Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Lesley Draper surely has much to look forward to this year. Not only will she be embarking on a new journey as the Upper School principal of Villa Victoria Academy in Ewing, she will also be joining her fellow sisters in their upcoming centennial celebration.
As the Diocese of Trenton and Villa Victoria, specifically, figure prominently in that history, the celebration is particularly poignant for this educator who has benefited from the charism and commitment of the Filippini sisters for much of her life.
Founded by St. Lucy Filippini at the end of the 17th century, the sisters came to America from Italy in 1910 and were part of the community of St. Joachim Parish, now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, in Trenton. In 1920, Bishop Thomas J. Walsh, along with the help of a local businessman, purchased 44 acres in West Trenton and donated it to the sisters to be used as both a Motherhouse and Novitiate for their American Province.
In 1933, Villa Victoria Academy, a kindergarten through 12th grade college preparatory school for girls, was formed and has been an institution of learning for over 75 years.
While most of the celebrations will occur at their Motherhouse, Villa Walsh in Morristown, the students will be able to join in the celebration with the sisters at Mass during the school year.
Sister Lesley hails from Marlton and graduated from Paul VI High School in Haddon Township in 1993, where she was taught by the Religious Teachers Filippini. While discerning a vocation to religious life, she didn’t have to search far for inspiration.
“I always wanted to be a teacher and when I considered religious life, it just seemed natural to join a community dedicated to Christian education,” she said.
That same year she entered the Religious Teachers Filippini. “The sisters always seemed to enjoy being together and working in schools. They were so warm and hospitable,” she said.
Sister Lesley attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station and received her bachelor of arts degree with a major in English and a minor in secondary education. She made her final profession of vows in 2002. In 2006, she earned her master of arts degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange, in the area of educational leadership, management and policy.
Joining the faculty of Villa Victoria in 1999, Sister Lesley was an instructor of religion in the Upper School for grades 7-12. In 2006, she accepted the position of assistant principal, where she was responsible for supervision of instruction and the development and implementation of curriculum.
Her personal philosophy of education is closely aligned to that of her community’s foundress, St. Lucy Filippini. “Catholic education should foster students’ relationship with God and nurture their desire to contribute to their faith community and ultimately society as conscientious, loving human beings,” she said.
Sister Lesley is excited for the beginning of the school year when she anticipates interacting with the students and faculty and simply continuing the mission of Villa Victoria Academy.
“We have a nice community here. It’s really a family atmosphere,” she says of the school that has an 8:1 student to teacher ratio. “I am looking forward to working with our teachers this year to help our students grow into smart, strong and confident women.”
