December 2024

Alma Matters

Faculty Focus

Athletic Director Kerry Schmid pays it forward to the athletes of today

When Kerry Schmid was spiking volleyball shots and going up for layups as an athlete at Msgr. Scanlan High School she had no idea that she would spend her career in Catholic Athletics. An athletic director for more than 30 years, she has also spent countless seasons as a coach of a number of different sports.


Currently, the secretary of the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), Ms. Schmid handles all the communications for the association which is part of the New York Archdiocese. She also serves as the chairperson for Tier 3, where SCA competes.


“I started out doing all these things because I had a very positive high school experience,” she says. “I saw people do positive things for me and I wanted to give back and help others have a good experience in athletics.”


Ms. Schmid, who was a two sport athlete at Msgr. Scanlan High School, also swam as a freshman at Iona University, formerly Iona College. She says one of the goals of the CHSAA is to give athletes at all levels a chance to participate in sports. Some have opportunities to play in college. Some play for the love of the sport while in high school.


She pointed out that being an athletic director is a year-round job. Sports begin in August before classes begin and end when the last sport of the spring season ends in May. By June schedules for the next year are already being created.


Ms. Schmid encourages others to become coaches, referees and athletic directors. “If you had a great experience, help the next generation have the same experience.”

Around SCA

Founder of women's empowerment organization starts mentorship program

Pictured left to right: Georgina Nieves, Carmela Melucci-Ivanov, Dr. Xellex Z. Rivera and Kerry Bader

Dr. Xellex Z. Rivera, founder of #iAmSHE, a women’s empowerment organization, is kicking off a mentorship program at St. Catharine Academy. “We girls, we need each other,” Dr. X (as she is known) told the St. Catharine Academy assembly. “In subconscious ways society pits us against each other….You need to understand that you need the person next to you.”


Explaining what SHE stands for in her organization, Dr. X pointed to Sisterhood, Healing and Empowerment. She said the concept grew out of her initial image of a caterpillar which begins life meandering and often bumping into things because of poor vision, then goes into a cocoon to heal and emerges a beautiful butterfly.


Her mentorship is meant to give young women these same skills of learning to trust in one another, healing and empowerment. The program will also provide the girls with mentors. Dr. X says mentors have played a key role in her life and she believes they will guide the girls to find their paths as well. SCA is launching the mentor program with students on the high school level. As the program expands, it will also include middle schoolers.


#iAmSHE began with 25 women in 2015 and has grown to now include over 125. The mentor program at St. Catharine’s will enable students to meet women who have achieved success both academically and professionally. These women will guide our students to learn about ways to empower themselves as they continue their academic journey. Students will have the opportunity to build up their self esteem, learn about self care and solidify futuristic goals. Dr. X explained that many do not go deeply enough into the concept of self care. Women often correlate their happy place with whatever their current title is. She said the program will help girls delve deeper.


Dr. X has come to understand the need for young girls to gain empowerment because of her own life and career. She serves as the chief program officer for Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY), which runs 33 sites around the city, the majority of which are in the Bronx. She has worked with shelters for 15 years and been at HSNY for the past three. Dr. X works with a variety of groups ranging from families to those with HIV and AIDS and oversees grant funding programs spanning food and nutrition, care coordination and youth services.


When she first began her career she felt like no one was listening because she had her education but no experience. Dr. X continued to add to her academic credentials while working in the field because “I never wanted to be at a table where someone told me I couldn't sit there as a woman, especially a woman of color.” 

Mercy Center Partnership

St. Catharine Academy has a long and robust relationship with Mercy Center, a multiservice not-for-profit organization located in the Bronx. This partnership evolved out of our shared mission to advance and extend the legacy of Catherine McAuley. Throughout her life Catherine McAuley sought to provide opportunities where they had not previously existed- education for girls and help to the poor. The SCA community partners with Mercy Center throughout the year but during the holidays, our partnership is particularly strong. At Thanksgiving our students donated, sorted and delivered food to Mercy Center, and at Christmastime, we participated in the 'adopt a family' program, providing, toys and clothes for 15 families.


Father Daughter Bowling Night

Spares, strikes and lots of laughs were all part of the Father Daughter Bowling Night. Take a look at some of the fun.

It's beginning to look like Christmas around SCA

The Christmas spirit abounds at SCA. From classroom decorations to concerts (eighth graders above) to Nativity Scenes, our school is embracing the spirit of the season.  

Sports Shorts

St. Catharine Academy’s cheer legacy continues as two teams secured a bid to UCA Nationals at Walt Disney World in February 2025. The SCA Traditional Cheer team (above) earned their bid by placing third in the Pocono Regional and the Varsity Game Day team (below) placed fourth.

Upcoming Events

More information will be shared in January.

2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469
(718) 882-2882 www.scahs.org
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