Alumnae.
Alumna Spotlight: Tara Centanni Reese ’88 Elected President of CCSCC Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to celebrate Tara Centanni Reese ’88 on her recent election as President of the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs (CCSCC). Tara has dedicated her professional life to education, serving 23 years with Jefferson Parish Public Schools. She currently works as a Master Teacher (Instructional Coach) at Isaac G. Joseph at Stella Worley, a PreK–8 school. For more than a decade, she has served as a Master Teacher in various schools across the parish, mentoring educators and supporting instructional growth. Her commitment to learning began long before her career in education. Tara earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1997 and her Master’s in Education in 2006, both from the University of Holy Cross. Beyond the classroom, Tara has consistently stepped into leadership roles within both educational and Catholic communities. She has served as President, Vice-President, and Secretary of the University of Holy Cross Alumni Board, as well as on Chapelle’s Alumnae Board. At St. Clement of Rome, she served as President and Vice-President of the Co-Op Club, and for the past four years, she has been a member of the Hospitality Committee for Chapelle’s Parent Club. Her election as President of the CCSCC comes after 10 years of service on the council, including time as 2nd Vice-President and participation on numerous committees. Reflecting on her time at Chapelle, Tara shares, "Chapelle prepared me both academically and spiritually for the path I have taken. It gave me the skills and confidence to succeed in my profession while instilling the values, faith, and commitment to service that continue to guide my volunteer work." We are incredibly proud of Tara’s leadership, dedication to Catholic education, and continued service to our community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Class of 2021 Celebrates 5 Years at Rock ‘n’ Bowl On Saturday, July 18, the Class of 2021 came together to celebrate their 5-Year Reunion at Rock ‘n’ Bowl, and it was a night to remember! From the moment they walked in, it was clear that the bond of sisterhood is still going strong. The evening was filled with laughter, hugs, and plenty of memories from their time at Chapelle. It didn’t take long for the dance floor to fill as classmates reconnected and celebrated five years since graduation. Each alumna received a special 5-Year Reunion exclusive trucker hat, a fun keepsake to mark this milestone and commemorate their first official reunion together. The hats were proudly worn throughout the night as the class danced and enjoyed being back together. Five years may have passed, but once a Chipmunk, always a Chipmunk. We loved seeing the Class of 2021 back together and can’t wait to watch them continue to shine in the years ahead.
Bunco history was made! 🎲✨ Over 150 alumnae gathered in our cafeteria for our largest Bunco turnout ever! The energy, laughter, and reconnecting made it a night we’ll always remember. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and to the many hands that helped make the event such a tremendous success. We’re so grateful for this amazing alumnae community!💚
Alumna Spotlight: Brigid Higgins Van Timmeren ’87 Named Principal of St. Cletus Elementary Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to celebrate alumna Brigid Higgins Van Timmeren ’87 on her appointment as the new principal of St. Cletus Elementary School. Brigid shared, “It is with great joy and excitement that I become the new principal of St. Cletus Elementary School. My journey in education has been fueled by a commitment to my Catholic values and academic excellence nurtured long ago by my family, close friendships, and the dedicated faculty at Archbishop Chapelle High School.” A lifelong servant-leader, Brigid brings more than 26 years of experience in education and over 30 years in music ministry at St. Rita Catholic Church to her new role. Most recently, she served in leadership positions at Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies and with the Jefferson Parish Talented Music Program, where she mentored teachers and supported students in achieving academic and creative excellence. Brigid’s commitment to Catholic education is rooted in Gospel values and a deep belief in servant leadership. Her dedication to mentoring teachers and forming students spiritually and academically reflects the mission we hold dear at Chapelle. We are incredibly proud of Brigid and the impact she will continue to make in Catholic education. Congratulations, Mrs. Van Timmeren! Our Chapelle family is cheering you on! 💚
The Class of 2006's 20-Year Reunion at Cork Wine & Martini Bar! We had the joy of celebrating the Class of 2006 at their 20-year reunion — our unforgettable Katrina Class. 💚 Their senior year was marked by one of the most challenging moments in our city’s history, yet their faith and sisterhood carried them through. You may notice one gentleman pictured with the class — during the unique circumstances following Hurricane Katrina, one young man graduated alongside these Chipmunks. He will always be an honorary part of the Chapelle family. Nearly twenty years later, the Class of 2006's bond is just as strong.💚
Alumnae Giving Back at Acorn Camp 💚🐿️ Each summer, Acorn Camp fills our campus with laughter, energy, and the joyful spirit of young girls experiencing Chapelle for the first time. What makes it even more special? So many of the leaders guiding them were once campers and students here themselves. A large number of our Acorn Camp counselors are proud Archbishop Chapelle alumnae who have returned to the place that helped shape them. Now, they are the mentors, role models, and friendly faces creating meaningful memories for the next generation. From leading activities and cheering on campers to sharing stories of their own Chapelle days, these alumnae embody the lasting impact of our school community. While not all of our incredible camp staff are graduates, the presence of so many alumnae highlights something truly beautiful: the Chapelle sisterhood does not end at graduation. It continues in service, leadership, and the desire to give back. Seeing our graduates return to campus to pour into young girls is a powerful reminder that Chapelle is more than a school — it is a lifelong home.
Alumna Spotlight: Jennie Viosca Graffeo ’90 💚 Chapelle is proud to spotlight Jennie Viosca Graffeo, Class of 1990, who continues to make an impact through her leadership and dedication in the professional world. Jennie is a valued member of the team at Lofton, where she recently reached an exciting milestone by strengthening the company’s partnership with a long‑standing client in Covington. As the client prepares to expand operations with a new office opening in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, they entrusted Jennie as their exclusive recruiting partner for key positions, including Shipping Clerks, IT, Clerical, and Pharmacy Technician roles. Her ability to build trust, cultivate relationships, and deliver results reflects both her professionalism and commitment to excellence. Being chosen as the sole recruiting partner for such an important expansion speaks volumes about the confidence her clients have in her expertise and integrity. Jennie’s accomplishments are a testament to the strong foundation of leadership, work ethic, and service that Chapelle women carry into every field. We are so proud to see her continuing to grow partnerships, open doors, and make a difference in our local community.
Vice President of the Special Olympics College Club at UL Last week, we celebrated Marissa Rinderle ’24, Founder & President of the Special Olympics College Club at UL Lafayette. Today, we are proud to spotlight the other half of that incredible partnership, Rachel Meariman ’23. When Special Olympics Louisiana began expanding its college club program, Marissa teamed up with Rachel to help bring the vision to life. Today, Rachel serves as Vice President of the Special Olympics College Club at UL, where she continues promoting inclusion through sports, friendship, and the celebration of all abilities. The club has already hosted a successful field day filled with activities for participants of all abilities and is planning even more exciting events next semester, including a basketball tournament, kickball game, and an outing at Rock ‘N’ Bowl. Rachel’s leadership doesn’t stop there. She is also the President of the Kinesiology Professional Association and serves as a mentor for the UL LIFE Program, supporting college students with disabilities in their academic, community, and career development. Rachel credits her time at Chapelle, especially as a member of the basketball team, with preparing her for these roles. Through athletics, she learned teamwork, accountability, responsibility, and communication skills that continue to shape her leadership style today. Her experience volunteering with Special Olympics while at Chapelle sparked the passion she now lives out in college. Together, Marissa and Rachel are building something truly special at UL, and we are so proud to see two Chipmunks leading with compassion.
Founder & President, Special Olympics College Club at UL Lafayette Chapelle is proud to spotlight Marissa Rinderle ’24, who is already making an incredible impact during her time at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Marissa is the Founder and President of the Special Olympics College Club at UL Lafayette, a student-run organization dedicated to creating meaningful connections between college students and individuals with disabilities through athletics and campus events. “I actually founded the club after Special Olympics Louisiana reached out to me in hopes of expanding the college club program,” Marissa shared. “Rachel Meariman ’23 and I collaborated to get it all started!” The Special Olympics College Club at UL provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to connect with college students through various athletic events. The mission is simple yet powerful: to promote inclusion on the UL campus through sports, friendship, and the celebration of all abilities. Marissa’s passion for inclusion is deeply rooted in her involvement with the UL LIFE Program, which is designed to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience college life while furthering their education and life skills. “The LIFE Program has encouraged and prepared me to begin Special Olympics UL,” she said. In addition to leading the Special Olympics College Club, Marissa also serves as Vice President of the Kinesiology Professional Association, demonstrating her continued commitment to leadership and service. At Chapelle, Marissa served as a Student Ambassador, a role she credits with helping her grow as a communicator and leader. “Being an ambassador enhanced my communication and leadership skills, preparing me for the various roles I now have in college,” she shared. Marissa exemplifies the Chapelle mission by leading with compassion, courage, and a heart for service. We are so proud of the difference she is making and can’t wait to see how she continues to inspire inclusion and build community. Congratulations, Marissa! Your Chapelle family is cheering you on!
