Dear NDA Community,

As we enter this season of gratitude, our hearts are especially full as we reflect on the many blessings within our NDA community. Yesterday, our peer ministers led us in a beautiful Thanksgiving Prayer Service, offering reflections that reminded us just how deeply our mission is lived out each day. Hearing our students speak about their gratitude for the opportunity to serve others was profoundly moving. What a remarkable gift it is to witness a young woman recognize service not as an obligation but as a blessing in her life.

We are grateful for the way we come together in both sorrow and joy. On November 3, our community gathered for the Remembrance Mass to honor alumnae and loved ones from our school community who have passed away this year. More than 40 family members joined us for this all-school Mass. As the names of those we lost were read aloud, the quiet reverence in the room spoke to the deep regard our students hold for the legacy of the NDA sisterhood. Watching each family member receive a white rose was one of the most touching moments I have experienced in my two decades in Catholic education. It was a beautiful reminder of our enduring connection and our shared faith in eternal life.

We are grateful for our students who continue to seek a deeper relationship with God. More than 40 NDA students recently returned from the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, where they joined 14,000 other teens in celebrating the Eucharist, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participating in Eucharistic Adoration. A highlight of their trip was a livestream conversation with Pope Leo, who shared a message worth repeating. Youth are not only the future of our Church; they are the Church today. He encouraged them to stay involved, to bring their gifts to their parishes and youth ministries, and to recognize the impact they can make right now. This message echoes the encouragement they receive from our faculty, staff, and administration.

We are grateful for parents who pour their love and energy into making NDA such a special place. The Panda Parents Club hosted a wonderful Mother & Daughter event that brought nearly 400 participants together. With lunch, flower arranging, painting, jewelry making, and delicious desserts, it was truly a joyful way for mothers and daughters to spend meaningful time together as we enter the holiday season.

We are grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff who create a welcoming community for all students, where they feel empowered to be leaders. Our warm and openhearted community was on full display at Open House on November 9. Our Prospective Pandas were guided by our exceptional student leaders and met with teachers, coaches, and future mentors who will walk with them on their NDA journey. The release of our new NDA video that same day was a beautiful reminder that home is not just a place —it’s a feeling.

We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity shown during our 15th Annual Food Drive. With more than 15,000 canned goods — the second highest in our school history — donated, our students, faculty, and staff helped support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Led by our student council, this effort continues to reflect the enduring legacy of servant leadership at NDA.

Finally, we are grateful for the unwavering support of our community, which allows us to carry out our Catholic mission rooted in the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Your generosity helps us nurture academic excellence, leadership, and faith in every student. On Tuesday, December 2, NDA will participate in the Diocese of Covington’s Give Catholic NKY as part of the nationwide Giving Tuesday movement. Every donation made to Notre Dame Academy through this campaign will directly support our annual fund and the students we serve.

From all of us at NDA, may your Thanksgiving be touched by God’s goodness and filled with peace, love, and many blessings. 

In Notre Dame,

Lauren Hitron
President