Alumnae

Veritas & SAYPO Awards

Alumna Veritas Award

THE ALUMNAE VERITAS AWARD
The St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Veritas Award is awarded to an active* alumna who exhibits dedication to the St. Agnes community and the community as a whole. She shows compassion for humanity and demonstrates achievements academically, professionally, and as a leader. It was established in 2004, and since then, the St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Board has honored an alumna with the Veritas Award.
*active alumnae are either alumnae volunteers, past board members or have contributed financially (in any amount) to SAA in the past five years.

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2025 VERITAS AWARD WINNER: SOFIA ADROGUÉ ’84

Sofia Adrogué ’84 is a trailblazing attorney, public servant, and community advocate whose lifelong dedication to justice and service reflects the Veritas spirit. She is two-time magna cum laude graduate, earning her B.A. from Rice University, Phi Beta Kappa, and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, Order of the Coif & Barons, both on full academic scholarships. She is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program (first female U.S. Keynote Speaker & U.S. Class Representative) and has earned national recognition for her legal and civic leadership.
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2024, Sofia now serves as an inaugural Judge of the Eleventh Business Court Division in Houston, a statewide court for complex business disputes. A native of Argentina, Sofia is a former Senior Trial Partner with Diamond McCarthy LLP, a 10-year+ Texas Super Lawyer, Best Lawyer, & Latino Leaders “U.S. 25 Most Influential Hispanic Lawyer” & “Most Powerful Woman in Law.”
She is the Editor of the Texas Business Litigation treatise (5^th Edition). Her pioneering work includes over 120 published legal articles, 125+ CLE presentations, and service on more than 15 boards. Sofia’s legacy to the community spans dozens of impactful organizations, including board and leadership roles with Girls Inc. of Greater Houston, Houston First Corporation, Theatre Under the Stars, and the UH Law Center Immigration Clinic. She has also served on the boards of the Chinquapin School, Memorial Hermann Foundation, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, United Way of Greater Houston, and her three alma maters, among others. A dedicated advocate for education, she co-founded the Youth Leadership Forum at Rice University. She served on the Richard Tapia Center for Excellence & Equity at Rice University as an Executive Committee Member. She also co-hosted and co-produced over 125 episodes of Latina Voices: Smart Talk, an award-winning TV Show engaging, educating, and inspiring our prophetic city—Houston.

Her community impact is reflected in awards such as the Barbara Jordan Legacy Award, YWCA Woman of Achievement, Neuhaus Education Center Icon Award, UH Law Center Arrival Award, and Rice University’s Meritorious Service Award. She has been recognized with “Sofia Adrogué Day” proclamations from the City of Houston twice. She was named Executive Woman of the Year, Woman of Distinction by ABC13, and among the 10 Outstanding Young Americans by the U.S. Jaycees. She has also received the Greater Houston Woman’s Chamber of Commerce Pioneering Leadership in Justice Award, the Tributo Mujer Hispana “Mujer del Año” recognition, the L.I.F.E. Mother’s Day Award, the UHLC Hispanic Law Heritage Wall of Honor recognition, the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston Global Leader of Influence, Comcast Hispanic Heroes Award, a Houston Chronicle Channel 11 “Texas Legend” and 10 “Extraordinary Latinos” (Inaugural List).

A consistent supporter of St. Agnes Academy, Sofia served as the school’s first alumna Board Member (2000–2003), helping elevate the alumnae voice in school leadership. She is a devoted aunt to alumna Alessandra Adrogué ’23 and current student Lisette Adrogué ’25, as well as to her children—Sloane Adrogué Gustafson, Schuyler Adrogué Gustafson, and Stefan Adrogué Gustafson. She continues to support the Academy through her attendance, advocacy, and philanthropy.

Sofia’s deep commitment to faith, education, leadership, and community impact embodies the mission of St. Agnes Academy. She represents the highest ideals of Dominican education and has used her talents to uplift others, lead with purpose, and inspire meaningful change.
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2024 Veritas Award winner: MEGAN COODY HOTZE ’01

In 2020, Megan was honored by The Junior League of Houston with the prestigious Sara Houstoun Lindsey Award, recognizing her exemplary dedication to the community and her unwavering commitment to advancing the League’s mission. After joining the League in 2009, Megan consistently demonstrated leadership, serving in various capacities including a leadership role in the Tea Room, multiple chairmanships, and a position on The Junior League of Houston Board of Directors. Her contributions extended to the Community Assistance Committee and to serving as a provisional mentor, showcasing her deep commitment to fostering community engagement.

Also in 2020, Megan took on a founding role with Impact100 Houston, a visionary initiative that unites women to make a profound impact on their community. This innovative group aims to raise at least $100,000 annually through member contributions, awarding transformational grants to local charities. Since its inaugural grant-making year in 2021, Impact100 Houston has awarded $685,000 to local non-profits, empowering women throughout the city to create significant, lasting change.
Megan is the founder and principal of Megan Hotze Editorial, a PR firm based in Houston that serves globally-recognized leaders in home design, mental health, and beauty.

In 2021, her outstanding leadership in professional services was recognized by the Houston Business Journal, which named her an honoree of the Women Who Mean Business Award. In 2024, she was invited to speak at St. Agnes Academy Career Day where she shared her insights on navigating the dynamic world of public relations, building a successful career in the industry, and the importance of storytelling in shaping a brand’s identity.

Beyond her professional accolades, Megan is a devoted mother to her three daughters, loving wife to John Luke Hotze, and is currently an active SAA parent. She is deeply involved with a number of non-profits, serving as a passionate advocate for Bo’s Place, Theatre Under the Stars, Memorial Park Conservancy, and 4^th Wall Theatre, in addition to her efforts with Impact100 Houston and The Junior League of Houston.

Megan leads by example, instilling a strong philanthropic spirit in her daughters. Her unwavering dedication to the worthy causes she supports is truly inspiring.
2023 Veritas Award winner: JOY SEWING

Joy Sewing was the Houston Chronicle Culture columnist and formerly the fashion and beauty editor. In December 2023 Joy was promoted to become the Houston Chronicle’s first Black news columnist in the paper’s 122-year history. She is an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Houston. In December 2016, Joy founded Year of Joy, a 501c3 nonprofit to bring joyful experiences and cultural and educational activities to children from Houston's underserved communities. Her organization has impacted nearly 2,000 area children. The annual H-E-B Year of Joy Holiday Ice Skating Party at Discovery Green welcomes 200 children, performers, and 60 volunteers to celebrate the holiday spirit on ice.

in 2023, Joy was honored by the Hearst Corporation nationally with the Hearst Gives Back Service award for her community service. The award included a $2,500 donation to her Year of Joy non-profit organization. She used the donation to award the first Year of Joy Skating Scholarship to a Houston teen and Colombian immigrant who taught himself how to ice skate by watching YouTube videos. He is now headed to Northeastern University in Boston and working on triple jumps. (Joy became Houston's first African-American figure-skating coach while in college.)
In 2022, she was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Commentary for her columns about community, social justice, and inequalities. The previous year, she was recognized for her column writing by the Society of Features Journalism, which called her work “touching works about humanity.”

Joy also was named a 2022 Woman of Distinction by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. During the pandemic, she established the Year of Joy Skating Scholar program to provide free ice skating lessons and gear to deserving youth. Joy was named one of five “Houston unsung heroes” featured in the “Monuments by Craig Walsh” exhibit at Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston. Her face was projected high onto one of the park’s majestic trees.

In 2020, after spending 15 years as the Houston Chronicle’s fashion editor, interviewing everyone from Oscar de la Renta to Beyonce, Joy was named the Houston Chronicle’s first-ever Culture Columnist, covering social justice, parenting, and culture. That previous year, Joy became a foster-to-adoptive mom to two siblings. She has since become an advocate for children in foster care. The adoption of her two children was final in April 2023.
Joy has a soft heart for shelter animals with two rescue boxers, which she featured in her debut children’s book, “Ava and the Prince: The Adventures of Two Rescue Pups. The book was one of the top picks by Houston children through the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Home Library program. With her dog Ava, Joy visited more than 50 schools, libraries, and children’s events across Texas to share her story and teach children about animal empathy.

Joy received the Houston Humanitarian Award in 2017. This award was established to recognize local and National heroes who exemplify kindness by giving back to their communities. Recognized by the city of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner, the humanitarian award honors individuals who have given of themselves unselfishly.

While at St. Agnes, Joy was mentored by Sr. Hilary Beck, who promoted Joy to be the school newspaper's columnist and taught her how to use her creativity through photography. Their friendship lasted for more than a decade.
Veritas Award Past Recipients

2024 – Megan Coody Hotze ’01
2023 – Joy Sewing
2022 – Jessica Spikerman Graham ‘98
2020 & 2021 – #Veritasheroes & Class of 1975
2019 – Alyssa Parrish Bublewicz '97
2018 – Lauri Schneidau Ruiz '77
2017 – Shannon Beirne Wiesedeppe ’90
2016 – Katie Upton Daily ’96
2015 - Diane Knebel Watler ’72
2014 – Conception Diaz-Arrastia Green ’78
2013 – Carolyn Carbajal McCairns ’57
2012 - Sr. Carol Mayes, O.P. '56
2011 - Charla Ward Trader '64
2010 - Mary Ann Chambers '57
2009 - Debbie Sieck '87
2008 - Kathy Kokas '73
2007 - Janet Kingham Greenwood '57
2006 - Sister Therese Warden, O.P. '51
2005 - Eileen Antill '51
2004 - Calista Schneidau Herbert '69

SAYPO Award

The SAYPO (St. Agnes Young Professionals Organization) Award

The SAYPO Award honors an active young alumna* who is pursuing excellence in her career and representing St. Agnes with distinction in the community. Established in 2015, the award has been presented annually by the St. Agnes Young Professionals Organization to celebrate an alumna who exemplifies these qualities.

*active alumnae are either alumnae volunteers, past board members or have contributed financially (in any amount) to SAA in the past five years.

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2025 SAYPO AWARD WINNER: MADELINE GARVIS SMITH ’14

We are thrilled to recognize Madeline Garvis Smith ’14 as the recipient of the 2025 SAYPO Award. This award honors an active young alumna who pursues excellence in her career while representing St. Agnes with distinction in the community. Presented annually by the St. Agnes Young Professionals Organization, it celebrates alumnae who exemplify leadership, service, and spirit.

A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Madeline is a leading voice in Houston’s rescue community. She received the Social Influencer for the Animals Award from Citizens for Animal Protection, honoring her powerful advocacy through her platform @madtotherescue. Through her social media presence, she spotlights animals in danger of euthanasia for space who are in urgent need of foster homes, facilitates rescue and foster efforts, and raises awareness across Houston and beyond. She speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves and has saved the lives of countless animals.

Madeline also served on the Houston Mayor’s Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, helping to shape Houston area shelter policies. An oncology nurse with Memorial Hermann, she balances her medical career with hands-on animal advocacy, supporting multiple rescue organizations.

A lifelong servant leader, Madeline is a former SAYPO Board member, a former St. Agnes Alumnae Board member, and a consistent supporter of St. Agnes. Her dedication to service and justice is part of a proud family legacy—her mother, Ruey Farley Garvis ’87, is an alumna, and her father, Matthew Garvis, graduated from Strake Jesuit.

We are proud to honor Madeline for her continued commitment to compassion, justice, and Veritas. Follow her work on Instagram and Facebook to see how she continues to be a voice for the voiceless.

(Pictured with her husband, Jerred, and one of their many foster dogs.)
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2024 SAYPO Award winner: NATALIE HARMS ‘10

Natalie has worked as a business journalist for a decade and has served her hometown of Houston in a number of ways both professionally and philanthropically.

She is the inaugural editor at InnovationMap, a digital news source covering Houston innovation and startup news. She is also the editor of EnergyCapitalHTX, where she covers energy transition news happening in Houston. She previously served as associate editor at Houston Business Journal.

In 2020, Natalie was awarded the Small Business Media Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Houston and Score Houston. Natalie says, “It’s honestly such a privilege to get to help tell the stories of Houston’s small businesses and startups, so this award is just the icing on the cake!”

She also received the “Rising Star” award at the American Advertising Federation's 2019 Trailblazer awards. She was honored alongside Paul Hobby.

In 2019, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Houston named Natalie as a “Defender of Potential” for being a big sister and for representing BBBS as a positive spokesperson and advocate through her Houston lifestyle blog, It’s Not Hou, It’s Me, which she co-founded with a fellow SAA alumna to be the voice of young professionals either discovering or rediscovering their city.

Natalie holds a degree in journalism from the University of Houston and received her certificate in publishing from New York University. Natalie is a former SAYPO Board chair, vice-chair, and member, serving from 2016 to 2022. She hosted a SAYPO Alumnae Event in conjunction with the launch of It’s Not Hou, It’s Me in 2016 and is a founding mentor in the Alumnae Mentorship program. She is a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo volunteer as a content contributor to the Bowlegged H Magazine, and has raised funds for Dressember Foundation, a human trafficking nonprofit.

houston.innovationmap.com
itsnothouitsme.com
2023 SAYPO Award Winner: REGINA VATTEROTT ’12

Regina is passionate about finding scalable ways to help people through empowering design in healthcare. She thinks like an entrepreneur, which she has been for 10 years and counting. Regina is the co-founder and board member of EllieGrid, a smart pill organizer that helps increase medication adherence. It also allows doctors and non-physician practitioners to provide effective Remote Therapeutic Monitoring services. Regina started EllieGrid in college after winning a business plan competition in 2015.

In March of 2019, Regina had a massive brain bleed. She was in a remote part of the southern Israeli desert attending the Forbes 30 Under 30 conference when she had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by an arteriovenous malformation (essentially a tangle of veins.) She was 25 years old. Regina lost movement on the right side of her body and her ability to speak. Now, almost four years later, she has recovered most of her speech and movement. she considers herself blessed for all the support, healthcare workers, and rehab. Says Regina, “I have a long way to go, but I keep getting better every day. This experience has helped me to empathize better with my customers and build better health products for them.” Since her stroke, she has volunteered for the American Heart Association 2022 Woman of Impact campaign and advocates for the neurology and neurosurgery centers at Houston Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann T.I.R.R. Rehabilitation and Research. She hopes her story can provide hope to survivors and educate ALL PEOPLE about the signs of stroke.

In 2023, Regina was named one of the U.S.’s top 40 Chief Operating Officers in the Personal Health Space by C.O.O. Boardroom Media, which tracks over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. Individuals were chosen based on exceptional performance in innovation, growth, management, and societal impact.

While at St. Agnes Academy, Regina participated in track and field, campus ministry, and student council.
She is an aspiring writer, adaptive shoe designer, and neurogenesis and brain health venture capitalist. reginavatterott.com

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:

F: Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A: Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S: Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T: Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Regina is passionate about finding scalable ways to help people through empowering design in healthcare. She thinks like an entrepreneur, which she has been for 10 years and counting. Regina is the co-founder and board member of EllieGrid, a smart pill organizer that helps increase medication adherence. It also allows doctors and non-physician practitioners to provide effective Remote Therapeutic Monitoring services. Regina started EllieGrid in college after winning a business plan competition in 2015.

In March of 2019, Regina had a massive brain bleed. She was in a remote part of the southern Israeli desert attending the Forbes 30 Under 30 conference when she had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by an arteriovenous malformation (essentially a tangle of veins.) She was 25 years old. Regina lost movement on the right side of her body and her ability to speak. Now, almost four years later, she has recovered most of her speech and movement. she considers herself blessed for all the support, healthcare workers, and rehab. Says Regina, “I have a long way to go, but I keep getting better every day. This experience has helped me to empathize better with my customers and build better health products for them.” Since her stroke, she has volunteered for the American Heart Association 2022 Woman of Impact campaign and advocates for the neurology and neurosurgery centers at Houston Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann T.I.R.R. Rehabilitation and Research. She hopes her story can provide hope to survivors and educate ALL PEOPLE about the signs of stroke.

In 2023, Regina was named one of the U.S.’s top 40 Chief Operating Officers in the Personal Health Space by C.O.O. Boardroom Media, which tracks over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. Individuals were chosen based on exceptional performance in innovation, growth, management, and societal impact.

While at St. Agnes Academy, Regina participated in track and field, campus ministry, and student council.
She is an aspiring writer, adaptive shoe designer, and neurogenesis and brain health venture capitalist. reginavatterott.com

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:

F: Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A: Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S: Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T: Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
SAYPO Award Past Recipients

2024 – Natalie Harms ’01
2023 – Regina Vatterott ’12
2022 – VTV Lockdown Crew: Barbara Frind ‘07, Emma Morris ‘12, and Charlotte Friend ‘13
2020 & 2021 – #Veritasheroes & Class of 1975
2019 – Annie Rupani Farino '07
2018 – Ammie Hudson Blahuta '98
2017 – Madeline Burns ’09
2016 – Sara Brandino Elias ’99
2015 (Inaugural) – Andrea Ivey Phillips ’04