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Saint James
Catholic Church
Established 1892
905 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
703-532-8815
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What a wonderful Easter Week we had at St. James.  Thank you to all who made it a spiritually moving experience. I want to thank Linda Doyle, Joanie Lisbeth, Donnamaria Duastchek, Marina Martini, Jane Harvey, Suzette Brynn, Anita Clark, Claire Taplett, Estella Arciaga, Fe Apigo, Gail Johnson, Beth & Chuck Fidler, and Jola Noska who did such a wonderful job with the decorations for the church. I'd also like to
thank all of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers and especially Dan Day and our outstanding choir. St. James is truly blessed to have such an alive and spiritually enriched parish community.
Summer is just around the corner but we continue with our Bible Studies, Youth Ministry events, and of course our School is busier than ever. I look forward to meeting the visiting DFE team next month. Our school is strong; our faculty dedicated and our parents committed to a Catholic education for their children.
Thank you to all who have worked and continue to work to make St. James a standard of academic excellence and spiritual growth.
Blessings for this Easter Season,
Father Posey
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PTO Wows Them Again!
 Last month the Auction Committee provided another stand out evening of fun for a good cause. Close to 300 people came back to campus for a "Black and White Gala."
The festivities began in Heller Hall with the silent auction. Attendees took part in friendly competition for the many donated items.
The real treat awaited you as you entered the gym; but you would never have known it was the gym. The sights and sounds would have left your mouth agape: the Big Band playing softly in the background, the beautiful tables with "lamps" illuminating them, a fantastic checkered dance floor, (kudos to Mr. and Mrs. Greenhalgh who showed us all up by tripping that light fantastic so well!). Live images of presenters, the auctioneer and our dancing couples were showed on the back wall of the gym.
"I am so grateful to Elizabeth [Hart] and Marybeth [DeLuca] for all their hard work," says Principal Sr. Nancy. "This was an unbelievable success; everyone had a good time. It was truly a wonderful evening."
Father Posey was equally impressed. "I would like to echo Sister's thanks. Mrs. Hart and Mrs. DeLuca and all their volunteers should be commended for their work on behalf of our school. It was a great evening; I'm just sorry I lost in the first round of Heads or Tails."
Final numbers are not in, but the event grossed more than $114,000 for the school. Towards the end of the evening, our auctioneer gave those who had not "won" anything a chance to contribute to our wonderful school. The end result was close to $12,000 raised to offset the costs of our new Lab Learner program, a hands-on, interactive science curriculum.
Thank you to all who attended this event, contributed financially and most importantly, thank you to everyone who worked so tirelessly on the 2012 Auction.
Elizabeth Hart, Marybeth DeLuca, Gina Dean, Brian Conklin, A.J. Valintote (our invitations look great because of him!), Laura Tramonte (should start her own business decorating for large events), Downey Hicks, Kathy Gallo, Sue Andres, Caroline Murn, Jeanine Musgrove, Jason Hart, Jennifer Taylor, Anne Rohall, Maureen Quattrocki, Robin Cook, Peter Seroskie AND...
...our fabulous alumni students who made it hard to say no to purchasing a chance at Heads or Tails: Alison Dommel, Megan Dalbec, Matt McQuillen, David McQuillen, Frank Sikorsky, Elizabeth Bloom, Vanessa Corral.
Elizabeth and Marybeth also noted with deep appreciation their husbands and children for all their support. Anyone who has ever volunteered knows that it's not just them who does the work. Our families are committed and dedicated to each other and our School. We're doubly blessed. |
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DFE & Strategic Planning Update
The Visiting Team for the DFE comes to campus the week of May 8th. Our faculty, staff and administration have put in many hours of thoughtful discussions and planning for this important document. "The DFE is a plan for our future," says Sr. Nancy. "I am indebted to everyone who worked on this and especially to Mrs. Deirdre Praham, [third grade teacher], who chaired this effort."
Our Strategic Planning Committee continues with their work as well. Below is a recent communication from Father Posey, Sr. Nancy and our Chair Caroline Murn, to our parents. This will also be copied in the Parish bulletin.
"Over the past month, the Leadership Team prioritized the action items submitted by each subcommittee, organizing these over a five-year horizon and with consideration of the DFE goals. This working Strategic Planning document was shared with the Subcommittee Chairs for comments at our last meeting April 19th. Other portions of this document which were reviewed were the executive summary and the table of contents. The latter includes our DFE goals and the PTO IT Assessment done last year. The objective is to integrate the various initiatives with long-term goals, where appropriate, in order to have a comprehensive strategic and budgetary plan. Members offered suggestions, modifications and additions to the document. As a result, the Leadership Team is editing and adjusting the plan accordingly.
The committee also approved the Vision Statement as part of the strategic planning effort. The Vision Statement is a future-oriented description of what we want St. James Catholic School to look like and how we will fulfill our mission statement, which was shared last month and can be found on the school website. The following Vision Statement was developed and approved by the Strategic Planning Committee:
St. James Catholic School offers its students the opportunity to reach their highest potential by providing the academic tools and moral values needed for lifelong success. We seek the holistic development of our students -- mind, body and spirit - by emphasizing:
· strong fundamentals in the formative years of our students,
· a challenging high school preparatory curriculum in the middle grades with expanded course choices and twenty-first century skills,
· a formal, school-wide commitment to service in our community that is integral to our Catholic faith,
· active collaboration between parents, teachers, administrators and the parish, and
· the formation of lifelong friendships amongst our students and a continued relationship with our alumni.
Our next Planning meeting is scheduled for May 17, which will include the review of the edited strategic plan with accompanying budgetary descriptions. Since this is a working meeting and the committee's feedback is critical to the planning process of setting priorities and budgets, the scheduled June 7 meeting is anticipated for the Strategic Planning Committee to vote on the final plan. Our goal is to create a comprehensive Strategic Plan with meaningful tasks, priorities and budgets that require appropriate time. Shortly after June 7th, information will be shared with you, and the plan will be available to parents when the final document is approved."
We are grateful to the 43 members of our committees and subcommittees who have provided us with their time, talent and expertise. |
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FISH FRY FANTASTIC!
 We came; we saw; we ate; we had a blast. Tim Aubry and his crew did it again this year; they didn't let Our Faith Flounder.
You saw them in the Arlington Herald and knew you had to join the festivities. Each Friday, Heller Hall bustled with the energy of volunteers and ok, let's be honest, the aroma of cooking fish.
More than 2,500 dinners were served over the six Fridays during Lent, "up nearly a 1000 since last year," explains Aubry. On average, that's more than 400 people every Friday.
As in years past, the group coordinated with Social Outreach for their Food Distribution on the first Friday of March. Says Aubry, "The two projects complimented each other and made for a dynamic evening at St. James. The Social Outreach group was able to assist nearly 140 families."
Aubry, who shuns the spotlight, has for the third year in a row, been the driving force behind this community building event. But, as he is quick to point out: he is not alone. Every week he sent updates and thanks to the many volunteers who pulled together, made coleslaw, grilled, served and otherwise made it all happen.
"The Fish Fry Working Group [FFWG] has become a fixture," says Father Posey. "My brother priests and I look forward to Fridays in Lent even more so because of the great atmosphere of friendship and service our parishioners bring to these Fridays. I am very grateful to all of them for their work on behalf of St. James."
Head griller Bill Kilgallin shared some thoughts with the FFWG on their efforts: "... I had lots of my neighbors and friends from work eating with us almost every week. Not all of them are parishioners (not all are even Catholic). From these folks there were many comments about wishing their churches showed the same welcoming attitude, warmth, and community spirit that they saw at St. James each Friday. It made me proud that my guests heard so much laughter and saw so many smiling faces. It says so very much about our parish when guests see parishioners, Sisters, and Priests sharing this special time together. We are lucky to have so many wonderful people in the parish."
Parishioner Julie Theobald agrees: "It was such a truly wonderful event that wouldn't have happened without the support of the community!"
The fishing rods have been put away and for now, we leave you with a full stomach, a happy heart and sincere thanks to our Fish Fry Working Group:
Barb Spollen, Bill & Deb Kilgallin, Bill Potts, Bob Harding, Christina Williams, Claire Taplett, Margo & Clayton Graham, Colleen Conroy, Colleen Mascenik, Danielle Sant, Dave & Maria Obeid, Caroline & Ed Murn, Chris Hughes, Em Anderson, Jim & Mary Bellor, Julie Theobald, Karen Bushaw-Newton, Kathleen Pala, Laura & Shawn Martin, Lisa & Dan Metzmaier, Marcella Fedora, Mary & Dan Barrett, Melissa Bell, Monisha Trindale, Narcy Ibanez, Pat Kerrigan, Pete Fleury, Rick & Joan Todd, The Rund Family, Sam Starr, Sara Coon, Scott Major, Sue Andres, Thom & Marijo Galvin, Thomas Baptiste, Tony Antenucci, Valerie Sumner Geunther, Vince Dufrane, Father Posey, Sr. Nancy and of course..... Tim & Kim Aubry.
If we left anyone out, we didn't throw you overboard, blame it on the editor!
(photo above courtesy of the Herald) |
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 Park Avenue Profile
Nancy Harrison
Saint James has seen its share of long-serving faculty. In an area which has traditionally been transient, we have bucked that trend with teachers who have touched the lives of so many: Mary Clarke, Mary Delaney, Maureen Barrick, Jane Briggs to name just a few. Nancy Harrison is another example of dedication, compassion and intelligence.
Raised in Arlington, just steps away from St. Thomas More cathedral, Nancy remembers a tight-knit family of five girls and one boy. "We lived on a small street, across from the cemetery; it was our house, a neighbor's and then our grandparents. That was it. We were the street!" She laughs when remembering a simpler time of playing dress up with her sisters, going to the nearby store for penny candy. "No kidding, but we used to play Mass," she recalls. All the major parts were doled out: priest, altar server, congregation and true to their "melodramatic" personalities, "a fallen away Catholic. You had to have one of those who came tearfully to communion seeking absolution."
Attending Bishop O'Connell in the early 1960s, Nancy was involved in intramurals and the Glee Club. "That was for the kids who couldn't sing," she jokes. "No, really; the good singers were in Choristers!" Her self-deprecating humor is obvious and endearing. Nancy majored in education at Radford University; "I wasn't good at science and I hated typing," she jokes. "But I loved kids and knew I wanted to teach."
Nancy met her first husband, Jimmy Rittenhouse, through her brother. "He was three years older than me and already working when I met him." They married in 1967 and settled into a happy life with two daughters (Courtney and Rebecca) eventually filling their home.
We could say that we have Gerald Ford to thank for Nancy coming to St. James. She relates how she heard the president in 1975 speaking on the economy and thought, "Oh, I should get a job!" Seven months pregnant with her second child and without telling her husband, she went to St. James. Nancy felt close to St. James as her sister, Mary Sue, was then a novice at the IHM Mother House. She interviewed and was offered a job. Jimmy Rittenhouse was bemused, her mother-in-law agreed to watch the girls and Nancy prepared to begin work. A slight snag came when her daughter was late in arrival. "Rebecca was due in July and didn't show until August 10th; I started work August 18th." We're exhausted just thinking about that.
Just as her teaching career began, Nancy's personal life took a turn for the worse. Jimmy fell ill in December 1975 due to issues arising from a congenital heart deformity. Although the surgery was successful, after complications he succumbed to an infection in November 1978. "The school faculty and IHM Sisters were very supportive during that difficult time of Jimmy's long illness and death." Close to forty years later, the sadness crosses Nancy's face in a flash, yet soon replaced with her smile and warmth.
Undaunted, Nancy worked hard for her daughters and her students. In 1978 she met Larry Harrison through a friend. "They invited me to go on this ski trip, I wasn't really enthusiastic, but I said yes." Like a scene from a Goldie Hawn movie, Nancy took a fall knocking herself unconscious. "I woke up to Larry looking at me and helping me up." Larry brought her home, met the girls and immediately "fell in love with them." And she with him. They married in June 1980. Through the assistance of an attorney who happened to be the parent of one of her students, Larry Harrison adopted Courtney and Rebecca, giving them his name, his love and his support.
Nancy knew early on that St. James would be her home. But perhaps the most striking was when the family was preparing for her daughter's first Communion party. "When we asked her what she wanted on her cake, she [said], 'When I heard the church bells ring I thought I heard the voice of God.' I knew then that we were in the right place where I would always be."
When her youngest, Rebecca, went off to college Nancy became interested in establishing a resource program here. After earning her Master's degree, she became a Certified Wilson Teacher as well as a Lindamood Bell tutor. The later is a "program started for the deaf but is used successfully for people who are tone deaf." She integrated both programs into her teaching. In the 1990s after initial discussions about a Resource Program, then Principal Sr. Janet asked Nancy if she would start a one here. For a time, she taught both second grade and Resource. Over the years, the Resource Program has grown, opening the doors for children to a world previously hidden from them.
Success stories abound:
"One little girl, in tears, told me she hated to read and I asked her to trust me and she would come to love it. In April that year she wrote me a beautifully decorated letter stating, 'You were right. I can read and I can write. I love to do both.'"
"After he graduated College and went to work a student I taught ... sent a letter to St. James thanking us for the support and learning we had given him. To show his thankfulness, he donated his first paycheck."
"A child who struggled with reading, but never gave up wrote me a letter in 7th grade saying, 'Thanks to you I can read.'"
Current parent Laura Tramonte praises Nancy as "a GREAT teacher [who] inspires ... not only my children but [all] the children of St. James. She is a teacher who believes in the kids and has the unique ability to push and guide them to the next step. As a parent, I have been in awe of what she has accomplished. 'A good teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.' (Thomas Carruthers) For the last 40 years Mrs. Harrison has done just that---if that's not the mark of an excellent teacher, I don't know what is."
Her daughters are among her biggest fans. They saw firsthand the commitment and love Nancy has for her students, which according to Rebecca "stems from her faith and her belief that all children should have the opportunity to receive a Catholic education." Courtney states that it was her mother's example that inspired her to enter the teaching profession: "seeing my mom going to Grad. School ...and creating the resource program at St. James is part of what inspired me to complete my BS in Psychology and start Grad School with a major in Special Education. She has always gone above and beyond in everything she has done and I hope I am continuing the legacy she began."
On April 14th, Larry surprised Nancy with a retirement party. Family members, friends, teachers and students (past and present) came to honor a woman who saw a need, worked to see it fulfilled and left in her wake, literally hundreds of grateful youngsters.
"Nancy ... has been a tremendous gift to St. James," says longtime friend and co-worker Joanne Woods. [S]he saw the need for a program to assist families of struggling students to continue receiving a Catholic education. Her belief that every child can learn has been a beacon for all who have worked with her. Nancy has inspired teachers and parents to not give up on children but to try to give them tools from which they can succeed."
Nancy laughs when asked what the biggest change she has seen: "The parents are getting younger!" She promises to still keep a hand in education. "Oh, I have to! I couldn't give it up totally. My biggest satisfaction comes from the many families I have enabled to stay at St. James [through the Resource Program]. I am extremely grateful to the principals, pastors and the school community that have allowed us to create a program that will most effectively give intense support where it is needed and when needed and in the appropriate climate. "
In her classroom, Nancy uses the same rocking chair her mother used when reading to her children. After mid June, she'll sit in that chair with her own grandchildren and read them a story.
And another door opens.
Check out the recent Herald piece on Nancy: http://catholicherald.com/stories/Teacher-thanked-for-a-job-well-done,18754 |
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Alumni in the News
We received word from Bishop O'Connell High School that the following Rocket Alumni earned top academic honors for the third quarter. Congratulations!
Principal's List: Elizabeth Bloom, Carlo Francisco Palma, Christian Bean, Meagan David, Peter Bean, Mary Donnelly, Sofia Goyonaga-Calatayud, Caroline Metzmaier, Elizabeth Schilling, Victoria Adams, Kathryn Gliot, Nadine Ly, Fabio Quiroga, Claire Saunders
First Honors: Thomas Vaughn, Shanna Bishop, Sanchita Gupta, Thy Duong, Alaina Owen, Colleen Roney, Madeleine Lucchetti, Amanda Meszaros, Grace Thomas, Katherine Ward
Second Honors: Thomas Cline, Charles Fidler, Erin Fitzgerald, Lindsay Harvey, Ana Fitzpatrick, Jillian Harvey, Clayton Koch, Jong Hak Lee, Emmaline Theobald, Alexander Brynn, Rachel Coltharp, Thalia Falcon, Julia Lisbeth, Forbes McKay, Alexa Saffelle, Michael Armor, Edward Gleeson, Jane Greenhalgh, Sarah Harvey, Johnathan Olaya, Shelby Rieger, Daniela Mary Rutherford
At press time we did not have names from our other local schools. We're happy to publish names of all our student scholars.
If you're a Gonzaga student or parent, don't miss former rocket and current Gonzaga Senior Matt McQuillen give his last piano performance on Monday, April 30th! Check out Gonzaga's website for more information:
http://www.gonzaga.org/page.aspx?pid=191
PARENTS OF GRADUATING 8TH AND 12TH GRADERS:
WHERE ARE YOUR ROCKETS HEADED NOW? LET US KNOW AT advancement@stjamescatholic.org
Have news you want to share? Contact Christine Hughes at advancement@stjamescatholic.org We're thrilled to sing our alumni praises!
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Legacy of St. James Campaign Update
To date we have close to $2.6 million pledged for our campaign: almost $100,000 over goal! With just about $685,000 left to go in payments, we are nearing the finish. Thank you to all our donors who continue to pay on their pledges. New donations come in almost weekly, so it is never to late to contribute to the future for our Church and School.
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Signing up with Faith Direct will make pledge payments simple! Go to our website, www.FaithDirect.net to log on. Our log in number is VA50. Please remember to note "St. James Legacy Campaign" on your check or memo line.
Please take advantage of the PINK Campaign Envelopes in your monthly offertory packet to make your pledge payments. Simply place your payment in the basket at Mass. Again, please remember to note that your donation is for the Campaign to avoid confusion in recording.
We thank everyone for their commitment to this effort. If you have questions or concerns regarding your pledge, please contact Christine Kurtzke Hughes in the rectory at 703-532-8815 or email her at advancement@stjamescatholic.org |
 Saint James School
Do you hear that? SILENCE! Our students in Grades 2 through 7 took the National Terra Nova exams this week.
 FAMILY FITNESS NIGHT returned to campus last Friday, April 20th. There were exercise demonstrations, health screenings, information stations and healthy snacks in Heller Hall. It was a great time for everyone to come together for healthy and family-oriented activities.
 Many thanks to all our parents and attendees who came out that night. A special thanks to Sara Coon for helping to organize this FUN event. We are now headed back to our couch with a cookie.
We could not let this photo go unpublished:
THANKS SISTER FOR BEING A GOOD SPORT!
 Our students got a glimpse of history when Discovery flew overhead. The kids clapped and waved as the massive plane passed by with the Discovery Shuttle piggy-backing on its way to it's new home at the Science Museum near Dulles. "What a great opportunity for the kids," says Sr. Nancy. "I was so glad that all the students could get out to see this bit of history. We had some in Lot A, some in Lot B. They all got a look!"
Congratulations to all our confirmandi who received the final Sacrament of Initiation March 31st. It was a beautiful ceremony and we owe a debt of thanks to all their catechists, teachers and of course, their parents who guided these young men and women on their faith journey.
We get ready now for First Communion which occurs Saturday May 5th and May 12th. God bless and good luck to all our second graders!
Next month is busy with our DFE visits, Communions, Colonial Day and the last jump towards the end of the school year. Before you know it, summer's here!
Congratulations to the Advanced Band! They
received a Superior Rating at the Diocesan Band
Festival!
Congratulations to Justin Schutt, Catherine Nguyen
and Jack Gartner, who were winners in the Young
People's Poetry Contest hosted by the Mary Riley
Styles Public Library in Falls Church City.
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Ministry Updates
PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP)
Get Ready for St. James Vacation Bible School!
Join the fun Surfin' with the Holy Spirit!
K4J (Kids 4 Jesus)
July 16 - 20, 9:00am - 12:30pm
Register Today! Extra forms are in the back of the Church.
30% off VBS registration fees with full-time parent volunteer. Contact Anne Haislmaier at: anne@kidsaregreat.net
VOLUNTEER at the St. James VBS!
Join in the fun as a GUIDE at Vacation Bible School.
No VBS experience needed - just a happy heart!
Anyone age 16 or older can be a guide. General help and
PT volunteers welcome too. Everyone 18 and older must
complete the Diocesan VIRTUS training.
 Don't forget our Monthly Food Distribution: Friday, May 4th. Questions? Contact Janet Qualters at 703-573-9170.
 Mother's Group Meetings next month:
Evening Meeting (7:30-9:00pm), May 3rd: Managing Motherhood and Making More Time for Mom (Knecht)
May 17th: Mom's Night Out: On the Border, Tyson's Corner
Morning Meeting (10:00-11:30am), June 7th: Summer Faith & Fun in Heller Hall
Check out our Facebook Page for more pictures of our Triduum Events!! http://www.facebook.com/StJamesCatholicChurch
OUR LAST DONUT SUNDAY IS MAY 6TH!!
VIRTUS TRAINING: June 16th 9:00-1:00pm in Heller
Call the rectory for more information.
YOUTH MINISTRY
 Our teens have taken advantage of several spiritual opportunities recently: participating in the Way of the Cross which took place down Route 7 and last weekend, a retreat with Holy Family. Youth Ministry Director Em Anderson is getting ready for Work Camp; our next meeting is April 30th, this Monday from 6:30-8:30 at St, Agnes
Counterfeit Retreat 2012
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Upcoming Events |
RCIA Classes
Monday Evenings 7:30-9:00pm
Knecht Conference Room
Youth Ministry Work Camp Meeting
Monday, April 30th, 6:30-8:30pm
St. Agnes
St. James Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, April 30th 9:00am start
Social Outreach Food Distribution
Friday, May 4th, 7:00pm
Heller Hall
First Communion
Saturday, May 5th and Saturday May 12th
DONUT SUNDAY
May 6th... LAST ONE UNTIL SEPTEMBER!
Design For Excellence Committee Visit
May 8th through May 10th
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 13th
May Crowning
Thursday, May 17th at 2:00pm
Colonial Day
Friday, May 18th
Kindergarten Graduation
Friday, June 1st
Eighth Grade Graduation
Monday, June 4th at 7:00pm
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Friday, June 8th |
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Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24: 46-48)
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Contact Information
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St. James Catholic Church
905 Park Avenue Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-532-8815 Office hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm
Reverend Patrick Posey, Pastor
Please see our website: www.stjamescatholic.org
Saint James Catholic School
830 Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-533-1182 Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Sister Nancy Kindelan, IHM, Principal
Please see our website: www.saintjamesschool.org
Religious Education
830 Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-533-1182 (ext. 104)
Monday-Friday 9:30am -2:30pm
Sister Joyce Bell, IHM, Director
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