The highly anticipated celebratory luncheon was held at Seasons in Township of Washington. Mr. Jason Schlereth, president, opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and Rev. Donald K. Hummel led the opening prayer. Family members and close friends then introduced the 2022 honorees.  

In the Alumnae category, Serena Bocchino’78 was introduced by her friend and IHA classmate, Leslie Simpson Hille’78, and Mary Ellen Dooley Nye’87 P’21 was introduced by her father, William J. Dooley, Jr. P’87, GP’21. In the Educator category, Barbara Fritsche was introduced by former colleague, Patrice McDonough FF, FCBM, and Lauretta Miller was introduced by former colleague, Liz Kearns P’05, ’08, ’11, F. In the Parents category, Beth DiCiancia Garrigan’76 P’06 introduced John and Lori Feery P’08 and Brennan Offer Burke’94 introduced her parents, Richard and Mary Ellen Offer P’94, ’96, ’98, ’01, ’06. In the Community Leader category, Gerri Boland FF introduced Rev. Donald K. Hummel.

All honorees were recognized with an official resolution from Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips P’18, ’21, ’26, acknowledging their induction into the IHA Hall of Fame. Miss Kerry Carroll’04, principal, made closing remarks and thanked the many people who have made the Hall of Fame event possible.

Thank you to Event Sponsor, Bergen Catholic High School, and Blue Sponsors, the late William Bocchino P’74, ’78; Maureen Cooney Daniello’77 and Dan Daniello P’15, CBM; Don and Laura Innamorato; and Yolanda and Raymond Kunz P’92, ’94, GP’20, ’21, ’23, FCBM. We are incredibly grateful for our donors, Banador Information Systems, Inc.; Irene Beattie; Malcolm Brown; Patricia Conaton P’88, ’98, F; Kerry Harvey Conway’85; Lynn Farraher Florance’64; Susan Furey; Leslie Simpson Hille’78; William Kalosieh, Ph.D. FF; The Kennedy Family; Margaret M. Madden; Anne Offer; Nelda and John O’Neil P’06, CBM; and Student Bus Company, Inc. Special thanks to the IHA administration for their continued support and the many vendors, as well as the faculty and parent volunteers, who dedicated their time and services to this event.

The Immaculate Heart Academy Hall of Fame, sponsored by the IHA Alumnae Association, has as its sole purpose to honor in perpetuity alumnae, faculty, and contributors to IHA’s outstanding tradition. Including our nine 2022 inductees, one hundred five individuals have been inducted into the Immaculate Heart Academy Hall of Fame, which was established in 1993. These outstanding individuals have made exceptional contributions to IHA and have achieved noteworthy personal and/or professional goals.

“The group gathered here today represents the dedicated and faithful supporters of Immaculate Heart Academy—a community committed to excellent Catholic-driven education of young women,” Mr. Schlereth said. “Serena, Mary Ellen, Barbara, Lauretta, John, Lori, Richard, Mary Ellen, and Fr. Don, today we celebrate you and your many contributions to IHA. We are so grateful for your enduring commitment to Immaculate Heart Academy, and we are thrilled to recognize you and celebrate the gifts you bring to not only the community at large, but especially to our IHA family.”

Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography.