In memory of Ashley Stopczynski, Class of 2013, SMC Chicago East Club Board Member and music teacher in Chicago, we are bringing back our virtual service project, Clear the List, this summer for Belles who are teachers. Ashely was a passionate music teacher in Chicago and she started this service project with the SMC Chicago East Club in the summer of 2024 before passing unexpectedly in August 2024. Join us in giving back in memory of Ashley.

Learn more about Ashley’s life and legacy here. See the results of our 2024 Clear the List Virtual Service Project here.

If you are not familiar with “clear the list,” it is a initiative focused on helping underfunded teachers get the funds or items they need for their classroom. Teachers set up a wish list of items or a donation page to accept funds. This helps teachers to provide their students with essential supplies and ensure they have a successful school year.

This summer we will be helping our Chicago-area Belles who are teachers to get set up for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are a teacher, please fill out the form below.

If you are an alumna who wishes to help these teachers, stay tuned for more details!

Teachers, fill out this form:

Please join the monthly Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College Senior Alumni lunch on Thursday, August 7th at Emerald Loop Bar & Grill.

While this lunch is hosted by the ND Senior Alumni Committee, it is open to all ages, and open to both alums and friends.

RSVP to Jim Hynan (ND ‘74) at jhynan74@gmail.com if you’d like to attend.

Read along with us this month! In August we wanted to read a book with a tie to Chicago, and we selected WHEN FRANNY STANDS UP by Eden Robins.

Synopsis:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel meets A League of Their Own in this inspiring story Buzzfeed calls "a warm hug of a novel."

Franny Steinberg knows there's powerful magic in laughter. She's witnessed it. With the men of Chicago off fighting WWII on distant shores, Franny has watched the women of the city taking charge of the war effort. But amidst the war bond sales and factory shifts, something surprising has emerged, something Franny could never have expected.

If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact us and we will send you the address.