Although Oak Knoll’s 100th academic year began for current students on September 4, 2024, the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated on Tuesday, September 24, coincided beautifully with the first day students set foot on campus precisely 100 years ago. In essence, the Mass was a birthday celebration for Oak Knoll, a joyous celebration of education based on faith and rooted in purpose, and an opportunity to honor esteemed colleagues who have reached milestones in their careers at Oak Knoll. 

The annual Mass is a robust gathering of all 14 grade levels at Oak Knoll, filling the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts to the brim and joining in prayer, song, student vocal performance, responsive reading, and Holy Communion. 

The Very Reverend Larry Evans II, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Millburn, officiated the proceedings. During his sermon, he used a metaphor to “drive” home the notion that a centennial is not only an opportunity to look appropriately in the rearview mirror and celebrate the past but also a reminder to stay firmly focused on the windshield, looking forward to the future to make sure the mission is constantly the destination.

In remembering the Centennial Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in Newark on September 10, 2024, and the afternoon of celebration on campus afterward, he stated, “That was an example of a glance through the rearview mirror and a moment to remember where we came from.”

In referencing today’s students and the school’s mission to raise them as people of purpose, he declared, “You, students, are where we are going. You are the windshield. You are the ones who get to decide our future. You get to do that every single day.”

He referred to the school’s faculty, staff, and administrators as the vehicle between the windshield and the rearview mirror, connecting the past to the future while being rooted in the present. 

“So, this is our windshield moment, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, faculty and staff. Let’s make it the best windshield moment ever,” he concluded.

Following the Mass, Head of School Jennifer G. Landis and Board Vice Chair Stacy McCann honored 26 Oak Knoll staff and faculty for entering their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 45 years of service.

These service-award honorees are:

5-year award

• Betty Castello - Lower School Librarian
• Kelly Dun - Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid
• Lisa Durant - Upper School Theology Teacher 
• Marissa Germinario, First Grade Teacher
• Emily Hart - Second Grade Teacher
• Amanda Jensen - Fifth Grade Language Arts and Reading Teacher
• Emiliano Morales - Maintenance Assistant and Facilities Team Member
• Kelly Ross - Upper Schooll Academic Support Counselor and Upper School DEIJ Coordinator
• Jeff Yuhas - Upper School Science Department Chair 
• Anne Zucchi - Pre-K Assistant and Lower School Spanish Teacher

10-year award

• Maria Barry - Assistant to the Lower School Division Head
• Tim Brown - Lower School Art Teacher
• Natasha Ludlow - Upper School English Department Chair
• James McEvoy - Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
• Susan Mooney - Sixth Grade Math Teacher
• Janet Nuara - Accounts Payable Manager

15-year award

• Rebecca Mull - Upper School Latin Teacher
• Jennifer Wilson - Director of College Counseling\

20-year award

• Sylvia McTague - Upper School English Teacher
• Megan Watkins - Lower School Assistant Division Head

25-year award

• Theresa Plocic - Third Grade Religion, Reading, and Language Arts Teacher
• Shavonda Robinson - Upper School Registrar
• Edith Ticona - Dean for Grades 7-9 and Teacher 

30-year award

• Suzy Lewis - Director of Holy Child Mission and Philosophy

40-year award

• Cynthia Prewitt - Director of Institutional Advancement

45-year award

• Will Cardell - Upper School Art Teacher

“How do you capture the legacy of someone who has given so much to our school?” pondered Head of School Jennifer G. Landis as she wondered aloud how to adequately honor the dedication of Oak Knoll’s first and only 45-year honoree, Will Cardell.

After reciting a litany of Cardell’s accolades, teaching accomplishments, contributions to the community, alumnae/i work, and dedication to his students, Landis stated, “While he does not see himself in this light, many alums and current students would call him a legend — an absolute icon. He is a constant. He is foundational to the experience of countless students. His dedication to Holy Child education and Oak Knoll School is unmatched. He is the embodiment of Actions, Not Words.”

We offer our gratitude and heartfelt thanks not only to these employees who have provided milestone levels of service to the community but also to all our faculty, staff, parents, students, board members, and alumnae/i who have dedicated their time, talent, and treasure to Oak Knoll for the last 100 years and who now look optimistically through the windshield with the intent on doing the same for our next century as a mission-driven school.