Archbishop Blenk Alumnae joined the Academy of Our Lady family in honoring Ms. Chris Shepard. With Ms. Shepard at the reception following the ceremony are Lynda Navarre ’80, Marie Rougelot ’98, Donna Blanchard ’82, Teri Verret ’78, Mary Gauthier ’76, Raylyn Beevers ’80, Lauren Bertolino ’07, Shannon Manieri ’90, Susan Fortier ’79, Susan Percle ’79, and Jessica Pfister ’95.

Longtime colleague and friend, Mrs. Linda Todd, presents Ms. Chris Shepard with a
corsage in honor of her 40 years of service to Archbishop Blenk and Academy of Our Lady.

Achieving 40 years of service in education is a noble accomplishment, but achieving 40 years in of service in Catholic education is truly a labor of love and dedication. On Thursday, March 22, 2012 the Academy of Our Lady family honored Ms. Chris Shepard for her 40 years of service in Catholic Education: 35 years at Archbishop Blenk and 5 years at Academy of Our Lady. As a master teacher of Art, Ms. Shepard has guided and inspired many young women for the past forty years devoting most her life sharing her deep love of art with her student.
The recognition took place following a school Mass. Assistant Principal Ms. Teri Verret began the ceremony by acknowledging having first encountering Ms. Shepard as a student and later as a fellow faculty member at Archbishop Blenk. On behalf of the Academy of Our Lady family, Mrs. Kelly Favaloro read a poem she wrote in honor of Ms Shepard. Sr. Michelle Geiger along with Mrs. Linda Todd presented her with a plaque and corsage. Dr. Louise LaBruyere and the student vocal ensemble, Cantaté, performed the song “For Good” from Wicked. During the performance current and former art students processed up to the front of the assembly and presented Ms. Shepard with a rose.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held on campus. Alumnae from Archbishop Blenk who were in attendance reminisced on the days spent in Ms. Shepard’s art classes including having to sketch the old coffee pot that belonged to Ms. Shepard’s mother. Ms. Shepard was also presented with letters from former students who could not attend the festivities, but sent her sentiments of well wishes and gratitude.

In recognition of her 40 years of Catholic Education at Archbishop Blenk and
Academy of Our Lady, Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger on behalf of the entire
A.O.L. family gives Ms. Chris Shepard a commemorative plaque.

Members of the Academy of Our Lady choral group Cantaté sing “For Good”
from the Broadway musical Wicked during the ceremony to honor Ms. Shepard.

Mrs. Donna Blanchard, current Academy of Our Lady faculty member
and Archbishop Blenk Alumna, takes time to acknowledge her colleague
and former teacher, Ms. Chris Shepard, during her recognition ceremony.

Ms. Shepard takes a moment to gather with her current Art III
and Art IV students at Academy of Our Lady.

A display of cards from current and former students awaited Ms. Chris Shepard at a reception in her honor. Many alumnae who could not attend the ceremony sent well wishes and thank you to their former teacher for her 40 years in Catholic education.