2403 West Eighth Street
Erie, PA 16505
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Five students from Villa Maria Academy attended the third Annual Governor’s Conference for women held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh on September 14, 2006. Governor Edward G. Rendell touted the conference as being the state’s premier networking and educational experience for women in Pennsylvania. New to the conference this year was the presentation of more $400,000 in partial, four-year scholarships to deserving women from across the commonwealth, developed in partnership with Pennsylvania colleges and universities.

Keynote speakers for the conference included Actress Mia Farrow, philanthropist Teresa Heinz and children’s advocate Marian Wright Edelman. The conference also featured more than 75 speakers who shared their expertise in the fields of health, media, business, finance and personal development. A Young Women’s Forum, which afforded an opportunity for professional and personal development to junior and senior high school students, was once again a conference highlight.

Villa Maria Academy was the only school from the Erie area to send a delegation to the conference. The Villa delegation included seniors Jen Ballman, Nicole Cagnoli, Taylor Carlotti, Lindsay Cowan and Kate-Lynn Czerwinski. The students were accompanied by Villa Maria Academy President Geri Cicchetti and Principal Sr. Mary Drexler. Drexler stated, “Young Women’s Forum was very insightful for our students. They even brought back an idea for a project benefiting Children in Africa as part of VMA’s Interact Program. Interact is a service program for high school students as part of Rotary International. Villa Maria Academy is the only local Interact school.

Villa Maria Academy is a Catholic, co-educational, secondary school established to further the mission of unity of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Through our leadership, environment and programs, we empower young people to recognize their God-given uniqueness and talents, to acquire knowledge and skills for success in a global society, and to engage the future with optimism, generosity and confidence.