Welcome to the Alumnae E-Newsletter, now officially known as the ‘LEVER AND FULCRUM’.

Playing on the LF theme that we’ve harnessed this past year, our resident wordsmith, Fr. Joe McCaffrey posited “ Lever and Fulcrum,” borrowing from the philosopher, Archimedes, who is quoted: "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." In our case, the Fulcrum is the educational opportunities we can bring to our students and the lever…well, that is YOU, Little Flower Alumnae and Support Network Family! You are the machine used to increase the unstoppable force that is Little Flower! You transmit energy to nourish our Little Flower organism and make her sustainable. Thank you for being part of this life force that radiates about our building and holds great promise for Little Flower’s future. 
University of Pennsylvania was an easy early decision for Ericka Ekobeni.

Claude-Ericka Ekobeni feels as typical as any other American teenage girl. Ericka has lived here since she was 3 so she really doesn't remember what it was like to live in Cameroon. But her parents came here with Ericka, her older sister and the American Dream. Now Ericka is living it.

Ericka's father quotes Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Mr. Ekobeni continues, “And as such, my wife and I always have in mind to offer our children the best possible and affordable school that will provide the best education for the children. Four years ago, after scouting various high schools for Claude-Ericka, we came to the conclusion that Little Flower offered a high quality education along with the learning environment we were seeking for our daughter. ”

Four years later, Ericka’s acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania proves Little Flower was the right choice for his “princess.” Naturally he and his wife are bursting with pride that their daughter’s hard work, her passion for learning, and her willingness to challenge the unknown has paid off handsomely. It’s no surprise to Math teacher Anne Boland who has taught Ericka for the last three years. “Ericka is self motivated to achieve and learn as much as she can in the mathematics classroom. If she isn’t satisfied with her grades, she gives more time and effort to reach those invisible goals that she has set for herself. She can do anything she wants to in her future!”

Ericka’s goals are ambitious. For now, she will concentrate on finishing her senior year right: keeping a strong academic record while making lasting memories with her friends and classmates. But long-term, she wants to make a difference in the world through the research and manufacturing of affordable drugs and vaccines for ailments that typically affect low-income communities.

Ericka credits Mrs. Anne Boland and Mrs. Laura Stankiewicz for shaping her as a student and as a person. “Mrs. Boland has helped me to view Math not so much as a difficulty but as an exciting challenge. And ‘Ms. Stank’ has been a great example of dedication as Community Service Corps (CSC) moderator. I’ve enjoyed the many volunteer opportunities she makes available.” Ericka says, “I believe Little Flower helped me become the well-rounded student I am today. The care and dedication of the faculty and staff to make students not just better learners but also better people. They helped me to develop in ways that made me a strong Penn applicant. Little Flower helped me increase my passions for community service and science, and I believe my love for the two really presented itself in my University of Pennsylvania application.”

Ericka is Secretary of CSC, Vice President of National Honor Society (NHS), and a member of the Literary Garland, Mathletes, Las Flores, SeaPerch, Yearbook, Model UN, and Little Flower Ambassadors. She comes to us from the Oxford Circle neighborhood and St. Martin of Tours grade school. Ericka plans on majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. 
Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade
Little Flower salutes
2019 Grand Marshal Sean McMenamin &
All Little Flower Parents and Grandparents

March with Little Flower High School in this year's Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade as we salute 2019 Grand Marshal Sean McMenamin, father of Margaret Kilkenny '87, Noreen Diehl '89 and Eileen DiTore '95, and, '88 Cardinal Dougherty alumnus Sean. He is Pop to seven grandchildren, including Kiera '19 and Maura '20.

Sean is a past president of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia, currently serves on its Board of Directors and has been an active part of the Philadelphia Irish community since he emigrated from Ireland by way of England in 1966.

McMenamin and his friend Billy Brennan were early contributors to the Commodore Barry Arts and Cultural Center library from helping to construct it over 50 years ago to helping fill it over the years. It started out Sean says, "with a book here and there." Today the library serves as a great historic resource. Sean is the President of the Center which he helped guide through a recent restructuring to address financial hardships brought on by the city's property tax reassessments.
Sean's role at Little Flower is the embodiment of the classic Little Flower dad and granddad. Sean, and his wife Johanna who passed away in 2010, were the track team's biggest fans during the time that each of their three daughters competed, rarely missing a meet. They supported the entire team and Sean volunteered as an assistant coach to Bill Kuhl. This year he attended his fourth grandparents' day and enjoys cheering for Kiera and Maura as they compete for Little Flower in lacrosse, volleyball and soccer.

In saluting Sean, Little Flower pays tribute to all our parents and grandparents who sacrifice so much to provide their daughters and granddaughters a Little Flower education.

Sign up to march with us on March 10 by filling out this google form. T-shirts will be available soon through the Flossie Shop.
Parade line-up begins at 10:15 am.
PLEASE NOTE: Daylight Savings Time begins!
Line-up details will be available closer to the event.
There is a 9 AM Parade Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Congratulations to our newly installed Freshman Student Government Representatives!
Welcome to our new Director of Admissions, Kia Benjamin!
Fear the Sentinel! 

Our ever-adventurous students have taken their first steps in an historic journey of establishing the first ice hockey team at an all-girls’ school in southeastern Pennsylvania. Students will skate under the ‘Snider Hockey’ umbrella, with the hope that, as their skills develop in the Learn to Play program, they will advance to competitive play. Snider Hockey provides skaters with instruction, equipment and ice time, making this audacious dream a very feasible goal. Snider Hockey's commitment to Philadelphia Youth is providing our Little Flower students a wonderful opportunity. We're excited to have so many students committed as our first skaters to this program which will be hosted at Tarkan and Scanlon Ice Rinks. We look forward to sharing their progress with you!

Challenge number one? Getting geared up!
Designer Bag Bingo

We are in full swing preparing for our March 2nd Designer Bag Bingo at St. Dominic’s. We are very excited. Our last bingo raised over $10,000, so please support us again. Tickets are $45.00 each and include 12 games of bingo, dinner, beer, wine, and soda. To donate raffle baskets, items for baskets, including gift cards or if you would like to volunteer contact Stacy Vivino .
Third Annual March Madness
Alumnae Basketball Tournament
AND Sweet 16 Matchups!

Evens vs. Odds
$25 to play
$10 to attend
Saturday, March 22
12 to 4 PM
This year we are adding a Virtual Class Fundraising Sweet 16 Matchup to see which year comes out on top for participation level.
50/50s, Raffles
To donate or volunteer contact Arleen Bleiler '81.
Online sales and t-shirts available soon.
Summerfest to Kick Off 80th Anniversary

We look good for 80, don't we? Help us kick off our 80-year celebration by joining us at Summerfest. This year's festivities will include a full weekend of activities in North Wildwood.
Friday, July 5
Open House - Fire Pit
At the Summer Home of Tricia McCoy and Bob McCool
113 W 9th Avenue
7 PM - 11 PM
Saturday, July 6
Summerfest
Keenan's Irish Pub
3 PM - 7 PM
Sunday, July 7
Mass on the Beach
11 AM
Lou Booth Ampitheater
2nd and Ocean Avenues

LF Tram Car Ride
12:30 - 2 PM
15th Ave & Wildwood Boardwalk
Dream Vacation Raffle

Mikki Ryan McIntyre, '97, and Cruise Planners have donated a $4,000 gift certificate to travel by air, land or sea anywhere in the world! Chances will be sold throughout the school year at school, by mail, online and at our many alumnae events. Drawing will be at Summerfest July 6.

$15 per chance
$25 for two chances
By mail: LFHS, 1000 W Lycoming Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 Att Dream Vacation Raffle
An 80th Anniversary Celebration Committee is forming now. If you would like to help in anyway: planning committee, planning an event, collecting basket donations, donating a basket, donating funds to help pay the expenses, securing sponsors, please fill out this volunteer google form.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 2 - Designer Bag Bingo
Sunday, March 10 - St. Patrick's Day Parade (Daylight Savings Time Begins!)
Saturday, March 23 - March Madness and Sweet 16 Matchup
Tuesday, April 2 - Alumnae Association Meeting
Friday, June 7 - "Golden Girls" Class of 1969 Walk at Graduation/Reunion
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, July 5, 6 & 7 - Summerfest Weekend of Activities