A magazine for alumni, parents, students, faculty and friends of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Vol. 6 No. 1, Winter 2010
news
Summer Service Trips PAGE 6
PR E S I D E N T ’ S L E T T E R
Fr. Bur [far right] and religious studies teacher Mr. Steve Oldham [far left] spent a summer service week in Camden, N.J., last summer. The seniors are [l-r] John Pettinelli, Stephen Gazak, Thomas Haley, Bryan Bacskai, Daniel Wallace, Santino Varano and Robert Lebair
S
Dear Friends,
Since returning to the Prep two summers ago, I have noticed an extraordinary development since my own graduation 50 years ago; though my Prep experience encouraged service to the poor, the sick and the uninformed, our scope was modest. In those days the Jesuit sodalities in the high schools required its members to volunteer in hospitals and elementary schools. As a Prep student I joined others in service helping at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and preparing younger Catholic boys at Girard College for the sacrament of Confirmation. However, the Prep had no service program that reached out to a broader Philadelphia, or to a national or international community. Generally our service goals then were the same as today but today the reality of globalization continues to transform our overall educational mission. Globalization is the context in which some of our students study Mandarin Chinese or belong to our Anime Club studying Japanese animation. In recent years, scores of Prep students traveled to Europe and to Australia on school-sponsored trips. Others traveled to visit family and friends in a variety of other countries. We no longer live in a Euro-centric world.
This sense of a smaller world both geographically and socially influences our commitment to service. Not only do students spend hours of service during the school year; in addition, over 170 students spent a full week of service on 18 trips during this past summer, serving as close as Philadelphia’s Germantown and Camden, N.J., and as far away as Tijuana, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Imitating our Jesuit founders 500 years ago, we continue to reach out in service to the poor, the elderly and the sick. Today, Jesuits have restated the original mission in terms now of the service of faith and promotion of justice. The biblical call to justice and the apostolic call to friendship with Jesus Christ remain at the root of this mission. And so in every service experience, mandatory periods of shared reflection and prayer, usually at the end of each day, encourage the student to see himself as called to be God’s instrument promoting the dignity of those with whom he is in service. For some it is the first time that they reflect on the God-given human dignity of persons outside their own experience of middle America, the first time that they see the Lord Jesus in their neighbor. My own experience this past summer with seven of our rising seniors in Camden revealed to me the open-hearted spirit of our young men. On our first day in Camden they recounted their reluctance to set aside an entire summer week away from their girl friends, their cars, their iPods and cell phones, and their jobs. But all seven proved themselves generous and willing. None failed to answer the call over the next six days. All of them grew in their understanding of the men and women they met who were homeless or hungry or sick. They also experienced the resiliency and even the joy that the poor discover despite their physical needs. The reflections contained in the following pages show how much our students are growing beyond the sheltering atmosphere of the Prep. The faculty and coaches and staff who accompany our students on all of our service opportunities give them a great gift by opening their hearts to a broader world. The parents of the students, too, by their generous lives, continue to encourage them. The members of our younger generation fill me with hope for the future of the world. Rooted in our religious tradition, they will bring their wisdom and intellectual gifts, their love and their commitment to defend the God-given dignity of human life. Sincerely,
Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. ’59 President
inside: C OV E R S TO RY
editor’s note: Dear Friends,
Summer Service Trips .................... 6 This issue of The Prep News always arrives just after the Christmas
SECTIONS
holidays. It is a magical time of year, one where values are talked
News .............................................. 2
about, at least for a little while. As in anything, there is overindul-
New Faces at the Prep .................. 2
gence and time spent worrying about trivial things but at least, at
Mock Trial ...................................... 4
some level, we get into values of family, friends and giving.
Sweeney Todd ............................... 5
Student Profiles ........................... 12 Reunion 2009 .............................. 14 Hawktion ..................................... 16 Class Notes .................................. 19
Our principal, Mr. Michael Gomez, is a big fan of the Jesuit maxim “Go Forth and Set the World on Fire.” He uses this to encourage our students to go and do great things as Jesus has taught us. But he and many others know that this can often be difficult. The world is not always ready for us. It can be a challenge to live our Ignatian values in a very secular world.
Alumni Profile ............................. 20 Perspectives ................................. 28
But we try, oh how we try here at the Prep, to instill this into our students. In this issue, you will read about our summer service projects. To anyone more than 15 years removed from the Prep, the amount of service may be breathtaking. Hundreds of Prep students take part in week-long projects in places as far away as the Dominican Republic and as close as Camden and Germantown. On trips such as these, our boys and their faculty mentors learn the true value of service, of giving of themselves and opening themselves to receiving so much from those
Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. ’59 Michael Gomez Rev. Bruce A. Maivelett, S.J. Timothy O’Shaughnessy Albert J. Zimmerman ’73
President Principal Director of Ignatian Identity Chief Financial Officer Director of Development/ Alumni Relations
for pulling it all together. One other way that we try and instill these values is the Kairos retreat. In November, I was privileged to attend Kairos 109, my third and second as an “adult” leader. Every retreat I have been on has been different but each
editor Bill Avington ’90
whom they serve. It is truly magnificent and the Ignatian Service Office, led by Sam Deitch, deserves great kudos
is also the same. Fifty students arrive
Director, Marketing and Communications
as individuals and return as a unit of
designer Maridel McCloskey
brothers. They learn so much about McCloskey Designs
themselves and each other and are
class notes editor
encouraged to “live the 4th.” As Sister
Angie Falcone
Kate Woody, G.N.S.H., who has run 110
Development Services Assistant
of these retreats, says, “the Holy Spirit
editorial staff Ceal Biello, Mary Liz Jones, Lorrie McKenna, Beth Missett, Nancy Moule, Albert J. Zimmerman ’73
photography
always takes care of us.” And again He Kairos CIX, table four was comprised of seniors [l-r] Jeremy Bailey, Bernie Grey, Tom LaFauci, Kevin Byrne, Kevin Molyneux (student leader), Colin McMichael, Michael Wong and Bill Avington ’90.
days at Malvern so special.
David DeBalko, Sam Deitch, Ann Iannacone, Frank Raffa
writers Bill Avington '90, Teresa Barone, Susie Cook, Tim McKenna ’89
web editor Brendan Murphy ’01
did. I am grateful to the men of table 4 who “together alone” made those four
Finally, there are stories of men who are living the values they learned at the Prep. Tim McKenna ’89 went to Project Mexico in 1988, spending a month isolated from home and volunteering. This helped guide him to urban education and he is currently the principal at Furness High School. Then there is Michael Farrell ’70. Mike is a tough advocate for those facing the death penalty. His work is not always popular but there is no denying his passion.
The Prep News is published three times a year. Please send comments or contributions to: Attn: Editor The Prep News St Joseph’s Preparatory School 1733 Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130 or e-mail to: afalcone@sjprep.org For additional information, check our website www.sjprep.org/prepnews
I encourage you to read this issue and enjoy learning about our incredible boys and the work they do. Your feedback is appreciated at hawk@sjprep.org. I hope that you learn as much as I did.
Bill Avington ’90
s c ho ol ne w s
NEW FACES SEVERAL
HAVE JOINED THE
PREP
FACULTY/
STAFF THIS YEAR AND TWO MAJOR POSITIONS WERE FILLED BY PEOPLE WELL KNOWN IN THE
at the Prep college counseling team. Hart, who taught history and coached basketball and baseball, took over the position in late August.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
A l Zimm erman ’7 3 – who has been at the Prep since 1979 and served in many different roles including Registrar, Director of Admission and Director of Alumni Relations – was named Director of Development, putting him in charge of the school’s fundraising, alumni relations and communications efforts. “Al has been engaged at the Prep in a variety of positions for more than three decades,” says Prep President Rev. Ge org e W. Bur, S .J. ’5 9. “He brings a warm and genuine interest to the personal and professional relationships that welcome others to the Prep’s mission. He is the perfect person to manage our Development Department. The Board of Trustees and I, as president, rely on his experience and counsel.” De nnis Hart ’ 9 5, a popular teacher and coach, was named Dean of Students for 2009-10, replacing M ark Hallig an, who is now part of the
“I am grateful to Dennis for his willingness to assume this important role,” says Principal M ik e Gom ez. “As an alumnus, teacher and coach, he has been a great role model for our students and has challenged them in positive ways. He continues to use his gifts and talents to continue to assist in our students’ formation.” Halligan is part of a completely revamped college counseling team, following the retirement of longtime counselor Tom Belzer and the sabbatical of Larry Czudak ’6 7. Halligan is joined on the college counseling team by Cou rtney Pinto and A my Ro m m. The department, which is chaired by Dr. Jo hn Berna, has greatly increased its electronic communications to remain in contact with students and parents; thus far their efforts have paid off in a very successful college acceptance period.
Finally, A b bey M yle s is the new athletic trainer. A contracted employee of Temple Sports Medicine, Myles comes to the Prep from Temple University. The Alumni Service Corps members for this year are M ark Cice ’ 0 5 (history), Colin M cKenna ’0 5 (computer science) and M att Rafferty ’0 5 (English).
[standing] Matt Rafferty ’05, Colin McKenna ’05, Brian Reinhart [sitting] Amy Romm, Yuan Chen, Mark Cice ’05, Courtney Pinto
Forensics Update Yale University Invitational ! Semi-Finalists in Student Congress: Evan Wescott ‘12 and Joseph Brenner ‘10 ! Finalist in Student Congress and recipient of a Tournament of Champions bid: Charles Gress ‘10 Big Bronx XXXIX (hosted by the Bronx High School of Science) ! Triple Octo Finalist in Lincoln Douglas Debate: Steven Stinson ‘10 ! Finalist in Student Congress: Charles Gress ‘10
The James M. Langan Invitational (hosted by Scranton High School) ! Novice Original Oratory - 5th Place: Tim Dougherty ‘12 ! Novice Public Forum Debate - Semi-Finalist: Jerry Orlando ‘12 and Shamus Clancy ‘12 ! Novice Student Congress Finalists: Tyler Patchen ‘13 and Jonathan Powers ‘11 ! Novice Student Congress - 2nd Place: James DeMarshall ‘13 ! Novice Student Congress - Champion: Evan Wescott ‘12 ! Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate - 10th Highest Speaker: Gregory Chatzinoff ‘11 ! Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking - 3rd Place: Brendan Zehner ‘11 ! Varsity Student Congress - Finalists: Fred DeRitis ‘10 and Chris Cannataro ‘11 ! Varsity Student Congress - 6th Place: Charles Gress ‘10 ! Due to the outstanding performance, the Prep ranked sixth in overall sweepstakes in a field of 35 schools.
The Villiger Invitational at Saint Joseph’s University ! Congress Finalists and recipients of a Tournament of Champions bid: Evan Wescott ‘12 and Chris Cannataro ‘11 ! Congress - 3rd Place and recipient of a Tournament of Champions bid: Fred DeRitis ‘10
The Tournament of Champions consists of the top 80 Student Congress Competitors in the nation, based on success rate during the season. The tournament takes place during the first weekend of May in Lexington, Ky., and is hosted by the University of Kentucky.
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In addition, Yuan (Jo ann) Che n joined the modern language department to teach Chinese and Brendan S u llivan ’ 9 2 took Hart’s spot on the history faculty. Brian Re inhart is a new member of the campus ministry team, working as co-director while also teaching a religious studies course. Caro ly n Ehrlich is a new account manager in the Business Office.
NATIONAL MERIT Semifinalists Eleven Prep seniors qualified as semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Maxwell Coar, David Costigan, Nicholas Gatto, Stephen Gazak, Stephen Gliatto, Bernard Gray, Stephen Herubin, Daniel Kurtz, Patrick McCusker, Connor McIntyre and Jonathan Sharp. They join approximately 16,000 semifinalists from around the country in meeting the criteria for this prestigious honor. The National Merit Scholarship program is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. Founded in 1955 to conduct the annual National Merit Program, it offers talented high school students the opportunity to compete for Merit Scholarship awards. Next spring, 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, will be offered.
THE PREP NEWS
This fall,
Cardinal Rigali was the celebrant for the
Fr. Curry celebrated the annual Christmas
Mass of the Holy Spirit in September,
Mass, his first at the Prep after being
asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and
ordained this summer. Fr. Curry, who
blessings for the 2009-10 school year.
was born with only one forearm and
Cardinal Rigali offered to celebrate the
hand, served as a Jesuit Brother for more
honored to celebrate Mass with
Mass after not being able to attend the
than four decades. He started the
dedication of Jesuit Hall last February.
National Theatre Workshop for the
Cardinal Justin Rigali,
Above, Cardinal Rigali accepts a gift
Handicapped and the Wounded Warrior
from Student Council President Frank
program which worked with wounded
Archbishop of Philadelphia,
Rizzo ’1 0.
soldiers returning from Iraq and
the Prep community was
Afghanistan.
and Rev. Rick Curry, S.J. ’61. MORRIS IN BIG FIVE AND LASALLE U. HALLS Basketball coach Bill “Speedy” Morris has been inducted into the Philadelphia Big Five and La Salle University Halls of Fame. Morris coached the men and women at La Salle for 17 years and still holds many of the school’s coaching records. Morris is also one of the all-time winningest high school coaches in the country, having won titles at the Prep, Roman Catholic and Penn Charter. He is an alumnus of Roman, which recently dedicated its court in honor of Speedy and two other legendary coaches Bill Markward and Dennis Seddon.
PREP BOOK DRIVE The seventh annual Prep Book Drive collected 17,266 books in just 10 days. This year over the first five
Nearly 2,000 students, parents and alumni packed the Kelly Fieldhouse and Sauter Dining Hall as the SJP Mothers’ Club hosted the 76th annual Homecoming. This year, the theme for the event was “Moonlight and Mistletoe.”
days the drive averaged approximately 700 books a day. In the second week, an average of almost 2,000 books a day were collected. On Thursday (day 9) 3,800 books were received in just one day, a Prep record that lasted for only one day as 5,100 books were collected on the final day of the drive. Major thanks go to Prep English teacher Joe Coyle who initiated the drive and organizes it every year.
WINTER 2010
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s c ho ol ne w s
MOCK TRIAL
AT
PRESTIGIOUS TOURNEY
The Prep Mock Trial Team finished third in the 16-team Empire State Tournament, which included teams from across the United States and countries such as England, Korea and Ireland. The team had to compete four times in the space of 36 hours.
“
The scoring is based on judge’s ballots (3 per round for a maximum score of 12), with the Prep finishing with a score of 9-3-1, just a half point below the score that would have advanced them to the finals (10-2). The Prep defeated teams from New York, New Hampshire and Texas. In the final match the team battled the Irish National Champion and returning champion Our Lady’s College an all-girls team from Drogheda, County Leath, Ireland.
Our young men made an effort to reach out to students..”
Mother-Son Communion Luncheon
At the Mother-Son Luncheon, the keynote speaker was Rick Guidotti ’75, a former fashion photographer who now operates “Positive Exposures,” which works to show the beauty of those who live with physical and psychological issues such as albinism and autism. Guidotti [third from right] was joined by his mother Barbara [second from right]. Also pictured above [l-r] Ceal Biello, Director of the Prep Fund; Principal Michael Gomez; Eileen Kennedy (event co-chair) Melissa McGrath (event co-chair); and President Rev. George Bur, S.J. ’59.
Debbie and Patrick Dooley ’10
“Our young men made an effort to reach out to the students of other teams particularly those from Ireland, England and Xavier Prep of Phoenix,” said team coach Tom Johnson, who is assisted by Charlie Gallagher ’65. “Several coaches came up to me and commented not only on our teams’ skill, but on their politeness and courtesy toward other teams.” Representing the Prep at the tournament were: Matt McDonnell ’10, Frank Rizzo ’10, Gabe Bedell ’10, Fred DeRitis ’10, Nick Franchetti ’10, Joe Brenner ’10, Arjuna Pettit ’10, Dave Costigan ’10, Mike Lario ’10, Alex Glica ’10 and David West ’12.
Alumni/Father-Son Communion Breakfast
Stephen Kriz ’92 and his son William
The Alumni/Father-Son breakfast honored three Preppers: Rev. Joseph Feeney, S.J. ’52 (Alumnus of the Year), basketball coach Bill “Speedy” Morris (Rev. Charles A. Schnorr, S.J. Service Award) and Armando Martinez ’10 (Rev. David A. Sauter, S.J. Award). In addition, keynote speaker Tony Braithwaite ’89 a professional actor and comedian who is the director of the Cape and Sword Drama Society, offered the keynote and sounded a call to arms for Prep alumni and students to take up the mantle given to them by the Jesuits. Pictured above [l-r]: Fr. Bur, Morris, Braithwaite, Martinez, Fr. Feeney and Andy Lynch, Esq. ’85 (President of the Alumni Assoiciation).
MITCH ALBOM AT THE PREP Noted author Mitch Albom came to the Prep to read from his newest book Have a Little Faith. Albom’s visit, which was part of the Taggart Cultural Events Series, also included a stop at the Gesu School. Here he proudly displays a pretzel with mustard that he was presented by Chris Cannataro ’11, a member of the Forensics team.
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THE PREP NEWS
WINTER 2010
5
f e a t u r e s tory
Summer Service Trips Alabama
LAST SUMMER, THE CLASS OF 2010 PARTICIPATED IN 16 SERVICE TRIPS in places such as the Dominican Republic, New Mexico, Camden and New Orleans. Under the direction of Sam Deitch, Director of Ignatian Service, the service projects have become an integral part of a St. Joseph’s Prep experience. On the following pages, you will read reflections from the students who went on these trips. More reflections and photos are available online at www.sjprep.org/PrepNews. “At once.” The participants in the 2009 Gulf Coast Service Trip agree that this refrain calls to mind their collective spirit and work ethic. Any assigned task was to be carried out without complaint and with immediacy. I believe that I speak for Mr. Whelan, Mr. Donahue, and the other seven participants of this trip when I say that our time in Bayou La Batre, Alabama was a labor of love. It was shocking to learn that so much still needed to be done, especially since the devastation caused
by Hurricane Katrina seemed to be a relic of the distant past: tall weeds were hacked at with machetes, food was packaged, and an entire storage shed was reorganized. In the midst of this work, we developed amazing relationships with the locals. These people were not hesitant in immersing us – if only for a week – in their lives and, for that, we are grateful.
– Timothy Morris ’10
Having arrived at our destination in Bayou La Batre, we were bombarded with appreciation and love by our caretakers, Ms. Jenny, Ms. Lisa, and Ms. Courtney. They were all so thankful that we were there and yet we hadn’t even gotten to work. One of the most difficult tasks we faced was the Banks’s lawn. I had never seen grass and weeds so high before, it reached up to five feet. This task was so very daunting but the Banks, an old couple having lived in the same area their entire lives, were so grateful that we were there to cut their lawn and we knew we couldn’t let them down. This was perhaps one of the most rewarding tasks we had accomplished the entire week. The Banks had not seen their lawn that short in over a year and they could not stop thanking us. They called the rest of their family over, all of whom lived only a house or two away. Mr. and Mrs. Banks told us that now their grandchildren would be able to come over and play in the yard and have barbeques and picnics. They were so happy that it moved all of us and gave us confidence to take on any other tasks. Their appreciation was more of a reward than any money or gifts. We continued to help out the community to the best of our abilities. Our caretakers were so grateful but cried when we left which moved us to tears. I am hoping that whatever group follows in our footsteps will be able to accomplish and help out as much as we did.
– Chris Grande ’10
Buffalo
This past June, I was one of seven Prep seniors to take part in a service trip to Buffalo. There we worked with several local institutions—including Habitat for Humanity and the Response to Love Center—in aiding the many poor citizens in Buffalo, specifically on the impoverished East Side. The experience was moving in many different ways. No one on the trip outside of our chaperone, Mr. McGravey, had ever been to Buffalo or knew much about its economic struggles. The extreme levels of poverty were shocking and motivated us all to do what we could to help in some way. This trip, specifically the experiences we had working with the poor on the East Side, showed us all the meaningful value of Ignatian Service and the need to strive for social justice in the world around us daily.
– Matthew DiFerdinando ’10
When I initially told my family and friends that I was participating on a service trip to Buffalo, many gawked at me. I’ll admit, Buffalo definitely does not come to mind when one thinks about impoverish regions of the world. Yet what many people do not realize is that New York’s second largest city is also the third poorest large city in America with an estimated 28.7 percent of individuals living below the poverty line. We performed a variety of community service activities ranging from packing cargo trucks for the Nicaragua ministry of Buffalonian Ann Marie Zon, to serving at soup kitchens, cleaning up recently abandoned properties, and even “gutting” a house for Habitat for Humanity.
– Colin O’Neill ’10
In the summer of 2009, seven Preppers and two teachers traveled for a week-long summer service trip to Buffalo, participating in a diverse assortment of service projects stretched throughout the week. For instance, we helped re-paint a retreat house, we packed boxes full of clothes and necessities for poor Nicaraguan people, we cleaned up the yard and driveway of an abandoned house, and we worked with Habitat for Humanity in gutting an older house. The benefit of having all these different projects is that, from each experience, new and unique lessons and insights were gleaned. Overall, the Buffalo Summer Service Trip was an unbelievable experience – we were able to help others (and, thus help ourselves grow spiritually and mentally), while strengthening friendships with classmates.
– Mark Wisniewski ’10
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THE PREP NEWS
Chaparral
Spending a week on the border in 100° heat might not sound like fun. However, with the great group of guys we had, and the benevolence of both the town of Chaparral and the nuns who run the town, it was an absolutely amazing experience. Everyone on our trip agreed that it was one of the best experiences of our lives. Immigration seems like a distant issue in Philadelphia. Being right on the border, meeting a kind, family man who was unexpectedly deported the next day, leaving behind his wife and children, showed us just how relevant the issue of immigration actually was.
– Kevin Molyneux ‘10
My service trip to Chaparral, New Mexico was life changing on so many levels. I, along with the men on my trip, had the opportunity to experience life on the U.S. - Mexico border up close and personal. We had the opportunity to work with children of all ages in the town of Chaparral for a week, and were charged with helping at a summer camp as counselors. It was an amazing opportunity. Additionally, we had a unique chance to immerse ourselves in the immigration issue. We talked to immigration lawyers, people involved with refugee housing, and even families that have experienced deportations. I am truly a different man after Chaparral.
– Frank Rizzo ’10
Among the service trips, Habitat for Humanity is unusual because it is one of only two summer service projects that serves Philadelphia. Last June, we provided manual labor for the non-profit housing organization, spent hours in the schoolyard with Germantown neighborhood kids and an evening making dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, N.J. Like all service trips, this was an opportunity to ingest the experience of poverty first hand and digest, through reflection, the concept of social justice. This trip allowed us to peer into the problems of our own city – just blocks from the Prep. In five days work, we were essentially a little grease to the system: we hammered a few nails, glued up some drywall, and cleaned up for other workers. For a week, inner-city kids had some new playmates. For a night, kids at the Ronald McDonald House had someone to listen. But our greatest effect will be how we act based on the experiences we gained from this trip.
– Mike Iannacone ’10
WINTER 2010
Reflecting on my trip to Camden last summer, I can fondly remember the time spent with my fellow Prep brothers and the new friends I made with the men who served with us from St. Xavier in Ohio and Saint Louis University High School in Saint Louis. We stayed at the Oscar Romero Center in the heart of East Camden for one week in July. During our time there, we not only helped out the community through various service projects, but also learned about Camden’s history. We were taken on tours throughout the city and listened to speakers talk about Camden’s desperate situation and what we can do to help. So often we forget about Camden the people struggling to make a living there, even though it is only on the other side of the river.
Camden
– Bryan Bacskai ’10
Over the summer, I attended a week-long service trip with six of my classmates to Northwest Philadelphia, staying locally at the St. Vincent de Paul Center. During the day, we worked with Habitat for Humanity. Although there were many jobs, I worked as a painter all week. It was difficult to paint evenly without streaks, but I tried my best so the future occupants would have a beautiful home. At day’s end, we traveled home, showered and cooked dinner. After dinner, we played sports with the neighborhood kids, who really loved us and were tons of fun. Although initially reluctant to go, the experience proved to be incredibly powerful and moving. On the trip, I bonded with previously unknown classmates and became closer to God. Service becomes extremely rewarding, especially when you see the look on the faces of the people, whose lives we have changed forever.
– Chris Puccio ’10
Habitat 7
Dominican Republic It’s Tuesday. I hope for a starry night.
In Neyba, Dominican Republic, I am hammering wood planks, mixing cement, and shoveling dirt. I am drinking and refilling my water bottle. I am building homes for people who need them. It’s Wednesday. I hope for a starry night. Sweat drenches my face and my shoulders burn beet-red. I pass a cubeto of cement to the maestro, who pours it on a leveled dirt floor. I sit on a truck filled with madera being transported to the construction site. It’s Thursday. I hope for a starry night. The clavo sinks under the diving martillo. I enter a completed home. A woman speaks in soft Spanish to Ms. Baland. “Did you guys catch that?” Ms. Baland asks, turning to us. “Eleven people are going to live in this house.” Eleven. I can’t imagine eleven people living in the new cement home we built for them let alone the one-room branch hut they had previously. We made a difference in these people’s lives, but there is always work to be done. In the words of St. Ignatius, “Go forth and set the world ablaze!”
My service trip to the town of Neyba in the Dominican Republic opened my eyes to the truly insufferable living conditions that the majority of the world’s population faces on a daily basis. Many families must sleep on cold dirt floors, greatly increasing the likelihood of childhood diseases. Most children do not have clothing and much of the population does not have proper shoes to wear while they walk on unpaved streets filled with rocks, glass, and nails. Early in the trip, I was thinking about how my boots were not yet broken in and how blisters were beginning to form. I looked over to the Dominican child working with me and saw his bare feet. While his expression did not change as he stepped on rocks, glass, and nails, my mouth slowly opened as I came to appreciate the suffering that many throughout the world face. – Colin Kane ’10
It’s Friday. The stars are here.
– Nicholas Gatto ’10
In June, eight Prep students piled into a minivan with two faculty members on our way to Ivanhoe, Virginia, an Appalachian town suffering from severe economic drought. We participated in a wide variety of activities; among the most memorable were deep late-night reflections, clearing of brush from houses, and the dismantling of an old barn on Wayne’s farm. We developed special bonds with each other and left Ivanhoe as a single unit. We learned the value of true friendship- that it can be found in the most unexpected of placesand understood the reality of poverty. Poverty was no longer a mere statistic to be discussed in the comfort of a classroom. The lessons learned in Ivanhoe will stay with me for the rest of my life.
– Kevin Byrne ’10 8
Ivanhoe
Navajo
The heat. The isolation. The quiet. Individually, they could drive a person mad. But together they combine to create peace. In Tohatchi, New Mexico, our work was cut out for us. Weeding, wood chopping, building, and digging were only a few of our chores. But when the work was done, the things we did completely opened us spiritually, to say the least. The mass in the Hogan, the sweat with a Medicine man, and the hikes into the serene countryside. Rising early in the morning to greet the sun and the site of the spiritual Window Rock. The experiences that all of us went through without a doubt have changed us for the better. To live more simply, to give, to love. What we’ve taken away from this trip is not a material item. It is spiritual. It is the Navajo way.
– Chris O’Sullivan ’10
THE PREP NEWS
When I came back from my trip to the Dominican Republic, a lot of the people I talked to wanted to hear about all the hard work we had done and all the difference we had made in the community where we worked. While we did work hard and accomplish great things in the village of El Manguito, I would much rather talk about how this trip changed me personally. Going to school in North Philadelphia at a Jesuit high school, I thought I knew a lot about poverty, social justice and being a “Man for Others” but the first time I stepped foot in that village, I realized just how little I truly knew. The people of El Manguito had so little and yet wanted to share everything with us. What they lacked in material wealth they made up for with a glut of hard work, love and faith in God. Now that I am back at the Prep, I realize the impact that this trip has had on me. The changes are not groundbreaking, but they are noticeable. I am now more aware of social justice, committed to living simply and thankful for what I have been given. I have this trip to thank for that.
– Vince Tague ’10
Being in the Dominican Republic opened my eyes to the poverty that is in the world today. Before going, I had a vague awareness that there were people who didn’t have enough food or who didn’t have clothes to wear. But after a week there, seeing adults and children who did not even have the necessities they needed to retain their human dignity, I developed a much clearer understanding of poverty. Through building houses in Neyba, I witnessed the compassion of my fellow classmates, and the generosity exhibited by the townspeople, some of whom would stay to help construct the walls of a house, rather than go out to find work in order to feed their family. Meeting the children of Neyba enhanced my determination and allowed me to see God in the eyes of a child.
DR
– Dan Kurtz ’10
Maryland
ica a m a J There are two “parts” of Jamaica that exist. There is the well-known, tourist side of Jamaica that has beautiful beaches and many large hotels. Then, there is the side where eight Prep students spent a week this summer. In the mountainous region of Jamaica, where houses are built on poor foundations of sand and many people live in less than adequate conditions, it hadn’t rained for three weeks until we came. The experience I gained by going on the Jamaica service trip is invaluable. Staying at a mission in Above Rocks, we took on a variety of tasks: digging a trench to divert rain runoff, staying with students to play monopoly or teaching them, and re-painting a small school. There was nothing to forget, because of the kids who were fascinated and appreciative of us being there.
– Phil Sepulveda ’10
As we rode through the heart of the mountains outside Kingston in the back of a rickety pickup truck, we heard the excited screams of the children from the nearby school, “White people, white people!” During the week we did various types of work for the community: digging trenches in the soccer field, tutoring schoolchildren, and painting a schoolhouse. The work that we did was fulfilling, yes, but the connections we made were even more touching.
The trip down to the Benedictine Monastery in Ridgely, Maryland was supposed to be a two-hour van ride but of course there was a setback. The alternator of the van stopped working and we were stranded waiting for it to be fixed. The group began to build deep friendships during this time over a game of wiffleball and relaxing on the playground. This was a beginning of a great week. A lot of us went into the week not knowing what to expect. The Benedictine Sisters were very welcoming. All throughout, the group did various fun things with the children and young adults with several disabilities, including autism. Our group also helped out the beloved Elaine at The Barn, which is the thrift store on campus. This service trip was a great experience for all of us.
– Christopher Lezynski ’10
Throughout the week we made many friends. During their lunch, the students from the school would come and watch us paint, and play around the schoolhouse. To me, these kids are the reason the Prep offers service trips – so that they can have opportunities to learn and grow without being held back by poverty and injustice.
– Dylan Zdanavage ’10
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Eight Prep students crammed into one room in a small volunteer house in New Orleans for a full week, sharing one bathroom and a limited supply of food with many others. Perhaps it sounds less than appealing, but the week doing service in New Orleans was the highlight of my summer. The trip could not have been more fun or more eye-opening. As we stepped off the plane in New Orleans for the first time, a daunting wave of intense humidity hit our faces. In one second we knew we were in for some tough work. Would we really need those jeans they told us to pack?
New Orleans
Yet as the days passed and we worked through the various projects with an intense will, whether we were cutting down overgrown fields with machetes or going from house to house exchanging ordinary light bulbs with CFL bulbs which save money and the environment, the workload seemed nothing compared to what we were accomplishing. Not a day went by when someone would not tell us, “You’ll never understand how much we appreciate what you’re doing; all of you are heroes.” We realized the profound importance of service on that trip to New Orleans, and we will never forget it.
– Joe Madsen ’10
I was a member of the summer service trip to New Orleans, and I could not have been happier to have been a part of it. On this trip my classmates and I were part of many philanthropic service opportunities and had the chance to meet people whom we can all now call our friends. Many of the projects that our group completed were labor intensive, but I believe that it made us closer and gave us a more realistic view of what the people affected by Hurricane Katrina had to do in order to survive. A summer service trip is not simply a way to complete service hours for senior year, but rather an experience that will stay with you for a long time.
Ten of us – eight students and two adult leaders – headed to New Orleans. We, of course, had heard of the destruction and publicized dismissal of the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and we had seen the photographs and the news footage. We knew what happened, but in many ways we could not be prepared for what we encountered. We did not understand the history, the people of New Orleans, and what problems hid beneath the first glance – a cruel disregard for this city and its residents, and apathy toward them. We did not understand how demolished the city remained. But we learned. We heard the residents’ stories, we saw the damage, we helped care for the residents, we discovered the importance of the city, and that we should continue to help those in need.
– Charles Blyzniuk ’10
– Dennis Walsh ’10
Going on the Quaker City service trip was an incredible experience. Although we never actually left Philadelphia, I saw many aspects of the city which I had never seen before. Unlike other service groups, we worked for a different organization every day. We stacked hangers, painted ceilings, cleared alleys, supervised games, sorted clothes, served lunches, and always managed to play games with the local children after dusk. And along the way we met so many different characters: a recovering addict who served his neighborhood by rebuilding homes, a group of homeless men training to obtain careers who took time to work for their fellow men, and the staff of a summer program for local children. It was a period of great insight and discovery, as well as a lot of fun.
– Stephen Gliatto ‘10
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Quaker City
The Quaker City Summer Service Trip took place at a variety of sites around the Germantown area of Philadelphia. Throughout the trip, we dealt with so many unique groups of people and yet one thing remained constant — the building of community. With mentally challenged adults, the infirmed and elderly in a nursing home, the single mothers in formerly destitute conditions, the children in the lower economic brackets, and others, we built up the community and I’m happy to say that our group was an integral part of the foundation. Another buzzword from the trip was variety. So many different people and places made for a great amount of unique experiences throughout the week. We learned and grew through these experiences not only on a personal and individual level, but on a group level as well.
– Charles Gress ‘10
THE PREP NEWS
I was lucky enough to travel to Rural Retreat, Va., which is nestled within the Appalachian Mountains and is one of the poorest regions of the country. One portion of our team painted a part of a vocational school in the area. My group assisted a social service organization in cleaning up the homes of infirm or sick people. Many times we did not see them and they did not see us but our presence was definitely felt. We cut and weeded their lawns while we also cleared their porches of refuse and garbage, which allowed them to finally get out of their front doors and reach their overflowing mail boxes. That is the small difference that we made in their lives and that is the reason that I enjoyed the trip so much. -Matthew Chung ’10
Rural Retreat As I prepared to embark on my summer service trip to Rural Retreat, Virginia (yes, that is the actual name of the town) I quickly became overwhelmed by feelings of doubt and reluctance. I was very well aware that Virginia in the summer was not exactly ideal; places like New Orleans and Alabama seemed like much more desirable places to be. Nevertheless, after just the first few days of soaking in the aesthetic beauty of this vast and seemingly lonely and abandoned town sitting sloppily in the midst of the Appalachian Mountains, I knew it was going to be an unforgettable experience. Upon our arrival, the Hall Family (our hosts) directed us to different work sites where we painted decks and did yard work. However, as the week wound down, I realized that our friendship and awareness gave them much more aid than the work we performed. Our physical presence makes the most difference by giving them hope. The more time I spent with them, the more I realized that in many ways they live much more fulfilling lives than most of us. Family is cherished and sacrosanct in this close knit community. This showed me that happiness and togetherness are most important. -Sean D’Eramo ’10
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CHRIS O’SULLIVAN ’10 What began as a social activity in the fourth grade has become a serious passion for Prep senior Chris O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan, who grew up surrounded by running and cross country, has emerged as one of the best runners in Prep history and was the school’s first district champion last fall.
Chung [2nd from left] and O’Sullivan [2nd from right] with teammates after Southern Division Champs
Chris has been running since he was in fourth grade when he began the sport as an opportunity to hang with his friends, though he admits that he did not begin to take it seriously until high school. Chris attributes much of his running success to the fact that he grew up around the sport with his father as a coach at Villanova, which is renowned for its running program. Chris was constantly going on trips to national meets, observing running techniques at the college level and getting inside tips from some of the best runners at their level. He says that he was particularly impressed by two of his father’s athletes, Adrian Blincoe and Bobby Curtis, noting his personal relationship with the two, who are now both professional athletes. “I sometimes go on runs with them and talk to them,” says Chris. “It’s good because I get cool tips.” The big secret to his success, according to O’Sullivan is “just relaxing,” he says. “Sometimes people just get too intense. Just because you run 100 miles in a week doesn’t make you a better runner. You just have to relax and have patience. Patience is a big thing.” Chris says that he also learned a lot while running at the Prep. That’s where he found structure, especially mentally, which he also feels is an important aspect to the success of a runner. He has also learned to work with the time that is given to him to complete his necessary tasks. This has helped Chris learn how to create a routine, an important aspect to his focus while running in competitions. But Chris’ Prep experience has been much more than being a successful runner. He was attracted to the school’s academic aspects and many of Chris’s teachers have greatly impacted him and his performance both in and outside of the classroom. In particular, Ms. Susie Cook’s teaching style has left a lasting impression on this outstanding Prep athlete. “Ms. Cook got me really into English. She opened doors for me,” says Chris. “Her class was amazing.” In addition to his class work and his running routine, the Prep also taught him the value of service. Chris recently took a trip to New Mexico over the summer for a weeklong service immersion experience. There he and his classmates worked tending a vegetable patch, weeding, building a greenhouse and working in a thrift store. Despite the hard work that he and his Prep brothers put in, Chris feels that he gained much more from the spiritual aspect of the trip than he did from the physical labor. “We did this thing called a “sweat,” he recalls. “They put you in a hogan and they put rocks in it and pour water on them. It gets up to about 120 degrees and the whole time you’re doing religious ceremonies. It really made me reflect on life. That’s probably the reason I started relaxing and enjoying sports for what they’re worth. That trip affected my running tremendously. I learned how to be peaceful and develop inner peace.” As a devout Catholic, Chris’ faith has helped him to build a consciousness inside of himself so that he is always aware of trying to do the right thing. “It guides me to become my best,” says Chris. He says that attending the Prep has only helped him to further his strength in his faith and see him through his day-to-day. It is the very presence of religion at the Prep that guides Chris through his studies as well as his athletics. He recalls always being surrounded by religious symbols as he walked through the halls and feeling the presence of that very faith which has guided him to so much success. Chris will begin his first year at college next year with the aspirations of a businessman but he will fondly remember the heavy bonds that he created at the Prep. “The relationships I developed with my classmates and the teachers will be missed.” -Teresa Barone
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THE PREP NEWS
MATTHEW CHUNG ’10 Matthew Chung searched far and wide to find the perfect high school; when he came to the Prep, he felt a sense of brotherhood that he did not feel elsewhere. After spending 10 years in a tight-knit Quaker grade school, Matt was in search of the potential to create the kind of lasting bonds as he did at his former school. The obvious sense of community that he felt immediately upon entering the Prep sealed his fate for the next four years. However, when Matt began attending the Prep he found it to be much more difficult than he anticipated. “It’s really hard work. That I didn’t know. I like the brotherhood stuff and all that but I didn’t know how hard it was going to be.” Though academics were a struggle at first, Matt knows it was to his benefit. A large part of Matt’s experience at the Prep has not taken place inside of the physical plant at 17th and Girard. Rather, Matt has gained many of his most important learning experiences from the service he has done through the Prep. Matt’s first long-term experience with service came during his sophomore year when he participated in the Justiceworx Service Trip. He traveled to Trenton along with several other students helping with several things around the community ranging from watching after young children whose parents couldn’t afford daycare to simply putting a smile on the face of one of the many residents in the nursing home the group often went to. This trip was just the beginning for Matt as he learned that kindness has no barriers, despite social, economical or geographic differences. This past summer Matt participated in a week-long service immersion program in Rural Retreat, Va., a littleknown, extremely poor region of the country. Matt spent the time doing small, remedial tasks such as taking out trash, cleaning up yards and just doing general upkeep on the homes of those who cannot care for them anymore. Matt took an especially important lesson away from this trip: one small act can make a difference in someone’s life. He recalls one particular house that he visited, owned by a woman named Mrs. Eschelman. The grass was so overgrown in her yard and the trash so piled up on her porch that she could not even make it out to her mailbox to get her mail. But Matt and his group worked all day to get the yard into functional shape. “As we were driving away she actually came out onto her porch and sat down and was able to look out on the world. That was a good scene. That made the day worth it,” he says, smiling at the memory. Most recently, Matt got the opportunity to lead the Kairos CIX for his fellow seniors. Though he says he could go on for hours raving about the wonders of a Kairos, when asked to describe the retreat he simply replies, “it’s a secret,” with a passionate twinkle in his eyes. “It’s a different experience for everyone. I could tell you about my Kairos experience but then if you ask another person it would be different. It depends on who your leaders are on the trip and the different groups of kids and their stories.” Matt explains that much of the learning experience during Kairos comes from sharing stories with others, listening to each other’s struggles and understanding that you are not alone. As a leader Matt helped his peers to experience the retreat as it was intended and assure that they were enjoying themselves. Most importantly, he tried to be a good listener. It is a mutual respect that is gained through listening to one another which he finds so important. Though Matt may refuse to disclose any specifics about the Kairos Retreat, he can say one thing with certainty, “Everyone should go on Kairos at least once in their lives. It’s an incredible experience.” -Teresa Barone
Chung [far left] with his group during Kairos CIX
WINTER 2010
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hawktion
is always a “great night” but, more importantly, it supports a great cause.
hawktion hawktion presents
The proceeds from and
…
events go towards
supporting the more than $2 million given in financial aid each year.
HAWKTION ONLINE Online bidding is an opportunity to participate in
hawktion
without leaving the comfort of your home.
Bid online for Prep items, incredible travel opportunities and tickets to exclusive sporting events. Visit: http://hawktion.sjprep.org to check out our online items. Bidding runs from February 22 until April 23.
HAWKTION PRESENTS… This year, we are hosting several events leading up to
hawktion
. These events will bring the community together and
help raise money that will go to add to the total raised at Hawktion. Already this year, events have included a shopping extravaganza, a men’s night out and a comedy night. Here are the upcoming
hawktion presents
…
hawktion presents
… events:
Prep Night at the 76ers, Friday, March 5 Prep Night at the Phillies, Friday, May 7 (Phillies vs. Braves) Prep 5k Run, October 9 or 10
Information on these events can be found at
WIN $20,000 Purchase a raffle tickets for the chance to win $20,000 (you need not be present to win). Only 974 tickets will be sold, that’s one for each student enrolled at the Prep this year. Raffle tickets are available online at http://hawktion.sjprep.org.
p.org e r p j s . ktion w a h / / : p htt
hawktion 2010 tonight’s gonna be a good night
Be there for
16
on April 24 as
THE PREP NEWS
[1] Tom McKeon ’50, his wife Madeleine, Prep President Rev. George Bur, S.J. ’59 and Ed McKeon ’47 [2] Rosemary and Mike Robinson ’50 [3] Prep parents [l-r] former Chairman of the Board Tony Iannacone ’70, his wife Ann, Cindy and Bill Sharp ’77 [4] Peter Clearkin ’80 listens to the program, which included talks from Fr. Bur, John Paul ’66 (Co-Chair, Campaign for the Prep ) and Al Zimmerman ’73 (Director of Development)
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PRESIDENT’S CLUB DINNER
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[5] Steve Fera ’82 [far left] and his wife Simone [far right] with Jim Molinari ’82 and his wife Abby [6] Joe Meehan ’82, John Paul ’66 (Co-Chair, Campaign for the Prep), John Meehan ’66 and Fran Murphy ’66 [7] Fr. Bur shakes hands with Glenn Bernius, a consultant from CCS which assisted with the Campaign for the Prep. Looking on is Bo Rice, Vice President and Managing Director at CCS
UPDATE We are halfway through the 2009-10 Prep Fund campaign and are seeing higher donation totals thus far. We are most grateful to the Prep family (alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends) who have continued giving in challenging economic times. In many cases, donors have raised their gift to help us match our increasing needs, especially in the area of financial aid. Each fall, the Prep hosts a reception and dinner for those who give a gift to the Prep Fund in the amount of $2,500 or more, which qualifies them for inclusion in our President’s Club. This year, we also held a series of regional gatherings to acknowledge existing and potential Crimson and Gray donors ($1,000 to $2,499). We are grateful to Effie and Christian Lucarini ’90 (Huntington Valley), Suzanne and Leo Carlin ’81 (Overbrook CC) and Melissa and Lynn McGrath (South Jersey) for hosting these events. Our fall phonathons were extremely successful with many classes represented, plus parents of current students and alumni. Additional phonathons are planned for the winter and spring in order to include classes that were missed in the fall. If you are interested in helping our winter/spring phonathon efforts, please contact me (215-978-1016) to find out how you can help. — Ceal Biello — Director, The Prep Fund
SUMMER 2009
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f r o m t he a r c hi v e
1912
JESUIT HALL
18th and Thompson Streets Jesuit Residence, 1912 – 1980 Renovated 2007 – 2008 Rededicated on February 28, 2009
1921
Rev. Charles Connor, S.J.
1926 The Prep’s first crew team
1927 The Class of 1925 reunites at the Adelphia Hotel.
1925-26 Freshman Class 1929A with Mr. James Redmond, S.J. In this photo is Charles D. Morris ’29 (standing at far right with check mark), father of Prep basketball coach William “Speedy” Morris, who donated the photo.
These photos are some of many housed in the Prep’s new archive center, which is managed by history teacher Bill Conners ’80. If you have any Prep photos, memorabilia or other items (pennants, yearbooks, pins, etc.), contact him at wconners@sjprep.org.
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c l a s s not e s
1930s Robert Stets '34, who is still enjoying life in Waterboro, S.C., reports that two of his great-granddaughters are now married. Rev. Joseph Monaghan, S.J. '39 is celebrating his 70th Jubilee as a Jesuit this year. He is currently assigned as chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia. Rev. Terrence Toland, S.J. '39 is celebrating his 70th Jubilee as a Jesuit this year. He is currently assigned to pastoral ministry at Old St. Joseph Parish in Philadelphia.
1940s Francis Buchy '40, one of the famous "Four Bs" who wreaked havoc on football opponents in the late 1930s, tells us in a recent letter that he still is going strong, despite being "sidelined" a bit by two strokes. Rev. Daniel Donovan, C.M. '40 is celebrating his 60th Jubilee as a priest this year. He is assigned to general ministry at St. Vincent's Seminar in Philadelphia. Nicholas Carroll '41, a human rights advocate, recently returned from Hondoras where he was on a fact-finding trip to expose the conditions that Hondurans face.
Rev. Bernard McIlhenny, S.J. '43, also known as "Father Mac," was honored by the University of Scranton last fall as the university dedicated a ballroom in his honor. "Father Mac" was Headmaster of Scranton Prep from 1958 to 1966 and Dean of Admissions at the University from 1966 to 1997. He is currently Dean of Admissions Emeritus at the University and the Minister of the Jesuit Community on campus. The McIlhenny Ballroom is a multipurpose room which is used for assemblies, masses, meetings, weddings and much more.
William Kline '55 was recently appointed Chairman of the Portsmouth (Va.) Redevelopment and Housing Authority. He and his wife Sue live in Portsmouth. Joe Corr ’58, Frank Kearney ’58, Tom Prior ’58 and Joe Sosnowski ’58 enjoyed getting together at the Philadelphia Cricket Club for a round of golf this past summer. [below]
William Hemp '46, who is an artist and writer, has illustrated and published a four-color poster depicting in detail his home town of Point Lookout, N.Y., which was founded as a whaling station, circa 1700's on Long Island. Bill and his wife Maggie will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2010. Rev. Joseph Alminde, S.J. '49 is celebrating his 60th Jubilee as a Jesuit this year. He is assigned to ministry at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
1950s A. William Csink '51, who lives in beautiful Ventura, Calif., is a member of the Ventura Yacht Club and a volunteer at Channel Islands National Park. E. Kane Casani '53 sold his house in California and is now residing in Hawaii and the Dominican Republic.
Rev. George Bur, S.J. '59, President of the Prep, is celebrating his 50th Jubilee as a Jesuit this year. Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach '59, former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed to the Center for Health Transformation (CHT) as a Senior Advisor.
The Prep 50TH Reunion Members of the Prep's 1959 crew team spent part of their 50th Reunion weekend on the river. Here they pose outside of the Gillen Boathouse.
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c l a s s not e s
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1960s Dr. Joseph A. Dieterle '61 recently stepped down after 16 years as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, N.J. He remains Professor of Pediatrics at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he was formerly Chairman of the Pediatrics Department as well as Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of the Medical School. He remains a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee. Presently, he practices Pediatrics with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at the Jersey shore. Michael Higgins '62, who has been Past President of Aronimink Golf Club for the last three years, will be the Chairman of the AT&T-PGA Tournament which will be played at Aronimink in 2010 and 2011.
J. Michael Farrell ’70 court in the Roper and Atkins cases—meaning that Terry’s execution would have been barred. Plus, Farrell “was successful in keeping Terry alive for seven years.”
A
S A YOUNG BOY,
FARRELL
MICHAEL
SPENT FRIDAY NIGHTS
WITH HIS DAD.
IN
SOUTH
ARDMORE, IN AND ABOVE HIS
PARENTS’ TAP ROOM, THEY WATCHED
THE GILLETTE FIGHTS. They would watch a fighter, usually white and Irish, step into the ring and bless himself. “Well Mickey, that’s all well and good, he’s crossing himself,” the elder Farrell, born in Ireland, would say. “But he better be able to punch.” When Farrell, now 57, tells me this, he laughs.
Dr. Henry Bender '63 was in Rome teaching this past summer and ran into several Preppers, including Jason Schwartz '99, John Colussi '04 and Michael Washlick '98, seen in the photo above in front of St. Peter's. Robert Wombwell '63 currently is the Director of Institutional Advancement at St. Hubert's High School in Philadelphia and is the principal of The Roberts Organization, a consulting firm for non-profit organizations. He recently obtained the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation, one of only 5,400 awarded worldwide. Bob and his wife Mary reside in the Penn’s Landing section of Philadelphia. Dr. William Fenerty '64 retired from Family Practice in July after 35 years of practicing medicine and looks forward to being with his family and sailing. Kenneth Kryst '64 is the Budget Coordinator for The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia. Robert Madden '64 has been named head coach of men's crew at Groton (Mass.) School, He has guided crews to five titles at the NEIRA Regatta in the last five years. Bob was at Henley in 2000 when the Prep bested Groton in the Grand Final of the Princess Elizabeth Cup. In 2006, he retired from General Electric's Aircraft Engine Business after a 37 year career in manufacturing. Charles Gallagher '65 and his wife Fran received the Mother Patricia Waldron Award at Waldron Mercy Academy's 16th annual Golf and Tennis Classic at Llanerch Country Club in September. The award is given "for faithful service to others in the spirit of mercy with compassionate dedication and devotion to the Waldron community." James Higgins '65 and Bob Rachor '65 recently enjoyed their 40th reunion from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
He does not laugh when he talks about loss. The 1970 Prep grad has done death penalty work for over 30 years now and vehemently opposes capital punishment. “I lose cases,” he says as he drives on the Northeast Extension after morning court in Stroudsburg (this morning’s case involved a double homicide, and a life verdict for his client). “I lost to life in prison without parole a young boy I loved.” The sound of the highway can be heard on the phone. When the elder Farrell passed away, the young son had not yet stepped into seventh grade. Soon he would step into the Prep and then into West Point, choosing, in the the American turmoil of 1969, to defend his country. There, his high-school sweetheart, Meg, became pregnant with their first child. They married, and because the Academy rules prohibited student marriage and other universities sought his football skills, the young couple moved to the University of South Carolina. Farrell was a new father, a new husband – and for the next four years a tough, gritty wide receiver for the Gamecocks. Down the road, he became a young attorney and assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, just out of Georgetown Law. That’s when he would step into the ring for the young boy named James Terry Roach. Roach was 17. Farrell fought. And fought. And fought. He argued unsuccessfully to the U.S. Supreme Court that at the time of the crime, the 8th Amendment barred juveniles and the mentally retarded from being executed (Roach had pleaded guilty to a double homicide on the accomplice liability theory that “the hand of one is the hand of all”). A majority of the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Farrell’s argument three times. On January 10, 1986, Terry Roach died in the electric chair. Within the last four years, both of Farrell’s arguments have been accepted by a majority of the U.S. Supreme
In some ways, Farrell’s life resembles, well, a Gillette fight. Even over the phone, it’s like he’s fighting for something – fighting, perhaps, to help his listener get the point: “I represent persons, not ideas. I represent a person accused of crimes. I don’t represent ideas like right and wrong, truth or justice, law or order. I just represent Brian, Greg, Tim, Tyrone. People. In 1969, I chose west point to defend my country, today and everyday I draw breath, I will still choose to defend my country but now, one person at a time. You get my point? “We have a tremendous crisis in America. We’ve lost our identity of having a moral purpose in the world to elevate the individual above all other things. We have lost our forgiveness. We elevate punishment over forgiveness. You just can’t teach it’s wrong to kill by killing.” There was this one time Farrell was full of trash. It was 1967. Legendary teacher Nick Kueny had just handed back Farrell’s first math test – a 99%. But there’s no other mark on it, the freshman said to himself. Why didn’t I get a hundred? “Nick (Kueny) was going through the questions that posed difficulty for the class, and I – very early after looking over the test – put my hand up. He ignored me for three quarters of the class. Then it was ‘Farrell, come up here, and stand in this trash can and face the wall. That’ll be your seat until I tell you otherwise.’ He never spoke of it. He never told me why. “But over the next two weeks, he taught me an immense lesson. Who the hell am I? When there are a lot more important things going on with my classmates, I better get my head on straight.” He then offers a math lesson of his own. “Over the last 15 years, One person almost every 30 days who is later scientifically proven by biological DNA evidence to be actually innocent are wrongfully convicted by an American jury. Eighty-five percent – almost 9/10 – of those wrongfully convicted allegedly confessioned, allegedly admitting to doing things they didn’t do to avoid the death penalty,” over 50 percent of Illinois’ death row was wrongfully convicted. Philadelphia has more persons on death row than any city in America. Farrell, whose voice is gruff and kind and urgent, has his adversaries. We could go down that road, about how Farrell and proponents of the death penalty – Prep men like former Philadelphia assistant district attorney Charlie Gallagher – fight intense fights about capital punishment, about justice. Certainly, this story could be about how others respond to him: they think that he’s wrong, that he’s too intense, that he’s stubborn, or brilliant, or loquacious, or heroic. But this morning, Mike Farrell isn’t under those lights.
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0 “Far away from witnesses,” Muhammad Ali once said, the fight is won or lost “behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road.” And so, Farrell continues to share his road. “Everyday I question what I do. After they have convicted my client and rejected my version of the truth, now I have to stand up again, and that takes immense mental toughness. Like any great job, it’s a job that’s bigger than any one of us. So, what I do requires humility – because no matter how hard you work, you’re always going to be a day late, a dollar short. You have to be humble enough to risk rejection in sharing with the jurors and judges the gifts of your conviction. Because sometimes,” he pauses, “they’re not interested in your gifts.” It seems that Kueny – who Farrell calls “the greatest man of service,” “an icon,” and “one of the best human lives” he has “ever gotten the chance to observe” – taught him well. Who the hell am I? “The Prep is the best thing that happened to me. There’s no better place in the world. The idea of the magis – of the greater – is to be faster, stronger, brighter. It constantly pushes the edges of the envelope of your limits. But the Prep also teaches that the greater isn’t for you or your self aggrandizement. It’s for others first, for God. The Prep taught me that the pursuit of the magis could be done humbly.” When he fights for those society wants to discard, he says that it’s tough to find joy. When others knock your truth down, what do you do? Sometimes, you remember to cross yourself. This part of Farrell’s Gillette fight happens often at the Saint Joseph’s University Carriage House where, three Saturday mornings a month, Farrell meets with former Prep President Bill Byron ’45 and 20 other men, whom Farrell says connect “by being alone, but being alone together.” Through Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, the pugilistic attorney wants to improve his ability to pray. He wants to enhance his spiritual life. He wants guidance in “a period of darkness that continues.” Farrell calls these mornings the “highlight of this recent life.” Also a highlight is his teaching this year at San Miguel, Camden’s Nativity school. For 45 minutes, Mike Farrell teaches what Abe Lincoln called “the religion of America” – the law – to SAN. Miguel’s 6th, 7th and 8th-grade boys. “We’re doing the best we can,” Farrell says. “We’re showing up.” I hear the highway again. Farrell and Meg, had two daughters – Kristin and Meggin – before they amicably divorced. In his 26 years of marriage to Sharon, he has had four boys – all Prep grads. The family also adopted a girl, Lindsey, now 11, from China. He has three grandchildren. Farrell has traveled a long way since those Friday nights in Ardmore with his dad. Today, he has a ways to go before he reaches his Philadelphia office, then home to Wenonah. But it is his quest for justice that seems to be his toughest journey, one that he meets head on every day. The road is a constant reminder of that journey. – Susie Cook
WINTER 2010
Cdr. John Perkner, DO, MSPH '69 [left] is the Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Program for Federal Occupational Health (FOH), a service agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He was recently awarded the Corporate Health Achievement Exemplary Practice Citation by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Kevin Morris '76, a teacher of Biblical Studies, has written a new novel titled Alpha & Omega – The Beginning, a powerful and fantastic action-thriller “that weaves nonstop action with prophetic apocalyptic events to produce a can't put it down 'till I'm finished this chapter page turner.” The sequel, Alpha & Omega – and The End, should be available in Spring 2010. Radm. Gerard Hueber '77 is currently serving as the executive assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, N8, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC. William Leonard, Esq. '77, a partner with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, LLP, has been named by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Pennsylvania for 2009. Bill received this distinction in 2004, 2007 and 2008 as well. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to this list.
1970s John Fallon '71, who has worked in law enforcement for 38 years, is a county detective in the investigative branch of the Montgomery County District Attorney's office and an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Gwynedd-Mercy College. He and his wife Nancy live in Havertown and have five grandchildren. Christopher Lange '72 won the 99th Walter J. Travis Invitational, a prestigious amateur golf tournament, by birdying the final two holes. John Blake '74 is a Captain for Continental Airlines. He and his wife, Maureen, have three children: Joseph '09, Sarah ’11 (MMA) and John '13. James DeGeus '74 is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Instructional Technology at Widener University. Rocco Gaudio '74, who has worked over 30 years for the federal government, is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for grants at the Corporation for National and Community Services, a federal agency supporting volunteerism nationwide. Charles Migeot '74 wrote and published a book, The Talk: An American Father's Observations and Opinions on This and That, a 300-plus page commentary on society's perspectives on politics, religion and sex. He also bought a publishing company with titles in various genres, especially criminal justice, and acquired a public adjuster’s license to protect property owners in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. William Smith '74 works in Airport Operations at the Philadelphia International Airport, a job he has held for over 30 years. He has managed the airfield for the last four years and will be retiring in the next year and a half. After retiring, he hopes to work in airport design and construction. He and his wife Kathy live in Philadelphia and have two grown sons. Msgr. Paul DiGirolamo '75, pastor of Old St. Mary Church in Philadelphia, has had the pleasure to host Prep family weddings at the historic church, the first cathedral of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Rev. Joseph Cocucci '76 has been appointed to a third three-year term as Director of Priestly and Religious Vocations for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. This is in addition to his work as Director of Seminarians and Director of Newly Ordained Priests for that Diocese. Fr. Cocucci also continues to serve as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter and as co-chair of the Diocese's Year for Priests.
Carmen Vona '77 and his wife own and operate Carmana Designs, Ltd., a cabinetmaking facility with a full-service mill shop. The company—which designs, fabricates, finishes and installs high-end custom cabinetry and millwork—has been featured in numerous magazines, including Philadelphia Magazine, Design New Jersey, and Kitchen and Bath Design News. Carmen has been winning design contests for the past 10 years, including Best Kitchen of the Year from Custom Cabinetmaking Business and Best Custom Cabinets from VeneerTech. Carmana Designs, Ltd. is located in South Philadelphia. Capt. Charles Sitarski '78 retired in July after more than 26 years of service in the Navy. Stephen Keeler '79 is head of the Document Management Division of MRO Corp. in King of Prussia and has two sons who are Prep graduates and two sons who are current Preppers. James McHugh, Esq. '79 is a Trial Attorney with the Federal Public Defender's office in Philadelphia.
1980s Fred Santarelli, Esq. '80 is happy to announce that his wife Letty coached the Comets AAU girls basketball team to the National Championship Sweet 16 in Disney's Wide World of Sports this past summer. Daughter Alexis (11) plays for the team. Maj. James Leydon '81 has been a registered nurse for over 20 years and a flight nurse with the Delaware Air National Guard for 15 years. He served as the Chief of Aeromedical Evacuation Operations for the Air National Guard from November 2003 to February 2007 after returning from duty in Afghanistan and Japan post September 11. He currently works as a contractor in Modernization Directorate of the Air Force Medical Service, where he is a subject matter expert in training and military staff development. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Souther, Md., and have three children. Thomas Burgoyne '83, AKA "The Philly Phanatic," was voted "Beloved Philadelphian" in Philadelphia Magazine's annual "Best of Philly" issue. Matthew Gutt '84 is employed as an in-house Labor and Employment attorney for Exelon Corporation. He and his wife Louise live in Narberth with their seven year old twins, Christopher and Olivia.
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Michael Perretta '88 is officially an "Ironman" after completing a competition in Lake Placid, NY in July. He and his wife, Marianne, live in Montville, NJ with their three children, Kelsey, Ryan and Brendan. Andrew Baratta '89 tells us that, since he became a dad in 2006, nothing he has ever done or ever will do will be more important or make him happier than that. He and his wife Noelle live in Phoenixville with their two children, son Deacon and daughter Kayden.
Bruce Marcolongo '83, Greg Pesot '83 and Paul Ravelli '83 participated in the Stone Harbor Triathlon this past summer. Paul's younger brother, Stephen '86, who also participated in the Triathlon, took the above picture. [l–r] Pesot, Ravelli and Marcolongo Patrick McAleer '84 graduated last spring with a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Widener University. He is currently Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Pitman, NJ public schools.
Antony Braithwaite '89, Director of the Cape and Sword Drama Society, starred in 1812 Production's “Let's Pretend We're Married” at The Independence Foundation Black Box at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia which featured original material as well as classic cuts from Burns and Allen to The Bickersons. Tony also starred in a one-man show, "Fully Committed" at the Montgomery Playhouse in early summer. This devastatingly funny play follows a day in the life of Sam, an out-of-work actor who mans the red hot reservation line at Manhattan's number one restaurant. This brilliantly acted tour de force has forty wildly diverse characters played by a single versatile performer. In the fall, Tony starred in "Boeing, Boeing", a madcap comedy, at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler. Joseph Frattone, Esq. '89 has been recognized by his peers, the publishers of Philadelphia Magazine and the Pennsylvania edition of Super Lawyers magazine as a "Rising Star." This honor goes to the top 2.5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania who are 40 years or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. He specializes in worker's compensation. He and his wife and their three children reside in Gilbertsville.
Sean Lyons '93 recently joined the Philadelphia-based real estate firm Binswanger International. Sean was recruited and hired to help run the company's Chicago office. Prior to joining Binswanger, Sean was a commercial real estate broker with Marcus & Millichap. Michael Cellucci '94 owns and operates the Cellucci Foran Insurance Agency in Springfield which specializes in auto, home and business insurance. He and his wife, Dana, live in Chadds Ford with their two children, Chase and Kayla. Gerald Donlon '94 is employed at SEPTA on the Regional Rail lines as a conductor and recently entered the Locomotive Engineering program. His free time is spent with his family and raising his three year old daughter, Madeline. Sean Glynn '94 is the owner/manager of Gigi's Restaurant and Lounge in Old City Philadelphia. His restaurant features International cuisine and tapas for lunch and dinner and includes a private outdoor terrace for "al fresco" dining. Laurence Jones '94 is an associate at a high profile environmental design consulting firm. He and his wife, Danielle, and their two children live in Wallingford, Ct. Joseph Kiely '94 is employed at his father's firm, Thomas Kiely Public Accounting. He and his wife, Melissa, live in Paoli with their two children, Nathaniel and Zoey.
Charles Henneberry '89 teaches history at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore. He and his new bride, Alexia, live in Wilmington, DE.
Tim Winters, Bill Winters '85, Matt Swanick '85, Kevin Rawlins '85, Tom Kane '85 and Vince Wallace '86 gathered at a recent Golf Outing. [l–r]
Lt. Col. Albert Lagore '86 was recently assigned as the Executive Officer of the Naval ROTC Unit at Marquette University, his alma mater. Brendan Dougherty '87 has formed his own company, AccuBill Profit & Recovery, LLC located in Drexel Hill. He and his wife, Missy, live in Havertown with their two children, Brendan and Molly. Stephen Posivak '87 recently completed a three-year assignment as a public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger, where he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Nigerien Ministry of Communication for his efforts to professionalize local media. Stephen is now serving as the senior Brazil desk officer for economic and commercial affairs at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC. Lt. Col. Jude Carey '88, who is a Global Business Consultant with IBM, was promoted to Lt. Col. in the United States Marine Corps in November 2008. He and his wife, Christine, and their two children, Miriam and Jude, live in Cary, NC. Dr. Joseph Murphy '88 and his wife Amy live in Glenside with their three children, Kate, Anna and Joseph. He is currently an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Abington Hospital and recently delivered Gabriella Keshishian, daughter of Hagop (Jack) Keshishian '90.
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John Master '89 has started a sports consulting and finance business. Prior to this new venture, he was employed with the Arena Football League for seven years. He and his wife, Beth, and their two daughters live in Haddonfield, N.J. Frank Sciolla '89 is in his 15th year as an English teacher and Head Basketball Coach at Pennsbury High School. He's also spent time as a columnist for the Bucks County Courier Times. He and his wife Amanda live in Fairless Hills with their two children, Ava and Dante. Dr. Jon Slaughter '89 recently founded a company, Creative Living Psychiatry, LLC, comprised of his integrative psychiatry practice and creative endeavors. Mark Sullivan, Esq. '89 and his wife, Michelle, live in Moorestown, N.J. with their three daughters, Julia, Laura and Sophia.
1990s Edmund DeHoratius '91, who has already published a Latin workbook and a textbook, has written Wrath of Achilles, a Follow-Your-Fate adventure. Dr. Joseph Cavallaro '92 has been selected by South Jersey Magazine as a "Top Physician" in Family Medicine for 2009. His practice is in Sewell, NJ. Matthew Smith '92, former Stage Crew chief, is working in San Francisco on designs for a new international airport for Doha, Qatar.
C. Robert Lange '94 [above], the former Assistant Director of Football Media Services for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been named the Director of Football Relations for the San Francisco 49ers. Lange is responsible for directing the club's football public relations efforts and serves as a liaison with the local and national media. John Wisniewski '94 recently established a waste and recycling consulting company, "Empire Waste Brokers,” based in New York City. He and his wife Nancy, and their children Colin and Jack, live in Yardley. Brian Connell '95 is completing his second album of original songs, "Awake to the Terror,” which was released online. Brian, an English teacher at Athens Academy in Georgia, introduced the Kairos Retreat to the school in 2005 and recently directed Kairos VII. Robert Gerhardt '95 had seven of his photographs from the series "The Straphangers: 20,000 Moments Under Lexington Avenue" included in a group exhibition "American Race" at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. Robert McElhenney '95 is the creator, producer and star of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” which was voted "Best Philly Set TV Show" in Philadelphia Magazine's annual "Best of Philly" issue. Dr. Robert Olszewski '96 graduated from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in May and is presently doing an internship at Reading Hospital in West Reading. Upon completion of his internship, he will do 3 years of residency at Jefferson concentrating on anesthesia.
THE PREP NEWS
c l a s s not e s Patrick McKenna '97, CEO of DMI Partners, received top honors from the Philadelphia Business Journal when he was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 local young executives. In addition, McKenna was also named a finalist in the Executive of the Year category of the 2009 American Business Awards for his leadership and ability to grow his young company exponentially in harsh times. Daniel Cram '98 is currently working for CoreDial LLC in Plymouth Meeting in Account Development. The company's focus is on providing innovative, high quality and affordable business solutions for customers and channel partners. Michael Keenan '98 is a police officer in Lower Merion Township and was named Officer of the Year for 2008. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Havertown. James Rockenbach '98 is a teacher and coach at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, where he also is in his third year as Athletic Director. Raymond Battaglia '99 is currently working in his family's business doing construction sales. He recently collaborated with the Clearkin family as a subcontractor on the renovations of the old Jesuit residence which is now Jesuit Hall. Howard Brown '99, who taught theatre during the Prep’s Pre-8th program, starred as Bo Decker in Montgomery Theatre's "Bus Stop" in early Fall 2009 and played the role of Lawrence in Philadelphia Theatre Workshop's "The Invisible Play,” which ran until mid December. He joined Tony Braithwaite '89 in various roles in "First Impressions" at Act 2 Playhouse in Ambler. Charles Fitzpatrick '99 spent nearly four years working for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter as a Political Director on his 2004 campaign and as a Legislative Aid in Washington, D.C. He is currently a third year law student at Temple University and will join the firm of Blank Rome LLP as an associate after graduation. Domenic Fontana '99 is Manager of Finance at Verizon. He and his wife Eva live in Basking Ridge, NJ. Brian Gilbert '99, Kevin Fleming '99, Mark Fleming '96, Greg Fleming '97 and Kevin Gilbert '02 have co-founded the All-American Day Charitable Trust. This year's All American Day was held in Philadelphia in November and was the 10th annual celebration but first as an official Charitable Trust. For more information, visit www.allamericanday.org. Dr. Eugene Haas '99 graduated top of his class from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in May and has accepted a residency with Abington Memorial Hospital. Joseph Mallon '99 completed a successful run of the musical "HONK!" with Theatre Horizon at the Centre Theater in Norristown last summer. He also played the role of The Dentist in Devon Theatre's fall production of "Little Shop of Horrors” and was in the production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at New Candlelight Theatre in Delaware which ran through midDecember. Dr. Michael McCandless '99 received his Doctor of Audiology degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology in May 2008. He is currently practicing in Tampa, Fla. Christopher Panna '99 is in his third year teaching AP History & Government at the American School of Asuncion in Paraguay. Michael Quinn '99 owns a contracting business, a bar/restaurant and is currently in his sixth year as an assistant cross country coach at the Prep.
WINTER 2010
Angelo Rizzo '99, a member of the Society of Jesus Maryland Province, took his first vows in August at St. Andrew Hall in Syracuse, NY. There to support him on this very special day were [above l–r] Former Prep Chaplin Rev. Joseph Michini, S.J., Mike Rady '99, Tony Braithwaite '89, Rizzo, Howie Brown '99 former Prep President Rev. David Sauter, S.J., and Chris Ryan '00.
2000s Gregory Cronin '00 is currently in his third year of an ex-pat assignment with BDP International in Antwerp, Belgium and loves the ability to travel Europe freely. William Dennis '01 taught the Pre-8th Theatre course at the Prep this past summer and was assistant director of “Sweeney Todd,” the Prep's fall production and Will’s 10th at his alma mater. He was recently cast in a new comedy, "The Next Reunion", opening this spring at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. In the meantime, he serves as Director of Campus Ministry at NorwoodFontbonne Academy, a private, Catholic elementary school in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia.
Matthew Silva '03, who graduated from Villanova's Master of Theatre Arts program last year, was the Assistant Director for the Act 2 Playhouse fall production of "Boeing-Boeing", featuring Tony Braithwaite '89. Matt also directed "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Devon Theatre in Philadelphia which ran until the middle of December and was assistant director for Jim Christy '59, who directed "Rabbit Hole" at the Arden Theatre which completed its run in late December. David Sucharski '03 recently completed his coursework as an MFA Musical Theatre candidate with the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre in Orlando, Fl. He performed with the Wayside Theatre in Virginia in the fall and is developing his hilarious musical-stand-up-comedycabaret, "I Live with Dead People", chronicling his childhood living in a funeral home, which he hopes to soon bring to Philadelphia. Thomas Bethmann '04 is an ensign aboard the USS Wayne E. Meyer, a Navy vessel that is named after Rear Adm. Meyer, who is considered the "father of Aegis," a missle-defense system. The USS Meyer is the 100th Navy vessel equipped with the Aegis system.
Justin Hopkins '02 performed as a member of The Philadelphia Singers, resident chorus for the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia's premier professional choral ensemble. The Choir performed in November at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square.
Matthew Caporizzo '04 graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in Engineering/Physics in 2008, received a M.S. in Materials Science Engineering (MSE) from the University of Pennsylvania in Spring 2009 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D in MSE at Penn.
Ryan Spruance '02 spent two years in the Border Patrol in El Centro, Calif., and has recently been transferred to Philadelphia as an agent with the Department of Homeland Security.
Patrick Carney '04 is a graduate student in the School of Journalism at the University of Florida, where he is also a teaching assistant. He also works at The Gainesville Sun.
John Brewster '03 has completed training at the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Prototype Training Unit in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and recently reported for sea duty onboard the USS Ohio, SSGN-727, homeported in Bangor, Wash. John is a Machinist's Mate Third Class whose job is to maintain the mechanical systems on the submarine's nuclear propulsion plant.
Christopher Clark '04 has been named an assistant basketball coach at St. Francis University in Loretto.
Michael Farrell '03 is a middle school teacher at Independence Charter School in Center City Philadelphia. This summer, a book that he co-authored, Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers was published and made its way on to the New York Times best-seller list. He is completing a Masters of Education degree at Bank Street College of Education. Dominic Galante '03 has been accepted at the American School for Classical Studies in Athens as a regular member for the 2009-10 year. This program allows graduate students to study the language, history and archaeology of Ancient Greece while visiting the sites and learning current archaeological techniques. He is currently a graduate student at Penn, working towards his Ph.D. Patrick McDonald '03, a former member of the Cape and Sword Drama Society, has moved to Chicago and is studying with Second City.
Brian Comly '04 graduated from the University of Scranton with an M.S. in Occupational Therapy and recently completed his final affiliation at Moss Rehab in Elkins Park. He will soon be working in Philadelphia and the surrounding area with adults with physical disabilities. Patrick Daley '04 is employed at Executive Diversions, Inc. which is located in Media. The company specializes in charity golf events. The three events this fall are the Jerry Segal Classic for Magee Rehab, CityTeam Ministries Classic, and Junior Achievement of Delaware. Pat is involved in planning, marketing, managing, soliciting sponsors, and getting donations and golfers for the events. Sean Guenther '04 graduated last spring from Montclair State University with degrees in History and Latin. He is currently in Graduate School at St. Peter's College earning his Master's and Certification in Education. Also, he is the head coach of the JV Hockey Team at the Prep. Joseph Kelly '04 is a Corrosion Engineer at Sunoco's Eagle Point Refinery in Westville, NJ.
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a l um ni pr of il e
Chris McDougall ’80 CHRIS MCDOUGALL WAS ONCE THE BANE OF THE EXISTENCE OF PREP ENGLISH TEACHER MR. JIM O’BRIEN ’62. At least that’s what this 1980 Prep grad, now a New York Times bestselling author, says today. “I had a really interesting relationship with Mr. O’Brien. I think he liked the way I thought but hated the way I acted. I was a pain. But I remember doing an exercise in my senior year with him where he would give us a passage from a story, and we would have to finish it. I think I had to finish a Nick Adams’ story by Hemingway. Where does the story go? How will it end? That’s what we had to consider. I remember that he complimented me. That meant a lot. But when I asked him for a teacher recommendation, he said no. I was shocked. He was amused – and serious. I’ll never forget that smile on his face.” When O’Brien hears this story, he chuckles. “I admired what the kid could do,” says the venerated veteran, sitting at a table in the English Department office. He takes his lunch out of the Tupperware. “I used his writing as a model for some years. McDougall had shrewd insight, control of the language, and real skill. And real good balance – he was a great scholar athlete.” O’Brien takes a sip of his cranberry juice. “The funny thing is that these guys like Chris McDougall think that they’re annoying me. But I get a kick out of it. I love those challenging questions. He might have thought he was a nuisance, but I thought, ‘wow, he’s got something going on upstairs.’ I don’t know why I didn’t write him a rec.” So many Prep grads never forget O’Brien--his wit, his wisdom, his wacky hats. For McDougall, O’Brien’s assignment to finish the story left an indelible mark. Where does the story go? How will it end? O’Brien’s questions keep asking themselves. Take Born to Run, for instance, McDougall’s 2009 National Bestseller. When the author, a standout basketball player, runner and rower in his Prep days, takes readers on his journey through Mexico to find a hidden tribe of seemingly superhuman endurance runners – the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyons – he wonders, where does this story go? How will it end? Indeed, readers run with him for the answer to another central question, the springboard for his adventure: Why does my foot hurt? “Everything that I knew about running was wrong,” says McDougall, who lives in rural Pennsylvania with his wife and two children. “You don’t have to get hurt when you run. It’s free and easy, and the more you run, the less you get hurt. You don’t need fancy shoes at all. We have this image in America that running will eventually be bad for you and your body.” For years, injuries from running plagued McDougall’s body. So, it’s no surprise that, earlier this decade, a sneakerless guy in a magazine caught McDougall’s eye. “I was on an assignment in Mexico, and was just flipping through a magazine. I saw a guy in slippers. The caption read that he had just won a 100-mile race through the mountains, and I thought: ‘How is he, this old man with barely anything on his feet, running four consecutive marathons in one day and winning, and I am running one and going to get hurt?’ I pitched the story to my editor – that I wanted to find this man’s tribe. He said okay. Eventually I was going back and forth, several weeks each time, for the book.” Post O’Brien, McDougall, whose mom and dad would run to his Prep basketball games from Havertown, went onto Harvard. There, he majored in English, and he rowed (in his senior year at the Prep, McDougall joined the crew team, which won the national championship that year). After Harvard, he got a job as a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, “a job I was way under-qualified for.” McDougall laughs. He is modest. Today, McDougall, who is 6-4, 200 pounds, runs 50-60 miles a week – not in running shoes but in a sort of slipper-sandal. He has run 50-miles at one time (in Born to Run, McDougall and an eccentric group of Americans square off with members of the Tarahumara in a run of that distance, otherwise known as an ultra-marathon).
Running and writing, he tells me, are inextricably linked. “Maybe the first point of comparison is that sense that you can’t go any farther. You hit a wall and you just need to relax and make steady progress. You can’t push it, because the more you do, the worse off you get. Without fail, whenever I hit a block with my writing, I go for a run. And without fail, a couple of miles into the run, it’s there. I got it. Everything snaps into place, the stress melts away, and my mind is relaxed and focused.” Yet writing Born to Run was no jog. Information overload – there was so much to work with, so much research that McDougal began in 2004. The cutting-edge science about the harmful effects of running shoes, the anthropological theories about humans evolving primarily as long-distance runners, the stories about the culture of the tribe, the characters: how would these paths merge? When McDougall sat down to write the book full-time in 2006, he faced infinite trails and turns. “There were those late nights when I was utterly hopeless, when I thought I’d never finish. I felt like I was 30 miles into a 50-mile run. I just had to keep telling myself that I could finish. I had to redirect, and go.” When I ask McDougall what advice he could give to a young Prep writer, he says that students need to spend time learning the craft. “There’s not just lightning bolts of inspiration that make you write well,” he says. “You need to read, and you need to put hours in. And you need to rewrite.” This last part – about rewriting – returns McDougal to his own composition process for Born to Run. “I put it all down, and then I had to start over – three times,” he pauses. “I put more than 80,000 words into it, and realized that I was totally off. I wrote 30,000 words, and I shred it. I just wasn’t on target. I wasn’t telling the story. I wasn’t getting it right. Again, that happened three times. I had to tear up work I had invested in, because again, I wasn’t telling the right story – I was indulging myself in pretty sentences and nice anecdotes. I couldn’t get off that course. “I would come into the house at 2 a.m. and realize that there was no alternative but to get rid of this. By the fourth time, I finally figured it out.” At these times, there was little joy. “I was ready to hang myself.” McDougall laughs again. Soon he’ll tell me why he loves to run. “I love to just take off on a new trail I’ve never run before, follow it into trouble, and find my way out again.” I – a girl who likes to run, and likes to write – find McDougall’s reflections fascinating. I like hearing about his trail-running, his trail-writing. I like listening to how this adventurer-artist needs purity of form – an essence he can find only with his bare feet. Where does this trail go? Where does it end? He gets lost, and the most impressive twist is that his particular exercise of narrative distance is not through a garden of forking paths. It’s over cliffs and canyons, to Mexico and back. A day later, and again eating lunch, O’Brien tells me McDougall’s book is on his list. “I want to get in touch with him,” this colleague, this mentor of mine and so many others, adds. Maybe, when O’Brien reads McDougall’s book, he’ll see that Born to Run is like another episode of a Nick Adams’ story. In those anecdotes, Nick, the young adventurer is inquisitive. He loves nature. Hemingway, by the way, is the author who tells you to “write the truest sentence you know.” Chris McDougall has certainly done that much. His old teacher will doubtless smile. -Susie Cook
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THE PREP NEWS
Michael Maloney '04 is employed at NAI Geis Realty in Wayne and works in Commercial Real Estate. Sean McGonigle '04 is currently working as an Audit Senior Assistant with Deloitte & Touche, LLP out of the Philadelphia office. He lives in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia with some 2004 Prep grads while working and studying for the CPA. Thomas Saporito '04 is in the Masters program at Villanova pursuing his MA in Theatre. Tommy appeared as Silvius in Villanova's fall production of "As You Like It." Shawn Williams '04 graduated last spring from West Chester University with a Liberal Arts degree and is currently enrolled at Cabrini College, working toward an M.S. and certification in Elementary education. Kevin Connors '05 was named a Fulbright Scholar and is teaching English in Taiwan for the school year 20092010. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Joseph University in May with a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in Economics. David DeMaria '05 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He was awarded the Sigma Xi Medal for Excellence in Research and is currently a first year student at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
John Leonard '06 is a member of the Princeton University Lightweight 8 crew, which won the 2009 Temple Challenge Cup at the Royal Henley Regatta, only the second lightweight crew to win Henley in the last 36 years.
Matthew Cavanaugh '08, a sophomore Politics major at the Catholic University of America, was elected to one of seven delegate positions on the Student Government General Assembly. He will act as student liaison for one of the administrative offices at the university.
Daniel DiPasquale '05 is working as a volunteer at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in New York, where he is teaching math and computer technology and will be helping with their drama program.
Kevin Moogan '06 and Mike Noel '06 entered a film, "Chad Laser: Life Coach," into Campus Movie Fest, the world's largest student film festival. The movie won best comedy at Fordham University and then moved on to the Northern Regional Final where Moogan was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor at the event.
Alexander Dempsey '08 has been elected as Vice President of the Class of 2012 at Elon University.
Matthew McCabe '05, a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is now a 3rd grade teacher in Chicago, Ill. as part of the Teach For America program. Timothy Reilly '05 and Mike Sciblo '05 were part of the University of Delaware lightweight eight that won at the Dad Vail regatta in the spring. University of Delaware Head Coach Chuck Crawford previously coached at the Prep. Daniel Schwartz '05 was Assistant Vocal Director for the Prep's fall production "Sweeney Todd." He is pursuing a Masters degree in Choral Conducting at Temple University. Brendan Burke '06, a senior government major at Georgetown University, interned last summer at the State Department in Washington, D.C. and currently has an internship at the White House.
Kerry Quinn '06 is the newly elected President of the Red Key Honor Society at Cornell University. Red Key is an honor society for varsity athletes. Also, Kerry and Ned Del Guercio '01 were named to the USA Senior National Rowing Team and were the coxswain of the U.S. Lightweight 8 and the U.S. Heavyweight 8, respectively, at the World Championships held in Poznan, Portugal this past summer. Nelson Russom '06, a senior at Syracuse University, was named first-team All-American and MVP by the National Club Baseball Association in the spring. Nelson had a .527 average, with a .587 on base percentage and was a Co-Captain. Also, last winter he was inducted into the Engineering honorary fraternity Chi Epsilon. John Braithwaite '07, a sophomore at Fordham University, worked as an intern for NBC’s “30 Rock” in the fall. Michael Gennaro '07 was one of many former Prep crew participants selected for Team USA. Michael was selected for the Under-23 National Team Four without coxswain, Robert Duff '06 and Michael Nucci '06 earned a berth for the Under-23 Lightweight Quad and Patrick McGlone '10 was selected for the Junior National Team.
Thomas Kain '06 was honored with the Piano Department Chair Award at Berklee College of Music's annual spring awards. Tom was recognized for outstanding musical and academic achievement. [l–r Berklee
James Shields '07 and Chris Gannon '07, both juniors at Fordham University, participated in the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va. in October. Both ran for the charity Run4Chance, which was founded by the family of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, a Marine killed in Iraq in 2004 who was the subject of an HBO film starring Kevin Bacon. Run4Chance focuses on military and veteran quality of life issues.
Michael DiDonato '08 directed his first show, "Scuba Lessons," at the Naval Academy in the spring. Last November, he played the title character in the show "Fortinbras," a contemporary comedy. Edward Hospodar '08 has made the transition to West Point after a year at the US Military Prep School. He is also making an impact on the school's lacrosse team. Samuel Settle '08, a sophomore at Penn State University, had a busy spring and summer. He was an alumni guest speaker at the 40th Annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony; he was one of 230 College Republicans from across the nation at the 58th Biennial College Republican National Convention in Washington, DC; he was one of a half dozen former scholars and fellows selected for an Alumni Panel at the 2009 Young Scholars Summit, sponsored by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development at the University of Nevada, Reno; and lastly he was awarded a summer internship at the Middle East Forum, a Philadelphia-based think tank which seeks to define and promote American interests in the Middle East. Shaun Slusarski '08 was cast as Sir Andrew in Boston College Theatre Department's Main Stage Production of "Twelfth Night" which played in the fall. Charles Gallagher '09 performed in “Bat Boy: The Musical” at Fordham University this past fall. Michael-John McGinn '09 was a speaker at the ninth annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania which was held in Philadelphia in June 2009. He was part of an expert panel with Dr. James Callahan from CHOP and shared his experiences following his serious concussion while playing lacrosse at the Prep.
Piano Department Chair Stephany Tiernan, Kain and Piano Department Assistant Chair Tony Germain.]
WINTER 2010
25
BIRTHS Alexander to Ian and Christina McGuire-Villareal, Classics Teacher
Gabriella to Cindy and Hagop Keshishian '90 [10]
Catherine Mary to Therese and William Gillespie, Counselor
Ryan James to Carolyn and Daniel Barry '91
Robert Andrew to Mary and Joseph Nawn, Assistant Principal [1]
Jaia Grace to Gemma and Joel Jordan '92 [11]
Lucy to Maureen and Mark Kravetz, Math Teacher [2]
Cavan to Heika and Brendan Sullivan '92, History Teacher [12]
Peter Carlos to Sarah and Michael Gomez, Principal [3]
Jane Frances to Nancy and Daniel Kilpatrick '94, Math Teacher
Matthew Joseph to Brigette and Vincent Stinger '78 [4]
Eloise to Amy and Matthew Eirich '94
Cornelius James ("CJ") to Cindi and Jamie Drobile '79 [5]
Noah Laurence to Danielle and Laurence Jones '94 [13]
Molly Elizabeth to Missy and Brendan Dougherty '87
Timothy Charles and Patrick Michael to Erin and Dennis Johnson '94 [14]
Brigid Louise to Diane and James Hankee '87 [6]
Kayla Salz to Dana and Michael Cellucci '94 [15]
Jude Thaddeus to Christine and Jude Carey '88
Lucas Peter and Rose Frances to Melissa and Patrick Connell '95
Emma Maureen to Jennifer and Gerard Guertin '88 [7]
Kamryn Mary to Kristy and Wayne McKillop '99 [16]
Brooke Alison to Beth and John Master '89 [8]
Lily Elizabeth to Jessica and Darrell Schuler '99
Brendan Thomas to Jennifer and Thomas O'Connor '89 [9]
Jack Douglas to Maureen and Andrew Farrell '99 [17]
Dante Ryan to Amanda and Frank Sciolla '89
Bridget Rose to Kelly and Michael Hallinan '99
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
14
16
17
WEDDINGS Charles Henneberry '89 and Alexia Maglione [1] Hagop Keshishian '90 and Cindy Chiarolanza 1
2
3
Wayne McKillop '99 and Kristy Schaeffer [2] John Reiff '00 and Monica Karloczy [3] Joseph Heenan '03 and Denise Martini
26
THE PREP NEWS
REST IN PEACE John L. Jenemann '31
James D. McCotter '44
Rev. Msgr. David E. Walls '52
Philip R. Cibotti '34
Robert L. McDevitt '44
James S. Bateman ’53
Harry W. Leimkuhler '34
James M. McKillip '44
Paul R. Clarkson '53
Rev. John B. Murray '34
Thomas P. McNamara '44
James T. Ryan '54
Herbert S. Tripple '34
E. Michael Kienlen '45
Hugh J. Mullin '55
Daniel J. Keating '37
Rev. Francis J. Kownacki, S.J. '46
Anthony J. DiGiovanni '57
Thomas S. Mallon '38
Robert J. Doyle '48
John T. Sweeney '62
Francis J. Parr '38
John A. Lenahen '48
Thomas S. Orr '63
Edgar H. Griffiths '39
Joseph S. O'Connor '49
Richard A. Potts '63
Joseph T. Carson '41
Msgr. Leonard A. Furmanski 49
Mark D. Simpson ’86
Joseph P. Fennell 41
Rev. David F. Stokes, S.J. '49
Jeffrey L. Marcinowski '87
Edward E. Harding '41
Richard L. Baffa '50
Richard S. Esslinger '97 John P. McCormick '99
Raymond V. Moser '41
James J. Hill '50
George D. Iseminger '42
Thomas R. Jennings '50
Michael J. Horan ’01
Ernest F. Gunn '43
John H. Herring '51
Josias A. Sterling ’08
Richard H. Kiley '43
Richard M. Segrave-Daly '51
Rev. Msgr. James H. Meehan ’43
John H. Currie '52
This list is through November 15
Tell Us Your News... We are interested in what you are doing. Please fill out this form and mail it to: The Prep News, 1733 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19130 or e-mail afalcone@sjprep.org
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WINTER 2010
27
pe r spe c t i v e s
IN THIS
ISSUE, WE HAVE READ REFLEC-
TIONS FROM CURRENT SENIORS ABOUT THEIR SUMMER SERVICE PROJECTS. THIS ARTICLE, BY
TIM MCKENNA ’89, SHOWS
THE IMPACT THAT A SUMMER SERVICE PROJECT HAD ON HIS LIFE.
Tim McKenna ’89 28
THE PREP NEWS
I
t was toward the end of my junior year, when I heard about
final destination, we gave candy and coloring books to young
a unique opportunity from other students called the Mexico
children in the barrios of Saltillo. I will never forget the joy in
Service Program. After learning about the program I decided
the faces of those children; it was as if we were giving them
that it was something that definitely interested me. The
the greatest present they would ever receive. I soon realized
next step was to convince my parents; my mother and
that they probably would not receive birthday or holiday gifts;
father had always been supportive of my many endeavors
it was truly Christmas in July when we gave them those small
but this program took a little convincing. Obviously they had
trinkets. It was this type of experience that planted a seed in a
concerns about the length of the commitment and the distance
young man.
that I would travel to participate. I explained that the goals of the Mexico Service Program included providing much needed
Looking back, I know that this was the beginning stage of
aid to a Mexican community for a summer, including construc-
where my passion to serve my community stemmed. This trip
tion projects and working
gave me the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of
with children at a school. In
my core beliefs about who I was and what type of person I
the end, my parents relented
would strive to become in life. In many ways it makes perfect
and granted permission for
sense that I ended up in the field of public education.
me to participate. I applied and was thrilled when I was
Today, I am the proud principal of Horace Howard Furness
accepted in the spring of 1988.
High School, a comprehensive public high school in South
As it turns out, this service
Philadelphia. How I became the principal of Furness is a blur.
program helped shape the
After graduating from Fordham University in 1993 I anticipated
person I would become later
that I would use my business degree and be content in that
in life. The time I spent away
world. My two years in sales were so unfulfilling that I walked
from my comfort zone in
away from my job and decided to reevaluate my life. I took the
Philadelphia helped me form
drastic step and switched my career from business to educa-
a perspective of how blessed
tion. I knew that it would not be easy to explain this decision to
I was to be a member of a
my father, who was still helping me with loan payments for my
loving family and enabled me to learn about the satisfaction
undergraduate degree. I think back to those days and thank God
that comes from helping others who are in need of assistance.
for giving me the strength to make the change in my life. I
I write not about the experiences of that summer but how it
decided to go for it and have never looked back.
shaped the person I have become twenty years later. I wake everyday motivated to make a difference in the lives of Before I sat down to write this perspective piece, I reread my
the students I serve. As the instructional leader of Furness, I
journals and letters from my time in Mexico City. I found an
make decisions that make a positive impact on the lives of our
underlying theme throughout all of my writing of relationships
students. There is a direct connection between my summer
with my family and the feeling of pride in the work I was doing
experiences in 1988 and what I do now as a high school admin-
with people of less means. I wrote extensively about the
istrator. The great majority of the students I serve are of lower
relationships I built with Fr. (Don)
socio-economic means. My goal is
Ward, Fr. (Joe) Michini, my class-
to create the finest educational
mates and the members of the
environment possible for our
Mexican communities we sup-
students and to develop a culture
ported during our trip. I felt a
of community in our school.
sense of purpose during my time
The students at Furness now
in Mexico as my classmates and I
participate in community service
made a difference in the commu-
projects similar to the ones
nities that we served. For exam-
required at the Prep. I have
ple, we worked on projects at
always believed in the philosophy
schools and helped with the con-
of being a man for others and I
struction of a medical clinic.
try to teach it to the students I
During one of the stops to our
have the great pleasure of serving each day.
WINTER 2010
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St. Joseph’s Preparatory School 1733 Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130 www.sjprep.org
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