Aimee Morrison, Ursuline Associate, Honored As Distinguished Alumni The Feast of Saint Ursula Liturgy was celebrated October 21,2013 at Ursulie High Scool and the 25th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented. Each year, this award is given to graduates of Ursuline High School who have distinguished themselves by dedicated service to our school and to the community at large. This year’s recipients were Aimee Amendolara Morrison (’79) and Thomas Murray (’72). Aimee Amendolara Morrison graduated from Saint Christine School. She was a member of the Ursuline High School Class of 1979. She attended Bowling Green State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education majoring in American Studies. Following graduation in 1983 she worked at Laurel High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania in the Social Studies department. In 1986, Aimee married Peter Morrison, a member of the Ursuline Class of 1978. They have two children: David, Ursuline Class of 2007, and Megan, Class of 2009. The Morrison’s are members of Saint Charles Parish where Aimee has taught CCD, worked on the Festival committee and was a member of the St. Charles Home and School Board. Aimee owned and operated “Aim to Please,” a gift basket company until she returned to teaching at her Alma Mater in 1997. She is a very active participant in many activities and committees at Ursuline. She has long served the Auction Committee lending her expertise making gifts baskets. She is the faculty representative to the Youngstown Diocese Confederation of Teachers Executive Board. Aimee is also the faculty liaison to the Ursuline Home and School Association and served as a mentor teacher in the Resident Educator program. She also served as the Sophomore Class Advisor for 14 years and created the Pen Pal Project between third graders at the elementary feeder schools and the tenth graders at Ursuline. In 1998, Aimee created the Students of Stewardship (S.O.S.) Club and had done most of her community service through S.O.S. Locally, S.O.S. participants have served dinner at the Rescue Mission and the Dorothy Day House, helped at the Casa Madre House and Habitat for Humanity as well as carried signs at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Aimee has planned, organized and traveled on nine mission trips: five to Matamoros, Mexico to help the Ursuline Sisters build houses, two trips to Appalachia with “Young People Who Care” and two trips to El Salvador with Epilogos Charities building houses. She is currently planning a third trip to El Salvador in Spring of 2014. Aimee became an Ursuline Associate for the Ursuline Sisters this year. She was the recipient of the Golden Apple Teaching Award in 2003 and the Outstanding Educator Award by the Industrial Information Institute for Education in 2006. Read Aimee’s acceptance speech: Distinguished Alumna Award
Ursuline Associates in Action Every day, we Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown further the mission and ministry of St. Angela Merici in the Mahoning Valley and beyond. But we’re not the only ones. Our Associates – Catholic women and men who share our values and mission but are not called to become a nun or a priest — are making a real difference in our community. Take Alma Ciriello, who is being featured in this month’s Catholic Extension Magazine for her work in the diocese’s Hispanic Lay Leadership Initiative. Alma, an immigrant from Mexico, serves as Hispanic Coordinator for Stark County. Alma is one of more than 50 Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown Associates. “They join us in our prayer. They are volunteers in many of our ministries. They’re here at our funerals and our celebrations, and we support them in what their ministries are,” states Sister Norma Raupple, Director of the Associate Program. “It’s a mutually enriching experience for both the Sisters and the Associates.” Associates “maintain their own lifestyle, and participate in the Ursuline Sisters’ ministries as their interests, talents and time allow,” notes Sister Nancy Dawson, General Superior. There are no financial or legal obligations, she adds. If you’d like information on becoming an Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown Associate, Email Sister Norma Raupple or call 330.792.7636. To learn more about the program, watch this short video.