Belen Jesuit Magazine | Winter 2015

Belen Jesuit

Alumni mAgAzine

MESSAGE FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

I am always humbled to see the pictures of the past Presidents of Belen in Miami hanging on the AA wall.

Father Luis Ripoli '36, Father Richard Chisholm '25, Father Daniel Baldor '19, Father Francisco Perez Lerena '44, Father Marcelino Garcia (Sagrado Corazon Sagua) and Father Pedro Suarez '58 comprise the Belen Alumni who served as Presidents of Belen in Miami, along with Father Ceferino Ruiz and Father Felipe Arroyo.

I am fortunate to have known several of these men - from Father Ripoll, who in addition to serving as President, was a spiritual counselor to so many of us – and a guiding light in many of our lives, to Fathers Arroyo and Perez-Lerena, who served as Presidents of the "old Belen" on 7th Avenue and Calle Ocho, to Father Marcelino, who oversaw the incredible expansion of Belen from 1983-2009. And most recently, of course, Father Pedro Suarez, who took over as Belen’s shepherd in January of 2009.

While these men were all unique and had their own special talents, they were also, at their core, Jesuits. They were, true to the Jesuit Order, Men for Others.

And until now, almost every one of them had one other thing in common - they were graduates of Belen in Havana, or one of the other Jesuit schools in Cuba. The upcoming transition from Father Suarez to Father Guillermo Garcia-Tunon will mark the first time that a Jesuit educated at the Belen in Miami will lead this great institution.

Father Willie started and graduated from the current campus. He studied at Fordham University, N.Y., and was ordained Sept. 2, 2000, for the Jesuit Order, Antilles province. Father Willie first returned to Belen as a teacher, spiritual counselor and served as Principal during the first two years of Father Suarez's tenure. A true Man for Others, Father Willie was called to revitalize a school in Dajabon, Dominican Republic, on the Haitian/Dominican border for 3 years, as the director of the ‘Instituto Tecnologico San Ignacio Loyola’.

As we enthusiastically look forward to a new chapter in the history of Belen, we also look back with deep gratitude for Father Suarez' years of service to our Belen community. We are all better off for having known and worked with this remarkable man.

Thank you Father Suarez. Welcome Father Willie.

Carlos Batlle '80 President of the Belen Alumni Association

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 Belen Jesuit Journalism Teacher

Carlos Batlle ’80 – President

Antonio Castro ’86 – Vice President

L. J. Rodriguez ’93 – Treasurer

Jose A. Garrido III ’99 – Secretary

Antonio Abella ’59

Rober to Colon ’04

Tomas Pla ’00

Gabriel Dieppa ’96

Hector Formoso-Murias ’82 Jose A. Garrido, Jr. ’72

Alberto Gutierrez ’88 Reinaldo Ramos ’58

Peter Montadas ’76 Crescencio Ruiz ’76

Francisco "Paco" Ruiz ’73

Fr. Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, SJ ‘40 - Spiritual Director †

Fr. Pedro Cartaya, SJ ‘54 - Alumni Association Chaplain

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

community

By: Daniel Chavez ‘17 Echoes Editor

• The Lock-In took place in the school gym November 13 for the sixth grade class of 2022. The students had a fun-filled night with inspirational movies, video games, speakers and pizza. The event was put together and supervised by the current senior class.

• The seventh grade class of 2021 gathered in the Garrido Family Plaza with their grandparents for an exciting day filled with activities such as dominoes, soft music, bingo, and a family lunch. The grandparents had the opportunity to tour the school and have their grandchildren show them around the campus.

• Eighth graders and their fathers got together Saturday, November 21 at the school to spend the morning playing football, basketball, and answering sports trivia in the

Cosculluela Dining Hall. The event was kicked off with a mass and ended with a delicious lunch for all attendees. The event was organized by the eighth grade moms.

• The freshman class of 2019 gathered Saturday, October 31 to celebrate their families and service. The families started their day with a mass and went on to perform service by making sandwiches for the homeless. The event also included bounce houses and obstacle courses for the smaller members of the family.

Outgoing Student Council President

and Vice

Presidents Eduardo Garcia ’87 and LJ Rodriguez ’93 and School President Fr. Pedro Suarez SJ ’58 inaugurate Class of 2016 President Daniel Dager and Vice President Nicholas Tootle. This event took place at the student council banquet in June.

• Five generations of Garcia-Tuñon's were present at the 2015 Senior Ring Ceremony: Manny Garcia-Tuñon '88, Danny Garcia-Tuñon '16, Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon '40 carrying a photo of his father Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon '1896, and Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon '66.

Ground breaking ceremony of the new Kitchen and Cafeteria Project

2015 Gala: Running with the Wolverines

ACADEMICS

Student takes part in UNICEF summit

By: Rodrigo Bustamante ‘16 Contributing Writer

For over a year, I have been blogging for UNICEF's Voices of Youth, a platform where young adults from all over the world can raise their voices for change. In August, I was contacted by one of their administrators inviting me to participate in the Sustainable Development Goals Summit as a youth consultant for UNICEF. I could not believe that my writing was leading me to the United Nations at the age of 17. Before I knew it, I was headed to New York for the first time.

My first responsibility at the Summit was to give a speech for the unveiling of the Assembly of Youth. This installation, created by David Beckham and Google, brought the voices of the youth to the heart of the UN General Assembly.

After being briefed about the event, I was introduced to UNICEF's Executive Director, Anthony Lake, and their Director of Communications, Paloma Escudero. Everything was materializing –in a matter of moments, I would be speaking at the UN, something I had only dreamed of. Anticipating the start of the event, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham walked in. I was completely floored by his persona – jovial, humble, and genuine.

As the doors of the elevator opened, the clicking sounds of the cameras and the loud chatter of the audience engrossed my mind. After hearing passionate speeches by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Anthony Lake, and David Beckham, I was invited to take the stage and accompany these great men.

In my speech, I related the realities children around the world are facing and called on world leaders to make education a priority for all. Afterwards, as I walked around the installation, I was engulfed by the voices of children pleading for change –I knew that I was there to be their voice.

The following day, Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly. He affirmed himself as a world leader. He opened his arms to all men and women from around the globe stating his concerns for environmentalism, equality, and the protection of human dignity.

Shor tly thereafter, Malala Yousafzai demanded world leaders to take up books and pencils instead of guns and bombs. She stated, "It's me, it's you, it's all of us who have to bring about the change," assuring me that I was not alone on this journey.

Throughout my time at the UN, I met many inspiring young people. I worked with members from U.S. UNICEF clubs and representatives from nonprofits like Save the Children. These students share the same passion I have for ensuring peace and justice for all.

In addition, I had the privilege of being interviewed by YouTube stars Maya Washington and the Brothers Green, and the newspaper The Guardian about a variety of sustainable development topics.

Finally, I had the opportunity to meet a Syrian refugee named Sameen. In my brief conversation with her, she expressed the need for action in the Middle East and Europe urging me to continue advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants. My culminating assignment was to write a blog sharing my experience with others.

I t is difficult to appropriately express the impact taking part in the Sustainable Development Goals Summit has had on me. This opportunity was nothing but surreal. As my time at the Summit came to an end, I took home the realization that my idealistic dreams are valuable, that the voice of youth matters and that together we can achieve countless goals for our world.

AP Capstone Program kicks off in high school

By: Daniel Chavez ‘17 Echoes Editor

High school students at Belen Jesuit are now eligible to enroll in the nationally acclaimed AP Capstone Program. The AP Capstone is a diploma program that provides students with an opportunity to enroll in rigorous classes more difficult than the regular or honors courses.

The program includes two types of classes: AP Seminar and the AP Research. These classes are designed to enhance learning and personal skills through rigorous AP courses.

The program has many benefits for the student including: fostering communication and argumentation skills, providing a base for AP work in an interdisciplinary format, building professional excellence, and many more vital skill sets. The program is highly beneficial for juniors and seniors who are preparing to enroll in a college.

" The AP Capstone Seminar has empowered our faculty to venture beyond a specific field. Exploring a myriad of perspectives within a topic is allowing integration and erasing boundaries between disciplines while developing common skills. Our teachers are guiding our students to collect and analyze information with precision in order to communicate evidencebased arguments, and our students are embracing the challenge successfully," said school principal Dr. Maria Cristina ReyesGarcia.

Students enrolled in the program typically take AP

Seminar as a sophomore or a junior. They then follow up by taking the AP Research portion of the program.

Students that earn a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on any other four AP Exams are eligible to receive the AP Capstone Diploma. If the student only takes AP Seminar and Research and receive a 3 or better on the exam, the student will receive an AP Capstone Certificate.

" This new program is designed to ensure our students enter the college of their choice ready to research, write, and present to their greatest ability," said theology teacher Lawrence Goodall.

The diploma or certificate are great additions to the students' resumes, and colleges will be greatly impressed by the extra work and sacrifice that the students have put forth towards their higher education and personal development.

" The AP Capstone is challenging and different, but most importantly it requires us to work hard independently. It's really preparing us for doing college level work, such as research papers," said junior Joseph Luzarraga.

Although the program is currently in its initial phase, school administrators expect that it will grow exponentially in the upcoming years. The experience and knowledge that the students will gain from it will allow them to do better in the college they attend.

By: Gabriel Abril ‘16 Echoes Editor

ATHLETICS

• The varsity football team had a successful and accomplishing year. The team won the District Championship, but unfortunately lost the first game of the playoffs putting them in fourth place. Most importantly, the win against G. Holmes Braddock gave football coach Richard Stuart the county title of Football Coach with most wins. After this season, Stuart had a total of 216 wins.

• The JV football team had an excellent season with a 5-2 record. Many of its freshman and sophomore players moved on to the varsity level as the team prepares for the spring training and the next season.

• Middle school football also had a terrific season ending with a 5-2 record. The team won their conference bowl game against King's Academy and now looks forward to moving up to the JV level.

• The newbies in the sixth grade football team went 2 for 3 in their season. The young team faced many challenges along the way, and learned some valuable lessons that will help them in the upcoming years.

• The varsity cross country team fought all season battling injuries and other uncontrollable factors. The team won the District and Regional Championships, and finished fourth at States competing strongly despite some setbacks.

• Middle school cross country went undefeated in the ACC. They also achieved the second consecutive FLYRA State Championship trophy.

• The sixth grade cross country team worked hard all season long and came in the top five in every single meet. The team now looks ahead to meet the challenges of the track and field season.

• The varsity golf team had a great season with wins against Palmer Trinity and Ransom, and dominated in their district tournament. This is the second year in a row that the Wolverines advanced from districts.

• The middle school golf team had very few losses throughout the season, and many great wins against some of the most challenging teams in the district. The team is now focused on improving for the upcoming season.

The varsity swimming team finished within an overall successful year. The Wolverines managed to get fourth place in states with the school's diver contributing 3 points to the team.

• With a number of meets cancelled due to bad weather, the middle school swim team managed to end their season with a 1-0 record against Doral.

• Although playing against some of the toughest teams around, the bowling team finished the season with a 500 average. Along with a winning mindset, the team members received tremendous support from the school's fanfare of seniors who often showed up unexpectedly to the matches.

• Sixth grade basketball went undefeated under the guidance of Coach Houlihan. The team won every single game by a margin of 23 or more points. This is the second consecutive year that the sixth grade basketball team has an undefeated season.

NEWS

Coach Peppas splashes into school history

By: Alec Castillo ‘16 Contributing Writer

Kirk Peppas, coach of Belen's award-winning swimming program, has contributed tremendously to the school's swimming program and its history. He, himself, was a swimmer at the University of Miami during his college years. His specialty was the 100 and 200 meter freestyle.

He began coaching in 1976, as a summer job during his freshman year at the University of Miami. But it wasn't until 11 years later that he started to coach the swim team at Belen Jesuit when Coach Carlos Barquin gave him the opportunity to get involved with the program.

The swimmers in Belen have built a tradition of excellence over the years. Under Coach Peppas, Belen has won seven state championships, ten regional championships, and twenty district championships in swimming.

"Our coach has been the coach for almost 30 years, and over time he has built on it. All the swimmers this year were considered underdogs, and we came in and gave it our best. We got the result we weren't expecting," said junior Juan Ramirez.

According to Coach Peppas, his secret lies in training the athletes and having them compete to the best of their individual abilities. They should also reach out to the other teammates, schoolmates and their family.

"All of us are raised within our family and societal environment. I (we) as coaches try to instill and project a feeling of confidence toward life. Not just in the realm of swimming and athletics, but a vehicle to challenge yourself and learn about your capabilities," said Peppas.

The swimming program isn't stopping there. The pool will be receiving a major upgrade in the near futre. The plans include a completely new Olympic sized pool located behind the administration behind. This will allow for meets to be held at this school campus in the future.

"I just hope it finally happens, and becomes a reality," said swimmer Ramirez.

Coach Peppas sees his athletes grow, in skill and maturity, from middle school to their senior year in high school. It has created a close community between the swimmers and their coach, and improved the program tremendously.

"It is a great feeling to be able to instill values such as hard work, responsibility, persistence, but most importantly, being there for each other. Knowing I was a part of that process is extremely rewarding! As a coach I have a life-long connection to my swimmers and their families. That is the most rewarding aspect, being an ongoing part of their lives even after swimming is over," said Peppas.

Belen / Columbus

Tailgate Party

ALUMNI

NIGHT

Changing

MAGIS the world

By: Rodrigo Bustamante ‘16 Contributing Writer

Father Jorge Cela Carvajal was born in 1941 in Havana, Cuba, and attended El Colegio de Belen in 1949. Over the course of 10 years that he spent at Belen, Cela Carvajal grew in an environment that was committed to social work and justice.

“Belen was a true community with a genuine commitment to justice and morality that awoke my deepest concerns,” said Father Cela Carvajal.

While at Belen, he served at La Lisa – a very poor neighborhood in Havana, Cuba. His experiences working with the poor opened the door for a deeper understanding of their way of life. He began to see the poor as his brothers and sisters, and he felt he needed to do more. These experiences with the poor coupled with mentorship by Father Felipe Arroyo and Father Luis Ripoll, inspired him to greatly consider the priesthood.

Upon graduating in 1959, he immediately joined the Novitiate in el Calvario in Havana. The following year he was moved to Los Teques in Venezuela to continue this part of his formation.

After three years in Venezuela, he went to study philosophy in Alcalá de Henares in Spain. Upon completing his studies, he came to Belen’s new home in Miami and taught there from 1965 to 1966.

He went on to teach in the Dominican Republic and continue his studies at Regis College in Toronto, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Lumen Vitae in Brussels. In the midst of his most intense studies, he was ordained a priest in 1970.

From 1973 to 2003, Father Cela Carvajal lived with and served the poor in the Dominican Republic. During this time, he worked at two parishes: San Martín de Porres in Guachupita and Santo Domingo Savio in Guandules. Noticing a desperate need for social work and putting his passions to the test, Cela Carvajal created the Centro Bonó. This center works with the poor in Santo Domingo and the surrounding areas, giving them a concrete way to escape the constant cycle of poverty and inequality. Alongside these men and women, the Centro Bonó also works to help Haitian immigrants by giving them this same hope for a better future.

Father Cela Carvajal was not complacent and began

picture 1959

working with the NGO Ciudad Alternativa, a group that builds houses for the poor in the areas around Santo Domingo. He eventually became the Director of this NGO.

His relentless spirit, passion for social work, love for the poor, and calling to serve God and others, continued to inspire him to do more. In 2003, he was named the Director of the Dominican chapter of Fe y Alegría and shortly thereafter, was named the International Coordinator for the International Federation of Fe y Alegría. This organization works to give all people the possibility to get an education, develop their passions and live with dignity, by constructing societies where the social and political structures are focused on human development. Their goal is to eradicate all kinds of inequality and poverty. Under his leadership, Fe y Alegría started chapters in Africa. Through his efforts, Fe y Alegría now has schools in 20 countries.

After this, Cela Carvajal was named the Superior of the Jesuit Region in Cuba. He had visited Cuba but this marked the first time Carvajal went to stay. During his two years as Superior of the Jesuits in Cuba, he brought his love for social work and conducted a study on the Cuban church, hoping to create a pastoral plan. The studies showed him that despite not having any formal or structured religious formation, religion is still an essential part of the Cuban society.

“ The Cuban people are awake, their hearts are always longing to be free,” said Father Cela Carvajal.

In 2012, Cela Carvajal became the President of the Conference of Provincials of Latin America (CPAL). This summit is

organized by provinces and furthermore, by issue. All Jesuit groups meet and are then divided on the basis of what their mission is. Thus, the purpose of this conference is to create a dialogue between all Jesuit organizations and ultimately, create partnerships for projects to yield a greater impact.

I t goes without saying that Father Jorge Cela Carvajal has lived the Magis. He has done more for God and others and then some. Cela Carvajal states that the Magis comes from Ignatian spirituality. He continued relating that too many people say they need to find God when in reality, it is God that will find us.

“ What is God asking of me?” he said, “try to find God in everything you do and be open to him. Be attentive, have open eyes, and listen to what God wants,” stated Cela Carvajal.

He went on to add that the Magis is not a comparison between others but rather between God and oneself.

Cela Carvajal dreams of the day when we will be able to live out Christ’s proposal: A world where all people are brothers. He dreams of the day when there will be no war and when people will not insult one another. He urges all people to find God in others and to see no person as inferior but rather as a brother. By achieving this, Cela Carvajal knows that mankind will be able to change the world.

By: Jonathan Garcia ‘16 Echoes Editor

Swimming

The recent trend of glory of the swimming team did not start the way it is now, and that includes the myriad of difficulties that came with starting a swimming program back in the day.

When El Colegio de Belen started in Cuba in 1854, it did not have any type of swimming team or program for any of the students. However, yearbooks indicate that an official swim program was active as early as 1934. The program was on and off for a series of years, but it was not until 1946 that one student, Raoul Garcia-Vidal '47, started a path to success in swimming.

He represented the country of Cuba in the Central American Games in 1946 and then later in 1947. For five consecutive years, Garcia-Vidal became a Cuban National Champion for the 100-meter freestyle. In 1948, Garcia-Vidal represented Cuba in the Olympic Games in London, which was a huge honor for the school that did not even have a swim team.

Garcia-Vidal's rise to fame immediately sparked an interest in getting a swimming program started in the Colegio Belen, and so it was around 1953, that an official team was started. The 1957 team in particular, ended up placing in all the swimming events at competitions, except in the 50 meter freestyle and backstroke.

The swim team continued doing well, even boasting notorious swimmers such as Omelio Sosa, Henry and Dickie Casares, Julio and Luis Jane, Pedro Alvarez Tabio, Joaquin Acevedo and Ricardo Herrera.

The team's achievements continued as the years went by until 1959, when the school was closed down by the communist regime of Fidel Castro, and the Jesuits were forced leave to the United States in search of freedom.

One of the things that the Jesuits considered when they began to think about the construction of a new campus in the United States was the

continuation of a successful swimming program. Of course, not having a pool made it difficult to have a place for the team to even practice.

"Competitive swimming is a lonely sport. Requires uncountable hours in the water, going back and forth. Looking at the line on the bottom of the pool and the wall coming up, and we did not have goggles at the time! Can’t talk to anyone or interact with your teammates. But when you do well, is an individual triumph. I loved being in the water, competing, and of course winning, although of course, not always. My senior year (1958) was the highlight of my swimming career at Belen, where I won 3 individual and 2 relay first place medals. I will always cherish my swimming career at Belen," said Omelio Sosa '58.

In 1975, in the original campus located in Little Havana, a young man named Fausto Alvarez '81 once asked Father Luis G. Ripoll, SJ for help to begin a swimming program. Father Ripoll promised him the help and sponsored the group of young men who went on to become members of the first Belen swim team in the United States.

This first team consisted

of Fausto Humberto Casariego '80, Juan Alvarez '84, and Eric Alvarez '85. Although the team lacked access to a professional pool (with the regulation measurements) for training and meets, the young swimmers had to be driven to Tamiami Park to swim after school. The difficulties in finding a practice place caused the team to eventually disassemble.

It was not until the campus finally relocated to its current location in West Miami-Dade, that the idea of establishing a swim team was brought up again and given careful consideration.

Coach Bob Karl and current Athletics Director Carlos Barquin, the first coaches for the team, transported the team back and forth from the Tamiami Park pool for all practices and tournaments which helped the team end with a 3W-3L record.

This accomplishment could not have been reached if it had not been for the first swimmers: Alexander Milton '84, Jorge Cinca '86, Gian Zumpano '86, Joseph Zumpano '87, and Enrique Artalejo '88. They believed in the sport, the program, and the potential that a small group of willing men could accomplish.

In 1984, with a new coach, Jose Vasallo, more swimmers joined the team and they ended the season with an outstanding 7W-1L record. They also won their first district championship during this season. This record continued the following year with a new coach, former Olympic swimmer Andre Phillips. This time, however, they qualified seven swimmers from the team for state finals. In 1986, with the help of Carolina Calderin's fund raiser, a swimming pool was inaugurated at the school, making it easier to practice and hold competitive meets.

The same year, 1986, Joseph "Joey" Zumpano '87, became one of the fastest 100-yard breaststroke high school swimmers in

in the nation, giving the Belen swim team national recognition. Zumpano also qualified to swim at the 1986 US Olympic Sports Festival held in Houston, Texas, and earned himself the All-Ivy League status at the Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League Championship. These accomplishments and more were what led to Zumpano's induction into the Belen Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

In 1987, the new and current coach, Kirk Peppas, began coaching the swim team to glory. He started by training the swimmers on a daily basis with two hours of swimming before school plus two more hours after school, with another hour of conditioning and exercise.

This new rigorous training helped the swimmers to become better and win the district championship five consecutive years in a row, also placing seventh in state finals within the same season. In 1989, the team improved their standing in state finals to fifth place, while also becoming the Dade County Fair and Exposition champions.

to the top

Cover Story

"Over

the past few years

Belen Jesuit has earned the reputation of having one of the best overall swimming programs in the State of Florida. Evidence of this are the seven State tittles the school has earned over the past few years and numerous top 4 State finishers. Our school has been blessed by outstanding coaches, extraordinary parental and alumni support, and excellent wellrounded student athletes who have excelled as swimmers, many of them have gone on to earn All American Status as well as to compete at some of the top universities in the nation," said Athletics Director Carlos Barquin.

During the 1990 season, Michael Covert '91 made the All-County team as well as the All-State team. Additionally, he won the All-American honors three years in a row and won the

500yard freestyle state championship (1991). This led him to revive the Belen Jesuit Athlete of the Year Award in 1991 and be a part of the Belen Jesuit Hall of Fame.

During this same year, the team dedicated the season to former swimmer Gian Zumpano '86, who passed away in 1990.

Zumpano's achievements in swimming and academics, and his dedication to the school and the summer camp, resulted in Father Marcelino Garcia, SJ, Coach Peppas, and Coach Barquin officially naming the Belen Jesuit pool the Gian Zampano Swimming Pool.

The following year, the swim team accomplished an undefeated season for the first time in history. They also won the district championship.

Beginning in 1995, the team had a three-year streak of back-to-back undefeated seasons, district championships, and first place wins in the Dade County Fair and Exposition. The team qualified ten of its swimmers for state finals and also had four of its swimmers make All-American honors.

By the

end of the 1990s, another swimmer, Francisco Quesada '98, became a huge part of the team, making All-County team for three years and All American First Team. Quesada was later inducted into the Belen Jesuit Hall of Fame in 2012.

The team also had over ten district and four MiamiDade County Fair and Exposition championships.

Even though these results may seem impressive, even

better results were achieved in the 21st century. In 2002, Jeffrey Vivo '04, not only set a new school record for the 50m freestyle, but he also won the state championship in the same category. Vivo made All-County team for three consecutive years and later received the Belen Jesuit Athlete of the Year Award in 2003.

All these achievement led him to an induction in the Belen Jesuit Sports Hall of Fame. These achievements were a result of Coach Kirk Peppas's work, who in 2003 and 2004 was given the Coach of the Year Award by the Miami Herald.

During the 2005-2006 season, the team was able to remain undefeated, win district, Miami-County County Fair and Exposition, and regional championships but finished runnerup in the state finals. Getting so close, the team used this as

motivation to do better the following season, even winning their first state championship in the history of the swimming program. This made Belen Jesuit the first school from MiamiDade County to win a state championship in swimming since 1972.

The team has gone to the state championship for the past years. They have been placing top ten in every state championship event. This year, they came in fourth place at this event, with additional bonus points contributed by the team's new and only diver Javier Saumell '18.

"The swimming program was a second family and home to all of us, led by the incredible coach Kirk Peppas who held us to the highest standards possible. He pushed us to the state championship in 2007, and never stopped pushing. He took us above and beyond our comfort zones, always trying to get us into the best colleges, and looking for the best scholarships out there," said Belen swimmer Raymond Zomerfeld '07, who swam the 100yard breast stroke.

After winning seven state championships in Florida, the program is still running strong with almost 20 swimmers at the high school level, and an upcoming group of middle schoolers who begin to train as early as the sixth grade. With that much effort and dedication, it is no wonder that the swim program in the school, is equal to none.

10 QUESTIONS FOR 1 ALUMNUS

By: Daniel Chavez '17 Echoes Editor

Joseph Zumpano ‘87

Mr. Zumpano is the President and Managing Shareholder of Zumpano, Patricios & Winker (ZP&W), and serves as Chairman of the ZP&W land holding companies, as well as various other land holding companies. Among his many accolades, giving back to the school that formed him has always been a priority.

Q. In what grade did you begin swimming for Belen?

"My brother Gian and I, many of our childhood friends, classmates, and others, were on the first competitive swim team in the 'new' Belen. It was a long time ago, but it seems to me that my freshman year (1983), was my first year swimming for Belen. However, many of us had been competitive swimmers for years before then."

Q. Who or what prompted you to join the team?

"Our family was a well noted family of swimmers. Coach Barquin was friends with the family, and my mother was a big force in getting things started. She had motivated and overseen the five Zumpano children – Gian, Danny, Cary, Rosie, and me as competitive swimmers. She was very much ahead of her time and very much dedicated to helping us succeed. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the family was swimming competitively in South Florida. We had joined a club team coached by Bob Karl. Belen did not have a swim team at the time. There were some great childhood friends and cousins (including my cousin Javier Canto ‘87) that Bob Karl was coaching, that were also attending Belen – including several in the Class of 1987. Many of these swimmers became the first competitive swim team at the 'new' Belen. By 1984, our second year of competitive swimming for Belen, we had taken the District A-AA-AAA Championship."

Q. What life lesson did you learn from swimming for the school team?

"I learned that sports, like many other endeavors, is more about the journey than about the result. You may not remember many of your races, but you will remember those who you helped, and those who helped you, along the way. One of the people that helped me along the way, was Coach Kirk Peppas. He was my Coach back then, and he set the technique that moved me at the speed to set the 100-yard Breaststroke Belen record almost thirty years ago. Belen is blessed to have one of the greatest coaches in that sport, period."

Q. What are your fondest memories of your years in Belen?

"My fondest memories are tied to those things we did not have. When we first arrived at the 'new' Belen, we would trail behind a pick-up truck driven by Barq and throw stones into the back of the truck. That was our part of our physical education classes for a while. We were full of mud, full of energy, and very happy. In a sense we have memories of clearing the way for the fields and the facilities that students enjoy today. Whatever the conditions, we were together. There was always laughter when we were together. Today, thirty-five years later, we still laugh together."

Q. What did you learn at Belen that helped to mold you into the man you became?

"My brother Gian’s experience at Belen taught me and others a true lesson in heroism. Gian was an incredible person. He spent much time with the poor, including in the Dominican Republic. He was a mentor to others, including so many members of the Class of ‘87. He was a wonderful student, and a remarkable athlete. Towards Gian’s last years at Belen, he had begun to suffer from grand mal epilepsy. He suffered silently. His grades dropped temporarily as the medicines were overpowering his focus. Without a word, he worked through it, and went on to graduate as the Class of ‘86 Salutatorian. Gian passed away at age 22, while pursuing his dental studies at Creighton University. Today, the main building at the Jesuit Mission in the Dominican Republic – the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) - and the pool at Belen are named in his memory. Gian taught us that true heroism is not about power or money. True heroism is about humility and perseverance, for the benefit of others. As a true man for others, Gian left us all an example and a legacy of a life well lived."

Q. Who do you look up to the most?

"In my life, it would have been my mother Rosa, that I have most admired. She was a remarkable person. On November 13, 2014, the United States Government officially named Rose Key, in the Florida Keys, after my mother. She was, and will always be, the one person that most deeply cared for and impacted my life."

Q. What do you think makes this school so special?

"It may not be possible for students to fully understand the greatest gift Belen will give them. Like many of us, they may come to understand that gift many years after they have graduated from the school. Belen gives you a very real and very special brotherhood with your classmates. It will last a lifetime. The Class of ’87 is a true band of brothers. We were raised by our parents and by the Jesuits that way. What is interesting about our brotherhood, is that we really never stopped making memories together. We have remained a close family for over 35 years."

100y breaststroke Belen record is now almost 30 years old.

Q. What are your personal aspirations?

"My personal aspiration is for my children, and hopefully someday grandchildren, to be happy. It is what we all want for our children. My daughter Andrea, and sons Lucas and Jesse, are my joy. My incredible wife Grace and I wish for them always to be happy. Lucas is at Belen now, and I am enjoying watching him grow in the Belen tradition."

Q. How do you apply Ignatian values to your daily life?

"Ignatian values are timeless. In my professional capacity, I am not permitted to adopt a religious creed at the firm or in our related businesses, but I have found that nothing prohibits us from applying timeless principles to our business practices. We do this well at ZP&W. The values imparted through the story of the 'Good Samaritan' go well with the concept of the firm handling matters for those who can’t otherwise afford our services. The concept of 'fellowship' goes well with working together in teams for the benefit of the client. The concept of 'selflessness' goes well with mentoring those who are just starting out in the profession. The concept of 'humility' goes well with the culture of giving credit to others, while not asking for any in return."

Q. What advice would you give the current students at Belen?

"Be kind and generous to each other. Each of you is a vital link in a chain that is over 160 years old. In great part, the strength of that chain rests in your ability to love and uplift one another."

• Holly Holdren and Louis Iglesias ‘88

Vocation to Family Vocation to Marriage announcements

• Letty Lopez and Jesus Ayo '91

• Jennifer Holden and Jaime Alleyn '92

• Claudia Leon and Richard Puerto ’02

• Melanie Hinson and Cesar Garcia-Canet ‘04

• Kristen Camacho and Jorge Jordan ‘05

• Carlee Valenti and Carlos Macias ’05

• Carolina Orbay and Fernando S. Aran Jr. ‘06

• Leanne Martinez and Lawrence Lopez '07

• Gabriela Maura and Pablo Plasencia '09

• Andrew Fernandez and Jocelyn Fuentes, granddaughter of Porfirio Fuentes '55

• Ana Rosa and Juan B. "Paco" Zamora '49 with their 6 children, 2 in-laws, and 8 grandchildren.

• Ashton, born to Lisa and Antonio Obregon '89

• Cecilia Nicole, born to Cristina and Christopher Ortiz '91

• Lucas, born to Christine and Robert Barrueco '92

• Alessandra Flores, born to Ivette and Barney Flores ’97

• Ana Victoria, born to Lisa Marie and Michael Mena '98

• Mia Carolina Pascual, born to Carolina and Mario Pascual ’99

• Alejandro Antonio, born to Alexandra and Jose Aguayo ‘00

• Anne Marie, born to Gloria Maria and Gregory Bel ‘00

• James Michael, born to Lauren and Jimmy Newmeyer '01

• Ean, born to Mara and Jorge Bello '05

• Jorge David Frazier, grandson of Jorge Campaña ‘73

• Andrew George Melmer, grandson of Belen Jesuit Business Office Manager Ana Manrara

Memoriam

In loving memory of our alumni friends In

Family and friends announcements

• Omelio Sosa Sr. ‘30

• Carlos Zubillaga ‘41

• Fernando Pla Malet ‘47

• Antonio Valea ‘49

• Francisco Casacuberta '51

• Fermín B Ortea ‘53

• Julio Cesar Vigil Quiñones ‘54

• Alberto Poveda ‘55

• Oscar Santana '56

• Armando Ferrer ‘58

• Enrique Casares '59

• Alberto Cruz Ortiz ‘59

• Alberto Blanco Repilado ‘61

• Juan Socias Lopez ‘61

• Alberto Hermida '82

• Kevin Sigurani '09

In Memoriam

• Beverly Diaz, wife of Gabino Diaz ‘56

• Gladys Rosa Perez, wife of Juan Perez Escobar ‘61

• Lillian Alejo, mother of Manuel Alejo '83

• Rose Rodriguez, mother of Ryan Rodriguez ‘16

• Graciela Bacardi, mother of Facundo Bacardi, Dolores

• Ramon Uribarri, father of Ramon Uribarri '72

• Jose Armas, father of Jose '77 and Alfred Armas '78 and grandfather of Jose '02 and Anthony Armas '08

• Jose E. Cueto, father of Jose '88, Juan '89, and Blas Cueto '96 and father-in-law of Raul Montenegro '00

• Oscar Echegaray Sr., father of Oscar Echegaray '91

• Edilberto de la Vega, father of Javier de la Vega '92

• Heriberto Cabada, father of Heriberto Cabada '99

• Heidi Fernandez, daughter of Guillermo Fernandez-Nuñez '56

• Victor Xavier Paez, son of Ricardo Paez '60

• Luis Trelles, Sr., grandfather of Jorge Trelles, Jr. '13 and father-in-law of Rafael Portuondo '76

• Orlando Gelpi, grandfather of Antonio Montadas '15 and father-inlaw of Peter Montadas '76

• Angel Comesaña, grandfather of Leo Marrero '01, uncle of JC '84 and Eric Alvarez '85 and Robert '89 and Daniel Suarez-Comesaña '92

• Lydia Natalia Perez, grandmother of Manuel Escobio '91

• Martha Pardiño, grandmother of Juan Carlos '10, Osiel '14, and Cesar Gonzalez '15

• Nicolas Alvarez, brother of Pedro Alvarez '70 and uncle of Peter Alvarez '99

• Liza Angulo, sister of Luis Angulo ‘02

• Teresita Suarez Bernardo, sister of Jorge Suarez '56 and Xavier Suarez '67

• Ana Maria Capablanca, mother-in-law of Jorge Azcue '88 and Juan Delgado '88

• Carlos de Cespedes, father-in-law of Jose Lopez '86 and Manuel Escobio '91

• Vidal Tomasino, father of Miguel Tomasino, Belen Jesuit's Director of Annual Giving

• Hugo Guerrero, father of Shyara Lara, Belen Jesuit Science Faculty member

• Chris Alexander, father of Belen Jesuit English teacher Tony Alexander

• Rosa Perez, grandmother of Belen Employee Oscar Ortega

'54

Class Notes

Fr. Pedro Cartaya S.J. published a book in Spanish titled “25 jesuitas aventureros de Dios”

Daisy and Guillermo Asper, Rosaly and Norberto Martinez, Adys and Martin Rodriguez, and Thais and Xavier Sainz in California.

'61 '64 '71 '75 '80 '84 '85 '86 '87 '88 '90 '87

Kathryn Ravelo, widow of Humberto R. Ravelo, is sponsoring a yearly Belen Jesuit full scholarship in the memory of her late husband.

Oscar Gomez, Felipe J. Martinez, Pancho Martinez, Jorge Caridad and Jorge Alvarez at Marlins Park.

Obdulio Piedra received the “2015 Hispanic Heritage Award” given by the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

William Candela won a Field Pass Raffle and wore the Wolverine Head to celebrate his victory with Demetrio Perez '94 at the Belen v. Columbus Tailgate.

Alfredo N. and Alfredo L. Cepero, Alfredo L. and Alfredo J. Consuegra, Ben and Benjamin Gilbert, Floriberto and Daniel Puente and Jose and Nicolas Roca at the 2015 Ring Ceremony.

Orlando Roche also received the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Award given by the Boy Scouts of America.

LIFO Missions Co-Founder Alfredo Consuegra celebrated 30 Years of missionary work with daughter Daniella and son Alfredo Jose ’16.

Erick Deeb was appointed to the MiamiDade County Housing Finance Authority by the Board of County Commissioners.

Manuel L. Crespo, Jr. received the “Gracias Award” from the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association.

Ramon Cespedes completed the 2015 General Tire Vegas to Reno race -The Longest OffRoad Race in the United States.

Roly Diaz and his family at the White House Welcoming Ceremony for Pope Francis.

Fr. Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon, S.J. (Fr. Willie) will become Belen Jesuit School President on January 15, 2016.

Jose E. Cueto has been named President and CEO of Miami-based International Finance Bank.

Ralph Rosado received a Doctorate in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Class Notes

Alex Almazan was honored with the American Heart Association’s “Louis B. Russell, Jr. Memorial Award”.

Cesar Conde has been named Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

Marco Botero was named the Twitter Miami Head of Sales.

Alex Binelo was selected by the South Florida Business Journal as a "Top 40 Under 40" for 2015.

Orlando J. Castro received the “2015 Young Engineer of the Year Award” by the Florida Engineering Society.

Miguel Ferrer, a Director for National Geographic Films, was featured in the Spotlight of the University of Miami School of Communication.

Kristian Sedeño joined Morgan Stanley International Private Wealth Management in New York City.

Peter Trujillo received his MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.

Gonzalo Milian joined the Americas Group of Raymond James as a partner.

Anthony DiBlasi and Paul Bared, passed the Florida Bar.

Brian Cabielles was chosen one of the “Top 20 Emerging Leaders in Industrial Real Estate in the U.S.” by Global Street: Real Estate Forum.

Mike Martinez, pictured with Fr. Javier Vidal S.J., Provincial of the Antilles (left) and Fr. Pedro Suarez S.J. ‘58, professed his First Vows as a Jesuit at the Mass of the Holy Spirit in Belen.

Mario Egϋes and Art Martinez received their MS in Accountancy from Notre Dame.

Alexander Gimenez was hired by the Boston Red Sox as an Assistant in Pro Scouting.

Carlos Omaña competed in the Toronto 2015 Pan-American Games representing Venezuela.

Daniel Sanjur won an EVVY Award at Emerson College for his film "Enterrado" in the category of 'Outstanding Single Camera Direction’.

Enrique Flamini graduated Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with degrees in Engineering and Economics.

'12 '13 '14 '15

Nick Hernandez was awarded the Princeton University Coach’s Baseball Trophy.

Julian Ballestas competed in the Universidade Games held in South Korea representing Colombia.

Robert VanScoy volunteered for a 10-day Mission to work at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Carlos Batlle '80 and Mariano Loret de Mola '58 welcome the 2015 Delegates Rafael Cariello and Andres Chinchilla.

GALLERY OF REUNIONS

GALLERY OF REUNIONS 1960

GALLERY OF REUNIONS 2000

ALUMNI GATHERINGS

Belen

and

Members of the class of 1957 and families at their yearly reunion Alex Zequeira '90, Belen Jesuit's Director of Technology Carol Vila, Bryan Lorenzo '03, and Augusto Venegas '85 at a Tech Conference in Boston

Marianela and Fernando Aran

OF THE SCHOOL PRESIDENT

Dear Alumni,

As we approach the end of the calendar year our hearts and minds turn to the Advent season and the wonderful celebration of Christmas.

We thank God for his bountiful gifts of life, health, family, education, faith, friendship, etc. It is also an appropriate time to thank those with whom we share life everyday: our coworkers, teachers, relatives, customers, friends… Their company and support help us become who we are and strengthen our inspiration and hope.

Christmas is the special season to celebrate the birth of our Savior in a manger. He is the Son of God who came to teach us the right path to receive His gift of eternal life. It is a season to pray, give and forgive, love and be loved. Personally, and on behalf of all of us at Belen, I wish to thank all of the alumni, the parents and grandparents, who have entrusted their sons to Belen, so that we can help families in the education of their children.

Thanks are due to all of the alumni and their wives who helped organize the Gala that once again this year was a success. The Gala event and the upcoming Father Izquierdo Memorial Golf Classic on January 22, 2016 and Tombola on February 5-7, 2016 are three main sources of income for the Belen Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the generosity of so many, over 350 students are able to receive a Belen Jesuit education. Following the unanimous recommendation of the

Alumni Board, and in memory of the man who dedicated over 40 years of his life to the Alumni Association and to the Belen Tombola, beginning in the early 1960s, I am happy to announce that from now on the Belen Tombola will be named the “Father Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque Tombola.” We hope that this great event, which is an old tradition of our school, will be a success every year, now blessed from heaven by our friend and dedicated Jesuit priest, Father Dorta.

I t has been an honor and a pleasure to have served as President of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School since January 5, 2009. On January 15, 2016 it is time to pass on the torch to Father Guillermo García-Tuñon, SJ, ’87, my friend and former student. I look forward to continue my association to Belen Jesuit and the alumni, the Alumni Magazine, and its staff. I humbly ask for your support for the new President and for Belen. Please, keep me in your prayers and I will keep you in mine.

May the good Lord shed his blessings on you and your family during this holy season.

Sincerely in Christ

Pedro A. Suárez, SJ ‘ 58 Belen Jesuit School President

Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami Alumni Office

500 Southwest 127 Avenue

Miami, Florida 33184

PAID Miami, Florida Permit No. 1277

Calendar of events

January

Jan. 1 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

Jan. 22 Fr. Izquierdo Memorial Golf Classic

Jan. 29 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

March

Mar. 4 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

Mar. 18 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

February

Feb. 5 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

Feb. 5-7 Annual Belen Tombola

Feb. 7 Annual delegates meeting and election

Feb. 26 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

April

Apr. 1 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

Apr. 29 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

May June

May 6 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

May 20 Wall of martyrs ceremony

May 20-22 Class of 1961 55-year reunion weekend

May 27 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

May 31 Alumni pin ceremony and mass

Jun. 1 Commencement exercises for the class of 2016

Jun. 3 Monthly alumni mass at Gesu (Noon)

Jun. 3-4 Class of 1966 50-year reunion weekend

Jun. 24-26 Class of 1956 60-year reunion weekend

Jun. 24 Monthly alumni luncheon at Belen (Noon)

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