VMA News

March 17, 2026: Students, faculty, and staff were treated to a delightful, entertaining, and information-packed presentation and performance by Dr. William Carr. Dr. Carr is a Steinway Artist and the Villa Maria Conservatory Artistic Director. He spoke about the importance of finding mentors who inspire and support you, specifically naming some very important mentors in his own life. Dr. Carr also played the piano for us - beautifully, of course.

Read more about the Villa Maria Conservatory

March 19, 2026: It's time for spring sports! Villa Maria's rowing, softball, lacrosse, and track and field teams have been practicing and getting ready for the warmer weather, hopefully coming very soon. Visit vmahs.org/athletics for our spring schedules and be sure to get out to a game or meet this season. Go Hurricanes!

February 27, 2026: Student leaders from Mission & Ministry and DEIB visited the pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade classes at Drexel Neumann Academy on Wednesday, February 25th. In the 1st to 3rd grade classes, they read to students, helped them learn how to tell time, and guided them in solving math problems. Senior Molly Manning said, “being able to spend time with the 1st graders reminded me how important education and positive role models are in young lives.” In the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms, the Villa students played house with the children, read stories, participated in a dance party, and prepped the children for their naps. Senior Evelyn Alexis shared, “as soon as I walked into the Pre-K class, a little girl ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug. Being able to just be there in the school, I was so fulfilled with getting to know more of the kids.” The  Villa students also packed food bags for 40 families in need in the school’s food pantry. Senior Maggie McHale said, “the time I spent at Drexel Neumann Academy was a reminder of what it means to be a part of a community of people who have been positively impacted by Catholic education.”

Drexel Neumann Academy, an independent, Catholic School in Chester, is steeped in the Franciscan spirituality where students learn to be models of peacemaking and service to others as well as engaged learners.

Friday, February 27, 2026: This week, Villa Maria's Vice Principals attended the NAIS Thrive Conference, hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools, a national organization that supports excellence and innovation in independent schools.

The Thrive Conference brings together school leaders from across the country to examine the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing independent education today. Throughout the conference, Vice Principal of Student Affairs Mrs. Melissa Feilke, Vice Principal of Academic Affairs Ms. Linda Henderson, and Vice Principal of Institutional Culture Ms. Madeleine Harkins, participated in workshops and collaborative sessions focused on strengthening school culture, supporting faculty growth, enhancing student well-being, and ensuring that our programs remain mission-aligned and future-focused.

Attending NAIS Thrive allowed members of our leadership team to reflect strategically on their work while gathering concrete tools and ideas that can be implemented immediately within our classrooms, student life programming, and faculty initiatives.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Villa Maria's Class of 2026 traded school uniforms for professional outfits and spent the day at the Senior Summit. This conference, exclusively for Villa Maria's seniors, featured an alumnae panel, breakout sessions on business etiquette best practices, professional headshots for LinkedIn profiles, and a delicious lunch. The Senior Summit was held at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA, and is a component of the Capstone experience, which includes job shadowing this spring. We send congratulations to this incredible class and best wishes as they finish up their Capstone projects.

Villa Maria Academy High School is pleased to share that seniors Sophia Bratteson and Olivia Ward have advanced to Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sophia and Olivia are among approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide who have advanced to this level from an initial field of 1.3 million entrants. Congratulations!

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Villa Maria welcomed Fr. Mark Searles back to campus for our Ash Wednesday liturgy. The community gathered for a song-filled Mass and the distribution of ashes, marking the beginning of Lent. Following Mass, Father Searles blessed our new "Called to Fidelity" pins. 

As Mass concluded, Villa took the opportunity to welcome and introduce our newly-elected freshman Mission & Ministry and Student Council leaders. Finally, a preview of the upcoming Mission Drive was presented. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 was DEIB-Social Justice Day at Villa Maria. The regular class day was replaced with a day to pause, serve, learn, and share. An inspirational keynote opening presentation was followed by participation in four service projects and 19 different student, teacher, or invited guest-led presentations from which to choose. An insightful closing presentation was followed by time for reflection. We are grateful to our DEIB Committee for planning this important day. 

February 3, 2026: Villa Maria Theater brought Matilda the Musical to life last weekend, performing three energetic, hilarious, excellent, and inspired performances. Thank you to the Villa cast and crew, Mr. Bobby Cucinella, Mr.  Ms. Christie Lawler, Mrs. Lindsay Miller, Mr. Jim Shirey, the wonderful pit orchestra, our high school student actors from @malvernprep and @conestogachristianschool, and our young ensemble. 

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Playbill note from the Director, Mr. Bobby Cucinella: "We've had the pleasure of working with the largest cast that we have had on our stage since reviving our musical theater program five years ago, including 12 new outside cast members, some of whom are making their theater debuts. Here at Villa Maria Academy High School, the IHM charism of Love, Creative Hope, and Fidelity shape everything we do. The story you are about to have performed for you embodies all three in more ways than we can count! 

Saturday, January 24, 2026: Hundreds came out for Villa Maria's Father-Daughter Dance on a freezing January night to enjoy a fantastic few hours out before a snowstorm the following day. Thanks to the Villa Maria Academy Parents Association (VMAPA) for hosting! This is the second year back for this very special event, which returned after several years' absence. The freezing cold outside did not affect the warmth and fun in the cafeteria. See you next year!

January, 2026: Villa Maria Musicians Selected for All-Catholic Honors

Congratulations to Olivia Ward '26, Emma Caldwell '26, Joy Lee-Zakarewicz '27, and Alyson Maguire '28 for their selection to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s All-Catholic Music Festivals!

After a semester of preparation and a rigorous audition process, these talented high schoolers earned spots in these prestigious honor ensembles. A special shout-out to sophomore Alyson Maguire, who earned the First Chair leadership position for the Viola section.

Olivia, Emma, and Alyson will represent the Villa Maria community at the All-Catholic Orchestra festival from March 19–21, 2026. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication to musical excellence!

Read more about the Villa Maria music program here! 

January 6, 2025: Dozens of Villa Maria grads from the past four years headed to campus on Tuesday afternoon for a couple of hours of fun with their Villa sisters and former teachers/staff members. The early January date was chosen to accommodate Villa students who had returned home from college for the holidays. Stories, laughter, and Villa cookies were shared as our former student reunited with "old" friends. Thanks to all who attended - it was wonderful to see you. 

The Villa community came together on December 11, 2025, to celebrate the season at our annual Christmas Concert. Months of practice culminated in a gorgeous and joyful celebration filled with song and stellar orchestral performances. The Malvern Preparatory School Men's Chorus joined in on the fun, performing several favorites with Villa Maria Vocalise. 

Congratulations to Music Director Ms. Leah Kim-Tomilson, full-time teachers Ms. Lindsay Miller and Mr. James Shirey, our adjunct professors, our faculty/staff performers, and everyone involved with this year's concert. 

December 10, 2025: One of Villa Maria's favorite traditions took place in the Marian Center Auditorium last Thursday, December 4, 2025 The Class of 2027 received their class rings in front of family and friends during a lovely, music-filled ceremony.

Juniors wore red robes and processed into the Marian Center Auditorium promptly at 6:30 p.m. while singing, "Come All Ye Faithful," a Christmas classic. A variety of songs followed, including "What Child is This," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and "Little Town of Bethlehem," punctuated by student readings of the Christmas story. 

Students were individually called up to the state to receive their rings from Villa's principal, Dr. Jane Hannon. Their names were read by their Huddle moderators. 

Following the ceremony, the students joyfully gathered in the gym for photos with their new rings before heading home with their families and guests. 

Carol & Ring is a special event for our junior class and it also serves as an early Christmas/holiday celebration each year.