At NDP, Foundation Day is a day celebrated not only by current NDP students, but by alumnae and the entirety of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. One important event during this day is spent in the auditorium for an extended, communal liturgy. But what is the point of Foundation Day? As Ms. Gioioso states, “Foundation Day is a day devoted to honoring the essence of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. We are called to remember the mission of Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger not only today, but always.  She devoted her life to transformational education for young women, and as a result, Notre Dame Preparatory School exists.” She then went on to saying, “NDP exists to ‘educate girls to become women who transform the world.’ Foundation Day allows us to reflect on how we are fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of social justice each and every day here at NDP.”

During the liturgy, the NDP community recognizes certain members of the S.S.N.D. and awards them for their global as well as local contribution to the public. This year’s award for Mother Caroline Friess, SSND, Distinguished Alumna Service Medal went to Sister Sally Neale. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized the importance of our role as NDP girls and how seeing us in our uniforms reminded her of her own mother making her NDP uniform. An important quote Sister Sally Neale said stated, “Keep the passion, not just the promise.” She explained that we have the opportunity for so much at NDP, and we should take advantage of what is available to us and find our passions. Foundation Day allows the current students of NDP to connect with the alumnae and School Sisters of Notre Dame who have made such an incredible impact on the community.