AHA Sets Golf Outing, Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions

Enjoy a relaxing day with friends at the Academy of the Holy Angels’ Second Annual Golf Outing. This event, which is being hosted by the AHA Parents’ Athletic Association, will be held Monday, September 25, at the Hackensack Golf Club. Golfers can look forward to experiencing one of New Jersey’s top-rated facilities, which features replicas of holes from some of the world’s most famous courses. (For GPS directions to the clubhouse, use 1 Golf Club Road in Emerson.) Advance registration is required. Visit the event website  https://ahagolf23.givesmart.com for tickets and details.

Proceeds from this event will benefit AHA’s athletic programs and facilities.

AHA parents who have stepped into leadership roles include PAA President Kerry Ann Flahive, parent of Margaret ’18, Mary ’21, and Molly ’26; Event Chair Laura Cutri, parent of Olivia Cutri ’26, Lily Cutri ’27, and Ava Cutri ’29; Mary Ellen Rizzo, parent of Francesca Rizzo ’25; Danielle Orlofsky (’91), parent of Reese Orlofsky ’23; and Boniface Kiamue, parent of Be’Tania Kiamue ’24.

Festivities will last throughout the day and into the evening. Those who do not golf are welcome to arrive for dinner and the 2023 AHA Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Inductees include MVP bowler Kristen Balsamo-Kleinbach (’01); All-American golfer Kelly Sim (’18); and Patti Gorsuch, who recently retired as AHA’s athletic director.

Kristen Balsamo-Kleinbach was co-captain of the inaugural AHA Bowling Team, led by AHA Hall of Fame Coach Patrick Dunne. Balsamo-Kleinbach became AHA’s first bowler to be named First Team All-County and First Team All-League; qualify for the individual state tournament; and earn Most Valuable Player honors in her sport. She helped her team place third in the county tournament, second in the state sectional tournament, and fifth in the state finals. During the state finals, she bowled a 257 and earned the silver medal for an individual bowler. In 2001, she received AHA’s prestigious Angel Award in recognition of her leadership, courage, and inspiration in athletics and academics. At AHA, this scholar athlete became a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lafayette College and a master’s degree in forensic science from Pace University. As a forensic biologist, she has used science to solve crimes in New York City and in Union County, New Jersey. She still bowls in a league with Coach Dunne.

Kelly Sim’s parents introduced her to golf when she was nine. The next year, she won her first of six junior championships. She went on to win three state titles, three MVP awards, and three All-State honors.

As an Angel, Sim was a consistent Honor Roll student and member of the French Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. She was recruited to play for Northwestern University, and rose to the top of each tournament, earning three individual titles, four consecutive B10 Golfer of the Week awards, and 2023 All-District honors for athletic and academic excellence. Sim is also a four-time B1G Distinguished Scholar recipient, and a five-time WGCA All-American Scholar.

Sim earned a bachelor’s degree in human development. During her fifth year, she pursued information design and strategy, and received her master’s. She is now pursuing a career in user experience design.

Patti Gorsuch earned her bachelor’s degree at Fordham University, where she played volleyball, softball, and basketball. After graduation, she entered the world of network television sports and news. During her 30-year broadcasting career, she became the first woman to direct a network college football game, and earned numerous Emmy Awards. At ABC Sports, she covered the Olympics and contributed to the network’s “Wide World of Sports.” She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she directed ABC’s “World News Tonight.” When she returned to New York, she became director for CBS Sports. She also served as a freelancer for CBS, NBC, and ABC. Fifteen years ago, she retired from broadcasting and became AHA’s athletic director, the post she held until her retirement in June 2023. Gorsuch recently earned the Dr. Rose Battaglia Award from the Bergen County Women Coaches Association in honor of her contributions to the development and promotion of girls basketball.

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 many cultural and religious backgrounds.