1. Fall 2015
seasonal newsletter for for the alumnae, friends,
parents, and students of Buffalo Seminary
SNippetsSNippets

2. 2 Buffalo Seminary
Contributors
Editorial
Erin St. John Kelly
Editor
Susan Beich
Monique Brannon
Lucy B. Coburn ‘73
Gaby DeRose ‘74
Jody Douglass
Nancy Miller
Kacie Mills
Gary Sutton
In Memoriam
& Class Notes
Photography
Murray Covello
Amy Doyle
Michele Goldfarb
Erin St. John Kelly
Tessa Pszonak ‘17
Kim Trow
Designer
Cassandra Ott
What a wonderful fall ! We are celebrating 100 years
of the Hornet/Jacket competition and all of the events seem
to take on a special joy this year. Certainly they do for me. It
is hard to believe I will retire in June. I have had my last first
day of school! Every day this year, I am trying to appreciate the
distinctive qualities of SEM.
The weather has been glorious as we finish the first trimester
and the fall sports season. The academic progress of our
students is remarkable. More than 65 colleges will visit SEM this
year to talk with our seniors. Courses in coding and beginning
engineering for freshmen have many of our students thinking
seriously about careers in STEAM related fields. Electives
in Modern Poetry or Urban Studies stimulate great thinking.
We have had dynamic speakers this fall. We didn’t just teach
female leadership, we invited in women who embody it. Trustee
Michael Perley introduced us to Mary Beth Tinker, whose
Supreme Court case established First Amendment rights for
public school students. Barbara French Pace ‘61, the 2015 Colby
Artist, oldest living collegiate hockey player, and government
foreign affairs analyst gave a moving talk about life and art.
Jenna Ricker, co-writer and director of “The American Side,” a
major movie filmed in Buffalo (and at SEM!), talked to students
about the unique challenges of being a woman director.
The Red-Tailed Hawks have done well. Our soccer team lost
a tough semifinal game in the Monsignor Martin High School
Athletic Association (MMHSAA) tournament after a terrific
season. Our small, tough, and talented cross country team
produced runners who finished 4th (Zoe Knauss ‘19) and 7th
(Sam Burlow ‘17) in the MMHSAA, overall, and our swim team
competed in the All-Catholics.
I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the year
ahead. Thank you for making a difference for SEM!
Letter from the
Head of School
Filmmakers of “The American Side,” shot partly at SEM, spoke at the
school on Oct. 27, 2015. (L-R) Co-writer, co-producer and lead actor Greg
Stuhr, SEM theatre teacher Susan Drozd, Head of School Jody Douglass,
co-writer, co-producer and director Jenna Ricker, and Erin St. John Kelly,
Director of Communications.
Jody welcomes students
on the first day of school
I am delighted to share that our Remarkable Opportunities –
Campaign for SEM has surpassed $5.5 million. SEM is
strengthened by your dedication and generous gifts. I want
to remind everyone that any gift this year to the Annual Fund
also counts toward the campaign.

3. The year-long celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of legendary head L. Gertrude Angell’s
brainchild Hornet/Jacket was launched September 25, 2015, with 219 students and faculty parading,
singing and dancing, and finding out just who would be what for the rest of their lives. Hornets
won the day, but there’s a whole year of skits, games, community service, and events to earn
points underway... Post pictures and memories of Hornet/Jacket from the last 100 years here:
BuffaloSeminary.org/HJblog
Hornet/Jacket Day Begins Its Centennial Celebration
3Fall 2015

4. 4 Buffalo Seminary
Fall Weekend
SENIOR GAMES (below) Soccer seniors Anna Fretz,
Danielle Little and Natalie Rice (pictured) had a victorious final
game against Niagara Catholic on Oct. 15. Anna’s grandmother,
Janice Fretz ‘49 was given roses with the students, for this
unflagging fan has not missed one of Anna’s soccer games in four
years. Varsity field hockey played Royhart to a close loss (2-1) on
Oct. 16, and the players celebrated the season in high spirits.
HAWK WALK (right) Oct. 18, the cross country team led the
Hawk Walk 5K through the tape at the starting line at Larkin
Field, followed by parents, students, faculty and friends on a
gorgeous fall Saturday. After it was run, course marshalls, runners
and fans gathered on Larkin Field for touch football (warming up
for PowderPuff) and a BBQ lunch.
See you here next year!
Anabel Cornacchio
Abby Hopkins
Olivia Colon
Gabriella Augello
Megan Maxwell
and their parents

5. First Days of School
In a recently established tradition, before school started freshmen met each other at a BBQ on Larkin Field to play field games
and meet team coaches. Freshmen returned to school before the first day for orientation, where they were introduced to their
sponsors, who as new sophomores were having their first chance to mentor. On the first day of school, Sept. 8, Tori Brooks ‘94 gave
the convocation address, welcoming 219 students to the school year, and a lifetime of connection to SEM. Students and faculty
then spent the first day in group activities based in the summer reading “The Best American Science and Nature Writing, 2014.”
The looming rain held off for the All-School Picnic on Sept. 11 - a great sign for the coming year!
5Fall 2015

6. 6 Buffalo Seminary
Cross Country
Top left: Sihao Sheng, Jiani Lu, Tessa Covello, Ava Lucinski,
Lena Beyer, Zeyun Liu, Coach Steve Mikos
Bottom left: Mary Leslie, Samantha Burlow, Maia Gallagher,
Amanda Lee, Zoe Knauss, Lioba Spangemacher
Coach: Steve Mikos
Captains: Lena Beyer ‘16 and Maia Gallagher ‘16
JV Field Hockey
Top left: Coach Jill Tokarczyk, Qingrong Tang,
Zoe Galarneau, Kai Ellis, Charlotte Long,
Marion Rose McDonnell, Bridget Conboy,
Nia Ellis, Cara DeRose
Bottom left: Anna Brach, Kailyn Lane, Ciara Lambert,
Olivya Hogan, Janiah Smith, Mary Curtin, Lydia Abbott,
Thea Overdorf
Coach: Jill Tokarczyk
Sailing
Left to Right: Kyra Fogg, Caroline Smith, Grace Cannon,
Jacqueline Schanzlin, Sydney Adams, Katie McClenahan
Advisor: Kim Trow
Soccer
Top left: Sophia Vaquero, Danielle Little, Aurora Kraus,
Jade Johnson Middle left: Alicia Land, Rory Hannon,
Erin Griffis, Grace Obletz, Anna Fretz, Grace Cloherty,
Coach Jill Sanford Bottom left: Nicole Nobrega,
Leah Kramer, Natalie Rice, Sophie Mielnicki,
Clare von Simson, Natalia Vaquero
Coaches: Jill Sanford and Elisabeth Beccue
Captains: Natalie Rice ‘16 and Sophie Mielnicki ‘17
#GoSEM Go Red­-Tailed Hawks!

7. FAll 2015 teams
Crew
Top left: Emma Brentjens, Brooke Gannon,
Fatima Siddiqui, Anya Roy, Christina Siragusa, Brook Sillart,
Alexis Kowalak, Azia Parris
Bottom left: Maggie Rose Bontempo,
Krissy Borowiak, Carolina Hannon,
Athena Mathews, Isabel Finkbeiner, Julia Esters,
Anya Casey, Katie Kraft
Coaches: Peggy McKendry and Kaitlyn McCleary
Golf
Top left: Coach Edi Dref, Mengcheng Yu,
Yixuan Lu, Cienna Certo, Chelsea Anderson,
Ella Tolomeo, Shangqi Lyu, Coach Jim Dref
Bottom left: Yicen Liu, Morgan Brown,
Alexia Pezzino, Shelby Kmidowski, Casey Ball
Coaches: Jim and Edi Dref
Captain: Shelby Kmidowski ‘18
Swimming
Top left w/ flag: Emily Broxup, Coach Amanda Gareis,
Coach Glenna Leous
Second row: Elizaveta Nedkova, Emily Felong, Olivia Miller
Third row: Theresa Pszonak, Lauren Phillips, Alison Gareis,
Madeline Love Bottom left: Brigid Navagh,
Katherine Nebbia, Sarah Hamdan
Coaches: Glenna Leous and Amanda Gareis ‘14
Captains: Alison Gareis ‘17 and Lauren Phillips ‘16
Varsity Field Hockey
Top left: Lauren Pollina, Caroline Dunbar, Grace Gallagher,
Sara Caywood, Hannah Garis, Bridget Ewing, Ellie Cleary,
Tess Rine, Ziqing Wang
Middle left: Emily Bulan, Emily Marie Jimenez,
Coach Leigh Przepiora, Lysette Vasquez, Dabin Han
Bottom left: Olivia Colon, Gabriella Augello,
Anabel Cornacchio, Megan Maxwell, Abigail Hopkins
Coach: Leigh Przepiora
Captains: Anabel Cornacchio ‘16 and Gabriella Augello ‘16
7Fall 2015

8. 8 Buffalo Seminary
On the Way Up!
The 2016 Annual Fund is underway, with a lofty goal this year of
$506,000. To participate this fall, you’ll find an envelope tucked
into this issue of Snippets. To reach our goal, we rely on a
generous team of alumnae, trustees, parents, grandparents and
friends who join forces to support this wonderful school.
What does the Annual Fund do for SEM? Tuition alone never
covers the full cost of educating a SEM student. Year in and
year out the school relies on the Annual Fund to do the rest, to
ensure that our 219 students enjoy the benefits of a fine faculty,
varied curriculum, up-to-date classrooms, a comfortable school
building, a variety of sports and clubs and plenty of extra-
curricular experiences like class trips. Both large and small gifts
are important parts of this effort.
JOIN THE FUN WITH BONUS POINTS: This year, your gift
to SEM adds up in unexpected ways! In honor of the 100th
Anniversary of the Hornet/Jacket rivalry, the number of
participating SEM alumnae and family members from those
teamswill be counted toward the final scores for the coveted
Hornet/Jacket Cup. Thank you for your support!
GO HORNETS! GO JACKETS!
& GO ANNUAL FUND!
is Dec. 1, 2015.
You can be part of the worldwide celebration
by giving back to the SEM community. We’ll share
a count on Facebook/BuffaloSeminary all day.
Join fellow parents, faculty, trustees L
alumnae for an evening of great fun!
8 Buffalo Seminary
Save the Date:
January 29, 2016
Time: 7 – 10pm
Place:
Here at SEM!
Casual Attire
Games, Music, Dancing &
Silent Auction
Your support helps us bridge
the tuition gap - the additional
cost of a SEM education
beyond what tuition covers.
Attend SEMquest!
Mary Szvoren ‘03 was known at SEM for her
personality, wit, and unique view of the world.
She was a talented writer, athlete, and loyal friend.
Sadly, at the age of 27, Mary passed away. This was
a tragedy that was hard to believe.
At a recent alumnae event, many friends of Mary
described a deep sense of loss because we hadn’t
the opportunity to say good-bye to our dear friend.
That evening, we decided to plan an event to honor
Mary, as well as to give her friends from SEM an
opportunity to gather to remember her.
Mary would have turned 30 in October. We felt this
milestone was a great opportunity that we couldn’t
pass up. Our small committee: Catherine (Klass)
Robson ‘03, Lauren Kreiner ‘03, Erin (Sozanaki)
Goubiere ‘03, Andrea Gioia ‘02, Ann Klass ‘04,
and Erin Klass ‘01 hosted a memorial gathering on
Friday, October 1, 2015, at The Sidebar in Buffalo.
Many alumnae including Caitlin DeTine-Brash,
Leah Bouquard, Rachel Bouquard, Carrie Dealtry,
Courtney Hunter, and parents from the early 2000’s
joined for a lovely celebration that raised over $1,100
donated to SEM in honor of Mary. Although she was
not with us physically, it was clear that Mary’s spirit
was felt among all who were present.
Memorial for
Mary Szvoren
Marks Her 30th
Birthday and
Raises $1,100
for SEM

9. 9 Buffalo Seminary
Buffalo Seminary Alumnae Association NewsBuffalo Seminary Alumnae Association News
SEM Pendants Are Here!
In conjunction with Erik Jewelers, the BSAA has made the
Buffalo Seminary pendant – our venerable seal in silver ($125),
14K gold or 14K white gold (both $650).
To purchase, call BSAA corresponding
secretary Lucy Butterbaugh
Coburn ‘73 at (716) 783-4257.
Approximately 3-4 weeks for
delivery.
How can you resist?
TLC. Of particular interest is Hornet/Jacket memorabilia to celebrate the 100th anniversary.
Check out the new Hornet/Jacket blog: BuffaloSeminary.org/HJblog
MISS ANGELL WANTS YOU Have SEM trinkets or documents been taking up space in your drawers? Consider
donating to the school archive. Your items underscore the rich history and tradition of the school and will be treated with
COCO EVENT SEM Alum Networking & Social Hour. The Alumnae Association held its second happy hour for WNY
alums at Coco Bar & Bistro in downtown Buffalo. We had another well attended, fun event with Amy Hayes Atkinson ’ 84,
winning the door prize of SEM merchandise.
ANNUAL FALL LUNCHEON On Saturday, October 17, alumnae and their guests were privileged to listen to Donna
Fernandes, President of the Buffalo Zoo, discuss the zoo’s growth. Donna stirred the crowd with her passion and dedication
to the renaissance of our zoo over the last 15 years and, more recently, of our city.
Do you have a speaker or suggestion for the Fall Luncheon? Share your thoughts at semalum@gmail.com.
(left to right) Alison Johansson ‘44 and Cindy Pope ‘78 | SEM Trustee Gaby DeRose ‘74, Donna Fernandes, BSAA President Tara A. Ellis ‘88 | SEM former Trustee &
BSAA Treasurer Mary Ross Rice ‘52, SEM Trustee Linda Robertson Magavern ‘73 | Sarah Heavey ‘03 and her mother Lynn Cercone, and Gigi Pooley Helliwell ‘76
Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 12 from
10am - 2pm. Gift items from local merchants, artists, and
craftspeople will be available throughout the school.
Expect to find SEM gear, artwork, note cards, jewelry,
accessories, exotic imports, hand painted
and etched glassware, candles, and tasty
treats. Don’t miss our celebrated raffle
of unique, themed gift baskets. Free and
open to the public. Proceeds benefit the
BSAA Scholarship Fund.
9Fall 2015

10. 10 Buffalo Seminary
Class notes
Our alumnae are confident, driven,
capable and accomplished women - and
deserve to be applauded. The BSAA
wants to hear about your milestones
and accomplishments, so please, keep
sending Class Notes. Your success is
SEM’s best tool for success!
You can now also read and submit
Class Notes online at BuffaloSeminary.
org/classnotes. Submissions can be
designated for print or online or both.
1949
Jane Speicher Jordan: Moved to
Goodwin House, Alexandria, VA.
According to Goodwin House, she chose
it because of the beautiful paintings
on its walls. The former picture editor
at Time-Life Books studied watercolor
at The Art Students League School in
Alexandria. She sells her paintings at the
Alexandra Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
1960
Judy Hansen Benson: 60th is only 5 years
away. Hope that is enough time to make
a plan to come and celebrate being the
old girls.
1961
Barbara French Pace: Was the Colby-
Oishei visiting artist. (see below)
1964
Josephine “Josie” Townsend Kaestner: I
met up with Debbie Williams in Florida in
March. Both of us were trying to escape
winter - she from Buffalo and I from
Vermont.
1972
Elizabeth “Betsy” Linder: Life in San
Francisco is great—selling real estate. I
see Nancy Eslick often.
1992
Jessie Schnell Fisher: Is the new
Executive Director of Preservation
BuffaloNiagara. Said PBN: Jessie most
recently served as Director of Planning
at Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. She
brings a depth of knowledge in historic
preservation, urban design, planning, and
community development to PBN. We
think you’ll agree these skills are critical
to advancing our organization and that
Jessie will “man the helm” with aplomb.
1994
Dr. Victoria Brooks: The director of the
Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency
Program at ECMC, opened the SEM
school year with the convocation
address. Future Jacket, daughter Tess,
Class of 2031, was comfortable in Chapel.
A great sign for the future.
Nicole C. Lee: Was honored with the
SUNY Buffalo Law Alumni Association’s
Distinguished Alumna Award for public
service. She is a member of the Law
School’s Dean’s Advisory Council and
a human rights lawyer with Lee Bayard
Group in Washington, where she resides.
1995
Mara Hoffman: Unveiled a Resort
Swim 2016 collection inspired by her
recent travels through Morocco during
Swim Week in Miami, Fla., last summer.
According to The Buffalo News: “From
wandering through the incredible Jardin
Majorelle, visiting the souks and their
abundance of beautiful ceramic pottery
and rugs, to seeing and smelling the
stalls of spices, and tasting the tagines
and mint leaf teas, the experience had
an impact on all of Hoffman’s senses. As
a result, this collection is infused with
new color palettes, silhouettes and floral
prints.”
Jane Speicher Jordan and one of her paintings
Convocation Speaker Tori Brooks ‘94, daughter
Tess, and Jody
Colby Artist
On Oct. 16, 2015, Barbara French Pace visited classes,
gave an all-school presentation in the Chapel, and had a
show in the catwalks. The oldest living female collegiate
hockey player, foreign affairs analyst, photographer, and
artist told the girls, “There are always opportunities no
matter what happens in your life.”
Barbara with art teacher Caitlin Cass and her painting Maison au Rive.

11. 2001
Lauren McHugh Herr: Earned her
doctorate in education from George
Washington University in July 2015.
2006
Veronica Couzo: Recently married
Nicholas Kamenjarin. She earned her
bachelor’s degree from Columbia
University and a JD from the University
of Notre Dame Law School, and is an
appellate law clerk at Sixth Circuit Court.
The couple will make their home in
Chicago.
Mildred Bleyle
grandmother of SEM Assistant Athletic
Director Kacie Mills
Valerie Caprio ’92
sister of Cheryl Caprio ‘94
Kenneth Cohn, M.D.
son of former Trustee Ann H. Cohn,
brother of Martha Cohn Claussen ’72 and
Erica Cohn ‘75
Silvia de Rosas
mother of Adriana de Rosas Zalocha ‘93
Leta Dentan
Math teacher at SEM 2001-2011
Ellen Duryea-Shoupe ‘75
sister of Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’74 and
Katharine Duryea Pike ‘84,
niece of Anne Duryea Astmann ’40,
cousin of Katharine Scherer Hacker ’67,
Peggy Wattles Dryden ’70, and
Katharine Dryden ‘07
Janet S. Erenstoft
grandmother of Rachel Erenstoft ‘90
Lewis G. Harriman
father of Raimonde Harriman Manch ‘70
Jane Hopkins
mother of Robin Hopkins Amper ’65 and
SEM Trustee Jane Hopkins Carey ’75,
mother-in-law of Ann “Bonnie” Adam
Hopkins ‘61
Betty Duthie Kittinger ’30
Honorary Trustee, mother of
Pamela Kittinger Fuller ’54,
Linda Kittinger Wadsworth ’56, and
Karen Kittinger Rumsey ’62, grandmother of
Rebecca Nichols ’78,
Pamela Nichols Marcucci ’81,
Katurah “Kate” Nichols Cramer ’88,
Robin Rumsey Solboe ’89, and
Heather Rumsey Gibson ’91,
aunt of Gail Alford Gundlah ‘57
Fannie M. McDuffie
mother of Cheryl McDuffie ‘74
Peter R. Munson
brother of SEM Director of Admissions
Laura Munson ’79, uncle of Isabel
Finkbeiner ‘19
Richard B. Narins, M.D.
husband of Ellen Brock Narins ‘57
Audrey Hoover Noble ‘47
George H. Ostendorf
father-in-law of Kelly Chambers Ostendorf
‘83
Mark F. Rittling
father-in-law of former Chair of the Board
of Trustees Amy Habib Rittling ’86, Esq.
Nancy Wilkes Rutter ‘40
Henry S. Wick
father of Vivian A. Wick ‘76
Cynthia Williams ‘69
In MemoriamLauren McHugh Herr
(L-R): Sarah Franjoine Salamon ‘06,
Carlee Taggart ‘06, Veronica Couzo Kamenjarin
‘06, Rachel Engl Taggart ‘06

12. For daily SEM news and pictures, find us on
social media
205 Bidwell Parkway
Buffalo, NY 14222-1295
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
BUFFALO, NY
PERMIT NO. 3426
Reunion 2016 - June 3-4
WELCOME BACK - WE HAVE SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE!
Especially honoring class years ending in 1 and 6
Go to buffaloseminary.org/reunion for activities and accommodations and to get inspired; see pictures of the 2015 reunion there.
Mark your calendars
Friday, June 3rd
SEM’s annual reunion dinner and program.
Join us in our recognition of the 100th year
of the Hornet/Jacket rivalry - participation
contributes points for the 2015-16 Cup.
Saturday, June 4th
School and city tours. ~Luncheons for 50th Reunion & 50th+ Reunions.
~Individual class Reunion events. ~Groundbreaking for the Magavern-Sutton
Courtyard. ~Party to honor retiring Head of School Jody Douglass.
For more information, contact Director of Advancement Monique Brannon - mebrannon@buffaloseminary.org or 716-885-6780 x205