News at SHA

Sacred Heart Academy Hosts Women’s Leadership Forum Featuring Inspiring Alumnae
November 7, 2025

Alumnae return to share their stories of leadership, perseverance, and the lasting impact of a Sacred Heart Academy education.

15 Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae posing for a photo outside the school

Sacred Heart Academy proudly welcomed back 15 distinguished alumnae for the annual Women’s Leadership Forum, an inspiring event that brought together past and present generations of Sacred Heart leaders.


Throughout the day, these accomplished women spoke with current students about their personal and professional journeys and reflected on how their experiences at Sacred Heart helped shape the confident, compassionate leaders they have become. From the Speech and Debate team to the courtroom, from AP English to the Chief of Staff’s office, each alumna shared how the lessons learned at SHA continue to influence their success.


During the panel discussions, each alumnae shared stories of perseverance, passion, and purpose. They offered valuable advice to students preparing for their own futures, emphasizing the importance of community, resilience, and leadership grounded in the Sacred Heart values.


"Events like the Women’s Leadership Forum bring our Sacred Heart community full circle," said Mary Jo Hammill Clarke '79, P '12, Director of Alumnae Relations. "It is inspiring to see our alumnae return, share their journeys, and show how the education and values they received here continue to guide them as confident, compassionate leaders. Their stories remind our current students that with perseverance, purpose, and the support of the SHA community, anything is possible."


Sacred Heart Academy is deeply grateful to these alumnae for returning to campus and giving back to the SHA community by inspiring the next generation of women leaders.


Participating Alumnae


Maureen Callahan ’89, Writer, Best-selling Author and Columnist

Meaghan FitzGerald ’15, Developer Relations Engineer at Ava Labs

Katrina Florio, Ph.D. ’08, Clinical Psychologist, Northwell Health

Patrice Miller ’04, Artistic Associate/Director at Clever Girl Productions

Jennifer (Teta’90) Vitale P ’27, Assistant Principal, Plainedge High School

Julianna Holmes ’15, Senior Designer, NAINOA

Cassie (Herman ’02) Kralovec, Hospice Nurse at Capital Caring Health

Meghan McNally ’07, Chief of Staff to President and CEO at Alliance Bernstein

Rosa Pereira, D.O. ’91, Physicians Partner at Northwell Health

Jacqueline Stykes ’08, LP Associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

Claudia Chieco ’12, Project Manager, CMR Civil

Caroline Kenny ’11, White House Producer with NBC News

Mary Kate (Quinn '06) Giordano, Senior Client for Financial Services at NVIDIA

Whitney (Garlick '05) Maniatty, Wholesale Director at Givenchy Americas

Rolanda (Bell '05) Silverman, Account Manager at New Balance Inc/East Coast Regional

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Sacred Heart’s Isabella Paesano ‘26 Honored with $10,000 Dante Foundation Award

July 22, 2026
At an awards ceremony on June 24, Isabella Paesano ‘26 accepted a $10,000 scholarship from the Mineola-based Dante Foundation. The competitive grant is awarded each year to a handful of students across Nassau and Suffolk counties who are of Italian heritage, achieve an above average score on the SATs, are actively involved in their high schools, and plan to attend college after graduation. The event, which took place at the elegant Westbury Manor, is an annual celebration founded to encourage fellowship among Italian-Americans and fundraise to establish scholarships for outstanding youth. Isabella credits her time here at Sacred Heart Academy for helping her earn the scholarship. She says the transformative power of a single-sex education has helped her gain the confidence and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. “Going to an all-girls school had great benefits. I met my lifelong friends here and it helped shape who I am today.” Isabella says staying involved in sports and activities helped foster those friendships and gave her a sense of belonging. Over the course of her time here at Sacred Heart Isabella played on Varsity Field Hockey, and immersed herself in clubs such as Best Buddies, Lady Spartans Against Cancer, Limb Kind Club, Friend of Ronald McDonald House, and of course, Red & Gold. As Isabella prepares to attend Fairfield University this fall, she fondly reflects on her years here on campus, specifically her experience as Spirit Captain for Gold in last year’s Red & Gold. “One memory that will always stay with me from my time at Sacred Heart is when it was announced that the Gold team won, proving everyone's hard work and dedication to the team paid off!” Isabella’s dedication extends well beyond the SHA campus and into her community. Every summer, Isabella immerses herself in service, volunteering at Camp ANCHOR and giving her time to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation , a Long Island charity dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer. “Throughout my experience at SHA I have learned to Lead with Heart. From my freshman year to senior, my classmates have always been there for me.” She added that the faculty here at SHA, specifically the teachers of the Resource Room, helped her achieve her academic goals. “They believed in me and gave me so much support through my entire career SHA.” Isabella will study psychology at Fairfield in the hopes of becoming an occupational therapist for children with special needs. Sacred Heart Academy congratulates Isabella on her well-earned scholarship and is proud to count her among the most recent members of its national sisterhood of SHA alumnae!

Natalia Taylor '27 Sets Sacred Heart Academy Track and Field Records

June 23, 2026
Record-breaking thrower Natalia Taylor credits patience, perseverance, and the Sacred Heart sisterhood for her success on and off the field.

Inspiring Excellence in Every Student

Rooted in faith and tradition, we empower young women to lead with confidence, compassion, and integrity. Through rigorous academics, spiritual growth, and a supportive sisterhood, our students are inspired to excel in college and beyond while making a meaningful impact in the world.

Sacred Heart’s Isabella Paesano ‘26 Honored with $10,000 Dante Foundation Award

July 22, 2026
At an awards ceremony on June 24, Isabella Paesano ‘26 accepted a $10,000 scholarship from the Mineola-based Dante Foundation. The competitive grant is awarded each year to a handful of students across Nassau and Suffolk counties who are of Italian heritage, achieve an above average score on the SATs, are actively involved in their high schools, and plan to attend college after graduation. The event, which took place at the elegant Westbury Manor, is an annual celebration founded to encourage fellowship among Italian-Americans and fundraise to establish scholarships for outstanding youth. Isabella credits her time here at Sacred Heart Academy for helping her earn the scholarship. She says the transformative power of a single-sex education has helped her gain the confidence and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. “Going to an all-girls school had great benefits. I met my lifelong friends here and it helped shape who I am today.” Isabella says staying involved in sports and activities helped foster those friendships and gave her a sense of belonging. Over the course of her time here at Sacred Heart Isabella played on Varsity Field Hockey, and immersed herself in clubs such as Best Buddies, Lady Spartans Against Cancer, Limb Kind Club, Friend of Ronald McDonald House, and of course, Red & Gold. As Isabella prepares to attend Fairfield University this fall, she fondly reflects on her years here on campus, specifically her experience as Spirit Captain for Gold in last year’s Red & Gold. “One memory that will always stay with me from my time at Sacred Heart is when it was announced that the Gold team won, proving everyone's hard work and dedication to the team paid off!” Isabella’s dedication extends well beyond the SHA campus and into her community. Every summer, Isabella immerses herself in service, volunteering at Camp ANCHOR and giving her time to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation , a Long Island charity dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer. “Throughout my experience at SHA I have learned to Lead with Heart. From my freshman year to senior, my classmates have always been there for me.” She added that the faculty here at SHA, specifically the teachers of the Resource Room, helped her achieve her academic goals. “They believed in me and gave me so much support through my entire career SHA.” Isabella will study psychology at Fairfield in the hopes of becoming an occupational therapist for children with special needs. Sacred Heart Academy congratulates Isabella on her well-earned scholarship and is proud to count her among the most recent members of its national sisterhood of SHA alumnae!

Natalia Taylor '27 Sets Sacred Heart Academy Track and Field Records

June 23, 2026
Record-breaking thrower Natalia Taylor credits patience, perseverance, and the Sacred Heart sisterhood for her success on and off the field.

Heart of SHA: Faylen Morales ‘28

June 17, 2026
Ever since Faylen Morales ‘28 was 8 years old, she has known she wanted to help build a world where everyone feels included. That passion drove her to attend Sacred Heart Academy in the fall of 2024, where, in addition to her rigorous academic schedule, she competes as a Varsity swimmer, is an active member of the Cooking Club, and takes part in Red & Gold. Beyond her commitments at SHA, Faylen has volunteered as a coach at TOPSoccer for the past 8 years, a recreational soccer program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. She credits her dedication to the organization for making her a ‘more compassionate, patient and understanding person.” Faylen attributes Sacred Heart Academy to teaching her that “true leadership comes from leading with love, compassion and faith." "SHA reminds us to do everything through Jesus and shows me that leadership is not about recognition, but about serving others with kindness and using our actions to make a positive difference in people’s lives.” A rising Junior, Faylen already plans to attend college, where she will study to be a school psychologist serving children with diverse learning needs. “I am so thankful to have been exposed to children and adults with special needs from a young age because those experiences helped me develop a passion for helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives. My experience at Sacred Heart has strengthened my compassion, patience, and desire to serve others, helping me grow into the kind of person who wants to give back to my community and support others in meaningful ways.” Sacred Heart Academy is proud to recognize Faylen as a shining example of what it means to Lead with Heart!