Belen Jesuit Magazine | Summer 2020

Belen Jesuit

THE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

President of the School

When I did my studies in school administration, classes covered everything from curriculum to school law to multiple intelligences. Presidents and principals of primary and secondary schools not only have to understand the classroom, but also business administration. Our professors did a good job of making sure we, future administrators, were prepared to face the various challenges that come with running a school of any size and shape. Since organizational leadership is all about managing conflict, scenarios such as financial instability, inadequate employee performance, lockdowns, fire drills, and hurricanes had their day in textbooks and lectures. Yet, I don’t remember hearing anything about pandemics.

COVID-19 has been the kind of unexpected curveball that any major leaguer would cringe at when standing at the plate with the bases loaded and the game on the line. One simply doesn’t have a chapter in the faculty or student manual that covers the dos and don’ts of dealing with such a worldwide health crisis that affects every aspect of human life. So, an administrator has to depend on the whole community to rally together and respond. This is exactly what Belen Jesuit has done.

Almost seamlessly, faculty, students, and parents were prepared for virtual learning made possible only by having in place the right technological tools. We knew we had the right technology in place. What we didn’t know was how extraordinary its potential was to respond so adequately to such an unprecedented crisis. Yes, we had access to computers, iPad devices, the internet, and social media, but what we didn’t know was that we could sustain a rigorous learning environment off-campus. We didn’t know because we never thought we would need it.

From the moment we sent our faculty, staff, and students home, Belen Jesuit creatively responded to the needs of our families. Lesson plans were altered and enhanced, assessments were modified, recognitions and accolades were videoed and posted, communication was encouraged and it increased. Even our masses and prayers were celebrated and streamed live. Anything and everything was done to give a sense of normalcy in such an abnormal situation. It wasn’t as good as being on campus, but it was damn close.

Throughout these trying times, life on campus has not been totally extinguished. The construction of the Our Lady of Belen Chapel and the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center is progressing nicely. The classroom renovation project has begun with four of our old classrooms getting a full-blown makeover. General maintenance projects have continued with special emphasis being placed on disinfecting the facilities, painting, and cleaning. What can be done according to the guidelines of local authorities and health organizations is being done and the campus is looking great.

While all that is good, the most important, fundamental piece of school life is dreadfully absent. The absence of students, the lifeblood of Belen Jesuit, is palpable. We know this pandemic will one day be over. We know that this too shall pass and life, as we know it, will return, albeit with some modifications. The boys will return, faculty will take their rightful place once again at the head of the classroom, and the congestion of hallways and dining halls will become commonplace again.

For now, we prepare for that great comeback in the fall knowing that rising from the ashes only makes victory all the sweeter. We remember that the history of Belen Jesuit is one filled with overcoming adversity and trial. Our alma mater is better and stronger because of it. Nothing could have prepared us for COVID-19, but our faith and commitment to the ideals of Jesuit education have provided us with the necessary passion to overcome anything.

Auspice Maria, Fr. Willie ‘87

BELEN JESUIT

Father Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J., Ed.D., '87

Belen Jesuit School President

Carlos Bravo '86

Alumni Association Executive Director

Roberto Borbolla '56 Alumni Content Editor

Felipe "Phil" Fernandez '94

of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Teresa Martinez

Belen Jesuit Director of Communications

Maria Virginia Deliz Belen

Communications Specialist

Crescencio Ruiz ’76 - President

Javier Mariscal ’86 - Vice President

Thomas Pla ’00 - Treasurer

Julio Jimenez ’06 - Secretary

Antonio Abella ’59 + Ramon Branger ’92

Vicente Cossio ’72

Jose Fernandez ’99

Jose A. Garrido III ’99

Alberto Gutierrez ’88

Carlos Hernandez ’88

Jose Lopez-Varela ’87

Peter Montadas ’76

Alberto Paradela ’11

Orlando Puente ’71

Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ’73

Father Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, S.J. ’40 + Emeritus Spiritual Director

Father Christian Saenz, S.J., Ph.D., ’95 Alumni Association Chaplain

BELEN JESUIT ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published biannually.

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Periodicals postage paid at Miami, FL and additional mailing points.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Belen Alumni Office 500 Southwest 127 Avenue Miami, FL 33184

Phone: 786.621.4674 Fax: 786.621.4662 alumni@belenjesuit.org www.belenalumni.org

YEAR LVI - NO. 2

COMMUNITY NEWS

2019 REYES MAGIS GIFT CARD AND TOY DISTRIBUTION EVENT

More than 100 students from Gesu Church’s CCD program, supervised under the leadership of Fr. Eduardo Alvarez, S.J. ‘63, were given toys and gift cards Saturday, December 21st for Christmas, courtesy of the Alumni Association’s Reyes Magis Campaign. Participants included more than two dozen alumni and over 70 students from Belen Jesuit and several schools along with their families.

7TH GRADE GRANDPARENTS

DAY

On February 29th, the class of 2025 celebrated Grandparents‘ Day. Over a dozen Belen Alumni abuelitos were present.

2020 ALUMNI TOUR

The 2019-20 Alumni Tour was shortened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last stop on the tour was in Washington, D.C. on January 25th. Special thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s tour and a special nod to the March for Life pilgrims who joined the alumni reunion. Dates for the 202021 Alumni Tour will be published on the Alumni social media pages and on BConnected.

BEYOND BELEN

Forty-four seniors and twenty-six alumni gathered for our inaugural networking event promoting the Beyond Belen Mentorship Program on January 31st. They met in the Saladrigas Gallery to discuss career interests, goals, and professional opportunities beyond graduation. Thank you to our Alumni Association, Student Council and the new Office of Career Development and Internships for collaborating in our Beyond Belen initiative.

IGNATIAN WEEK PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Br. Mike Martinez, S.J. ‘09 led a prayer and reflection for parents on Valentine‘s Day - February 14th. The reflection centered on God‘s infinite love for us and how we can love him.

FIDES ET RATIO PATIO BLESSING

On January 28th, Father Willie, S.J. led the ceremony of the Blessing of the Fides Et Ratio Patio. School Chaplain Father Saenz, S.J. blessed the newly remodeled area. Director General David Chien of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office and members of the Matteo Ricci Club and the Chinese National Honor Society made speeches.

CONFIRMATION

The Most Rev. Enrique Delgado, Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, was the main celebrant at the confirmation Masses held on February 1st. Eighty-six Belen Jesuit 8th graders were confirmed during the morning Mass. Seventy-four Belen 8th graders were confirmed during the afternoon Mass. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Willie, S.J., Father Arias, S.J, and Fr. Giovanni Peña.

CLASS MMXX YARD SIGN DELIVERIES

On April 26th, members of the Belen Jesuit faculty and staff made special deliveries to the seniors! The class of MMXX was given a yard sign, pastelitos from Chantilly Bakery and a Belen bandana!

ALUMNI TAILGATE WILL CONTINUE

When the school announced that the annual football game versus Columbus wasn’t going to take place, the immediate question from alumni wasn’t about the game itself, but rather the tailgate. The annual tailgate has become a tradition amongst alumni and parents. It’s become a place to reconnect with old friends, support the alma mater, and even make business deals. When it began back in 2005, it was a novel idea spearheaded by Rick Raimundez ‘90 and it took off like wildfire. Everyone wanted to be part of it. Win or lose, it didn‘t matter. The tailgate wasn’t about the game, it was about the brotherhood and that’s why the tailgate will continue! We will face a new opponent in the fall, but because of the pandemic, the details are still a bit in the air.

“We know that we will have a tailgate, that much I can guarantee,” said Alumni Director Carlos Bravo ‘86. “We don’t know where or when it will happen, but we will announce it as soon as we know. Please stay tuned to our social media pages and BConnected for the latest information.”

Wolverine WAY

“W

olverine Way” concluded Senior Week and provided the Class of 2020 with a special send-off on May 8th! Armed with pots and pans, noisemakers, and cheer cards, the Jesuit fathers and members of the faculty and staff, lined the entrance area of the school and waved as the seniors and their families drove by.

“We have always said that Belen is a family and today was a perfect example of what a family does to make sure each member feels loved,” said José E. Roca, Principal. “The smiles, and in some cases the tears on their faces, revealed what was in their hearts. We know that this is a special class that is going through a once in a lifetime experience. Their future is bright and they will never forget this special day.”

The members of the class of MMXX also received their senior gifts, water bottles, USB drives (filled with memories), a Salve Regina prayer card, pan con lechón, and special gifts from the classes of 2021 and 2022. It was a perfect Miami day, the sun was shining bright, and one by one, over 200 cars made their way past the music and cheering, ending where their day always began, seeing Father Willie and Mr. Roca at the entrance of the school. This time, they weren’t met with a handshake. Instead, they got an elbow bump and a commemorative photo. As they drove offcampus, they saw a banner that read “To be continued”, a nod that we will see them again at graduation!

“The idea that drove the project was our sincere hope that the students’ memories of the event would last a lifetime,” said Gigi Garcia-Chang, Community Events Director. “The best part of my job is that I have the awesome responsibility of creating special moments for families. Together with the committee and the help of so many others we were able to have an event that our seniors won’t forget.”

This may not have been the way they would have wanted to end their Belen Jesuit experience, but it was an amazing way to begin their Belen Alumni journey. Congratulations to the men of the Belen Jesuit Class of 2020.

ACADEMICS WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

FRANCISCO JOSÉ AGÜERO | Salve Regina University

CODY ANTHONY AGUIRRE | Florida State University

ANDRÉS R. ALFONSO | Georgetown University

SEBASTIÁN HUMBERTO ALONSO | University of Maryland

CHRISTOPHER MANUEL ÁLVAREZ | Florida International University

JUAN LUCAS ÁLVAREZ | Vanderbilt University

NICHOLAS ALEXANDER ÁLVAREZ | Clemson University

NICHOLAS BRETT AMAYA | US Premier Hockey League

EDWARD ANDRADE | Tallahassee Community College

ANDREW MICHAEL ARRIOLA | Florida International University

AGUSTÍN ARRIOLA-ALBERTI | University of Florida

SPENCER ANTHONY ASHBY | Florida International University

NICHOLAS RAYMOND AUGUSTIN | Florida State University

CARLOS ENRIQUE BAILLY II | University of Florida

ADRIÁN WALDO BANEGAS | Florida International University

MICHAEL CHRISTIAN BARANY | Boston University

TOMÁS BAYONA | University of Florida

SEAN LUC BEAUBIEN | Williams College

DIEGO ENRIQUE BELFORT | Virginia Polytechnic Institute & University

GREGORY AUSTIN BELL | Florida International University

GIANMARCO BILLAU | Northeastern University

VÍCTOR ALEJANDRO BISBAL | Cornell University

KEVIN WILLIAM BJORKMAN | University of Florida

BRIAN ALEXANDER BLACK JR. | Emerson College

ALEXANDER JAVIER BLANCO | Florida State University

ALEXANDER ROBERT BLANCO | Florida International University

MARCOS FELIPE BLANCO | Florida State University

ANDRÉS LUCAS BORGES | Miami Dade College

WILLIAM BRYAN BRACERAS | Florida State University

STEPHEN A. DE VARONA BRENNAN | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

NICHOLAS SEBASTIAN BROUCEK | Indiana University

RAFAEL ANDRÉS BRU | Colby College

MATTHEW JEFFREY BRYAN | Cornell University

JULIÁN-CÉSAR DUANE BUERES | University of North Florida

CARLOS LUIS CABALLERO | Vanderbilt University

ROGER CAINZOS JR. | Manhattan College

ALEXANDER CARL DAMASO CALDWELL | University of Miami

ANDREW JAMES EMILIO CALDWELL | University of Miami

DANIEL CALVACHE | University of Michigan

JAVIER JORGE CANTENS | University of Florida

MATTHEW DENNIS CARDOSO-ABREU | Miami Dade College

CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL CARTER | Santa Fe College

ANTONIO ALBERTO CASTAÑO | Florida State University

ALEJANDRO CASTRO | University of Florida

JOSHUA CECOL | University of Miami

MIGUEL ELIGIO CEDEÑO | Tallahassee Community College

DONALD EUGENE CHANEY | University of Miami

DOMINIC CONRAD CHIAPPONE | Syracuse University

JOSÉ DAVID COBIELLA | Florida International University

MARIO ALBERTO COBO-AGUIRRE | Georgetown University

DANIEL ALFREDO COMAS-SÁNCHEZ | New York University

GABRIEL CÓRDOVA | University of Miami

DOMINGO ANDRÉS CORTÍNEZ | University of Chicago

LUCAS DOMINGO CORTÍNEZ | University of Chicago

JONATHAN MICHAEL COSÍO | University of Florida

THOMAS DANIEL CUESTA | University of Florida

NICOLÁS GABRIEL DE AGUIAR | Florida International University

ALEJANDRO MANUEL DE FERIA | Florida State University

PATRICIO DE LA GUARDIA JR. | University of Florida

TOMÁS ALBERTO DE LA HUERTA | University of Florida

FERNANDO DE LA LAMA GUZMÁN | Villanova University

RYAN MICHAEL DE LA OSA | Miami Dade College

RAFAEL RENATO DE LA TORRE | Tallahassee Community College

RAMÓN GUILLERMO DE LEGORBURU | University of Florida

JULIÁN ELÍAS DELAMAZA | Vanderbilt University

DANIEL ARTURO DELGADO | Florida International University

RALPH F. DESANTIS | Allegheny College

RODRIGO ANDRÉS DÍAZ | Boston University

JUAN PABLO DIBILDOX | Boston College

DANIEL NICOLÁS DIEZ | University of Florida

ALEJANDRO DOMÍNGUEZ | Florida State University

ALEXANDER MATTHEW DOMÍNGUEZ | University of Central Florida

CHRISTIAN ANTONIO EIROA | Florida International University

LUKE ANTHONY ESCARRA | Santa Fe College

ANTONI ESTOPIÑAN | Florida International University

DIEGO MANUEL FEIJOO | Florida International University

KEVIN JAMES FERGUSON | Florida International University

ALEJANDRO JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ | Boston University

ANDRÉS LUIS FERNÁNDEZ | Florida State University

NIKOLAS DONATO FERNÁNDEZ | University of Central Florida

CRISTIÁN ANDRÉS FERNÁNDEZ DE CASTRO | University of Florida

JAMES ANTHONY FIGAROLA | University of Rochester

CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH FRAGA-VÁSQUEZ | Miami Dade College

ANDRÉS JULIÁN FRENERO | Florida International University

MICHAEL GEORGE FRESCO JR. | Barry University

ORLANDO JOSEPH GALÍNDEZ | Cornell University

ÁNGELO GARCEL | Florida State University

ALEJANDRO JOSÉ GARCÍA | Marquette University

CARLOS ANDRÉS GARCÍA | Pennsylvania State University

JOSÉ FRANCISCO GARCÍA | Florida International University

ANDRÉS MAURICIO GARCÍA-CHACÓN | Yale University

FRANCISCO JAVIER GARCÍA-MONTES | Miami Dade College

DANIEL STEVEN GIORGINI | Santa Fe College

CHRISTIAN GODOY | Florida International University

ALEXANDER JAVIER GÓMEZ | University of Florida

ALEXANDER GÓMEZ | Florida International University

ANTONIO JOSÉ GÓMEZ | Fashion Institute of Technology

EDUARDO ENRIQUE GONZÁLEZ | University of Florida

LUIS MANUEL GONZÁLEZ | Florida State University

NICHOLAS ANDREW GONZÁLEZ | University of Miami

SERGIO SALVADOR GONZÁLEZ | Universidad de Navarra

ERIC JORGE GORDON | Loyola University New Orleans

LUIS ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ | Miami Dade College

ROBERT ANTHONY GUTIÉRREZ | Florida International University

ISRAEL HERNÁNDEZ JR. | Florida International University

ANDRÉS ALEJANDRO HERNANDO | Tallahassee Community College

VÍCTOR ANDRÉS HIDALGO | Florida International University

CHRISTOPHER JULIAN KLEMICK | Villanova University

CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER KRAUSE | University of Florida

JOHN STEPHEN LEE | Washington and Lee University

DAVID LEIVA | Florida State University

MICHAEL DAVID LÓPEZ | Miami Dade College

GABRIEL ANTONIO LOVO | University of Miami

ANDRÉS EDUARDO PÍO LUDERT | University of Florida

HEINZ JOSEF KOLBE LUEDEKING | University of Florida

ANDRÉS LEOPOLDO MADURO | American University

CARLOS ANDRÉS MARIBONA | Cornell University

JACOB MICHAEL MARRERO | Florida State University

MICHAEL ALEXANDER MARTÍNEZ | Miami Dade College

LEANDRO MATOS | University of Chicago

ALFREDO IGNACIO MELGAR | University of Florida

NICOLÁS IGNACIO MENESES | Babson College

MICHAEL ANDRÉS MESA | Florida State University

NIKO ANDRÉS MOLINA | Villanova University

GABRIEL DARIEN MONTERO | University of Miami

LUCAS MANUEL MONTES DE OCA | Santa Fe College

ALEJANDRO MORALES | Rutgers University

BENJAMÍN A. MORALES | University of Miami

EDUARDO FEDERICO MORASSO | University of Florida

JORGE HENRIQUE MORASSO | University of Florida

ALEJANDRO MIGUEL MOSCOSO | University of Miami

ARSENIO MOUSSA | Tallahassee Community College

CONNOR MAURICE MULLINS | University of Florida

MICHAEL GABRIEL NAVARRO | Tulane University

JOSHUA MICHAEL NEGRÍN | Florida International University

HENRY JOSEPH NOY | Miami Dade College

GABRIEL NUNES | Santa Fe College

BRENDAN PATRICK O‘FLAHERTY | Fordham University

MARIO MANUEL OSORIO | University of Florida

NICHOLAS ELÍAS OYARZUN | North Carolina State University

DAVID PARDIÑAS | University of Colorado Boulder

JAVIER FRANCISCO PARDO | Boston College

FRANCISCO JAVIER PAREDES | University of Miami

GABRIEL MARTÍN PAULA | University of Miami

NATHANIEL MALIK PAYNE | Florida State University

BAUTISTA PEDEVILLA | Florida State University

JOSEPH SAMUEL PEREIRA | University of Florida

ALEXANDER EZEQUIEL PÉREZ | Fordham University

JORGE ALBERTO PÉREZ JR. | University of Florida

JOSEPH PERÉZ | Regis College

KRISTIAN ÁNGEL PÉREZ | Drew University

DANIEL MANUEL PIEDRAHITA | Boston University

ANDRÉS ENRIQUE PIZZI | Florida International University

DIEGO ALBERTO PLANOS | University of Florida

ADRIÁN PONCE | Emmanuel College

NICOLÁS JOSÉ POVEDA | University of Florida

TOMÁS DAVID PUENTE | Miami Dade College

JOSÉ EMILIANO PUENTES | Santa Fe College

PABLO RAÚL PUGA | University of South Florida

GABRIEL JOAQUÍN PUPO | New York University

RAFAEL QUEIROZ | University of Chicago

MATTHEW QUINTINO | University of Florida

SEBASTIÁN RAMÍREZ | University of Miami

JACK THOMAS REED | University of Central Florida

BRETON JOSEPH NEWTON RICE | Miami Dade College

ESTEBAN SEBASTIÁN RINCÓN | Stanford University

VÍCTOR ALEJANDRO RIVERA | University of Miami

DANIEL MANUEL RIVERO | Florida International University

GABRIEL ROBAU | Florida International University

ADRIÁN ORLANDO RODRÍGUEZ | Florida International University

ALEXANDER RODRÍGUEZ | University of Miami

BRIAN RODRÍGUEZ | Miami Dade College

CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER RODRÍGUEZ | University of Wisconsin

LUCAS SEBASTIÁN RODRÍGUEZ | Tallahassee Community College

NICOLÁS GASTÓN RODRÍGUEZ | Boston College

ALBERTO IGNACIO ROMERO | Santa Fe College

DIEGO ALEJANDRO ROMERO | University of Miami

JUSTIN ROBERT RUBIO | University of Florida

MICHAEL RUÍZ | University of Southern California

ÁNGEL MARCO SÁNCHEZ | Florida International University

STEFANO ANDRE SÁNCHEZ | University of Pennsylvania

VICENTE ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ | Cornell University

DIEGO IGNACIO SEGUROLA | Florida International University

EDDIE XAVIER SILVA | Florida State University

ETHAN ALEXANDER SILVA | Indiana University

JOSHUA MICHAEL SLOAN | Catholic University of America

ENRIQUE FRANCISCO SORÍ | Tallahassee Community College

SEBASTIAN SPENCER | University of Miami

KEVIN ANTHONY STEEL | University of Miami

HERMAN SUÁREZ | Florida International University

LUKE VINCENT SWISSTACK | University of Miami

WILLIAM RAÚL TABLADA | Miami Dade College

JOHN MICHAEL TONDA | University of Florida

PATRICK JAMES TOOTLE | Florida State University

NOAH RICHARD TORRES | Florida State University

MARK-EDWARD ANTHONY TRAPP II | Allegheny College

ANTHONY ALEXANDER TRUJILLO | University of Florida

JUAN MANUEL ULLOA | University of Chicago

KEVIN JON VALIDO | Vanderbilt University

MARK WALDMAN | University of Florida

MIGUEL ANTONIO WALSH | University of Southern California

ANDRÉS GUILLERMO WONG | Boston College

JAVIER ALEXANDER YANES | Florida International University

Belen Jesuit is moving full STEAM ahead into the future of education with the upcoming Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center. Creating academic excellence is an integral part of Belen’s mission, and the Innovation Center will certainly contribute to that goal. Once completed, The Innovation Center will be instrumental in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) education at Belen. Construction has been taking place on the 8,000 square foot space since January 2020, and it is expected to be completed in time for the 2020-2021 school year.

The STEAM department is led by Ms. Da Silva and Mr. Perez. “The goal of the Innovation Center is to provide students with a space that fosters creativity and where they can apply knowledge from the classroom in a new way,” said Mr. Perez. The Roberto Goizueta Athletic Center is being renamed the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center. The gym and locker rooms will remain intact, however, the lobby is being remodeled. The second floor of the building is being dedicated to the STEAM Center and will be a physical testament to the success of Belen’s recent endeavors to improve the campus. A mix between traditional classroom, maker space, and science fiction lab, the STEAM Center will give students access to a large selection of tools varying from 3D printers and laser cutters to powerful computers with professional design software and sewing machines.

Full STEAM Ahead

By Gabriel Fortuny ‚21

The STEAM Center will be home to some of Belen’s most hands-on classes. Three engineering classes will take place there, including the new Engineering Design and Development class, in which students will work on a yearlong engineering project of their choice. There will also be the new robotics and STEAM exploration classes for eighth and ninth graders who are interested in those fields. Expanding the engineering classes at Belen is key, as it will allow students to gain experience in this evergrowing field and raise the school’s visibility as a leader in this area.

In addition to the academic opportunities created by the Innovation Center, students will be able to experience expanded extracurricular activities there. The middle school and high school robotics clubs will meet in the Innovation Center, where new workspaces and tools will be available to these teams who have competed from the local to international level. “The robotics team is excited to have a dedicated workspace where we can better collaborate with our members and have access to resources that we have never had before,” said Eduardo Ramirez ‘21, president of the high school robotics team. The STEAM club will also hold meetings there and use the space to continue making creative projects that have improved the school community such as their swinging bench and the crosses used in the Stations of the Cross.

Although the physical expansion brought on by the Innovation Center is impressive, it will be far surpassed by the resources that it will offer students and teachers alike. Ms. Da Silva and Mr. Perez hope to see students and teachers using the resources creatively and expanding upon the already strong learning experience at Belen in many new ways. “What I am most excited about is seeing how our students will use the tools they are given,” said Ms. Da Silva. They emphasize that the Innovation Center is not just a place for science and technologyoriented students to meet for classes. The Innovation Center will be a resource that can be used by the entire school community. If the thespians want to create all of their costumes and set pieces from scratch, using the Innovation Center’s resources would be a perfect fit. If a Theology teacher wants to show students a biblical scene in virtual reality, the equipment in the Innovation Center will create a heavenly picture. The opportunities are endless when the right people are given access to the right tools.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of many individuals and the generosity of Belen’s supporters, students will have a STEAM education that rivals that of the top high schools in the nation. There is no doubt that great things will come from students who will take advantage of the many resources the Innovation Center will have to offer.

#BestOfTimes

Fr. Izquierdo Memorial GOLF TOURNAMENT

Why I Give Back

By Roberto Pupo ‚85

My time at Belen did not follow a traditional path because I did not attend Belen until my sophomore year in high school. While a short stint, those three years were a blessing in many ways.

I had no idea that on that first day I would meet life-long friends and would become part of a community that would form an indelible part of my life. The importance of Belen is ever more apparent to me now, almost 40 years after the first day I walked through the very halls that my two sons have called their own. Attending Belen altered the course of my life. At Belen, I found a place that nurtured my faith, helped to shape my values, and formed me to be the person that I have become. Through the years my experiences, including my experiences as a parent, have left no doubt in me that the hallowed halls of Belen are home to a community unlike any other. Belen stands out for its exceptionalism as a place where people look past their self-interest and act for the benefit of the boys who are the focus of the school.

Looking back at my time, I am filled with fond memories of many who made me a priority in their lives. They personified the Jesuit value of being men and women for others and are constant reminders of the importance of living up to that value.

One such memory was the once-in-a-lifetime Close-Up trip to Washington, D.C. organized by Mr. Patrick Collins. During that trip I had the good fortune of being selected to ask President Ronald Reagan a question. It was about political instability in Central America, and the President’s response headlined the CBS evening news.

Mr. Collins desired to make us better students and members of our democratic system and, through his tireless work, built a first-class social studies department. His approach fostered pride in the American government system and love of country. These were some of the principal reasons I chose to pursue politics and law.

I realize now that the experiences of serving in Key Club were more beneficial to us that those we were serving, whether it was the Junior Special Olympics, the Children’s Home Society, the homeless or the elderly. Key Club, like many other school organizations, had a moderator who championed and mentored us. Mrs. Maria Hewitt (Mrs. H) started Key Club in 1983, and I was fortunate to have worked with her as the first Key Club President at Belen. I am grateful, not only for her work and mentorship but also for her sage advice and friendship.

I remember Father Marcelino Garcia, S.J. approaching me to let me know that the administration had contacted G.U. to confirm I would qualify for a scholarship that would make it possible for me to attend the university, even though I had not attended Belen all four years of high school, which was potentially a disqualifying factor. To this day, I don’t know how he became aware that was a huge concern of mine at the time. This exceptional kindness and interest in the well-being of others paved the way for personal and professional successes that defined my life.

The story of my days here would be incomplete without sharing this memory. At my first Belen dance, the 1982 Kick-Off Dance, I met a beautiful Our Lady of Lourdes student who made quite an impression on me. Almost eight years after that dance, that girl and I were married by Fr. Eduardo Alvarez, S.J., who was one of my teachers and mentors at Belen.

My wife, Eme, our four children and I have been able to build a life with deep roots in Belen, with our two boys (Roberto A., ’17, and Gabriel J., ’20) having shared my experience as a Wolverine (and our youngest daughter Alexandra has been part of the last two Belen musicals – The Wizard of Oz and The Hunchback of Notre Dame).

There are so many other stories to recount and so many people who went out of their way to be kind, to help, to teach and to mentor. To them, I say thank you; each and every one of you is an important part of the reasons why I give back.

So to the question as to “Why I Give Back,” I answer, “How could I not give back?” I have received far more from Belen than I will ever be able to give to it and my wish is that those that can, act to preserve this blessed place for other generations.

Are you BCONNECTED?

By Austin San Juan ‘21

Frankie Castellanos ‚15

Frankie Castellanos ‘15 developed his desire to network on the Belen football team. He loved talking to his teammates and coaches. That passion for connecting with others carried over into his career at a leading real estate company and has made him an active member of BConnected, Belen’s alumni networking platform.

As a starting cornerback on the Coach Stuart-led team, Castellanos developed a winning mindset that allowed him to excel on and off the field. Alongside his team, he would go on to win the District Championship with the “brotherhood within the brotherhood” that was the Belen Football team. An integral part of the team, and sports in general, is building a connection with teammates, a connection that often grows beyond the field, court, or course.

Castellanos learned all of this at Belen and took it with him to Florida State University. There, he quickly gravitated towards real estate because of how relationship-based it is. He narrowed his focus on brokerage, landing internships at two established real estate companies: Premier Fine Homes and Collier International. Those experiences only solidified his career path as he prepared to graduate in 2019. Mere months after graduating, Castellanos was working at a leading real estate company, Cushman & Wakefield. He attributes his seemingly instant career success to networking; the very skill that brought him to be such an active member of BConnected.

BConnected is Belen’s own social media platform. It launched just over a year ago in 2019 with the intent of having an overall positive impact on the alumni network. It accomplishes this through an easy-to-use interface that allows for new connections, mentorships, job postings, and other functions. It can help an alumnus find a job in their field straight out of college, build business partnerships, and/or connect old friends. As a result, BConnected is an

equally valuable and relevant resource for alumni of all ages.

Among the many alumni using the platform is Castellanos who acknowledges its importance to the alumni network. As a recent college graduate, Frankie can already see the importance of the platform. Whether searching for a job or not, this new form of communication is helping alumni stay in touch or reconnect. In his case, he uses the platform not to find a job, but to strengthen his ties within the alumni network. His passion for networking has led him to seek connections with alumni for the sake of building relationships and establishing connections. He stresses that the beauty of BConnected is that everyone who uses it is there for a reason. According to Castellanos, it is easy to find people with whom to connect, and everyone with whom he connects is willing to help in some way.

Castellanos strongly urges all alumni, and especially those who are graduating in the coming years, to get involved as soon as they can. He suggests making a profile and immediately connecting with alumni, even if not immediately seeking out a job. Doing this, he says, will give all alumni an advantage in the job search process and in their professional lives as a whole. The Belen Professional Sections - ACRES, BALS, BASH, BEAMS, BITS AND SAFE - are also on BConnected. Networking events and business resources can be found in their group pages.

Castellanos’ early professional success has allowed him a unique perspective on the power of networking in creating opportunities within one’s personal and professional life. This perspective has also allowed him to acknowledge the potential BConnected can have to greatly benefit graduating alumni and the alumni network overall. Castellanos is a testament to the vitality of the alumni network that has only grown stronger with the introduction of the new platform. Belen alumni who haven’t registered are encouraged to visit www.belenalumni.org and set up your account!

Carlos Garcia ‚89

MAGIS

By Alex Brito, Juan Lucas

Alvarez and Frank Guerra | Class of 1989

Second to only Men for Others, no term is more fundamental in Belen’s ethos than “MAGIS.” For all its popularity, however, few people are quite sure what it means. Some define MAGIS with words such as excellence, generosity, and service. We define MAGIS with the Society of Jesus’ unofficial motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG), which means “For the Greater Glory of God.” The principle at the center of AMDG leads those in the service of God to make decisions and choose options that result in the greater universal good. We as Jesuit educated men are to choose the path that makes the greatest communal impact. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” St. Ignatius would have called this the MAGIS.

FAITH AND STRENGTH

Please allow us to share a bit about Carlos Francisco Garcia, a Belen graduate from the great class of 1989, whom we loved as a brother and who lived a life that exemplified the essence of MAGIS. Carlos, a well-known and charismatic presence in the Belen community and South Florida generally, passed away in December 2019 after a lengthy and courageous battle with brain cancer. For those that knew Carlos, it was readily apparent that his family, his faith, his friends, and his commitment to service were what he most fundamentally treasured.

Carlos entered Belen in 1983 as a very talkative and curious 7th grader. Those attributes fueled Carlos’ varied interests in sports and social activities while in Belen, as well as in his post-Belen years. While at Belen, Carlos played on the soccer, tennis, and golf teams and was an active participant in several clubs and organizations including Key Club, Alpha Club, and Beta Club, where he served

as its President. After high school, Carlos earned a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Miami and an MBA from FIU. After, while working as a CPA in the Deloitte & Touche Audit Department, Carlos was also an adjunct professor at UM, where he shared his love of accounting and intellectual exploration with countless students. Carlos loved to succeed, but more than anything, he loved helping others succeed.

True to his inquisitive and tireless nature, he also served as a radio DJ and owned a live music venue where he was able to share his love of music, especially jazz and funk, with a generation of Miamians who had never been to a live music show or heard of the bands who continually performed there, coming from various parts of the US. Ultimately, Carlos became the managing partner of Hancock, Askew & Co., an accounting firm where Carlos formed treasured relationships and provided invaluable counsel to a long list of valued clients.

One of Carlos’ greatest passions was serving the community and participating in various charitable and service organizations like Kiwanis of Little Havana (where he proudly served for 20 years), the Orange Bowl Committee, the Coral Gables Community Foundation (where he served as Chair Emeritus), the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Florida. Carlos proudly promoted these organizations and their impact on our community. If you ever received an email from Carlos and looked at his signature block, you quickly realized that the list of the organizations he was affiliated with was likely longer than the actual email he was sending to you. The Carnaval on the Mile experience featuring jazz, funk and rock music performances along Miracle Mile in Coral Gables was his brainchild and endures as part of his considerable legacy. His motivation to serve was never

to quench a thirst for recognition, but rather his relentless drive to help others.

Carlos placed a tremendous value on education and was so appreciative of the education he received at Belen. When Carlos saw a need for scholarship funds to assist our community’s youth to reach their dreams of higher education, he founded the Garcia Perseverance Scholarship Fund. When he felt our community lacked sufficient resources to educate our children about eating disorders, he founded Stand-Up and Eliminate Eating Disorders. Carlos would make people feel loved, supported, informed, and empowered.

In December 2017, Carlos was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. The prognosis was bleak, but Carlos did not succumb to this disease without a fight. Armed with the unending support and dedication of his beloved wife, Debbie, and a supporting cast of family members and friends, Carlos challenged this terrible disease with advanced scientific methods and, more importantly, with reliance upon his faith.

RESILIENCE AND INSPIRATION

Rather than wallow in his condition, Carlos did what came naturally to him – he relied on his faith in God and reached out to those he knew to form a group to pray for and assist those who were similarly stricken with cancer. What initially started out as a few people who circled in his living room, grew to 200 plus visitors congregating on a weekly basis in his backyard praying the rosary and offering intentions for the afflicted. He went from a faithful believer to fearless prophet in openly sharing his faith while fostering it in others around him. Many tears were shed at these “prayer gettys”, but none by Carlos.

He was strong for others; he was a man for others. His resolve to fight was only outmatched by his faith that God had a plan for him and that his life and death would not be without meaning, but rather would leave an enduring legacy of strength, positivity, and love. Although cancer would ultimately take Carlos from us, it did not prevail. Cancer strengthened Carlos’ relationships with his family, friends, and God. Carlos’ diagnosis brought him closer to God in ways that no one could have envisioned and, in turn, helped others around him come closer to God in ways they never had.

Toward the end of his fight, Carlos recognized that his time with his family was limited and as a gift to his children, he wrote them a letter wherein he laid out the principles of the MAGIS that he lived by:

“People are not perfect, (so) don’t assume they are. You catch more bees with honey. Don’t focus on the smaller, trivial things; instead, look at the big picture and how you can get to that. Take ownership of your actions. Be accountable. Work hard and feel good about what you are doing. Do not do things for recognition. Do things because it is the right thing to do. Make meaningful contributions to causes that matter most to you. Spend time helping the causes. God has always asked us to give the three T’s—time, talent, and treasure. The latter to me is the least important. It is much more fulfilling giving our time than money. Overall, I want you to think of others and how you make them feel by your actions and words and try to improve that.”

That is how Carlos lived his life. He was deeply faithful, he was unendingly positive, he had a thirst for knowledge, he loved fearlessly and enriched the lives of everyone around him – in concept and in deeds, Carlos Francisco Garcia truly embodied the way of the MAGIS.

10 QUESTIONS FOR 1 ALUMNUS

Jose Gonzalez ‚91

By Miguel Walsh ‚20

What was your experience like at Belen?

It was a close-knit experience where I made lifelong friends, even though I wasn’t there as long as some of my classmates. The bond of being a Belen alum, having that ring, and making memories with your brothers for four years stuck with me stronger than the college relationships I made.

What is one thing that you will never forget that you learned in school?

What I’ll never forget that I learned in school was the patience all my teachers had. I can think of two examples. I remember going on CloseUp with Mr. Collins and experiencing leaving Miami in a time when travel like that wasn’t really a thing. He had all of these young men who wanted to always test the limits and he kept his cool even when we were not on our best behavior.

I also remember Ms. Hewitt, my ninth grade algebra teacher, who did not just teach me algebra, but also what it meant to be a Man for Others and live it. She gave me a sense of duty and service, which has stayed with me to this day, as I sit on the Board of Directors of various charitable organizations, still with that same need to serve others.

but they never pushed back. They took it all and continued to form us into the men we are today. I will always cherish those teachers and those life lessons.

What type of student were you?

Honestly, not the best student. Coming into Belen in ninth grade, the ‘Belen way” wasn’t instilled in me and I had to catch up. I was able to fit in though. Belen taught me how to quickly improvise in order to survive. I was one of those guys that was friends with everybody. Our grade, ninety-six students strong, was pretty united, and everyone knew everyone. We still had a few smaller groups, but I had friends in all of them. Those friendships are what I most take from Belen to this day.

Can you describe one funny moment while you were a student?

It’s tough to think of stories you can publish! I think the best memories I have came from the Encounter Towards Christ (ETC) after Junior year. We didn’t usually have sleepaways, so it was a big first time thing over a weekend. It was impactful, and we spent the two days all together as a class, which really reinforced our brotherhood. Some more light moments though were the annual end of the year jump off the South Beach pier, which I don’t think exists anymore, or the Senior Scavenger Hunt. Regardless, there were lots of events, but each good and bad brought everyone together, and it brought the relationships between my brothers and me closer.

Who made an impact in your life?

My wife has made the biggest impact in my life. God steers me, and my wife whispers in my ear. Funny enough, I met my wife simply by chance – I was working at MiamiDade County, and I worked with her mother, who told me that her daughter needed a prom date. She was just going to go with her friends, but when they all got dates, she figured she needed one too. I accepted as a blind date, met her for the first time there, and the rest is history. I’ve also been very blessed to have great female role models, including my mother, grandmother and sister, who all laid a path of perseverance and pushed me to succeed.

Above all, the examples set by those teachers that stick with me were those of love. No matter how good or bad we were to them, they had the patience to teach and form us. We tried to see how far we could push them sometimes,

Career-wise, I’d definitely have to say that Armando Codina and Rafael Rodon have made a huge impact on my life. Even though we do not work together any longer, we still remain friends. They gave me my first big opportunity in real estate with the development of Dolphin Mall. They remain constant mentors. I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with Jeb Bush, who helped me grow my leadership skills before he became the Governor of Florida. Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A

What do you hold most dear?

What is the difference between a Jesuit education and other forms of education?

The difference was really that Belen taught me how to be a critical, independent thinker. Belen helped me think on my feet and figure out solutions. That skill set has helped me in my career as I plan real estate projects and navigate through the various governmental hurdles.

Additionally, the brotherhood that comes from a Jesuit education is very important too. I remember one story – I was at FIU, completing my degree and trying to get my transcripts from the Dean’s office. I had been getting blown off, so I went in person to the secretary to ask for an appointment. She had been telling me that the Dean was not available, as one man walked past me and saw me wearing my Belen ring. Seeing I graduated from Belen, he let me right into his office – it just happened to be that he was the Dean, and he was also a Belen alumnus. That’s the amazing thing about Belen’s education: we were in different classes, but just seeing that Belen ring and knowing it’s another Belen alum, creates an immediate connection. That’s the difference.

What prompted you to go into the real

estate market?

Family. That’s it. My wife and kids are everything to me, and I’m very blessed to have them, as well as my grandmother and mother, to support and push me throughout my life. Second to family, though, is my Belen family, that has always been there for me (and I’m there for them!). For both my Belen family, and my family, though, I think I’ve always done a good job of not taking them for granted, and that’s important. They’re more valuable to me than anything else. Q A Q A Q A Q

It was really less of prompting and more of just opportunities lining up perfectly for me. After I graduated from Belen, I went straight to work at the Building and Zoning Department for Miami-Dade County, while I studied part-time at Miami-Dade College. From there, I went to work in the director’s office of the County‘s Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM), managing the environmental hearings. Then in the late 1990s, I was hired by Mr. Codina to manage the permitting and regulatory development of Dolphin Mall, and that’s really where I found my niche. Today, I’m the Executive Vice President of Florida East Coast Industries. I am responsible for business development, regulatory planning and strategic vision for the company. Our largest project is the $5 billion development of the country‘s first private passenger rail system from Miami to Orlando known as the Brightline train.

How do you make a difference in that

industry?

When my kids ask me what I do for a living, they always tell me that what I do doesn’t seem to fit into one job. I tell them that I help plan and make an impact on our community, and that’s how you make a difference. I like to work quietly, be efficient, and get things done at a large scale to help communities. When I worked on the Dolphin Mall project, the best thing about it was how big of an impact it had on the area – it was a catalyst for economic growth, created jobs, and created a better community. It was as true then as it is today. Making a difference in the real estate industry for me is about planning creative projects that can succeed for themselves and also transform the neighborhood around it. Also, getting involved in your professional industry is critical. Currently, I am the President of the Builders Association of South Florida, a seventy-five-year-old group that advocates for the real estate and building industry at the local, state and federal levels.

What advice do you have for current students?

A Q A

Stay involved and give back to Belen. As a student, I was really just focused on myself, working very hard to get to where I wanted to get in life, but I also left with a sense of wanting to do more at Belen and regretting missing out on some of those events. Finding a balance in life is important, and knowing that there’s more to life than just work or sports. That balance is very important – that’s why Belen asks you to practice your faith and do service.

Give back to your community, remember that you‘re pretty lucky to be where you are in life and there‘s always someone who can use a helping hand. Finally, do something in life that you love because if you enjoy going to work, it does not feel like work.

DISTANCE Learning

Alexander Lowell ‚26 attending class via Zoom.

In early February, signs of the coronavirus started to make headlines around the country and the impact it could have on our society started to become a reality. By the end of that month, the Belen Jesuit administration began discussing “what if” scenarios and started planning the protocol for what would ultimately end up being the closure of the campus and the start of distance learning on March 16.

“It was a historic moment for our school. Not since the Jesuits were forced to leave Cuba has Belen ever had to shut its doors,” said José E. Roca, Principal. “We knew that every decision we made had to be done with tremendous thought and care for every member of our Belen community. Everyone was being affected by the pandemic, and in times of such uncertainty, it’s important to also have something familiar, like school. It was our goal to give that to our students.”

Teachers prepared for distance learning using Zoom through professional development offered at school. Students were asked to follow their daily schedule starting on March 18th by signing in to their classes at the beginning of each block, while teachers took attendance and then taught virtually. Students worked collaboratively using breakout rooms and teachers explained new material through the use of the whiteboard, YouTube, Showbie assignments, online assessments, and various online tools. Distance learning has been a successful endeavor.

During such challenging times, the Belen community has always emerged stronger, more resilient, and more committed to forming young men who will go forth and transform the world for God’s greater glory. This moment proved to be no different.

On April 22, Father Willie announced to the school community that we would not reopen the campus for the rest of the academic year and that we would continue with the virtual model. “We were all disappointed to make the announcement,” said Father Willie. “We had hoped that the situation would improve and that we would be able to end the year like we always do, but we made the responsible choice. Despite the campus being closed to students, it stayed ‘alive’ because construction never stopped on the Our Lady of Belen Chapel, the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center, and on other projects. Now, we are looking forward to the new school year with optimism and excitement.“

In addition to distance learning, communication efforts to engage students and parents skyrocketed. Father Willie began a weekday column entitled “To My Boys” on March 16. The daily column was sent via email every morning at 7:15 a.m. as a way to greet students and start the day with a virtual fist bump. Additionally, social media messaging soared with new content daily including a weekly segment entitled “Cafecito Time”, featuring different members of the Belen Jesuit faculty and staff sharing a cup of ‘cafecito‚ (words of wisdom) with the entire Belen family. Masses were also streamed live on our YouTube channel and Instagram page every weekday and Sunday from the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

The goal has always been clear. We will continue to fulfill our mission while prioritizing, above all, the health and safety of the community. We will reopen the campus when the time is right and we will overcome any challenge that comes our way. Together we are stronger, we are united in Christ and we are hopeful.

Creativity Enhancing the Virtual Experience

By Miguel Walsh ‘20

In a global pandemic, the only thing that is certain is that nobody knows what is next. It’s a time of unpredictability and isolation. Around the country, the pandemic has crippled the economy, and as a result, businesses have been shuttered and teleworking has been launched to new heights. Belen Jesuit is not immune to the effects of this virus, but we do have an ace up our sleeve: our connection.

For years, the Belen Alumni Association has been increasing its digital footprint, working to create digital yearbooks, a BConnected online alumni hub, and now, as a result of this pandemic, Belen AVEs (alumni virtual events). These virtual events are a way for alumni to stick together and help each other out. Proactivity is key in times like these, and Belen AVEs have consistently been hosting events to keep alumni ahead of the curve. The virtual conferences began in April with a conference on keeping your business afloat during the pandemic. The following conferences focused on a general COVID-19 briefing, pandemic legal advice, accounting and tech information panels.

Another effort to help the Belen community during the pandemic was a joint effort between the school and alumni association, the launch of a social media campaign called #BelenCares. „Our goal was to help bring awareness to local businesses owned by Belen parents or alumni that were staying open during the pandemic,“ said Teresa Martinez, Director of Communications. The campaign has helped shed a light on 40 businesses in the Belen community.”

One such business, APizza Brooklyn, can speak to what that Belen support really means. Once an 85-95% dine-in restaurant, COVID-19 has required them to transition to an entirely curbside business. They had to recreate their entire business model, even moving to sell eggs, becoming, as co-owner Jacquelyn Prussing put it, “a mini grocery store”. Alongside her husband and co-owner, Jason Prussing, she took the proactive approach: she began calling everyone she knew,

trying to solidify business, and that proactivity led her straight to Belen. When she asked Belen about the possibility of shouting out local businesses on social media as a form of support, that became the catalyst to start the #BelenCares social media campaign.

As for the impact on APizza Brooklyn, the Belen community has come through. The Prussing family has been very involved in the Belen community for years, both in Tombola and in sending their sons to Belen, Gunther ‘15 and Deiter ‘18, so now, the Belen community is paying that dedication forward. Alumni and parents walk through the doors of the restaurant each day. The restaurant, as a result of both a loyal following and the Belen community, has not had to lay off any employees. As Jason put it, “We feel blessed to still have a business and still have people employed by us.”

The #BelenCares campaign also developed into a grassroots effort by the grade levels to provide food for frontline workers. Students began calling the restaurants on the list and coordinated meal deliveries to hospitals, police, and fire stations. This organic movement to help others is a perfect reflection of Jesuit Father Pedro Arrupe’s famous phrase, “men and women for others”. All in all, when faced with the challenges the pandemic caused, the school and alumni association rallied and provided new services and opportunities for the community.

Remembering a true Man for Others

Ricardo Raimundez ‚90

Rick Raimundez ’90 passed away on March 31, 2020. Rick served as our Alumni Association’s Director of Alumni Services since 2006. He had a God-given talent to turn a difficult situation into a more bearable one. Rick also had a way with words and an uncanny ability to recall past events, historical facts, and movie lines. He was a beloved colleague, great friend, and an incredible father and husband.

The following is a reflection by his best friend and classmate Alex Zequeira ’90:

He was a true son of Belen not because he worked in the Alumni Office of the school nor because he was an alumnus of the school where he started as a freshman in 1986, but because he was the true embodiment of all that Belen strives to teach in the formation of their students and graduates. Rick knew and understood the values of having Christ in the center of your life as husband, father, and person. Rick knew and understood what it meant to be part of the “brotherhood” at Belen as a friend and coworker. Rick knew and understood what it meant to be a “man for others” as he lived a life of “yes” with everyone that he came across. It often came with a quick quip and a little bit of a queja but he always came through for everyone. He was truly one of a kind.

I had the pleasure and honor of having Rick be my best friend but we also had the unique opportunity to work together for nearly three years. It is fair to say that I saw my dear friend and brother at his best and his worst. I, along with so many others, count ourselves blessed for his friendship and for his work serving the alumni of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. The outpouring of love and support for him, his beloved wife Belkys, and their son Pedro gave witness to that blessing. He gave himself totally and completely in the service of his alma mater that he loved so deeply. As a community, we pray for the repose of his soul and that his entire family will find peace and comfort in the promise of the resurrection. Rest in peace, our dear brother. You will be missed but never forgotten.

C H A M P I O N S

This year's May Mania challenge focused on alumni engagement and was made up of eight teams. Special thanks to the class delegates who were chosen as team captains and rallied each week to increase new registrations on BConnected, updated profiles, and submitted 20 for 20 lists. Thanks to the support of so many alumni we now have over 3,000 registered on BConnected!

Team/Captain

1.

THE PIN GOODS

Captain: Jose Lopez-Varela '87

Class Leader & Participating Classes

1987,1962, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

PANDEMIACS

Captain: Javier Mariscal '86

PANZIZZA

Captain: Ramon Branger '82

THE UNTOUCHABLES

Captain: Crescencio Ruiz '76

CAPITAN MANGUERA

Captain: Alex Zequeira '90

BSC YOUNG BOYS

Captain: Brandon Almeida '13

THE QUARANTINE COWBOYS

Captain: Alex Brito '89

CBAPFDYJ

Captain: Alfred Consuegra '84

1986,1964, 1970, 1972, 1977, 2003, 2011, 2012

1992, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1991, 1993, 1999

1990, 1956, 1961, 1974, 1983, 1995, 2006, 2018 1976, 1960, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1996, 2004

2013, 1963, 1969, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

1984, 1958, 1959, 1966, 1979, 1981, 1928, 1985 1989, 1965, 1988, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2019

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vocation to Marriage

ASHER JOHN son of John Llovet ’ 93

LILY JOY daughter of Tony Lascano ‚ 11

Kaitlyn Alicia Vidaurreta and FELIPE IGNACIO PRELLEZO ’13

Vocation to Family

NICOLAS EDUARDO son of Eduardo Gomez ’ 95

MADISON GRACE daughter of Belen teacher Sean Myer

NICOLAS AUGUSTO son of Oscar Guerrero ’ 07

JAVIER JESUS son of Belen teacher and staffer Jassenia and Javier Vazquez

If you would like to submit an announcement for consideration please send it to alumni@belenjesuit.org.

In Memoriam

DR. LUIS RODRIGUEZ-BAZ ‘46

ISIDRO GONZALEZ CORZO ’47

ANTONIO FREXES ‘48

MANUEL ANTON ‘50

MARIO CABRERA ‘52

INDALECIO GONZALEZ ‘54

ANTOLIO NODA ‘55

ALBERTO VILLAMIL ‘56

ANTONIO “TONY” ABELLA ‘59

JESUS WEJEBE ‘59

FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ-RECIO MADRAZO ‘61

MANNY DE LA FUENTE ‘78

BENIGNO DIGON ‘86

CARLOS GARCIA ‘89

RICARDO RAIMUNDEZ ‘90

PATRICK HIDALGO ‘97

MORAIMA BALDOR

wife of Aurelio Baldor 1923 , sister-in-law of Father Daniel Baldor, S.J., 1919 and “Rector” of Belen in Cuba, mother of ‘ 80 s Belen teacher Aurelio Baldor, Jr. and grandmother of Daniel Baldor ’ 91

ESTHER (TESSY) VISIEDO VILLAVERDE

wife of Raul Villaverde ’ 56 and grandmother of Gustavo Roig ’17

TERESITA CANTENS

wife of Gaston Cantens ’ 57 and mother of Gaston ’79 and Bernardo Cantens ’82

MARI TERE NARIÑO

wife of Jorge Nariño, Dolores ’60 and grandmother of Raul Rodriguez Nariño ‘18, Adrian Rodriguez Nariño ‘21 and Marcel Nariño Arteaga ‘ 26

SILVIA PARDO - mother of Francisco Pardo Marrero ’59

MARIA B. FERNANDEZ

mother of Julio ’ 73 and Arturo Fernandez ’ 75 and grandmother of Julio Fernandez Jr. ’94

ALICIA MENDEZ - mother of Luis Mendez ’85

MARIA SANCHEZ - mother of Jose Sanchez ’86

CARMEN CALZADA - mother of Nicholas Calzada ’98

MARIA DE JESUS MORALES

mother of Richard D. II ’88 and Gabriel Morales ’ 93 and grandmother of Richard D. III ’ 18 , Matthew ’ 19 and Benjamin Morales ’ 20

GUILLERMO CARRANZA

father of Guillermo Jr. ’82 and Fernando Carranza ’84

ENRIQUE A. BELL - father of Henry Bell ’87

JOSE CHAVIANO - father of Jose Chaviano ’18

GEORGE GONZALEZ-LLANES

father of Stephan Gonzalez-Llanes ‘ 92

PEDRO PEREZ - father of Peter Perez ‘ 92

ORLANDO MARIO COLLAZO - father of Orlando Collazo ’78

JORGE PEREIRA SR. - father of Jorge Pereira Jr. ’ 85

SOLAIDEE FERNANDEZ

grandmother of Daniel Borbolla ’ 94 and mother-in-law of Javier Borbolla ‘ 66

OLGA RAMIREZ

grandmother of Mike ’02 and James Fenton ’05

REINALDO SANCHEZ - grandfather of Adrian Sanchez-Roig ’11

BERTHA BARRIOS

sister-in-law of Mariano Loret de Mola ‘ 58

MARIA PAU MCCARTY - sister of Ricardo Pau-Llosa ’71

MARIA VELUNZA - grandmother of Alex Brito ’89

JAVIER CERVERA SR . - father of Javier Cervera ‚ 86

CECILIA LA VILLA

sister-in-law of Fr. Ernesto Fernandez-Travieso S.J.

JOSE MANUEL “MANOLIN” SANCERNI Belen staff member

SIGRID BANGO

former Belen English teacher, sister of Ricardo Ibarria ’ 75

ROLANDO LISTE - son of Belen staff member Blas Liste

OMAIDA CRUZ - mother of Belen teacher Idania Dorta

OMAR MONTAIGNE

brother of Belen Jesuit Coach Ivan Montaigne

JORGE VIETA - father of Sandra Vieta, Belen Jesuit teacher

CLASS NOTES

1940s, 1950s, 1960s

Special Belen milestone greeting to PABLO CARRENO ‘42 who celebrated his birthday on April 14. He is the 2ndoldest living alumnus.

JULIO BORDAS ‘48 exhibited his artwork at the 2020 Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

PAUL MONTESINO ‘55 has published several audiobooks through Amazon‘s Audible division.

PICTURED: CLASS OF 1956: Carmen Rosa and ROBERTO BORBOLLA, Magaly and MANOLO GARCIA LAVANIEGOS, Josefina and MAURO HERNANDEZ, and Carmenchu and JORGE DOMINICIS in a Caribbean Cruise.

RAMON POO ‘60 designed the machine that is being used at the University of Miami that isolates stem cells. This machine is being used to develop a treatment for COVID-19 patients.

1970s

MIGUEL ARES ‘77, who was the first student to attend Close Up in the pilot program of 1976, visited Belen‘s campus.

1980s

CARLOS PADRON ‘83 was featured on CNBC on April 17 with Kevin O’Leary.

IVAN BARRIOS ‘84 was named President of World Trade Center Miami and featured in Miami Today.

JOHN BARSA ‘84 was appointed as acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

ERIK BETHEL ‘87 was nominated to be the new United States Ambassador to Panamá.

1990s

CESAR CONDE ‘91 was named chief of the newly-formed NBCUniversal News Group.

RENE MORALES ‘93 was named Director of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator for the Perez Art Museum.

OF 1996: LUIS ARAZOLA, JORGE CALIENES, FRANKIE RUIZ, DANNY SANCHEZ-GALARRAGA and ERIC MUÑOZ at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

2000s

EDDY ACEVEDO ‘01 was named National Security Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Brothers PETER ‘01 and ALEXANDER VOLSKY ‘03 were recently working together at Mt. Sinai in Miami Beach. Peter is an otologist and Alexander is an anesthesiologist.

JULIO MINSAL-RUIZ S.J., ‘05 was ordained to the priesthood at GESU in Miami. Pictured with Miami Jesuits.

CESAR VEGA ‘06 and his company, Cafe Integral, were featured in Popular Mechanics online.

ALEJANDRO FONSECA ‘07 was nominated for an Emmy award for “Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a Newscast” as a Line Producer for CNN.

BR. MICHAEL MARTINEZ, S.J. ‘09 was featured on WSVN 7 and NBC 6 to discuss his new rap/prayer „Wake Up Call“.

MARIO ROJAS IV ‘09 obtained his license to practice Civil Engineering in the State of Florida. He graduated with an MBA from the Washington College of Business at UF.

2010s

FRANCISCO GONZALEZ ‘13 acted in the musical “Peter Pan and Wendy” in Washington D.C. He was granted the Best Actor award from the Broadway World 2019 in the Vermont Region.

ERIC DIAZ PADRON ‘13 was sworn in on April 14 as the Vice Mayor of West Miami.

alumni at the wedding of their classmate

‘13. In the picture (from left to right): STEVEN “TATO” TYLER, DIEGO ROSETTE, CARLOS CASTELLANOS, JUAN AGUILA, JUAN LORIDO, NICK SANCHEZ, NICOLAS BECERRA, ROBBY COSIO, MATEO BURAGLIA, CHRISTIAN TELLO, DANIEL PERDOMO, VICTOR PEREZ-ABREU and WILLY PUJALS

LEFT: DANIEL BRENNAN ‘16 was named a 2020 Thouron Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

BELOW: ALEXANDER FERNANDEZ ‘16 in front of the Milan Duomo with family.

GALLERY OF REUNIONS - 1979

ALUMNI GATHERINGS

The Vincam is Back!

By Miguel Walsh ‘20

Ithink the first text I sent about reviving the Vincam magazine was to Mr. Maza, and it was probably in late July 2019. Talking with a few friends from other schools, I realized something pretty difficult to wrap my head around: we were one of the only, if not the only, school in Miami lacking a student newspaper. There didn’t seem to be a good reason for it, so, being recently elected President of the National English Honors Society, I figured if anyone could bring it back, I could. More importantly, I owed it to everyone to at least try. I got a response a few days later - there was much excitement, and it seemed like a go. That wasn’t too hard.

The excitement on the school‘s end was palpable. Every teacher and administrator I spoke to encouraged me and emphasized the importance of the project. That‘s not to say it was easy - to install an entire newspaper from the ground up is not a simple task. We needed a team from the senior class, as well as the juniors, to make sure, understandably, that this revival of Vincam would be permanent. Did it look daunting? Sure, and I‘ll admit it, there were times I thought the project could be on the ropes. When I saw people in the halls though, the excitement from seniors, some you‘d expect and some you wouldn‘t, as well as students from all grades, I knew we had to make this dream a reality. It took a collaborative effort from both seniors and underclassmen to create this new voice for ourselves, both in 2020 and beyond, but we did it. It is here. This edition of Vincam, however, is a little special. There‘s no better way to demonstrate the new voice we can utilize through the Vincam than by opening it to the Class that needs it the most - the Class of 2020.

I think that’s what this edition of Vincam is all about - the ability for us, as a senior class, to express ourselves. This edition is entirely senior written, edited, and produced. We didn’t look for the usual ‘writers’ of our grade to put some quick year recap together. Writers here come from all different groups in our grade - cross country runners, soccer players, volleyball players, gamers, wrestlers,

student council, and a valedictorian. I didn’t make this happen. With our year essentially shut down due to the coronavirus, we all had an itch to give our last word. If we couldn’t do it with a senior skit, we’re going to do it here. You’ll read about the events we created this year, reflections from seniors who have spent all four years playing a sport they loved, and a look back on what have been seven amazing years with each other, and what’s next. The Class of 2020 deserves that much.

Looking ahead, the baton is passed to the next editor, Austin San Juan ‘21. “Rest assured, Vincam’s phoenixlike resurrection is not fleeting,” said San Juan. “The resurgence of the Belen Jesuit Vincam is not a “onetime thing.” It’s only the beginning.”

Director of the Association

A|s I reflect on this time, I keep landing on one word: Unprecedented. A word that we have heard used repeatedly on the news, as the world has halted to respond to the threat of COVID-19. We are familiar with hurricanes, but not with a tiny, airborne menace affecting so many. These months have been unprecedented in every way, as we pressed pause, stayed home, refrained from frequenting public places or gathering in groups larger than ten people. We have hunkered down at home with our families, searched high and low for toilet paper, hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and prayed for an end to this terrible pandemic. And Belen has been right there with you, all along. Social distancing has been met with a greater connection via our social media pages with daily posts celebrating our class of 2020, BConnected with over 2.5k subscribers, daily masses from our chapel streamed live, and of course, our dedicated faculty leading our online, distance learning as of March 16.

Adjusting our workflow and remaining active amid constant changes and closures was dramatic enough and then we lost our friend and Director of Alumni Services, Rick Raimundez ’90. On March 31, our #1 Red Sox fan, who worked 14 years for Belen, on countless events and reunions with his characteristic quick wit and encyclopedic knowledge of all things Belen, succumbed to a heart attack. He left behind his wife Belkys,

his son, Pedro, and stepson, Cristian. Many memories about Rick were shared during his memorial mass streamed from our chapel, but most will remember best his humor and how difficult it was to stump him on “who graduated when”. His sudden passing was met with a massive response from his lifelong friend and classmate, Alex Zequiera ‘90, who launched a GoFundMe to support Rick’s family during this difficult time. The response was overwhelming, and within a week, over 800 people had donated. These unprecedented times were met with unprecedented love for one of our own, further demonstrating the strength of our connections to each other. Fellow Wolverines also responded with a drive-by funeral procession in front of his parents’ house just three days after his passing, since these times don’t allow for traditional funerals or masses to share our condolences. Without a doubt, the first one that would have led a driveby, funeral procession would have been our own “Tiki Tiki” loving, Rick. This display of support for his family, further demonstrated their son’s impact and importance to our Belen community and for that, we are all grateful.

Still processing this loss, we continued to cancel planned events, such as our Alumni Night on April 4 and our first Grand Reunion scheduled for June 5-7. A year that began with a strong Tómbola and Golf Tournament in February, was now focused on the health and safety of our faculty and students while adjusting to the “new normal”. No one could foresee that close to two months later, we would still be looking for ways to replace planned events and redefine how to conduct social events during a time calling for 6 feet of separation and protective masks. As we all reflect on this historic, transformational event, I will remember that coronavirus brought us closer as a family.

It not only kept us home with our loved ones, but it also forced us to redefine how we interact with each other and value how important those connections are to our overall health. We conducted virtual happy hours with friends and family we hadn’t spoken to in years since we were all stuck at home and in the same boat together. This forced pause also forced us to rethink how we can encourage each other, stay connected, and help each other more. This inspired AVE, Alumni Virtual Events, first with our restaurateurs, then doctors, lawyers, accountants, and technology experts. These panels have offered solutions and a platform for communicating while socially isolated. We are also actively making plans to reschedule our Grand Reunion and replacing our fall tailgating event with something more appropriate to the times we are living. Returning to “normal” is now more about improving our connections with each other. Our May Mania campaign on BConnected is designed to do just that, continue to enhance the brotherhood as our fourth pillar states. Recently, I reflected on our rich Belen history and recalled that we have provided uninterrupted Jesuit education for over 165 years and nothing, not a deadly virus can stop our mission. Un abrazo!

AMDG,

Carlos Bravo ‘86