By Rose O’Connor|Correspondent

Since 1913, it has been the mission of Villa Victoria Academy to educate smart, strong and confident young women.

And the love and pride for the West Trenton school and the Religious Teachers Filippini who founded it, were made by all those who attended the school’s 80th anniversary celebration Nov. 9.

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The afternoon began with Mass concelebrated by Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, and concelebrated by Father Douglas Freer, vicar of Catholic education.

“As we thank God for the blessings and even the challenges of the last 80 years, today let us implore the Lord’s grace, for the present and the future,” Msgr. Gervasio said in his homily. “Let us pray that St. Lucy Filippini, the great teacher, be always the star that will guide this venerable academy with many more glorious anniversaries.”

“I would like to thank Villa Victoria for your witness to Catholic education,” Father Freer said, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Filippini sisters throughout the diocese.

Many of the graduates returned to their alma mater and joined with current and former faculty members, staff and friends, for the anniversary celebration which also included recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions throughout the years and those who were honored during the Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

 James Mergiotti, president and CEO of Peirce College, Philadelphia, members of the Manco Family, founders of Manco and Manco Pizza, Ocean City, and Tony Neylon were recognized for the fundraising efforts and their service to Villa Victoria. 

Filippini Sister Mary Beth Foy, Class of 1967, recalled how she knew within a month after she began attending the school that she wanted to pursue a vocation as a Filippini sister.  She noted how her admittance to the school was by chance when she and her family realized that the only way she could receive a Catholic education was by earning a scholarship.  That very same day, she saw an ad for the scholarship exam for Villa Victoria in “The Monitor,” the diocesan newspaper.

“The school changes your whole life,” she admitted.

“There’s a spirit here unlike anywhere else,” concurred Filippini Sister Elizabeth Toft, a classmate of Sister Mary Beth, who now serves in St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch.

“There’s a love you have for the school, for the spirit of the place and the experience you had, you want to express gratitude,” she said.

Amy Butta Wisener, ’98, said she is happy to maintain contact with many of her former teachers and classmates through Facebook. 

Fellow alumna Shelly Pakman Weisberg, ’70, remarked on how “amazing” it has been to witness the growth of her alma mater.

“I was the only Jewish girl at the school,’ she said. “ I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything in the world.”

Like the many smart, strong and confident young women who walked the halls of Villa Victoria Academy these past 80 years, Weisberg expressed with pride, “I am proud to be a Villa girl.”