AHA Grads Ella Cho, Nicole Romano Sign with Collegiate Dance Teams

Two of the Academy of the Holy Angels’ newest alumnae have committed to continue their dance careers at the college level. Ella Cho of Alpine signed with the Villanova Dance Team, and Nicole Romano of Old Tappan signed with the Penn State Dance Team. AHA Head Dance Coach Jenny Sweet organized a ceremony for both Angels on June 8.

During her senior year, Cho served as captain of the AHA Varsity Dance Team. Over the winter of 2021-22, she and her teammates earned their second consecutive sweep at the New Jersey Cheer and Dance State Championships (2021, 2022). At UDA Nationals, Cho led her team to a silver medal in small varsity hip-hop (second out of 37 teams) and a bronze medal in small varsity pom (third out of 57). This Angel was also instrumental to her team’s silver (second out of 56) and bronze medals (third out of 86) at the 2020 UDA Nationals, which were held just weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown. That year, the Angels narrowly missed winning a fifth consecutive national title in small varsity hip-hop by a 0.03 margin.

As a freshman, Cho danced for AHA’s JV team, which earned a second place finish at Nationals that year. Her JV squad also earned first place finishes in pom, hip-hop, and Game Day in the 2019 Battle of the Northeast.

Cho recently received the Angels in the Arts Scholarship for her contributions to the Academy’s dance program. In addition to her dedication to dance, she is known for her academic achievements, character, leadership, and service. Cho is a member of the National Honor Society and the national honor societies for students who excel in French, math, and science. As an Angel Ambassador, Cho provided campus tours to prospective students and their families, and shared her insider’s knowledge of the Academy – something she acquired early as an AHA Legacy. Cho’s mother, Dorothy Kim Cho, graduated from Holy Angels in 1991.

Romano, who took private dance lessons, was also a member of the AHA Varsity Soccer Team. During her senior year, she participated in the Academy’s training program for Eucharistic Ministers and worked closely with AHA Director of Campus Ministry Kathleen Sylvester, Campus Minister Maryanne Miloscia, and Religious Studies Department Chair Carol Fay. On Feast Day 2021, she was commissioned by Bishop Michael Saporito. On June 3, 2022, Romano met Bishop Saporito again, as he celebrated the baccalaureate Mass for AHA’s 142nd graduating class. Throughout her hears at AHA, Romano earned regular recognition for maintaining an excellent grade point average. She also served on the AHA Student Council.

Coach Sweet’s dancers continue to excel at Holy Angels and in college. AHA Varsity Dance Team members who have gone on to sign with college teams include Kaitlyn Lack, Sophia Costa, Natalie Quinn, Sahar Ali-Jenkins, Valeria Pernicone, Giselle Martin, Carmela Alessio, and Tamara Kim.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. Over time, thousands of women have passed through AHA’s portals. Many go on to study at some of the nation’s best universities, earning high-ranking positions in medicine, government, law, education, public service, business, arts, and athletics. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.