A Journey of Growth and Gratitude
Almost eight years ago, two young women walked across the stage at Our Lady of Angels as they graduated from Saint Joseph Academy, their hearts full of promise and ambition. Today, they stand on the verge of graduating from prestigious programs, their paths shaped by the very foundation of their unique high school experience.
Rita Flanagan ’17 and Mary Hyland ’17, cousins and dear friends, have always been driven, but their success is no accident. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Rita reflected on their shared journey: “I can speak for both of us: We attribute so much of who we are to SJA, the incredible teachers who taught us, the administrators who guided us, the friends around us, and Mrs. Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis who led us all.”
Rita’s academic and professional journey has taken her to the Pace Haub Environmental Law Program, where she is earning her J.D., and the Yale School of the Environment, where she is completing her Master’s in Environmental Management. “I would not have pursued environmental law but for Mrs. Maureen Becker's Intro to Environmental Science class,” she reflects. “Nor would I have developed my passion for writing and law without the AP classes with Mr. Nick Roaldi, Mr. Michael Shannon, and Mrs. Michelle Kelly-Flanagan.”
Mary’s trajectory has taken her to The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where she is about to graduate with her M.D. Her passion for health sciences was cultivated at SJA, especially through the Health Science Honors Program. “Mary found her niche in the Health Science Honors Program with Mrs. Valerie Sanfilippo and Mr. Fred Keiser,” Rita noted. These influential teachers were pivotal in shaping the professionals they’ve become.
Looking ahead, both are returning to Cleveland. Mary will begin her residency at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and Rita will move back to take the Ohio bar exam. “Thank you, thank you to all those who educated and mentored us towards our dreams when we were ‘only high schoolers,’” Rita expresses. “You are the reasons we get to live out our dream careers today.”
Both women are a testament to the power of mentorship, education, and community. Their gratitude towards SJA and its faculty echoes the values of faith, compassion, and service that continue to guide them as they embark on their next chapters, fitting for this time of year for all 2025 graduates — Sursum Corda!
