Ursuline Academy Students Serve Across New Orleans for St. Angela’s Feast Day

Written By Alicia Vial

More than 350 students participate in service projects at ten locations, honoring nearly 300 years of Ursuline tradition

NEW ORLEANS – Ursuline Academy celebrated St. Angela’s Feast Day of Service on January 27, 2026, continuing a centuries-old tradition rooted in faith, compassion and leadership. In honor of the school’s patroness, more than 350 Ursuline students from Kindergarten through 12th grade joined faculty and staff in a day dedicated to service, living out the Ursuline motto, Serviam (“I will serve”).

Ursuline students volunteered at ten service locations throughout the Greater New Orleans area, collectively completing more than 1800 service hours. Service projects supported a wide range of community partners, including homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, schools, environmental organizations and Catholic Charities. Students in the Ursuline Academy Early Childhood Program and Lily House Nursery spent time visiting with Ursuline Sisters on campus.

“St. Angela’s Feast Day of Service is a powerful expression of our mission in action,” said Sue Heidel, Principal of Ursuline Academy. “This day invites our students to recognize the dignity of every person and respond with compassion, humility, and leadership. We are incredibly proud of how our girls embody the spirit of Serviam through meaningful service to others.”

St. Angela Merici (1474–1540), founder of the Order of St. Ursula, dedicated her life to the education of girls and care for those most in need. She is the patron saint of those who are sick, disabled and orphaned. Her “Last Counsel” emphasizes unity, respect and service—values that remain central to Ursuline Academy nearly 500 years after her passing.

The annual Feast Day of Service reinforces Ursuline Academy’s commitment to forming young women who lead with faith, empathy and courage—carrying the spirit of St. Angela beyond the classroom and into the wider community.

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About Ursuline Academy of New Orleans
Founded in 1727, Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is the oldest Catholic school and the oldest continuously operating school for girls in the United States. Rooted in the tradition of St. Angela Merici, the Academy is committed to the spiritual, intellectual, and moral development of young women in the spirit of Serviam: “I will serve.”

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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