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BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL!
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Family Newsletter | april 3, 2017
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OUR MISSION
Rooted in the Catholic faith, Padua Academy offers young women a transformational college preparatory education, challenging them to live Christ-centered lives of leadership and service.
"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
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Dear Parents, Students, and Friends,
My mother-in-law was a lady who consistently marched to the beat of a different drum. One day, when Don and I were first married, I accompanied her to the grocery store. While standing in line, she read the majority of the "gossip" magazines located at the checkout area. In doing so she held up the line slightly. As she moved to pay, the cashier asked her if she was going to purchase any magazines. My mother-in-law retorted in a most authoritarian tone, "Of course not--magazines are put there so slow grocery lines can be made enjoyable for the customer!" Yes, my dear mother-in-law indeed saw life through the lens of "self."
It is quite clear that by seeing the world and people through that lens of "self," we are easily led into making judgments about others based on lies and deceptions. The story that illustrates this best has to do with a self-righteous mob intent on stoning the "woman caught in adultery," from the Gospel of St. John. Jesus
stopped the people in their tracks by kneeling down and writing something in the dust. No one knows what he wrote--the Gospel story doesn't elaborate; but, the dramatic effect of this odd writing exercise was to quiet the mob. No one dared to carry through on the intended violence towards the woman.
Let's look at what we learn from this story. We first must admit that we are sinners and have no right to invade others with our negative judgments. That is a job for God alone. The message of Jesus in the story was very simple, "Let the one who is sinless cast the first stone."
Second, we must stop looking at others through our "self" lens. We are called to treat others as sacred. Do you have the courage to stand up to the evil intent of a mob? Can you learn to love and care for the sinner while avoiding the sinfulness as Jesus does? I doubt any of us could do this from our own strength alone. We need the love that flows through us from God's Grace.
The lesson I learned
from my mother-in-law in a grocery line is: stop looking at God's people through the lens of judgment and start seeing them with the eyes of God. You will NEVER find that perspective in a gossip magazine at the grocery store!
Will you pray with me?
Our loving God,
As we come to know you more intimately, help us not to turn a deaf ear to the calls for justice and peace in our world. Dear Father, keep us close to you and strengthen our faith so that we can follow you in helping others in their seemingly impossible situations. Help us, Lord, not to judge others, but to show your love to all we meet. Help us, Lord learn to smile at one another and not judge. Help us to understand the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta: "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
In Jesus, Amen
From my heart to yours,
Mrs. Mann
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Padua News
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Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester - A Victory for Diversity
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Third Quarter Report Cards
Third quarter report cards, with Honor Roll recognition, will be posted to student NetClassroom accounts by 6
:00 pm today
, April 3.
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Uniform Orders This Wednesday
Flynn & O'Hara Uniform Company and The Village Cobbler, our shoe supplier, will be at Padua this
Weds., April 5, to meet with current students over their lunch period. Current students do not need to make an appointment to see the representatives during the lunch hour. They are welcome to come with an incoming freshman sister in the afternoon if desired.
Parents do not need to attend with current students. Click
here to access the current order form. The student may bring the completed order form with them
on Weds., with payment. Please double check to make sure your daughter's skirt still fits properly.
A new item for next year is a long-sleeve black pique shirt. These are very popular with the students.
Flynn & O'Hara will be back on
Thurs., Sept. 21, 2017 to make exchanges and take winter orders. Parents have the option of waiting until then to order the slacks, fleece, or other cold weather items.
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Social Media Presentation to Students
Molly DiBianca, Esquire, an employment law attorney from Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, presented to Padua students and faculty on Fri., March 24. In outlining the pitfalls of using
social media, she emphasized the following points:
- Social media communications are all permanent and public. Many believe that postings on Snapchat and other similar platforms disappear after a certain period. This is NOT true. One should assume that once shared with only one person, the content of any social media becomes fair game to be reposted or copied.
- Social media communications matter when applying to colleges and scholarships, securing employment, and protecting one's reputation.
Ms. DiBianca emphasized that when posting to a social media platform, students should ask the following questions before hitting the post prompt:
- Would I want my mother or father to see this Snapchat, text, Instagram, etc.?
- Would I want Mrs. Mann to see this Snapchat, text, Instagram, etc.?
- Would I want my employer to see this Snapchat, text, Instagram, etc.? If the answer is "no" to any of the prompts, DO NOT SEND.
Ms. DiBianca also answered several of the dozens of questions written by students in advance of the assembly.
The Padua community appreciates Ms. DiBianca taking the time to present on this hugely important and dynamically changing subject.
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Other Social Media Thoughts by Mrs. Mann
Social media is proving to be the most significant yet the most damaging influence on teens and young adults today. The feelings of privacy and the ability to "chat" uncensored with strangers seems to create an atmosphere of intimacy that can be very dangerous. Multiple social media accounts called "finstagrams" are created mainly by teenagers and young adults to provide an intimate online space intended for an audience of close friends, with the number of followers purposely kept low. To quote one university student,
"Finstas are private accounts that you only let your closest friends follow," said a Trinity College student who has more than 2,700 Instagram followers and about 50 "finstagram" followers. "You post things you wouldn't want people other than your friends to see, like unattractive pictures, random stories about your day, and drunk pictures from parties."
Here is the real danger: "While teens of every generation have struggled with how to project their identities onto the larger world, our teenagers of today arguably have it worse. Given the pervasiveness of social media, the feedback mechanism never shuts down."
"Before, while you were sleeping, you were sleeping," said Leora Trub, an assistant professor of psychology at Pace University and a clinical psychologist who works with adolescents and young adults. "Nobody was judging you, and you weren't waking up to an entire other self that existed in this online space that's being commented on."
Please encourage your daughters to take a break from social media and just unplug for a while. The world will not stop, but she will feel so much better, sleep better, and begin to put her life into perspective--not in a "finstagram" world. She can be herself in real life--not online. |
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Still I Rise
On Thursday, April 6, at 6:30 pm Padua will be hosting "Still I Rise," a special free event in the Cafe that will promote solidarity through storytelling in the performing and visual arts. Please join us for this celebration of Solidarity and Diversity.
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Mosaic Activity
In the days leading up to the concert, "Still I Rise," our students will see and hear stories of marginalized people who are oppressed by issues of racism, classism, and/or sexism. On Tues., April 4 to Thurs., April 6, we will be creating a mosaic of pictures featuring people who have overcome marginalization OR have helped in the fight against it. Your daughters can join by printing and sharing pictures of people they know or have encountered in their studies who fit this criteria. Send them directly to Yael Haislip at
yhaislip@paduaacademy.org along with a brief caption. Pictures will be displayed on the first and second floors.
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UD Dance Workshop
Today we had an awesome dance workshop about South African apartheid and
sla
very in the United States. The UD Dancers will be one of the featured artists at Still I Rise on Thursday.
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Padua's Art Students Tackle Societal Challenges in Their Work on Diversity
Padua's entries for the Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts Competition are on display in the cafeteria, along with Memory Project portraits of disadvantaged children from Bolivia and Congo. These works are exhibited as part of the Still I Rise program at Padua on Thursday evening.
The Memory Project is a nonprofit organization that invites art teachers and their students to create portraits for youth around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents, and extreme poverty. Padua has participated in this program for ten years, creating and sending portraits to children from all over the world.
The Mordechai Anielewicz arts competition is an opportunity for high school students to respond to the lessons of the Holocaust and the related issues of ethnic, racial, and religious intolerance through creative expression. Padua students have participated in this program for six years, and have gained top recognition including having an exhibition at Moore College of Art and Design.
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Dinner in Honor of Women's Achievement Honors Peggy Noonan on April 27
"When everyone in America knows you're in a dreadful position, admit you're in a dr
eadful position. Don't lie about it and make them roll their eyes, tell the truth and make them blink."
-Peggy Noonan
With only a few weeks to go, tickets are going fast! Come meet the woman Cindy Hayes Mann has called an incredible example of "grace and grit!"
On
April 27, 2017
Padua Academy will honor Peggy Noonan at the 8th Annual Dinner in Honor of Women's Achievement at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
Peggy Noonan is a prolific author and journalist, serving as President Reagan's speechwriter from 1984 to 1986 and wrote his address to the nation after the
Challenger explosion. In 1988, she was chief speechwriter for George H.W. Bush's presidential bid, during which she coined the phrases "a kinder, gentler nation," "a thousand points of light," and "read my lips: no new taxes." Noonan has also worked as a consultant on the American television drama
The West Wing and currently works as a weekly columnist for
The Wall Street Journal, as well as being a political commentator for ABC News.
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Mother/Daughter Brunch
Thanks to all of the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters for attending the brunch. We certainly had a grand time! A special thank you to our parent, Mrs. Christina Snellgrove, for arranging all of the flowers for the event! To order the pictures that the Lifetouch photographer took, please go to
www.lifetouchevents.com and type in the password for our event:
MJPAD.
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La Salle University President Speaks on Leadership
On Fri., March 31, Padua Academy welcomed Dr. Colleen Hanycz, La Sal
le
Univ
ersity's first
layperson president in it's 154 year history. Dr. Hanycz spoke to the junior and senior classes about the importance of leadership and service to the greater community. She encouraged the students to use their skills and talents to better society while in high school, college, and beyond. We thank Dr. Hanycz for taking the time to visit Padua Academy and delivering such an important message to our students.
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Blue Gold Bingo Night is Friday!
Bring your family and friends to the Padua Academy Disney Classics-themed Bring a Buddy to Bingo Night on Fri., April 7. Doors open at
5:30 pm with first game starting at 6:00 pm. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under and includes a slice of pizza, drink, bingo cards, raffle tickets, and more. For more information, read this flyer. If you have further questions, please contact Mrs. Kowalski. All proceeds benefit DFRC and Padua's Blue Gold Organization.
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Spring Uniform in Effect
The spring dress code goes into effect now. The students have received several e-mails reminding them of the change. Pants are no longer permitted, and tights are no longer required with skirts.
We have a supply of black cotton crew socks, the students' current favorite style, in the bookstore for $5.00 a pair.
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All students recently had the option of signing the SmartDrive PROMise Pledge to drive safely and to be a safety-minded passenger. Both students and parents will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to their FREE online student defensive driving course. This course will provide a 10% discount on the liability portion of your car insurance! Research has shown that students who take an annual defensive driving refresher course during their teen years have a 40% lower accident rate! Please require your student to take this course. There are prizes, including a $1,000 per year college scholarship for top scorers! The deadline is
May 31.
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Spring Break Reading Challenge
All students are invited to participate in the Spring Break Reading Challenge. For every book read over break, students earn one entry in the drawing for a $20 gift card to Dunkin' Donuts. Entry forms may be picked up in the Learning Commons.
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Big News! Padua Offers Transportation to West Chester Area
Padua will be adding transportation to the West Chester area for the coming 2017-2018 school year. There is limited seating available. The cost will be $1,100.00. If you are interested please be sure to check off the West Chester option on your Transportation Form which was mailed to you with your contract.
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This Week at Padua
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Monday, 4/3 to Sunday, 4/9
Wednesday, April 5: Fall Uniform Ordering, Cafe
Thursday, April 6: "Still I Rise," 6:30 pm in Cafe
Friday, April 7: Blue Gold Bring a Buddy to Bingo, 6:00 pm in Cafe
Saturday, April 8: Pilgrimage
You may view the school calendar anytime on our website
HERE
for upcoming activities. You will need to use the PDF calendar version for viewing.
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College Advisement & Guidance
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Weekly Guidance Update:
Important Dates:
- College fair (held at St. Mark's HS) - April 5, 2017 - UPDATE: Over 130 colleges have registered to attend. Test prep and financial aid companies will also be in attendance at the fair. Juniors are expected to attend with at least one parent. Here is the most recent list of attending colleges.
- Wilmington Case Study - May 15, 2017 (sponsored by Padua and other private high schools). Learn how college applications are read. See the full description below. Sophomores and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend; however, any student or parent is welcome.
All Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen:
- What is your plan for this upcoming summer? Please begin your summer planning now to ensure that you have an enjoyable and productive summer. See your counselor with questions or assistance.
Seniors:
- Please bring in your college acceptance and scholarship letters to the Counseling office. You should have received all admission notifications by April 1.
Juniors:
- Remember that the following items are due:
- Resume (on Naviance) by April 12
- College Questionnaire (on Naviance) by April 12
- Rough draft of a college essay by April 28
Sophomores:
- Please plan on attending the Wilmington Case Study event sponsored by Padua Academy and other schools. The event is Mon. evening, May 15, from 5:30pm-8:30pm at Salesianum. The Case Study is an interactive workshop where parents and students will learn from college admissions representatives how college applications are reviewed. An abbreviated college fair will also be a part of this event. Please see your counselor with questions. The registration link will be available soon.
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Student News
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Padua Middle School Leadership Conference
On Saturday
, over 35 students from local grade schools came to Padua to take part in our conference: Leadership and Gratitude. At this conference, students worked on different components of leadership, focusing mainly on communication, empathy, models of leadership, and of course, gratitude. Thanks so much to all of the Padua students who came out to help run this great event!
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Blood Drive Results
On Tues., March 28, Padua hosted the annual blood drive in conjunction with the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Due to the efforts of many, 56 units of blood were donated by members of our community. It is our hope that this opportunity provides a positive first-time donation experience so that our students continue as donors throughout their adult life.
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Photography Students Visit Longwood
On March 31, Mr. Beno's Introduction to Digital Photography class visited Longwood Gardens. They spent the day capturing images of fountains, flowers, and landscapes. Thanks to Mrs. Campbell for helping chaperone the trip.
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Ronald's Rescue Hits the Airwaves
Padua's service group, Ronald's Rescue, was invited to participate in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Telethon this past Tuesday night. Padua was able to present a donation of $3,000 towards the Delaware RMH through their fundraisers like the pancake breakfast and the upcoming wiffleball tournament on April 30th. Seniors Lindsay Machamer and Nicole Bush spoke on behalf of the group to CBS 3 Anchor Kate Bilo as did Mr. Mike Sheehan, their advisor. The students also got a candid picture with Ukee Washington. It was a privilege to be a part of the Telethon and lend a helping hand to a great organization.
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Ronald's Rescue Fundraiser
Ronald's Rescue is excited to announce its first annual Pre-Prom/Pre-Mother's Day Jewelry Sale. Ronald's Rescue has partnered with the brand
Kendra
Scott
for this event. Kendra Scott is a
jewelry store located in Suburban Square in Ardmore, PA that has a real passion for philanthropy. On Tues., April 25,
from 3-6 pm,
Kendra
Scott
will come to Padua to hold a jewelry trunk show in our cafe. 20% of all purchases at this event will be donated to the Ron
ald's Rescue's effort to support the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
. Please consider coming out to support a great cause, and purchase jewelry for either prom night or Mother's Day!
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Urban Promise School Supply Drive
Padua student McKenna Rybaltowski is organizing a school supply drive to benefit the children of Urban Promise in Wilmington. Donations are listed in the image and will be collected this week and next week. You can drop off your donations in the marked box on the stage in the Cafe. If you want to print out the flyer as a reminder you can find it here.
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Art Teacher Receives Honorable Mention
Mrs. Denise Vitollo recently received an Honorable Mention award for her watercolor
Reflection at the Chester County Art Association Body Language exhibition. The show continues until April 13. |
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Volunteer Opportunities
United Cerebral Palsy's Camp Manito
Volunteers partner up with a camper throughout the day to help them with: arts and crafts, sports, games, and swimming. The camp will be held in Wilmington,
Mon.
through Fri., from
July 3 to Aug. 11
. Interested student volunteers can apply at
www.ucpde.org/summer-camps
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MS Walk Volunteers
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking for volunteers for their local spring walks. The Newark walk takes place on
Sun., May 7
. Volunteers are needed from
7:00 am to 12:00 pm
. Interested students can e-mail Mrs. Alinda for a volunteer registration form.
Safety Town Volunteer Registration is Open!
Safety Town is a fun fifteen-hour program consisting of a miniature town with child-sized houses, crosswalks, and streets. Activities throughout the week teach children (ages 4-6) safety through songs, guest visitors, and role-playing.
Volunteers for Safety Town
must be between the ages of 13 and 18
. Safety Town requires a
one-week commitment from
8 am to noon each
week.
You will earn 20 hours of volunteer time for each week that you volunteer with this program.
Volunteers can apply online at
Volunteer Registration
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Summer Volunteers for Camp Dreamcatcher
Camp Dreamcatcher is a therapeutic camp for children ages 5-17 who are infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. The organization provides many supportive and educational services to HIV/AIDS impacted youth from regions throughout PA, MD, NY, and DE. Their largest event is a week-long camp session at the end of Aug. in which campers can have fun and share their stories in a warm and welcoming environment. They are looking for volunteers for this year's camp session (
Aug. 20 - 26). Interested students can go to
http://www.campdreamcatcher.org
Volunteer with Delaware Nature Society
Delaware Nature Society has upcoming volunteer events in Mar., Apr., and May that are perfect for students. If you want to check them out and put them on your calendar now, go to
delnature.org/volunteer.
Winterthur Summer Teen Volunteer Program
Winterthur is looking for summer volunteers to help facilitate activities and demonstrations for young students in the summer. Applications are due by
Mon., Mar. 27
. You can find more information, including volunteer time frame and application paperwork on
Winterthur's site
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Freshmen Needing Service Hours
If there are freshmen in need of service hours who stay after school for a later pick up, they can see
Mrs. Alinda for an in-school service opportunity!
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Punk'd Pineapple, a family-owned ice cream business, is hiring for summer help. They have a location in Kennett Square (open Thurs. through Sun.) and an event truck that does events in both Delaware and Chester County, PA. Looking for fun, outgoing, and reliable help. Interested? Please e-mail
punkdpineapple@gmail.com or call Anna (302) 584-4885 if you have any questions.
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Sports News
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Click on the above link for specific sports schedules as of the start of the week. For the most up-to-date times and dates on the Padua Athletic Schedule of Events and Rosters, please visit www.pandassports.com. You can sign up to receive updates on specific sports and last-minute game changes.
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Senior Sports Banquet on May 10
All senior athletes will be receiving an invitation to the senior sports banquet to be held at 6:30 pm on May 10, 2017. This is a springtime casual event in which Padua's Athletic Department will honor its senior athletes for four years of service and dedication to sports. All senior athletes are welcome to attend this event free and each additional guest can purchase a ticket for $20.00.
There are many tributes throughout the night for our seniors and one very special tribute is the slideshow finale. We are asking that each parent send in five photos electronically no later than May 1, 2017 to
ldisabatino@paduaacademy.org. These photos should be of your daughter playing sports throughout her four years at Padua (younger age photos are welcome). Please note all photos may not be used.
Thank you and we look forward to celebrating your daughter's outstanding achievement with you!
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Alumnae News
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Reserve a Class Reunion Table
Can't Wait to see You!
A special thank you to members of the Classes of 1980, 1994, and 2002 who have secured their alumnae tables for the
Dinner in Honor of Women's Achievement on April 27, 2017
at the Chase Center on The Riverfront.
We hope you will join all the alumnae who are attending and get together with your classmates for an evening with Peggy Noonan.
Contact the Alumnae Office of Affairs to reserve one of a limited number of alumnae tables at 302-421-2778 or alumnae@paduaacademy.org.
What's new since we last heard from you? College, career, special clubs, wedding announcement, births? Send in your upda
te along with your Padua class year to be included in our new section of Suaviter Sed Fortiter Magazine's "Class Notes."
We love hearing from you so e-mail alumnae@paduaacademy.org.
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Advancement Spotlight
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PADUA ACADEMY
905 N. Broom Street
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 421-3739
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CONNECT WITH PADUA
 Padua Academy Facebook
 Mrs. Mann's Twitter
Padua Athletics Facebook
Padua Academy Alumnae Twitter
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