise coming from my colleagues, some of whom have been here significantly longer than I have. I throw it right back at them - the work that we contribute to this place makes it bigger than ourselves. The work that I do is only a small fraction of the bigger picture, but it warms my heart to see the ripple effect that it has caused. One of the other bigger lessons that Marymount has revitalized is that I see faith not just as a set of beliefs, but as a lifelong call to engage with the world meaningfully. Even with the world being full of violence and a surge in antisemitism, I lean on faith to help pull me out of the lingering darkness.
As I discussed in more depth when I celebrated my work anniversary back in March, Marymount was not what I first had in mind for advancing my career. In truth, can I say that it might have been G-D’s plan all along? Every day I walk onto campus, I can’t help but look upon the RSHM Chapel, not just to admire the beauty of the architecture, but to reflect upon my path to how I ended up here. Ultimately, I decided I shouldn’t question something if it was meant to be (even if one of the fundamentals of Judaism is to question).
A Prayer of Gratitude
As both institutions celebrate this momentous milestone, I say a quiet prayer of thanks - for the teachers who believed in me, the friends who grew alongside me, the colleagues who collaborated with me, and the values that continue to guide me today. I only hope that those who have come after me with both schools are able to reap the same benefits and apply those lessons to their own lives.
