NDP—Thanks for the Memories!

It started to hit me back in October at the Open House. As many families set foot on the campus of Notre Dame Prep for the first time to consider beginning an educational, religious, and social journey for their daughters here, my daughter, Anna, and I were volunteering at our very last Open House. Then, in December, my husband, Joe, and I attended our last Christmas concert at NDP. We are currently in the midst of our last Gym Meet season. Anna’s sister, Liz, is a member of the class of 2017. With Anna graduating this May, March 9 will be our last Gym Meet. As Anna experiences many “lasts” as the school year winds down (last Penny Queen week, last band trip, last school Mass), our family is also experiencing many last events. Anna, the middle child, has a younger brother. Her graduating from NDP means that our family is also moving on and saying a goodbye of sorts to this school that has given my girls and our family so much.

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Our NDP journey started in the fall of 2009 when we attended Open House. Liz fell in love with the school the moment she set foot on the campus. The sisterhood, the activities, the uniform—it was all so appealing. Joe and I were thrilled with all that NDP had to offer. The academic opportunities interested us, we were impressed with the teachers, and she would get to perform in a synchronized swim show in eighth grade! She began sixth grade the following fall and never looked back. I can remember telling people that she would be happy to board at the school if that were an option, she loved it that much. 

When Anna arrived two years later, it was a seamless transition. She knew and loved NDP already, having attended many events for her sister. Her strengths and interests were different from Liz’s, but that did not take away from her NDP experience. Her experience, like every girl’s, was unique and all her own, but wonderful, nonetheless.

The fun did not stop in middle school. As Liz, and then Anna, started high school, their NDP world opened up even more. Challenging yet fun classes, beloved teachers, so many activities in which to get involved, friendships that will last a lifetime. There were the school dances, the musicals, the band concerts, Christmas Liturgy. Ring Day of Junior year was a much-anticipated highlight and one of my favorite events. And, of course, GYM MEET. They had waited three long years in middle school to participate and it did not disappoint.

And as the years flew by and the girls had their fun and made their memories, Joe and I were along for the ride, loving NDP as much as our girls did. We, too, got involved in this special community. I volunteered as the Middle Level Coordinator, eventually becoming the Parents’ Association President for a year, and co-chaired Post Prom for Liz’s class. Joe was invited to join the school board and he never missed a Father-Daughter Dance. We got to know and love the administration, faculty, and staff that our girls knew and loved. We, too, have forged friendships through Notre Dame Prep that will last forever.

There is excitement and pride that comes with moving on, knowing that Anna will be heading to college and entering this new phase, but it is bittersweet as Joe and I move on from the school, too. This is not to say that our relationship with NDP ends when Anna walks through the arch in her white dress. We know that we will always be welcome in this beautiful community and I sense that our involvement will continue in some way or another. But, come May 29, we will never again be NDP parents. Notre Dame Prep helped guide my daughters through adolescence as they grew into these amazing young women. It has been a part of our family for nine years. So many heartwarming and joy-filled memories of my girls are tied to this incredible school. I will always be grateful for their experiences at NDP, for all that they have become because of NDP, and for all that NDP gave our entire family over the years.

Blog post written by guest contributor and NDP parent, Catherine Liberatore.