On Sunday, Sept. 17, Maria Regina High School celebrated the completion of the Sisters of the Resurrection Sports Complex, its new, state-of-the-art athletic turf field, as a “game changer” in helping the private Roman Catholic school prepare young women for athletics at college.
On hand to dedicate the complex were members of the Sisters of the Resurrection, the order of nuns that established Maria Regina more than 65 years ago as well as members of the high school’s administration, board of trustees and faculty; staff alumnae; parents; current students; and civic and community leaders, including Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.
Principal Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of 1999), said how “fitting it is that the complex is named after the Sisters of the Resurrection, who have been the spiritual foundation of Maria Regina’s education, which is built upon the pillars of scholarship, service and spirit. We are honored that the sisters journeyed from their diocese in Albany to celebrate this momentous milestone occasion with us.”
Following the dedication – which included “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by Kerry Hunter of New Rochelle, the sophomore who starred this past summer in Tarrytown Music Hall Academy’s production of “Mary Poppins Jr.,” a one-act version of the classic musical. There was a varsity soccer game on the new turf field in a matchup between the Maria Regina Tigers and soccer teams from the Notre Dame School in Manhattan. Maria Regina’s new home field advantage worked with the Tigers winning, 3-2. The event included a community barbecue and performances by Maria Regina’s all-girl marching band and cheer team.
The new venue will be home to Maria Regina’s softball teams and newly formed flag-football team as well. In addition, the turf field boasts a straightaway track and new bleachers to accommodate fans.
The creation of the sports complex will also enable Maria Regina to broaden its physical education curriculum and enhance its long-standing traditions, including commencement ceremonies, pep rallies and field days.
The athletic field is the second major project that Maria Regina has undertaken over the past year as “part of our strategic long-range plan to assure Maria Regina will continue to prepare young women for post-secondary success,” said Carozza-McCaffrey. Maria Regina has also transformed a general use classroom into a new Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant, state-of-the-art, eco-conscious Environmental and Life Sciences learning space.
For more, visit www.mariaregina.org.
