Strength in Unity Against Cancer at Mount St. Dominic Academy

At Mount St. Dominic Academy, students take the lead in planning and running school assemblies, a unique approach that sets us apart from most other high schools. Guided by mentors, these empowered female students gain valuable leadership experience, fostering creativity, confidence, and a strong sense of community.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the entire school recently wore pink and gathered for a photo in the shape of the breast cancer pink ribbon, a powerful symbol of unity and support. This event underscored the Mount’s collective commitment to raising awareness and standing with those affected by cancer.

Following this, later in the month, the Mount Against Cancer club hosted a student-led assembly to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight their accomplishments and upcoming initiatives. Maya Tanella '25 of Cedar Grove opened the event by introducing keynote speaker Sister Fran Sullivan, OP, a former Head of School at MSDA and a 20-year breast cancer survivor. A proud alumna from the Class of 1960, Sister Fran shared her journey of dedication to education and her personal experiences as a breast cancer survivor. She emphasized the profound impact of the Mount community’s generosity in supporting cancer research and encouraged everyone to continue their efforts.

After Sister Fran’s heartfelt speech, Mary Hladik '25 of West Caldwell presented the stark reality of cancer statistics, asking attendees who had received a sticker when entering the theater, to stand as a visual representation of the percentage of people likely to face a cancer diagnosis. “While this is just the Mount population, 39.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives,” she noted, urging reflection on the significance of these numbers.
The mission of Mount Against Cancer was then explained by Jayden DeSilva '25 of Verona, who said the club focuses on raising awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. She also introduced the club’s new space-themed shirt, symbolizing their goal to “send cancer out of this world.”

Spike for a Cure, a volleyball tournament featuring students from the Mount and Seton Hall Prep, was highlighted as an upcoming event by Nyah Adiedo '25 of West Orange. Set for November 12th, she encouraged participation, aiming to surpass last year’s $1,400 fundraising total. Details on how to sign up were provided by Selina Gonzalez ‘27 of Cedar Grove, who urged everyone to join the fight against breast cancer.

Future events, including the Cookies for a Cure bake sale and a spring kickball tournament, were outlined by Bridget Mulvihill ‘26 of West Caldwell. She invited students to get involved by volunteering, forming teams, and purchasing merchandise. “Your support makes a huge difference in making our events successful!” she said.

Kate Wohlgemuth ‘25 of North Caldwell encouraged Mount students, faculty and staff to stay updated by following the club on Instagram @mount_against_cancer. The assembly concluded with Maddie Natale '25 of Little Falls expressing gratitude for the support and encouraging ongoing involvement in the fight against cancer. The students were met with a roar of applause, underscoring the community’s commitment to this vital cause.

About Mount St. Dominic Academy: MSDA, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. Located in the heart of bucolic Caldwell, New Jersey, the Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition since 1892. Mount St. Dominic Academy is a proud member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the International Coalition of Girls Schools, the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools, the National Catholic Educational Association, and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Mount is also a recipient of the 2024 College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for its outstanding achievement in fostering high female representation in both AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), the 2023 Best of Essex Gold Medal in the "Best in Private School” category, and has been named a Niche A+ 2024 Best School, which is only achieved by 2.5% of the country. Visit the Mount online for more information.