For Miriam Ackels Claerhout, Ursuline Academy Class of 1983, service isn’t simply something she does; it’s how she leads and lives. As an attorney, she has leveraged professional experience and leadership to strengthen and support others and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

One of four Ackels sisters who graduated from Ursuline Academy, Miriam carries forward a family tradition of leadership and service.

She is currently on the UA Alumnae Board and, together with her family, is chairing this year’s Alumnae Day.

From grade school and Ursuline, Miriam distinguished herself as a leader. In first grade at St. Phillip’s School, Sr. Eileen Manion stated Miriam was chosen "Most Likely to be First Woman President."  Holding several student council positions at UA, as Senior Class President, she led morning prayer and announcements, managed school-wide events and projects, while inspiring others. Awarded Senior Superlatives Most Dependable and Most Leadership, Miriam carried that spirit to Spring Hill College, where she served as a resident assistant and Student Government President, always ready to take on challenges, assist, and uplift others.

Though she declared she would never become a lawyer, after college, Miriam served as a personal assistant to a federal appellate judge who inspired her to attend law school. As a graduate of SMU Law School, she built a celebrated career in law. She distinguished herself among Texas Monthly’s Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, Top 50 Female Lawyers in Texas, and D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40. Her impressive legal career is matched by her deep leadership commitment as Chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Family Law Section. She also served as President of Legacy Family Court Foundation, championing their mission: supporting parents struggling with substance addiction to achieve recovery and family reunification, in safe, healthy environments.

Her impact extends beyond the legal community. Miriam played a pivotal role in the restoration of what is now the National Shrine and Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She helped secure financial support for the renovation of historic stained-glass windows and construction of its iconic bell tower and forty-nine bell carillon, an enduring contribution to the Dallas Arts District. She also volunteered with the Junior League of Dallas and was selected for their Leadership Council.

She served as Chair of Ursuline Academy’s Foundation, guiding strategic initiatives and strengthening its future. Miriam takes exceptional pride in mentoring Ursuline Seniors interested in law as Summer Interns at her firm.

Through every chapter of life, Miriam distinguishes herself among her peers, her community, and her colleagues. Her leadership, vision, and compassion continue to inspire, reflecting the Ursuline values of service and empowerment that shape her life.

Tanner Hartnett, Ursuline Academy Class of 2006, has long embodied dedication and dependability - qualities her classmates recognized when they voted her “Most Dependable” her senior year. A passionate participant in Ursuline theater during her student days, Tanner has carried that same energy and commitment into her adult life, where she has become a cornerstone of the Ursuline community.

For more than a decade, Tanner has devoted herself to coaching the Ursuline Mock Trial Team, tirelessly sustaining and growing the program. Each year, she inspires more than 30 students, guiding them through three weekly practices from September to February and full-weekend competitions.

Despite a demanding schedule, Tanner balances her volunteer leadership with being a mother of three, consistently demonstrating enthusiasm, dedication, and genuine care. Her passion for the law and for empowering young women to find their voices has made her a beloved mentor and an irreplaceable part of Ursuline, ensuring the program not only survives but thrives.

Professionally, Tanner is a highly respected attorney in Dallas, where she has handled more than 100 pro bono matters through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. Her extraordinary service has earned her distinguished honors, including DVAP’s 2022 “Lawyer of the Year,” the Honorable Nikki DeShazo Pro Bono Award, D Magazine’s Top Lawyers Under 40, and repeated recognition as both a “Rising Star” and “One to Watch.” She continues to serve the Dallas Bar Association’s Probate, Trust & Estate Section and frequently speaks statewide on guardianship and expanding access to probate services for vulnerable populations. Through her leadership, Tanner has significantly increased awareness of the urgent need for probate attorneys, amplifying her impact far beyond her own practice.

Whether in the courtroom, the classroom, or the community, Tanner Hartnett exemplifies the Ursuline spirit of service, leadership, and empowerment.

Amy Staubach Mentgen, Class of 1995, is one of four sisters to attend Ursuline Academy and continued a family tradition deeply rooted in the school’s mission and community by sending her own five daughters to experience the education and opportunities at Ursuline. While at Ursuline, Amy most enjoyed her four years of soccer and all the fun traditions like Intramurals and Senior Snowball. This love of all things Ursuline compelled Amy to stay involved even before having her own daughters that would become a part of the Ursuline sisterhood. The connections built with classmates and teachers made her want to continue to support Ursuline for the future of all girls that would one day have the opportunity to attend Ursuline. 

Over the years, Amy has become a constant presence at Ursuline, dedicating her time and talents to countless events and initiatives. From planning engagement events like the Freshman Parent Social, Senior Latte Day, Teacher breakfasts, and the annual Employee Thanksgiving Lunch to raising funds for Ursuline by chairing the Ursuline Gala and calling classmates during phonathon, her service has touched nearly every corner of campus life.

Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Ursuline’s future. As President of the Mother’s Club, a member of the Alumnae Board and Parent Board, and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, Amy has helped create and implement strategic operations that strengthen the school community. Most recently, she helped host her 30th Reunion, continuing her commitment to fostering connection among alumnae.

Even with only two of her children still at Ursuline, Amy’s devotion remains unwavering. For Amy, the school is not just where she and her daughters are educated; it is a community she loves deeply and continues to nurture with tireless dedication.

Sr. Mary Nelle Gage, Class of 1962, has devoted her life to service, education, and advocacy as a Sister of Loretto. Her passion for protecting the vulnerable and strengthening communities has distinguished her as both a humanitarian and a leader.

Following graduation, four of Mary Nelle’s classmates entered religious life but after four strenuous years at the Academy, she was eager for college life, telling herself she’d make a wiser decision about her vocation after broader experience. After graduating from Loretto Heights College in Denver and her experience with the Sisters of Loretto, she again wasn’t ready for religious life and decided she needed a year of working directly with men. She took a position in Washington, D. C. with the National Student Association. After that year, she knew it was time to "fish or cut bait." She’s had the rod in her hand for 57 years now.

As a Sister of Loretto, Mary Nelle taught high school for 5 years before volunteering to help one of her fellow sisters with the orphans in Vietnam in 1973. In 1975, during the final days of the Vietnam War, Sr. Mary Nelle became a central figure in Operation Babylift, the massive evacuation effort that brought more than 3,000 Vietnamese orphans to safety. Working under extraordinary pressure, she helped secure the safe passage of children on Pan Am’s last flight out of Saigon, calling them “precious cargo—the littlest victims of the Vietnam War.” Her courage and determination ensured that countless families could begin new lives of hope and healing.

After much of the Babylift work was "finished," Sr. Mary Nelle resettled refugees for 20 years with Lutheran Social Services, Church World Service, and the Episcopal Presiding Bishop's Fund. She has also worked with EarthLinks, a nature program for homeless adults in Denver.

In the years since Operation Babylift, Sr. Mary Nelle has continued to walk alongside the children she helped by returning with them to Vietnam every 7 years. Together, they have sought to reconnect with family members and experience their birth country, a journey of healing and discovery that reflects her enduring commitment to their lives and stories. They visit places significant in their stories as well as learn a bit about the history, experience the culture, and enjoy the beauty of their birthland.

Her service has extended far beyond Vietnam. Sr. Mary Nelle preserved vital records from Operation Babylift, which today help adoptees reconnect with their histories and families. She has also been celebrated for her 50 years as a Sister of Loretto, teaching, mentoring, and advocating for justice in every community she has touched.

Through every chapter of her life, Sr. Mary Nelle has combined resilience, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of every child and family. Her legacy is one of faith in action—courageously opening doors to hope, healing, and belonging across generations and continents.