NDA In The News

NDA is excited to announce that Paula Ebben of WBZ/CBS Boston News and a member of NDA's class of 1985 will be our commencement speaker for the upcoming 2023 Notre Dame Academy Graduation on  May 25th.

Read more about Paula below:

Multiple award-winning journalist Paula Ebben is an anchor at WBZ-TV in Boston.  Ebben is also an anchor for WBZ's streaming news service: CBS News Boston, and reports across all newscasts including WBZ-TV News' "Eye on Education" reports.

During her two-decade broadcast career, Ebben has also received a 2014 Columbia du Pont Award and a 2013 Peabody Award as part of WBZ-TV's team coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombings. She has been nominated for multiple Boston/New England Emmy Awards for Anchor, Reporter, Consumer Reporter, Education Series, and Writing, and won for Reporter in a WBZ Special on the Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions. In 2005, Ebben was awarded a regional RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Feature Reporting. In 2011, she was chosen to report for all CBS stations from The 2011 Royal Wedding in London, England. She has also reported from the Democratic ('04) and Republican National Conventions ('04 and '16) and many New Hampshire Primaries. She has interviewed first lady Michelle Obama at the White House, reported from the Canonization of the Popes in Rome, and covered the three-city visit of Pope Francis to the United States.  She has also had the opportunity to co-anchor Championship Parades for The Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots.

Ebben is a Central Massachusetts native raised in Shrewsbury, MA.  Before joining WBZ-TV in 2002, Ebben previously worked as an anchor and reporter at New England Cable News. Before joining NECN, Ebben was an anchor and reporter at WGMC-TV in Worcester, MA.

Ebben graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, and cum laude from Boston College with a BA degree in English. She serves on the Board of Directors of Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Boston's foremost agency helping homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth.  She also supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Ebben and her husband Bill reside in the Greater Boston area. They have four children.

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2022 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Worcester, MA- May 16, 2022- Notre Dame Academy announced on Friday that the commencement speaker for graduation will be Lynn Detarando Grden ’85.

Lynne Detarando Grden graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1985. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Hazardous Material Management from Tufts University.  Lynne has worked on major construction projects over the past few decades as a project manager for companies like Haley & Aldrich, GZA Environmental, and Stone & Webster where she was responsible for client development and remediation engineering design for the $1.5 billion airport modernization program at Logan International Airport for MASSPORT.  Lynne is currently a top-producing realtor for Keller Williams in Westborough.

Lynne was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of five and faced many medical complications and physical challenges throughout her life. As her medical condition deteriorated, her need for supplemental oxygen increased and she lost her ability to speak and function independently and subsequently was placed on the donor list for a double lung transplant. Several attempts throughout the years to secure an appropriate match were thwarted and Lynne eventually entered hospice care. 

However, in 2015 a suitable donor was found and Lynne was urgently flown to Cleveland Clinic where she underwent lengthy, but successful, lung transplantation surgery.  During the last seven years, Lynne has taken advantage of a “new lease on life” and engaged in physical activities once unimaginable. She hikes, swims, travels and fulfilled a dream to visit Italy where she climbed Mount Etna.

Grateful for the expansive community support she and her family received throughout her life and especially during her many hospitalizations, Lynne now devotes much of her time as a volunteer and spokesperson for New England Donor Services (NEDS). She regularly shares her story of perseverance, resilience, faith, love of family and community, and hope for the future.  Lynne has inspired audiences at various community events, in hospitals, at medical conferences, high schools, church groups, and professional organizations.  Passionate about catholic education, Lynne also volunteers at St. Mary School and St. John’s high school as well as serving on the board of Rainbow Child Development Center.  

As Black History Month comes to a close, it is important to recognize that February is not the only time we should be celebrating Black excellence. We need to take a stand against racism and support people of color during all months of the year. But, it is not enough to simply be “not racist”. We must actively be anti-racist, fighting intolerance and discrimination in our communities.

Non-racism is, to put it simply, not being racist. But, this should only be the first step in our journeys of acceptance, love, and justice. Stating that you are “not racist” is great, but it doesn’t solve the overall problems that people of color face in the world. Racism is not just large acts of violence and hate groups, it can also come in subtle forms. Stereotyping, microaggressions, and lack of representation are all acts of racism, as well. 

The first step in being anti-racist is to take a step back and be willing to educate yourself. It is okay to be in the wrong, but what is important is being able to grow from mistakes. You should seek out the voices of people of color who advocate for change and amplify them. The key to anti-racism is action. Action does not necessarily always mean protesting. It can be donating to funds, choosing to support black-owned businesses, educating the people around you, and so on. Students can use their voices to speak up for those in need and spread awareness to friends and family. Parents and alumni can choose to shop at Black-owned businesses, donate to charities, and have insightful conversations about modern-day activism with their loved ones. Faculty can make sure to incorporate Black history into their classrooms with activities, history lessons, literature picks, and important Black figures and discoveries in their fields. Below, we have come up with a list of reputable charities, education resources, and organizations that can help you take an active role in being anti-racist, as well as some local Black-owned businesses you can support. Happy Black History Month!” 

RESOURCE COMPILATION 

ORGANIZATIONS 

- Color of Change: 

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/support-us?refcode=coc-website_ho mepage_header 

- BYP100: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/byp100-1 

BOOKS 

- The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America by Khalil Gibran Muhammad 

- We Are Not Yet Equal: Understanding Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson and Tonya Bolden 

- March (Books One, Two and Three) by Andrew Aydin and John Lewis - PODCASTS 

- Code Switch 

- Pod Save the People 

- School Colors

- Race through education 

- A Black Educator’s Truth 

- Speaking of Racism 

- Black Girls Heal 

- Black Girls Teach the Podcast 

- Black on Black Education Podcast 

- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast 

YOUTUBE CHANNELS 

- The Wise Channel 

- TED 

- Race Forward 

LOCAL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES 

- Taproot Treasures (1200 West Boylston Street, Worcester) 

- Demoiselle Accessories (342 Main Street, Worcester) 

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 

- List of Shows A to Z | Black History & Culture | PBS 

- Color blind or color brave? | Mellody Hobson - YouTube 

- This Is How the American Healthcare System Is Failing Black Women: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/a23100351/racial-bias-in-healthcare-black women/ 

- Advocacy for Black Lives:  https://www.povertylaw.org/article/advocacy-for-black-lives/ 

- Cared Calgary Anti-Racism Education: https://www.aclrc.com/forms-of-racism - What to know about microaggressions: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/microagressions 

- When Black Women Lead, We All Win: 10 Inspiring Leaders Show Us The Way: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marianneschnall/2020/08/17/when-black-women-lead-we-all-win/?sh=5d42f2bf4513

- Code-switching: 4 Forum voices on what it is – and why we need to talk about it: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/code-switching-systemic-racism-work/

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 13, 2021

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY ANNOUNCES STEM, ARTS, AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Worcester, MA- October 13, 2021- Notre Dame Academy is excited to announce the addition of three certificate programs in STEM, Arts, and Global Perspective Studies. of a STEM, Arts, and Global Perspectives Certificate program. “Our certificate programs are a commitment by our students to take a “deeper dive” into a chosen discipline during their junior and senior year, culminating in a capstone presentation and portfolio.” explained Principal Susan Butler. The following certificate programs will be offered beginning this year.
 

• Global Perspective Studies - The Notre Dame Academy Global Perspective Studies (GPS) Certificate is designed to help NDA students prepare for their role in the global community. In the spirit of Notre Dame Academy, St. Julie Billiart, and the Sisters of Notre Dame, this certificate program challenges our students to become both linguistically and culturally fluent through a challenging high school curriculum, cultural connections, and real-world experiences to prepare them to enter college and become aware of the challenges of our constantly evolving world.
   
• Salisbury Certificate of the Arts - The mission of this certificate is to recognize students who have dedicated themselves to a challenging high school arts curriculum and real-world experiences that will prepare them for entrance into prestigious Arts colleges and universities. It is also intended to heighten student art experiences in order to prepare for careers and to build more skilled consumers of Visual and Performing Arts.
   
• STEM Excellence- the Notre Dame Academy STEM Excellence certificate acknowledges students for their achievements and involvement in STEM-related activities. This certificate recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to a challenging high school curriculum and real-world experiences that will prepare them to enter college and lay the groundwork for careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in a changing society. The opportunity to work with experts in the field and current technology both within the school and the community will be an essential part of the program and prove invaluable as students complete their capstone projects.

For more information on the NDA certificate program visit https://www.nda-worc.org/academics/certificateprograms

Press Release: Notre Dame Academy Board of Trustees Elects Three New Members to Board: Brett Bottamini, Elissa Boisvert, and Linda Cavaioli

Worcester, MA – September 17, 2021: Notre Dame Academy Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Brett Bottamini, M. Elissa Boisvert, and Linda Cavaioli to their Board of Trustees.

Brent Bottamini has more than 18 years of experience in the global investment management industry working at Fidelity Investments, Manulife Asset Management (John Hancock), and most recently joining a former Fidelity colleague to launch Lucerna Global Capital, a global emerging markets hedge fund, as the Managing Director of Research.  Brent served for 10 years as a member of the University of Massachusetts - Amherst Foundation Board, and he has held other advisory board positions in both academia and private industry.  In 2020, after some time away from the investment management industry, Brent launched Collective Society - a mission-based apparel business with an ambition to celebrate sport's unique ability to unite diverse communities - with Larry Jackson, a long-time friend and former New England Revolution player.  Brent and his wife Deirdre are the proud parents of Alexandra, Notre Dame Academy class of 2026, and Jack, St. John's High School class of 2025.

Linda Cavaioli, former Executive Director of the YWCA Central Massachusetts, is a well-respected and active member of the Worcester Community. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Quinsigamond Community College, and as Chair of Audit and Oversight, a Member Emeritus of the Community Board of DCF Worcester West Area Office and a Commissioner Emeritus of the   Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She also serves on the Martin Luther King Community Breakfast Committee, City Manager’s Task Force on Bias and Hate, and United Service Executives. She also has served as regional chair of the YWCAs New England Council and Chair of the YWCA USA Regional Leadership Committee. Before joining the YWCA, Linda was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Resource Development at the United Way of Central Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Clark University. Linda and her husband John Medbury are the proud parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.

Elissa Boisvert’86, P ’10 and ‘15 is vice president, deputy general counsel for Jabil Inc., leading the legal team that supports Jabil Healthcare.  Elissa and her team serve as trusted business advisors to Jabil Healthcare, providing practical guidance and creative solutions that enable Jabil Healthcare business strategies and strategic growth initiatives, and supporting all phases of transactions and regulatory and healthcare compliance matters.   Prior to joining Jabil, Elissa was a Senior Associate at Gesmer Updegrove LLP (f/k/a Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove), a boutique technology law firm in Boston, Massachusetts, and Associate at Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, a full-service law firm in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Elissa earned a B.A. from Smith College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.   Elissa lives in Worcester with her husband Randy Barko and chocolate Labrador Murphy.

“Notre Dame Academy is honored to have the commitment of Mr. Bottamini, Ms. Boisvert, and Ms. Cavaioli as new members of our Board of Trustees,” said Vice-Chair Kathleen Myshrall. “Their combined professional expertise and experience, along with their passion for the NDA Mission, will help drive our strategic plan and ensure we deliver excellence in the education of girls and young women.”