Belen Jesuit Magazine | Winter 2012

Belen Jesuit Alumni mAgAzine

MESSAGE FROM THE

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

“ What is it about Belen?” a very good friend asked me the other night. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Well” she said, “there seems to be this unshakeable bond –you all stick together through thick and thin; you know each other –but not just your classmates –you appear to be friends with Belen alumni who are several years older or younger.” She continued, “I just came from my high school reunion and I had not seen almost any of my old friends for years – and don’t ask me to name anyone in a class more than one year removed from me. You guys not only know each other – you seem to always be there for each other.” “And, you are successful, serve the church and are involved and influential in the community, to boot.”

I thought for a few seconds. What is it about Belen? I believe it starts with St. Ignatius and the Jesuits. Those of us who are a product of the “Old Belen” – the 8th Street location – were taught the importance of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and Magis, just like those who have attended the Jesuit Schools in Cuba and Miami. “Men for others”: Ask someone who graduated in ‘44, ‘68, ‘80 or 2007 and they will tell you that those are the three most important words they learned during their years at Belen. We all carry that message with us throughout our lives. That common purpose certainly contributes to the sense of brotherhood that spans generations. That common purpose not only helps us help others, but also help each other.

Yet it goes beyond that. Attend a monthly Alumni luncheon held at Belen on the last Friday of every month, and you will hear men who graduated in the 40s and 50s telling

the same stories, the same jokes, and acting the same way as those who graduated in the 80s and 90s and in this century. Explain that. Well, Father Luis Ripoll SJ graduated from Belen in 1936, taught at Belen in Havana and in Miami, carrying on traditions and establishing bonds along the way. So did Father Pedro Cartaya ’54 and several other Jesuits who went on to teach at Belen. (see the story about Father Cartaya, the observatory and the famous Belen astronomers on page 14 - yet another example of Belen across the generations.) And then there are the lay educators, too numerous to name, who have both graduated from and now teach, coach or otherwise serve Belen. Those bonds and experiences span multiple generations.

There are also family connections. It is not unusual to meet someone whose father and grandfather attended Belen.

Finally, the Alumni Association helps maintain those bonds through the efforts of men like Father Dorta-Duque SJ, the father of our Alumni Association, who graduated from Belen in 1940, taught at Colegio de Belen, and more than any one person, made sure to reach out to the Belen diaspora and in so doing established the Alumni Association in Miami. Others, like Pablo Carreno ‘42, who is featured in this month’s magazine, have dedicated countless volunteer hours to the school and the Alumni Association. And Fernando Aran ‘75 and Jorge Hernandez-Toraño ‘75, the past presidents of the Alumni Association, have worked tirelessly to keep the Belen spirit alive.

So, what is it about Belen? It is St. Ignatius and his teachings. It is the students, the faculty, the administration, the Jesuits and, of course, it is the Alumni.

Yours truly, Carlos Batlle '80

belen jesuit

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Fr. Pedro Suarez, SJ ‘58

Belen Jesuit School President

Fr. Ernesto Fernandez-Travieso, SJ Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief

Mariano Loret de Mola ‘58 Alumni Association Director

Roberto Borbolla ’56

Alumni Content Editor

Teresa Martinez

Belen Jesuit Director of Communications

Sujayla Collins

Jesuit Multimedia Department Chairperson

Carlos Batlle ’80 – President

Antonio Castro ’86 – Vice President

L. J. Rodriguez ’93 – Treasurer

Jose A. Garrido III ’99 – Secretary

Father Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, SJ ‘40 - Spiritual Director

Julio C. Bertemati ‘99

Raul Cardona ‘85

Roberto Colon ‘04

Alvaro Cosculluela ‘61

Hector Formoso-Murias ‘82

Jose A. Garrido ‘46

Jose A. Garrido Jr. ‘72

Ricardo Ibarria ‘75

Rene Medina ‘05

Crescencio Ruiz ‘76

Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ‘73

BELEN JESUIT ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published biannually. Circulation: 6,000

Please address all correspondence to the Alumni Office. 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 E-mail: alumni@belenjesuit.org

On the cover: Father Pedro Cartaya '54, SJ and senior Jose Antonio Prieto '13 in the

community

By: Michael Perez ‘14 Vincam Editor

In mid September the Jazz Band launched its first CD. The CD featured American & Latin Jazz standards performed by the Jazz Band under the direction of Ms. Marlene Urbay. The CD is available for purchase online at www.belenjesuit.org for $15. Net proceeds from the CD will benefit the Belen Jesuit Music Fund.

The Ring Ceremony took place in October in the school gym. The main event began with a beautiful mass presided by Father Pedro Suarez '58, SJ followed by the blessing and distribution of the rings. This ceremony marks the official start of the senior year.

Sixth graders participated in the traditions of Lock In and Mini Olympics in the month of October. The sixth graders spent the night 'locked in' the school gym with members

of the senior class. During Mini Olympics, sixth graders and their parents took part in numerous events such as basketball and balloon pop.

Grandparents' Day took place in September and was an immediate success. Seventh grade students spent the day with their grandparents touring the campus, playing dominoes, bingo, and listening to traditional live music. The abuelos were treated to pictures with their grandsons.

The freshman class and their families participated in Family Day. Freshmen and their families enjoyed playing games and spending time with each other.

Photographer Alberto Romeu showcased his works in an exhibit at the Saladrigas Gallery in mid October. His works included notable members of the world of Cuban Art and Culture.

Season two of the Belen Jesuit Cultural Series was kicked off with a performance by three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre in October in the Roca Theater. The band also offered the music students a Music Clinic.

The eighth grade class got together with their fathers to celebrate Father and Son Day in November. Students shared a day of bonding with their dads who were willing participants in a variety of games.

1. A tailgate sponsor

2. Rep. Carlos Trujillo ’01 delivers a proclamation to Richard Stuart for his 30 years of service as a Belen Football Coach. With Carlos Barquin.

3. Rick Raimundez ’90, Rene Medina ’05, Jason Oliver ’07 and Alex Durant ‘12.

4. Alumni catch up with teacher Ms. Olga Ramon

5. Alumni enjoying the tailgate party

6. “Pan con Lechon” provided by SAFE.

7. Brother Michael Wood '04, SJ and Father Christian Saenz '95, SJ

8. Belen students motivate the team

9. The Wolverines take the field

10. Gabriel Dieppa ’96, Mariano Loret de Mola ’58, Thomas Pla ’00, Richard Laviña ’05 and Alexis Abril ‘89

11. The Blue and Gold fanfare cheer on the team

12. Donato Argüelles ’73, Manny Diaz ’73, Mariano Loret de Mola ’58 and Fr. Pedro Suarez SJ ‘58

13. Mariano Loret de Mola '58, Donato Argüelles '73, Carlos Batlle ' 80 and Jorge Hernandez-Toraño '75.

ACADEMICS

EVOLUTION From backpacks to ipads

By: Devon Roura ‘13 Vincam Editor

I t is no secret that backpacks are quickly evolving into small tablets. Like evolution in the natural world, this change has begun to take rapid leaps and strides, specifically in the education industry. The education revolution has arrived and many traditional school supplies have become obsolete. This school has been the vanguard of this revolution, preparing its students for a future where technology coexists seamlessly with humanity.

Today, students who attend Belen carry little more than their iPads to class -but this was not always the case. In the past, students were seen walking through the halls carrying multiple backpacks that housed their textbooks, binders, and supplies for every class.

As a senior, I lived through the entirety of this evolution process. In sixth grade I carried a book bag on my back, as well as a rolling book bag for my binders. I struggled to get from class to class and dreaded going to classes that

I t was not until I got the iPad 2 in my junior year that I realized the value of the iPad. I took advantage of my device and had an ebook for my AP Statistics class. This was the year that I began replacing my computer with my iPad. However, I still had to carry heavy books to class. Finally, in my senior year, I get to enjoy the advantages of full iPad integration. Today I walk around the school with a single binder and my iPad. I have no locker, and my backpack simply serves as a convenient carrying case. Living through this evolutionary process has made me much more grateful of the school's new iPad program.

This revolution is largely the work of Mrs. Carol Vila, Director of Technology. She was distraught by the sight of students carrying multiple backpacks filled with textbooks. Students were putting an excessive amount of stress on their spines with these bags and Mrs. Vila saw an opportunity to alleviate this problem with Apple’s iPad. After months of planning, August 21, 2012, every student walked into Belen with their own Apple iPad. Students no longer struggle to get to their next class. Rather, they walk with their iPad in hand and

were located on the second floor. In seventh grade I was a bit more accustomed to the campus, and using a locker was not so alien to me. I was able to survive with one large backpack that contained my supplies for three classes at a time. This forced me to pass by my locker two or three times a day, but it was worth being able to climb the stairs with ease.

By eighth grade, the school was my second home and I became an expert at using lockers. Nevertheless, I still carried the heavy textbooks for two periods at a time. It was not until the ninth grade that I had perfected my use of lockers. I became so skilled that I would pass by my locker after every class. Ninth grade was also the year that I got the first generation iPad, which I began to integrate into my classes. By tenth grade, I was a pro at going to my locker between classes, but computers began to gain popularity around the school, especially for note-taking. I now had a computer to carry, and I had to keep it with me constantly.

a small bag to carry some supplies.

“I t’s going better than my most optimistic expectations. We took a lot of measures for students, parents, and faculty to have the most positive experience,” said Mrs. Vila. This community has always been unique, but this year it physically moved through time as students who began their Belen journey with heavy, book-filled, backpacks finally took the weight off their shoulders. Of course, there are those sixth graders who will never know the difference.

“My experience in Belen has always been different from that of my father, and my grandfather, but this year the gap has grown exponentially, said senior Carlos Fernandez. "Tablets were science fiction to their generation but to our generation they are a household object. We will never again have to carry the large bags and heavy books, like they did."

Thus ends the era of heavy book bags, large books, lockers, and combinations. A new digital dawn awaits the students whose learning tools have considerably shrunk, but whose resources and possibilities have exponentially multiplied.

ATHLETICS

The Varsity Football team was disappointed with their 2-7 record, but they look forward to working hard and returning better than ever next season.

The JV Football team showed great promise finishing 4-3 on the season. They look forward to a long offseason, working hard, and coming back even stronger next year.

In its first season, the Sixth Grade Football team was able to post a 3-2 record. Belen's youngest boys showed great poise in their inaugural season and look forward to playing even better in the upcoming season.

The Middle School Football team played extremely well this season finishing with a record of 4-3. Belen's football program looks very bright in the future with these young guys.

The Varsity Cross Country team was dominant once again in their 2012 campaign winning 7 out of 8 races in which they competed. The team also went on to win its seventh State Championship.

The Middle School Cross Country team showed great promise for the future, with an undefeated season. These runners look forward to continuing the school's tradition of excellence in the sport at the high school level.

The Sixth Grade Cross Country team looked great as they went on to win 5 out of 8 competitions this season. They look forward to getting better and competing in what looks to be a powerful middle school squad next year.

The Varsity Swimming team once again showed their dominance by winning all of their meets this season. They ended their season with yet another State Championship, making it the sixth in the last 7 years.

The Middle School Swimming team showed great promise in their 2012 campaign, placing well in each meet they participated in. These guys look forward to getting better and competing at the high school level.

In its inaugural season, the Bowling Team had a tough go-at-it, finishing 1- 8 on the season. The team looks forward to working hard and coming back better next season with a stronger team.

The 6th Grade basketball team looked great, finishing with a record of 7-1. Belen's youngest players showed a great deal of potential in what will be next year's middle school squad.

NEWS FIELD OF GLORY

By: Nicholas Iparraguirre ‘14

Vincam Editor

This year, the Wolverines broke in the new field at the revamped De La Cruz stadium. Called the Sanchez Field, the Wolverines now boast a turf field that Athletic Director Carlos Barquin has been trying to bring to Belen for years.

The football team got to break in the new field, but they will be sharing the field with the soccer and lacrosse teams, as they all have the same opportunity to be a part of one of the most memorable seasons in the school history. At opening night at the new field, a loud speaker shared a clip from Father Willie GarciaTuñon, SJ '87 where he shared his admiration for the new field and season. The dream could not be a reality if it were not for the generosity of Pepe Sanchez, Eugenio Cosculluela '79, Ricardo Mayo-Alvarez '85, Jorge Padron '86, and Rene Veliz '03, who were among some of the top donors for the new field.

"Our old field needed constant maintenance and upkeep. Many games had to be cancelled or postponed due to rain and mud. The field gets constant year-round use and we had a very tough time keeping it in a safe playing condition," said Coach Barquin.

As if adding the turf wasn’t enough, Coach Barquin also added a hill for the already state of the art Cross Country Course. The Cross Country team has been one of the most dominant teams in Florida for the greater part of a decade, and this hill is just another representation of its superiority.

Cross country coach Frankie Ruiz '96 spearheaded the project keeping in mind that the new hill would allow the runners to practice on some of the terrain that they will encounter over the season.

This project would not have been possible without the generosity of many alumni. Some of the main donors were the Garrido Foundation, Mr. Raul Rodriguez '97, Carlos Penin '73, Carlos Vara '80 with CAP engineering; Mr. Alexis Mantecon '97, Justo Luis Pozo '75 with Preferred Care Partners, and Mr. Rene Valverde '78 among others. Nike also came through with a sponsorship for the hill. It is believed that around 100 alumni were involved in the donations for the hill.

KINGS OF THE HILL

"As our school continues to grow, our sports program continues to expand thus facilities get outgrown. They also need constant care and maintenance. Upgrading our facilities enable us to better serve our student body and its community," said Coach Barquin.

)))) ECHOES (((( More than just a yearbook project

By: Guillermo Pujals ‘13 Echoes Editor

The idea of getting the yearbooks online has been floating around Belen for decades. Even though the Internet was just infantile a few decades ago, there was already discussion of ways in which to put yearbook pictures on a diskette. The idea really started receiving serious consideration with all of the technological advancements that have been made at the school in the recent years.

The school web site is getting more and more powerful. The website is the source of all school, alumni, and community information including all the school forms, news, publications, and even the daily television show. The alumni association also has its own place on the site where graduates can get reunion information and keep up with the latest in the organization.

Two years ago, alumni Peter Montadas '76 and Crescencio Ruiz '76 came up with the notion of digitizing previous yearbooks so that alumni would be able to peruse through the pages of the books as well as previous and later versions. The idea became a work in progress with the creation of the Belen IT Section (BITS), a group of alumni working on digitizing all the books and putting them on the web. Montadas approached Jose "Pep" Lopez- Varela '87 and Javier Mariscal '86 and asked if they'd be interested in taking over the long lost yearbooks online project. Their computer expertise would be significant to the success of the project.

website so that it remains a portal into Belen life not only during the student years but forever after," said Montadas.

Those pictures could serve to decorate any online class's specific initiative, such as populating the official class page on the Alumni section of the school website. Through conversations with outside vendors and insiders like Mrs. Sujayla Collins (current yearbook adviser), Rick Raimundez '90 (director of alumni services, and Mariano Loret de Mola (executive director of the alumni association), a road map document was developed, recording the steps required to get the complex project completed.

After receiving the final blessing from the school's president and principal, the team grabbed the bull by the horns. They went to work on raising money, awareness, and actually choosing the right vendor in order to scan the yearbooks. To date, the team has developed the project road map, counted all available yearbooks, secured Alumni board level approval and support for the project, conducted fundraisers, and completed a trial run with one vendor to establish guidelines.

There are many advantages to digitizing yearbooks. The first reason of course, is to keep track of the history throughout the generations who attend and graduate from this school. The yearbooks will also be protected and easily available for alumni of all ages, and thus preserving the history of this institution. This project will provide value to the Alumni association by conducting projects that unite all Alumni, demonstrate the value that the Alumni association has, and draw students past and present to the school website so that it remains the main portal into our community life.

" We hope to draw students and Alumni to the Belen

Once deciding on the right vendor for scanning, the team will proceed to digitize all of the yearbooks. Some books date back to as early as the 1920s and there is only one copy of each, while there are multiple copies of the newer editions. The task is daunting, as many of the yearbooks are in poor shape and their pages are very frail. When scanning the old books, it is essential to handle them with care to avoid damaging them permanently. Some of them will even have to be rebound. The newer books, on the other hand, can be completely unbounded in order to get the best quality scan. Many of the books will be in digital format in a matter of days, but for the more fragile books, it may take a while longer.

Finally, once all of the books are scanned, the team will proceed to load them on to the EPaperFlip viewer, and display them on Alumni Class Pages.

" This has been a great alumni team effort and shows what guys that are from different eras can do when we unite to serve all," said Mariscal.

Wolverine Whereabouts

I’m no professional tour guide but I have a vacation tip for anyone heading to Washington to see the magnificent museums and monuments. It's not the traditional suggestion you would expect from a travelogue but I bet it tops anything you get from Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel: Teach the United States Government course at Belen Jesuit for 41 years and then go to Washington. Your former students will take care of the rest!

I spent five exhilarating days this summer with my son Pete touring the nation's capital. At every turn in the city there was a Belen alumnus working in the federal government with the influence that would make any SuperPac envious. Each of the alumni was lavish with his hospitality and "insider's connections" to make my son and me feel like visiting dignitaries. Here's a sample of the personal attention graciously provided by some of Belen's finest residing in DC:

Guillermo Vallejo ‘03 in Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen's office would hear nothing of a public tour of the Capitol arranged by the Capitol Visitors Center so he arranged for a private tour of the Capitol.

Andrew Alonso ‘06 in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unlocked the closed committee room in the Rayburn HOB to showcase the chamber where he serves as an advisor to Chairman Ros-Lehtinen. Later that day, as Pete and I were in the House Gallery watching votes on a Defense Appropriations bill, Andy entered the House floor with Chairman Ros-Lehtinen. How thrilling to witness a Belen alumnus advising the Chairman in the House of Representatives!

Javier Correoso ‘04 as the Senior Advisor to Congressman David Rivera escorted us to the Speaker's Balcony, the floor of the House (when the House is not in session, senior advisors may take a guest to the floor), the Rayburn Room, and the Speaker's Lobby. While next to the floor, Javier calls on Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's staffer Patricio Gonzalez ’05 to drop in and say hello. When looking at the Capitol, I have always been drawn to the great dome. Now I zoom right in on the Speaker's Balcony with echoes of Rayburn, McCormack, O'Neill, Wright, et al. Three decades of attending Close Up programs in DC and it was Javi who made it possible to get to the Speaker’s Balcony on this trip.

Dr. Frank Mora ‘82 invited us to his Department of Defense office to catch up on his days from a student/baseball player/teacher at Belen to his Presidential appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western

By: Patrick Collins Social Studies Department Chair

Hemisphere. Frank then took us to the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial at the site of impact and the Medal of Honor Hall for a potent reminder of the call to remember and respect. Recall 1st LT. Stephen Karopczyc, KIA in 1967 in Vietnam.

Patrick Hidalgo ’97 is currently at the Department of State and he gave us a private tour of the State Diplomatic Reception Room, Secretary of State Clinton's Balcony, and his own office area in the enormous complex that monitors the states of the world. Patrick has long been committed to peaceful solutions to world conflicts. He is doing just that at State though a move to the White House Office is in the works.

Felice Gorordo ‘01 is in the exclusive ranks of a White House Fellow so he has the credentials to provide a personal tour of the White House West Wing. I assured my son that this was definitely not part of the Trolley Tour experience. For two hours Felice served as captivating host of the White House grounds and West Wing offices. In the "Ain't it a small world" department, this tour of only four

other people included the son (Manny, Jr) and grandson (Colin) of Belen alum Manny Diaz '73. The other two guests were former Belen student Raul Gomez, who attended Belen in Grades 6-9 with the likes of Patrick Hidalgo, and Raul’s wife Colleen. Felice not only brought the six of us to the James Brady White House Press Corp Room, the Cabinet Room, and the President’s Oval Office but shared stories of his meetings as a White House Fellow in the Roosevelt Room next to the President's office. Eddy Acevedo ’01 has been a long-established member of the Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen Washington team. On our final day in DC, Eddy arranged for a sightseeing tour excursion around town with the Historic Tours Company. Always good to be in the company of a fellow Spring Hill College alum! And yes, there are more Belen grads in government than you can see in five days. Senator Marco Rubio’s Press Secretary Alex Burgos ’98 phoned to invite us to the Hart Senate Office Building for a visit. Regrettably, the clock ran out and had to settle for a rain check for the next trip to Washington. Alex has been working with the National Republican Party and individual Republican officials in Washington for many years and is always the first to offer assistance to Belen students attending the annual Close Up program.

As you can see, the advantages of 41 short years as a teacher can really pay off with enormous fringe benefits. Pete and I had the Washington tour of a lifetime. Witnessing those graduates enthusiastically, patriotically, and conscientiously working to infuse the lessons learned in their schooling into the practice of representative government ranks as a pure joy of teaching and one of the proudest legacies of Belen Jesuit.

MAGIS

dedication Timeless

By: Brandon Almeida ‘13 Vincam Editor

Every Belen student knows very well the importance of service, and alum Pablo Carreño is no exception. Carreño attended Belen in Cuba, where he received his primary and secondary education and was a part of the graduating class of 1942. To this day, he continues to give back to the Belen community through his extensive service with Father Dorta-Duque '40, SJ and his volunteer work in Belen’s alumni office.

industry called Central Covadonga. Later, he went on to teach Processes of Chemistry at the University of Las Villas from 1958 to 1962.

Throughout the years, Belen has held a special position in Carreño’s heart.

“I love Belen; it has been such a large part of my life. I am very fond of the Jesuit values that are taught here at Belen,” said Carreño.

Belen gave him the tools he needed to excel well past secondary schooling. He went on to attend the University of Havana where he studied Agricultural Engineering and Chemistry. Carreño continued his studies at Louisiana State University in the United States. Upon return to Cuba, he worked in a family owned business involving the sugar

Through all of this, Carreño was married and is currently celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary, something we would all hope to one day be able to say. Carreño and his wife gave birth to three children, two boys and a girl. These children eventually provided Carreño with twelve beautiful grandchildren. Unfortunately, due to the turmoil in Cuba, Carreño 's boys were unable to attend Belen, but recently two of his grandchildren graduated from the school, and he is looking forward to seeing some of his greatgrandchildren walk through the halls of the school someday.

Just like many Cubans, Carreño came to the United States to seek a better life. He began his professional career here at Okeelanta Sugar Refinery, from 1962 to 1964. From there, Carreño went on to become the Administrator of Procedures at the Gulf and Western Food Company from 1964 to 1985. For the remainder of his professional career, he worked at a company called Flo-Sun until he retired in the year 1994.

I t was not until 1997 when Carreño rejoined the Belen family. At the start, he was in service to Belen’s

Father Dorta-Duque, SJ. Carreño would go about helping him with any chore that the priest needed. They worked on several service projects together, which included providing housing to underprivileged parishes around Miami.

“Just being able to know such a great man like Father Dorta-Duque is something I will never forget,” said Carreño .

Carreño later began working for the alumni office, where he worked as an accountant, crunching numbers and keeping track of expenses for the office. This type of dedication is seen nowhere else, that when even in pain, he finds a way to get up each day and work.

“I want to be able to work with Belen as long as I can, until my disabilities truly do not allow me to work anymore,” said Carreño.

Carreño is the type of person who can easily go unnoticed, but his work and presence affects us all in a very positive manner. He is definitely a model example of service and dedication, and someone from whom we can all learn.

In addition to his many years of service to the school, he also had many achievements at Belen as a student. He was a stellar student, which as stated before, led to much success at the university level. Also, like many of us that have passed through Belen, Carreño played sports. In fact, when asked what his fondest memories were of the school, he instinctively replied with being able to participate in sports. He was recently inducted into the Belen Athletics Hall of Fame for his excellence in a variety of sports including basketball, baseball, volleyball, and track and field.

We must all thank him for his fifteen years of service to Belen, because I clearly noticed throughout the interview, Carreño is constantly in pain, and his physical

disabilities sometimes hinder his ability to complete his daily tasks. It is exactly this sacrifice that makes his story so inspiring, particularly when most of us would just call it quits; he is the kind of man that keeps on going.

"Carreño is an example and something for the future generations to follow. So many years after his graduation, he is still coming in as a volunteer and helping us out," said Mariano Loret de Mola, Director of the Alumni Association.

Carreño does everything with a smile and a 'can do' attitude that is incomparable. It is clear that his mission was to put all others before himself, and it is something that he has truly accomplished. My only hope is that I can become as successful a man as Carreño --someone who has seen it all and experienced life in a loving and selfless manner. The Jesuit core values that Belen has instilled in all of us are clearly seen today in Carreño’s work and dedication. From him, we can learn much more than being a hard worker. More so, we can learn to be a complete man.

Cover Story

Reach for the Stars

The observatory celebrates 25 years of scientific endeavours

By: Jose Antonio Prieto ‘13 Vincam Editor in Chief

On any given Tuesday evening, the school opens its doors to a number of students from both the middle and high school. These students make their way to the observatory where they spend a few hours looking through the telescope and studying the skies. What many of these students are not aware of is the story behind this magnificent structure we refer to as the Belen Observatory.

In 1987, thirty-three seniors from the class of 1972 decided to donate their money and talents to the school for an observatory. The group included the architects and engineers who enthusiastically designed and built the room and dome. The dome itself was ordered in pieces from Massachusetts and constructed over several weeks by the alumni.

“The class of 1972 wanted to give back to the school, and they knew that I, their humble teacher, really liked the study of astronomy. So they decided to donate the money and skill for an observatory,” said Father Pedro Cartaya '54, SJ.

The class of '72 also provided the money to equip the newly built facility with the equipment it needed to get up-and-running. The most important instrument

given was, of course, a telescope. This was a 6-inch reflector telescope, through which the observatory was able to see relatively close objects such as Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter.

Over the years, however, the observatory has been consistently upgraded. It has seen telescopes of all sizes – from two-and-a-half inches to sixteen –a telescope optimized through various powerful filters for viewing solar flares, a ham radio shack, and meteorology equipment. The current telescope is a fourteen-inch Shmidt-Cassegrain telescope currently being outfitted for astrophotography.

The class of 1972 has also been supporting the observatory in its various efforts since it was built in 1987, funding the various trips to observatories across the country and in the Caribbean, including ones in Arizona, California, and the Dominican Republic.

In the past few years, several guests have paid visits to the school and stopped by the observatory. The accreditation commission that visited the school last year deemed it the number one extracurricular facility at the school. The group of Jesuit high school principals who visited the school the year before were equally impressed.

This past August, twenty-five years after the observatory was originally built, the building was finally dedicated to the class of 1972. This is because the school could not register the building as an official observatory until certain criteria were met. One of these criteria was that there had to be an elevator, something that was not accomplished until just last year.

Therefore, when the final criterion was met, the class of '72 was invited to this dedication ceremony. It was at this ceremony that they presented the school and the observatory with another gift: a state-of-the-art Dobsonian telescope, donated in honor of Jorge Robert Pineiro, a fellow classmate who had passed away.

Belen is one of only a few schools in the South Florida area with an observatory. The facility is open to the entire community, especially since the elevator was installed. However, this legacy of a deep interest in the sciences extends further than 1987.

C olegio de Belen in Havana, Cuba, had an observatory from the year 1857, founded by Father Antonio Cabré, SJ. It was at this observatory that the 'Father of Hurricanes,' Father Benito Viñes, SJ worked. From here, he became the first person to predict hurricanes, helping to prepare Havana for the storm that hit the city September 12th, 1875.

It was also from here that he discovered the law governing the circulation and trajectory of hurricanes. His work was so influential on modern tropical meteorology that, for a time, hurricanes were to be called “Viñesas,” instead of the naming system in place today.

“I think Belen has continued the great Jesuit tradition of science and education through the observatory,” said Father Cartaya, SJ.

The Dobsonian telescope donated by the class of '72. This telescope is the latest acquisition to the observatory. Below: Gustavo Garcia-Montes '84, Rolando Branly '84 and Jorge Corrales '84, members of the astronomy club, examine the first telescope that the club acquired back in 1982.

Jesuits have been involved with the sciences since the beginning of the order, on account of their deep dedication to education. Thirty-five names of Jesuit priests are given to craters and seas on the Moon. The man who discovered the fact that the color of a star relates to its age, composition, and distance, Father Zechi, was a Jesuit priest. Father Athanasius Kircher was a Jesuit priest who deemed that microorganisms caused diseases years before the germ theory was formulated. Additionally, Father Georges Lemaître, the founding father of aeronautics who designed a workable spacecraft long before others were even thinking of space travel, was a Jesuit priest.

Today the school includes a meterology club that is divided by middle school and high school students. All students have access to a fully functional meteorogy center that can be used to predict and analyze weather patterns throughout theglobe. There is also a ham radio station where students comunicate with people from all around the world. The technology has made a tremedous impact, and the equipment is phenomenal, but most importantly, the passion for science is alive and well in the third floor of the school.

Many who don’t know the Jesuits may wonder why religious Catholic priests are so involved in the sciences. Those of us, however, who have worked with and studied under these brilliant men know that science and faith can go hand-in-hand. As the late Father Jorge Sardiñas, SJ, once said, “The more you look at science, the more you realize that perfection cannot be random. The more you study science, the more you believe in God.”

A Man With A Vision

By: Father Pedro Cartaya '54, SJ School Chaplain

All it took was a severe hurricane when I was only ten years old to shake up my world and teach me a lesson about the power of nature. I was so scared, I snuck into the beautiful observatory of Belen in Havana, despite the fact that only priests were allowed to go there.

I became interested immediately, and came back many times to become familiar with the equipment. Astronomy is a very big tradition for the Jesuits. After all, in the seventeenth century three out of the four observatories in the world were established and run by Jesuits.

Once I got involved, I just wanted to inform people and help them learn about these horrible storms. I wanted people to know of the magnificence of the universe and the splendor of creation. It has been 50 years, and although my degree is in literature, my heart has always been in science.

In 1970, I became the homeroom teacher of a very special class. I had them as my students for three years, and I have to say that they were definitely a special group. Even the classroom was setup different from the others. We sat in a circle and placed the statue of the Thinking Man nearby so we could always see it. Later we added the statues of the Winged Victory so that the students and I had a driving force through our discussions of space and life.

I taught them theology and Spanish, but the

most important contact was during homeroom when we discussed astronomy. My whole life I was enthusiastic about astronomy, and now I had a very special group of listeners in my room. We had a very strong bond, and I always felt like they were my own children. I loved to pass my passion on to a new generation of astronomers. Before they graduated they promised to build an observatory here in our school; and they kept their promise.

Today we have a high school and middle school division of the astronomy club, which started at the campus on Eighth Street. I think it is great to be able to pass this information on to the students of today. I can’t teach anymore, but I have plenty of information to show the kids. I am gratified to see their interest, and I love to listen to their questions. I can tell them all about the Jesuit astronomers –there are 35 on the moon – the different theories of the universe, and the celestial bodies.

Ever since that fateful night when I was ten, I have been enchanted with the power and grandeur of Mother Nature. My passion has always been to learn more about the universe, and to pass this passion on to every student who is interested. The more you study science, the more you learn about God. Science and faith, no matter what people may say, are not opposites; they go hand in hand. As Albert Einstein once said, "Science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind."

ClassNotes

• Lorenzo de Toro was awarded the prestigious Benemerenti medal by Pope Benedict XVI for his years of service to the Church and the Cause for a free Cuba. The medal was presented by Archbishop Thomas Wenski on the feast of Our Lady of Charity.

‘56

• Felix Quintana, Gonzalo Bustillo, Raul Villaverde, Manuel Garcia Lavaniegos, Jorge Dominicis, Roberto Borbolla and Manuel Comella with Class of 2008 Lucas Calderon at Marlins Park for a game against the Phillies. Calderon is playing baseball at Butler University.

• Raimundo Torres, Jorge Dominicis, Enrique Sabater, Cesar Incera, Felix Quintana, Jose Fernandez-Planas, Raul Villaverde, Roberto Borbolla, Manuel Comella, Manuel Villaverde, Cosme Benitez and Guillermo Fernandez in a ’56 monthly luncheon at Casa Paco restaurant.

• Alberto Menendez, Julian Vazquez, Mariano Loret de Mola, Humberto Perez Egozcue, Fernando Fernandez, Adolfo Ponce de Leon, Manuel Bermudez, Fr. Pedro Suarez SJ, Manuel Ramil, Amado Gayol, Gustavo Saliva, Eduardo Menendez and Eduardo Goicolea at the ’58 monthly luncheon.

• Julio Lago, Pedro Alvarez, Humberto Rodriguez, Alfredo Oliva, Jose de Goti, Juan Castro and Ramon Masvidal during a lunch at Versailles celebrate Masvidal’s visit to Miami. Photo by Jose Curbelo.

• Pedro Pablo Abalia, Raul Rodriguez Calderin, Clemente Amezaga, Carlos Lamas, Manuel Carvajal and Franklin Danger during a lunch at Havana Miami restaurant.

• Alexander Binelo was promoted to Director at the CPA firm Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra LLC. ‘58 ‘99 ‘60 ‘63 ‘73 ‘48 ‘87

• Former Miami Mayor Manuel “Manny” Diaz was awarded the first “Climate Award of the Year” by “PODER Hispanic Magazine” and the “Global Crisis Foundation” for his efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming on a local level.

• Joe Zumpano was named Attorney of the Month and made the cover story of the Miami edition of the “Attorney at Law” magazine.

• Octavio Verdeja has been promoted to Audit Partner at Verdeja & De Armas, LLP in Coral Gables. He will be overseeing the audits of not-for-profit organizations and pension plans.

‘03

• Kristian Sedeño received his license as a Certified Public Accountant.

‘04

• Javier Garcia-Tuñon was hired as the "Associate Director of Fundraising - Gold Coast of Florida" for Seminole Boosters, Inc which raises money to fund the Florida State University athletic department.

• Justin Metcalf passed the Bar exam.

• Geoge Metcalf also passed the Bar exam. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Law School and began his Master in Taxation at UM.

‘05

• Rene Medina passed the Bar exam.

‘07

• Rafael Romero, Cristina Romero, Rafael G. Romero '07, Elisa Garcia, and Ramon Garcia '48 attended Rafael’s graduation at Princeton University on June 5, 2012.

‘08

• Mike Rios was named Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the week. He is a redshirt senior at Marist College.

• Armando Raul Mendez graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University with a double major in International Studies and Spanish and a Leadership Certificate. Additionally he became a Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship by the State Department.

‘10

• Vicente Fernandez, currently at University of Chicago, was one of only four recipients of this year’s “Associated Press Sports Editors Scholarship”.

‘12

• Alex Gimenez is spearheading the sports department for the The Cornell Review (an on campus newspaper). Gimenez, who wrote for the Vincam and was WBLN's first sporstcaster, has also begun a broadcast program that covers Cornell baseball exclusively. The show can be heard on Cornellbigred. com.

• Pitcher Alex Lavandero was picked in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. "Alex is a great athlete and wonderful guy. This is a testament to the work ethic and dedication that he has shown to the sport he loves,” said Jerry Albert, Belen Head Baseball Coach. “We are all very proud of him; it’s a very exciting day for the Belen baseball program."

10 QUESTIONS FOR 1 ALUMNUS

By: Michael Perez ‘14 Vincam Editor

Jose Pañeda ‘82

Is the Spanish Language broadcaster for the Miami Heat on the radio and occasionally on television. Pañeda is also a senior advisor for Hispanic broadcasting and marketing throughout the nation. After 25 years of broadcasting for the basketball franchise that is still celebrating the Championship trophy, he tries to make a difference in the Hispanic community by working closely with service organiations such as the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana.

Q. How did you get from Belen to where you are today?

"When I graduated from Belen, I went to Miami Dade for two years and then to FIU, where I studied marketing. After that, I was working for my brother-in-law at his auto accessory company. During that time, I ran into an old friend from Belen. We were talking about our future goals when he told me that Xavier Suarez, the mayor at the time, was looking for someone who spoke Spanish to sell tickets. I told him I was interested, and through that networking, I got the job. From there, I got my foot in the door and got on with the team as a season ticket sales representative."

Q. Why did you pursue the career path you chose?

“I actually started out in business administration and marketing. I never thought I’d be a broadcaster. I was originally using my Spanish speaking skills to sell Heat tickets to the Hispanic public, and the next year, they were looking for someone for radio, and I said I’d like to do it. I was undeterred when they told me I had no experience. I got a recorder at Radio Shack, did an exposition, turned it in, and got the job.”

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

“The thing I like most about my job is that I get to do what I wanted. I didn’t know I was going do it, but I was able to get it. Being around some of the greatest athletes in the world is awesome. My twin boys obviously have enjoyed the perks of the job, too, being able to be in the locker room with the team when they’re celebrating after championships.”

Q. What’s a normal day at work like for you?

“On game days, there’s no such thing as normal. On a typical game day morning, I have game preparation. I have a book I keep and excel sheets with stats of each team we play that I update every morning. I read press notes given to us by the teams about the opponent. By 12:30, I head over to the arena, talk to coaches and players, try to sense the vibe, find out who’s hurt, who’s not. Any info I can use for the game. I talk to opposing broadcasters and get info from them. The ball’s up in the air at 7:30, and I’m there until the game ends when I wrap up the broadcast and make a video to share online. I’m constantly reading newspapers, watching clips of games, updating and checking twitter. Once the game is over, I go to the next city for the next game.”

Q. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to go into the same field as you?

“Now the field is even more competitive, but what’s important is getting your foot in the door and knowing the language. Because I knew the language, I found my niche. There weren’t too many people looking for that, but my bilingual background at Belen helped me. Have the command of the language and work hard at it. Get your foot in the door somewhere. Usually people start in high school sports, working their way up. Sometimes, you just have to be lucky.”

Q. How did the school influence you?

"Belen reinforced in me the values that I learned at home. My parents sacrificed a lot for me and my brother to go to Belen, and I think it molded us into being who we are today. Father Ripoll and Father Izquierdo were great influences on me."

Q. What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you in school?

"Without sounding too cliché, the best advice I ever got is to follow your dreams and just work hard at it. If you want it, go after it. Don’t let anyone tell you no. You hear it all the time, but it’s true."

Q. What makes this school unique and different from others?

"The culture. Every team, every good organization has a distinct culture. For instance, with the Heat, when Pat Riley took over, he instilled in the team a certain culture.

I think the culture of hard work, studying, spirituality, and volunteering at Belen is great because it has been maintained for so long."

Q. How has this school made a significant impact in your life?

"Because of Belen, I met my wife at a party (at a Belen student's house) after a school basketball game. Also, because of Belen and some of my classmates, I have the job that I have today with the HEAT. So you could say that the most significant impact at Belen, was the day that I was accepted to the school as a seventh grader. (Back then there was no 6th grade.)

Q. What are your personal goals in life?

"Just to continue to see my children grow healthy and to graduate and be successful at whatever profession they choose in life and like anyone else to have a happy and healthy family. I’ve been blessed with what I have. I met my wife at a Belen basketball game, and she’s been a trooper with me having to travel all around for my job."

Why do we give back?

The Abella Belen Legacy has now reached its fifth generation with the acceptance of Tyler Abella as a member of the class of 2019. My grandfather began the Abella legacy, graduating from Belen 100 years ago as a member of the class of 1903. Much of what my son Tony (’85) and I have accomplished in our lives can be traced back to the Jesuit education we received at our beloved alma mater.

I am par ticularly sensitive to the issue of families facing financial hardships as my father had to drop out of Belen and go to work at an early age due to his family’s financial situation. I believe we have an obligation to make sure that future Belen students aren’t faced with such a difficult situation.

Our view is that the “Belen experience” should be a reality for every qualified applicant, irrespective of their family’s financial position. This truly is the epitome of the “men for others” motto which Belen so vigorously instills in it’s students, and we so proudly share. Particularly in light of the difficult issues we are facing as a global community, there is a pressing need for our future leaders to be equipped with the preparation of mind, body and soul that Belen is uniquely positioned to foster.

As the next generation of Abellas enters Belen, our commitment to our beloved school continues to be a top priority and we seek to instill the same sense of responsibility in them.

A.M.D.G.

Tony Abella, '59

Celebrating the Big

left: Father

Left: Numerous classes from 1940 to the present attend the monthly alumni luncheon in honor of Father Dorta-Duque, SJ. 40'

Far left: Father DortaDuque, SJ surrounded by his family members.

Left: Father Dorta-Duque with his sister Carmen and Father Marcelino Garcia, SJ (Sagua alumnus).

Far left: School president and principal Father Pedro Suarez '58, SJ also joined in the festivities.

Left: Members of the class of 1955 present a plaque to Father Dorta-Duque, SJ for his years of service.

GALLERY OF REUNIONS 1952

GALLERY OF REUNIONS 1962

GALLERY OF REUNIONS

Members

GALLERY OF REUNIONS

• Javier Garcia-Tuñon ’04 and Abbie King

• Jason Gutierrez ’05 and Melissa Sanchez.

• Jose Luis Borbolla '60 and wife Maria Leslie celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary

Vocation to Family Vocation to Marriage

• Andrea Vadia Ayo, born to Alejandra Ayo and Ricardo Vadia ’94, niece of Jesus Ayo ’91, granddaughter of Jesus Ayo ‘60.

• Victor Enrique Cepero, born to Michelle and Eduardo Cepero ’87.

• Silvia Noel Cartaya, born to Carmen and Vincent Cartaya ’99.

• Oliver Jose Chamorro, great-grandson of Manuel A. Dominguez ’48 and grandnephew of Manuel G. Dominguez ‘75.

• Gianna Alexa Macau, born to Heather and Gaston Macau ‘92.

• Emma Isabel Castro, born to Reyna and Orlando Castro ’01.

In Memoriam

Family and friends announcements

In loving memory of our alumni friends

Dr. Francisco Basterrechea ‘28

Dr. Isaac Casariego ‘31

Luis G. Valdes MD, FACS ‘39

Jorge Luis Saenz ‘45

Jose Luis Marques ‘46

Rodolfo Villamil ‘46

Francisco Dorta-Duque ‘48

Jesus Fojo '50

Simon Rodriguez-Remesal ‘54

Miguel Alvarez ‘58

Dr. Enrique Ramirez ‘76

Alex Tirse ‘83

Luis Espino III '87

Pablo Ramos, Electromecanica de Belen

• Mother Carmen Comella, of the Order of the Sacred Heart, sister of Joaquin ’48, Antonio ’49 and Manuel Comella ’56.

• Hilda Sorondo, mother of Carlos Coto ‘65

• Margaret Ruiz, wife of Jose Ruiz ‘75

• Adela Babun, mother of Jose Fadel '76

• Margarita Gonzales, mother of Thomas Gonzalez '84

• Rolando Fernandez-Dieguez, father of Rolando Fernandez ‘85

• Jose Miranda, father of Jorge Miranda ‘93

• Martha Chisholm, grandmother of Robert '94 and Michael '07 Chisholm

• Arturo Sanchez, father of Arturo Sanchez ‘04

• Maria Eireos, Belen librarian for over 40 years

• Elia Gutierrez, mother of professor Dr. Rolando Gutierrez

• Delia Victoria Arrieta, aunt of Coach Victor Arrieta '95 and great aunt of Orlando Guitian '95.

Calendar of events

January

Jan 7 Classes resume

Jan 18 School Closed

Belen-Columbus basketball game

Jan 21 School Closed - Martin L. King

Jan 22 Start of Ignatian Week

Jan 25 14th Annual Fr Izquierdo Golf Tournament

Jan 26 Carlos Ponce Concert (Roca Theater)

Jan 27-31 Close Up

February

Feb 2 Belen-Columbus baseball game (Marlins Park)

Feb 8-10 Tombola

Feb 10 Alumni Delegates Meeting

Feb 11 School Closed

Feb 13 Ash Wednesday (Schoolwide Mass)

Feb 18 School Closed (Presidents' Day)

Feb 22 Observatory Celebration (Cosculluela)

March

Mar 1-3 Steinway & Sons Piano Festival (Roca Theater)

Mar 9 Flamenco Puro (Roca Theater)

Mar 22 School Closed (Faculty Retreat)

Mar 28 School Closed (Holy Thursday)

Mar 29 School Closed (Good Friday)

April

Apr 1-5 School Closed (Easter Break)

Apr 13 Alumni Day (Belen campus)

Apr 18 Baccauluareate Mass

Apr 21 Senior parent faculty banquet

May

May 1 Schoolwide mass (St. Joseph the Worker)

May 7-10 Book Fair (Ramon Guiteras Library)

May 10 Eighth grade Gradventure

May 17 Senior Prom

May 27 School Closed (Memorial Day)

May 29 Alumni Pin Ceremony & Mass (Roca)

May 30 Commencement Ceremony

May 31 School Closed (Study Day)

June

Jun 3-7 Final Exams

Jun 7 Last day of school

Jun 17 Summer Camp begins

Jun 19 Summer School begins

* Alumni luncheons take place the last Friday of every month at 12 noon in the Cosculluela Dining Hall.

** All other activities will be announced in the weekly eNews bulletin.

OF THE SCHOOL PRESIDENT

Dear Alumni,

The spirit of brotherhood at Belen Jesuit is alive and well thanks to the involvement of so many alumni. Throughout the Fall I have witnessed firsthand the impact our alumni have, not only on current students, but also on those who wish to attend our school one day. Whether it is watching the enthusiasm at a football game or the fellowship during the Modern Languages Fair in October, alumni presence is an integral part of our community.

Personally, I love watching when a senior receives his ring and he cannot wait to show it proudly to a brother, father or grandfather who also came to Belen.

This year, the Alumni Association volunteered to participate in the Open House. Alumni President, Carlos Batlle ’80 gave a wonderful testimonial to prospective students and parents. Alumni from various classes answered questions at the Alumni booth. This presence was significant because it showed future students and parents that we are a family.

I encourage all alumni to come to campus and attend a game, a theater performance, a concert or volunteer to be a guest speaker or mentor. As alumni we can provide a great resource to our community and united we can have an even greater impact on its future. There are many ways to get involved. Please contact the Alumni Office for more information or simply come to an event.

As we look ahead to the New Year, I know we have much to look forward to. In particular, we will render a special tribute to Father Pedro Cartaya, SJ '54 on the 25th anniversary of the “Benito Viñes Martorell Observatory.” The class of 1972 is greatly responsible for the design and construction of the observatory and on February 22, 2013, we look forward to seeing them along with other alumni at a special event celebrating the contribution of our observatory to the community.

As the winter becomes spring, the school year will begin to move in fast-forward. The activities are plentiful and the seniors begin the countdown of their last few months at Belen Jesuit. The Alumni Association has scheduled an array of activities throughout the next few months. I look forward to seeing many alumni at the monthly luncheons, annual golf tournament, Tombola, Gala and Alumni day.

Wishing you many blessings from the Lord, sincerely yours,

Pedro A. Suárez, SJ ‘ 58 Belen School President

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Carlos Ponce

With the Belen Jesuit Jazz Band, Conducted by Marlene Urbay

Roca Theatre 8 PM

General Admission: $55

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Flamenco Puro

Back by popular demand, directly from Seville, Spain

In partnership with the Fundacion Flamenco

Cristina Heeren

Roca Theater – 8 PM

General Admission: $35

Steinway & Sons Piano Festival

Friday, March 1, 2013

Sergei Babayan, Pianist

Roca Theater, - 8 PM

General Admission: $25

Saturday, March 2, 2013

John Blanch, Pianist

Roca Theater, - 8 PM

General Admission: $15

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Young Artists Showcase

Anthony Rueda, Pianist

Roca Theater – 3 PM Free Admittance

Special Thanks to the Cultural Series Sponsors: The Triana Family in Memory of Mr. Lorenzo Triana, Sr and Domingo R. Moreira and Family.

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500 Southwest 127 Avenue

Miami, Florida 33184

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