At the end of September, 17 Stone Ridge students, 11 employees, and Gertie the Gator traveled to Chicago to participate in a historic event: the first-ever Sacred Heart Summit, “Hearts Rooted in Change.” Hosted by the Network of Sacred Heart Schools to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the three-and-a-half-day conference brought together over 500 Sacred Heart students, educators, alumnae, and RSCJs worldwide. The Summit served as a vibrant platform for learning, community-building, and inspiring transformative action rooted in the mission of Sacred Heart education.

Stone Ridge attendees fully embraced the experience, engaging in powerful, thought-provoking discussions, impactful workshops, and opportunities to connect with Sacred Heart community members from across the globe. Several Stone Ridge representatives stepped into leadership roles, serving as breakout session presenters, musicians, and program facilitators. Inspired and energized, the group returned to Bethesda, eager to bring their learnings into classrooms and daily life on campus, envisioning ways to translate the Summit's spirit into action.

The following stories reveal common threads: the Summit reinforced the profound power of connection, the enduring relevance of the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education, and a renewed dedication to fostering meaningful change. 

Transforming Goals to Action

When she’s not preparing for her AP Spanish Literature & Culture class, Assistant Head of Upper School Dr. Jeanne Downey-Vanover is envisioning new ways to bring the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education to life at Stone Ridge. “I’m always thinking of ways to expand our curricular offerings as well as our lived experiences,” she shares.

In her role, Dr. Downey-Vanover serves as chair of the World Languages Department and oversees all Global Studies initiatives, including international travel and the Sacred Heart Network Exchange Program. She also spearheaded the Upper School’s new Global Studies Certificate program. Attending the Sacred Heart Summit left her energized by the exchange of ideas and inspired to explore new opportunities for growth at Stone Ridge.

At the Summit, she learned from colleagues at Network schools and supported students and colleagues showcasing the Stone Ridge summer outdoor education program of backpacking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness. For Dr. Downey-Vanover, the key is adapting ideas to meet the needs and desires of students—taking the inspiration from the Summit and translating it into meaningful action within School life.

Initially drawn to Sacred Heart education for its Goals and Criteria—values that are both timely and timeless—Dr. Downey-Vanover emphasizes that learning is a lifelong endeavor, not only for students but also for educators. 

“We want our students to be informed and engaged with the world, and our world is always changing and evolving. As educators, we have the same charge for ourselves. We must continue to grow, know what’s happening in the world, and know the issues of concern for future generations. [...] The core tenets of your discipline might remain the same, but how you share them with the students in front of you, that’s in constant motion.” 

- Dr. Downey-Vanover, Assistant Head of Upper School

Looking ahead, Dr. Downey-Vanover is already planning her next big project: creating opportunities for international, service-related travel experiences. For her, the work of infusing Sacred Heart values into every aspect of Stone Ridge life is never truly finished—there’s always room to dream bigger.

Intentional Reconnection

At the start of the Sacred Heart Summit, Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, encouraged attendees to choose a short phrase to hold in their hearts as they navigated the gathering. For Jessica Morrison ’98, née Dyzak, “intentional reconnection” became a guiding mantra.

As a Stone Ridge alumna and now Upper School Assistant Dean, the Summit provided Mrs. Morrison with a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with her Sacred Heart roots and reflect on how the Goals and Criteria shape her work and life today. “It hit both professional and personal levels,” she shares. “As an alumna, being physically away from the community for over 26 years, I’ve stayed connected to Sacred Heart values but haven’t lived them daily. The Summit gave me the time and space to reconnect with my own roots, pray about and discern what those foundations look like now, and how I can continue to build on them.”

Breakout sessions on Catholic Social Teaching and preparing Sacred Heart students for the 21st century left Mrs. Morrison feeling inspired and affirmed. In her role overseeing Student Community Governance (SCG) groups, she reflected on how to support emerging student leaders better.

“I want students to feel that their ideas are validated and important—that no idea is too crazy.”

- Jessica Morrison ’98, Upper School Assistant Dean

The sessions offered valuable insights to enhance her guidance and connection with students.

The Summit was also a powerful space to reconnect with the broader Sacred Heart community. At the Sacred Heart alumnae reception, Mrs. Morrison met alumnae from across the country and reunited with fellow Stone Ridge graduates who might not typically gather on campus for reunions. Another highlight was witnessing the joy and excitement of students leaving breakout sessions, eager to share their learnings.

Most poignant for Mrs. Morrison was reconnecting with former Stone Ridge Headmistress Anne Dyer ’55, RSCJ. “Having brief conversations with her almost every day we were there brought things full circle for me,” she reflects. “I felt like I am where I need to be right now, and that was really special.”

Advocacy in Action

For Fourth Academic Rachael Henske ’25, preparation for the Sacred Heart Summit began in February 2024 when she answered the call for presenters. Rachael, a passionate advocate for veterans, led a breakout session, “Honor Their Stories, Serving Those Who Served America,” where she explored how her advocacy aligns with the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education.

Through her online advocacy platform, Honor Their Stories, Rachael highlights critical veterans’ issues, including mental health struggles, PTSD, homelessness, and food insecurity. “Systemic injustices are hard to see,” Rachael reflects, “but when you do see them, you realize they go way deeper than you realize.” Her work ensures that the legacies of service members are celebrated and remembered. Beyond her digital outreach, she collaborates with organizations like Black Veterans for Social Justice in New York and Walk Among Heroes in Texas. At Stone Ridge, she served as president of Gators Troops Love, a Student Community Governance group dedicated to supporting active duty service members and veterans.

For Rachael, the Summit was a profound reminder of the Sacred Heart community’s call to fight for justice and advocate for marginalized communities. She drew inspiration from the example of Jesus: “Jesus, when He went out in the world, He went out to shake things up. He didn’t just walk through the world; He left a footprint [...] Preaching love, preaching generosity, and reaching out to those others overlooked. [...] That’s what we’re trying to get toward as Sacred Heart—bringing love to other people. [...] How can you use your talents? How can you use those gifts that God has given you to do something good for the world? What do you care about? What do you want to see? That’s the mission.”

Rachael’s breakout session embodied Goal III, a social awareness which impels to action, and left a lasting impact on her audience. “It was incredible to see how she [Rachael] has been impelled to action during her time at Stone Ridge,” said Meg Russell, Lower and Middle School Campus Minister and Summit attendee. “She filled the room with adults and students who left inspired and empowered.”

As Rachael approaches the end of her time at Stone Ridge, Rachael’s work is far from over. “I plan to continue my legislative advocacy,” she says. Her message to younger students is clear: reflection and action go hand in hand, little actions can make a difference, and every voice matters.

“To the younger people, I want you to know that your voice matters a lot more than you think it does. Your actions do as well. [...] You have amazing gifts, you have a lot of love in you that you can share with the world, and put light in a lot of people's lives. Nurture that light. Nurture it. Think about what you care about. Think about what speaks to your soul. And when you do, act on it and never look back.”

- Rachael Henske ’25

Rachael's work and words serve as a beacon, inspiring the next generation of Sacred Heart students to be agents of change.

A Future Rooted in Change

The Sacred Heart Summit was an event and a movement—a shared commitment to translating Sacred Heart values into action. Whether through curriculum innovation, personal reconnection, or advocacy for justice, Stone Ridge attendees returned with hearts rooted in change and a vision for the future. Their reflections remind us that the work of transformation is ongoing and that together, we can create a world shaped by love, courage, and purpose.

Voices from the Summit

“I made many discoveries about myself, yet the discovery I would share here is about my students. [...] It was beautiful to watch them live Goal III so literally—they were learning (in mind and heart) and being impelled to act. We continue to work together to bring the Summit home to Stone Ridge.” —Meg Russell, Lower and Middle School Campus Minister

“I discovered that by being a Child of the Sacred Heart, I have many open roads and paths that I can walk down and be loved and supported through this community. With still being a newer member of the Sacred Heart (3 years), I never fully understood that until I took this eye-opening and mind-opening trip.”—Sydney-Grace Ntim ’28

“It was wonderfully fulfilling and empowering to be in the presence of so many good-hearted people, across multi-generations, with the common aim of sharing humanity with others through God.”—Lauren Winkler, Middle School Religion Teacher

“This experience influenced my role as a member of the Stone Ridge community and Sacred Heart Network by making me aware and helping me realize the importance of activism. As a result of the Summit, I discovered that my peers and I have the ability to take action in trying to make a difference.”—Ephrata Fikremariam ’27