C E L E B R AT I N G T H E 1 5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY O F B O S T O N C O L L E G E H I G H S C H O O L
BC High Today Summer 2014
The Women of BC High
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Vol. 13 Issue 2
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e f le cti o n s
ASCENSION THURSDAY, 2014 By Barbara O’Brien Miller
BARBARA O’BRIEN MILLER
Barbara grew up in St. Kevin’s parish in Dorchester, MA. She began her career on Morrissey Boulevard in the fall of 1987 as a substitute teacher in the English department. She went on to teach in both the English department and the religious education department before becoming the Director of Diversity. Barbara has many successes to be proud of during her years spent teaching at BC High, but starting the Good Friday Walk, a tradition that has lasted for 26 years and creating the Diversity Cabinet are two that will continue on for future students. Barbara holds a degree from Stonehill College and a Masters in Education from Boston College.
“FROM THE FIRST DAY I MET YOU it was clear that you were a person who only wanted to be good and do God’s will for her.” Written during my last week at BC High, my husband of forty-three years wrote me a letter of gratitude for our family and hope for our future. His words gave me the grace to stop and reflect on the past twentyseven years at BC High. Doc helped me see the tremendous gift I have been given to allow God’s spirit to work through me at BC High. Now, I invite students to be good and, at times, help them to discern God’s will for them. Since 1987, I have held many titles, taught in the religious education, social studies, and English departments, moderated many diversity groups, and worked with parents, yet all of the work of my rich career has been the same. I learned from the Jesuits that all of us need to know and believe that we are loved by God, and in those places where we are broken, we need healing. No matter what the subject or group, our students need to experience that love from at least one of us. I have been lucky enough to be one of those people for some, many of whom have been the most marginalized in our society. In an atmosphere of love, safety, and high expectations, my work with students has been to remove the barriers beyond their control that keep them from being their best self. In the classroom, it could be a lack of confidence in an ability to get even smarter; it could be the deadening depression that comes after a serious loss or crisis; it could be a spiritual brokenness that needs healing; or it could be the analysis of poor choices, their consequences, and the emergence of a new commitment and the joy of forgiveness and renewal. Outside of the classroom, barriers for students may be immigration issues, poverty, language, or family tragedy. I have been honored to be trusted with the most vulnerable stories and have been able to work with students and parents to alleviate some of those obstacles. This rich career of mine has taught me that every life is sacred. Every person is precious. When I look back over my career, there are moments that stand out to me. Former students may recall the appellation, “my precious little ones” when referring to them. Mike McGonagle ’70 laughing as he heard the phrase, would say to the young man, often close to 6’ tall, “Which part of that phrase do you like the least: ‘precious’ or ‘little?’” My students knew what I meant, and, I hope, felt secretly pleased, valued, and loved by God. Working in tandem with guidance, student affairs, the adjustment counselors and the academic offices, I was taught by my first partner in my work, the late Jim Cotter ’55, “to double team a kid.” New immigrant families from Africa, Iraq, Lebanon, Colombia, Haiti, Vietnam, Mexico, Cape Verde, Argentina, the Philippines, China, Poland, the Domincan Republic, Italy, Jordan, and many others have taught us that we are all diverse; we may speak many languages, but we at BC High are ONE FAMILY. In my current work as Director of Diversity, I am often the “first responder” to their needs. Four years ago, some of our students founded the Diversity Cabinet, a group of student leaders from every ethnic, religious, racial, and economic background. Each young man was committed to making BC High a place where it is easy to be good. Iraqi refugee Yousif Hanna ’12 and his fellow classmates Syed Ali ’12, Liam Feeney ’12, Standy Merizier ’12, Varnel Antoine ’12, Chris Castro ’12, and Frankie Davis ’12 were its founders. Their collaboration of groups brought together the organizations at BC High to examine issues of race, class, gender, and identity through identifying the issues that divide us, developing leadership skills, assessing needs, and organizing community action. Our goal was to develop partnership among all students at BC High. From all of my students and their parents I have learned more than I have from any course. The richness of our BC High community is staggering. On our best days, we are able to experience the Kingdom of God in our midst, in the faces and goodness of all of our students. The Jesuits founded BC High, in part, to provide a quality education to the Catholic immigrants. My role as Director of Diversity has been to continue their mission. I am grateful to the Jesuits then and the ones with us today, for their trust in me, and for the blessing and pleasure of working with such talented, caring and compassionate people while at BC High. I am grateful to the administration, my fellow colleagues, the students, and parents for twenty-seven amazing years. Most of all, I am grateful for the love and unselfish support of my husband, Doc Miller, my sons Michael ’91 and Danny ’93, my daughter-in-law, Cynthia Platt, and our granddaughter Charlotte. God’s blessings to all.
BC High Today
in this issue
Published by:
9 FEATURE
The Women of BC High Read why they are such an integral part of the community. by Leslie LaRocca
13 FEATURE
Global Education Under African Skies A uniquely Jesuit model for global education. by Brendan Hughes ’98
18 FEATURE
The Collar and the Badge Reverend Richard Conway ’55 is living the mission on the streets of Boston. by Thomas R. Mulvoy ’60
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Reverend Vincent Biagi, SJ
J. Frank Keohane, Esq. ‘53
Mr. Brendan O. Bradley ‘87
Mr. Patrick J. Landers ‘73, Chair
Mr. Gregory E. Bulger ‘68
Mr. William J. LaPoint, Jr. ‘80
Mr. Philip M. Byrne ‘58
Mr. John H. McCarthy
Mr. Patrick F. Cadigan, PhD ’52
Mr. John G. McLaughlin ‘87
Mr. John R. Carroll ‘86
Mr. Paul F. McManus, Jr. ‘74
Ms. Patricia A. Casey
Mr. John A. McNeice, Jr. ’50
Ms. Katie Conboy, PhD
Mr. John F. McQuillan, Jr. ‘83
Reverend Brian Conley, SJ
Mr. John V. Murphy ‘67
Mr. Peter F. Dolan ‘79
Mr. William J. Murphy, Jr. ‘60
Mr. Joseph T. Donahue ‘74
Mr. Joseph H. Petrowski ‘72
Mr. J. Barry Driscoll ‘48
Reverend Mario Powell, SJ
Mr. John F. Ferraro ‘73
Mr. Frank E. Previte ‘61
Mrs. Margaret M. Florentine
Mrs. Deborah P. Reed P’04
Mr. Paul E. Fulchino ‘64
Mr. William M. Sullivan ‘81
Mrs. Anne Tamer Hajjar P’16,’18
Mr. Richard D. Walsh ‘65
Mr. David M. Kelly ‘60
Mr. Robert F. Walsh ‘59, Vice Chair
Mr. William Kemeza
Mr. Christopher F. Winchenbaugh ‘83
Mr. Daniel L. Kenslea, Jr. ‘71
Reverend John C. Wronski, SJ
departments
2 On the Boulevard 5 150th Anniversary Campaign 22 Q & A with Tara Gohlmann 24 Athletics in the News 26 Alumni News Notes 30 Faculty & Staff Notes 32 The Scene 34 In Memoriam
correction BC High Today, Winter 2013: The following name was listed incorrectly in the winter BC High Today magazine: Francis McCauley ‘48 celebrated 50 years of public service as a Ward 1 Councilor and Mayor of Quincy.
Office for Institutional Advancement Boston College High School 150 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 617-474-5030 • Fax: 617-474-5035 www.bchigh.edu
Summer 2014 • Vol. 13 Issue 2 William Kemeza, President OFFICE FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement Michele M. Daly mdaly@bchigh.edu Associate Director of Communications William L. Burke ’52 burke@bchigh.edu Senior Director for Institutional Advancement Colleen Carter ccarter@bchigh.edu Director of Alumni Relations Matthew J. Curran ’89 curran@bchigh.edu Advancement Systems Manager Kimberly Duong duong@bchigh.edu 150th Event Planner Lolita Elverrillo lelverrillo@bchigh.edu Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships Tara Esfahanian tesfahanian@bchigh.edu Development Coordinator Margaret Maguire mmaguire@bchigh.edu Assistant Director of Development Joseph Maher ’03 jmaher@bchigh.edu Director of Development Staci McDonnell P’19 smcdonnell@bchigh.edu Operations Assistant Ellen M. McKenzie mckenzie@bchigh.edu Director of Planned Giving and Special Gifts Reverend Joseph O’Keefe, SJ jokeefe@bchigh.edu Director of Marketing & Communications Editor, BC High Today Jennifer Tegan P‘17 jtegan@bchigh.edu Copy Editor Leslie LaRocca Design Mary-Lynne Bohn, Accent Design, Inc. Printing Mass Printing, Inc. Photography Happy Zebra Photography, Tom Kates, LifeTouch Photography If you would like to send a letter to the editor or update your information, please send the information to the address listed above, or e-mail alumni@bchigh.edu.
BC High Today 1
2014 graduation
Words to Live By BC High proudly graduated a dynamic class of 290 young men
150th
on Sunday, May 18, 2014. This ceremony marked the graduating class for BC High. Dressed in the traditional white dinner jacket and maroon tie, the grads were ready to commence their next chapter in life. The inspiring speaking program, led by Student Council member John Carroll ’14 and Andrew Duehren ’14, peaked with commencement speaker John V. Murphy ’67. Mr. Murphy spoke of social justice and power, the importance of being well read and using spell check, and always remembering to think of others. He amused the audience with his memories of freshman year and how he wasn’t quite the man that stood before the audience presently; but with the teachings of a Jesuit, Catholic education, “he found his way.” The young men of the Class of 2014 are an impressive group both inside and outside of the academic classroom; obtaining admittances to the top-level colleges and universities, traveling on service and international trips, participating in sports, the arts and countless other co-curricular activities. Most importantly,
these young men have completed a program of formation that has developed in each of them the characteristics and qualities that reflect the tradition and ideals of Jesuit education. They have become the Graduate at Graduation. In the words of Principal John V. Murphy ’67 Steve Hughes ’73, “Thank you for allowing us to walk with you on this journey in your formation. Good luck and God speed to the Class of 2014.” Please scan this QR code to read John’s commencement address.
N THE BOULEVARD surprise visit
Shipping Up to BC High On Wednesday, April 16, members of the Dropkick Murphys paid a surprise visit to BC High for an acoustic performance and Q&A session.
Organized by Classics teacher Daniel Russo and parent Charles Webb P’14,’16,’17,’19, the visit was a surprise performance for the departure of both our Hyde Center Dublin Spring Seminar and Choir groups traveling to Ireland over April vacation. The band performed nearly eight songs including Fields of Athenry, I’m Shipping Up to Boston, songs from their new album and The Wild Rover, which Mr. Russo had the opportunity to join the band. Between sets, they encouraged the audience to ask questions about the history of the band, their Irish music influence, and even their favorite tour memories.
Dropkick Murphy’s perform in Bulger Performing Arts Center.
The performance lasted an hour in Bulger Performing Arts Center, creating a memorable experience for students and faculty. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Dropkick Murphys and everyone involved in making this happen. Additional photos can be found on our Flickr page. Please visit www.bchigh.edu.
2 BC High Today
men for others
Arrupe Service Day The service program in the Arrupe Division seeks not only to help our local
community, but also to educate young men by exposing them to unfamiliar situations, and demonstrate how to live a just life. By removing students from their comfort zones, they will be more able to see all people as brothers and sisters, and will be more inclined to serve their neighbors and to work for justice. As part of the overall mission of BC High, students engage in various community service programs as a vital expression of the Jesuit ideal: “to educate men and women for others.” On March 28, the Class of 2018 participated in a morning of service focused on the theme of ‘ministry of presence’. Eighth graders spent time at Boston area homes for the elderly, assisted living or adult day-care facilities. Students played checkers, chess, listened to stories from the past, and shared what life is like for an eighth grader in 2014.
DID YOU KNOW? The eighth grade completed appproximately 600 hours of community service as a group during the school year.
connecting with our military
Students for Soldiers Students for Soldiers is a new student run club that writes letters, sends cards
and connects with the greater BC High community of veterans and activeduty military. Members of the club have taken it upon themselves to write letters to active and retired military who are BC High grads to thank them for their service. The letters have been so well received that alumni are writing back to the students.
The following students are members; James Mealey ’15, Scott Gosnell ’15, Michael Byrne ’15, Cullen Clougherty ’15, Luke Sideropoulos ’17, Peter Sugar ’15, Andrew Gelly ’15, Michael Cadigan ’15, Addison Cartwright ’15, Rob Reidy ’15, Jeff Parks ’15, Luke Rafferty ’15, Justin Fein ’15, Ryan Sweeney ’15, Alec Flynn ’15 and Griffin Gildea ’17.
“I was so impressed with Robert’s letter that I shared it with my Vietnam Veterans’ Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) Group at the Brockton Veterans Administration Hospital. We all agreed that this was a letter that any veteran would have been happy to receive.” – Brian F. Sullivan ’63, LTC, MP, USAR (Ret) “Students for Soldiers is a great approach to recognizing those who have served and to keeping the focus on military service as one of the many ways BC High graduates can ‘give back.’ Good luck to all of you Students for Soldiers. Make the most of the fabulous education you are receiving at Boston College High School!” – Jacques Rondeau ’62, President, Chief Executive Officer, Colonel, USAF (Ret) In addition to the letter writing campaign, the club also collected used cell phones to assist active-duty military members with a cost-free way to communicate with their families. Students for Soldiers donated the used cell phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers, an organization started by Robbie Bergquist ’10.
BC High Today 3
practicing inclusion
If You Can Play – You Can Play The
Students for Social Respect (SSR) and Guidance Counselor Katie Griswold invited Patrick Burke, the You Can Play co-founder, to BC High. Burkey discussed diversity and inclusion, especially among LGBT athletes with the freshmen and sophomore classes. The mission of You Can Play is to ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. They seek to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skill, work ethic and competitive spirit. Following Patrick’s address, he issued two challenges to
BC High: the first was to eliminate anti-gay language from our community. The second was to try to beat his alma mater, Xaverian, to become the first member of the Catholic Conference to create a You Can Play video. BC High senior athletes and team captains answered the challenge, taking center stage in a video promoting inclusion and diversity for all athletes, coaches and fans. The following athletes are featured in the video: Christopher Solis (Football), Stephen DeForge (Hockey, captain), Stephen DiCienzo (Football, captain), Tom Moynahan (Swimming and Diving), John Carroll (Lacrosse, captain), William Biggs (Track, captain), Christopher La Liberte (Hockey, captain), Igor Carvalho (Volleyball), Shaun Griswold (Swimming and Diving), Andrew Jaehnig (Baseball), Sean Webster (Baseball), Alexander Loughnane (Basketball, captain), Mitchell Laferriere (Wrestling, captain; Football, Track), and Jordan Samuels (Track, captain).
N THE BOULEVARD new curriculum at bc high
Arabic Spoken Here SabaH el Khayer! (teacher)
SabaH el Noor (students)
These are two greeting expressions at the beginning of every period in Arabic
honors class at Boston College High School. September 6, 2014 marked the beginning of the new Arabic curriculum at BC High. Twenty three students were members of this elective course. They learned about the history of the Arabic language, the 24 Arabic speaking countries, the culture of 200 million people, the importance of religion in these countries, language spoken or colloquial Arabic; and they how to read write and speak the MSA the Modern Standard Arabic also known as FusHa. Through different media resources including television, songs and skits, students mastered all 28 letters and the four different positions of each letter. They ended the year with a final project, a book which they created describing their home, families and themselves. The Arabic honors class is offered mainly for seniors who have completed their language requirements and is taught by Mrs. Rita Hajjar. The first class of Arabic honors at BC High: Kamel Altabbaa ’14, Harrison Armstrong ’14, John Armstrong ’14, Zakariya Aslane ’14, Jonathon Baggia ’14, Zachary Bailey ’14, Brendand Bennett ’14, John Carroll ’14, Yacoub Dobeib ’14, Michael Dunphy ’14, Michael Frick ’14, Hamza Jastaniah ’15, Andrew Julian ’15, Rory Keohane ’14, Jeremy Mendoza ’14, Sean Nagle ’14, Matthew O’Malley ’14, Stephen Roche ’14, Charles Sargent ’14, Kyle Sheehan ’14 and Richard Sullivan ’14.
4 BC High Today
A N N I V E R S A RY C A M PA I G N
Campaign Leadership Committee
Our Commitment
Joseph Donahue ’74, Chair
FOR 150 YEARS, BC High has provided opportunities for young men to excel and
J. Barry Driscoll ’48, Chair
to reach for new heights. As we celebrate this milestone in our school’s history, it is
William LaPoint ’80, Chair
an appropriate time to look back at all we’ve accomplished, but more importantly, begin to look ahead at what is the future of BC High. It is for this reason, that
John Murphy ’67, P’98, Chair
the 150th Anniversary Campaign is so important—to reaffirm our commitment to educating young men in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition and lay the groundwork for the next generation.
Brendan Bradley ’87, P’16, ’18 Catherine Cantillon P’10,’11
Commitment is defined as a pledge or promise; an obligation. Our commitment is just that; an obligation to uphold the
Leo Corcoran ’77 Dan Coughlin ’70
teaching of St. Ignatius of
Gerald Curtin ’84, P’14,’16
Loyola and continue to provide
Peter Dolan ’79
opportunities for all students to Joe Donahue, Bill LaPoint, Bill Kemeza and John Murphy at the Symphony Hall Gala.
John Carroll ’86
excel, regardless of their ability to
Arthur Duffy ’86
pay. Our commitment to BC High
Richard Flynn ’76, P’05, ’07, ’10
is evidenced by this Campaign
Don Greene ’87
and raising $75 million from loyal and generous donors. We need the commitment of alumni, parents, and friends, at any level, to meet and exceed this ambitious goal.
John Hajjar ’83, P’19 Brendan Hanley ’92
If we can fulfill our commitment, our students will be
$75M $70M
able to fulfill theirs, they will continue to graduate and
$60M
become men for others. They will be leaders in their
$50M
church and the world, and they will do all this, ad
54,429,667
$
majorem Dei gloriam – for the greater glory of God.
raised to date
$30M $20M $10M
Join us in making your own commitment to the
$0
150th Anniversary Campaign!
Join us!
$40M
John Hanlon ’80, P’07 Robert Higgins ’87 John McLaughlin ’87 Paul Meaney ’80 Christopher Murphy ’98 Souren Ouzounian ’85 Frank Previte ’61 William Sullivan ’81 Brian Wahlgren ’97
Joe Donahue ’74
J. Barry Driscoll ’48
Bill LaPoint ’80
John Murphy ’67, P’98
Robert Walsh ’59
BC High Today 5
A N N I V E R S A RY C A M PA I G N
C O M PA N I O N S ’ C I R C L E
Leo Corbett ’66
Growing up on the other side of the Mystic River in Revere, BC High was not in Leo Corbett’s ’66 sightline. But the wonderful Principal of Revere high school, Dr. Albert Fulchino had BC High in full view. He had sent two sons, Ralph ’60 and Paul ’64, to BC High already and his third son, Tom, was heading in the same direction. Dick Powers ’66 and Leo were grade school classmates of Tom and they decided to take the journey to Morrissey Boulevard as well. For Leo, his personal voyage at BC High took flight with Reverend Jack Howard, SJ ’55 and Brian Donaher ’55 through learning Greek, translating The Odyssey and other mythical stories. Fr. Jack and Donaher managed to bring these stories to life in class. “Through the tales of Odysseus and Achilles, we immersed ourselves in larger than life characters and for a kid from a small town like Revere that was a whole new world!” Leo remembers, “These experiences led to doors opening that had been closed.” Leo joined the Homeric Academy, and became a Greek scholar, eventually earning a scholarship to Harvard. “I came from modest beginnings and Fr. Howard was instrumental in motivating me to excel. The scholarship meant everything to my family. I was the oldest of six and that scholarship seemed like a miracle.”
We should give to others what has been so generously given to us – the opportunity of a lifetime – and that is why I give back to BC High.
With the momentum Leo got from BC High, his voyage continued: graduating from Harvard University, serving in the Peace Corps in Latin America, helping Congressman Joe Moakley and Governor Mike Dukakis get elected, heading back to Harvard for an MBA, moving to Washington DC to work for the US Government and then taking a series of management roles in business. All of these experiences were built on the foundation that was solidified in the faith-based, rigorous program that BC High continues to offer. Leo took the words “Men for Others” and “Ever to Excel” to heart. He believes them to be at the core of this foundation. Leo is quick to point out that he didn’t always succeed in the change he advocated, and that volatility goes with the territory of tackling difficult challenges. When asked “Why do you give back?” the answer is an easy one for Leo. His inspiration is found in the great role models of Brian Donaher, his coaches Paul Hunter ’53, Jim Cotter ’55 and Rev. Jack Howard, SJ; who provided a launching pad for a life that has let him travel the world, meet interesting people, take on notable challenges, and touch the lives of many who needed a hand. “We should give to others what has been so generously given to us – the opportunity of a lifetime – and that is why I give back to BC High,” commented Leo.
6 BC High Today
A N N I V E R S A RY C A M PA I G N
LEADERSHIP GIVING
Michael Ray ’86
Following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, Kevin ’83 and Brian
’84, Michael found his way to BC High where he was able to explore his
interest in learning more about the Catholic faith and the history of the Catholic Church. In addition to Reverend James O’Neill, SJ, he found lay teachers like Kevin Kynock who taught him, among other things, to love reading. And Bill Burke ’52 and Brian Donaher ’55 helped make Latin and the Classics come alive, so much so, that he continued studying both while at Harvard University. Then there were Jesuits like Reverend Don Sherpenski, SJ and Reverend Al Hicks, SJ who encouraged him to think about the role that Jesus Christ should play in his life as he grew into adulthood. “I got to know many members of the Jesuit community who were tremendous role models – thoughtful, funny, dedicated men of integrity and service.”
I want other young men to have the same opportunities that influenced me so powerfully. BC High taught me that faith and reason are totally compatible, and that God wants us to love Him with our whole being, including our minds.
As Michael continued to experience success in his professional career, he never forgot the Jesuit formation that helped develop his character and success. “I want other young men to have the same opportunities that influenced me so powerfully. BC High taught me that faith and reason are totally compatible, and that God wants us to love Him with our whole being, including our minds. But BC High also taught me the importance of encountering the risen Christ and developing a relationship with Him. As much as I loved the time
Bill Kemeza and Rev. Jim O’Neill , SJ
I spent in the classroom at BC High, I look back at the time I spent outside of the classroom – in Loyola Chapel during lunch time Masses, in the chaplains’ office talking to advisers like Reverend John D ’Anjou, SJ on retreat with my classmates – as vitally important to my education and development. It was here that I began to understand the call to service and conversion that Jesus Christ extends to all of us, and it’s that call that I’ve tried, imperfectly, to respond to in my personal and professional life ever since. I want to do what I can to help other young men experience this tremendous perspective and the world class education that BC High offers.” It was these values that inspired Michael to endow a scholarship in the name of one of his favorite teachers, Rev. O’Neill. It was Father O’Neill’s dedication to his students and his passion for mathematics that Michael remembers so well. Endowing a scholarship at BC High as part of the 150th Anniversary Campaign will have a tremendous impact on our students today as well as students for generations to come.
BC High Today 7
A N N I V E R S A RY C A M PA I G N
PLANNED GIVING
Frank Previte
Frank Previte ’61 is a guy who likes to build things. Since he joined the Board of Trustees at Boston
College High School, Frank has been chairing the Planned Giving Committee because he knows how important our endowment is for building the quality of our student body, faculty, facilities, administration and our alumni support system. Frank also knows that good and thoughtful planning can enable any of us to build the long term competitive advantages of BC High and to give in a way that builds our own legacy as well. As both a businessman and a generous donor, Frank knows that well planned gifts of any size enable friends of BC High to make more impactful gifts than they could make from their income. People may not realize that they can use estate and tax planning strategies to provide for both BC High and loved ones in ways that benefit both greatly. The result is that through sound planning you can provide a strong foundation for the future of BC High and also receive substantial tax and financial benefits for yourself and your family. According to Frank it’s a winwin situation: you can ensure that your family and BC High thrive at the same time. Formed in the Jesuit tradition at both BC High and Boston College where he majored in biology, Frank went on to spend his life as a student, teacher, and leader of business in the field of environmental sciences and management. Before that, Frank had spent a few years helping a struggling new Jesuit school by juggling work as both a teacher of science and as its business manager. Later he married and started a family, and after serving successfully in managerial roles in a number of firms, Frank founded EBI Consulting Inc. in 1989 and became its Chief Executive Officer and President. EBI is now a national environmental consulting and engineering company to world class real estate, telecom, industrial and institutional companies. EBI has over $70 million in annual revenues, more than 400 employees located across the country and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing environmental firms in the country. As someone who knows something about building, Frank knows that steady and healthy growth can only happen when the surrounding environment is conducive to growth - whether it’s a family, a business, or a school. After building a beautiful family and a successful business, Frank looked back to his own years as a student at BC High and recognized how important it is that we plan well for BC High’s future – to ensure that it grows and thrives. Frank is now on a mission to ensure that BC High will be able to provide a superior education to the generations to come as it did for himself and generations before and since. BC High is here today because of the foresight of Jesuits and others who have built a place of great learning and caring for others and Frank wants to make sure that great legacy will continue to build well in to the future.
PLANNED GIVING
An easy way to make an impact is to include BC High in your will or trust. It is a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime. For more information on becoming a member of the Saint Ignatius of Loyola Society or to let us know we are in your estate plans, contact Reverend Joe O’Keefe, SJ at 617-474-5037 or jokeefe@bchigh.edu.
8 BC High Today
BY LESLIE LAROCCA SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
omen are an integral part of the community: we teach, coach, and lead departments; offer guidance, both spiritual and academic; we are nurses and administrators. However, this was not always the case. BC High did not have any women employees for the first 80 years of its existence. Mary L. Cox, the first woman to work at BC High, was the secretary to the principal beginning in 1943. 26 years later, BC High hired its first female faculty member, Marguerite Thomson. Thomson taught English at BC High for 14 years, paving the way for others, such as Mary Farrell, who began teaching on Morrissey Boulevard in the fall of 1990. Currently the chair of the mathematics department, Ms. Farrell teaches math and Japanese, and is the head coach of the varsity sailing team. One of the longest-tenured faculty on campus, Farrell has fond memories of starting her teaching career at BC High.
Top: Science teacher Maggie Ruddy. Bottom: Terry Kenney works in the BC High student cafeteria.
“From the beginning, I have always been supported,” said Ms. Farrell. “I have never felt like BC High was a place where people were trying to keep me from achieving my goals because I am a woman.” Mary recalls. “Quite the opposite, I am blessed to have taken advantage of opportunities inside and outside the classroom.” In 2009, Ms. Farrell received the Winchenbaugh Faculty Development grant to further her mastery of the Japanese
language. Ms. Farrell traveled to Japan to immerse herself in the language and culture. Ms. Farrell taught current math teacher Tim Westfield ’02, multivariable calculus during his senior year at BC High. Now, he is fortunate to have Farrell as a colleague. “I remember Mary as energetic, enthusiastic and a personable teacher,” said Westfield. “She is one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met. The range of skills she has, from math to computer programming, Japanese, and sailing, is remarkable.” While some teachers came to BC High specifically because of its reputation as an exceptional school, others are also drawn by the appeal of teaching in a single-sex environment. In graduate school, Kara Brennan, a current math teacher and varsity swim coach, did research on the benefits of single-sex mathematics classrooms. “I’ve always been interested in the idea of teaching a single-sex class,” Brennan said. “BCH has always had an excellent reputation inside and outside of the classroom so I knew it would be a great fit for my career.” “To be honest, working at BC High is a lot of fun. The boys have been very receptive and respectful of the female teachers here,” said Brennan. “They’re able to bring enthusiasm and humor to the classroom, all BC High Today 9
Left to right: Coaches Kara Brennan, Alison Rosshirt, and Andrew Doucet with the 2014 swim team. Author Leslie LaRocca, social studies. Theresa Hartel, RN, school nurse. Ellen Collins, assistant to the principal. Barbara O’Brien-Miller with 2014 graduates.
while succeeding in a challenging academic environment.” Barbara O’Brien-Miller, BC High’s current Director of Diversity, has taught psychology, English, and religion during her time at BC High. Ms. O’Brien-Miller began her career the same year her son started as a freshman in 1987, “no one cared if I was a woman or a man,” she said. “They cared that I was educated and intelligent.” “There’s a critical mass of women here who are smart, capable, and strong,” said Ms. O’Brien-Miller. Marian Basin, a Spanish teacher and the current Modern Language Department Chair, began working at BC High in 2005. Basin had come to the United States from her native country of Argentina because her child needed
1943
1951
1969
surgery. Basin had attended a Catholic, singlesex school from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, BC High quickly felt like home. “It is a matter of knowing who your student is, not only academically but most importantly as a young man. It’s about connecting with him and building relationships based on trust and respect while challenging him to reach his full potential,” she said. Ms. Basin has put down permanent roots in the U.S. but enjoys sharing her Argentinean culture with the students. Each year, Ms. Basin leads the academic exchange program of four weeks of study in Argentina. “Taking BC High students and exposing them to language and culture beyond the classroom is so important for their education,” Ms. Basin remarked. One of the reasons Ms. Basin felt so comfortable at BC High was the presence of Sheila Becker
1971
Mary L. Cox started working at BC High as secretary to the principal and switch board operator.
The Mother’s Club formed, eventually becoming the Mothers’ Guild.
10 BC High Today
Marguerite Thomson was the first female teacher hired. She taught at BC High for 14 years.
Modern language teacher Nancy Monteros began her career at BC High. She is the longest tenured female teacher to date. She retired in 2007 after 36 years.
1986 Science teacher Kathleen Cataldo was the first female coach at BC High. She helped start the the lacrosse team, which at the time was still a club sport.
Gailius, who also taught in the Modern Language Department. “Sheila was an inspiration to us all. Sheila embodied the principals of Ignatian teachings, by meeting the student where they were academically and spiritually,” Basin said. “She was the perfect example of what it means to be a woman for others.”
the classroom” said Principal Steve Hughes ’73. “In 1978, when I started teaching at BC High most of the women on campus were secretaries. Now we have female department chairs, administrators, coaches and board members.” Currently, women make up almost 50% of the faculty and staff at BC High.
According to English teacher Liz O’Donnell, Ms. Becker Gailius also played an important role for other teachers. “Sharon [Bilodeau, of the Religious Education Department] and Sheila were the first working mothers of young children at BC High,” remembered O’Donnell. “That was something for other young women to see, that the balance between career and family was possible. It was important for students to see that balance, too.”
As the number of women faculty has increased over the years, so too has the impact they’ve had on the BC High community, especially the students.
“The number of women here has increased dramatically in recent years, especially in
1991
Mary Farrell was the first female to coach a varsity sport. She was inducted in the BC High Hall of Fame in November of 2012 for coaching the 2001 state champion sailing team.
1997
Meg Florentine was the first female administrator, working as the Academic Vice Principal. She is currently a Trustee.
“It’s great that women are willing to teach at an all-male school,” said Alec Grigorian ’15, who works with Ms. O’Brien-Miller on the Diversity Cabinet. “It adds a new perspective. If it were just all men here, we would be missing out on the way that half the population looks at the world.”
2005
Mary Sullivan retired after 44 years of service in the lunchroom. Mary made over 1,760,000 pieces of her famous cake by the time she retired.
2007
2014
Arrupe Division opened and 10 of the 22 Arrupe teachers hired were women.
Women make up nearly half of the faculty and staff of BC High. Women hold positions in all departments, working as department chairs, senior administrators, and members of the board of trustees.
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Spanish teacher Marian Basin with academic exchange students in Argentina.
MARY MADDEN
We would be remiss if any article about the women of BC High did not mention the legendary math teacher Mary Madden. Mary was part of the team that created the McElroy Scholars program in 2001, an intensive support program for students who lack the tools needed to succeed in the rigorous academic schedule at BC High. Students in this program tend to come from low-income, multicultural backgrounds. Although retired, Mary is still deeply engaged at BC High. This community is her family, her home away from home, and we continue to care for her well-being and good fortune. In 2013, she was honored at the St. Ignatius of Loyola Award ceremony with the Tom & Mary Shields Medal for her unwavering commitment and dedication to her students and our alumni.
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“The women at BC High have the opportunity to round out the view points of these young men, demonstrate the knowledge and capability as role models.” – Steve Hughes “Women enhance the BC High community by adding an essential element of diversity to the community,” said Maggie Ruddy, who has taught in the science department for seven years. “Female teachers not only teach in all subject areas, work in fine arts or serve in campus ministry as well, showing our students how intelligent, vibrant, strong, and compassionate females can be.” Ms. Farrell agrees. “The unique approach of each individual, including men and women, helps enrich each discipline,” she said. “The approach to each discipline is different, depending on the teacher.”
“The presence of women teaches our boys not only to live in a world of diversity, but also teach them to respect authority regardless of gender,” said Ms. Basin. As principal, Mr. Hughes sees the idea of diversity differently, “The women at BC High have the opportunity to round out the view points of these young men, demonstrate the knowledge and capability as role models,” Hughes said. “They carry this responsibility graciously and effectively.”
Global Education Under African Skies Building a Uniquely Jesuit Model of Global Education LAST YEAR, for 14 BC High students and two faculty members, the road to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, began on Morrissey Boulevard. For those 14 boys, their excursion to East Africa was not simply an exchange or language immersion program – a four-week excursion in the South of France, say, or a trip along the Great Wall of China – nor was it a service program—a week of hammering house frames in the Dominican Republic. This was Tanzania, a country of almost fifty million that is one of the world’s poorest, has one of the world’s highest HIV and AIDS-related death rates, and that was recently placed on the CIA’s tier two watch list for human trafficking. The trip was, however, the first of its kind: a collaborative international Kairos retreat organized and run jointly by students and teachers from Loyola High School, a fellow Jesuit School in Dar Es Salaam, and BC High, and the latest of several international relationships that BC High is working to build
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BY BRENDAN HUGHES ’98
with Jesuit schools around the world with the audacious goal of changing the nature of global education at the secondary school level. “Our goal is to shift from having a program built mostly around international travel opportunities to making global education part of the foundation of BC High,” said Dan Carmody, director of the Hyde Center for Global Education at BC High, which was established in 2012 by a generous gift from Lawrence Hyde ’42 and is the only center of its kind at any Jesuit school worldwide. “That not only means offering opportunities like we have in Tanzania, it also means giving students BC High Today 13
the opportunity to be educated as global citizens without even getting on an airplane.” What Carmody talks about can be summed up in a single word: connection. In this knowledge economy of ours, terms like “world citizen” or “global education” get thrown around like passports on a customs line. What BC High has done is to define those terms in a uniquely Jesuit way.
“When I signed up for this trip at the beginning of the school year, I had no idea the profound effect it would have on my life. Not only did I have an amazing time while on the trip, I also feel that I have changed as a person. Whether it was at the home stay, at school, on the retreat, or on safari, every part of this trip was incredible. I feel that I am a more aware, understanding, spiritual person because of this experience.” – Sam Friedman ’15
“BC High is part of a network of over 800 Jesuit schools around the world,” said Carmody. “What we’ve done since the 2012 Colloquium that was hosted by BC High is to cultivate connections with other schools in that network and to collaborate with them on programs that are not typical at the high school level.”
At their core, the programs offered by the Hyde Center help to connect BC High students with people, places, and cultures that are vastly different from their own – to connect them not as tourists or travelers, but as learners and collaborators. Already those efforts have borne fruit, with programs in France, Argentina, China,
Tanzania, and Ireland up and running, and programs in Zambia and India in the works. They’ve brought students from India, France, China and Argentina to BC High, where they’ve been housed with family home stays and have played an integral part of both the social and academic life of the BC High community. “We’ve distinguished ourselves as leaders in the Jesuit network,” Carmody says.
7 It was mid-summer in Dar Es Salaam when Director of Campus Ministry John Mark, along with Carmody, Academic Dean Kim Smith, and teacher Michael Clancy ’03 met with Reverend Joe Keary, SJ, Mark’s counterpart at Loyola High School, Tanzania’s largestJ Jesuit school. Like many secondary schools in Africa, the school building resembled a series of rectilinear concrete slabs with tall open windows, the warm breeze a nearly constant reminder of the lack of central air conditioning.
The BC High delegation was at the end of a threenation swing through East Africa, including stops in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and finally Tanzania in search of fellow Jesuit schools with which to partner on international programming. “I had previously spent time working in Africa...at Jesuit schools in Nairobi, and at Hakima School of Theology,” Mark says. “After the success of the Colloquium, I said to Dan, ‘We have to go to Africa.’” Keary knew BC High both by reputation and from experience – he had visited Morrissey Boulevard while completing his post-ordination studies at Boston College, where, as an undergraduate, he’d participated in a Kairos retreat – an experience he had found utterly compelling. “Once we started talking,” Mark says, “we could see that that was his hope and vision – for students at Loyola to experience Kairos.” Building the expedition around a Kairos retreat had several advantages, according to Mark. “Kairos has a structure that is easily adapted,” he says. “It also allows students to spend a great deal of time together, which was one of our goals.” Although Kairos retreats are almost commonplace events at BC High, Carmody and Mark wanted to be sure that the planning and execution of the retreat in Tanzania was true collaboration between BC High students and faculty, and their counterparts at Loyola. “When Dan and I were envisioning this, it was important that it be a reciprocal relationship – that the students and teachers at Loyola and BC High were partners not benefactors,” Mark says. It’s an attitude that is emblematic of BC High’s innovative approach to global education.
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“The prevailing wisdom in secondary education is that you have to do service trips because that’s all that high school students are able to do,” Mark says. “Our kids are pretty exceptional...and we asked much more of them.”
7 “Theology starts with experience,” says religion teacher Joe Betz, who was selected to join John Mark in leading the Tanzania program. “[The trip] had a huge impact on the students and it can have a huge effect on faculty members as well.”
“During the retreat I created bonds with the Loyola students and others that are unbreakable. This trip to Tanzania was the greatest experience that I have ever had in my entire life. It taught me more about myself and about how we really are not much different from those who live literally on the opposite side of the globe.” – Matt Veale ’15
Like the students who made the trip to Tanzania, Betz, who teaches applied ethics, was one of many applicants. Carmody says that his goal is not only to have many if not most faculty members lead similar trips, but to organize special faculty-only expeditions so that teachers can connect with their colleagues at Jesuit schools around the world. This summer, five BC High teachers will travel to Zambia to help conduct a formation retreat with teachers from around Southern Africa. “The experience absolutely helps the classroom and makes it a richer place for teacher and student,” says Betz. Together, Mark and Betz planned an intensive ten weeks of meetings – part seminar, part reflection group – leading up to the group’s departure. One of their first hurdles was to dispel students of their previously held notions about service trips and the nature of the program in Tanzania. “Many of them came in talking about fixing Tanzania’s problems. That’s human nature, but we don’t want to give anyone, our boys or Tanzanian students, a false sense of hope because you aren’t going to solve those
problems in two weeks,” says Mark. “By the end of the trip, they understood.”
The meetings that Mark and Betz held were focused on Tanzanian culture and history, but they also introduced an idea called the ministry of presence, a concept written about extensively by the theologian Henri Nouwen. “It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress,” Nouwen writes. “But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” For Mark and Betz, the challenge of those intensive ten weeks – and during the trip itself – was to help the students change their frame of mind from problem solving to one of witness. BC High Today 15
It was a lot of work,” says Mark, “We were constantly with the kids questioning, reminding them to be attentive and present.” In Dar Es Salaam, the 14 BC High students were housed with the families of Loyola students, giving both Tanzanian and American students more opportunities for connection. For most, it meant coming into contact with lifestyles vastly different from their own. “It might mean getting up at 3 a.m. to milk cows,” says Dan Carmody, “or it could mean living in an apartment building in the city.” It was during the three-day Kairos retreat, however, that Betz says students started to look beyond the external and see their commonalities. “The boys struggled with a lot of questions,” he says, “During the retreat when they interacted the most was when the personal relationships really took hold between students and they began finding common ground. I think our students were mesmerized by the fact that adolescence in Tanzania was in many ways similar to what they experience in Boston.”
too. Breaking through those issues was a much deeper, more inward process that goes on long after the trip has ended. “In Tanzania, we struggled with the notion of hope – that the hope that our kids have is different from what they have,” says Mark. “For a lot of our students, it was particularly difficult to give credence to the hopes and dreams of the Loyola students. For a couple of our kids, the big moment came when they stopped judging the hopes and dreams of others. Instead it forced some of our students to be critical and not take for granted our own sense of hope. But they figured it out on their own.”
7 With programs on five continents, BC High and the Hyde Center have built one of the most successful and substantive global education programs in the world, making them not only academically and spiritually rigorous but uniquely Jesuit as well. In the next three years, almost half of each graduating senior class will have participated in a global education experience, as will almost half of the faculty. In 2014-15, the program will expand to include 12 countries and expects to add as many as two countries per year thereafter. But Carmody’s ambition for the Hyde Center and global education at BC High is much more than that. Right now, the school is working on ways to increase financial assistance for students who want to participate in these programs but otherwise could not afford to. He is also looking at ways to support more students from Jesuit schools abroad to come to BC High.
But it wasn’t easy – and all of the biases and “When students from different parts of the world come to BC High, they developed-world privilege that change the dynamic of the school,” says Carmody. “They enter prevents so many of us, here in a classes, they conduct language conversation groups and they For more information nation of great wealth and power, teach collaborative lessons. They’re not just tourists or visitors, on the Hyde Center from seeing the developing world they’re part of the institution and they enrich the life of the visit www.bchigh.edu/ as something less than affected BC school.” hydecenter High students in Dar Es Salaam,
Seated L to R: Tim McDonough ’14, Francisco Cabral ’15, Sam Friedman ’15, Brian Perez ’15, Chris Sweeney ’14, Danny Sullivan ’15, Navide Aminpour ’15, Director of Campus Ministry John Mark. Standing L to R: Teacher Joe Betz, Derrick Dunlea ’14, Seamus Tingle ’15, Michael Frick ’14, Matt Veale ’15, Alec Grigorian ’15 and Patrick Walsh ’15.
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STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Next March, five students from Loyola High School of Tanzania and their teachers will visit BC High and will stay with our families throughout the Boston area, bringing the first exchange between the two schools full circle. It will be an exciting moment for everyone involved, one that represents the beginning of a new global era in Jesuit education.
DID YOU KNOW?
“My first instinct upon arrival in Tanzania was to compare. It seemed easy to think about all the differences between the US and Tanzania. My host family and the students at Loyola even encouraged it. They asked me about my home and the differences between their living situation and my own. In the beginning I indulged this need to compare, but as time went on I realized I was only hurting myself. I was wasting time thinking about how I thought things should be, not how they were. I had to force myself to accept Tanzania as Tanzania, a young country with a rich history of its own, not an attempt at Western Civilization but a proud part of Africa.” – Alec Grigorian ’15
The National Association of Independent Schools says even the best high school global education programs have not yet made their way to Africa… BC High is leading the way.
BC High Today 17
The and
Fast File: Rev. Richard “Doc” Conway ’55 Born: Roslindale, MA Why do we call him Doc: Received the nickname “Doc” in the fifth grade because his father was an obstetrician. Ordained: 1963 About Doc: • Speaks Portuguese because his parishioners speak Portuguese. • Has served most of his 51 years in some of Massachusetts’s poorest diocese from Lowell to Brockton.
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C
A bastion of three-decker Roman Catholicism over most of the 20th century that has seen its population shift in the last 40 years as the mostly working-class Irish who had sustained it began to move out and ethnic minorities – African Americans, Hispanics, Vietnamese, Cape Verdeans – moved in, 142-year-old St. Peter’s parish has been confronted in recent decades with violence and street crime as the transition firmed up and its church-going congregation, some 25,000 strong as recently as the early 1960s, dwindled to 1,000 or so regular participants 50 years later.
Collar the Badge
But transitions like the one that has transformed not only St. Peter’s but also several other close-by Dorchester parishes into communities of ethnic diversity rarely solidify; change just keeps on coming. And it’s that change that “Doc” Conway and his fellow clerics – Catholic, Protestant, urban fundamentalists, to name three – are working day and night to fashion into a positive and uplifting spirit that residents of the Bowdoin Street/Geneva Avenue neighborhood (so named for the east-west, northsouth axis streets that intersect at the west end of Bowdoin Street) can embrace as a promise for the future.
| BY THOMAS R. MULVOY, ’60
T
he young guys were finished with their warm ups on the basketball court at Ronan Park in Dorchester and getting ready to choose sides for a game. Small problem: They only had nine players on hand. “Hey, Pops, how about making it ten?” one of the players said to an older man who was standing nearby looking on.
“Over the years I have always found it important to get out of the office and try to be present with people,” says Conway over coffee and toast at Ashley’s Breakfast Shop on Bowdoin Street. “In most parishes where I have served, this involved sports teams and attending high school games so the young people and their parents get to see you and eventually you create connections with the families. But Dorchester is different. Students go to many different schools all over the city. The best thing for me to do here is to walk around the neighborhoods, say hello to people on their porches or their front steps, stop by the playgrounds to watch some basketball or soccer, and after a while people begin to talk to you.”
“Not me,’ said the observer, whose thin, lanky frame suggested that he might be able to do a few runs up and down the court. “But thanks; you’re just going to have to make do with what you have.” For Reverend Richard “Doc” Conway, BC High, Class of 1955, the invitation to join in a hoops scrimmage with young men from the neighborhood was an affirmation that his Roman collar didn’t set him apart from the street life of the parish he served, St. Peter’s on Meeting House Hill, a gathering place looking out over Boston Harbor that is rich in historical fetch extending back to the founding of Dorchester by the Puritans in 1630.
Although retired, “Doc” Conway spends two to three nights a week out walking the streets with Deputy Superintendent Nora Baston of
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the Boston Police Department. Their work together is a partnership with the community to improve quality of life and reduce the violence on some of the toughest streets in Boston. “Father Doc is being far too modest in telling you that all he does is walk the streets,” says Baston. “There’s so much more to the daily life and charitable work of this truly remarkable human being.” Baston heads up the Neighborhood Watch Unit citywide as she presses for more all-around community engagement and she considers Father Conway her partner on the job, not simply a spiritual advisor. “He is indefatigable, that’s what he is,” she says. “I think of us as a team – The Collar and the Badge – two people coming together to engage peace from different angles while we walk up and down the streets in the early evenings and weekends when people are out and about. And it’s not only me; Captain [Richard] Sexton, the commander of this police district, comes out and joins “Doc,” as do other officers and clerics from time to time.”
B
ut please don’t think of him as a provincial type locally, interested only in Bowdoin/ Geneva, Baston adds. “My job means I visit all the neighborhoods regularly and guess who asks if he can go along with me? We’ve been over at Franklin Field several times recently, and we have visited church meetings in Roxbury. And he somehow also finds the time by himself to stop in at the jails to check on the prisoners from the neighborhood, acting as a sort of news exchange agent for the families involved. Then there’s our BromleyHeath project experience:
“What drives me,” he says, “is that I have the opportunity with the help of many others to see some of these kids succeed in life because they have learned to make the right choices.” “One morning, we were at Bromley Heath Housing project in the Roxbury/Jamaica Plain neighborhood and “Doc” had in his hands a list of the fourth-graders who were living there. He said he wanted to see how many of them had enrolled at nearby Nativity Prep, the Jesuits’ no-tuition middle school in Jamaica Plain, knowing that the number was minimal if
20 BC High Today
not nil. So a “priest and a cop,” as one mother put it, spent the next hour or so knocking on doors talking to parents about the opportunities for their preteens at a great school they could get to easily. Wow – that’s Reverend Conway for you!”
The deputy isn’t finished. “Did he talk about the boxing nights?” He hadn’t, but others had. A few years back, Reverend Conway enlisted the help of local boxer-turned-DEA agent Paul Doyle, actor Mark Wahlberg and several Boston Police officers assigned to the Safe Street program to begin a boxing program in the gym at St. Peter’s Teen Center. The priest believed that only good things could come of getting teens and officers to gather for a common sporting purpose.
try to encourage them to join something. Others I ask if they have jobs. If I have any leads, I try to pass on the information. I keep an updated list of possible opportunities with me for quick reference.”
Doc Conway with Deputy Superintendent Nora Baston.
T
he northern end of Dorchester is rich in parish real estate if not in numbers of congregants. The Catholic churches are close to each other – in the middle of the last century there were five parishes serving their own congregations and their schools with little worries about numbers of priests, and all were within a good walk of one another. Today, it’s three priests for three parishes. Reverend Jack Ahern, the pastor of St. Peter, Holy Family, and Blessed Mother Teresa, lives with the “retired” Conway and another priest of Haitian background, Reverend Jacques McGuffie, in the rectory at St. Ambrose down Adams Street in nearby Fields Corner. “I have no idea of the number of families in each parish,” says Conway. People are moving constantly and often go to different parishes at different times. Holy Family in Uphams Corner is English, Hispanic, some Haitian, and very small in numbers. Hardly any English is spoken at Mass. Blessed Mother Teresa is mainly English with probably 2,000 families. St. Peter’s is English and Portuguese and would be larger, but most families do not fill out a census form.”
“The kids attitude changes toward the police when they’re all in there working together,” Doc later told the Dorchester Reporter, adding that some of the young folks had for the first time expressed interest in joining the force when they grew up. The program involves both boys and girls, thanks in part, to Deputy Baston believing that girls could benefit just as much as the boys from boxing. “Creating connections and letting the kids know you care and are going to be there for them, that is what we are doing out here in the community,” Baston remarked on the success of the boxing time. Back at Ashley’s, Father Conway reflects on his life at 76. “I have, unfortunately, celebrated the funerals of many in this neighborhood who have died by violence. I don’t think that I am perceived as a threat to anyone in the neighborhood. They tell me that I am the ‘Irish priest who speaks Portuguese.’ I ask young people if they are involved in any summer programs and
As he is talking, a young man comes into the shop and stops at the table where he greets “Doc” effusively. He is Evandro Carvalho, an attorney who came to the United States from Cape Verde when he was 15. On this day, the final vote is being held in a special election for state representative in the district and Carvalho is assured of gaining the seat after winning the primary several weeks before. The two banter for a bit in English and Portuguese before the politician leaves to see if he can get some more voters to go to the polls to affirm his win. For his part, Reverend “Doc” Conway has a lot yet to do beyond the day. “What drives me,” he says, “is that I have the opportunity with the help of many others to see some of these kids succeed in life because they have learned to make the right choices.” With that, he heads down the street; there’s more talking and listening to do before the day is finished.
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Tara graduated from Miss Porter’s School where she received first hand benefit of a single-sex education. She received her BS from Lehigh University and her MBA from The Wharton School.
with Tara Gohlmann Chief Financial Officer
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Tara Gohlmann joined BC High in November as the Chief Financial Officer after more than 20 years of business and financial leadership experience working with organizations from New York to China. She most recently served as the interim CFO at the North Bennet Street School leading financial matters as the school finalized its capital campaign and moved into a new world class building. Tara’s prior experiences include creating and leading the audit organization responsible for South, Central and North America at Tyco International and leading advisory services for large and small clients for PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York and Beijing. Tara’s commitment to the City of Boston includes her service on the board and finance committee of the Boston Harbor Island Alliance and volunteering with a number of other non-profit institutions in Boston. With so many years of your career spent in large companies, what made you want to work at BC High? From the moment I started to interview and every day after that, my encounters with the BC High community have been inspiring. I was struck by how much time our very experienced Trustees spend helping us continually improve on the educational experience BC High offers. I have come to realize that their dedication is directly correlated with how much they love this place – from the memories they have from when they were students through the lasting friendships they forged here to the satisfaction with the work they currently are doing to help BC High. The faculty and staff have tireless dedication to the students and the mission – it is refreshing and energizing to be in a place where that sense of purpose is present in every day work. On a personal level, I am committed to Catholic Schools in Boston. I have four children – including two boys – that attend St. John School in Boston’s North End. I believe that Catholic Schools offer a loving, nurturing environment to support learning and growth. I am excited for my boys to be here at BC High, though I do not want them to grow up too fast! We know the Chief Financial Officer is vital to the financial health of educational institutions. Tell us more about the position of the CFO at BC High? The most important thing that I do is to partner with Bill Kemeza, Steve Hughes and others throughout BC High to ensure that we are expending resources consistently with the strategic objectives of the school. I enjoy spending time understanding the challenges and goals of the many individuals who run different aspects of school life. One of my objectives in the next year is to create more opportunities for my department to work side by side with the other leaders in our school. But the mainstay of the Finance Office is to ensure the day to day processes, such as awarding financial aid, billing tuition, and paying faculty and staff, are working and working well. I am fortunate to have an excellent team that is responsible for ensuring that the Finance Office continues operating in the most
efficient manner possible with financial discipline, a strong control environment, and the highest level of integrity, controls and reporting. This is something I’m going to build on from where we stand now. It will always be the first area of importance and one from which we can never stray. We are in the middle of the 150th Anniversary Campaign. Why is this campaign so important to BC High? I am very excited about the Campaign because its main focus is to make BC High more affordable to our families. Our goal of increasing our endowment to $100 million, plus the continued growth of The Fund for BC High, will enable us to meet the full need of the talented boys that apply to BC High. Opening doors of opportunity to the next generation of the very best students, regardless of finances, is key to our ability to create excellent graduating classes and is integral to our mission. Who has been the greatest influence in your life and what did he/she teach you? The greatest influence in my life would be my grandmother. She was a math teacher before staying home and raising her 14 children. Growing up, she was a gifted student who attended an all girls Catholic college and went on to take advanced courses at Princeton University, where she had Albert Einstein as a professor. She is now 96 years old and is one of the most inspiring leaders I have encountered in my life. She has the ability to provide advice without judgment and inspire you to be the best and do the right thing. Her ability to give back (she delivered Meals on Wheels until she was 85!) and the devotion to her family inspire me everyday to be the best person I can be in my own life.
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ATHLETICS BARTLETT RETURNS AS HEAD COACH FOR FOOTBALL After a two year hiatus, John Bartlett ’87 will return to the sidelines as Head Coach for the varsity football team. “We are pleased to welcome Jon Bartlett back as coach.” Principal Steve Hughes ’73 remarked, “When Jon stepped aside two years ago, we knew he would return to the sideline at some point, we just did not know when.”
IN THE NEWS JOE MCCABE WINS MARIUCCI AWARD Former BC High Head Hockey Coach, and current Assistant Athletic Director Joe McCabe has been awarded the 2014 John Mariucci award by the America Hockey Coaches Association. The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) established the John Mariucci award in honor of the legendary coach who was the driving force behind the growth of hockey in the United States. In 1987, the AHCA created this award to honor a secondary school coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of John Mariucci. Coach McCabe began his coaching career almost 40 years ago and has spent 22 years coaching hockey for BC High. In true Joe McCabe fashion when asked for a comment he said, “he was proud, but don’t make a big deal out of it.” Coach McCabe was recognized in Naples, FL on May 3, 2014. The BC High community salutes Coach McCabe for this great award, and the great character he brings to BC High every day.
The school was pleased with the football program under the leadership of Head Coach Joe Gaff and had no intention of suggesting any changes. During the off-season, Coach Gaff suggested that Jon seriously consider returning as head coach. Jon’s transition back to the sidelines comes after much reflection by all internal parties and his return will not impact the current staff. BC High is fortunate to have Coach Gaff’s continued leadership in the program, as he will once again be Associate Head Coach. BC High is confident that the football program will continue to represent the community in a manner consistent with our Jesuit identity.
FROM SOARING WITH EAGLES TO RUNNING WITH THE COLTS
John Bartlett ’87 with Nnamdi Obukwelu ’09
When Nnamdi Obukwelu ’09 finished his career at BC High he had many athletic achievements to be proud of: three letters in football, team captain, Catholic Conference Player of the Year and All-State as a senior to name a few. Nnamdi wasn’t only successful as an athlete, but he was an accomplished student and leader for BC High as President of the National Honor Society, President of the Black and Latino Student Union and writer for the student newspaper The Eagle. These achievements led him to Harvard University where he continued his success both on and off the field. In addition to earning All-Ivy League first-team honors after twice being named a second-team selection at Harvard, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Obukwelu was the recipient of the George “Bulger” Lowe Award as the top collegiate defensive player in New England in 2013. Nnamdi wasn’t afraid to chase his dreams of playing in the National Football League. After several months of working with his strength and conditioning coach and a successful combine try-out, his hard work paid off and he was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts on May 12, 2014. Maybe BC High fans will catch a glimpse of Nnamdi when the Colts take on the Patriots in Indy on November 16, 2014.
FOLLOW BC HIGH ATHLETICS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Jeannie McCabe, Joe, and Joe’s sons Joey and Brian McCabe
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@BCHIGHATHLETICS
BC HIGH SPORTS
ROWING ACHIEVES MILESTONE Stephen DeForge ’14 with mom Julie
STEPHEN DEFORGE ’14 WINS 2014 BOSTON BRUINS – MIAA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS Steve DeForge ’14 was honored at TD Garden in front of a sold-out Bruins crowd for exemplifying the highest standards of fair play and sportsmanship in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). The Boston Bruins – MIAA Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to one player from each high school ice hockey league in the state. “Stevie has a true commitment to teamwork and the ethics of the game. It has been a pleasure to coach him and know him as a person,” remarked head coach John Flaherty ’88 on Steve’s achievement.
BC High Rowing has achieved a new milestone, with the Eagles finishing second in the boys’ eight grand final of the New England Interscholastic Racing Association (NEIRA) Regatta, the championship race for the fastest qualifying public and private high schools in New England. The silver medal-winning performance marked the highest finish in the program’s history. For the third consecutive year, all three BC High varsity eights raced their way into the grand finals, with a plucky young third varsity lineup finishing fifth, and the second varsity missing the podium by less than a tenth of a second over the 1500 meter distance. With several members of last year’s undefeated, NEIRA gold-medal 2V crew in the boat this year, the first varsity crew pulled away from the rest of the field, trailing Philips Andover by only one second as it crossed the line. BC High finished third in the combined team point totals for the day (the Eagles were first in 2013) but the top-end speed of the first boat coupled with the youth of the team—only three seniors on the roster—augurs well for 2014 and beyond.
MVP JORDAN SAMUELS HEADS TO NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY The Eagles will say good-bye to track standout Jordan Samuels ‘14. Jordan finished the indoor season undefeated in league in hurdles and long jump, 1st in hurdles, long jump in Division 1 State Meet. Jordan was also a league MVP, Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic. Jordan will competing next year for the Northeastern University Huskies.
BC HIGH TRACK Track had another great winter and spring season. Indoor track finished first in Track Tri-County division 1 tournament. The spring Track and Field team won the Catholic Conference title for sixth time in the last seven years. Tri-County Division 1
Catholic Conference winners
BC High Today 25
Alumni News Notes The 40s
Rev. Gerry Brennan ’43 and Rev. Denny Denver ’51 enjoyed the BC High Concert Choir’s year end appreciation concert. The alumni were visiting from the Regina Cleri residence and before the concert they went on a tour with Rev. Ron Perry.
Rev. Joseph Bennett, SJ ’45 proudly had his picture taken with the World Series trophy during a recent stop on Morrissey Boulevard.
Tom Cunningham ’52, Jack Leonard ’52 and Frank Kane ’52 completed the 20-mile Walk for Hunger in Boston on May 4, 2014. Not bad for three guys who are entering their ninth decade. Chairman of the Winchester Hospital Board of Directors Paul Andrews ‘55 met sports newscaster “Bob” Lobel at the recent Arthritis Association Dinner.
Jeremiah York ‘63 received the Distinguished Volunteer Tribute Award from Boston College for his varied contributions to the University, to his profession, and to society. Dean Harold Attridge ’64 was recently named a Sterling Professor, the highest honor that can be conferred upon a member of the Yale faculty.
Dr. Tom Kenney ‘55 of Milton recently attended his 50th reunion from Georgetown Medical School. Author of Hospitality and Treachery in Western Literature James Heffernan ’56 will be lecturing at the Union Club of Boston in June on his latest book. This series is sponsored by Georgetown University Library and hosted by fellow alumni Neil Moynihan ’56 and William Benjes ’56.
Donna and Dick Reale ‘57 recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a 10 day trip to Ireland. They were blessed to visit an 800 year old Abbey and were invited up to the altar for a blessing.
Ambassador to the Holy See Kenneth Hackett ‘64 was instrumental in the first meeting of President Obama and Pope Francis in April.
Rev. William Joy ’64 presided over the Golden Jubilarian reunion Mass held for the Class of 1964 at BC High on May 17, 2014.
The 60s
Nick Russo ‘47, son Tom ‘76 and grandson Thomas ‘14 spoke about their shared connection of BC High at this year’s Legacy breakfast. Rev. Raymond G. Helmick, SJ ‘49 has healed well from his broken ankle of last year and recently completed a series visits to China and Taiwan where he delivered a number of lectures at various universities.
Dorchester Reporter Tom Mulvoy ’60 recently published Life with the Jesuit Fathers: Recollection, a reflection on his years of Jesuit education both at BC High and Boston College and the influence the Jesuits have played in his life. Visit www.dotnews.com to read the reflection. Rev. Paul Sughrue ’61 recently celebrated 43 years as a priest and will be completing his 16 years at St. Clare Parish in June 2014.
The 50s George Ross ‘62 met with Rev. Joe O’Keefe, SJ from the BC High Advancement staff. George and Rev. O’Keefe were taking some time to enjoy the sites of Old Town Alexandria, VA in Washington, DC. Tom Cunningham ’52, Jack Leonard ’52 and Frank Kane ’52
26 BC High Today
BC High math teacher, varsity track coach and Golden Jubilarian John Normant ’64 was honored at his 50th Class reunion by his classmates for his lifelong commitment to track and field. John was a standout track athlete at BC High and has been a coach for the past 30 years for the Eagles.
Ronald Paglierani ‘64 was recipient of the Sidney Farber Volunteer of the Year award. Ron has been a DFCI food cart volunteer since 2006. His impact is immeasurable and yet Ron is always unassuming, humble and powerfully caring about those he touches. It is for these reasons he is the Volunteer of the Year. Paul Murphy ‘66 retired from BC High’s finance office at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. He spent 11 years working with parents, students, faculty and staff and his quick wit and smile will be greatly missed. John Murphy ‘67 delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2014 at BC High on May 18, 2014. The Class of 2014 is the 150th graduating class for Boston College High School. Paul Logan ‘68 received the “Light of the World Award” from the office of Lifelong Faith Formation and Parish Support of the Archdiocese of Boston. The award is given in appreciation to adults who have demonstrated a commitment to young people and youth ministry as reflected in “Renewing the Vision.” Bishop Peter J. Uglietto ’69 has been appointed vicar general and moderator of the curia – a post like that of a chief executive officer – of the Archdiocese of Boston. Uglietto will start his new job in March, 2014 and is honored and blessed to have the opportunity to serve Cardinal Sean and the Archdiocese in this assignment.
General Joe Dunford ‘73, Commander, U.S. Forces, Afghanistan was named #7 on Fortune magazine’s 50 Greatest Leaders list. The Marine fourstar general and leader of NATO’s coalition in Afghanistan has recently been nominated by President Obama to become the next Commandant for the Marine Corps. He is expected to take command this fall.
The 70s Dr. Stephen Durant ‘71 from Harvard University and Mass General Hospital, returned to BC High to share his wisdom and advice with the senior class as they prepare for the transition from high school to college.
enjoy their new BC High 150 t-shirts that dad got for them when he attended the Washington D.C. alumni reception.
Avon Town Administrator Mike McCue ’84 received Hiroshima Ginkgo Biloba saplings from Mr. Robert Azimi of Wrentham. Mr. Azimi is the brother of Nassrine Azimi, Green Legacy Hiroshima, UNITAR Senior Advisor and GLH Co-Founder.
Mark F. Murphy, Esq. ’71 enjoyed meeting other alumni at the BC High Triple Eagle breakfast in June.
Kathie and Jack McDonough ’72 were honored by the South Shore YMCA for their dedicated service over the years (pictured above with their sons Tim ’14, Matt ’13 and John ’16. BC High teacher Chris Millis’ ‘72 poem “Ceremony” was chosen by the Mass Poetry sponsored “PoeTry on the MBTA” which replaces typical advertisements with poems.
Society induction ceremony for the Robert Fulton, SJ chapter. Jack Dunn ‘79 proudly introduced his longtime mentor and friend, Bill MacNeill, for this year’s Shields Medal. Jack spoke of Bill’s lifelong commitment to BC High and his passion in establishing the development office for BC High in the early 1970’s. Bill passed to eternal life in May. (Please read his obituary on page 35.)
John McDonald ‘84 was just sworn in as the new First Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, East Boston. Pictured with his godson Anthony Gonzales ’17.
The 80s
BC High religious education teacher Chris Hayes ’85 enjoyed this year’s Legacy breakfast with son Declan ’17.
Chairman of the BC High Board of Trustees Pat Landers ’73 accepts the appreciation and gratitude of Father General Adolfo Nicolas at the Jesuit Curia in Rome for BC High’s leadership in global collaboration amongst worldwide Jesuit schools. Reverend Joseph O’Neil ’76 recently dedicated a beautiful new church as pastor of the Good Shepherd Parish in Orlando, FL. The daughters of Paul Manuel ’77 Maria Teresa and Rosa Caterina, really
Benjamin J. Boncaldo ’17, son of Philip Boncaldo ‘80 and Alyse BakerBoncaldo of Braintree was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Ben is a member of Troop 42, Quincy and his service project was the construction of the Outdoor Classroom at the Mary E. Flaherty School, Braintree, supported with the assistance of Rob Cremone ‘80 and Matthew Cremone ‘07. Captain Jack Danilecki ‘80, P’13 was recently honored by Boston University for his work with bicycle safety on campus. Mike Bernard ’81 developed a screenplay Crossing the Sagamore that was loosely based on his high school road trips to Cape Cod. It has been optioned by a production team of Disney and BenderSpink executives. During this year’s senior awards, former BC High hockey star and Fox 25 anchor Mark Ockerbloom ‘81 honored Nicholas Valicenti ‘14 and Stephen DeForge ‘14 with an award for their commitment to the ideals and values of the BC High student-athlete program. Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Stokinger ’82, P’10, received a Commissioner’s Citation from the Boston Fire Department for his actions in response to the Boston Marathon bombings.
Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Marine Corps John Griffin ’87 was recently promoted to Commanding Officer and Battalion Inspector-Instructor at FirstBattalion Twenty-Fifth Marines. Brian Oates ’89 ran the 2014 Boston Marathon, raising $40,000 for Golf Fights Cancer.
The 90s MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey ’91 received the national “Person of the Year” award for 2013 by the Construction Management Association of America. The CMAA honored Secretary Davey for his leadership in delivering “dramatic innovation and change to a large organization responsible for an impressive portfolio of varied projects,” according to CMAA President Bruce D’Agostino. Sean Giovanello ‘91 was awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. John Barros ’92 was appointed Chief of Economic Development for the City of Boston by Mayor Marty Walsh. Ulrich Alvarez ‘93 was this year’s guest speaker at the National Honor
Alex Zengo ‘94 was promoted to Executive Director at Morgan Stanley. He is a Regional Administrative Manager for the Private Wealth Management Division. Alex and his family transferred from Boston, MA to Houston, TX. Justin Holmes ‘98 was appointed Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston by Mayor Marty Walsh. Patrick Broydrick ‘99 graduated from the Academy of Military Science and is now a commissioned officer for the Massachusetts Air National Guard. He currently serves at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis ANGB, Cape Cod, MA. Patrick was previously an enlisted member of the Air Guard. Jean Alfred Chavier ‘99 and family welcomed a new baby girl born on May 26.
The 2000s Kevin Collins ’01 has bid farewell to Morrissey Boulevard for a second time. Kevin has been named the Chief Advancement Officer at St. John’s Prep in Danvers. On April 15, 2014, during the anniversary tribute of the Boston Marathon bombings, Patrick Downes ‘01 spoke to an emotional crowd packed into the Hynes Convention Center and expressed his deep gratitude for the support he received in the wake of this tragedy. A little more than a year ago, Patrick and his wife, Jessica, were injured in the attacks, each losing a leg below the knee. Drawing on the incredible love they received from family, friends, and complete strangers worldwide, the couple has been inspired to give back to those who have been impacted by the Marathon tragedy as well as other traumatic events. The April 15 tribute gave stage to the Downes’ struggles and enduring spirits, as is evidenced in Patrick’s words: “A year ago today, we chose to run toward smoke and danger… we chose to offer our hearts to those in despair and our treasures to those in need. We chose to love and that has made
BC High Today 27
Alumni News Notes BOSTON GLOBE/STANGROSSFELD
Michael Sulprizio ’02 was named one of Mayor Walsh’s 2014 ONEin3 Council Members. Robert Goodridge ’03 was named the new youth coordinator at St. Michael’s Church in Milton, MA.
all the difference… We would never wish the devastation and pain we have experienced on any of you; however, we do wish that all of you, at some point in your lives, feel as loved as we have felt over this last year… I am so proud to be a Bostonian because I am so proud to be connected to all of you.”
William Driscoll, Jr. ‘01 attended the BC High Good Friday Walk this past April. Pictured here with Director of Diversity Mrs. Barbara O’Brien Miller. Brendan Murphy ’01 was chosen as this year’s Dorchester Day Parade Chief Marshal. Brendan, a veteran of the US Army, is currently working as Massachusetts State Policeman.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced his choice for Boston’s Chief Financial Officer: David Sweeney ‘01. “I’m confident he will continue the City’s longstanding practices of fiscal prudence to ensure that Boston’s overall financial health remains strong,’’ Walsh said in a statement. Ian Kelly ‘02, co-owner of Big Dog Walkin’ LLC in Brighton, MA, is completing his first year since opening a retail location. Big Dog Walkin’ is a professional dog care company, offering walks, playgroups and dog daycare. Ian is proud to co-own a locally owned business that employs people within his community.
28 BC High Today
Chris Riley ’05 was promoted to Head Golf Professional at South Shore Country Club. Riley has been running the junior program as SSCC for the past five years and is excited to continue to grow the club’s programs.
Tom Cotter ‘06 was the keynote speaker at the 26th annual BC High Model UN conference. He has worked in Haiti and the Philippines and was selected for a World Health Organization team to work alongside the Philippines National Department of Health. These experiences allowed him to develop an emergency management and risk mitigation plan for organizations in Tanzania. Tom works with the US Department of Health and Human Services Incident Response Coordination Team.
torn Ukraine. He spent the last six months playing for basketball team Ferro-ZNTU Zaporozhye, a team in the Ukrainian Superleague. He planned on returning home in May, but the turmoil in the country prompted an early exit. Samuel Butts ’09, a 2013 cum laude graduate of Providence College, was accepted to the United States Navy’s Officer Candidate Program, Newport, RI, graduating in the top 10% of his class on December 5, 2013. Samuel was also presented with the General Herman S. Clardy III Physical Fitness Award for having the highest grade of Physical Fitness while attending Officer Candidate School. Jameel Galloway ‘09 was named Worcester Polytechnic Institute Student-Athlete of the Week. Galloway repeated as NEWMAC champion in the high jump as he cleared his best height at a NEWMAC championship when he soared a season-best 6-6 to help the Engineers go 1-2 for the second straight year. Former baseball standout Kyle Larrow ’09, took up running to compete in this year’s Boston Marathon. Kyle trained and dedicated his race to his girlfriend’s sister, Gillians who was injured in the Marathon Bombings last year.
Brandon Cipolla
The 10s Brendan Gallery ’10, a senior at Syracuse University, was recently inducted into Alpha Beta Gamma, the international honors society for business students. Brendan is majoring in supply chain and finance at Syracuse. He has already agreed to work for BASF after graduation. Jake Keaney ’10 graduated from Yale University this past May with a molecular bio-physics and biochemistry major. Jake plans on attending Yale School of Public Health next year. Collin Norton ‘10 and teammates Mike Marsters ‘11 and Brendan O’Malley ‘11 won this year’s hockey Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference championship for Fairfield University.
Ryan O’Leary ‘09 graduated from American University this past year and is now working as an analyst with a management consulting firm with the Department of Energy. He came back to BC High for his 5th year reunion and gathered with many other area alumni at the April BC High social in Washington, DC.
Alex Hassan ‘06 was called up from the minor leagues to play for the Red Sox on May 30 and earned his first single for the Red Sox during the series. Brian R. Kilfoyle ‘06 graduated from the Rhode Island State Police Academy and was sworn in as a trooper. He earned honorable mention as a master shooter. Power forward basketball player, Jake O’Brien ‘08 returns home from war
Nnamdi Obukwelu ‘09 attended his 5 year reunion with a film crew in tow. Nnamdi has a real shot in this year’s NFL draft. Nnamdi was filmed by the National Football League for a documentary about his determination to make the league. The crew attended the reunion and met some of his closest friends, sharing stories of their time together at BC High. Joseph Plouffe ‘09 starred in the Turbotax “Love Hurts” big game commercial for the 2014 Superbowl. Holy Cross senior outfielder Brandon Cipolla ‘09 was named Patriot League Player for competition from Feb. 17-23.
Upon graduating from Johns Hopkins University, Collin Rozanski ’10 will participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program where he will work in Japan as an assistant English language teacher for grades 1-12. As his college career came to a close, Colin recently went to the NCAA Division III Indoor Nationals for the 400m leg of the distance medley relay. Colin will be receiving the Centennial Conference Track & Field Scholar Athlete of the Year award. Christopher Scutti ’10 who graduated from Bentley College this spring with a major in finance and minor in Mandarin,
Goalie Peter Cronin ’13 has been accepted into Bowdoin College and will join the Polar Bears hockey team next season. Denis Glinski ’13 was nominated by Congressman Stephen Lynch for appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. was a member of the Bentley College team who took third place in the National Federal Challenge team. Brendan Craven ‘12 will play football at Lehigh University next Fall. Brendan did a post-grad year at Choate Rosemary Hall. Craven is coming off a season in which he completed 110of-168 passes for 1,069 yards and ten touchdowns, while also rushing 62 times for 402 yards and five scores. He was tabbed by ESPN Recruiting as a top 100 pocket passer in the nation. A two-time Scholar-Athlete award recipient, Craven quarterbacked Boston College High School to three conference championships and the Massachusetts Division I State title in 2012. He plans to study business at Lehigh. Thomas McNulty, Jr. ‘12 was named to the Atlantic 10 all-conference team for his performance on St Joseph’s University golf team. Robert Melley ’12 received the AllConference award for his contributions to the University of Connecticut’s baseball team.
Deonte RameyDoe ’12, Bartley “Moe” Regan ’12 and Gordon McLeod ’12 all played on the 2013 Stonehill NE 10 Championship football team.
U.S. Air National Guard Airman Michael Lethin ’13 recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX. Christopher Littlehale ’13 was named to the dean’s list at St. Michael’s College. Alex O’Brien ‘13 is playing attack on the lacrosse team for Le Moyne University. O’Brien’s assists have helped the Hawks to several wins early in the season. Thomas O’Donnell ’13 was named to the dean’s list at Colby College.
EAGLES RETURN TO THE NEST Conor Shea ‘13, Tsega Birkneh ‘13, Chris Castro ‘11 and Pat Holden ‘13 participated in BC High’s college alumni panel, answering questions and sharing their experiences as college freshmen and juniors with the Class of 2014. Ian Yanulis ’13 was part of a Duke defense that helped the #1 ranked Blue Devils earn a victory over Notre Dame University in the NCAA D1 lacrosse finals. Oars Still in the Water: Recent grads were spotted competing at the Eastern Sprints Rowing competition; Connor Dilworth ’12 from Holy Cross, Gabe Roy-Liguari ’12 from Yale University, Kevin Casey from Holy Cross and James Eisenberg ’13 rowing for Syracuse University.
BC High recently hosted a breakfast for triple eagles, Alumni of BC High, Boston College and an advanced degree from Boston College. Pictured left to right, front row: Kevin Braun ‘82, Paul Branca ‘65, Michael Sullivan ‘78, Ralph Caferelli ’73, Kevin Tierney ‘89, Joe Drake ‘75, Bob Muldoon ’54, Robert Parks ’59, Jack Maguire ’57, John Slater, III ’72, and Dick Mucci ‘68. Back Row left to right: Christopher Kelley ’83,P’16’17, Matthew Nash ‘92, Jacob Cohen ‘04, Paul McNamara ’58, and John Riordan ’69.
2014 ST. IGNATIUS AWARD WINNERS The St. Ignatius Award is the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of BC High, acknowledging those who have exemplified the ideals of our school through high moral character and selfless service to the community. BC High was proud to recognize this year’s recipients. To read why these alumni were chosen, or to nominate a candidate for next year, please visit www.bchigh.edu/stignatiusaward
Trent Berg ‘13 is a freshman at Vassar College leaning towards focusing as an Economics major. In addition to his academic work, Trent has kept his baseball number from BC High as he continues to pursue his pitching career at Vassar. His current record as a starter for the Brewers is 5-1, as his first collegiate season in the Liberty League is approaching playoffs. Stephen Campo ‘13 was nominated by Congressman Stephen Lynch for appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Stephen just finished his freshman year at Villanova University.
Paul J. Sally,Jr. PhD ‘50 RIP
Reverend Richard “Doc” Conway ‘55
Christopher Small ‘67
Don’t forget to follow us on social media!
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facebook.com/bch1863
@bchigheagles
BC High Today 29
Faculty and Staff Notes The school has completed our selfstudy process of accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Accreditation involves a peer review process following the school wide self-study of all programs and areas of school life with the dual purposes of quality assurance and school improvement. The self-study, coordinated by Religious Education Chair Michael Bonina, has concluded and the school eagerly awaits the visiting team in the fall.
Senior Director for Institutional Advancement Colleen Carter and husband Jon welcomed their son, John Steven “Jack,” on March 16. Arrupe science teachers Michael Chapman and Jennifer McLarnon presented at the National Science Teacher Association annual conference in Boston held April 3-6, 2014. Highlighting the success of iPad usage in the Arrupe a Division, they spoke about the use of iPads to increase scientific literacy to science educators across the nation.
Prior to accepting this position, she worked as an independent fundraising consultant for various political candidates and campaigns, both on a national and state-wide level. Chris Hayes ’85 of the religious education department was awarded the Winchenbaugh faculty development grant. Chris will attend the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s conference, “Reflecting on Their Witness: 25th Anniversary Delegation to El Salvador.” Social Studies teacher Sean Irwin, his wife Maryann and big sister Abigail welcomed Grace to the family last June. Better late than never with announcing her birthday - Happy 1st birthday Grace! Arlene Koellner of the English department welcomed a baby boy named Martin into the family on May 2, 2014. He weighed in at 7lb., and 11 ounces; Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well.
Paul and Tom Moyhanhan ’14
Tara Esfahanian recently joined the Advancement Office as the Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships.
30 BC High Today
Reverend Joseph O’Keefe, SJ has joined BC High as the Director of Planned Giving and Special Gifts. A Boston native, Fr. O’Keefe came to us from Loyola High School In Los Angeles where he was the Associate Director of Advancement. Fr. O’Keefe entered the Society of Jesus in 2006 and was ordained in 2013. He holds degrees from St. John Seminary College, Suffolk University and Santa Clara University.
History teacher Jack Travers recently had a book signing for his newly published young adult novel Team Player at the Barnes & Noble in Saugus. Social studies teacher Norm Walsh ’70 will participate in the Gilder-Lehrman Teachers Seminar at Stanford University, “The Role of the Supreme Court in American History.” Norm was awarded the Winchenbaugh faculty development grant.
The Red Sox World Series trophy made a stop at BC High and Dan Traenor, Hector Fonseca, Terry Kenney and Linda McAteer posed for photos.
Reverend James O’Neill, SJ celebrated his 93rd birthday on April 12, 2014. Fr. O’Neill is a long time Red Sox fan.
In February, Guidance Counselor Matt Weeman and his wife welcomed Azalie Anne to his family.
Science teacher John Sullivan, PhD recently had his book Emergent Learning: The Power of Complex Adaptive Systems in the Classroom translated into Korean. Classics teacher Emil Penarubia and his wife welcomed Roman Cecilio Penarubia on April 28 weighing 8 lbs., 9 oz.
Science teacher Brendan Crowley and his wife Liz welcomed triplet girls into their family on March 14. The girls Sarah, Katherine, and Bridget join a big sister and a big brother at home.
Alumni Director Matt Curran ’89 enjoyed BC High alumni night at Fenway with math teacher John Normant ’64 and Associate Director of Communications Bill Burke ’52.
Graduation was particularly special for classics teacher Paul Moynahan this year. His son, Tom, is headed to the Naval Academy in the fall for college.
Director of Diversity Mrs. Barbara O’Brien-Miller retired at the end of the school year. She has been a teacher at BC High for the past 27 years. In keeping with BC High tradition, O’Brien-Miller at the end of the last school day bid farewell to the community gathered in the Hunter-Fahey Commons.
Meghan Staepac of the Arrupe Division won this year’s Pitchapalooza, and will be meeting with professional publishing consultants to discuss the possibility of publishing her young adult novel, The Option to Be.
Newly ordained Jesuit Fathers Reverend Mario Powell, SJ and Reverend Tom Simisky, SJ. Father Mario is a member of BC High’s Board of Trustees and Father Tom taught at BC High as a Jesuit Novice.
SAVE THE DATE
On September 5, 1864 Boston College High School opened its doors to students in the City of Boston. On Friday, September 5, 2014, exactly 150 years later, we will open the new school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Join us for the closing ceremony of our 150th Anniversary Celebration.
All alumni priests are invited to concelebrate at this Mass for more information or to RSVP contact alumni@bchigh.edu.
BC High Today 31
the
scene
Recent Events
■
St. Igantius Awards
BC High
February 14, 2014
■ Bradley Amrhein ’14, Gerard Amrhein ’75, P’14, ’16 and Vincent Amrhein ’16 ■
Legacy Breakfast
BC High
March 5, 2014
■
Florida Alumni Receptions
Palm Beach and Naples, FL
March 10-12, 2014
■ Neil Maher ’65, Robert Burke ’65, Ned
■ Principal Steve Hughes ’73, Christopher Small
■ April Young P’14 and Judith
’67, Michael Papile P’16,’17 and Trustee Robert Walsh ’59
Enabulele P’13,’15,’18,’18
■ Class of 1964 at 50th class reunion dinner
Pagliarulo ’08 and Reverend John Galvin ’60
Alumni Hockey Reunion Game
■
Quincy, MA
March 22, 2014
■
Grand Reunion
BC High
■ Christian Hayes ’18 and Adam
■ Joseph McDermott ’64, Sara
April 5, 2014
Hayes ’87, P’18
Penella and Robert Penella ’64
■
Women for Others
■ Class of 1959 annual luncheon
Nordstrom, South Shore Plaza
April 13, 2014
■ Ellen Previte, Frank Previte ’61, Washington, DC Alumni Reception
■
Washington, DC
April 24, 2014
■
Class of 1964 50th Reunion
BC High
May 17, 2014
32 BC High Today
■ Alumni Hockey Game
President Bill Kemeza, Sr. VP for Institutional Advancement Michele Daly, and Joe Donahue ’74
■ Frank Pedulla ’51, Dee Pedulla, Rosemary Vozzella, John Vozzella ’51, Dottie Murray, Richard Murray ’51, President Bill Kemeza, and Bill Murphy ’60
■ Robert Lynch ’67, Chris Sterritt ’67, John Nightengale ’67 and Micahel Grealy ’67
■ Roger Hughes ’64 and Mike
■ James Federico ’04, Nick Leger ’04, and
Dunbar ’64
Kevin Linehan ’04
■ George Kovatch ’87 and Tom Monahan ’84
■ Alumni Hockey Game
■ Kojo Acquaah ’09, John Cuchural ’09, John Sullivan ’09, Koury Hajjar ’09 and Kyle Larrow ’09
■ Barry Hogan ’84 and Phil Joseph ’84
■ John O’Donnell ’16 and Dave
■ Gretchen Robards P’18
■ Bishop Peter Uglietto ’69 and Thomas Guthrie ’79
O’Donnell ’81, P’16
■ Frank Sally accepting ■ Phil Good ’74, Brian Sutherland ’74 St. Ignatius Award on and Charles Shea ’74 behalf of his brother Paul J. Sally, Jr. PhD ’50 RIP
■ Colin Keohan ’90 and George
■ Tony Cataldo ’64 and
■ 70s grads Paul “PF”
Ross ’62
Reverend William Joy ’64
Hurley ’73, Jack McDonough ’72 and George Driscoll ’73
■ Sheila Vieth P’12,’16, Deb Hoffman P’12
■ Frank Taylor ’43, P’73,
■ Shields Medal recipient Bill MacNeill
■ Tom Tomasian ’94 and
■ Jack Curtis ’80, P’18 and
and Dawn Alellio P’15, ’15
’82, ’88, GP’03, ’04, ’07, ’15 and grandson Michael Cadigan ’15
and family
John McCaffery ’94
Ted Curtis ’18
■ Richard Norton ’64, Kathleen Norton,
■ John Ciccolo ’79 and retired teacher Bob Peloquin
Carol Norton and Jim Norton ’59
■ Palm Beach reception guests
■ Linda Corcoran P’17,’19, Judith Coyne P’14,’16,’16, Kathleen Guinee P’10, Elena Zongrone P’16
BC High Today 33
IN MEMORIAM
SHEILA BECKER GAILIUS Sheila Becker Gailius, a beloved teacher at BC High for the past 30 years, passed to eternal life on March 9, 2014 after a hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer.
while her children were young. She paved the way for so many of the working mothers in our community. In every aspect of her life as a wife, mother, teacher, colleague and friend, she showed unwavering grace and humility and how to walk humbly with God.”
Sheila’s career began on Morrissey Boulevard in the fall of 1984 when she began teaching French in the Modern Language Department. Her teaching, counseling and ministry spanned three decades and touched the lives of many students, parents, faculty and staff. Aside from teaching French and Spanish, Sheila was instrumental in developing the school’s outreach and support programs for the sons of new immigrants entering the BC High community. Sheila created and staffed the school’s initial tutorial programs for students for whom English was a second language. Her work went beyond language instruction as she helped families connect with social service agencies, helping them establish roots in their new home.
Sheila was a life-long learner as well as a teacher. She completed advanced degrees in French, English as a Second Language and most recently, Developmental Psychology.
Sheila also served as a role model to other women who joined BC High as teachers. Fellow faculty member Liz O’Donnell remembers, “In my first few years here, we could count the number of women faculty on two hands, and when I had a challenging situation I was directed to talk to Sheila. She shared her sadness and vulnerabilities and showed me her strength and grace. Sheila was one of a few women who taught
Sheila met her husband, Gib Gailius, when he joined the Modern Language Department in 1988, and they married in 1992. Their love for one another became the foundation of a family that grew to include six beautiful children. This love also led to a commitment to live out the Gospel of compassion and service that included, but went well beyond the school in which they both worked. With their growing family they became partners in service at St. Mary of the Hills Parish and School. Sharing their faith and love they were partners in offering marriage preparation classes for parishes in the Milton area, and with their strong belief in social justice together they were partners in their commitment to be of service to the poor in Haiti. Sheila is survived by her loving husband and fellow member of the BC High faculty, Gib Gailius, along with their six children, Tim ’11, Caroline, Jeff ’15, Jeanna, Jonathan, and Kevin. A celebration of Sheila’s life was held at BC High on June 14.
LARRY BLAKE ’60 Lawrence “Larry” D. Blake ’60 passed to eternal life on Saturday, February 1, 2014. In 1967, Larry began his teaching career at BC High in the mathematics department. His career spanned more than four decades on Morrissey Boulevard and in 1983 Larry was appointed as the first lay Principal of the school. During his tenure on Morrissey Boulevard, Larry earned a master’s in education from Boston State and a doctorate from Boston College. He was for all of his life a man concerned about injustices surrounding the issue of civil rights, a concern that showed itself when he established the position of Director of Diversity at BC High. Larry believed deeply that the students learned, as much from
34 BC High Today
one another, as they did from the faculty. Knowing full well that BC High’s enrollment should reflect both urban and suburban, white and non-white students, he and fellow administrators remained focused on admissions and how it would affect the direction of BC High through the 1970s and 1980s. This focus would reflect the true mission of which BC High was founded and we thank him for his commitment that has paved the way to the vibrant community we are today. Away from school, Larry was a true family man; trips to Canada were his specialty. He was a book lover and kept up with contemporary music tastes while never forgetting the genius of Ray Charles. He also played golf, and enjoyed many happy hours on the course with his twin brother Steve and his golfing pals. Larry leaves his wife of 48 years, Paula M. (Resca) Blake; three daughters, Barbara, Nora, and Julia; a granddaughter, Lillian; his brother; and a sister, Celia Lizotte of Charlotte, NC.
IN MEMORIAM, CONTINUED
ROBERT HOWE ’64 Robert Howe ’64 was a well loved alumnus, parent and trustee. As Board Chair, Bob lead the school through some of the most trying times in its history. During the Renaissance Campaign, Bob also served as co-chair of the Leadership Gifts Committee and later as a Trustee Associate. His impact as a Trustee and volunteer spanned many initiatives, one of which began more than twenty five years ago, as Bob was one of the founding leaders of BC High’s annual Reverend Mahoney, SJ Golf Classic.
Bob received a number of personal decorations for his service in Vietnam as a Marine infantry officer from 1968 through 1971, including the Bronze Star medal, and was actively involved with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. He was also co-founder of the Boston Chapter of Golfers Against Cancer, a charity which targets dollars for cancer research and a member of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Advisory Board. We, at BC High, remember Bob for his leadership, generosity, guidance and good humor. Please keep his wife Janice, his son Chris ’89, who is also a former Trustee and the entire Howe Family in your thoughts and prayers.
WILLIAM A. MACNEILL William A. MacNeill passed to eternal life on May 27, 2014. Father to Andrew ’78, John ’83, Larry ’84, grandfather to Conor ’15, Kyle ’16 and Cade ’18. Please keep the entire MacNeill family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. Friend, educator, mentor, coach and Director of Development were just a few of the hats Bill MacNeill wore for BC High. His career began in 1956 and for the next 35 years Bill served as teacher, coach and later vice president for development. Many teachers looked to Bill as paving the way for their own teaching careers. In 1971, recognizing the declining Jesuit endowment, Bill established the first development program in collaboration with the alumni office headed by Reverend Francis J. Mahoney, SJ. During his time, he implemented
a class agent system, Golden Reunions, the Magis Guild, Businessman’s Luncheons, and Ignatius Awards making BC High a model for Catholic school fundraising in the area. “One of the roles we see for the school is to provide a kid who’s from a lower or middle income family the opportunity to get a superior education.” Bill often remarked, so much so, that he created the Development office to raise money for financial aid. More than 40 years ago, Bill understood the importance of increased financial assistance to provide the opportunity for all students, regardless of socio-economic background to attend BC High. Although officially retiring in 1991, Bill remained involved at BC High with their family scholarship, annual alumni receptions and through his three grandsons. Bill was a man that truly lived the mission of BC High and he will be missed deeply by this community.
BC High Today 35
IN MEMORIAM, CONTINUED
ALUMNI John B. Dolan ‘29 John J. Ryan ‘37 David A. Hern ‘41 Father of David, Jr. ’70, Stephen ’71, and Joseph ‘73; Brother of the late Kevin ’27 RIP, Gerald ’28 RIP and Laurence ’31. Richard S. Tyrell ‘42 Harold R. Powers ‘43 Edward J. Ryan ‘43 Richard F. Burke ‘44 William G. Logue ‘44 Joseph A. Reiss ‘44 James J. Stapleton ’45 Brother of John ’46 RIP and Robert ’48 RIP; uncle of Bob Lamb ’73 and Gerald Lamb ’75 Joseph P. Thornton ’46 Edward W. Crowley ‘47 Francis J. Long ‘47 William G. Brooks ‘48 John E. Campbell ‘48 John W. Krim ‘49 John J. Curtin ‘50 Robert Hirtle ‘50 Paul J. Keough ‘50 James D. “Ducky” Mahony, Jr. ‘55 Rev. Normant J. Pepin, SJ ‘50 Robert P. Ryan ‘50 Paul J. Sally ‘50 George L. Malone ‘51 John W. Bowker ‘52 Robert J. Kates ‘52 Uncle of Michael ‘94; great uncle of Sean King ‘17 John B. Stenson ‘52 John W. Allan ‘54 Donald J. Hughes, Jr. ‘54 Joseph F. O’Donnell ‘54 Edward P. Kelleher, Jr. ‘56 Kevin J. Collins Reverend Daniel J. Harrington, SJ ‘58 Joseph C. Hogan ‘58 Brother of Dick ‘61 RIP Harry P. Keegan ‘59 Lawrence Blake ‘60
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Patrick F. Walsh ‘60 Peter E. Flaherty ‘61 Richard LaFarge ’61 Edward W. Pyne ‘61 Paul H. Timmins ‘61 Uncle of Thomas Largey ‘14 and Robert and Aidan Largey ‘17 Frank M. Ward ‘61 John V. Dwyer ‘64 John W. Allan ’64 Robert W. Howe ‘64 Brother of Brian ‘63, Dr. Kenneth ‘73, Paul ‘76; Father of Chris ‘89; Uncle of Matt ‘09 Richard J. Mirabile ‘64 Mark T. Regan ‘65 Brother of James ‘63; Father of Andrew ‘00; Uncle of Bartley ‘12 Raymond Beattie ’66 Peter M. Kenney ‘66 Father of Mike ‘93 Colin T. Steele ‘69 Stephen M. Costello ’70 Paul G. Keough, Esq.’70 Christopher C. Rich ‘70 Edward Stone ‘75 Thomas J. Kearns ‘77 Joseph Hassett ‘79 Edward A. Stone ’79 Richard J. Macchi ’87 Phillip Morris ’88 Kevin B. Glynn ‘95 Kyle F. Dandrow ‘04 Brother of Craig ‘01; cousin of Richard Canon ‘13 RELATIVES AND FRIENDS Thomas F. Barry Father of Tom ’76 and James ’79 William F. Chouinard Father of Bob ’83, Peter ’84 and Bill ’85 Rosemarie Corcoran Wife of Joe ’53; mother of Joe ’80, Michael ’82 and Sean ’90; grandmother of Joe ’11, Michael Chapple ’14, Michael ’17 and Aidan ’19; aunt of
Thomas J. Carten ’72, and Leo ’77; great aunt of Shawn Driscoll ’02, Thomas Driscoll ’04, Matt Richer ’89, Daniel Sbarra ’12 and Robert A. Way ’12 George Corm Father of Rita Hajjar, BC High Faculty; Grandfather of Daniel ‘09 Armen J. David Father of Joshua ’90 and Paul ’92 Barbara A. Doherty Wife of Bill Doherty, Jr. ’54 Mary Leigh Feloney Wife of John A. Jr. ‘54; Mother of Peter ‘88; grandmother of John IV ’05, Nicholas ’12, Richard Sullivan ’14; Mother-inlaw of Sara BC High Staff Sheila Becker Gailius, BC High Faculty member, wife of BC High faculty member Gib Gailius; mother of Tim ’11 and Jeff ’15 Martin J. Joyce Father of Marty, Jr. ’71; grandfather of Matt ’01 and Michael ’03 Robert J. Kaler Father of Steve ’72, Robert ’74, Tim ’82 and Thomas ’87 Mary Keating Mother of Jack, Jr. ’71; grandmother of John Gallagher ’19 and Terry Cullen ’15 Joseph K. LaCamera, Son of John ’52 John Launie Father of John, Jr. ’71 and Bob ’74 Joseph E. Lojek Father of Mike ’68, Will ’71, John ’73 and Neal ’74 William A. MacNeill Father of Andrew ‘78, John ‘83, Larry ‘84; grandfather to Conor ‘15, Kyle ‘16 and Cade ‘18
Mary McGillicuddy Mother-in-law of BC High faculty Paul Monahan; grandmother of Patrick ’09, James ’12 and Thomas ’14 Patricia Murphy Mother of Tom ’71, Art ’72, Bob ’75 and Bill ’79 Sister Virginia Murray Sister of Brother Murray, member of the Jesuit community Edythe O’Donnell Grandmother of Jack Ryan ’12, DJ Rundlett ’14, and BC High Staff Jaime Casale; Motherin-law of BC High staff Dana Rundlett, and former CFO Susan Ryan J. Thomas Sheehan Father of Tom’80 and Ed ’85; grandfather of Andrew Bagby ’01 and Mark Bagby ’05 Mary Shields Mother of William ’78 and Tom ’79; grandmother of John ’06; great aunt of Robert Ryan ’88 Robert J. Spence, Sr. Father of Robert, Jr. ’71; grandfather of Robert, III ’02 and John ’10 Nancy A.M. Spinney Mother of Tim McGoldrick ’84 Barbara Wallace, Mother of Chris ’83 John Wilson Father of Mark ’82 Please visit www.bchigh.edu/ inmemoriam to view full obituaries. Members of BC High’s Jesuit Community will offer your intentions and prayer requests to the Lord during Masses in Loyola Chapel. Please visit www.bchigh.edu/intentions to submit requests.
P
ostscript
WOMEN FOR OTHERS By Maureen Kemeza
If you picture a teacher as a sower of seeds, then you could say these
students were always fertile ground because of what they had learned at home, at church, in their communities. And as they grew in wisdom under dedicated teachers—themselves men and women for others—it was a joy to see them mature not only in skill and knowledge, but in the most important skillful knowledge—how to love, how to give back to their communities, how to mentor others, how to live the faith. In short, this school, in collaboration with the sending families, is deeply engaged in the spiritual formation of men for others. The families and the school together are a community forming the next generation for the world-maintenance, world repair that is the hallmark of the Spirit in the world. My husband, Bill, first came to BC High as a religion teacher. As years passed, Bill took on other responsibilities at BC High, until he became President twelve years ago. In this work, he – and I with him – have come to know many alumni of the school, men who graduated in the 40s and 50s and in all the decades from then to now. Some have had brilliant careers, in every profession and field of work. Others may be less famous, perhaps addressing challenges that their classmates did not face; their lives, too, inspire admiration for their tenacity and perseverance and, sometimes, their hope against hope. Still others are just at the starting gate, and they are helped along by the more senior alumni. If, as students, these were the boys among whom the teachers and coaches and mentors sowed seeds of being men for others, then at the reunions and regional gatherings, we encounter the grown men in whom those seeds are deeply rooted and flourishing in lives of dedication and service. Many are now themselves fathers and grandfathers, whose lives are completed by women who share their values, women who often strengthen their faith and their commitments. Now when Bill speaks of his work among the people of BC High, he is likely to talk about alumni and their wives, their life-companions, their extended families. At the heart of this school community, side by side with good men for others, are women for others, who hold up the other half of the BC High sky. In theological talk about God the Holy Trinity, we hear a great deal about the Father who creates the world, and the Son who redeems us. Maybe not so often we hear about the Holy Spirit, who is God sustaining creation and sanctifying what has been saved. In spiritual tradition, the Spirit is described as washing, repairing, healing, maintaining, and generating the grace that is at the heart of the world.
At the heart of this school community, side by side with good men for others, are women for others, who hold up the other half of the BC High sky.
Insofar as we do any of these things for others, especially for the most needy, we are participating in the life of the Spirit. Who more than mothers and godmothers and grandmothers and sisters and aunts and cousins and women mentors and teachers are partners in the work of the Spirit? To be a woman for others is to do the work of the Spirit in the world. Maureen Kemeza was born in Scranton, PA; she grew up in Burlington, NJ and graduated from Rutgers University. Maureen found her passion in the study of ministry at The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, and continued on at Boston College for a PhD in theological ethics. She taught theological ethics at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA, and pastored in churches in Concord, Salem, Newton, and Boston. Although currently semi-retired, she remains affiliated in her home town parish of Trinity, Concord, as Priest Associate.
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