A Historic Montrose Moment
Montrose honors two early ADs at first ever home game in new A&A.
Montrose School honored two early Athletic Directors, Tina Tsiang Handing and Jen Cantrell, with the G. Edward Noonan Award for Character and Excellence in Athletics, in a ceremony before the Mavericks’ first ever home game in the new Arts & Athletics Center.
Students, faculty, staff, alumnae and families crowded the A&A before the game for the ceremony. Head of School Dr. Karen Bohlin thanked the many people who made possible the newest building in which Montrose students can answer the call to greatness as athletes, artists and citizens of the world. Dr. Bohlin read a message from Tricia Bowman Pietravelle ‘98 which recounted how alumnae are filled with pride upon this milestone. “Our memories, our sweat, our tears and our shouts of victory still hang in these halls. We’re proud to be Mavericks, and to know that the Mavs have a permanent home here in Medfield,” Tricia wrote.
Dr. Bohlin lauded Tina Tsiang Harding, the first honoree, for her tenure as Montrose’s first basketball coach, quoting alumnae who gave examples of how she inspired them inside and outside of the classroom. “Back in those lean years, it was easy not to take ourselves seriously. But Ms. Tsiang insisted that we take ourselves seriously, pushing us academically and athletically,” wrote Mary Buckley Fallon ‘89. She then honored Jen Cantrell, longtime PE teacher and coach, as a beloved mentor to countless students at Montrose. “Mrs. Cantrell developed me as a leader and helped me grow as a person,” wrote Ginny Halloran ‘98.
“These two women inspired our athletes and built our program, when we had no facilities to call our own,” noted Dr. Bohlin. She presented each woman with the G. Edward Noonan Award for Character and Excellence in Athletics. This award, given in memory of one of Montrose School’s founders, is awarded in recognition of great sportsmanship, as demonstrated through leadership, service to others, respect and gratitude for opponents and teammates alike.
After the presentation of the awards, Athletic Director Jodi Blackburn invited the honorees to make the first official baskets to open the new basketball court. Captains Lindsay Lombardo ‘15 and Catherine Conroy ‘16 presented each honoree with a game ball.
The Treblemakers sang the National Anthem as the teams took the court. In the home opener, Montrose played a hard-fought match against Dana Hall School, rallying late in the second half before finally falling, 35-27.
An independent school for girls in grades 6-12
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church
