NDB’s first graduating class was back in 1924, with a total of 12 students. Now, 100 years later, the Dragons Class of 2024 mark our school’s centennial, with 100 students.
This number, about eight times larger than the first, is representative of the growth that NDB has nurtured over the last century. NDB was founded in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in conjunction with the educational mission of St. Julie Billiart.
As a school, NDB has developed so many traditions that go along with every student’s education. A primary example of this is Aquacades, first brought to the school by student Po’omaikelani Kawananakoa in 1948. Working with Sister Teresa Augustine Donnelly, the two developed the first “Water Ballet,” what we now know as Aquacades. Years later, it has grown into an annual competition between the four classes, and is the highlight of many students’ time on-campus.
But besides Aquacades, NDB has spent the last 100 years evolving all aspects of the school. The academic, athletic and extracurricular programs, campus facilities, staffulty and student body would not be the same without NDB’s commitment to education.
Head of School Meredith Essalat is an alumna herself and was a member of the Class of 1998. Having held the position of both a student and now an administrator, she has seen NDB through several changes.
“When you walk through the doors of Notre Dame [now], it feels exactly the same as it did then. There’s no carpet on the walls, but the traditions, the energy – just walking in and feeling empowered because you’re surrounded by such a strong community – All those pieces are the same,” said Essalat. “Being back just gives me a renewed appreciation for how deeply I was impacted when I was a student here and the contribution it made to the person I am today.”
In celebration of NDB’s centennial, the community was invited to attend a series of events during the weekend of September 22.
The Centennial Event Weekend began on Friday evening with the Alumnae Soiree. Alumnae spanning decades were invited to spend the evening with other graduates and watch a fashion show of former uniforms from past years.
The following Saturday afternoon, current NDB families attended the Centennial Family Barbeque, with food and light refreshments provided by the Epicurean Group.
Sunday marked the end of the weekend with a mass and brunch on Notre Dame de Namur University’s campus.
Marketing and Communications Manager Cat Adamis has also been working to help promote NDB’s Centennial. Acknowledgment of the last century can be seen all over campus, on NDB’s social media platforms and even throughout Belmont.
“The goal is to celebrate the legacy that Notre Dame truly is. We want to show how we’re continuing forward and really share it with the community because NDB makes that community a better place,” said Adamis.
To highlight the Class of 2024 as NDB’s hundredth graduating class, an emphasis has been placed on all of their senior class events as well. This includes the preparation of new traditions, such as a time capsule where seniors will be able to leave behind something meaningful for future generations of NDB students to see.
