Commencement Ceremony Remembers Kathleen Nolan and Diane Patisso
KATHLEEN M. NOLAN, REVERED FACULTY MEMBER
AND
DIANE PATISSO, CHERISHED ALUMNA
Among the many highlights each year at the High School Graduation Mass are the presentation of the Kathleen M. Nolan Memorial “Love in Action Award” and the George & Diane Patisso and Frank Dosso Memorial Scholarship. Each award honors the memory of cherished members of the Hill family and ensures that their legacy continues to have an impact on our high school community.
The Kathleen M. Nolan Memorial “Love in Action Award,” is awarded annually in memory of Ms. Kathleen M. Nolan, former faculty member. It is presented to a graduating senior who exemplifies St. Ignatius Loyola’s teaching that love is found in deeds, not words and for her ability to inspire her classmates.
Kathleen Nolan served as a teacher in Catholic schools for over forty years. She taught English, French, Latin, the Humanities, and Religious Studies, and was a gifted singer and musician. Twenty-one of these years were spent at St. Joseph Hill Academy where Ms. Nolan led her students in faith-based community service. She was a devout Catholic and embodied the spirit and values that St. Joseph Hill Academy holds so dearly. Ms. Nolan was instrumental in establishing the myriad of service programs that still exist today, providing opportunities for Hilltoppers to become fully engaged in their community. She received numerous service awards throughout her career including the Project Hospitality Rabbi Marcus Kramer Humanitarian Award which she received in 2012 for her work connecting Hill students with the missions of Project Hospitality and many other charities.
When Ms. Nolan passed away after a 25-year battle with cancer on the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, patron saint of teachers and warriors, her sister Patricia Nolan, established the Kathleen M. Nolan Memorial “Love in Action Award.” This year’s award was presented to Maria Genidy for “faithfully upholding the principles of Catholic Social Justice modeled by Kathleen Nolan in her life’s work and teachings.”
Throughout her time at Hill, Maria embodied the values that Ms. Nolan espoused through her service to the Staten Island community and as a Kairos leader at Hill. With the Coptic Medical Association of North America, Maria traveled to Bolivia on a medical mission trip, visiting various villages and assisting doctors with patients. That trip really exposed Maria to the hands-on care needed in the medical profession. Continuing her mission to serve others, Maria will be attending the 5-year BS/MS Physician Assistant Program at Wagner College.
Similarly, the George & Diane Patisso and Frank Dosso Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of a beloved alumna, Diane (Dosso) Patisso, ’87. Diane went on to attend Manhattan College, where she met her future husband, George Patisso. Diane obtained a Law Degree at St. John’s University and subsequently worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Diane was employed as an Assistant State Attorney for Polk County. Sadly, on December 3, 1997, Diane, George and Diane’s brother Frank were tragically killed. Each year, the George & Diane Patisso and Frank Dosso Memorial Foundation funds a scholarship at Hill for a student or students who are emblematic of all that Diane valued.
According to Mrs. Molluzzo, “Diane exemplified all that is good in this world. She was kind and compassionate. She loved her family and friends. Diane was full of energy and warmth and made the most of every day, unafraid of new challenges and open to new experiences. Diane could always find good in any situation. Diane was also an outstanding student, well-respected by her teachers and peers alike.”
The 2021 co-recipients of the George & Diane Patisso and Frank Dosso Memorial Scholarship are Joan Cottingham and Emily DeChristine. An active student leader, Joan Cottingham, will be attending American University where she plans to major in International Studies. Joan served as the Captain of the Forensic Team and the Mock Trial Team (that placed in the top four in New York City), and as a Student Council grade level representative.
Emily DeChristine, a gifted actress, singer and composer, is headed to Hofstra University where she plans to major in Communications. Not only has Emily brought joy and unbridled enthusiasm to the Hill stage in our annual musicals, she also wrote the script for "The Audition" that was featured at our Performing Arts Showcase, and is staging an original musical entitled, “TFWM Musical,” which sensitively explores the issue of mental health among teenagers.
The awards that are presented in memory of Kathleen Nolan and Diane Patisso not only recognize the accomplishments of outstanding students, they also ensure that the legacy of Kathleen and Diane live on at their beloved St. Joseph Hill Academy. If you are interested in learning more about establishing a Graduation Award, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Basile at [email protected] or call (718) 447-1374, Ext. 9163.