Susan Tyree Dempf, Ph.D., has been guiding Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart as its new head of school since July 1. Her appointment by unanimous vote of the Lake Forest school’s board of trustees earlier this year was officially celebrated during an installation ceremony and Mass at Woodlands on Sept. 23. Dempf is the 45^th person to serve in this top leadership role since Woodlands Academy’s founding in 1858. The Society of the Sacred Heart was represented by Sister Suzanne Cook, RSCJ, provincial of the U.S. and Canada Province, who led the installation ceremony. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Michael Nacius, pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest. “In the name of the Society of the Sacred Heart, I welcome you to your new role as head of this school community,” Cook said.

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is proud to announce that one of its senior class members has qualified to continue her pursuit of a highly prestigious scholarship award. Anne Kelly is among the less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors achieving semifinalist status in the 68^th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. This group of academically talented students will continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit® scholarships worth nearly $28 million awarded next spring. In addition, recipients of these scholarships earn the coveted title of Merit Scholar®. “I am so very proud of Anne for achieving this outstanding national recognition of the academic excellence she has achieved during her years here at Woodlands Academy,” Principal Rocco Gargiulo said.

The Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart community celebrated its multicultural makeup during the school’s annual Flag Ceremony and prayer service on Friday, Sept. 9. The flags of the U.S.A. and 26 other nations were carried into the chapel during the Procession of the Nations. They represent nations where either a student or faculty/staff member was born or where they hold dual citizenship. All 27 flags will remain on display during the entire school year to visualize the breadth of Woodlands Academy’s cultural diversity. “At Woodlands Academy, there are many ways for each of us to expand our global hearts,” Principal Rocco Gargiulo said. “Today, our Flag Ceremony recognizes, honors and celebrates the breadth and diversity on our campus.”