Holy Cross Academy
(PreK-8th)
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders
Meet the Team
Bekah Burke
Favorites
-Camping
-My sweet dogs
-Peanut butter cups
-Coca-cola
-Basketball
-Watching football
(Dallas Cowboy fan)
Bekah Burke - Business Manager
Contact Info:
Experiences and Accomplishments
I was born and half raised in Austin, Texas. My family moved to Fredericksburg when I was six years old. Shortly after moving here we became parishioners at St. Mary’s. I grew up going to Mass and Religious Ed at St. Mary’s and it has always felt like home. My parents have always been involved with the Parish and instilled that value of community involvement in my sisters and me. When I was in high school I helped teach preschool CCD as an aide with my sisters and eventually taught my own class there.
I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Sports Management from Virginia Commonwealth University (Go, Rams, Go!) in 2006. I spent my summers working with Stafford County’s Park & Rec Department helping with summer camps. I spent about 10 years working with the Y’s Before and After school/summer camp programs as a Child Care Manager in Stafford County schools. I loved watching the kids develop their skills whether it was through physical activities, arts & crafts, or through their academic studies.
I married my husband, Patrick, in November 2014 and we have lived in Fredericksburg until recently when we bought our first house in King George. Now, my hobbies mostly include house projects but when I can I like to go explore trails and different areas, go on bike rides, reading, and playing board games with family and friends. My favorite place that I have gotten to explore was AT&T Stadium with my husband and my sister. We even got to run on the field and touch the star! Go Cowboys! I grew up playing softball and basketball and participated in track & field in the shotput and discus events in high school. In three out of the four years I was invited to the High School Track Regionals for shotput.
My Confirmation saint is St. Catherine of Sienna. St. Catherine was devoted to her family and even explained that her father was a representation of Jesus, her mother as Our Lady, and her brothers as the apostles, which helped her to serve them with humility. I am very close to my family, so this really speaks to me. She is also quoted as saying “It is surely justice to share our natural gifts with those who share our nature”. Oh, what a joy it is to share my gifts with all of those around me and hopefully you!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Dina James-Robertson
Favorites
- Traveling
- Dr. Pepper
- Interacting with others
- Volleyball
- Beach
- Family
-Flowers
Dina James-Robertson
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
Director of Admissions and Enrollment, Liaison Officer, and Marketing Lead at Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She also serves as the Middle School Volleyball Coach and continues her passion for athletics by coaching travel volleyball with 540 Volleyball Club during the off-season.
After transitioning from her role as General Manager and Regional Sales Manager for American Family Fitness (AFF), Dina embraced a new chapter in education. She began as a substitute teacher at both St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School and Holy Cross Academy, where her daughters were enrolled. Her commitment to youth development quickly led to her appointment as the first Freshman Volleyball Coach at SJP. Recognizing her leadership and dedication, Holy Cross Academy offered her a full-time position, where she now plays a pivotal role in shaping the school’s enrollment strategy and community engagement.
Dina brings over 24 years of global sales, marketing, and executive management experience to her current role. At AFF, she was instrumental in scaling operations across the Americas region. Prior to AFF, she held key leadership positions at Staples, including District Manager for Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Her tenure was marked by outstanding performance, including a 23% increase in regional sales and $22M in revenue growth. As a General Manager and District Trainer, her team achieved top national rankings.
Earlier in her career, Dina held management roles with Target (MD/VA), McCraes (FL), and served as a volunteer event planner and liaison for active military families across several states. As an entrepreneur, she launched J&J Event Planning in 2005, which was later rebranded as Highly Allocated, LLC in 2014. The company specializes in wine and spirit tastings, corporate events, and trade shows.
A passionate advocate for youth and underserved communities, Dina has long supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She served on the Advisory Board for the Greater Washington chapter and later became Chief Professional Officer and President of the Board for the Boys & Girls Club of the Rappahannock Region, successfully guiding the organization to independent nonprofit status.
Dina resides in Fredericksburg, VA, with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys traveling, interior design, great food, cinema, and spending quality time with her family.
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
AJ Phan
Favorites
-Outdoors
-Snowboarding
-Dark Chocolate
-Matcha
-Family
AJ Phan - Administrative Assistant
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
I am thrilled to be entering my 2nd full year at Holy Cross Academy as an Administrative Assistant. It has been such a joy getting to know our students, families, and staff, and I look forward to continuing to learn all the names and faces that make this community so special.
Before joining HCA, I served as a Business Manager for both The Cheesecake Factory and a small business in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina. Those experiences helped me develop strong skills in organization, communication, and team support—skills that I am excited to bring to my role here at the Academy.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and trying new things. I am grateful to be part of the Holy Cross community and look forward to a wonderful year ahead!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Jill Wolf
Favorites
-Twizzlers
-Diet Coke
-Reading
-Spending time w/family
Jill Wolf - Nurse
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
My name is Jill Wolf and this is my third year as a nurse here at Holy Cross Academy. I have been a Registered Nurse for 22 years. Prior to that I was a Licensed Practical Nurse for a little over a year, working in a nursing home. After becoming an RN, I worked on a trauma rehab unit at the County Hospital in Buffalo New York. In 2002 I went into emergency medicine, and never looked back. I love taking care of elderly patients to patients who are only a few days old. Nothing beats the rush of a trama, but I also enjoyed teaching health, and taking care of the poor. COVID landed me at Holy Cross, helping teach in the classroom about proper hand hygiene, mask usage, and quarantine dates. I love my role here, working with Janet Richardson RN to provide the students and their families with the best care. I am married to Harold Wolf, and we have 2 kids. I enjoy spending my time with them, and staying active. I am a cradle Catholic, a member of St. Mary's parish and I volunteer on the funeral committee. St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday, and his Lorica or Breastplate is one of my favorite prayers. You will often hear me muttering to myself "Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left..." Fun fact: we have 4 beehives and hope for our first honey this fall! Looking forward to a happy and healthy year!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Kirk Bielovitz
Favorites
-Avocados
-Music
-Spending time w/family
Kirk Bielovitz - Facility Manager
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
Originally from Scranton, PA, my wife Michelle and I moved to Fredericksburg in 1998. We moved to King George, VA in 2007, where we currently reside with our daughter Julia, our dog Haley, 50 chickens, 2 roosters and 4 geese. Prior to relocating to Virginia, I attended the Act 120 Police Academy in Pennsylvania. I then started working at the State Department with Diplomatic Security. I transitioned to another government agency where I had the experience of traveling to 23 countries working with logistics and preventive maintenance on US embassies. In my five years here at Holy Cross, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working in all different aspects of Facility Maintenance from changing light bulbs to diagnosing electrical/HVAC issues. It’s extremely rewarding to receive the “Thank you Mr. B for fixing our school” cards and notes from the children. Many will even stop me in the hallways to give me a Thank You. My wife, being a lifelong Catholic, persuaded me to convert in 2008 to which I happily obliged… and having the opportunity to work in a Catholic environment has been a blessing. My Confirmation Saint is St. Thomas Aquinas. My hobbies include furniture making, guitar, piano and sometimes banjo.
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Willie Ivey
Favorites
-Baked goods
-Spending time w/family
-Cars
-Football
Willie Ivey - Custodian
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
Mr. Ivey has been a part of HCA since it’s opening 25 years ago. He works hard at making HCA shine - figuratively and literally! As our custodian he makes sure that HCA is always put together. If he isn’t found cleaning the school, he is helping staff move items or helping setting up for an event, and he does it all with a smile! His favorite thing about HCA is working with the children and having prayer flow throughout the building each day! He likes shooting hoops with the kids at recess when he can. Mr. Ivey is from Denver originally and can talk to you about any football team but Denver is his #1 team! He married his wonderful wife 28 years ago. On his time off, he likes working on cars and spending time with his family. We are so lucky to have Mr. Ivey here at HCA, what a fun and genuinely nice guy!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Christina Merkal
Favorites
-Flamingos
-Traveling
-Spending time w/family
Christina Merkal - Resource Teacher
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
Hello! My name is Christina Merkal and I am the Resource Teacher at Holy Cross Academy. I am somewhat new to the area, as my family moved to Stafford in November of 2020. When we arrived, we toured a few schools and my girls immediately decided they wanted to attend Holy Cross. It was extremely fortunate for me that there happened to be a teaching position available and Holy Cross quickly became our new family in a new home. I grew up in central Pennsylvania and attended Catholic school from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. I earned my degree at Bloomsburg University. I am married with two girls, 13 and 9, and two crazy dogs. Due to my husband’s job, we have moved multiple times in the last fourteen years. We are fortunate to have had the experiences we did and those experiences repeatedly taught us the importance of faith and family. My passion is teaching and working to help students experience success. My favorite hobbies are learning and spending time with my family. I love to read and enjoy traveling. My patron saint is Elizabeth of Hungary. I love that she went to great lengths to help those in need.
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Lindsay Longo
Favorites
-Twix
-Cherry Coke Zero
-Reading
-Traveling
Lindsay Longo - Resource Specialist
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
I’ve worked six years as a 2nd grade teacher and four years as a special education teacher specializing in reading with Stafford County Public Schools. I completed my B.A. at the College of William and Mary, received my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education PK-6 from George Mason University and earned a M.Ed. endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum K-12 from the University of Mary Washington. In 2023, I earned my Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) credential and am qualified to work with individuals with dyslexia and other reading disabilities.
God has blessed me with a wonderful, loving family. I moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia ten years ago and married my husband, Matthew. We are now parents to our two beautiful children, William and Anna . We also have two cuddly cats, Harper and Elsa.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading and traveling.
I’ve always felt God’s calling to be a mom and a teacher. It’s my sincerest prayer that God uses me to do his work this school year at HCA. God Bless!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Heather DuMont
Favorites
-Snickers Bar
-Sparkling water
-Gardening
-Hiking
Heather DuMont - Student Support Coordinator
Contact Info:
Experience & Accomplishments:
I’m a mom and a Student Support Coordinator who is passionate about helping students feel supported, understood, and empowered to succeed. I work closely with families, educators, and students to create positive pathways for academic and personal growth, always with compassion and collaboration at the center of my work.