TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. –
Academy of Notre Dame alumnae who graduated within the last five years returned to the campus on Tuesday, Jan. 7, for two Young Alumnae Panels, one with juniors and another with seniors.

About 18 former students from various years sat on the panels for question-and-answer sessions and to discuss the college application process and various aspects of college life, as well as how their NDA education helped prepare them.

A luncheon followed, at which the students and alumnae had the opportunity to interact further.

Members of the alumnae board were also in attendance, including President Nicole Rocha Clark, Class of 1998, and Beth O’Connell, ’85, an eighth-grade teacher at the academy.

“This event is a great way to bring the young alumnae back to the academy to impart their wisdom,” Clark said. “It’s a successful event that our young alums really love to come back for.”

Many of the juniors asked questions about the college application process and how to go about selecting schools, while the seniors asked about campus life, balancing academics with other activities and fitting into a new community.

“This is a day that both present and past students look forward to,” said high school Principal Helen Kay said. “It is a time to reconnect and get real-time, practical advice about the college search process and choosing the right college.

“We are always, first and foremost, a community here at Notre Dame, and this is one more way we connect and help one another.”

Students said the panel was helpful because it gave them a chance to hear directly from others who have lived through the experience and are able to offer practical advice.

“It made me really think about college and how it’s actually going to be,” said senior Daleska Rodriguez, of Lawrence. “It gave me great insight. College will be a new beginning.”