Lauralton’s, an All-Girls Catholic High School, Lauralton Hall, in Milford, CT, mission inspired by the Sisters of Mercy tradition, is to empower young women to pursue their highest potential through lifelong learning, compassionate service, and responsible leadership in a global society. Following the murder of George Floyd, Head of School Elizabeth Miller released a statement quoting the Sisters of Mercy’s beliefs, “Racism in all its forms contradicts Catholic Social Teaching, which calls for respect for the human dignity of every person. The Sisters of Mercy oppose racism and are actively working to develop an intercultural perspective within our Institute as well as within the communities we live and serve.” Following the statement made by Elizabeth Miller, a safe space was created for hundreds of alumni and current students who identify as Black, Asian, LGBTQI+, Jewish, and so many more to share their experiences while attending Lauralton. These experiences shared do not align with the values, mission, and culture Sisters of Mercy and Lauralton have claimed to hold.

Along with my fellow alum, I was outraged that with every experience shared came a lack of responsibility and support from white counterparts and Lauralton staff. While the “Lauralton Hall alums Holding Lauralton Accountable Team” has a greater plan to change the systemically racist and oppressive culture of Lauralton - there is an immediate call to action and we are asking for your help.

The alumni who have sponsored this page have conducted surveys of former students, asking them to share experiences at Lauralton Hall that may have made them uncomfortable about how issues of race and gender were treated at the school.  At least ten students reported to us specific incidents involving Dean Aufiero, a religion teacher at Lauralton Hall. Several reported  discussions by Mr. Aufiero in their religion class about the sacrament of marriage during which he discussed various explicit aspects of having sex with his wife  for purposes of conceiving children. Another student recalls an explicit statement made in class that gays were going to Hell. Another student reported Mr. Aufiero stating that a woman should “worship” her husband just as we worship Jesus. We believe that these kinds of comments are contrary to the teachings of the Church and specifically Pope Francis who has urged Catholics to show compassion towards those who are LGBTQ. They also run contrary to the message of empowerment for women that the school promotes. Other students reported comments made to them individually outside of class about their bodies. We do not feel that it is ever appropriate for a male teacher to make such a comment.  Others simply reported that his demeanor and comments generally made them uncomfortable.  Our alumni group was surprised by the number and breadth of negative comments about Mr. Aufiero and for that reason reported the comments to Lauralton Hall and put the petition on our web-site.

*PLEASE NOTE FOLLOW PARAGRAPH IS AN EDIT TO PREVIOUS PETITION* We are pleased to report that since the time that the original petition was published that Laurelton Hall has hired an attorney to conduct an investigation. Our committee has shared the survey comments (where students authorized us to) with the attorney for the school. While we originally urged the school administration to terminate Mr. Aufiero, we now believe that we should trust Lauralton Hall to conduct a thorough investigation and to take steps that will assure that students at Lauralton Hall will not have to deal with similar conduct either from Mr. Aufiero or any other teacher. As we have made clear, our goal in shedding light on the past is to effect a change for the future.  Please lend us your support in this goal of helping Lauralton Hall to face some lingering issues the correction of which will make Lauralton Hall a better place for all. If you plan to support our goals, please sign the petition within the next ten days as we regard our goal of making our voices  heard as accomplished. We will deliver the final list of supporters to Lauralton Hall so that they understand the numbers of alumni who support them in bringing change to the school.

If you are a Lauralton Hall alum, please sign your name and graduation year. If you are a concerned citizen, simply sign you name and know that I am grateful for your support. Please email anewlh@gmail.com if you are looking to help.