ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION • PREP COMMUNITY • FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Words, Words, Words
When Polonius asks Hamlet what he’s reading, the prince rather gruffly (but factually) replies, “Words, words, words.” In just a few...well...words, Hamlet manages to dismiss the man he will shortly label a “tedious old fool,” diminish the significance of his current reading material, and perhaps express a disdain for the kind of endless talk without action that defines life in the Danish court—the kind personified by Polonius with his many platitudes.
Paradoxically, the fact Hamlet can cram so much purpose into so few words—really just into one word, repeated three times—reminds us that words can, in fact, be quite powerful.
Why do I mention this? As it happens, at this very moment, I have on my desk the last in the succession of “Sir” Jack Campion’s infamous classroom dictionaries, which I used as inspiration for this issue’s cover design. Did looking at that dictionary just get me thinking about Hamlet? Probably. But as Polonius tells the audience just a few lines later, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t.”
This is the 74th overall issue of Prep Magazine, but the first cover to feature only words, no pictures. It’s a departure from custom, but it has a purpose. Despite what Hamlet might assume, the words on the cover are very much alive, and both descriptive and prescriptive of considerable action.
On the one hand, they describe Prep’s past and present, the work of many hands over the past 154 years at the corner of Grand & Warren. In the early stages of developing the Strategic Vision for Prep, we asked faculty and staff members, trustees, alumni, and parents for their input. These words—Jesuit Identity &Values,Academic Excellence & Innovation, Prep Community, and Financial Sustainability—emerged as the four non-negotiable “pillars” that underpin everything that happens here, as observed through these stakeholders’ lived experience. Read through the stories in these pages with those words in mind, and you will find them woven seamlessly into the life of Saint Peter’s Prep.
On the other hand, they prescribe Prep’s future. The Strategic Vision approved by Prep’s board in 2025 treats these four pillars as the foundation for planning what comes next. It then goes on to identify five impact areas and numerous specific initiatives that will ensure Prep’s mission will continue, stronger and bolder than ever, through the decades ahead. As discussed in detail elsewhere in this issue, these words have already begun to inspire action in every area of the life of the school.
Far from being mere “words, words, words,” written down, skimmed over once, and then placed on a shelf to be forgotten, these are words that command attention, and so they take their rightful place on the cover.
Mike Jiran, ’03 Director of Communications
Prep
Volume 36 | Number 1 SPRING 2026
Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 President Chris Caulfield, ’03 Principal
Mike Jiran, ’03 Editor
Matthew Holowienka, ’11 Associate Editor
Joe Popovich Jr., ’14 Sports Editor
John Irvine, ’83,P’11
Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 Sarah Lacz
Kate Lillis-Magnus
Molly McGarry Contributors
Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18 Select Photography
Mike Jiran, ’03
Matthew Holowienka, ’11 Frank Ammaccapane/Natural Expressions
Additional Photography
Mike Jiran, ’03 Layout
Prep Magazine is a publication of the Office of Communications of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School. It is distributed in print, free of charge, to Prep alumni, faculty, staff and parents, and online at spprep.org/prepmag
Alumni Relations: alumni@spprep.org or 201-547-6413 Communications: info@spprep.org or 201-547-2308
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ON THE COVER: In the course of developing Prep’s Strategic Vision (see page 14), four concepts emerged again and again in conversation with stakeholders as the pillars that underpin Prep’s past and present—and which must also be the foundation for its future.
Cover Story
14
Defining Prep’s Future
Four pillars, five impact areas, one page. The Strategic Vision approved by Prep’s board last year is succinct by design, but its impact is already shaping the present and future at Grand & Warren.
Features
8
The Radical Passion
A conversation with Rich Hansen, P’03,’09, as he prepares to retire after 44 transformational years at Prep.
12
Seven Sheehan Snapshots
Fifteen years after the Sheehan Scholars Program launched, the stories of Sheehan alumni demonstrate the program’s vision in action!
Remembering Jim Dondero, ’66; the legend of the K-Town Bus; alumni office makes a mentorship connection 3 11 21 22
Departments 2
144 Grand Hansen, ’03 named next AD; new era and a new record for Prep’s scholarship gala; freshman wins MLK oratorical contest; Liz Walsh, the heart of Prep. 11
Photo File
With a snowy winter behind us, a look back to an even snowier winter 30 years ago.
18
Sports
Football’s return to form; Soccer’s county three-peat; Cross Country’s dominance continues 20
Alumni
A New Era, A New Record for Prep’s Scholarship Gala
When the Saint Peter’s Prep community gathers, incredible things happen. This year’s Keys to Greatness Gala, held for the first time in November, marked a bold new chapter for our signature fundraising event. Moving the date from the spring to the fall and bringing the event “home” to Prep’s campus gave the gala a stronger connection to the life and mission of the school than ever before.
The atmosphere was electric as guests moved through the transformed spaces of Grand & Warren. This homecoming was not just about nostalgia; it was about the future. The Prep community responded with unprecedented support, raising nearly $600,000, a figure that represents one of our most successful fundraising totals in recent history. These funds are dedicated to the general scholarship fund, ensuring that the Prep experience remains accessible to every talented young man, regardless of his financial circumstances.
The evening celebrated our honorees, Seton Ahearn, P’01 and Bob Moriarty, while shining a spotlight on the current student body. The presence of student speaker Bryant Isaac, ’27 and his Prep brothers served as a living testament to the Magis that defines our school. This transformational evening was made possible through the tireless work of Rebecca Rausch, Director of Special Events and Parent Engagement, and the entire advancement team.
Reflecting on the evening’s success, Sarah Lacz, Vice President of Advancement, shared: “Our Keys to Greatness Gala was a huge success, fueled by the collective generosity and spirit of our alumni, current and past parents, friends, faculty, staff, and coaches. By celebrating on campus, we honored our theme for the night: Rooted in Tradition, Driven by Mission, and Sustained by You, as we raised vital scholarship funds that change lives. From our inspiring student speaker to our dedicated honorees, this night showcased the extraordinary heart and mission of Saint Peter’s Prep.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors, committee members, and attendees who made this night a triumph. Together, we are ensuring that the Prep tradition continues for generations!
Hansen, ’03 to Serve as AD
Rich Hansen III, ’03 will serve as Saint Peter’s Prep’s next athletic director, beginning July 1. Coach Hansen has served as assistant AD for the past 19 years and as Prep Football’s head coach for the past five seasons, following 18 seasons as defensive coordinator.
“Saint Peter’s Prep has been a central point in my life for the last thirty years,” Hansen said. “This place means a great deal to me, and this is a role that I take very seriously. I’m excited and honored to build on the strong foundation of Prep Athletics.”
“Prep Athletics is a source of pride for our entire community, but it’s so much more,” said Prep president Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91. “It’s not just about winning; it’s about winning the right way. It’s not just about building athletes; it’s about building the minds, hearts, bodies and characters of Prep men. It’s an expression of all that our mission contains, and Rich has lived and breathed that mission for decades. I can’t wait to see what our athletic program will achieve under his leadership.”
Hansen will take the helm of a program that is integrally woven into the Prep experience, with 18 varsity-level sports and roughly 85% of the student body competing on one or more varsity, JV, or freshman teams. It’s also a program that has shaped him personally and professionally.
“Prep has had a profound impact on me as a student, coach, and educator, and I am extremely grateful for this new opportunity,” he said. “I am excited about supporting all of our coaches and student-athletes as we continue to pursue excellence together in alignment with the mission of Saint Peter’s Prep.”
Prep and Scranton Announce Course-Credit Agreement
Following a March visit to the University of Scranton, Prep Principal Chris Caulfield, ’03 announced an agreement with the Jesuit university that will allow Prep graduates who meet certain eligibility requirements to gain college credit at Scranton for courses taken in high school.
Prep students will be eligible if they attain a final cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, plus either a minimum SAT score of 530 in mathematics and 550 in evidence-based reading and writing or a minimum ACT composite score of 22. In addition to other requirements, students must also have a cumulative grade of 3.5 or higher in the individual courses transferred for credit. Students accepted into the University will receive academic credit for eligible courses taken through the program and will be considered for merit- and need-based financial aid.
“In our visit to campus, I had the pleasure of meeting with several Saint Peter’s Prep alumni currently attending Scranton,” Caulfield said. “Each one expressed the great joy he had being part of the Scranton community. This agreement gives Saint Peter’s Prep a great opportunity to continue to forge a strong relationship with the great Jesuit community at Scranton University. I am confident that the collaboration of our institutions in the shared mission of forming young people in mind, hearts, body, and character will benefit our graduates for years to come as they enter the world with the directive to advance the common good.”
Prep Principal Chris Caulfield, ’03 and University of Scranton VP for Enrollment Management and Marketing Shannon Zottola signed the agreement in March
Junior Honored at STEM Showcase
In March, Kevin Aby, ’27 presented on “Accelerating Parkinson’s Therapeutic Discovery Through Interpretable Molecular Simulation and Machine Learning” during the Hudson County STEM Showcase at Liberty Science Center. Kevin’s presentation, the product of nearly a year’s work, was one of just 35 (out of more than 500!) selected to be “super judged,” and Kevin was honored with both the Gold Award and the CITADEL Securities Innovation Award.
SPPAC Encounters a Story Behind the Story
Each year, the Saint Peter’s Performing Arts Club (SPPAC) attends several theatrical performances in New Jersey and New York, gathering before each outing for dinner at Prep. Before this winter’s trip to see Come From Away at the Paper Mill Playhouse, the club welcomed a special guest. Kevin Tuerff, the real-life inspiration for the “Kevin T.” character in the musical, was on hand to discuss his experience as one of the air passengers stranded in Gander, Nova Scotia on September 11, 2001, as well as his book, Channel of Peace
Soph Selected to All-State Chorus...Twice!
Isaac Kang, ’28 auditioned and was selected into the New Jersey Music Educators All-State Mixed Chorus for 2025-26, an ensemble made up of students from grades 9 through 12 from across the state. Performers go through a rigorous audition process and are selected based on overall musicianship, tonality, and quality of voice. In November, Isaac performed with the choir at the NJEA Teachers Convention in Atlantic City and in a joint performance with the NJMEA All-State Mixed Orchestra at NJPAC.
Isaac was later accepted to the North Jersey Regional Honors Choir, performing with that ensemble in February. As of this writing, Isaac had recently been accepted to the 2026-27 NJMEA All-State Mixed Chorus. He will join Adrian Camano, ’18, Michael Appello, ’19, and Noah Mendoza, ’25 as the fourth student to represent Prep in the ensemble for two years...and still has the opportunity to become Prep’s first three-year member next spring!
The Prep Network Returns Home
Forty presenters spanning six decades of Prep graduates returned home to Grand & Warren for our Annual Career Day in December to speak with current students about their professional journeys beyond high school. The day opened in Prep’s gymnasium with a keynote address from Christopher Maiorino, ’05, an entrepreneur in multiple industries including financial technology.
"I hope and I pray that all of you guys have the ability to go out and do the same thing that I'm currently doing....You don't have to go and open your own company. You just have to do something that you love doing," he said.
Students then filled every classroom throughout Hogan, Shalloe, and Mulry Halls, the Moriarty Science Center, and the English Building for informative 30-minute workshop sessions. The alumni in attendance represented diverse industries spanning law, media and communications, public service, medicine, business, science, and beyond. Also in attendance were alumnus Rich Dwyer, ’77 and Seamus the therapy dog, as seen in the Class Notes column of the Summer 2025 Prep Magazine.
Freshman Wins MLK Oratorical Contest
Seven Nominations for Two Prep Productions
Prep Dramatics’ April 2025 production of Rent: School Edition has received three Montclair State University Theatre Night/Foxy Award nominations, and the November 2025 production of 1984 received four more. This is Prep's second year participating in this program, competing with 160 secondary schools across New Jersey. The nominations include:
For 1984
• Outstanding foundational production of a play
• Outstanding acting ensemble, foundational production of a play
• Oustanding featured ensemble actor, foundational (Cillian Collins, ’28 as Syme)
• Outstanding multimedia & theatrical innovation design for a play (Jacob Esperanzate, ’28)
For Rent: School Edition
• Outstanding foundational production of a musical
• Outstanding acting ensemble, foundational production of a musical
• Outstanding achievement by a student lighting technician in a musical (Camille Sindiong, Saint Dominic Academy ’26)
The winners will be announced during a ceremony on May 21.
DJ Colon, ’29 won the 2026 MLK Oratorical Contest at the high school level earlier this year for his submission and recitation of his original piece inspired by Dr. King’s speech, “How Long? Not Long!” at Stevens Institute of Technology. The purpose of the contest is to encourage oratorical skills among students and celebrate the legacy of renowned orator, Civil Rights leader, and change agent, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
LEFT: Prep’s 2025-26 Career Day guests (along with special guest Seamus the therarpy dog). RIGHT: Keynote speaker Christopher Maiorino, ’05
The Heart of Prep:
LIZ WALSH’S FOUR-DECADE LEGACY OF GRACE, GRIT, AND QUIET IMPACT
by Kate Lillis-Magnus
Long before Liz Walsh became a fixture of life at Prep, her path began in a very different world—one defined by urgency, precision, and care. Trained as a physician’s assistant, Liz studied first at the University of Michigan and later at NYU, eventually working in emergency rooms during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. It was demanding, meaningful work. But when she became pregnant with her daughter, Lana, Liz made a decision that would quietly alter the course of her life—and, in time, the life of Prep itself. She stepped away from hospital work, prioritizing her family in an uncertain medical landscape.
Soon after, an opportunity emerged through a connection with Gerry Bellotti, Prep’s Director of Development, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach. He needed an assistant. Liz stepped in. It was the perfect fit...but no one knew yet just how perfect!
From the beginning, Liz brought with her a rare combination of discipline, warmth, and instinctive understanding of people. She loved sports, especially football, and quickly became indispensable to Bellotti’s wide-ranging operation. In fact, on her first day at Prep, she arrived with no one to greet her in the department. She answered the phone to find Gerry on the other line with a litany of tasks to be completed while he spent her first few weeks at football camp. What began as an assistant role soon expanded into something far greater. In those early years, the entire Development Office consisted of just a handful of people: Gerry, Liz, and the part-time retired Jesuit support of Fr. Charlie Dolan, S.J. and Fr. Frank Hamill, S.J.
As longtime colleague Rich Hansen recalls, “The thing I remember most from the early days was how efficient Liz was at everything she did. The Development Office was a three-man show… She had those guys running like clockwork… with Athletics on top of it.”
Efficiency became her hallmark, but it was never cold or mechanical. It was paired with a natural grace that defined every interaction. Liz managed fundraising campaigns, phonathons, alumni events, and even athletic scheduling from a small office on the second floor of Mulry Hall. At the same time, she pursued and earned her business degree from Saint Peter’s University, further strengthening the foundation she was helping to build. Those were formative years for Prep. The 1980-90s marked a period of revitalization, as the school worked to strengthen enrollment, grow its athletic programs, and lay the groundwork for modern fundraising. Liz was at the center of it all—not seeking recognition, but ensuring success.
As Hansen reflects, “Regarding her career of 40 years, I think she had a huge impact on Prep’s success. The best kind of impact that you only knew from working with her. She had no ego, didn’t care who got credit, and she did what she had to do to make us successful.”
That quiet effectiveness defined her career.
Liz possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of Prep’s alumni—names, class years, professions—and she cultivated relationships with major donors and the entire Prep community. Whether organizing large-scale reunions or coordinating the logistics of a crucial two-week phonathon, she brought a personal touch that made everyone feel valued.
“She had her hands full, and she did it so well with so much grace,” Hansen said. “She extended the same first-class treatment to everyone. She was kind and took care of people. Whenever you left her office, you felt good about things—she was a breath of fresh air.”
In the mid-1990s, after returning from a medical leave, Liz’s role evolved yet again. She became what colleagues fondly described as an “administrative free agent.” Wherever there was a need, Liz stepped in—and the work never skipped a beat. She supported the Dean’s Office, worked in the Office of Public Information, and assisted the registrar, adapting seamlessly to each new challenge.
“She was a jack of all trades, a little bit of everything,” Hansen said simply.
Her versatility and willingness to assist with any Prep endeavor—regardless of its scope and logistics—became the stuff of legend. As retired Vice President for Planning & Principal Giving, Jim Horan, ‘70, recalls, “One story from the 1991 Spring Open House captures Liz’s Prep spirit perfectly. When at the last minute the school needed to move 15 massive cafeteria tables from Burke Hall to the gym, Liz borrowed and drove a flatbed truck herself and rallied a group of students early on a Saturday morning to get the job done. It wasn’t in her job description—but that had never mattered.”
Beyond the offices and events, Liz was also a constant presence in the rituals that define Prep life. For decades, she co-moderated junior and senior proms. At graduation, she could be found carefully pinning boutonnieres onto the lapels of seniors, ensuring each one looked his best before stepping into the next chapter of life. These small, thoughtful acts reflected something deeper: her belief that every detail—and every person— mattered.
In November 2011, Prep formally recognized what so many had long known. Liz was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Professional Achievement & Distinguished Service, receiving the Br. Paul Harrison, S.J., Spirit of Prep Award. It was fitting recognition, placing her alongside distinguished honorees such as actor Nathan Lane, ’74 and banking executive Kevin Cummings, ’72.
And yet, even that honor seemed secondary to the way Liz had always approached her work—with humility, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to others. Her Prep philanthropy has landed her in the esteemed Donné Society, which recognizes men and women who have embraced the Jesuit mission with their financial support for Prep with lifetime giving of over $100,000.
Looking back, it’s difficult to measure the full scope of Liz’s impact. It lives in the systems she helped build, the relationships she nurtured, and the countless moments—both big and small—that shaped the experience of generations of Prep students and alumni.
Even in retirement, Liz’s connection to Prep remains strong. Now a Prep grandmother, she continues to give back, recently serving as a Grandparent Sponsor for Founders Day in honor of her grandson, Dean, a member of the Class of 2029.
It feels less like a continuation than a natural extension of everything that came before, because for Liz, Prep was never just a workplace. It was a community she helped sustain, quietly, efficiently, and always with grace and generosity. And in that way, her legacy endures—not only in what she did, but in how she did it.
Liz has proudly embraced her newest role at Prep: grandmother of Dean, ’29!
ABOVE: On graduation day, Liz could often be found pinning the traditional red carnations onto graduates’ lapels. RIGHT: In 2011, Liz received the Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award.
After 44 years at Prep, and 36 as athletic director, Coach Rich Hansen, P’03,’09 will retire this summer. This spring, he reflected on the journey in conversation with fellow Prep Legend John Irvine, ’83, P’11.
The Radical Passion
by John Irvine, ’83, P’11
In the fall of 2020, Rich Hansen announced that he would step down as head football coach at the end of the season. Although the news brought an equal mix of surprise and sadness, there was solace in knowing Rich was continuing as Athletic Director and not leaving Prep. This June, the Saint Peter’s community will say goodbye to Rich as his 44-year tenure at the school comes to an end.
Rich’s time at Prep began in 1982, when he was encouraged by Lou Oria, his former coach at St. Joe’s, to consider taking a spot on Gerry Bellotti’s football staff. Hansen credits [then-President] Father Joe Parkes, S.J. with selling him on the vision of a revitalized athletic program. Rich had only the football program on his mind at the time, but he would—over the course of the next five decades—lead all Prep athletics far beyond what even Fr. Parkes could have dreamt.
“I was still just a kid in ’82,” Rich remembers, “and within five years, I became head coach. And then two years later, Gerry [Bellotti] moved out of the A.D. position to work full-time in Development.” Rich was handling a few of the A.D. tasks while Gerry was juggling the two positions, and so, with Gerry’s encouragement, Rich moved into the job he would hold for the next 38 years.
Rich recalls, “When I became athletic director, there was a minimal commitment to sports at Prep. Fr. Parkes knew that changing the culture, with the one goal of seeing success, would be the key.” Rich smiles as he credits Fr. Parkes with being “the maestro of it all.”
He remembers being new to the job and standing in the gym staring at the football banner. A Jesuit priest walked in and asked what he was thinking about. Rich replied, “I’d like to get that banner filled with more championships.” The Jesuit just shrugged and walking away, muttered, “Good luck with that.” Like Father Parkes, Rich had big dreams. Today, that football banner is filled, and to Rich’s credit, so are most of the other sports’ banners.
Strategically, not selfishly, Rich knew that notoriety and respectability for all other sports would come through football. “New uniforms, upgrading schedules, summer workouts, travelling, and improving the facilities would all help make Prep the place to be.” He adds, “It worked because football won the State Championship in 1989. Kids and coaches need to see results, and so other teams at Prep began moving in the same direction.”
“Over the years, helping coaches and programs grow (creating sub-varsity levels) and watching them find their own success brought me great pride. Adding sports like volleyball, lacrosse, fencing, crew, and water polo; building the programs and culture was exciting. That was the fun part,” Rich remembers fondly. “And no one likes winning more than the Jesuits! Sustaining the success is the hard part; that is the daily grind. There is definitely stress in keeping us at this level.”
Much of that daily grind consists of schedules, transportation for teams, handling league and state issues, overseeing the coaches, and about a hundred other tasks. Rich is quick to credit his longtime administrative assistant, Erica Abbondante and assistant A.D. Rich Hansen III, ’03, with handling many of those jobs. He says the moments when he has to be a “wartime A.D.” pose the real challenges. “I always have to be ready for the proverbial roof to collapse, because it will happen. There is no class or internship that teaches you what to do in those times.” He adds, “I remember tragic events like 9/11 or Superstorm Sandy, where I was proud to be part of the leadership team that put a plan together instantly.”
When asked for his positive memories of championships or performances, Rich pauses, reclines a bit in his seat, and rubs his eyes. “That’s a tough one,” he says, “Not because I can’t think of one, but because I have so many.” He then proceeds to rattle off about a dozen, spanning decades: individual athletes who attained greatness, coaches he admired, programs that have reached national status, and a slew of memorable victories. He says, “I absolutely love walking into a stadium, gym, or venue or onto a field with one of our teams and thinking to myself, ‘Saint Peter’s Prep is here.’”
Rich is one of those Prep icons who did not attend Saint Peter’s but loves the school as much as any alumnus. Sit with him for more than ten minutes, and you’ll find that his love is authentic, deep, and occasionally unfiltered. “There is a feeling I get walking into the building each day. I love the Saint Peter’s Prep discipline, the accountability our teachers have for our students, the belief that we are all working for the same goal. Athletics is the window through which people see our school. I want this place to be so successful, and when sports can contribute to that, it brings out what Prep is all about. Few things give me more satisfaction.”
It seems silly to ask someone with Rich’s career how he knew the time had come to leave. Isn’t 44 years enough of an answer? But he has grown to love the school as much his own alma mater, so why not stay a bit longer? Rich explains it well. “I knew when I started that I had to be totally committed—the radical passion. I knew it would come at a cost and with sacrifice. As I have always preached to the athletes, you have to be radically passionate, willing to work for something bigger. For me, it was Prep and I wouldn’t trade a minute.”
The name Rich Hansen will forever be associated with Prep Football, where his career at Grand & Warren began. Over 33 seasons as head coach, he led Prep football to a 273-77-1 record, five state championships, four #1 state rankings, and 21 county championships—the last number limited only by the end of county championships for football in New Jersey! But hanging up his headset in 2021 enabled him to increase his sideline presence throughout a Prep athletic program that experienced tremendous success and growth throughout his tenure as athletic director. Below, he keeps a watchful eye on Prep Basketball during the state final and on Prep Soccer in the county final (alongside the author, John Irvine, ’83, P’11 and Prep Alumni Board President Joe Battista, ’02).
FEATURE
Over the 11 years that Jack Raslowsky, ’79 served as principal he worked very closely with Rich. Jack recalls, “Rich often said to me through the years, ‘the gift is in the journey.’ What a gift Rich has been to all of us who journeyed with him through Saint Peter’s.” When the passion stopped registering 100 on the Hansen meter, he knew it was time. “Could I have continued for a few more years? Sure, but Saint Peter’s has given me more than I could ever have imagined, so I never want to be even the slightest bit complacent. My philosophy is, better to leave a year too soon than a year too late.”
I wrote the article for Prep Magazine when Rich stepped down from coaching. In it, I said that Rich Hansen surely belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Prep coaches. Beyond coaches, I say a case could be made for Rich to be on the Mount Rushmore of Prep Legends. It is difficult to properly convey the impact he has had on the school over the last 44 years. Beyond athletics, Rich has been an integral part of the strategic plans, has sat on various committees, has been a confidant to principals, presidents and board chairs, and has served Prep to the best of his ability. Always.
Prep’s president Michael Gomez, ‘91 echoes the sentiment, “I first met Rich when I was a 13-year-old kid. I looked up to him. Decades later, as president, I still do—and that tells you everything you need to know about who he is. He’s been Prep’s ‘constant’ over 44 years. He’s led and served with grit and loyalty. He’s shared a quiet and sometimes loud standard of excellence. Generations have passed through Prep, but Rich has been the
Jack Raslowsky speaks similarly, “It’s fair to say that few have had the impact on Prep over the last 40+ years that Rich Hansen has had. He has
Rich has had success at every stage of his career—from wins and championships as a football coach to overseeing the accomplishments of all Prep
Author’s note: Last year I wrote, Jim Horan’s retirement piece in Prep Magazine as a metaphor for an ultra-marathon: The Longest Run. It would have been very easy to put a similar spin on Rich’s article and title it The Longest Drive.
Of course, there is the obvious football reference, but between his daily commute and the additional trips for athletic events and meetings, Rich drove—conservatively—about 2,500,000 miles during his time as athletic director!
— John Irvine
His greatest success, though, is the impact he has had on so many lives. Players and parents, coaches and colleagues, Rich has changed lives. He has taught life lessons, given sound advice, provided career guidance, and been a father both literally and figuratively. There is no doubt, some readers of this article will remember something Rich said to them, taught them, or did for them. That is the true meaning of success.
See the back cover for info on our celebration of Rich Hansen, coming June 6 to Keenan Field!
BELOW LEFT: Hansen (center) joined the coaching staff of Gerry Bellotti, P’88 (third from left) as defensive coordinator in 1982. His impact was nearly immediate. This photo is from the 1983 season, which saw the Marauders post a 6-3 record—the best Prep football season in 16 years—prompting the 1984 Petrean to declare “Prep Football is back with a vengeance.” BELOW RIGHT: On the sidelines during the 2026 football season, Hansen acknowledged a salute from the crowd after his retirement announcement.
As the winter of 2026 entered its final stretch, a late-February blizzard freshly replenished the piles of snow left over from January just as they had begun to fade away. For many, it was shades of early 1996, when it seemed large stretches of ground might have vanished forever under the relentless drifts. These black and white images from the 1996 Petrean show the aftermath of the January 6-8 blizzard that set the tone for the remainder of the season. The decades have changed the landscape of downtown Jersey City, but the color images from this year (below right, and courtesty of Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91) are an echo of the snowy past.
PHOTO FILE:
Maroon and Whiteout
Fifteen years ago this fall, the first Sheehan Scholars, members of the class of 2015, began their Prep journey. The program’s benefactor, Gerald V. Sheehan, ’48, together with then-Prep President Bob Reiser, S.J., had envisioned the scholarship as attracting outstanding, highly motivated students to Grand & Warren, where they could develop into outstanding, high-achieving Prep alumni. In a belated celebration of Mr. Sheehan’s 95th birthday earlier this year, the Sheehan Scholars Program’s director checked in with some Sheehan alumni through the years. Their stories demonstrate the Sheehan Scholars vision in action!
Seven Sheehan Snapshots
by Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16
Clark BURNETT, ’15
GREEN BROOK (THEN) BROOKLYN (NOW)
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Yale University • Sociology
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Working on the New York Times featured docuseries “Now in Color” as a rising senior. This empowered Clark to strike out on his own and to not fear “big projects.”
FIRST JOB: Clark turned down HBO to join Ken Burns’ Florentine Films. He is currently working on a series called Emancipation to Exodus, a series about the African American experience post Civil War through Reconstruction to the Great Migration. Clark is also working on some personal projects, including a short feature on HBCU marching bands.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “It was practical and life-changing. I appreciated being brought into a group of students I looked up to; this was empowering. I made progress by observing others and being inspired by them.”
William WOLTMANN,“Billy”’18 SECAUCUS
John THORBURN, ’21
WESTFIELD (THEN) MANHATTAN (NOW)
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Georgetown University • Finance and Accounting
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Working on baseball analytics for a Division 1 coach and attending Oxford University for a case studies course.
FIRST JOB: John was accepted to the highly competitive analyst program at BlackRock, Inc. He is enjoying life in Manhattan and sees many Prep friends.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “The confidence that Mr. Sheehan had in me and in us was astounding. The faith he had in us inspired me to try new things and take on challenging tasks.”
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Chemical Engineering
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Participating in Track and Football (all-conference Ivy League!) gave him structure and a great friend group. During the pandemic, Billy split his time between Plymouth, MA and Colorado, learning to ski while attending school remotely. He did research for all four years at MIT, notably assisting in building a small-scale reactor using farm waste products.
FIRST JOB: Billy works for NeuroPace, a medical device company focusing on the treatment of epilepsy. He concentrates on non-surgical options for treatment and in his role as a field clinical liaison, manages over 400 patients. He mentions that his path often crosses with fellow Sheehan Scholar, Harshal Shah, ‘18, who is training in neuroscience.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “I [otherwise] could not have attended Prep, and that was the place I was meant to be, so this made it possible. Playing football at Prep gave me discipline, made me a better person, and helped transform me into a man. None of this would have happened without Prep and the Sheehan Scholarship.”
Max TELEMAQUE, ’18
WEST
ORANGE (THEN)
ROYAL OAK, MI (NOW)
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Dartmouth College • Mathematics
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Playing football for four years, along with fellow Sheehan Scholar Max McIntosh, ’18, was a great experience for Max, inclduing two Ivy League championships and no losses to rival Harvard during that span.
FIRST JOB: After an internship at Morgan Stanley, Max went into senior year with a job offer. He started in the two-year analyst program in New York but gravitated toward corporate development in the auto industry. He moved to Detroit and is now with Lear Corp, the largest U.S.-based automotive components supplier. He enjoys living in the Midwest, and he recently ran his first marathon.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “This scholarship broadened my horizons with opportunities to go to Ecuador, West Virginia, and a Brown University pre-college program. I even got to go to Ireland to play football. Mr. Sheehan provided me with incredible opportunities, and I’d say that my best friends today are my fellow Sheehan Scholars.”
Richard “Richie” TORRES, ’19
BAYONNE
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Fordham University • Business Administration, Finance, and Consulting
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Richie received a scholarship to attend Fordham. His cohort group focused on sustainability and made a memorable trip to Monaco to meet with business and government officials. He also worked with the New York Giants as the result of winning a competition, and while there he pitched ideas to Eli Manning.
FIRST JOB: Richie works for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in operations, procedures, and standards, a varied role involving logistics and projections. He also keeps current with the industry by participating in professional development.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “I always wanted to be at Prep and felt it was where I belonged. The Sheehan Scholarship made this possible. I want to make Mr. Sheehan proud and be able to give back in the future. That is my goal. As he says, I want to be a great return on investment for him.”
1Lt. Durkin
McCARTHY,
USMC, ’18
HO-HO-KUS (THEN)
TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA (NOW)
Ethan EIG, ’21
JERSEY CITY (THEN)
PALO ALTO, CA (NOW)
COLLEGE/MAJOR: University of Chicago • Biochemistry
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Ethan, who has a brother who was also a Sheehan Scholar, was in the lab every year in college and had the opportunity to delve into high-level research. He also joined Model UN as a co-curricular while at Chicago.
FIRST JOB: Ethan went straight into a PhD program at Stanford University, which has a less than 10% acceptance rate. He applied to many different programs, but the goal was Stanford. The program will last five years, and he will engage in teaching and research, with the eventual goal of working in biotech.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “I would not be where I am today without my Prep education, and this was all possible due to the scholarship. I am very grateful to Mr. Sheehan for all he has done for me and for so many others, including my brother [Henry, ’25].”
COLLEGE/MAJOR: Villanova University • Economics
MEMORABLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Durkin was a Resident Advisor (RA) for two years at Villanova, which was challenging as some of it was during Covid. It taught him a lot about peer leadership and built on the lessons learned at Prep about how to form young men with discipline, understanding, and guidance.
FIRST JOB: After completing Officer Training School at Quantico, Durkin became a platoon commander in charge of 30 Marines. He specializes in artillery, and this took him to posts in Oklahoma, Australia, and California. He now specializes in weaponeering and works with a smaller team, spotting targets and coordinating defensive actions. His younger brother Teddy, ’23, is on a similar path, finishing his junior year in the Naval ROTC at Villanova.
REFLECTION ON THE SHEEHAN SCHOLARSHIP: “I am struck by the power of one person and the difference one person can make through kindness. Mr. Sheehan inspires me to enable others to have better lives. I love my Jesuit and Marine Corps connection with him.”
Vis·ion /ˈvɪʒ ən/ – n. 1. Competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight. 2. The stated aims and objectives of an organization
In May 2025, Prep’s Board of Trustees approved a strategic vision for Saint Peter’s Prep that will guide our planning and policy priorities for years to come. The resulting strategic vision was first made public at the start of the 2025-26 school year, and numerous initiatives listed in the vision’s five impact areas have already begun to shape life at Grand & Warren. Join us for a closer look at the process of the strategic vision’s development, what it promises for the decades ahead, and how it is currently coming to life.
Defining Prep’s Future
by Mike Jiran, ’03
As a Jesuit school, Prep aims to produce alumni who are open to growth. Along with religious, intellectually competent, loving, and committed to doing justice. It’s one of the core “Grad at Grad” qualities we seek to instill in students. On an individual level, it means graduates should be “beginning to reach out in their development, seeking opportunities to stretch one’s mind, imagination, feelings, and religious consciousness.” But we are also called to live it on an institutional level. That means being ready to meet new opportunities and challenges, with the humble courage to embrace the unknown and build for the future so we can continue to live our mission—stronger than ever.
In the spring of 2024, Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ‘91 assembled a Strategic Vision Team—including Board Chair Brian Archer, ’86, additional current and former trustees, administrators, alumni, and a Jesuit. The aim was to develop a holistic view of Prep’s operations today and goals for tomorrow, one that could guide future planning and policy without constraining Prep’s institutional imagination. Over a period of several months, Dr. Gomez and Prep Principal Chris Caulfield, ’03 met with groups of stakeholders to identify what is best and most important in Prep’s past and present, and to begin to dream about what Prep could achieve in the future and how best to serve students who have not yet even been born.
“In a prayerful, reflective, courageous way, we worked with and listened to our faculty and staff, current parents, the alumni board, student council, and the board of trustees.” Dr. Gomez explained. “Out of those conversations, the strategic vision for Prep emerged....It challenges us to imagine where we’re going—to write the next chapters of Prep with the same spirit, strength, and faith that got us here.”
Of course, before you can map where you’re going, you need to know where you’re coming from. Before you can (like the statue of young Simon Peter on Warren Street) look to the horizon and beyond, you must know where you stand. And so the first task was to identify the nonnegotiables, the proverbial rock upon which Prep’s future will be built. Four pillars came into focus as, again and again, stakeholders cited the
Pil·lar /ˈpɪl ər/ – n. A chief support or core tenet of a society, state, institution, etc.
JESUIT IDENTITY & VALUES
Now and always, Prep’s Jesuit identity and Ignatian values light the way in every aspect of our work. Every policy, decision, and action supports our dedication to holistically develop the minds, hearts, bodies, and characters of boys in becoming men for and with others.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION
Prep challenges students to engage with a rigorous, forward-thinking curriculum that fosters critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for lifelong learning.
PREP COMMUNITY
Within and beyond our walls, Prep strives to forge lifelong connections and friendships among students, alumni, families, faculty and staff, and neighbors. From diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are inspired by Jesus’ command to love one another.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
We commit not only to maintain the richness of the Prep experience but to deepen it—by making a Jesuit education as accessible to students as possible, by providing exceptional teaching and state-of-the-art learning environments, and by engaging in the comprehensive planning necessary to realize these aims.
Jesuit values at the core of Prep’s identity, a tradition of academic excellence and innovation, the unique and tight-knit Prep community, and the importance of financial sustainability as “non-negotiables” when imagining Prep’s future. Whatever Prep builds, it will build upon these pillars as a foundation.
“Those four pillars capture who we are,” Dr. Gomez said as he introdcued the Strategic Vision in the fall. “But what will we build upon them? That’s where the five impact areas flowing from those pillars come in: student formation, enrollment, advancement, finance, and operations. Now, I know those words may not sound inspiring on their own, but what they represent is extraordinary. They are the engines that will carry Prep into the next 25 years.”
By design, the Strategic Vision document itself is concise, fitting into just one page (its 2017 predecessor was about 10 pages; the previous one from 2006, about 100!). “This enables it to be adaptive, evolutionary, and agile, or said another way, ‘open to God’s whisper,’” Dr. Gomez explained. “Each bullet point represents a deep area of work that could fill many pages, but the vision itself is designed to be a living framework clear enough to inspire, and flexible enough to evolve as the world changes.”
Suc·cinct /ˈsəkˈsɪŋkt/ – adj. Marked by brevity and clarity; concise
Succinct as the vision document may be, the richness of its impact areas is clearly seen in the work they are already inspiring within the first year. If they are the “engines” carrying Prep forward, then they are already running strong. Following are just a few examples of the strategic vision in action:
Establishing a comprehensive campus plan: Prep has partnered with the multinational architectural firm Gensler to develop a comprehensive plan for the campus that enhances the student experience and considers future needs of what will be a “22nd-century curriculum.” Working within the dense urban fabric of Prep’s Paulus Hook home, the challenge is to provide adaptable academic spaces that can meet the needs of classes yet to be imagined, plus expanded athletic facilities, a purpose-built dining facility (as opposed to the “temporary” O’Keefe Commons that has been in use since 2010), a black box theatre, a student center, and more green space. Gensler has met several times with stakeholder groups at Prep to begin developing the plan.
Reviewing and updating Prep’s mission statement: The current mission statement was adopted in 2007, and so after nearly 20 years it was appropriate to review it with a view toward enhancing its clarity, rather than making any drastic changes. During the closing meetings of the 2024-25 school year, Prep’s full faculty and staff worked on distilling the essence of Prep’s mission, both from their lived experience and from the text of the 2007 mission statement. The input from those discussions informed the crafting of a new statement, heavily influenced by its predecessor, but adding an introductory sentence. As of this writing, the new, revised mission statement has been approved by the Board of Trustees and by the Jesuits’ USA East Province. It will be formally adopted and disseminated in the new school year.
Demographic research and enrollment planning: A school’s ability to anticipate its enrollment over time is crucial to its ability to plan academically, financially, and operationally. Prep engaged the research firm DNI Consulting both to study the potential pool of future Prep students and to analyze Prep’s admissions marketing outlook. The study reveals anticipated growth in the number of boys entering high school from the communities that currently send students to Prep. Insights from the study will shape our admissions outreach in the years ahead, as the Admissions and Communications offices proceed with a better understanding of the hopes, concerns, and goals of potential Prep families.
One point of particular pride for Prep that emerged in this process: a survey of current parents revealed a level of overall satisfaction with the Prep experience that DNI described, based on decades of surveys for schools across the country, as “world-class.” In survey responses, time and time again, parents expressed confidently and proudly that, at Prep, boys become men in the Jesuit tradition.
Financial aid and accessibility: In the 2026-27 school year, Prep will provide the most financial aid to students and families in its history. This is essential to our mission, as we continue to strive to ensure cost does not stop qualified students from experiencing a Jesuit education.
Faculty/staff formation: Prep is investing in our teachers—concentrating on giving them the tools and training to ensure Prep students are not just keeping up with the future, but leading it. A formation team brings together various roles and perspectives from among Prep’s faculty and staff to assist the principal in the ongoing formation of Prep’s adult community. Areas of focus include Ignatian identity and faith formation, staff and faculty professional development, and Prep community and support.
Notably, this year the team has included Brendan Roche of the History and Social Sciences Department, serving in the new role of AI Integrator.
This work includes leading the development of guidelines for responsible use of AI tools for both students and teachers, and offering professional development opportunities for teachers as they navigate this new landscape. The aim is to equip students with the judgment and skills necessary to use these tools in a way that enhances their learning rather than shortcutting original thought and skill development, and prepares them to be both technologically fluent and ethically grounded—ready, as Prep’s mission statement promises, to advance the common good.
Com·pre·hens·ive /ˌkɒm prɪˈhɛn sɪv/ – adj. Of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive
Advancement: Advancement: Under the leadership of Vice President of Advancement Sarah Lacz, Prep has expanded and re-imagined the Advancement office. This has enabled the team to deepen relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of Prep through more personalized engagement, expanded outreach, increased donor visits, and a broader calendar of mission driven events and initiatives that strengthen community support and philanthropic investment in the school’s future. One essential step has been updating and modernizing the entire donor and alumni database, which lies at the heart of the office’s work in fundraising, alumni engagement, event planning, and more. The work of the Advancement team ensures the financial stability and community support necessary to make so much of the Strategic Vision possible, from financial aid to the physical plant and beyond.
These are just a few of the initiatives already in progress at Grand & Warren as Prep builds upon 154 years of tradition, always restless in pursuit of a more complete fulfillment of our mission. The Strategic Vision provides a comprehensive view of the work ahead and room for that work to grow as new opportunities emerge.
“These are not just projects,” Dr. Gomez said. “They are our future. They are our dreams. They are our mission—tightly woven together into a single vision that connects every part of who we are and what we aspire to be. The Strategic Vision is about joining all this good work together, not as separate efforts, but as one Prep story—a story faithful to Prep’s identity and bold about its future.”
Read the Strategic Vision document in full at spprep.org/vision
Senior forward Anthony Bautista was named Hudson County Player of the Year and a United Soccer Coaches National All-American.
football// The 2025 season was a return to form for Prep Football. The Marauders were were one of the best in the state all year long and posted an 8-3 record, their best since 2021. Prep finished the season with a #4 state ranking. After securing Prep’s first division title since 2020, the team earned a 2 seed in the Non-Public Group A bracket, falling to the eventual state champions St. Joseph Regional in a close semifinal game at Caven Point.
Coach Rich Hansen III, ‘03 was named the Super Football Conference (SFC) United White Division Coach of the Year, while twelve Marauders received SFC All-Division selections and seven received All-Non Public selections. LB Jordan Rodriguez, ’26, WR Hunter Watson, ’26, DB Ty’ire Clark, ’27, and OL Olu Olubobola, ‘27 each earned All-State selections, including a first-team nod for Olubobola. Tyler Bell, ‘26 broke a school record for most career touchdown passes with 65. Watson set school records for most career receiving yards with 1,701, career receiving touchdowns with 26, and singleseason touchdowns with 17.
crew// During the fall season, Prep’s rowers competed in five events across three different states, including the Head of the Charles in Boston (pictured). Prep boats took wins at the Head of the Fish Regatta and the Frostbite Regatta and placed first in six races in the Overpeck Fall Classic. In the spring season, the Marauders will look to defend their state championship, which was their second title in the last three seasons.
water polo//Coach Pat McCoy knew his program would take a step forward this season, and with six wins, the Marauders proved him right, posting their best record since 2022. Highlights included sweeping Riverdale and Pingry, while also beating St. Benedict’s in two out of three matchups. The team will look to build upon this success next year.
Senior wide receiver Hunter Watson (#1) celebrated with the crowd after his late touchdown and an Abdul Turay 2-point conversion powered a comeback win over Saint Joe’s Montvale in September. Watson will attend Temple University in the fall.
Jim Dondero, ’66: REMEMBERING
A GUIDING LIGHT
Jim Dondero, ’66, a Prep Legend who guided students through the halls of Prep and onward to college for 34 years, passed away on January 31. Between 1988 and 2022, Jim was a mainstay of the Guidance and College Counseling department, including 14 years as director—a role in which he succeeded his friend, mentor, and fellow Legends of Prep honoree, Rev. Ray Balduf, S.J.
Over the decades, Jim would take on numerous roles, large and small, magnifying his impact on Prep life. He served as moderator of Prep’s Ebony Club for 18 years, the Dance Committee for 14 years, and the Student Council for eight years. He directed 18 musicals and nine plays for Prep Dramatics, coordinated standardized testing at Prep for 28 years, and was a steady presence at the gate for Prep football games, acting as site manager for home games for 14 seasons. Jim was also a founding member of the Prep Alumni Board and a proud Prep dad—his son Mark graduated in 2000.
But what made Jim Dondero an unforgettable character in the story of Prep was so much more than what he did at Grand & Warren—it was who he was. As noted in his Legends of Prep biography from 2022, “Jim’s patience, creativity, empathy, and sense of urgency all shaped the model of the department chair’s role and set the tone for his colleagues. Most importantly, his students were impacted in remarkable ways. Whether it was helping a junior formulate a plan for applying to his dream schools or helping a student get through a loss in their family, Jim was there, modeling cura personalis every step of the way.”
In other words, he was both the kind of alumnus who makes Prep proud and the kind of faculty member who forms the next generation of that kind of alumni. The 2003 Petrean staff dedicated the yearbook in his honor, writing, “You impact our lives just like a dad does—not just hearing us, but listening to us; not just advising us, but guiding us; not just doing your job, but genuinely caring for us...For always having a smile on your face, for always being there when we’ve needed your advice or just someone to talk to, and for always instilling in us a sense that we, too, can live extraordinary lives, it is with genuine pride that we, Senior Class of 2003, dedicate our yearbook to you.”
Jim Dondero did all this with a quiet devotion to the community and the work, with a generous spirit and a welcoming presence at every turn. Quoting, once again, from the 2022 Legends journal: “Over the years, countless students, alumni, and families have shared how their lives were changed, impacted, and touched by Jim’s love. His goal was never to be recognized; he simply wanted to help.” Nevertheless, it is only fitting that we once more recognize a man who helped so many to achieve so much.
Former Prep President to Lead Province
Former Prep President Robert E. Reiser, S.J. has been appointed to serve as the next provincial of the Jesuits’ USA East Province, beginning on July 31, the Feast of Saint Ignatius. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Jesuit Schools Network.
As a Jesuit novice, Fr. Reiser taught HAP at Prep in 1987. He returned to teach math at Grand & Warren during his Jesuit regency in the early 1990s, then later served as Prep’s 28th President from 2006-2013. In gratitude for his service to Prep, Fr. Reiser was inducted to Legends of Prep in 2018.
Beyond Grand & Warren, Fr. Reiser’s assignments have included director of vocations for the former New York and Maryland Provinces and president of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He currently serves as secretary for pre-secondary and secondary education for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, as well as executive director of the Jesuit Schools Network of North America (JSN), where he has worked closely with Jesuit and lay colleagues to strengthen Jesuit education across the continent.
Italian Club Celebrates 50 Years
Current students, faculty and staff, and generations of alumni gathered in January to celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of the Saint Peter’s Prep Italian Club.
Founded in 1976, shortly after Prep began officially offering Italian as a language for study, Prep’s Italian Club has contributed to the vibrant cultural life on-campus through events, through learning and sharing opportunities, and through trips and outings for five decades.
The evening began with reunions and appetizers in the Hammer Heritage Room, lit by a projected slide featuring the original Italian Club, then moderated by Sig. Leonard Fordellone, from the 1976 yearbook.
Following an opening prayer and a group recitation of the “Our Father” in Italian led by Rev. Lito Salazar, S.J., attendees heard from Ralph Aquila, M.D., ’75, who was instrumental in creating a petition to begin Italian classes at Prep; Alex Corrado, ’79, former Italian Club president and a member since its inaugural year in 1976; and Joe Giglio, ’87 of the Guidance and College Counseling Department, who also spoke on behalf of his brother, Carmelo Giglio, ’76, an original member of the club.
The festivities then continued in the Shalloe Dining Room with dinner, cake, and a rotating slideshow featuring photos from the last 50 years. Special thanks to current Italian Club moderator Rosalie Romano of the World Languages Department, as well as everyone who helped organized the evening and make it such a success!
LEFT: Fr. Reiser accepted his Legends of Prep award in 2018.
ABOVE: The then-Mr. Reiser with his HAP homeroom in the summer of 1987
ABOVE LEFT: Alex Corrado, ’79 was one of the club’s founding memebers as a Prep freshman.
ABOVE RIGHT: Rosalie Romano has served as moderator for more than half the club’s history.
Paying it Forward, Driving it Forward THE
LEGEND OF THE “K-TOWN BUS”
by John Irvine, ’83, P’11
For my first two years as a Prep student, my commute consisted of a short walk to Journal Square, a five-minute PATH ride, and then the three-block walk to campus. During the summer after sophomore year, we moved to the Lincoln Park area of Jersey City, adding a bus stop to the equation—or so I thought.
On my first day as a junior, I was heading to the bus stop when someone in a red—or maybe faded maroon—station wagon honked at me. It was Mr. Charley Rooney, my freshman algebra teacher. He asked why I was on his block, and when I told him I had moved there that summer, he said simply, “I leave this time every day if you want a ride.”
And so for two years, I sat in the back seat while Mr. Rooney’s son Charlie, ’69 sat in the front, to be dropped off at the Grove Street PATH station for his trip into New York. I was always included in the conversation and felt special riding with this legendary teacher. Mr. Rooney was more reliable than any bus the transit system put on the road, and the occasional wisps of Chesterfield smoke were a small price to pay for his kindness and generosity.
Fast-forward nine years to the winter of 1990, midway through my first year teaching at Saint Peter’s. I was in the library when a sophomore I had never met approached me and asked, “You live in Kearny, right? Can I drive in with you?” That student was Kevin Canessa, ’92, and his bold—yet polite—request began my legacy of driving students to Prep each day. “The K-Town bus,” as I like to call it, was born.
Over the past 36 years, there have been quite a few passengers, some talkative, some studying, some sleeping, and these days, most on their phone. We have shared stories, time in traffic, detours, crazy weather, and the seemingly endless construction of the new Wittpenn Bridge, which finally opened a few years ago.
Among the ridership have been four sets of brothers: the McKennas (John and Brian), the Fishers (Jason, Chris, and Daniel), the Battistas (Joe and Michael), and the Thieles (Brendan, Jonathan, Ryan, and Jeremy).
For several years when my son John was very young, the journey
The legend of the K-Town Bus actually began on the West Side of Jersey City. In the fall of 1981, near the end of his years teaching math at Grand & Warren, Prep Legend Charley Rooney, P’67,’69 offered his neighbor, a young John Irvine, a ride to school. A decade later, Irvine would begin playing that generosity forward.
OPPOSITE: Last fall, Jack McKenna, ’29 (left) followed in the footsteps of his father Brian, ’98 (center) when he joined the long line of Prep students from Kearny who have commuted to Prep with John Irvine, ’83, P’11. Jack is the first second-generation “K-Town Bus” commuter.
LEFT: During the winter of 1990, with some encouragement from Fr. Tony Azzarto, S.J., Kevin Canessa, ’92 asked fellow Kearny resident John Irvine for a ride to Prep, and a tradition was born. Recently, he posed with his former chauffeur in front of the currrent “bus.”
included a detour to drop him off at my parents’ house each day. The boys would cringe when he sneezed, and without looking back, I would hold out the tissue and instruct one of the boys to wipe young John’s nose. “Someday you might be a father; it’s good practice,” I would say.
One morning we pulled into the Prep lot, and to my dismay, in stereo, the boys said, “Mr. Irvine, you know John is still in the car?” I could not believe I forgot to drop him off, and I was even more puzzled as to why my passengers never said a thing. “We thought you had other plans,” they said, laughing as I carried John up to my Burke Hall classroom. Years later, John would have his own turn as a member of the K-Town Bus when he entered Prep as a freshman in 2007.
Sometimes a brother or a neighbor automatically moves into a spot when it becomes available. And sometimes that happens in other ways. In July 2011, the summer after my son John graduated, my doorbell rang, and a woman I had never met was standing on my porch. She introduced herself as the mother of an incoming freshman. “A mutual friend told me that your son just graduated; does that mean there is an open seat in your car?” I laughed and informed her that there were actually two spots because John’s classmate, Connor, had also graduated. “That’s fantastic! J.T. and his pal Robby will be here in September.”
One of the passengers who entertained young John on those commutes was Brian McKenna, ‘98. Brian stopped by my house about 13 years ago to introduce me to his son, Jack. Jack was about a year old and in a carriage, but Brian wanted to point out that his son was about the age John had been when they travelled together in my car and would, hopefully, go to Prep one day. That boy in the stroller is now a freshman at Prep and—you guessed it—riding to school with me each day as his father did 30 years ago. He is the first second-generation passenger.
When I asked Brian for a comment, he replied, “At the 2024 Open House [John] welcomed Jack and said there was a spot in the ‘K-Town bus’ opening up in the fall. Life had come full circle.” He added, “Jack had always heard me talk about Men for Others, but that was the first time he saw it in practice. It made him feel at home and made me feel that I was home once again.”
I reached out to my first passenger, Kevin Canessa, and asked if he would send me a quote—perhaps what he remembers of the drives or what possessed him to ask me in the first place. What he shared shocked me, but in hindsight, it probably should not have been a surprise at all. “Father Azzarto told me about John and said, ‘He’s from Kearny. Go say hello and maybe you can hitch a ride with him instead of taking the bus.’ John just said, ‘Sure, I’ll pick you up by the Classics Cleaners.’” All these years, I had never known Tony put Kevin up to it.
Kevin recalled, “Each and every morning there would be some kind of great conversation, whether it was about sports, life at Prep, personal issues—John became a rolling mentor and counselor and a most trusted confidante.” He added, “He we are 36 years later, remembering those days. The words ‘Prep for Life’ are spoken so often. Here’s yet another example of that being so very true.”
I am sure Mr. Rooney never thought twice about what he was doing. And I am certain Fr. Azzarto was just doing what he always did – trying to make life a little easier for a Prep kid. Both, in their gentle way, to this day, continue to impact boys they never even knew—Prep for Life, and beyond.
Share your photos, class notes, and other news with us at spprep.org/classnotes or email info@spprep.org!
The ’70s
Mike Boydale, ’73 recently published A League of His Own. More than a memoir, it tells a heartfelt story of a father and son bound together by baseball, family, and the ever-changing rhythms of life in Bayonne. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, young Mickey comes of age while his father, Mike, turns a dream into reality by creating a Cinderella softball league that brought life to their blue-collar town. That vision leads to a legendary game, now preserved as part of Bayonne’s history.
Sigmund Grudzinski, ’73 checked in following a busy summer of 2025 that saw him attend the Geneseo Air Show, build models of PT109 and PT159 for a friend to use as props while teaching a class about President John F. Kennedy, and participate in multiple car shows with his 1985 Corvette. These included winning first in class at the Lee Center Car Show (pictured).
Cataldo Fazio, ’77 recently joined the law firm of Rawle & Henderson in the Commercial Motor Vehicle, Maritime, Premises Liability, and Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics practice groups.
David Peters, ’79 welcomed a grandson, David James Conroy, on October 10, 2025.
The ’80s
Bill Price, ’87 started a new job as Global Head of Communications for Finance, Strategy and Growth at Novartis this September after recent tenures at Zoetis and Edelman Smithfield.
Rob Dimler, ’88 earned a Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy from Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education.
Bill Neafsey, ’86 now sits as a Superior Court Judge in Passaic County. Judge Neafsey was appointed to the bench in February following 26 years as an assistant prosecutor in Essex County.
The ’90s
Anthony Kender, ’96 received his New Jersey architectural license and started a new job with SSP Architects of Somerville, New Jersey, working on K-12 education projects.
Adam Robb [Rucinsky], ’96 won the Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing Award at 2025’s Tales of the Cocktail for his ongoing coverage of Ukraine’s wartime hospitality scene. Since 2023, he’s been on the ground in Ukraine, covering the impact of the Russian invasion for publications including New York magazine and Condé Nast Traveler
Robert R. Zywicki, Ed.D., ’96 authored the book All Paths Lead to Graduation: Fulfilling the Promise of an Education in America, published in January 2026 by the MTSS Leadership Network. Rob is the Superintendent in Residence at Rutgers University’s Center for Effective School Practices and the Vice President of Strategy for Housman Learning. His eldest son, Robert, is a member of the entering Prep Class of 2030.
ABOVE: Gathered to celebrate the birthday of Nick Micucci, ’62 were (l. to r.) Tim Hawkes, ’65, Al Booth, ’62, Larry O’Rourke, ’65, Tony Verdoni, ’60, Jack Kelly, ’62, Nick Micucci, ’62, Tony Mendolla, ’62, Tom Tudisco, ’62, and Pat Scura, ’62.
RIGHT: A Class of ’71 Christmas luncheon at Alfie’s in Warren, New Jersey. Pictured are (clockwise from lower left) Ed Lennon, ’71; John Ciuppa,’71; Special Guest, Col. John Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient; John Brewer,’71; Ed Connell, ’71; Gerry Chiara,’71; Chef Franco of Alfie’s; Bob Zito, ’71; Charlie Russell, ’71; Phil Connelly, ’71; Mike Venditti, ’71; Marc Buzzio, ’71; Dave Canavan, ’71; Peter Begans, ’71; Charlie Booth, ’71; and Mark Diverio, ’71. Photo courtesy of Paul Schaetzle, ’71
Scott Gurian, ’97 recently won Best Indie Podcast from the NYC Podcast Awards for his documentary podcast Far From Home, where he reports interesting stories from his travels around the world.
Lawrence Lazzara, ’98 and his Arizona-based Lazzara Law Firm received a National Institute of Trial Lawyers Best Law Firm in America award and a Top 100 Lawyers Attorney of the Year award in 2025.
The ’00s
Neil Carroll, Ed.D., ’09 was selected as 2025 Man of the Year by the Sicilian Citizens’ Club of Bayonne. Neil serves his hometown both as a City Council member and as a public school educator.
Kevin Meuse, ’09 works as a recruiter for AVA Energy in Manhattan. He ran the 2025 NYC Marathon raising money for the JCK Foundation, which focuses on mental health and wellness. The Foundation has twice been invited to present at Prep and meet with students.
The ’10s
Mike Esposito, ’13 launched a nonprofit fundraising consulting agency last year and now partners with nonprofit organizations across the country. He credits Prep with instilling in him a lifelong commitment to service, social justice, and being a man for others.
Burt, ’23 and Joseph Burt, ’25
LEFT: On August 28, 2025, Officers William Bedford, ’00 and Dylan Solt, ’09 were promoted to the rank of Detective in the Jersey City Police Department.
RIGHT: Carlos Pomares, ’89 was sworn in for a third term as President of the Essex County Board of Commissioners in January. He was first elected to the board in 2017. Administering the oath was New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Parlavecchio, ’89.
BELOW LEFT: Gavin Cummings, ’84, James Gallagher, ’83, and Marc Sawyer, ’82 at the Hudson County Basketball History and Legends Club Golf Outing held at Skyway in Lincoln Park.
Since graduating from Emerson in 2021, Ryan Ribiero, ’17 has been working for Bleacher Report, a sports streaming division of Warner Media, as a producer. His productions include the On Base podcast hosted by LA Dodger Mookie Betts, including the after-World Series episode; a series featuring Boban Marjanović; and most recently a day in the life of Ohio State football player Sonny Styles during the NFL draft.
Michael Ribiero, ’19 is currently studying for the July bar exam and will be starting a full time position at a New York law firm this August. He graduated from St. Joseph’s University in 2023 and New York Law School in 2025.
The ’20s
Charles Burt, ’23 was elected President of the Philadelphia Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honors Society. Charles attends Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and will graduate next year with a bachelor’s degree in History.
Timothy Apelizan, ’24 graduated U.S. Coast Guard Boot Camp, N-208 Company. He describes it as one of the toughest challenges he’s ever faced, but says it built discipline, resilience, and purpose. “Proud to now serve in the United States Coast Guard, standing watch and ready to answer the call when lives are on the line,” he writes. “This isn’t just a job—it’s a lifesaving mission.”
A Correction
In our last issue, we incorrectly listed the class year of Charles Burt, ’23 as he presented a diploma to his brother Joseph Burt, ’25. We regret the error.
BELOW: Fr. Kevin Carter, ’78 baptized Olivia Kathleen Pasuco in March 2025. Oliva is the daughter of Raymond Pasuco, ’06. Also pictured are fellow alumni Eric Ingles, ’06 and John Opel, ’06, and John’s son Max Opel.
Charles
RIGHT: When John Feeney’s daughter, Kate, married David Young on August 9, 2025 at the Lambertville Inn, it became a SPP reunion of sorts. On hand (l. to r.) were Matthew Feeney, ’10, Jim Feeney, ’78, Terry Feeney, ’76, Paul Sciarra, ’80 Paul Venino, ’80, John Feeney, ’80, Joe Luppino, ’80, Tommy Liccardo, ’80, Bob Feeney, ’74, Craig Zegler, ’80, and Michael Feeney, ’14.
LEFT: Bob Zito, ’71 welcomed Prep’s current Cento Amici Scholars during the organization’s annual dinner in October. Cento Amici works to empower deserving New Jersey students through need-based scholarships, mentorship, and community support—creating pathways to success for generations of scholars.
John Pugliese, ’77 (third from left) hosted Tom Jago, ’73, Prep Senior Director of Advancement & Engagement Kate Lillis-Magnus, and Jim Mortenson, ’71 for a round at Due Process Stables Golf Course in Colts Neck.
RIGHT: Dave Parks, ’75 and his son Tim Parks, a former Notre Dame rower, visited Prep and spoke to the Crew team in October.
LEFT: Alumni uncles and cousins of the bride posed at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club last July during the wedding of Wanda Frain and Matthew Ferguson. Left to right: Anthony Fesken, ’98, Gerald Iorio, ’98, Jason McGurk, ’96, Frank McGurk, ’61, Michael Holt, ’74, Michael Holt, ’99, David Holt, ’00, and Eric Holt, ’09. Not pictured but also present was Scott Holt, ’04.
LEFT: The Class of ’73 played their class golf outing at New Jersey National last fall. Pictured l. to r. are (kneeling) Bob Waldron and Bob Colacurcio (second row) Ralph Quaglia, host Bill Ruane, and Ray Roginski (back row) Mike Delaney, John Grant, Tom Emerson, Bobby Neal, Paddy Walsh, Tom Jago, and Karim Kaspar.
Playing a round of golf at the illustrious Pinehurst Resort last summer were (l. to r.) Kevin McGrath, ’01, Mike Bonneville P’28, Chris Fernando, ’00, Liam Ahearn, ’01, and Patrick Smith, ’01.
Alumni Office Makes a Mentorship Connection
When current Prep junior Kaden Porr, ’27 was looking for an opportunity to shadow an alumnus in the finance world during spring break, he turned to Prep alumni director Mike Murcia, ’08 for advice, and soon was able to connect with Prep Alumni Board Vice President Joe Battista, ‘02. Over the break, Joe hosted Kaden for a day at JP Morgan’s brand new, state-of-the-art global headquarters on Park Avenue. Joe is a client account manager in the prime financial services business, working closely with hedge funds and institutional clients. Kaden shadowed Joe, learning the basics of prime brokerage, client interaction, and working with internal partners. After a tour of the building, Joe and Kaden had lunch at Morgan’s, the headquarters’ brand new restaurant, which is only accessible to JP Morgan employees.
Alumni: If you’d like to help us continue to make connections like this by mentoring a student or young alumnus, email Mike Murcia, ’08 at MurciaM@spprep.org!
LEFT: Members of the class of 2007 celebrated their 11th annual Festivus Dinner in December 2025. The group also made a combined gift to help offset the cost of tuxedo rentals for graduating Prep students.
RIGHT:
RIGHT:
One Gift, Twice the Impact A
CONVERSATION WITH RYAN FINN, ’13
by Molly McGarry
For many alumni, giving back to Prep is a meaningful way to honor the experience that helped shape who they are today. For Ryan Finn, ’13, it’s also an opportunity to multiply that impact through corporate gift matching.
Ryan currently works at Capital Group, where he was hired directly out of Elon University more than eight years ago. Like many young professionals, his early days on the job were filled with the usual priorities: onboarding paperwork, setting up direct deposit, enrolling in a 401(k), and focusing on making a good impression. However, included in the onboarding process was an introduction to Capital Group’s robust corporate matching gift and volunteer programs.
Ryan has always had a strong affinity for giving back to Saint Peter’s Prep. As he’s grown now into an adult, he’s felt deeply that there is something distinctive about being a Prep man—something that truly sets him apart. Supporting Prep, for Ryan, is about paying it forward and ensuring today’s students receive the same well-rounded Jesuit education he did—the same retreats, the same formative experiences, and the same emphasis on becoming “a man for and with others.”
That personal connection is what motivated Ryan to not only make a personal annual fund donation, but to take advantage of his employer’s corporate gift matching. He also strongly advocates for these programs among friends and fellow alumni. “When it comes down to it, it’s basically free money for Prep,” Ryan explains.
Yet, he understands why many donors remain unaware of these opportunities. Even when matching gifts are introduced during onboarding, it’s rarely top-of-mind for new employees, who are focused on their roles, promotions, and performance. Fortunately, Ryan notes that more companies are making a concerted effort to publicize these benefits through employee portals, intranets, and shared stories highlighting how colleagues give back.
One of the most exciting developments, Ryan says, is the growth of volunteer grant programs. At Capital Group, for example, 40 hours of volunteer service can be converted into a monetary donation, with
the company contributing $10 per hour, equating to $400 a year. “It’s a benefit for something you’re already doing,” Ryan says. Whether volunteering as a board member, a committee member for an event, or giving time in another capacity, those hours spent supporting Prep’s mission can also translate directly into financial support.
All in a day’s work for Paul: Working two phones on the move, behind the scenes at the NBA Finals.
For alumni wondering whether their own employer offers similar programs, Ryan says, “Every workplace campaign is different, but talking to your Human Resources department, checking your intranet or online portal, or even your employee handbook is the first step.” He also notes that some companies will match spousal or retiree donations.
From Ryan’s perspective, the impact on Prep is clear. Matching gifts and volunteer grants can easily double or even triple an individual’s contribution. With many companies now offering online submission processes, the experience is simpler than ever.
These programs also align naturally with Prep’s Jesuit values. Ryan believes companies recognize that graduates of institutions like Saint Peter’s Prep bring something special to the workplace. “The best employees care about others,” he says. In fact, given the choice between an employer that offers corporate matching and one that does not, Ryan would choose the organization that does, seeing it as a reflection of a strong, values-driven company culture.
Ryan’s message to fellow alumni is clear: With just a few extra steps, your generosity can go further, allowing you to strengthen Prep’s ability to serve its students and ensuring that the Prep experience continues to shape young men for generations to come. By taking just a few extra minutes to explore your company’s giving benefits, you may be able to significantly increase the impact of your generosity .
For more information about volunteering at Prep, contact Molly McGarry, Director of Annual Giving, at 201-547-6444 or mcgarrym@spprep.org.
To make a gift to Saint Peter’s Prep, visit spprep.org/give
Find out if your employer offers any of the programs mentioned above at spprep.org/matching
Alumni
Louis J. Parisi, ’44
Father of Louis A. Parisi, ’70; Cousin of Gabriel J. Scudese, ’63, Anthony Monteforte, ’82, Jason Monteforte, ’88, Dennis Corwin, ’87, Gabriel Scudese, Jr., ’92, John Cozzarelli, ’12, Nick Cozzarelli, ’15, Marc Cozzarelli, ’18, and Matt Corwin, ’23; Prep English and Latin teacher, 19501970; 1999 Legends of Prep honoree
Judge Joseph T. Ryan, ’47
Father of Joe Ryan, ’76 and Tom Ryan, ’79†; Grandfather of Sean Ryan, ’09 and James Ryan, ’14; Brother-in-law of Peter Gallagher, ’46†and Al Kane, ’47†; Cousin of John Gleavy, ’49†; German teacher, 1951-52
John J. Russell, ’48
Father of John Russell, ’81, Kevin Russell, ’83, and Stephen Russell, ’85; grandfather of Matthew Russell, ’19; husband of Dolores Russell† (principal’s office staff, 1983-96); 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame honoree
Col. Anthony P. DeLuca, USA (Ret.), ’49
Uncle of Peter DeLuca, ’77 and Sam DeLuca, ’86, P’26; uncle-in-law of Joe Bucco, ’72; great uncle of Andrew Medina, ’26
Charles E. Lowden, ’51
Michael R. Conway, ’52
Brother of Mark Conway, ’61
Arthur R. Brown, ’55
Charles M. DeFuccio, ’56
Brother of Jerome DeFuccio, ’43†
Hugh J. McManus, ’56
Patrick F. Downes, ’57
Grandfather of Gavin O’Farrell, ’21; 2017 Prep Hall of Fame honoree
Edwin Murray, ’57
John S. Sirotniak, ’57
Brother-in-law of Eugene Johnson, ’40†, Vincent Johnson, ’44†, and Thomas Johnson, ’50
James J. Barrett Jr., ’58
John P. Fahy, ’58
Dominic J. Fazio, ’58
John D. Gawlik, M.D., ’61
Edward R. Martin, ’61
Father of Edward Martin Jr., ’88 and James Martin, ’92
Arthur F. Williams, ’62
Joseph Rafter, ’63
Brother of John Rafter, ’51†
Rev. Joseph F. Burke, S.J. ’64
David A. Heskin, ’64
Brother of Neil Heskin, ’63
David P. Finn, ’65
father of David Finn, ’07; Brother of John J. Finn Jr., ’52†, William D. Finn, ’55, and Edward F. Finn Sr., ’67; Uncle of John J. Finn III, ’81, David E. Finn, Sr., ’82, James T. Finn, ’85, Thomas Finn, ’87, Michael Zadroga, ’92, Edward F. Finn Jr., ’93, Robert E. Finn, ’94, and Daniel M. Finn, ’99†; Great uncle of David E. Finn, ’08, Richard Zadroga, ’08†, Sean Finn, ’09, John Zadroga, ’10, Ian Garner, ’11, Conor Finn, ’14, Anson Hart, ’24, and Eldon Lempa, ’25.
James D. Dondero, ’66
Father of Mark Dondero, ’00; Prep counselor and faculty member, 19882022; 2022 Legends of Prep honoree
Richard Michalowski, ’68
Brother of Donald Michalowski, ’72
John F. O’Donnell, ’68
Thomas D. Ruane, ’68
Cousin of John Gaddis, ’73, David Gaddis, ’75, Tom Foley, ’78, and Mark Gaddis, ’81
James Hickey, ’69
Brother of Michael Hickey, ’60† and Peter Hickey, ’72; uncle of Ian Schlapowsky, ’89
Louis R. Giusto III, M.D., ’70
Edward W. Meagher, ’70
Joseph M. Cioffi, ’71
Brother of Francis Cioffi, ’73; brotherin-law of Paul Sciarra, ’80 and Charles Sciarra, ’87
Paul D. Colford, ’71
Father of Liam Colford, ’09; brother of Joseph Colford, III, ’68, Chris Colford, ’73, Peter Colford, ’74, and Brian Colford, ’81; Son of Joseph Colford Jr., ’38†; 2014 Prep Hall of Fame honoree
Anthony Pilla, ’73
Capt. John Formoso, USMC (Ret.), ’89
James P. Sheehan, ’85
Father of James Sheehan Jr., ’14; cousin of Martin Sheehan, ’76
Mauricio Cedillo, ’17
Through March 10, 2026
Family of Alumni
Noel A. Alolod
Son of Gerard Alolod, ’01
Idelfonso “Al” Alvarado-Mejias Operations staff member, 1984-90; grandfather of Simon Yanez, ’24 and Noah Yanez, ’29
Rose A. Besante
Mother of Michael Besante, ’71 and John Besante, ’76
Kimberley A. Castelli
Wife of Brian Castelli, ’01; Daughter-inlaw of Lou Castelli, ’66
Lorraine DeMan
Wife of Gerard DeMan, ’71
Victor Donofrio
Father of James Donofrio, ’81(former Prep trustee); Father-in-law of Nicholas Chiaravalloti, ’90 (former Prep trustee); Grandfather of Andrew Donofrio, ’11, Matthew Donofrio, ’14, Luke Donofrio, ’20, Agostino Chiaravalloti, ’22, Nicholas Chiaravalloti, ’23, and Joshua Chiaravalloti, ’28
Maureen A. Doolan
Wife of Jed Doolan, ’69; Mother of James Doolan, ’06; the daughter of Edmund Caulfield, ’37†; Sister of Jack Caulfield, ’71 (former Prep Board of Trustees Chair and VP of Finance); Sister-in-law of Bill Ahearn, ’75† (former Prep Board of Trustees Chair); Aunt of Edmund Caulfield, ’00, Liam Ahearn, ’01, and Chris Caulfield, ’03 (Prep Principal)
Elaine Dwyer
Mother of William Dwyer, ’91
Joseph A. Fusco
Brother of Vincent Fusco, ’67
Ann Marie Granahan
Mother of Michael Granahan, ’72 and Thomas Granahan, ’73
John S. Grywalski, Jr.
Brother of Paul Grywalski, ’73
Donald Jantas
Father of Coach Josh Jantas, ’95 (Prep Soccer head coach); Grandfather of Jackson Jantas, ’26 and Maximus Jantas, ’28
Patrick Lennon
Brother of Edward Lennon, ’71
Nina D. Lim
Mother of Mark Lim, ’84
Stephen J. Magnus Husband of Kate Lillis-Magnus (Senior Director of Advancement and Enagement); brother-in-law of John
Lillis, ’77, Mark DeMarco, ’79, and Bill Lillis, ’80 (former history and theology teacher); Uncle of Ryan Lillis, ’14 and Nicholas DeMarco, ’19
Rosita C. Merluza
Mother of Robert Merluza, ’87 and Abner Merluza, ’98; Grandmother of Bryan Angeles, ’05
Kevin Miller
Brother of Danny Miller, ’72
Joseph P. Monteleone
Father of Matthew Monteleone, ’98 and Michael Monteleone, ’02
Maryann M. Murphy
Wife of Danny Murphy, ’62
Barbara Pedati
Mother of Brian Pedati, ’73
Lerma A. Quitiquit
Mother of Brian Quitiquit, ’00; grandmother of Jackson Grimes, ’27
Dorothy A. Riley
Mother of Tom Riley, ’86; grandmother of Tyler Schiavo, ’13, Jack Schiavo, ’14, Tommy Riley, ’17, Mark Schiavo, ’18, Jack Riley, ’20, and Peter Riley, ’24
Leonard J. Romano
Father of Frank Romano, ’86; Grandfather of Frank Romano Jr., ’06 (Alumni Board Secretary) and Anthony Romano, ’16
Mary Ryan
Mother of Brendan Ryan, ’01
Theresa Scozzafava
Wife of Hank Scozzafava, ’55
Elizabeth Valanzola
Mother of Francis Valanzola, ’83; sister of Anthony Gargiulo, ’46; aunt of Peter Gargiulo, ’77
Carl W. Weidenburner
Father of Joseph Weidenburner, ’01
Patricia A. Wraback
Mother of Tom Wraback, ’79 and Michael Wraback, ’81
Family of Faculty & Staff
Patricia E. Halligan
Wife of Coach Jerry Halligan† (Basketball coach, 1955-1984; 1995 Legends of Prep honoree and 2005 Athletic HOF honoree)
Karen Merski
Mother of Jan Merski (Science teacher)
Manuel J. Pons
Father of Yajaira Pons (College counselor)
WEDDINGS
Michael Kahrer, ’10 and Julia Skelcy
July 27, 2025
Imran Sheikh, ’01 and Taylor Sydnor
March 15, 2026
BIRTHS
Margaret Lohmann and Thomas Barone, ’05
Thomas James Jr., born April 25, 2025
Amber and Colin Hanley, ’03
Finn Patrick, born May 23, 2025
Melissa and Bryan Rohrman, ’07
Kolstyn Atlas, born July 29, 2025
Allyson and James Blauvelt, ‘09
Mila Donna, born September 19, 2025
Kelsey and Bobby Cole, ’07
Reese Charlie, born September 25, 2025
Kristina and Stephen Torregrossa (Assistant Athletic Trainer)
Mila Noelle, born December 8, 2025
Dalma Santana (Director of Community & Belonging) and Will Lemonzs
William Ronald, “Archie,” born February 10, 2026
Kolstyn Rohrman, born July 29, with siblings Haylie (7), Stryker (4), and Raidyn (2)
Mila Torregrossa, born December 8.
Reese Cole, born September 25.
Thomas Barone Jr., born April 25, 2025.
Mila Blauvelt, born September 19, 2025
The Class of 2001 was well-represented at the March wedding of Imran Sheikh, ’01 and Taylor Sydnor. Pictured left-to-right are ’01 classmates Ed Wong, Shashi Dholandas, Imran Sheikh, Billy Bludgus, and Matt Denes.
The September wedding of Michael Kahrer, ’10 and Julia Skelcy (far right) was also a mini-reunion (right) with Micahel’s Prep classmates Jack Flynn, John Kaufman, Tyler Byrne and (not pictured) Ryan Albern. Also in attendance were James Gregory, ’75 and Seton Ahearn P’01, spouse of the late Prep Board Chair Bill Ahearn, ’75.
FOR A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION AT KEENAN FIELD! SATURDAY, JUNE 6 • 1-4 PM
