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Around Delbarton
Raising Hope Walk Raises $16,000
Delbarton Relaunches Mock Trial Team
On September 25, Delbarton hosted its annual Raising Hope Walk to remove the stigma of mental illness, remember victims of suicide and support their families and friends. The event attracted over 250 participants and Student Coordinators Billy Crutchlow ’22, Michael Vigliotti ’22, Matthew Dooley ’23 and Preston Lee ’22, led by faculty member Ms.Angela Brown, worked hard to raise over $16,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We salute members and coaches from the Green Wave Varsity Football and Varsity Swim teams who joined the Walk.
In October, over fifty young men filled Spada Commons as the new Mock Trial Team kicked off its first meeting. Students on the Mock Trial Team participate in a fictional trial as they try to persuade the jury with their case. Delbarton’s Mock Trial Team is run by Adam Carlisle who previously successfully coached Mock Trial and Moot Court at Wyoming Seminary. Neel Dhall ’24 and Colin Pryma ’24 asked Carlisle to help them revive the program at Delbarton, and alumnus Matthew J. Iammatteo ’10, an attorney at Wilson Elser, agreed to serve as team attorney advisor. In late October, the Delbarton Mock Trial Team hosted auditions and looks forward to its debut season. (continued on page 42) duties as Bishop, and asked Donovan to join the delegation. The organization is currently working on three major projects: • The International Benedictine
Youth Conference to coincide with World Youth Day in
August of 2023 in Lisbon,
Portugal. • BENet (Benedictine Educators
Network), a tri-annual meeting of schools from around the world in October of 2023 in
Rio, Brazil. • Annual regional meetings of
North American Benedictine educators. This past summer, faculty member Jenna Gomez-Nourie earned her Masters’ degree from Middlebury College with a (continued on page 46)
Greg’s sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Ed Rebak and family attended the ceremony. From left, Grace Rebak, Barbara Rebak, Ed Rebak and Andrew Rebak (missing: Greg’s nephew Joseph Rebak).
Many alumni gathered at Delbarton on June 2, 2021 to salute Greg Devine as he received the Distinguished Educator Award. On June 2, 2021 AP Physics teacher Greg Devine, who retired this year after 23 years teaching at Delbarton, received the Delbarton School 2021 Distinguished Educator Award. Admissions Dean Dr. David Donovan praised Devine as “a true educator who found a job and a place where his gifts, his will, and opportunities aligned. His craft was his calling.” Speakers included Junior Guidance Counselor Kelly Gleason and Peter Badenhausen ’14 (Dartmouth) who lauded Devine’s Socratic teaching method as “a profound way to learn”. Jack Finning ’22 described Devine as a mentor who had successfully hooked Finning on robotics and engineering. “Most importantly, he taught me how important failure is to learning.” Pianist Robert Frech ’10 (Columbia) spoke of the many jazz greats and classic venues he and his former teacher had experienced together. Peter Godart ’11 (MIT) described Devine’s problem-solving and passion for music, math, science, engineering, driving fast cars, and British TV shows. “He inspires me to always be my whole self and follow my curiosity wherever it may lead,” said Godart. Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd presented Greg Devine with the Award, then announced that a perpetually endowed fund has been created in Devine’s honor: the Gregory Devine Fund for Science and Excellence. To support the Fund, please contact Assistant Headmaster for Advancement Craig Paris ’82 at CParis@delbarton.org. Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs Josh Hartle read Devine’s acceptance speech. Describing the Delbarton student body as a ‘hurdling train of teenagers’, he wrote, “The greatest strength is our student body and their parents. Gentle steering and corrections guide them as they move through this place.” He especially appreciated parents, describing his students as ‘good people from good families’.
Longtime colleagues paid tribute to Greg Devine. From left, Dean of Admissions David Donovan, former Faculty Dean Anne Leckie, Director of Senior Guidance Mike Rosenhaus ’80, Assistant Headmaster for Student Affairs Chuck Ruebling ’79, Greg Devine, Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs Josh Hartle, Junior Guidance Counselor Kelly Gleason and History Department Chair John Thompson.
Alumni and student speakers shared stories of Greg Devine’s impact as an educator and mentor. From left, Peter
Badenhausen ’14, Peter Godart ’11, Robert Frech ’10,
Greg Devine and Jack Finning ’22. “I’ve learned more from my students than I should probably not admit, and I owe my deepest thanks to them for inspiring me.” Finally, he wrote, “I cannot conceive of another place I would rather be than here.” Greg Devine grew up in Upper Saddle River, NJ and graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in 1989. He majored in physics and music at Williams College, graduating in 1993, after which he began teaching Physics at Delbarton, directing ensembles in the Music Department, initiating the engineering program and working on the Admission Committee. Three years later, he entered the Graduate School of Education at Harvard where he earned an Ed.M in 1997. After a year teaching Physics and Music at another school, he returned to Delbarton to continue teaching. He started the Jazz Ensemble in 1999 which he directed along with the Brass and Wind Ensembles until about five years ago. He served for many years on the Academic Council, taught AP Physics, oversaw the Engineering program and led the North Caucus of the Admission Committee. Devine was honored to receive the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching in 2010, and the Northwestern Prize for Secondary Teaching in 2012. He also was designated three times by student recipients of the Star Ledger Scholar Award as their most influential teacher, and selected twice by Presidential Scholars from Delbarton. The Delbarton community salutes the 2021 Delbarton School Distinguished Educator Greg Devine for his outstanding teaching career. His legacy continues to live on through the endowed Fund named in his honor.
Greg Devine
receives a standing ovation from colleagues, students, alumni and their parents. After Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd presented Greg Devine with the 2021 Delbarton School Distinguished Educator Award, he announced that a perpetually endowed fund has been created in Devine’s honor, the Gregory Devine Fund for Science and Excellence.
(continued from page 43) focus on Latin American history and sociology, Spanish literature, and language pedagogy. She says, “The experience was both professionally and personally enriching. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn in such an environment and to grow as a person alongside people and professors that I admire so much.”
Over the summer, Br. Finnbar McEvoy took a course through the Archdiocese of Newark’s Online System called “The Vocation of the Catechist.” Vocation of the Catechist is an overview of the nature, goal, and methods of catechesis grounded in prayer, Scripture, the Catechism, and forming catechists with a missionary zeal. The six hour online course was asynchronous, and Br. Finnbar took it to prepare for teaching theology. He recommends the course for anyone who is beginning to teach theology. He also took a course through the Catholic Apostolate Center unpacking a USCCB document, “Living as Missionary Disciples”, a course more geared towards his work within the Delbarton Mission and Ministry Office. World Languages teacher and Director of Global Programs & Exchanges Dan Pieraccini (continued on page 47)
Freshman Tournament Debates History’s Most Influential Person
Last year, teacher Adam Carlisle organized a yearlong freshman class debate tournament featuring the 100 Most Influential Persons in History. Sixty-three members of the Class of 2024 voluntarily signed on, and each student chose an historical figure he believed continues to have the most impact on peoples’ lives today. After multiple preliminary rounds, on May 26, debate finalists Logan Brooks ’24 (Augustus Caesar), on right, and Michael Fialcowitz ’24 (Alexander of the Great), left, met on neutral territory, Spada Commons in St. Benedict Hall, before nine faculty judges. After an exciting contest, Fialcowitz triumphed, having enjoyed an impressive run during the freshman debate season: He won 90.8% of his ballots, posting a 69-7 record across six debates.
Delbarton Welcomes New Teachers and Staff Members
This year, Delbarton welcomed 17 new teachers and staff members to our community. Front row: Teaching Fellow Andrew Gannon ’17 (History and Euro Challenge), B.A. Notre Dame; Jack O’Reilly ’14 teaching Mathematics (Cross Country) B.A. Boston College; Nora McSorley teaching Mathematics, B.S. Columbia University; Natalie York teaching French (French Club) M.A. Rutgers University, B.A. The Catholic University; Allison Malavasi (Advancement Associate Major Gift Officer); Joseph Racioppi (Advancement Associate Major Gift Officer); Meghan Podimsky (Marketing & Communications Digital Content Specialist); Second row: Teaching Fellow Roggi Chuquimarca ’17 (Performing Arts and Theater) B.A. Rutgers University; Teaching Fellow Jordan Hubbard ’17, (Science/Psych and DAP) B.A. Drew University; Sean Cosgrove teaching History (History Club), M.A. NYU, B.A. Holy Cross; Chris Dittrick ’05 teaching Chemistry (Chemistry Club) Ed.D University of VA, M.Ed Notre Dame, B.S. Holy Cross; Stacey Fazio (Guidance & College Counseling Administrative Assistant); Chrissy Charles (Business Office Administrative Assistant); Third row: Michael Donnelly teaching English (Football, Rugby) M.Ed. Notre Dame, B.A. Loras College Dubuque: Andrew Lyman teaching Instrumental Music (Musical Ensembles) M.A, Montclair State, B.A. Rutgers; Kendall Rogers teaching Theology (Lacrosse, DAP) B.A. Bowdoin College (Missing: Dennis Oussenko ’17 teaching Theology, B.A. The Wharton School, University of PA). (continued from page 46)
received two awards for his community service in the past year. Pieraccini won Elk of the Year for 2020-2021 and received the Community Service Award from Catholic Charities of Newark on behalf of the Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry in South Orange. He is a member of their organizing committee and oversees all volunteer efforts. He was pleased to see Bishop Elias Lorenzo, OSB in attendance at the awards ceremony! Maintenance Supervisor Eric ‘Merv’ Steinberg completed the requirements and received his certificate for CEFM- New Jersey Certified Educational Facilities Management. The courses were offered through Rutgers University, and the certification is issued by the State of New Jersey.
Tidings Faculty member Tony Negrin and his wife Olga welcomed their second child, son Jesse Gregory Negrin, who was born on September 23, 2019. Jesse joins older brother Leo, age 20 months. French teacher Natalie York and her husband Connor York were married on June 12, 2021 at St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton, Pennsylvania. n
Seniors Achieve National Merit Success
In September, four Delbarton seniors were recognized as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program including, on right, Austen Yun ’22, Anand
Majmudar ’22, Matthew
Sebastian, and Warren Wu ’22. The young men join approximately 16,000 other Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program who are eligible to compete for some 7,600 scholarships worth more than $31 million to be offered next spring. Delbarton also had twenty-two National Merit Commended Students in the senior class, including
Syed Ahmed, Alexander Banker, Andrew Bentz, Colin Calvetti, Christian Carbeau, Lucian Charters, Guanyi Chen, Evan Dolan, Nathaniel Donahue, Murari Dondapati, Travis Ehrenberg, Aidan Hassan, Taylor Hunt, Hayden Kim, Andrew Maguire, Paul Mattiola, Eric Moldoveanu, Nicholas Olivieri, William Petrucco, Dominic Pizzo,
Dean Sharif and Caleb Yoder.
Violinist Nicholas Yoo ’24
On October 4, Delbarton student Nicholas Yoo ’24 performed at DePaul University in its Concerto Festival for Young Performers where he played the third movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and received 1st Place prize in the concert. Last summer, the University also offered Yoo the opportunity to perform with Chicago’s Oistrakh Symphony. Yoo studies violin at the Julliard School and has played violin for nine years, and performed at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, and Royal Albert Hall in London. He won numerous competitions and, in 2015, debuted with the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra. He appreciates his music advisors at Delbarton, and says, “Mr. Lyman and Mrs. Davis have been my biggest mentors at Delbarton in terms of music. I cannot be more thankful for their guidance and for always being there.”
Delbarton STEM Lab and Makerspace
The new Delbarton STEM Lab and Makerspace opened for business this year on the second floor of the Rev. Stephen Findlay Science Pavilion. The glass-walled engineering and robotics hub is made up of two large classrooms and a makerspace area. Equipped with wireless screen projection and overhead electrical outlets, students and teachers now have maximum space, technology and the hands-on tools to learn and collaborate.
The space is furnished with large cabinets and long workshop tables where students store supplies and projects, and sliding glass door panels make the makerspace area accessible to both classrooms. The new space is home to courses in Computer
Science, Engineering, Technology, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Entrepreneurship, and Architecture, and to the Delbarton Robotics Team and international First Tech competition later this year. Research in Science Club members also uses the STEM Lab and Makerspace to create custom project materials using 3D printers and CNC machines. Physics Teacher Bob Bitler, one of the Delbarton educators who helped design this remarkable space, says, “I would like to thank Father Michael, the trustees, and the many others involved in this great expansion of Delbarton’s STEM and robotics capabilities. It’s going to be a fun and exciting year ahead for Delbarton’s STEM students!”
