News
Alumnae News
THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION’S NEW ADDRESS IS:
PO BOX 805, BROOMALL, PA 19008.
Attention Class Reunion Planners: Please email us at admin@westcatholicgirlsalumnae.com with the details of your upcoming reunion plans and we will post them on this web site and in the Harvester. Include the contact information you would like to see posted.
Alumnae Association: The Alumnae Board is comprised of representatives from various classes. We meet on the 2nd Sunday of each month from September through May. The Board would like to expand and welcomes any graduate who would like to join. Our By-Laws allow for up to 6 members from each class. If you are interested, please contact Pat McLaughlin, 609-822-7047 or send an email via this website, admin@westcatholicgirlsalumnae.com We look forward to hearing from you.
Introducing New Executive Board: The Alumnae Board held elections at our November meeting. The new Executive Board is listed below. The Officers assume their positions January 1, 2024.
- President Pat McLaughlin, ’61
- Vice President Sr. Denise Ware, SFCC. ’70
- Treasurer Maria Petolicchio. ’62
- Corresponding Secty. Rose Frank Brooks, ’61
- Recording Secty. Cathy Maugeri, ’71
- Membership Kirsti Bradford, ’74
- Merchandise Pat Nachbar, ’69
- Communications Pat McLaughlin, ’61
2024 Spring Luncheon and Fundraiser: This year our Spring Luncheon was held on Sunday, April 7,2024 at The Oaks Ballroom in Glenolden, PA. We had chances for gift baskets donated by our board members, a 50/50 raffle, and a drawing for a special prize of Phillies or Flyers tickets. The first winner called got her choice. The Phillies Package, valued at $1000 that included 2 seats in the Diamond Dugout behind home base, food and drink and free parking. The Flyers tickets were behind the glass and a reserved numbered parking space. The drawing of the winners for the Spring Scholarship Chance Drive was also held. Congratulations and thank you to our co-chairs Roe Cipollone Mitchell, ’67 and Sr Denise Ware, ’71 for another successful event. The winners were:
1st Prize of $1000–Catherine Kelly Hoban, ’59
2nd Prize of $500–Toni Pratt, ’69
3rd Prize of $300–Alice Gorman Logan, ’52
Phillies Package–Joan Lynch Bickel, ’66
Flyers Tickets–Fran Snell Borelli, ’64
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone for supporting our event and the scholarship fund.
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Congratulations to Bette McGrath Diedrich, Class of 1965 on receiving the Margaret Porter Blue and Gold Award at the Alumni Communion Breakfast on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Bette was recognized for her ongoing tireless support of both the Alumnae and the Alumni Associations, as well as West Catholic Prep. We thank you Bette for your hard work, You are deserving of this honor.
West Catholic Prep’s new Principal: Michael Field was appointed Principal effective April 18, 2023. Mr. Field has been at West for the past 7 years and previously served as Campus Minister and Assistant Principal of Acedemic Affairs. He also served as Interim Principal from May through November 2022 and again from February to April 2023. Congratulations.
95th Annual Communion Breakfast: This year’s Communion Breakfast was held on Sunday, October 27,2024, at Anthony’s in Springfield, PA. The 11AM Mass was celebrated by Father John Hand and Anne Datte again provided the music for the mass. The chairwomen for the event were Rita Gaudet deVecchis, Class of 1956 and Peggy Ford Rhoades, Class of 1971. Congratulations to both ladies for a successful and pleasant event. We had over 140 Alumnae in attendance. The Class of 1964 celebrated their 60th reunion at the event. Rose McNeff, former Merchandise Officer had a full display of our gift/ sales items and reported a successful sales day. Our chance drawing was held after the luncheon. The winners are listed below.
1st Prize of $1000–Judy Davis Williams, Class of 1966
2nd Prize of $500–Mariam Mingioni DiFiore, Class of 1962
3rd Prize of $300–Mary Byrne Tobin, Margaret Bilo Troili and Mary Hunter Zamulinsky, Class of 1966
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who supported the Alumnae Association by attending the Mass and Luncheon and/or purchasing the chances.
The Executive Board of the West Catholic Girls’ Alumnae Association needs your help. Many of The Harvester newspaper mailings have been returned to our P.O. Box as “undeliverable”. The Harvester is published twice a year which keeps us informed with our classmates, our school and other news affecting the Alumnae. These returned Harvester mailings have made an impact on our resources. Therefore, if you have relocated, please inform the Alumnae via this website email, admin@westcatholicgirlsalumnae.com your maiden/married names, graduation year, current address and current email. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
West Catholic Alumni Golf Outing The Alumni will be holding a Golf Outing on September 9, 2024 at Rock Manor Golf Course, 1319 Carruthers Lane, Wilmington, DE 19803. Shot Gun Start at 9am.
Cost is $125, which includes round of golf, range balls, 5 hours unlimited beverage package (Domestic Beers, House Wines, Water, Soda, and Gatorade). Hole Sponsors $100.
Raffle prizes and Course games can be purchased onsite for an additional cost of $25 cash. Includes:
- Closest to the pin
- Longest drive
- Winning Foursome
- and Other Door Prizes
All registrations purchases and donations will be processed through West Catholic Alumni Association website, www.westcatholicalumni.org. Proceeds benefit West Catholic Alumni Association.
For questions contact Joe Garttmeier,’73 at 484-437-3739 or mag1201@verizon.net
OR
Den Baker, ’71 at 484-354-1163 or view105@yahoo.com
Alumnae Gifts for Sale
All West Catholic Alumnae gift items can be purchased by mailing a check payable to WCGAA to Pat Nachbar, 311 Dogwood Lane, Upland, PA 19015, Pat may be contacted on 215-479-6719 or patnachbar@gmail.com. If ordering more than one item, please check with Pat first as combined shipping may reduce the postage.
All items are also sold at all West Girls’ Alumnae events.
A 3×5 notebook and matching pen set. The cover of the notebook is a medium shade of blue with a matching pen. Both are imprinted with WEST CATHOLIC GIRLS ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION in gold. Inside the notebook is a blank note pad, 2 sets of post-its and 5 color page flags. Cost is $5.00 and the postage is $4.00.
A 7-inch-long stick type flashlight with LED bulbs. The flashlight is blue plastic trimmed in black and imprinted with WEST CATHOLIC GIRLS ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION alongside an American flag. The design includes a pen clip and hole to attach a keychain. Cost is $3.00 or 2 for $5.00 and postage is $4.00.
Our pens have WEST CATHOLIC GIRLS’ ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION imprinted on them. They are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. Postage is $4.00. Pens are Navy Blue trimmed in Rose Gold and are a combination ball point pen and stylus..
Blankets/ Throws…This is a blue blanket with our seal in gold in the center. This versatile item can be used as a beach blanket or a throw for over a chair, back of the sofa, on the bed, or in the car. The cost is $20.00 plus $8.00 shipping.
Note Cards depicting a sketch of the school are now available. West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School is written beneath the sketch of the school. The cards were designed by Michael Venezia, grandson of board member, Mary Maguin Small,’60. Packages of 5 cards are $6.00 plus $4.00 postage.
Due to poplar demand we have reordered the 4 emblem magnet. The magnet is still $3.00 plus the $4.00 postage.
Sweatshirts are now in stock. We have 2 styles to choose from, a regular crewneck and a zippered hoodie. Both are available in our West Catholic Girls’ Blue with our seal in gold on the left front of the shirts. The crew neck is $20.00 plus $8.00 postage and the hoodie is $30.00 plus $8.00 postage, Both are available in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL.
BACK IN STOCK Our clear Lucite ornament with a picture of the school and engraved with the words, “West Catholic Girls High School”. The ornament is $10.00 and $4.00 shipping cost.
. The bracelets are presently SOLD OUT.
These are just 2 of the note cards designed by the Art Students at WCP. SOLD OUT
Original metal pens SOLD OUT
West Catholic Girls’ History
Original West Girls’ Seal…We have located and purchased the original drawing of our school seal. Thanks to Hannah Dougherty Campbell, ’69 for locating this on Ebay. The drawing of the seal along with the original envelope post marked 1930 and addressed to Rev. Burns, the first principal of the school was placed on Ebay after it was found in a box of papers purchased at an auction in Lancaster. It is a mystery who had it and how it left the school. The seal has been framed and presented to the school, where it will be displayed.
1936 HOW and WHAT Handbook…This book was also found on Ebay. It appears to be a handbook for new students on how to find their way around the building and also what is expected of them as students.
School News
If you’re looking for what’s happening at West Catholic Prep, you can access their website at http://westcatholic.org. You can also find their Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook Icon that appears on each page of their site.
ETC/OSTC If you own a business in the state of Pennsylvania you can help West Catholic. Your business tax can be redirected to the school through the OSTC program. The tax dollars are then used to assist low income families who live within the boundaries of underperforming schools to attend private schools. In addition to helping children get the education they deserve you can write off the contribution on both your State and Federal tax returns.
If you wish to learn more about this program contact Andrew Brady at West Catholic Prep at 610-386-2244.
Alumni News
If you would like to keep abreast of activities and events of our brother schools you can view their websites by clicking on the links below:
For St. Thomas More’s Alumni click here. For West Catholic Boys’ Alumni click here.
