Alumnae to Know
Dana Mark '75
Undergraduate: NYU
Graduate: Touro Law School (JD); NYU School of Law (LLM)
My favorite memory of St. Jean Baptiste High School...
Ring Day! It really felt like a rite of passage. Afterwards a group of us went out to lunch and had the best time. Like many things, the restaurant is no longer there but I will always have the memories, and I still have my ring!
SJB prepared me for my career...
The teachers made us think. That may sound basic but there was more to it. We had to go the extra distance, there was always another question to understand the depth of what we were studying, not just what appeared on the face.
SJB teachers had a positive influence on my life...
They made learning something you want to do, not what you have to do. Pursuing education, in whatever form, is a lifetime experience. After SJB, the bar was quite high to have equally engaging teachers.
My advice as you move forward on your career path...
Believe in yourself. You may fall, you probably will, but pick yourself up and put one foot in front of the other and move forward. One of my favorite Winston Churchill quotes: Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.
And stay in touch!
I still have my BFFs from high school. Sometimes we don’t speak for a while but as soon as we see each other we pick up right where we left off. (And amazingly we don’t look that much older!)
Angelica Maria Lopez ‘09
Profession: Medical Student
Undergraduate: Barnard College
Graduate: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
My favorite memory of St. Jean’s:
Spirit Week was my absolute favorite! I remember having so much school spirit and being excited for events such as Blue & Gold Day, Twin Day with all my besties, and Decade Days like 70’s and 80’s days. The week would end with a school pep rally and a student vs. faculty basketball game, which was always a blast! During my time at St. Jeans, I looked forward to Spirit Week every year; it was such an exciting time during which both teachers and students came together to show our love for SJB.
SJB prepared me for my career:
SJB provided me with a safe space to grow and explore my interests as a young student leader, thus providing me with the confidence I needed to succeed in extracurricular and professional experiences post-graduation. I believe that participating in SJB Ambassadors was one of the best experiences I could have ever had as a high school student. I recall how proud I was to be able to represent my school and to tell young, prospective students about how much I enjoyed being a student at SJB. I continue to cherish my time at SJB as this time was pivotal in my developing invaluable skills such as public speaking and leadership skills, which have been useful to me every step of the way since graduating from St Jean’s.
SJB teachers had a positive influence on my life:
My SJB teachers were incredibly supportive and made my time in school feel fun and worthwhile. Not only were they our educators, but they also served as positive role models and mentors who cared about our success and our growth. I still keep in touch with several of my SJB teachers, who continued to be my mentors throughout college and even into my medical career.
My advice as you move forward on your career path:
Follow your dreams! I once saw a quote that said, “If your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” Do the things that scare you! No matter how difficult the path may seem, or how long the journey may appear, you will want to be able to look back and know that you followed your dreams and stayed true to yourself despite any obstacles you may have faced along the way.
And stay in touch:
My best friend and I went to St. Jean’s together and to this day she’s still like a sister to me. Being at St. Jean’s together allowed us to grow our friendship and make memories for a lifetime!
Julissa Nethersole ‘05 (nee Diaz)
Profession: Attorney
Undergraduate: Dominican College of Blauvelt
Graduate: Nova Southeastern University (JD)
My favorite memory of St. Jean Baptiste High School...
There are so many to choose from! I would say I have many fond memories of hanging out with Sr. Alla in her office with my high school best friends. We were always up to something, but Sr. Alla always made time to sit down and speak with us and share many laughs with us. There was always something to be learned from Sr. Alla. She was also my shadow. She knew exactly where I was and what I was always up to.
SJB prepared me for my career...
SJB prepared me for my career in so many ways. It taught me that nothing or no one will wait for me. That I had to work hard and keep up or I’d be left behind. I learned that regardless of what is going on in my life, the world will keep on turning and life would go on.
SJB teachers had a positive influence on my life...
In more ways than I can count. I learned to succeed despite difficult circumstances. I have one specific memory of Ms. Moffatt that has impacted me well into my adulthood and into my career. I was having a very hard time at home, and I remember Ms. Moffatt walking up to my desk, looking me in the eye and telling me to get it together because there was work to be done and it would not wait for me. To this day, I think of that moment. She was just one of the many teachers that invested their time in me and taught me the value of pushing through and working hard.
My advice as you move forward on your career path...
Nothing is impossible. Do not allow yourself to be limited either professionally or personally. Stay positive. Set goals and work toward them.
And stay in touch!
I am still very close to my best friend, Gysselle. While I relocated to South Florida and she lives in NYC, we still make time to get together a few times a year. No matter how many weeks pass without texting or calling each other, we pick up right where we left off.
Kemoy Foster '97
Undergraduate: B. S., Union College, summa cum laude
Graduate: J.D., Harvard Law School
One of my favorite memories was participating in the play in my junior year. We did an all-girl version of the Odd Couple, and I never thought acting was something that I could do. Being in the Drama Club and Choir were some of my favorite experiences.
St. Jean's helped me to develop the critical thinking and interpersonal skills that I needed to be an attorney. I learned how to deal with people of all different backgrounds, and I developed a broader perspective on the world. And most importantly, I learned compassion. St. Jean's taught us to respect one another and to be proud of our intelligence. When people ask me to rank my school experiences, St. Jean's is always #1. Here I found my best friends, I learned from the best teachers and I could come every day to my favorite building in Manhattan. St. Jean's will stay with me forever.
It's hard to pick one teacher, but my religion teacher taught us that everything is possible, and she didn't let us get away with thinking that we couldn't do something. She also ran the drama program, which helped me come out of my shell.
Talk to alums and other people you know in various industries to get more info on potential careers. And always believe in yourself. There will be times when people tell you something is not possible, and what I learned at St. Jean's is that anything is possible.
The bonds that I formed here are forever. We've known each other for more than 25 years, and I still feel as close to my friends now as when we were in school.
Colette Prophete '91
Undergraduate: B.S., College of New Rochelle
Graduate School: M.H.Sc., Touro College
My favorite memories are the friendships that I made throughout high school. Another was the free hot dogs from Cafe Mortimers that were given out to students once a year as a thank you! It was a nice time to let our hair down and have fun with one another. St. Jean's has remained in my heart through the relationships that I made, and also through the core values of the school that have stayed with me throughout my life.
One of the main lessons I learned here at St. Jean's was to have a lot of fun. We had fun with each other and with the teachers, and it helped us learn. It wasn't that we didn't take it seriously, but we found a lot of joy in what we did. I use that in my job now. You are going to have bad days, and you have to learn to find joy in what you do.
My science teacher really fostered a love of biology that actually led me to believe I could be a biologist. My English teacher exposed us to all sorts of literature, especially the classics, and I actually learned all of my writing skills from her.
Explore all of the classes that are offered. I had to take biology and I fell in love with it by taking advanced biology in my senior year. Look at all the coursework and just try new things to find your niche.
I'm still friends with most of my friends from St. Jean's. In fact, I was maid of honor at the wedding of a St. Jean's friend. We've all been close for 30+ years now.
Cathy Lerebours '85
Undergraduate: B.A., Fordham University
My favorite memory of St. Jean Baptiste High School...
I have lots of wonderful memories of St. Jean's, like getting together with my classmates at lunchtime and talking about the bands that were into at the time, and the concerts we went to, just talking and sharing with each other.
SJB prepared me for my career...
At St. Jean's, I learned that through hard work, determination and focus you can accomplish pretty much anything you set out to do. I applied that in my schoolwork, and through my career today. I wasn't aware that I had the potential to become an honors student, but through the encouragement and support of my teachers, I realized that I could achieve that.
SJB teachers had a positive influence on my life...
There were many wonderful teachers, but that one that stands out in my mind was my French teacher. He gave me a wonderful gift: He gave me the gift of language. Because of the foundation he gave me, I speak French, and it is a wonderful thing. When I travel to France for my business, I'm able to speak the language and it allows me to negotiate and communicate. I will always remember him for that.
My advice as you move forward on your career path...
My advice is to believe in yourself and in your dreams, and don't let anything stand in your way. It's not necessary that you succeed in the beginning, you might fail, but the most important thing is to pick yourself up and keep trying.
And stay in touch!
I keep in touch with my best friend from St. Jean's, and we always make it a point to see each other, even though she lives in Florida. The friendships you make here are lifelong friendships.
Annyelica Diaz '12
Undergraduate: Ithaca College
More so a collection of moments, my favorite were spent getting ready for the day and catching up with my sister-friends during homeroom. We would share tidbits about our day and create meaningful connections. If ever anyone wasn't having a good start to the day, there was an opportunity to support that person.
Careers today require an ability to stay curious, future-focused and empathetic. St. Jean's helped shape my curiosity by fostering an environment where students were encouraged to question the status quo. I look back on our cohort as a group of compassionate, silly yet worldly young women who embraced all the changes that came with high school. The experiences I had at St. Jean's were foundational and set the tone for how I approach problem-solving and decision-making.
Teachers have always played a critical role in my life and SJB was no exception. They approached the material from a human perspective, allowing us to create a deeper understanding. They demonstrated passion for their craft and helped us get excited about things like the periodic table (which does come in handy during scrabble).
I like to keep a few things in mind...
- Careers are forged along the way, so don't be afraid to pivot.
- Honor curiosities that feel aligned and lean on continuous learning as a practice.
- Find your people and nourish those relationships.
I look back fondly on my time at SJB, and am warmed by staying connected to my experiences. The memories and friendships continue to feel transformative through the years.
Lalah Radney '09 (nee Butler)
Undergraduate: B.A., Pre Law; Communications
One of my favorite memories is Spirit Week during my senior year of high school. My friends and I all dressed up and had so much fun engaging in the different activities.
The teachers and staff at SJB never let my peers and me settle for less. They constantly pushed us to do our best and then go above and beyond that. This helped me with the grit and dedication needed to excel in life as a Director. SJB put me in positions to be ready for college and graduate school. The academic community as SJB created safe spaces for us to make mistakes and learn from them; these lessons have allowed me to navigate difficult spaces in the workplace.
My SJB teachers taught me to be a woman for others. They taught me the importance of compassion, empathy, and strength through community.
It's ok to not know what you want to do, but you MUST always have a plan. Force yourself to do things outside your comfort zone. Take all opportunities to meet new people and network with others; and, best of all, never be afraid to ask questions.
The friends I made in high school are still girls I call family. My mentees and I still communicate on a frequent basis and work together to be a resource for each other. Your SJB family consists of women of all professions who can serve as your mentor.