NOTRE DAME BELMONT
Testimonials
Recent Alumnae Testimonials
"NDB teachers had a huge impact on me and my desire to pursue STEM. Their knowledge, kindness, and passion made the classes I had with them so enjoyable and inspired me to continue studying STEM. NDB prepared me for my future most of all by building my confidence. Being in such a supportive all-girls environment allowed me to discover my passions in a comfortable, collaborative place."
Maggie Blanchard '26
Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
"NDB faculty's love for science was contagious, and their amazing teaching skills and care for our personal well-being and academic journey inspired me to pursue biology in college. NDB has prepared me well for the future by giving me the unconditional vote of confidence and the ingredients to succeed—including the value of hard work, confidence, leadership and advocacy skills."
Aleeya Baqai '26
Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley
"At NDB, I learned the importance of building meaningful relationships while also gaining valuable leadership skills. I was constantly encouraged to support others, grow as a person and lead with kindness. A strong sense of community supported me — the staff and teachers continuously motivated me to do my best every day, encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and truly cared about my success both inside and outside of the classroom. Their constant support, guidance, and belief in me have helped shape me into the person I am today and have prepared me for success at Santa Clara University and beyond."
Laila Daheb '26
Communications, Santa Clara University
"NDB has successfully prepared me for my future because of all the ways I have been pushed to become a better version of myself. By taking more challenging classes and stepping outside my comfort zone, I have developed important life skills such as time management, organization and perseverance. These experiences have taught me how to balance multiple responsibilities and approach challenges with confidence, which I know will be essential in college and beyond."
Victoria Buick '26
Applied and Computational Math, University of Southern California
"After being at Notre Dame, I feel prepared to go to a big college out of state. NDB prepared me for my future by giving me leadership skills that can help me succeed in any career field. NDB taught me that women and girl empowerment can be a powerful thing especially in male-dominated fields and gave me skills, friendships and memories that will last a life time."
Autumn Deetz-Rodriguez '26
Sports Management, Louisiana State University
"NDB has provided me with so many opportunities to grow as a student, leader, athlete, friend and more. I feel confident that I can succeed academically and personally in college because NDB pushed me out of my comfort zone and provided me with opportunities to grow as a leader. I will always carry with me the experiences I had at NDB which I know will help me in college and in my future career.”
Ella Oldendorp '26
Animal Science, UC Davis
"NDB has prepared me in so many ways for the future. Being in an all-girls, smaller school environment gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, take on leadership roles, and grow into who I am today. I'm incredibly grateful for my experience at NDB and know it has shaped the person I've become.”
Lily Logan '26
Psychology, Villanova University
"NDB prepared me for my future by building my confidence as a student and as a person. My four years at NDB showed me what success looks like, and the hard work it takes to achieve it. I was ready for college because of NDB and the important lessons I learned.”
Keara McDevitt '25
Dance and Criminology Major at UC Irvine
“Not only did NDB ensure that my academic application would stand out and have the rigor to be accepted into college, but NDB also prepared me to be versatile. I have learned to be both a follower and leader, an artist and scholar, an exceptional student and a caring person at Notre Dame.”
Sianna Kiebler '25
Theatre with Acting Emphasis Major, UCLA
"NDB has prepared me for the future by making me a leader. I've taken multiple leadership positions here at NDB on varsity golf, mock trial and student council. I've learned how to take initiative and communicate effectively with others, even in high-pressure situations. These experiences have taught me the importance of responsibility, collaboration and confidence—skills that I know will serve me well in college and beyond. NDB has shaped me into someone who isn’t afraid to step up, speak out, and support others, and I’m proud of the leader I’ve become.”
Alexis Hom '25
Pre-Med and Health Science, University of Miami
"NDB prepared me through constantly encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and pursue opportunities I never would have considered on my own. Whether it was diving into advanced STEM classes or leading projects that blended creativity and strategy, I was always supported. Most importantly, this school gave me the confidence to share my voice and ideas openly—something I carry with me into college and life as I continue to explore my passions.”
Nicole Fong '25
Engineering, UC San Diego
"NDB has transformed me into a confident and independent female student. At NDB I was able to find my voice in and outside of the classroom, whether it was being a captain on the basketball team or leading Kairos, Notre Dame offered me a multitude of opportunities. Surrounded by an all-girls environment, and being supported by my friends and the NDB faculty every day encouraged me to keep working hard to get to where I am today.”
Jane Hipps ‘25
Rehabilitative Psychology and Special Education, University of Wisconsin Madison
Alumnae Testimonials
"Notre Dame showed me what it looks like when women support one another. That sense of community influenced how I’ve built teams, brands and communities. Being in an all-girls environment gave me the space to speak up, take risks and trust my voice. These are skills that became essential as I entered male-dominated industries and leadership roles later in life."
Angela Batinovich '98
Marketing and Sports League Executive and Owner
“Notre Dame is definitely a defining chapter in my life because it is where I found my voice. Notre Dame provided the foundation I needed to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney by teaching the skills I needed to step up into leadership and speak with confidence.“
Annadel Almendras ’90
Senior Assistant Attorney General
"Notre Dame gave me a space to fail safely. I tried new things and explored extracurriculars ranging from editing the school paper to attending musicals with the Culture Club. Those experiences helped me figure out who I wanted to be. Academically, it prepared me for the rigor I would later face earning a degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s from Rice University and a second master’s in flight test engineering from the United States Test Pilot School."
Danielle Paya Ozment ‘04
U.S. Air Force
"Built on the tenets of integrity, compassion and perseverance, my Notre Dame Belmont education as a tuition assistance recipient allowed me to confidently pursue a meaningful career in optometry. Today, I am able to impact hundreds of patients by providing sight-saving medical care."
Jacqueline Evans O.D. '05
Doctor of Optometry
"I discovered who I was at Notre Dame and felt comfortable in my own skin. Forging strong connections with my Notre Dame sisters gave me a distinct advantage in life. In work, I don’t view women as competitors - I seek other women out for collaboration and counsel - just as I was encouraged to do at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is an air cannon of hope and joy, unleashing young women like me into the world to discover and do great and interesting things."
Naomi Sablan Scott '90
Film Producer and Independent Spirit Award Nominee
"I have been an international recording artist and touring musician for 20+ years. I have released 11 albums and have toured all over the world. Notre Dame gave me the confidence I needed to trust my voice in a male-dominated industry. When I used my voice to speak up about issues and values that I held dear, I found great support among my classmates - the bonds between us were incredibly strong thanks to the community spirit encouraged by NDB. Those members of faculty who supported me as I used my voice made me feel safe, seen and loved during those years when a young adult is most vulnerable."
Dyan Valdes '98
International Recording Artist and Touring Musician
"I value the all-girls education that NDB uniquely offers, as the experience enabled personal development by strengthening my confidence and my ability to communicate well with others. I work with researchers, doctors, nurses and all kinds of patients and communicating effectively is very important. An NDB education allowed me to enter college and the workforce with confidence."
Brooke Nightingale Dunleavy ‘11
Genetic Counselor at Stanford Children's Health
"I'm extremely grateful for the education, experiences and friendships from NDB. Teachers and staff really cared about the success of the students, and we had the opportunity to develop trusted relationships. There were many life lessons learned that helped build resilience and confidence in the classroom and in life. I felt well prepared to be successful in college and work because of my education and experiences at NDB. The best part was the lifelong friendships I made."
Jennifer Callen '96
Managing Director, Pinterest
"NDB taught me to work hard. It taught me to not give up. It taught me to advocate for myself and for others. It taught me empathy. I didn't know I was learning these skills at the time. Then, I thought I was simply learning to study and how to be a friend. But looking back? NDB wasn't just preparing me for my career working with at-risk LGBTQIA youth, it was preparing me for life."
JJ King (Jenny Lindeburg) '98
Crisis Support Counselor
"Notre Dame instilled in me the conviction to pursue my dream to become a physician. My high school experience gave me the confidence to strive as a woman in the field of science. My Notre Dame roots have helped me to succeed as a compassionate physician, daughter, wife and mother."
Bridget Marchetti Philip '92
Anesthesiologist
"Participating in Tiger TV at Notre Dame really inspired me to pursue film and television production as my major in college. Were it not for courses at NDB and the enjoyment and experimentation I had in them, I don’t think I would have thought that I could pursue those studies as my major, let alone my career. I am proud to be a part of the legacy of strong, powerful women from NDB."
Gabriela Dematteis '09
Emmy Award Winning Producer and Filmmaker
"Notre Dame Belmont instilled in me a strong sense of resilience and confidence which have been pivotal in navigating the male-dominated sports and media industry. The all-girls environment encouraged me to voice my opinions and assert myself without hesitation—a trait that has been instrumental in my role as a leader in a high-stakes, fast-paced field. The school’s emphasis on comprehensive education and leadership also prepared me to tackle challenges head-on and fostered a can-do attitude that has guided my career trajectory."
Anica Chavez '07
Senior Director and Executive Producer, SF Giants
"Participating in classes and extracurricular activities such as Orchestra, Video Production, and Tri-School Productions helped me develop a solid understanding of filmmaking and the roles music and storytelling play in that. At the same time, the rigor of my Honors and AP classes prepared me for managing multiple film projects, and the experience I gained in various leadership positions helped me navigate the collaborative nature of the film industry. Being involved in Performing Arts and leadership positions at NDB prepared me for my career as a film composer managing her own composing business."
Celisse Tan '17
Music Composer
"NDB’s academic environment helped my self-confidence. I felt like I was allowed and encouraged to be myself and grow into myself. I had an eclectic group of friends who have all gone on to contribute to the world in a variety of ways. The structure of Notre Dame academics and sports programs prepared me to be self-directed and to rise to challenges. My general take-away from Catholic-based education is to live a life of service and compassion."
Felicity Hartnett '02
Police Officer, Field Training Officer, Firefighter
"An NDB education shaped the foundation of who I am as a woman and business owner. NDB was where I learned how positive self-talk can transform a girl into a woman. My time at Notre Dame gave me the confidence and ability to handle life’s greatest challenges, to not be afraid to ask for help, persevere through adversity, and most importantly, be exactly who I am. Women supporting women is so incredibly powerful and I believe receiving an education in such a positive and encouraging environment is what helped to develop my courage, grit and determination. Go Tigers!"
Lindsey Mifsud '15
Owner, LL's Kitchen
"Notre Dame builds strong female leaders, and I am no exception. I entered NDB as a young, naive freshman knowing that I wanted to take advantage of all the opportunities high school had to offer and I left NDB as a confident, well-spoken 18-year-old who was ready to take on the world. I attribute my ambition and my motivation to my Notre Dame education. I developed my voice in high school and my teachers instilled in me the importance of having an opinion, but backing it up academically with evidence and sharing it with conviction."
Sarah Boragno '02
English Teacher at NDB
"Coming from a Filipino-immigrant family, I was the first to finish a four-year college in the U.S., the first to go to law school, and the first lawyer in my family. There wasn’t really a roadmap for me to follow. But what NDB gave me was the confidence to create my own path. It taught me how to see positives in struggle, and how to turn uncertainty into motivation. That mindset inspired me to pursue law—a field where you have to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep standing up for what you believe in."
Paola Estanislao Pretorius ‘00
Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara County
"NDB provided a challenging but supportive space where I built the self-confidence and critical thinking skills needed for reporting. I was fortunate to serve as co-editor of NDB's literary magazine, marking my first real exposure to publishing. The campus was such a supportive space. My circle of friends from NDB remains incredibly tight."
Nancy Dillon ‘90
Senior Reporter, Rolling Stone
“Notre Dame prepared me to excel in my career by empowering me to always raise my hand, to not be afraid to showcase what I know, and to be brave in admitting what I don’t. These skills, while possible to cultivate in many places, are expedited when you are surrounded by smart, confident young women who challenge and inspire you.”
Amy Smerdel ‘14
Crisis Planner and Program Manager, U.S. Government
“My experiences at NDB led to the formation of my values and my desire to be of service to those in need, even those more than 9,000 miles away. At NDB I learned the importance of serving others, building community and committing to a purpose that developed from my Christian values. I’ve learned that hard work and perseverance, combined with a heart of gratitude, can empower all of us to act boldly in proclaiming God’s goodness.”
Kristin Gibbons '75
Co-Founder of Fairmont Christian Secondary School in Uganda
"Critical analysis, collaborative cross-pollination, quick and creative problem-solving, innovative pedagogy—these are things that were modeled for me in the classroom; yes, but they were also baked into things like Aquacades and Intersession trips. Doing it all alongside passionate, empowered Tigers on their own journeys was edifying. The culture and the community of inclusion set the bar high in ways I try to replicate in my own classroom and in front of audiences around the world. I’m really grateful.”
Meg Day '02
2024 Poet-in-Residence, Guggenheim Museum
Professor, North Carolina State University
Parent and Family Testimonials
"An NDB education is invaluable to myself, to my daughter and our family. The NDB community is so commanding of the spirit of empowering young women and building lifelong confidence. In any NDB student that you will meet, you will recognize an underying confidence that is folded into every aspect of the curriclum, community and extracurriculars at NDB. As a single mom, the faculty and staff are my co-parents and partners, and we are incredibly grateful to be here."
- Ena, Parent '29
"Receiving an education from NDB means that my daughter is going to be empowered, a real leader in the world, and that she's going to have a sense of confidence to go out there and do anything that a man can do, and do it better. That sense of empowerment is built into the fabric of the school."
Bobby Thompson, Parent '26
"I love an all-girls education because it means that there will be young women in every single leadership opportunity in the school. At NDB, I was prepared academically, athletically and through my experience in student council to gain confidence and to move onto college, and now my daughters will be as well."
Liz Stapleton Zerrella '95, Parent '25, '27
"Every single teacher knows every single student and knows something about them in a unique kind of way. That doesn’t happen in your public school, and I think that’s important. The school will amaze you no matter what. To find my daughter a place that she likes, that she looks forward to going to every day - you just don’t find that anymore - Notre Dame is exceptional."
-Mark, Parent '27
"Ashley is absolutely loving NDB. She is over the moon happy and excited about everything, every day. She loves all her teachers, her classes, the campus, her lunches (she takes pictures of her lunch every day!). Socially, she is very happy as well. She could not have experienced a more positive start to high school. The administration makes this possible for the girls. Thank you so much."
Sandy, Grandparent '27
"Selecting NDB was absolutely the best decision that my daughter and we could have made for her and all of us who have been a part of this journey. It has been incredibly special and will shape her for what I know will be an incredible future ahead."
Stacy, Parent ’26