THE CARDINAL, WINTER 2025 PUBLISHED FOR THE CALVERT HALL COMMUNITY
Comments can be submitted to communications@calverthall.com
CALVERT HALL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 8102 La Salle Road Baltimore, MD 21286-8022
TELEPHONE: 410.825.4266
WEBSITE: www.calverthall.com
PRESIDENT: Brother John Kane, FSC, Ed.D.
PRINCIPAL: Dr. Andrew Moore
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT: Joseph Baker ’76
This publication has been prepared and edited by the Office of Advancement
Alumni class notes or information submitted by alumni of Calvert Hall College High School exists for the purpose of alumni-to-alumni communications. This publication does not signify endorsement by Calvert Hall or its sponsoring bodies. Calvert Hall is an independent, Lasallian Catholic school for boys which upholds the teachings of the Catholic Church.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni, Families and Friends,
Ihope the new year is off to a good start for you. As I reflect on the school year thus far, I recognize how blessed we are at Calvert Hall. We have had many things to celebrate this year. The amazing efforts of our faculty and staff were acknowledged by The Baltimore Sun as Calvert Hall was named one of the Top Workplaces in the Baltimore region. The Daily Record named us Top Winner in the category of Best Private High School while Niche recognized us as the #1 Boys Catholic School in Baltimore. Calvert Hall has been and continues to be a leader in the community, striving for greatness in all that we do. This is evident again in this year’s admissions application pool. We look forward to welcoming the next stellar class to the Brotherhood in August.
This issue of The Cardinal focuses on home grown talent – successful alumni restauranteurs and executive chefs. They share how their Calvert Hall experiences have guided them in their journeys along with faculty members that have left lasting impressions.
In approximately one year, we will gather to celebrate our talented incoming Hall of Fame class. These six deserving individuals embody Calvert Hall’s core values, and we are excited to acknowledge them for their accomplishments. Learn more about the inductees on page 12.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees, our amazingly dedicated faculty and staff, and our students, thank you for your continued support and passion for The Hall! You are all a blessing to us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts...Forever!
Sincerely,
Brother John Kane, FSC, Ed.D. President
Br. John captured this serene snow scene on January 7, 2025.
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TOP WORKPLACE
Calvert Hall is pleased to announce the bestowed honor as one of the 2024 Baltimore Sun’s Top Workplaces! This is an amazing recognition of our 149 dedicated faculty and staff members that provide an exceptional educational experience daily.
SPOON FULL OF SUGAR
The beloved theatrical performance of “Mary Poppins” will be coming to The Hall, April 4-6, and April 11-13. Reserve your tickets today at calverthall.com/theatre.
eSPORTS CHAMPIONS
In their first season in the Eastern Region of PlayVS.com, our Rocket League team won the league championship. Learn more on page 8.
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3 NEW SCOREBOARD
ENDOWED CHAIR RECIPIENT
Walt Dobrzycki `78 was named The Joseph Baker `76 Distinguished Teaching Chair established by the Keelty Family. Walt is the first faculty member to receive this chair’s award
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5 Things We’re Talking About!
The Alumni Memorial Gymnasium had two new LED boards installed prior to the start of basketball season.
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SCH OLAR SHIP
The John P. Thaler, AFSC Scholarship
Established by many friends and former students on the occasion of his 2015 retirement, this scholarship honors Mr. John Thaler’s 46 years of service to The Hall from 1969 to 2015. Mr. Thaler served as the Math department chair as well as a Math instructor and mentor to thousands of Hallmen during his career. His ability to challenge the most talented student while also being able to make Mathematics come alive for those students who found math difficult is legendary. This scholarship provides tuition assistance to students with financial need.
John’s wife, Joyce, also devoted her professional career to Catholic education, serving as teacher and administrator in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Friends and former students continue to honor him with annual gifts to grow the scholarship endowment. The De la Salle Christian Brothers and the Christian Brothers Community at Calvert Hall College formally acknowledged John as an affiliated member of the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools in 2015. This is the highest honor to be bestowed upon a lay colleague by the Christian Brothers and recognizes a lifelong and extraordinary commitment to the mission of the Brothers.
HOMECOMING REIMAGINED
WRITTEN BY: CAL BOWMAN `98
In August of 2019, DeWitt Bauer ’99 and I sat in an Ocean City restaurant, conceptualizing possible new Homecoming experiences for Calvert Hall. We envisioned an evening of alums and the greater community celebrating together our rich traditions and legacy. These thoughts included a raw oyster bar, local breweries and a cigar and whiskey corner along with video game competitions. At the center of this reimagination was an evening toast in honor of the late Augie Miceli, Sr. These back-of-the-napkin concepts gave way to the Augie Miceli Memorial Tent which has since been celebrated by nearly 7,000 alumni over the last five years.
Since 2019, attendance has surged by 22%, with over 1,240 attendees this past year. This growing camaraderie is further reflected in the event’s financial success, with over $400,000 raised benefiting various scholarships and programs at The Hall.
Demographically, Homecoming encapsulates the rich tapestry of our legacy. From the trailblazers of the 1950s, 2% of attendees, to the youthful exuberance of the 2000-2020s, 44% of attendees, each decade contributes its unique voice to our shared and growing narrative. The 1980s and 1990s show a strong presence, 19% and 15% respectively, bridging the past and present.
The success of Homecoming is a testament to the power of collaboration and imagination. By partnering with over 50 local community vendors, the Homecoming experience has transformed into a vibrant celebration of all things Calvert Hall. Together, we have reimagined what Homecoming could be while building a legacy of unity, joy and fellowship for generations to come.
Donate to the Thaler Scholarship >>
44% of attendees were under 1240+ alumni in attendance
HOMECOMING 2024
40 163 attended pre-Homecoming reunions from the Classes of 1984, 1994 & 2014 20102020 biggest decade of attendees
FACES IN THECROWD
J ay P atel `26
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
3rd Place - Entrepreneur Category at FBLA 2024 Regionals
Maryland FBLA State Competition Qualifier
Model United Nations
Best Delegate at the 2024 MSJ Competition
Organizer of HALLMUNC – Calvert Hall hosted Model UN event
Speech & Debate
Chess Club
C hris B owie -D onayre `26
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Regional Leadership Conference Representative
3rd Place - Journalism Category at FBLA 2024 Regionals
Maryland FBLA State Competition Qualifier
Peer Minister
Leadership Team Member
Br. Tom Miller Honors Program
Leadership Team Member
National Honor Society
CASA Club – Court Appointed Special Advocates
The Hall , the School Newspaper
Pickleball Club
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Birds of a Feather
A by-the-numbers look at recent school highlights
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Student-Athletes named to The Baltimore Sun First and Second Team All-Metro teams. First Team –JD Hughes `27 (XC) and Elliot Palmer `25 (XC). Second Team –Max Larcher `25 (XC), Aidan Heinbaugh `27 (XC), Colin Kelly `25 (Soccer) and Chase Dorsey `25 (Football)
StudentAthletes named to the MIAA “A” AllConference team for respective Fall sports
12-0 Matt Rothman `13 was named the MIAA Water Polo Coach of the Year
Undefeated record of Slade Lippy `25, Yianni Vasilakopoulos `25, and Josh Farley `25 to be crowned the Eastern Regional PlayVS.com eSports Champions
November 2024
883
8th grade guests participated in Cardinal for a Day visits
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Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students earned the right to advance to the FBLA State Championships after their performances at the regional event
December 2024
8,036
21 + 1 miles travelled by The Hallmen for their performances at the Church of Sainte Marie Madeleine (La Madeleine), ParisCathedrale de Reims (Reims, France), and Cathedral Sts. Michel et Gudule (Brussels, Belgium)
New faculty and staff members joined the Calvert Hall team this academic year
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Student-Athletes inked National Letters of Intent to play their respective sport at the collegiate level during the November and December signing day
Alumni Businesses listed in the Calvert Hall Alumni Directory Top
7.5%
National Ranking of CHC
96.9
16 Competition Marching Band’s score to earn their 5th National US Bands Championship (15th overall Maryland State US Bands Championship)
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88
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Cyber Patriot Team 17-2067 after their performance at the Maryland State Cybersecurity Championships Families were blessed by the efforts of our Annual Campus Ministry Adopt-A-Family drive
All-State Chorus selections: Increase Akinboboye `26, Nate Miller `26 and Luke Miller `28
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National Merit Commended Scholars - Thomas Barczak `25, Peter Bashore `25, Seamus Curson `25, Nathan Green `25, Sean Griffin `25, Matthias Pridgeon `25 and Vasilios Van De Verg `25
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MIAA “A” team titles won this past fall (Varsity XC, JV XC, JV Volleyball, F/S Soccer)
Bowling average of Jake Bockstie `25, a silver medalist at the 2024 IBF World Youth Championships (Will bowl on scholarship next year at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA)
When my sister and my nephew asked me about my Calvert Hall experience, the first thing that came to mind was, “Oh yeah, Calvert Hall made my plebe year academics at West Point a piece of cake.”
In so many ways, Calvert Hall has served as a foundation for my rewarding career of service to our Nation. As a leader and a lawyer, I still look to my Calvert Hall experience as it set enduring examples of excellence in academics and in character.
The Calvert Hall education prepared me well for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Participating in the McMullen Scholars program provided a broad and solid academic grounding that had immediate impact. Through Advanced Placement classes, I was able to take more advanced subjects earlier. This created a virtuous cycle for me as I found myself better able to focus on the military and physical aspects of the West Point development program, successfully completing my engineering track of mechanical engineering, and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Life Science.
After West Point as an Army officer, I found the examples of the Brothers and teachers of Calvert Hall true guideposts to supplement my faith in the ultimate servant-leader, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From Mr. Heidrick, to Mrs. McGill, to Brother Larry, to Mr. Bateman, to Coach Kelly—to name just a few!—I have ready examples of Christcentered leadership in action. They did the right thing for the right reason. Character counts, and in times of crisis, it cannot be invented. As an Army aviator, flying Apache helicopters and leading others, or as a military lawyer (judge advocate) in the courtroom, in
the big moments on mission in Korea or Afghanistan, or the little moments of counseling soldiers, I had a treasury of Calvert Hall moments to draw upon.
This career of service has been humbling and energizing, and I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for Calvert Hall and to all who have contributed to making Calvert Hall what it is. I am grateful to my Mom and Dad for sacrificing to send me to 8102 LaSalle Road. It is much more than a school. Calvert Hall helped me grow up. Calvert Hall gave me a Christ-centered standard for excellence and desire to achieve it. From West Point to a Juris Doctorate, to two Masters of Laws degrees, now a Master’s program at the U.S. Army War College, to service to the United States across the globe, the Calvert Hall education has empowered it all.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
IAN W. BALDWIN ’95
currently serves as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate of the 81st Readiness Division at Fort Jackson, SC. He leads and supervises daily legal activities in support of an organization responsible for Army Reserve Centers across nine southeastern states and two U.S. territories.
Senior VP - Pepper Construction Company (Retired), Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University
Thomas Murray, Sr. `71
Owner - Murray Cellular Associates (Retired)
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Martin Blair `79
President & CEO - Schmitz Press
Dwayne Milburn, Ph.D. `81
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army, Professor of Music at UCLA, Chamber Orchestra Music Director for the St. Matthew’s Music Guild
Dwayne Milburn,
Calvert Hall is pleased to announce the next six deserving individuals who will enter the Hall of Fame. They will be officially inducted at the upcoming gala in March 2026. More information on the gala, tickets and sponsorships will be announced in the coming weeks.
HOME GROWN
ALUMNI MAKING CULINARY WAVES IN OUR COMMUNITY
Food serves as a universal language. A unifying power that acts as a bridge to connect us to others having the ability to serve as a source of joy, food nourishes our bodies and souls. Food can represent thoughts of home, love and hope. As the renowned American food writer and James Beard Awardee for Lifetime Achievement MFK Fisher once wrote: “I think our three basic needs for food and security and love are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others.” For our featured alumni, sharing their gift of food is an extension of themselves and their passions.
Inbetween his sophomore and junior year, Chris Scanga realized the allure of being a restaurant chef after reading American celebrity chef, travel documentarian and author, Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential.” Chris’ culinary journey began while in high school working at the Subway in the Galleria Shopping Center in Lutherville and the Mercy Ridge Retirement Community. After graduation, he went on to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York where he was required to participate in an externship program. He applied to work at Charleston, owned by 8x James Beard Finalist for Best Chef in the MidAtlantic, Chef Cindy Wolf, and renowned chef/ sommelier, Tony Foreman. Chris made a lasting impression and over the next several years worked in a variety of roles throughout their entire restaurant portfolio before becoming the Executive Chef at Petit Louis Bistro in Roland
Park. After eight years, Chris yearned for more and approached the Wolf-Foreman duo about partnering on a future project. On December 30, 2020, Chris’ culinary journey came full circle as he entered the office space directly above the Subway in Lutherville to finalize documents to become the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of The Milton Inn.
The Milton Inn is a 283-year-old fieldstone house in Sparks, Maryland, with a reimagined country retreat. Chris shared, “the building itself is amazing, as is the history that is associated with it. There is just no way to artificially replicate the ambiance that is natural to that space.” He went on to note that he and his team have carefully curated a culture which is inviting to their guests and their staff. His efforts were honored by The Baltimore Journal as he was named to their prestigious “40 Under 40” list in 2022.
Full Circle Journey
Chris Scanga `07
Executive Chef and Co-Owner at The Milton Inn
When reflecting on his time at The Hall, Chris recalls Ms. Thomas’ Spanish class as an integral part of his journey with the most practical daily use. “Language is an amazing thing and the impact of being able to communicate with someone from a different culture in their own native language is immense,” explained Chris. He went on to detail, “time management is key to success at Calvert Hall, in the restaurant world, and in life in general.” This skill has enabled him to work efficiently and purposefully while carving out time for work and play.
Favorite Dishes on the Menu: Beef Wellington & Pâté en Croûte
** Insider Tip: These are specials not listed on the menu, yet can be ordered daily upon request.
Local Sustainability
Tony Conrad `93
Owner of Conrad’s Seafood Restaurants and Markets
eafood has long run in Tony Conrad’s family. His lineage of local sourcing stems back to his great, great, great, great-grandmother who sold seafood to the troops when they moved through Washington, D.C. His late cousin, Billy, was a skilled waterman and restauranteur opening Captain Billy’s Crab House. As a child, Tony found himself drawn to the water in constant pursuit of the freshest ingredients.
Flashforward to today, Tony owns Conrad’s Seafood Restaurants and Markets with a commitment to domestic and locally sourced seafood. His passion, “is and always will be catching the stores’ crabs and fish. Every
“One Bite, Everyone Knows the Rules”
Gerry `09 and Daniel `12 Buontempo
Owners of Frank’s Pizza and Pasta
Afamily restaurant since 1985, Gerry and Daniel purchased Frank’s from their parents during the pandemic slowly incorporating their own ideas and style. Since taking over, the duo has attended the International Pizza Expo in Vegas looking to find ways to take their pizzas to the next level while forging relationships with other pizzeria geniuses across the globe.
On January 6, 2025, the Buontempo’s heard the phrase they didn’t think would be uttered for another five to seven years, “One Bite, Everyone Knows the Rules.” The catchphrase made famous by Dave Portnoy, founder and owner of Barstool Sports, is spoken before each of his one bite reviews of pizza and cheesesteaks. Gerry and Daniel had zero inkling Portnoy would be visiting their restaurant. Portnoy delivered an initial 8.1 rating on the pizza and then increased the rating to an 8.3 after Gerry shared a touching story about his late Uncle Frank, who the restaurant is named after. The 8.3 rating is the highest pizza rating for any Maryland pizza and ranks in the top 73 of all pizzas reviewed by the Barstool founder. For context, the average one bite pizza rating is 6.8 and more than 1,000 pizzas have been reviewed since 2013. The highs kept coming as Gerry talked Portnoy
into trying one of Daniel’s cheesesteaks made with ribeye, cooper sharp, fried onions and green peppers served in a soft roll they have delivered daily. The Barstool owner delivered a 9.0 rating quoted as saying, “it was a spectacular cheesesteak.” He went on to say, “You got the pizza, steak, the whole works.”
Since the Barstool Review more than a month ago, customers have been lining up outside each morning prior to the store’s opening to ensure they can get a taste of Frank’s.
During their time at Calvert Hall, both brothers agreed Br. Don made an impact encouraging them to be accountable and to do their best. Frank’s has been named The Baltimore Sun’s Reader Choice Winners in 2023 for Best Italian and Best Lunch while earning the nod for Best Pizza in 2024. They have also earned the title of Best Pizza by Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore in 2023 and 2024 along with Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurants – Best Pizza in 2024.
Gerry’s Favorite Dish on the Menu: Margarita Pizza
Daniel’s Favorite Dish on the Menu: Cheesesteak
day is like Christmas when I wake up and get on the boat.” His drive to continue this consistency has strengthened over time with the desire to share his catch and appreciation with as many customers as possible.
He credits Calvert Hall with “single-handedly making (him) the man that (he is) today.” He went on to note Br. Carr and Mr. Blake assisted him in providing guidance and instilling discipline, while Mr. Tosti `78 and Mr. Lobdell found ways to consistently relate to him helping him see the finish line.
Favorite Dish on the Menu: Crabs
PBringing the Motherland to You
Ralph `90 and Angelo, Jr. `92 DiBiasi
Owners of CuVino Trattoria
assports are not required to be transported into a world of lavish sauces, decadent pastas, and incredible wines imported directly from Italy. The siblings grew up working in their father’s restaurant in Baltimore raised on traditional Italian food, flavors, and cooking techniques. They now offer their childhood culinary experiences to the public at CuVino Trattoria in Lutherville. Angelo enjoys the “controlled chaos of dinner service while executing quality dishes that taste and live up to (their) expectations.” You will find Ralph working in the front of the house engaging with customers many of whom have become close friends during their ten years of operation.
When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a wall of curated wines hand selected by Ralph to enhance your dining experience. He meets with several wine importers and distributors daily and many Italian winery owners throughout the
year. He personally tries each wine available for purchase to ensure it matches the level of distinction put forth by their food.
Pursing excellence, growing a strong work ethic, and taking pride in all you do are common themes the brothers agree were taught to them at Calvert Hall. Angelo notes Mr. Blake as the most influential faculty member he had demonstrating how Math can be used in a multitude of ways that Angelo uses to this day in the kitchen. Mr. Baker `76 made the biggest impression as Ralph’s homeroom teacher and later as a Math teacher saying, “I could really tell that Mr. Baker loved his job, he always showed such enthusiasm that made you want to attend his class or be in the room with him.”
Favorite Dishes on the Menu: Rigatoni Pesto (family recipe) and Eggplant AltaVilla (their Mom’s recipe named after her hometown in Italy)
Angelo,
Jr. Ralph
HSomething For Everyone
Marc McFaul `89
Owner of Ropewalk Restaurants, Saltwater 75 and Alley Oops
ow do you successfully take the beach by storm and offer something for everyone? This is the equation Marc has cracked with beach favorites Ropewalk (Ocean City –home to Cardinals at the Beach, Chincoteague & Bethany Beach), Saltwater 75 and Alley Oops (Midtown and Uptown). He has found the ways to lure all age groups to his establishments through upscale menus, amazing waterway views, playgrounds, fire pits, shark tanks, video games, and bowling, just to name a few.
In addition to the current beach properties, two new Alley Oops locations will be opening in Virginia and South Carolina. The dream that almost wasn’t…all began with one location.
Bill McFaul ’84 approached his brother, Marc, suggesting they join forces and purchase a bar.
This side venture turned into their first real estate purchase of Ropewalk Federal Hill growing from the initial 1,200sqft space into 11,000sqft after acquiring the location next door. Now in its 30th year, Ropewalk Federal Hill is run by his managing owner and sister, Linda. They have opened 16 bars and restaurants over the years with eight currently in operation.
While Marc hopes he leaves a memorable impression on the 1,800 staff members he employs annually, he notes Br. Kines `62 as making the biggest impact during his time at Calvert Hall noting, “he inspired me to work hard and have no limits.”
Favorite Dishes on the Menu: Ropewalk’s Deadliest Steam Pot, Borns Halibut, Day Boat Scallops, and the Patrick Henry Filet Mignon
Giving Back to the Community
Sean White `00 CEO of White Oak Hospitality
More than a group of restaurants, Sean White sought to create a high-performance team comprised of a variety of individuals, personalities, and skill sets dedicated to excellent service and delicious foods. He initially fell in love with the idea of curating spaces that “created an opportunity for people to escape the pressures of the daily grind, a place to relax, let loose and enjoy the company of friends and family.” He knew then hospitality was his calling. The White Oak Hospitality portfolio includes Ditos (Federal Hill), Banditos (Towson, Columbia, Maple Lawn, White Marsh, Arlington & Fairfax), Wayward Bar & Kitchen (Federal Hill), and a new, up-and-coming restaurant in Federal Hill as the group recently purchased Mother’s Grille.
Teaching the Next Gen
Chris Robison `12
Executive Chef at The Country Club of Maryland
ooking since he can remember, Chris found his true passion for cooking as a sophomore at Calvert Hall while working at the L’Hirondelle Club. This experience prompted him to attend Paul Smith’s College in New York focusing his attention on Culinary Arts and Service Management. Upon graduation he returned to L’Hirondelle Club as Sous Chef before moving up the ranks to Executive Sous Chef at the Elkridge Club. In September 2024, he accepted the role as Executive Chef at the Country Club of Maryland and has been bringing the heat ever since with new recipes and decision making leading to an ultimate remodeling of the kitchen.
CWhile being a leader in the kitchen and sharing his vision are important, Chris is focused on teaching the next generation of culinarians. He shared that Calvert Hall prepared him to guide his team in the kitchen through the “necessary skills of time management, organization and maximizing efficiency.” He credits his mentoring style to Mr. Robinson ‘74 who made the “lasting impression by showing that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Favorite Dish on the Menu: Pork Chop Entrée with a molasses rich brine served with homemade spaetzle and braised red cabbage, garnished with a bacon jam
White Oak is built on the communities they serve. In turn, Sean makes it a point to give back. They have worked with numerous nonprofits such as The Ulman Foundation, Calvert Hall, BARCs and the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments. They run annual golf outings donating all of the proceeds to charity, offer on-site cooking for The Ulman House, and host food drives. He previously served on the Federal Hill Main Street Board focused on cultivating a strong sense of community. The Baltimore Business Journal recognized him in their “40 Under 40” Class of 2021.
Sean credits Calvert Hall for preparing him for where he is now by instilling the “importance of accountability, structure, and work ethic from the classroom to the sports fields.” The faculty member making the biggest impression was Mr. Sundell and “his approach to never taking yourself too seriously (while) always keeping me engaged.”
Favorite Dishes on the Menu: Bandito’s Rus & Gus Taco and the Birria Egg Rolls
CLUB SPOTLIGHT IT’S ACADEMIC
By Club Moderator: Richard Brown (Mathematics Department)
The Calvert Hall It’s Academic team has a long history of success. The team has competed in the Catholic Academic League since its inception in 1991 and has consistently placed at or near the top in the final standings. Calvert Hall has won the championship match the past two years winning all 20 of its competitive matches against nine Catholic high schools in the Baltimore area. Calvert Hall has placed first in 10 of the past 14 years. No other school has come close to matching Calvert Hall’s performance over the 34-year history of the league.
The It’s Academic team has always been very popular at Calvert Hall with over 20 students participating in the club. Most of the players begin in their freshmen year and remain with the team
all four years. The team practices twice a week during the school year and participates in various competitions.
Questions during team practices and in competitions range from current events to pop culture to all the academic disciplines, including Literature, Life Sciences, World Geography, famous people, World Religions, American History and Government. Students who perform well are generally well read, travel extensively and take advanced courses. To standout, one needs to have an incredible memory with quick recall, enjoy learning new things, and have an interest in trivia. Being quick on the buzzer also helps.
It’s Academic club members are locked in attentively listening to Mr. Brown quiz them prior to an upcoming match.
Are You Smarter Than the Advanced Placement Test?
1. AP Psychology | Mr. Matt Radebaugh `98
The Advanced Placement (AP) test is offered in the United States by The College Board to high school students each May. These tests are the culmination of year-long AP courses. Students can earn college credit based on their test scores. Calvert Hall offers 29 AP courses. Test your knowledge with questions from some of our AP courses below.
Lisa admires a musician that she hasn’t met but believes is physically attractive. Because of the musician’s appearance, Lisa assumes they must also be intelligent and kind. Which concept best explains Lisa’s perception?
A. The Halo Effect
B. Social Comparison
C. Overconfidence
D. Self-Serving Bias
2. AP Economics | Mr. Phil Bressler
If the United States puts a tariff on China who ends up paying the tax?
3. AP Statistics | Ms. Maddie Makowski
Joe Cardinal wants to know, “What’s the most popular meal you can buy at Calvert Hall?” Now, Joe is a very busy person and can’t survey every student and staff member in the school. Instead, he randomly chooses a House and surveys every person in the Newman House to get an idea of the school’s opinion.
What method of sampling is this?
A. Simple Random Sample
B. Cluster
C. Stratified
D. Systematic
4. AP Environmental Science | Mrs. Lauren Urban
This biome has the highest net primary productivity, in part because of consistently warm temperatures and abundant sunlight.
A. Temperate grassland
B. Taiga
C. Tropical rainforest
D. Tundra
5. AP English Literature | Mr. David Hallman `08
When a writer uses language that appeals to the sense of smell, this would be an example of a(n) _______________ imagery.
Consumers pay a higher price for the goods
T imeless A radition
Have you considered your legacy at The Hall?
Many Calvert Hall benefactors are choosing to leave a lasting legacy by making a gift through their will or estate. Planned gifts truly make a difference for future generations.
Did you know there are ways to support Calvert Hall that won’t affect your current lifestyle or your family’s security?
✓ Will or Trust
✓ IRA Rollover
✓ Retirement Plan
✓ Stock and Appreciated Assets
✓ Life Insurance
Thoughtfully structured planned gifts are uniquely powerful in sustaining and growing Calvert Hall’s ability to serve those in need, impacting the lives of generations of Hallmen.
43 New Members Joined The 1845 Society During The Campaign
CLASS NOTES
1950s
Joe Michael ’52 turned 90 years old in June 2024. His family and friends gathered at Towson University to celebrate his birthday.
Carroll Oliva ’53 retired after 70 years as a Water/Wastewater Engineer licensed in seven states.
H. Snowden Hodges ’56 was featured in a July juried exhibition of portraits and figures by Hawaii artists at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu. One of his paintings was awarded first prize.
Curtis Quigley ’57 and his wife, Ann, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day 2024.
1960s
(Above) Patrick Wiglesworth ’62 is celebrating 30 years working for the Baltimore Orioles as an Usher and Ticket Taker.
(Right) Dr. Michael Dodd ’64 published a World War II novel based on true events titled, “Suicide Run to Archangel.” His book is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Anthony DeLuca ’65 was re-elected as councilman in Ocean City, MD, on November 5, 2024, for his third, four-year term.
Owen Rouse ’65 was honored with the Daily Record ’s Icon Honors award, which recognizes leaders over 60 who have made a significant impact in their field and community.
Dan Wancowicz, Ph.D. ’65 completed 17 years of volunteering as a Docent at
Oakleigh Historic Home and as a Licensed Pharmacy Tech at Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy.
1970s
James Lambdin ’71 and his wife, Anna, had the University of Maryland Health and Wellness Center named in their honor in Aberdeen, MD. Additionally, the Lambdins have established a scholarship for CHC graduates to pursue a Master’s Degree in Finance at Loyola University Maryland.
Frank Passaro ’71 (former faculty) was featured on the cover of UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s Maryland’s Health Matters magazine this past spring.
Mike Dougherty ’76 was honored by the Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration with the highest award given by the FHWA Administrator.
Rick Jaklitsch ’76 is celebrating 25 years as the founding partner of The Jaklitsch Law Group.
Joe Orlando ’77 has been named one of the Assistant Varsity Basketball Coaches at Calvert Hall. He previously was the Head JV Coach.
Jeff Kief ’78, owner of The Window Tailor, was featured as a Partner Spotlight by Baltimore Real Producers for his local window covering company.
1980s
George Hack ’80 started a new position as VP Wealth Management Finance Controller at Morgan Stanley in August 2024.
Jeffrey Kramer ’82 started a new position as Strategic Advisor at Sage Technologies, LTD.
Paul Brooks `82, Chris Burton `82, Mark Gnatowski `82 and Pat Klima `82 visited their classmate, Chip Doerhing `82 at his home in Prague.
(Right) Frank Kelly III ’82, CEO of Kelly Benefits, was named a 2024 Power 10 CEO by the Baltimore Business Journal
Thomas Barczak ’83 has been recognized as a 2024 CIO Award winner by Info-Tech Research Group.
LT. John Weaver ’86 spoke at the Fulbright Association’s annual conference on the topic of The “Five Eyes” Intelligence Sharing Relationship: A Contemporary Perspective. Later he spoke on the Fulbright Association Panel about Security and Diplomacy: The Intersection of National Security and Diplomatic Relations in a Changing World
Bill Leahy ’87 was named La Salle College High School’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator of the Year.
Rob Silverman ’87, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, served as a panelist at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference.
Kevin Kirkland ’88 joined Agrace as their Chief Growth Officer.
Doug Heidrick ’89, (Director, Annual Giving), Dr. Andrew Moore, (Principal), Brother John Kane, FSC, Ed.D, (President), Drew Forrester, (Head Golf Coach), and Ethan Forrester ’25, participated in the 6th Annual Prayers for Pap Golf Tournament where all proceeds supported Ben Paepcke ’18 in his recovery efforts.
Andy Hilgartner ’89 coached McDonogh to a 3rd consecutive MIAA Boys Lacrosse championship this past spring.
1990s
Austin Ewachiw ’93 (Director of Technology), was named Executive Director of the Blackbaud K-12 Advisory Board. The board consists of 20 members representing a diverse group of top-tier schools in the United States and Canada.
Stan Fisher III, USN, Ph.D. ’93, a Permanent Military Professor for the United States Naval Academy History Department, was promoted to Captain (0-6).
Jess Torpey ’93 of Uniper Global Commodities was transferred from the company’s Germany office to the London office.
Neill Jakobe ’94 has been appointed Vice Chair of the 1,500-lawyer global firm Ropes & Gray for a five-year term beginning in January 2025. He is a member of the firm’s management committee, previously serving as the head of the Chicago office, and co-head of the firm’s global Private Equity practice.
Ross Angelella ’98 received the 2024-25 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Faculty Mentor Award for his work with University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities.
Jonathan Nwagbaraocha ’98 started a new position as Corporate Counsel –Environmental Sustainability at Cisco.
Matt Bolyard ’99 has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Southway’s strategic expansion into the Southeast region.
Tony Russo ’99 was inducted into The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame. He was the starting goalie for the Men’s Lacrosse team.
CLASS
2000s
Chris Baloga ’01, Men’s Golf Head Coach at Loyola University Maryland, captured the 65th Maryland Four-Ball Championship after a 6-hole playoff at The Cannon Club on August 5, 2024, with his teammate Will Wears.
Scott Smith ’03 was hired as Head of Strategy and Business Development at the digital health and wellness company, Noom.
Jed Gamber ’04 won a National Emmy for “Outstanding News Story: Investigative,” as part of WBFF’s Project Baltimore. He was also nominated for a National Emmy for a documentary he directed in the category “Outstanding Regional Documentary.”
Mark Rich ’04 and Scott Foreman ’06, founders of Baltimore Fabrication, were featured in the Summer 2024 issue of Building Baltimore published by Associated Builders and Contractors - Greater Baltimore.
Jeremy Blevins ’05 was inducted into the UMBC Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a starting goalie for the Men’s Lacrosse team.
Calvert Hall Graduates ranging from 1989-2024 visited with Ricky Harris ’05, Terps Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, at the University of Maryland vs UMES game on December 28, 2024.
(Above) Dane Robinson ’05, a fitness instructor, was featured in a segment on “The Today Show.”
Rev. Kevin Ewing ’06 was named Pastor of Catholic Community of South Baltimore effective July 1, 2024.
David Orlando ’06 was promoted to CFO at Orlando Products Inc. in 2024.
Nick Ibello ’07 is the CEO at Ibello Wealth Management, a firm he founded in August 2024.
Matt Orlando ’08 was promoted to VP at Orlando Products Inc. in 2024.
Kenneth Bayton ’09 completed the McKinsey & Company Management Accelerator as part of the Black Leadership Academy in June. In July, he joined Bloomberg Industry Group as their new Marketing Production Director and in August, he started pursuing his MBA as an executive format candidate at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
James Hoos III ’09 (current faculty) participated in DENA’s Vocation Animator Team Workshop discussions, where they shared experiences, and created actionable plans focused on fostering a culture of vocation in their ministries.
Matthew Robison ’09 started a new position as Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame.
2010s
Chris Robison ’12, accepted the position of Executive Chef at the Country Club of Maryland.
(Bottom left) Brian Bollinger ’13 married Veronica Ritte Dashbach, on June 29, 2024, at Mount DeSales Academy Chapel. In attendance were several Calvert Hall alumni including Dr. Thomas Smyth ’77, Mark Heidrick ’87, Burk Smyth ’10, Jordan Bondyra ’13, John DeLeonardo ’13, Mats Kleb ’13, Sam Smyth ’13, Kyle Travers ’13, Jon Sipe ’13, Geordy Walden ’13, Benjamin Bollinger ’15, and Brayden Bollinger ’17
Benjamin Deaver ’13 married Amanda Dumar in Tampa, FL, on October 19, 2024.
Matt Rothman ’13 was named the MIAA Water Polo Coach of the Year. Matt is the Head Water Polo and Swim Coach at The Hall.
Darryl Perry ’14 hosted his annual basketball tournament, Ball 4 BooksEmpowering Kids’ Education through Basketball and Resources, at Calvert Hall on August 10, 2024.
Ben Schiavone ’14 married Jessica Hurtt on June 15, 2024, at Mount St. Mary’s Chapel in Emmittsburg, MD. In attendance were several Calvert Hall alumni including Grandfather, Donald Trinite ’53, Ben’s Father, Paul Schiavone ’81 and Fr. Justin Gough ’11, who presided over the wedding.
Ben Crouch ’15 is pursuing his master’s degree in Integrated Design at the University of Baltimore.
Nicholas Maggio ’15, married his wife, Emily, at Stone Ridge Hollow in Forest Hill, MD, on March 9, 2024. Andy Maggio ’77, John Diehl ’80, Fernando Ferro ’80, Phil Golden ’80, Michael Maggio ’80 (Father of the Groom), Luis Rosell ’80, Kirk Maggio ’85, Kevin Christy ’87, Tom Fidler ’87, Joseph Maggio ’96, Mike Ruocco ’01, Mike Buchanan ’03, Brian Swisher ’03, Matt Dement ’17, Owen Reese ’17, Matthew Maggio ’18, Dustin Christy ’26 and Ethan Christy ’26 were in attendance.
Matthew Blodgett ’16, a MBA Candidate at the London Business School, recently began a position as a Product & Strategy Intern at Solvo.ai - Price Optimization for Freight Forwarding.
(Below) Matthew DeMent ’17 married Rebecca Custis on September 28, 2024.
Kevin Barnes ’18 started Medical School in August 2024 at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Jackson Martini ’19, was awarded the Stanley Leadership Program Purpose Award which is the highest honor given to a member of the program recognizing their outstanding contributions made to the company and the program while demonstrating exemplary leadership.
NOTES
(Above) Garrett Mcllhenney ’19 graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Brady Organt ’19 served as the on-field producer for the 125th Army-Navy Game in Landover, MD.
2020s
Aidan Fritz ’20 has joined the team at WBAL-TV 11 News as an Account Executive.
Oluwatosin Johnson ’20, a master’s student in the School of Engineering at Catholic University, attended the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Professional Development Conference.
Jordan Karpe ’20 joined Cummings & Co. Realtors serving the greater Baltimore area.
Jake Kozak ’20 completed his junior year on the Savannah College of Art and Design Men’s Lacrosse Team, where he was named to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Men’s Lacrosse All-Conference 2nd Team.
Andrew Levis ’20 started his career with The Whiting - Turner Construction Company as a Project Engineer after
graduating from the University of West Virginia.
Nicholas Logue ’20 accepted a position as a Tournament Manager for the Maryland State Golf Association.
Justin Morgan ’20 started a new position as Customer Experience Sr. Analyst at Tractor Supply Company.
Charles Suter ’20 was featured in the Cromwell Valley Newsletter for his work on the new Honor Garden at Cromwell Valley Park.
Patrick Tejeda ’20 graduated from Loyola University Maryland in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Economics. He joined Fidelity Investments as a Financial Services Representative in their Towson, MD branch.
(Right) Sean Tucker ’20, a Running Back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, scored his first two career NFL touchdowns earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 6.
Roland Joice ’21, an International Business and Management student with concentrations in Consulting and Sustainability at the University of South Carolina, attended the 2024 G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Right) David Bonham ’22 rang the bell! Four additional rounds of chemo and a kidney later, he has been declared cancer free.
Isaac Hawkins ’22, a Patrick Healy Scholar at Georgetown University, interned with the U.S. Department of State where he assisted U.S. Delegates at the U.N. General Assembly.
Thomas Smith IV ’22 was inducted into the Eta Delta Chapter of the Phi Eta Kappa Kinesiology Honor Society at North Carolina A&T and gained valuable experience shadowing in the acute rehab division at Wesley Long Hospital. In addition, Thomas was named Second Team All-America for the 110-meter hurdles.
Logan Zeller ’22, a junior at the University of South Carolina, worked this summer as a part-time Stadium Operations Intern for the Columbia Fireflies, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
Kalil Bennett ’23 participated in a nine-week internship program at the United States Congress this summer. He is an intern for Senator Kweisi Mfume (D-MD, 7th District).
Cameron Harris ’24, an accounting major at North Carolina A&T, attended the Third Annual Deloitte MADE (Make Accounting Diverse and Equitable) Leadership Summit at Deloitte University in Westlake, TX.
Ben Heidrick ’24, a freshman on the Men’s Golf Team at Shepherd University, has been selected as treasurer of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Deceased
Alumni
Bob Torr ’45, Father of Randolph ’68 and Greg ’72; Great-Great-Uncle of Erik Weller ’26
William Hooper ’47
Richard Geraghety, Jr. ’49, Brother of the late William ’60, Timothy ’63, and Jerome ’68; Uncle of William ’85, Scott ’87, Brian ’91, Jerome ’94, John `97, Mark `00 and Patrick `04; Cousin of Jerome Dashner, Sr. ’43 and Jerome Dashner, Jr. ’69
William Buettner ’52, Grandfather of Louis ’26 and Michael ’28
Carroll Fitzgerald ’53, Father of Tom ’77; Grandfather of Bryan Bollinger ’05, the late Stephen Bollinger ’08, Patrick Bollinger ’10, Brett Pearce ’12 and Connor Pearce ’15; Uncle of David Lampieri ’87, Steven Lampieri ’87, Kevin Lampieri ’88 and Thomas Marston ’83, Father-InLaw of Paul Bollinger ’77, Brother-In-Law of Larry Stevenson ’82
Rev. Liborio LaMartina, SJ ’53
Raymond Sauerwein ’54
Bernard Adams, Sr. ’55, Father of Bernard, Jr. ’76
Harry Carroll ’55
N. Vernon Carfine ’56, Brother of the late Norman ’52; Cousin of John Repetti ’58, Chris Ketterman ’88, Jon Repetti ’95 and Alexander Hedge ’18; Nephew of the late M. J. Repetti ’41
Nicholas Kollman ’57
G. Norman Dreisch ’58, (former faculty), Father of Michael ’83 and David ’87; Brother of Tom ’62; Cousin of William Gleason, Jr. ’59, Michael Gleason ’62 and Patrick Gleason ’65
Edward Birch ’60, Brother of James H. ’64; Son of the late Edward, Sr. ’32
Lawrence Bury ’60, Father of Lawrence, Jr. ’85; Brother of Louis ’60; Cousin of Barry Bartkowiak, FSC ’66
Thomas Daily ’60
William Geraghty ’60, Father of William ’85, Scott ’87 and Brian ’91; Brother of the late Richard, Jr. ’49, Timothy ’63, and Jerome ’68; Cousin of the late Paul Thalheimer ’40, Jerome Dashner, Sr. ’43, the late Timothy Thalheimer, Sr. ’54 and Jerome Dashner, Jr. ’69
Leonard Monfredo, Sr. ’60, (former faculty), Father of Leonard II ’98, Leo ’00; Uncle of Joseph ’07
Eugene Nuth, Sr. ’60, Father of the late Eugene, Jr. ’86; Son of the late Eugene ’30; Brother of Robert ’61; Cousin of Timothy Doyle ’08, Timothy Mcdermott ’63 and William Doyle, Jr. ’68
Robert Clark ’61, Cousin of Joseph Krastel ’09
Kent Muhly ’61, Father of Daniel ’86
John Bentowski ’62, Brother of the late Gerard ’65
John Dunn III ’62
Charles (Spook) Hilgartner, Jr. ’62, Husband of Anne (former faculty); Father of Andrew ’89 and Peter ’93; Brother of Richard, Sr. ’63; Brother-InLaw of William Baetz, Jr. ’65; Cousin of Richard Lynch ’58 and the late John Lynch ’65; Uncle of Patrick Baetz ’86, Rev. Msgr. Richard Hilgartner, Jr. ’86, Nick Baetz `95 and Matt `96; Nephew of the late James Lynch ’51
Edward Carey ’63, Father of Edward, IV ’92 and Jason ’94; Son of the late Edward Carey ’36; Uncle of Matthew Suljak ’94
Lou Kulaga ’64, Grandfather of Michael Dempsey ’93
James Codd ’64, Grandfather of Samuel Vermette ’19; Brother of Robert ’61, Michael ’70 and John ’62; Cousin of the late Robert, Sr. ’43
David Gillece ’67, Son of the late James, Sr. ’36; Brother of the late James, Jr. ’62
Christopher Byrne ’70
David Hoeckel ’71, Father of Timothy ’00
Blane Boeri ’72
Thomas Crostic ’72, Brother of Joseph, Sr. ’75; Brother-In-Law of Mitchell Jagielski ’80; Uncle of Joseph `04
Mark LiPira ’74, Father of Christopher ’02 and Alexander ’08; Brother of the late Vincent ’66, the late Francis ’68, James ’72, and John M. ’73; Brother-In-Law of Thomas Holland `73; Cousin of Joseph Butta Jr. ’74; Uncle of Thomas Holland ’10
Edward Amrhein ’75, Son of the late William ’48
John Staab ’78
Joseph F. Platania ’81, Brother of the late Alexander ’79; Cousin of Matthew ’88 and Marco ’90
Maxamillion Hernandez ’83, Uncle of Joseph ’06
Craig Sistek ’84
Steve Carman ’87, Brother of Luke ’87
Richard Phelps IV ’89, Son of Richard III ’66; Brother of Mark ’92 and Jack ’00; Nephew of Henry Neukum ’66; Uncle of Grady `25 and Luther `26
Jonathan Bontempo ’89
Bryan Crawford ’92
Louis Otremba III ’93, Brother of Lawrence ’93
Donald Burrill ’97
Deceased Faculty
Jane Dyer
Father Tom Ryan
Deceased Family & Friends
Betty Balog, Mother of Richard, Jr. ’97
Mary Ellen Beyer, Wife of Robert M. ’60; Sister-In-Law of Dennis ’65; Grandmother of Eric Borkowicz ’11
Mary Frances Bockstie, Mother of G. Michael ’84; Grandmother of Bradley ’13
Donna Bourne, Mother of Joseph, III ’15
Alice Brown, Grandmother of Chet ’18 and William ’24
Jean Cashen, Mother of Gregory ’69, the late Terrence ’71, Timothy ’74 and Brian ’74
Stephen Curran, Father of Brendan ’96; Brother of Pat ’67
Donald Elliott, Father of Douglas ’87 and Gregory ’89; Uncle of Joseph Baker ’76 and Great-Uncle of Joseph Baker ’15
Lynda Fenhagen, Mother of Timothy ’07
Lambrini Galiatsatos, Mother of Panagis ’02
Salvatore Giordano, Jr., Son of Salvatore, (Larry) Sr. ’60
Richard Hamilton, Brother of Robert ’88
George Hand, Sr., (former coach), Father of Steven ’78; Grandfather of Matthew Stangroom ’02 and Michael Stangroom ’05
Mary Kathryn Henneman, Mother of Kevin ’89; Grandmother of Maxwell ’21 and Ryan ’24; Sister of William Christ ’59, John Christ ’60 and Raymond Christ ’64
Mary Hyman, Grandmother of Matthew Piccinini ’18
Christine Janishefski, wife of Victor Janishefski, Jr. (former faculty); Mother of Brendan ’89; Grandmother of Brian ’21
Stephen Kozak, Father of Stephen ’84 and Grandfather of Stephen ’15
Paul Lebert, Jr., Father of the late P. Scott Ph.D. ’82
Roy Mills, Grandfather of Abdulsami Khan ’20 and Sikander J. Khan ’21
Mary Suzanne Murphy, Sister of Joseph Nattans, Sr. ’60; Aunt of Joseph Nattans, Jr. ’83, Jeffrey Nattans ’85 and John Nattans ’86; Great-Aunt of Spencer Nattans ’19
Maria Dolores Rodriguez, Mother-In-Law of Joseph Maher Jr. ’83; Grandmother of Joseph Maher III ’06, Patrick Maher ’09, Timothy Maher ’12 and Robert Maher ’14
Patricia Ryan, Wife of William, Sr. ’53; Mother of Ryan, Jr. ’82; Grandmother of Brendan ’06; Aunt of the late Timothy ’80 and Thomas ’87; Mother-InLaw of Thomas O’Hara ’78
Margaret Scott, Aunt of Eric Rogers ’81 (staff) Charles Rogers, Jr. (staff) and Gregory Rogers ’81
Juan Stecco, Father of Carlos ’83 and Jorge ’92; Grandfather of Alexander ’13, Christian ’23 and Evan ’27
Brenda Stembler, Mother of Charles ’83, (former Principal); Grandmother of Chip ’20
Brett Sturgis, Brother of Kelly Robertson, (faculty); Uncle of William Robertson ’23 and Andrew Robertson ’27
Justin Vitrano, Father of Anthony ’72, the late Stephen ’74, Joseph ’76, Thomas ’78, Frank ’80, and James ’83; Grandfather of Michael Kellerman ’04 and David Kellerman ’05; Uncle of Paul Miller ’73, Anthony Miller ’75 and Andrew Miller ’77
Adam Wolff, Father of Henry ’24
George Zinn, Father of Christopher Zinn (staff); Grandfather of Austin ’27
NKOTH
Michael Wineke ’21 and Catherine Blische welcomed their daughter, Nova Inez Wineke on July 17, Grandfather,2024.Michael Wineke ’98, and Great- Uncle, Ryan Wineke ’00, are excited for the newest addition to the family.
Justin Hughes ’09 and his wife, Callie, welcomed their son, Arlo Kilbane Hughes, on October 17, 2024.
Former faculty members Kevin Ford ’07 and his wife, Meaghan (née Tracey), welcomed their son, Thomas Tracey, on July 22, 2024
Joseph
and
Will
Wellein ’05 and his wife, Allie, welcomed their baby girl, Hannah Bryn, on January 4, 2025.
Hicks ’05
his wife, Leah, welcomed George Parker on May 25, 2024
Mike Popovec ’98 and his wife, Brooke, welcomed daughter, Saylor Elizabeth, on January 14, 2025. Grandfather, William Popovec ’73, is excited for the newest addition to the family.
Tom Vondersmith IV ’12 and Taylor Orendorff welcomed their daughter, Ella Louise Vondersmith, on January 11, 2025. Grandfather, Tom Vondersmith III ’83, and Uncle, Joey Vondersmith ’14, are elated.
Dialed In with JED GAMBER ’04
What is a Chief Photojournalist and what led you to this career?
I started in TV News in 2007 as the part-time Weekend Sports Producer for Fox 45 in Baltimore. A few months later, I became a Sports Reporter/Anchor for the CBS affiliate in Charlottesville, VA, where I covered ACC sports with a focus on University of Virginia athletics. After three years, covering two major coaching changes at UVA, I found my love for TV was in the creative process behind the camera. In 2011, I was fortunate enough to land a job back at Fox 45 as a full-time staff Photojournalist and fill-in Sports Anchor (there is a video on YouTube of me doing Turkey Bowl highlights!). I was also the station’s sideline camera for the Ravens for three seasons (20122014) and was on the field for the Ravens magical Super Bowl run. On the outside, when you see a person toting a camera around for a TV news story, you call them a “camera man”. In the TV business, we call them Photojournalists. I put in the work as a photojournalist, won a few awards and a few years later became the “Chief” at Fox 45 where I oversaw a staff of 15 photojournalists and 7 editors. WBFF Fox 45 was the National Press Photographers Association’s East Regional Station of the Year every year during my tenure as Chief, and we were national finalists for ’Station of the Year’ for three of my four years at the helm. In 2019, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to switch gears and move to Project Baltimore to tell impactful investigative stories and have thoroughly enjoyed my work here since.
Which of your 49 Emmy Awards is the most memorable to you?
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a fantastic team which allowed me peer-recognized success like winning Emmys. My first Emmy was my most memorable – I was partnered with my friend Kathleen Cairns and we did a feature story on the Oyster Recovery Partnership. ORP does shell recycling so we followed oyster shells from being served at a restaurant to being recycled back into the Chesapeake Bay.
You have been twice named the East Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. What do you think are the key aspects to winning this honor?
In 2014 I attended the NPPA’s News Video Workshop at the University of Oklahoma. There, some of the industry’s top media professionals critiqued my work, trained me and changed my outlook on the profession which led me to be a better teammate and laid the path to win their Regional Photographer of the Year award in 2015 and 2016. The way the contest works is to submit stories you have shot and edited in separate news story categories: Breaking News, General News, Deadline News (Shot and edited within four hours) and In-Depth News (long form pieces). You must submit at least two stories, per quarter, to qualify and each category/story is ranked by your peers around the country. The Photojournalist with the most points at the end of the year is the Photographer of the Year. 2015 was a critical year for news in the Baltimore area as the unrest with Freddie Gray unfolded. Being able to tell stories from the ground-level of Baltimore residents involved in trying to make the city better in spite of the news led to wonderful character-driven stories which led to me being named a finalist and runner-up for the NPPA National Photographer of the Year: the highest honor for a TV News Photojournalist in the country. In 2016, the NPPA invited me back to Oklahoma to serve as a faculty member for the News Video Workshop.
Who is the most memorable teacher you had at Calvert Hall?
Mr. Baker. He taught me Algebra freshman year and I’ve never met a teacher that could mix in humor to his teaching the way he does. I remember having his class at the end of the day, and he would give us what he would call, “free education” when we didn’t finish our work and had to stay a little bit later. His delivery of that line still makes me laugh today. A one-of-a-kind guy that I love catching up with every time I see him.
What skills or knowledge did you learn at Calvert Hall that you have found to be the most useful in your career?
People skills! Calvert Hall has a vast and diverse student body and faculty. The Hall nurtured me to come out of my shell and not be afraid to ask questions. To be inquisitive. Being a journalist is a front row seat to life. You get to meet new people every day – to share their stories and ask tough questions to decision makers. Calvert Hall laid that foundation for me – never be afraid to ask tough questions and be open minded about any answer.
Dr. Moore wants to know - What Calvert Hall teacher or coach had the most profound impact on your life and why?
Mr. Sundell. The energy he brought to my freshman year English class was unlike anything I had seen from a teacher before. It still sticks to me to this day – I try to attack everyday with the enthusiasm of Mr. Sundell. I remember competing in the freshman speech competition. I don’t remember how I did, but I do remember the encouragement and guidance he gave me.
Pose a question of your own for our next Dialed In alumnus.
If you were to take a class again at Calvert Hall and experience it for the first time with that same teacher, what would it be and why?
Calvert Hall College
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