Loyola MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2015
In This Issue 5 A Message from the President 6 A Message from the Principal 7 Loyola’s Remodeled Advancement Team 8 Celebrating Five Years of Leadership Training at Camp Alpine 9 “Brown-bagging” it at Loyola 10 Loyola’s New 5th Floor Visual and Performing Arts Center 12 Update on the 4th Floor Science Center 13 Graduation & College Placement 18 Alumni Profiles 22 30 Years with Dr. Bob Meade 23 The Class of 2015 24 School Year in Review 36 Incoming Freshmen & Transfer Students 37 Annual Giving 38 Reunion 2015 News 40 Alumni Events The Jesuit Schools Network profiles graduates of a Jesuit high school at Graduation as being open to growth, academically excellent, religious, loving and committed to doing justice. This profile is commonly referred to as the Grad-at-Grad. At Loyola School, we have prided ourselves on expressing the meaning of Jesuit education by fulfilling each of the five pillars of the Grad-at-Grad.
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Loyola Magazine
is written and produced by the Advancement Office in conjunction with other offices, departments, and members of the Loyola Community. Publisher Tony Oroszlany ’87 President Editors Samantha Hanley ’87 Vice President for Advancement Joe Acciarito Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events
A Message from the President
Lara Torsky Director of Annual Giving Rose Dugan Associate to the Office of Advancement Mary Ann Lynch Minson ’99 College Guidance and Advancement Associate Contributors Joe Acciarito Fred Agnostakis Mark Alizzi Robert Arbitello Dominic Couzens Kristin Cupillari Andrew Donacik Rose Dugan Kate Gilfillan Samantha Hanley ’87 Thomas Hanley Mark Howell Jacques Joseph Joann Kusk Barbara Malecki
Kathleen N. McCarthy ’85 Bob Meade Mary Ann Lynch Minson ’99 Edward O’Hare Tony Oroszlany David Palladino James Richroath Kristin Ross Gabriel Rotman Jamie Schombs Mark Speed ’71 Lara Torsky Danilo Tramontozzi Eileen Travell ’84 Sean Walsh ’00
Photography Fred Agnostakis Mario Arenas Harisch Studio JDZ Photography LLC 2014 Thomas Hanley Rachel Meuler Mary Ann Lynch Minson ’99 Noelle Morano ’06 David Palladino Mary Pimmel-Freeman James Richroath Daniel Sullivan Kevin Woest Mark Wyville Loyola is a forum for the communication of information and ideas between the School and its alumni, current parents, alumni parents, and friends. We welcome photos, submissions, letters and suggestions for future issues. Please send all materials to: Loyola School Advancement Office 980 Park Avenue New York, NY 10028 or e-mail to: jacciarito@loyolanyc.org If your name was omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies. If you have detected an error, please contact the Advancement Office at 646.346.8135. Designed by Mario Arenas
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Dear Loyola Family, In June, I had the privilege to attend a wonderful Ignatian Pilgrimage in Spain. I was among 40 Jesuit educators and spouses from the USA Northeast Province. This pilgrimage was designed to celebrate the formation, as of December 2014, of the newly combined province, and was an exciting opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius in Northern Spain. When I say “walk in the footsteps,” I do really mean walk in the footsteps. One early morning, almost half of the pilgrims, including all seven representatives from Loyola School, began the 20 mile hike from Montserrat to Manresa, a voyage Ignatius took many times himself. We arrived in Manresa nearly eight hours later, ending at what is now known as the Cave of Saint Ignatius. It was in that cave in Manresa that Ignatius started his work on the Spiritual Exercises in 1523, a document that continues to be used around the world for spiritual enrichment, and tenets of the exercises are part of everyday life at Loyola School and in Jesuit schools the world over. Our Ignatian journey started in Bilbao and we continued onto Loyola, Javier, Montserrat, Manresa, and Barcelona. Wonderful private liturgies were celebrated by Fr. Jim Croghan, S.J. (Regis High School, NY) in the Conversion Chapel at Loyola; Fr. Vin Biagi S.J. (USA Northeast Province) in the chapel at Francis Xavier’s home; Fr. John Wronski, S.J. (Nativity Prep, Boston) in a chapel in Santa Maria of Montserrat Abbey; and our own Fr. Hernan Paredes, S.J. in a chapel at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Barcelona. During all of these liturgies, and when we visited other marvelous churches on our trip, I prayed for our Loyola School community. Having the opportunity to pray for all of you, and members of our community that we have lost, in Saint Ignatius’s childhood home is an experience that I will never forget. During the trip, I reflected a great deal on our 2014-15 academic year, the first year that Dr. Kristin Ross served as our principal, and our Loyola Magazine does a wonderful job recounting the year. Within it you will enjoy graduate and faculty profiles; pages that talk about our recently completed science center and our new arts center (which is under construction as I write this!); articles on our “brown-baggers”
and the “rising juniors leadership camp”; and other notable accomplishments which were the results of the hard work and dedication of volunteers, faculty, administrators, student athletes and performers, coaches and moderators, parents and friends… and all of this is possible because of the vision Saint Ignatius had almost 500 years ago. Sincerely,
Tony Oroszlany ’87
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A Message from the Principal “Go light your world,” was the charge to our seniors by the faculty choir at our Baccalaureate Mass. As we prepared to send off our graduates as young men and women for and with others, the directive of Saint Ignatius to “go forth and set the world on fire” was at the front of the minds of all of us who care for the education of Loyola students. In her welcome address to the packed crowd gathered at the Commencement ceremonies in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Senior Hanna May spoke to the faculty by sharing that “The difference in Loyola teachers is that they teach from the heart, and not the iPad. Sure, we’re given a world class academic education, but the life lessons that we have all learned from your influence are completely invaluable. I think the best way to credit and thank our teachers is not only to look at the opportunities they gave us, but to also look at the outcomes they produced. Andy Rooney once said: “Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.” What a thrill it was to formally send off our graduates on this special day, knowing how ready they are to carry on the heart of the Loyola education—ready to dare to go out and change the world, to not keep to themselves all that they have learned in their years at Loyola, but to instead share it with the world beyond Park and East 83rd. Recently, a group of graduates from the Class of 2015 returned from their service trip to Belize, where they helped build a new home for a family in need. Together with our Director of Campus Ministry, Sue Baber, and Director of Christian Service, Megan Clarke, the efforts of the group embodied all that we aim for in seeking to educate students in the spirit of generosity. This international service program is a prime example of what the Loyola experience is all about—the transformation of boys and girls into young men and women for others. As another school year has drawn to a successful close, I can’t help but reflect on what has been a truly wonderful year here at Loyola. My first year as Principal has been a busy one full of learning and immersing myself in the many outstanding programs and initiatives that make up this community. As I look back over the year, I am thrilled to have experienced first-hand that the Ignatian ideals as expressed in the “Grad at Grad” are embedded strongly in every facet of the life of the school. Students and faculty work toward the common goal of helping our students become lifelong learners who are becoming more “Open to Growth, Academically Excellent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice.” Indeed, as Hanna said in her address, education from the heart is alive and well at Loyola School. I am especially proud of the way the Loyola community embraces an openness to growth that seems to permeate every endeavor. Our faculty continue to model this ideal in their embrace of what I see as a robust and seamless approach to technology in learning at 6 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Advancement Team
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mong the many changes that Loyola has seen this academic year is that of the Advancement Office. Loyola School is very grateful for the new members of our Advancement Office: Samantha Hanley, Vice President for Advancement, Lara Torsky, Director of Annual Giving, Joe Acciarito, Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events and Rose Dugan, Associate to the Advancement Office. In a time of transition, the team has a great dynamic and has been very dedicated to their work. They look forward to continuing their advancement efforts and spending many great years at Loyola!
Samantha Hanley Vice President for Advancement Mrs. Samantha Hanley graduated from Loyola School in 1987, earned her Bachelor’s degree at Fordham University, and completed her graduate school work at New York University. Soon after, Sam served as Loyola’s Director of Alumni Relations from 1995 to 2000, and was Director of Special Advancement Projects from 2003 to 2007. She was most recently the Director of Alumnae Affairs at Marymount School. Sam’s 30-year relationship with the Loyola community has proven to be a wonderful asset to the team’s work in leading our advancement efforts.
Lara Torsky Director of Annual Giving Loyola. From continually exploring new ways to utilize iPads to improve instruction, to working toward paperless classrooms, Loyola’s learning is at the forefront of educational technology. We also see it in the excitement around ways to seize innovative instructional experiences afforded to us by our new Science labs, including our first-time offering of an Engineering course to seniors this year. The anticipation for the renovations to our fifth floor visual and performing arts space has captured our attention as well, and will equally afford us an opportunity to enhance and grow the learning experiences we offer at Loyola in the years to come. I will conclude by sharing that of all the things I have come to love about Loyola over the course of this school year, my favorite part is the fact that it is difficult to enter our halls without experiencing the warmth of our community, the dedication of our faculty members and the happiness of our students. I also know that our work at Loyola would not be possible without the generous support from you—Loyola’s alumni, parents, and friends. Thank you for your continual encouragement as we seek to provide an outstanding, community-based learning experience that values educating students of competence, conscience and compassion who will go out and light our world. Please keep us in your prayers, and know that we keep you in ours. Best wishes! Dr. Kristin E. Ross
Ms. Lara Torsky is a University of Maryland graduate, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies and her Master’s degree in Women’s Studies. She has also earned a Master’s degree at New York University in Humanities and Social Thought. Before coming to Loyola, Lara served as the Director of Annual Giving at St. Timothy’s School in Maryland. Lara has worked in both higher education and independent schools and is excited to be back in New York City.
Joseph Acciarito Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Mr. Joseph Acciarito graduated from St. Francis College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. Throughout his college career, he worked as a student assistant in the Office of Special Events. After graduating, he was invited to serve as the Senior Special Events Coordinator and did so for several years. Joe is very enthusiastic about building a great relationship with the Loyola community.
Rose Dugan Associate to the Advancement Office Having attended St. Ignatius Loyola Grammar School, Ms. Rose Dugan is not new to the Loyola community. After earning her Bachelor’s degree at Saint Joseph’s University, Rose served as the receptionist at Marymount School. Rose’s interest in Advancement was peaked during an internship at the Please Touch Museum in college, when she worked on their major fundraiser, the Storybook Ball. She is enjoying her work on the Advancement team and looks forward to getting to know the Loyola community. Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 7
Celebrating Five Years of Leadership Training at Camp Alpine By Ms. Joann M. Kusk, History Department
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n the morning of June 16, 21 very excited rising juniors met in Loyola’s Commons to head off to Camp Alpine in Northern New Jersey to spend three days learning about leadership through an Ignatian Lens. Students who arrived early that Tuesday morning were greeted by Ms. Cupillari, Mr. Donacik, Ms. Schombs, and myself. Early bird students were happy to hand out the camp tee shirts and water 8 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
bottles to their peers, everybody loaded up the bus, and off we went to begin our adventure. This year, we were even more excited, as we were celebrating our fifth year of leadership training. Loyola’s Rising Juniors Leadership Camp started off as just an idea back in 2009. Ms. Cupillari, Dr. Bolton, Mr. Richroath, and I had all “graduated” from a program sponsored by the Jesuit Schools Network that is a Leadership Academy for adults who teach or work in Jesuit schools. We all were classroom teachers (even if some of us held Administrative Positions as well) so it was only natural that we wanted to bring some of what we learned to our students to help them learn what leadership meant to St. Ignatius and how that can be translated into being a leader at school and beyond. With the support of school leadership, the dream of making a leadership camp became a reality. We were lucky that Mr. Richroath had a connection with Camp Alpine (which is a Boy Scouts Camp) and the program began to take shape. We then had to “sell” the idea to our students: what would make them want to spend the first week of their vacation with their teachers learning about leadership skills? Swimming, Archery, Low Cope fun, and of course, a camp fire with s’mores was the answer! Along with all the fun, were presentations made by the adult leaders that focused on discussing leadership styles, break-out discussion groups, prayer reflections, team building activities, and skits designed to show off what our students have learned about how to be Ignatian Leaders. And so, our camp tradition began. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of including other faculty members, such as Mr. Bludgus, Mr. Tiozzo, Mr. Howell, Mr. Donacik, and Ms. Schombs as part of our adult team leaders. Each year, our students learn to identify what sort of leaders they can be and how they can be problem solvers, facilitators, and servant leaders at school. There is a lot to learn during the three short days at camp, but there is also a lot of laughter, joy, and confidence-building. It is a thrill to see a student who might be a bit shy in class fearlessly scale a rock climbing wall, or the look of pride when another student hits a bull’s eye for the first time at the archery range. Others impress us with their insightful contributions to discussions or how creative their skits are. They all take charge at some point, whether it is helping another student over a cope wall, crossing a log together, or even when they are all volunteering to clean up the dining hall and common spaces. It is amazing how much growth there is in just three days. Many of the students who attend our Leadership Camp go on to become Retreat Leaders, Peer Tutors, Peer Leaders, and members of Student Government at Loyola, but they all know that a formal title is not necessary for leadership – being a positive, loving influence at school is just as important as having a formal position. Each year our students learn more about themselves and each other and each year we have the pleasure of watching them grow as “men and women for others.”
“Brown-bagging” it at Loyola By Ms. Joann M. Kusk, History Department
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sk the average New Yorker what “brown-bagging” means and he or she will tell you that this is what you call it when you bring your own lunch to work. And, if you ask them what a “BLT” means, the average person will tell you this is a very popular sandwich for lunch (seems like everything is better with bacon). But, here at Loyola we offer different definitions of these iconic phrases. The Loyola “Brownbaggers” have been making lunches for hungry people out on the streets of New York City for over 25 years and a “BLT” at Loyola is a Brownbaggers Leadership Team member! The Brownbaggers were formed at Loyola a few years before I started working here, and I have been involved with the program for the past 21 years. If you ask veteran faculty and some of our alumni from the early 90’s, you will hear legendary names such as Fr. Prior, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Jim Shields mentioned as those who inspired our students and parents to reach out to hungry people by making brown-bag lunches. A seemingly simple, humble gesture, but one that might mean giving someone the only meal they get in a day. Over the years the Brownbaggers have grown from a few dedicated students who met on an occasional Saturday, to a group of 15 students, plus faculty chaperones, alumni, parents, and the ever-present, BLT’s who make anywhere from 80 to 100 lunches roughly once a month for the men, women, and children we encounter in Tompkins Square Park. The lunches that our Brownbaggers prepare are basic: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a savory snack, a sweet snack, and a boxed juice. Sometimes students will even bring in home-baked goodies. Our parents have also been very generous over the years with donations of cold cuts and sandwiches. Our Brownbaggers gather in the Commons to prepare the lunches and are guided by our Brownbaggers Leadership
Team members, who come from the ranks of our sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The BLTs are experienced volunteers and are instrumental in organizing our freshmen. It is wonderful to see our older students helping out our freshmen. Even more heart-warming, is when members of our alumni come back to help. Once the lunches are prepared, we head down to Tompkins Square Park, located in the East Village of Manhattan. Tompkins Square Park has changed over the years and is in the process of gentrification, but the people we serve are those who are the marginalized: many are elderly people living on a fixed income, there are more and more single parents with their children who are having trouble making ends meet, and there are those who suffer the pain of mental illness, substance abuse, or who are just alone. Our students learn to serve others and their life of service begins in freshmen year through Brownbaggers. It may only take a minute or two to give out a lunch to a hungry person and to give them a smile or a kind word, but this small gesture can mean the world to someone who is on the street and is hungry. Most of our Brownbaggers are pretty humble folks, but we were very proud to be honored in 2006 by the ABC Network as part of its “Above and Beyond” program that spotlights groups who reach out to help their community. Loyola’s Christian Service Program and the Brownbaggers were also highlighted by ABC. Fr. Stephen Katsouros, Mr. James Neely, Mr. Jim Lyness and I were honored to be recognized along with four other schools for our terrific outreach programs. I am grateful to have so many members of our Loyola family lending support to the Brownbaggers and would like to thank all Brownbaggers—past and present for their help.
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In June, just one year after construction began for the 4th Floor Science Center, Loyola launched a project to renovate the school’s 5th Floor into a new Visual and Performing Arts Center. Construction will be completed in time for the opening of the 2015-16 school year. As part of the school’s master planning process, it was recognized that the visual and performing arts programs are underserved at Loyola School. As a result, our extremely gifted students will enjoy new resources to display their work and showcase their talent. Loyola School’s commitment to providing excellence in education through the arts speaks to the core of our mission to develop the diverse and unique talents of each member of our community. Renovations to the school’s 5th Floor will enable us to further challenge our students to become intellectually fulfilled and further open to growth. In just a short time, the 5th Floor will be the place where they can do just that.
Loyola’s New 5th Floor Visual and Performing Arts Center
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Improvements to the 5th Floor allow for the following: • Greater attention to the arts through dedicated art studio space. The visual and performing arts facilities have been underserved as compared to other programs at the School. These renovations have been part of our organization’s strategic plan and we are thrilled to finally make these much-needed improvements become a reality. • Flexibility in use of space. The stage will be composed of interlocking modules which can be set up for performances but can also be dismantled for other purposes. • Improved lighting and storage. The ceiling in the performing arts space will be blown out to accommodate for better lighting structures. An already existing skylight will be revealed in this process providing more natural light for classroom purposes. • Improved technology. The performing arts space will have lectern setups which will give faculty the capability to project laptops and iPads to electronic screens. These spaces will also have the capability to host video chat sessions making use of the lectern, webcam, microphone and in-ceiling speakers. Users will be able to easily control and switch between devices at the push of a single button. • Increased flexibility in use of space. A retractable wall will be installed allowing for more seating during performances and, conversely, more classroom space as needed when closed. • Additional classroom space. The reconfiguring of the space will add an additional 200 square feet of usable classroom space. • Greater safety. Construction of an additional staircase and fire exit located at the back of the stage will ensure the safety of all members of our community in case of an emergency.
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Graduation MAY 29, 2015 MARKED THE 115TH COMMENCEMENT ceremony for the Loyola School community. Forty-eight young women and men, family and friends, faculty and administrators, gathered together in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments. The Class of 2015 was addressed by Mr. Mark Howell, teacher in the Science and Mathematics departments. Mr. Howell spoke to the class about their roles in the world. In that, he proposed challenges for the graduates to face in their journey through college and ultimately throughout their lives. Namely, to stay focused in everything they do, create meaningful relationships in life, and to learn who they are now and who they strive to be. To face these challenges, Mr. Howell emphasized one of our Grad-at-Grad characteristics: the value of love. Among his final words to the graduating class, Mr. Howell encouraged the class to “find a way to take this education you’ve been so blessed to receive at Loyola and extend it into your futures.”
Loyola’s Science Center is Flourishing!
Because of your generosity, Loyola students and faculty enjoyed the benefits of our new science center—including our first ever engineering program!
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Loyola School Academic Awards
Loyola School Athletic Awards
Gold Medal Highest Cumulative Average for Four Years at Loyola School Therese Perby Señal
Outstanding Male Athlete Award Louis Brereton
Silver Medal Second Highest Cumulative Average for Four Years at Loyola School Peter Carzis Gold Medal Highest Average in Senior Year Therese Perby Señal Silver Medal Second Highest Average in Senior Year Caroline MacLachlan
Loyola School Honorary Awards The Jesuit Secondary Education Award The graduate who most closely resembles the ideals of an Ignatian education Hanna May & Robert Schroeder
The Brother Edward Sheehy, S.J. Award Outstanding Female Athlete Teressa Healy & Hanna May
Loyola School Special Awards New York State Comptroller’s Award Therese Perby Señal New York State Attorney General’s Triple C Award Aisling Coffey & Thomas Smyth New York City Comptroller Award for Math and Science Caroline MacLachlan & John Marino New York City Speaker’s Achievement Award Peter Carzis & Regina Fierro
The Father Peter J. Daly, S.J. Medal The graduate demonstrating the most significant advance in personal growth and development Elliot Scarangello The Loyola Alumni Medal The graduate who best represents the qualities and ideals of Loyola School Nicole Seredenko The Loyola School Parents’ Association Award for School Spirit and Leadership Nicole Seredenko The Loyola School Magis Awards Nina Kelly & Joyce Ramirez 14 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
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College Placement Mark Akhimien University of Miami
Scott Gray Pace University
Evelyn O’Byrne Trinity College
Therese Perby Señal Georgetown University
Tala Al Shaboot James Madison University
Henry Greene Georgetown University
Ana Lucia Parham Santana Saint Joseph’s College
Nicole Seredenko King’s College London
Alexander Anwer University of California, Los Angeles
Teressa Healy Dickinson College
Dylan Peer Elon University
Tristan Simonneaux-Lanoix Loyola University Chicago
James Hill University of Vermont
Luke Pramberger Loyola University Chicago
Nina Kelly Marquette University
Joyce Ramirez Fairfield University
Phillip Sivolobov University of Southern California
Nicholas Leach Colgate University
Erin Reisman Providence College
Elizabeth Leyn Boston University
Tomaso Rock Cornell University
Nicholas Brereton Georgetown University
Caroline Delafield MacLachlan College of the Holy Cross
Reece Rodriguez New York University
Catherine Thrun-Dupuy City University of New York, Hunter College
Peter Carzis University of Pennsylvania
John Marino Kenyon College
Giovanni Salerno Mount Saint Mary College
Michael Tierney Wake Forest University
Aisling Teresa Coffey Fairfield University
Julian Matiz Fordham University
Elliot Scarangello University of Maryland
Sung II Yoon Rutgers University
Victoria Cox Dickinson College
Hanna May Wellesley College
Regina Fierro New York University
Nicholas Mollerus La Salle University
Robert Schroeder City University of New York, Hunter College
Maria Gallo Saint Joseph’s University
Camila Nunez Fordham University
Henry Schulte Villanova University
Lukas Auletti Fordham University Natalia Barragán University of Delaware Caitlin Bonner Saint Joseph’s University Louis Brereton Tulane University
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Isabella Scarpelli St. Edward’s University
Thomas Smyth Loyola University Chicago Yuan Tan University of Washington, Seattle
$2.6
Awarded $2.6 million in academic scholarships representing 59% of the class.
2015 Facts
220
Received 220 acceptances to 103 different colleges and universities across the globe.
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1: Eileen Travell ’84 2, 6: Photography by Eileen Travell ’84 3: Sean Walsh ’00 4: Photo with Sean Walsh ’00 from the set of Chinese Coffee 5: Class of 1984 thirtieth Reunion
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Alumni Profiles
By Kathleen N. McCarthy ’85
Eileen Travell ’84, Photographer Eileen Travell, Loyola School Class of 1984, always knew she was an artist. Born and raised in Manhattan, she loved to paint and make things as a child, and enjoyed visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, Eileen enjoys working at that museum, as a Senior Photographer in the Photograph Studio. She is an internationally recognized photographer, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Sunday London Times, Town & Country, and other publications. She has shot portraits all over the world, and her photos are included in The Met’s permanent collection. Her love of art is rooted in her childhood. Eileen explains: “Art is eternal and timeless, and was my best friend. I had a sad and complicated childhood because my brother was brain damaged, and I think this molded me to be a highly sensitive, imaginative and empathetic person. I spent quite a bit of time alone because of the demands of my brother on my parents. In many ways, art became a surrogate parent: I could get all my emotions out with the paint.” Her artistry was nurtured while a student at Loyola. “I feel like I was encouraged on every level; I feel Loyola supported me and treated me as equal; as a woman I was treated with the same respect as the boys.” This treatment served Eileen well especially as she began her career: “I don’t think I could have made it as a photographer which was mostly male dominated at the time if I didn’t have the support and open mind of the Jesuits.” She continues: “I always say I didn’t
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have Google, but I had the Jesuits and I was grateful for the trust instilled in me by my teachers who wanted with all their hearts to prepare me and underscore my worth.” Indeed, Eileen “felt an intuitive connection with Loyola, a knowing, the first time I saw it. I told my parents that day it was where I was going. It was a perfect fit.” The relationships she developed with the people at Loyola strengthened that connection. Art teacher Ellen Fee was a “wonderful teacher and guide.” Eileen loved the “dry sense of humor” of headmaster Michael Guerra, who taught her favorite subject geometry, and remembers him “always asking ‘always, sometimes, never’ questions and asking St. Jude to pray for us.” She also treasured the opinions and friendship of the late Sr. Nora Cronin, P.B.V.M., and Fr. Eugene Prior, S.J. Eileen’s father died unexpectedly when she was a freshman in college, and “Fr. Prior was right there with me praying at my father’s bedside.” Fr. Prior continues to be a “huge light” in Eileen’s life: “I still talk to him, pray to him, and ask for guidance and protection.” Her classmates too remain an influence. Indeed, Eileen says the friends she made at Loyola “to this day are my best friends on earth.” Eileen went on to Bennington College where she studied painting and photography. She is proud to have been the first person from Loyola ever to attend that college. Having taken a semester off when her father died, she went to work for a photographer and fell in love with “the process and the science.” She explains: “Photography helped me with my grief. Painting was my way out of my world, and
photography was my way back in. In both instances I was dealing with my emotions and my pain.” Now married with two daughters who love playing ice hockey, Eileen still lives in Manhattan, commenting that it is hard to get her off the island. She loves nature and animals, and for Eileen, “all things have a spirit, and I find beauty and inspiration everywhere.” Her work is “very much about the spirit of either a person or an object and the moments between moments where emotion is captured and hearts are opened.” Doubtless reflecting the light of Fr. Prior, as well as of her own art, Eileen states: “I am connected to God and believe we are all One in an integrated web of creation.”
Sean Walsh ’00, Actor “Acting is the great passion of my life,” says Sean Walsh, Loyola School Class of 2000. “That is, other than the family and friends that make it and all the other adventures in my life possible.” Sean recently appeared along with Austin Pendleton in the two character Ira Lewis play Chinese Coffee at the Roy Arias Stage II Theater in New York City. The play, directed by Louise Lasser, met with critical success, and Sean’s performance was particularly noted. Sean also serves as an administrator and teacher within the acting studio of Lasser, whom he describes as “a dear friend and the great influence on my craft.” Sean began his training with classes at HB Studio in the West Village, and stage work as a member of Ensemble Company. Before acting, Sean had concentrated on music. After graduating from Fordham University, he “put his degree to immediate use” by forming a rock band, and began touring and recording. He would write, play guitar and sing for “one band or another for the next three years, most notably in a three piece called the Bombers.” Sean then decided to follow his passion. With characteristic wit, he recalls: “you can imagine what it is like to say to your folks, post a very expensive college degree: ‘Hey, I don’t want to play in rock bands anymore, I want to be an actor.’ But after making the clear
and convincing case that I simply wanted to leave the uncertainty of rock & roll for the financial security of acting, they were very supportive...and with great foresight knew not to remove the bed from my room just yet.” A native of Douglaston, Queens, Sean comes from a Loyola family. His father, prosecutor Sean M. Walsh, is from the Class of 1966, while his younger brother Stephen, an audio/visual engineer, was a member of the Class of 2003. His mother Christine and his older sister Kathleen, both physicians, are “victims of a non-Loyola education”, as graduates of The Mary Louis Academy. Sean still sees many of his classmates and has many good memories of Loyola, “from being a Kairos leader to soccer with [Mr.] Tram.” Even participating in a “Vintage JUG – walking in circles around the JUG yard” is remembered fondly. Indeed, Sean says “everytime I passed Fr. Prior on the stairs is a cherished moment – even if half the time I was trying to avoid his notice because of something I had or had not done,” occasions which would invariably prompt Fr. Prior to comment: “Your father was so nice. HE never got into trouble.” Central to Sean’s Loyola experience was the current of values that ran throughout his education. He explains that the values taught at Loyola have emboldened him and better equipped him to become an actor, allowing him to pursue acting with the “will, vigor and faith necessary.” Moreover, Sean values the Jesuit Catholic ethos for inspiring the need to engage with larger life questions, and for providing the tools by which to approach these questions. While Sean has his “own, very personal thoughts, beliefs, and scepticisms,” he judges it important that he “could come to his own conclusions, not by way of protest, indifference, apathy, but by thoughtful consideration of all points of view.” Thereby, becoming what he has always known he wanted foremost to be: a decent person. Last fall, Sean was diagnosed with a blue-cell medulloblastoma, “a malignant brain tumor found almost exclusively in children under the age of five.” He jokes: “So even my cancer recognized my lack of mental maturation.” After a nine month marathon of surgeries and treatment, tests have cleared Sean of cancer.
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He now looks forward to his next adventure. “Emerging from this fog, the horizon isn’t entirely certain.” Possibilities include remounting Chinese Coffee, producing or directing a different play, perhaps travelling. Acting, however, will remain the main focus of Sean’s efforts. That, and continuing to be a decent person.
Mark Speed ’71, Attorney “Loyola is very much part of my current life, 44 years after my graduation,” says attorney Mark D. Speed, Class of 1971. “It may be a four year school,” he explains, “ but for me, it has been a true family and community - sharing laughs and memories at alumni dinners and reunions, reminiscing when I’m making calls during the phonathon, meeting the Loyola seniors on career day and at the senior luncheon the day before they graduate, hugging and literally holding each other up at times of tragedy, treasuring the present moment with individuals from across the decades who have climbed those same stairs, played sports on that same “sacred” gym floor, and yes, walked JUG in that same yard.” Mark’s involvement with Loyola includes years of distinguished service to the school. He has served four terms as Member of the Board of Trustees. Founding member and first President of the Loyola Alumni Association, he continues to be active today as an “emeritus” member. The 1996 Recipient of the School’s Rev. Robert I. Gannon S.J. Award given annually to an alumnus who exemplifies wit, wisdom, faith and generosity, Mark “was humbled to be chosen... and proud to accept it with my classmates, my wife, and my parents in attendance.” He is proud also to have played a role in the great success of Loyola. When a trustee, Mark was asked to write a legal historical review of the school, and learned that Loyola had faced challenges in the 1970s only to be saved by a core group of loyal alumni. He was inspired to become more involved in the School’s development. The subsequent formation of the Alumni Association, the modernization of the school building, and the recruitment and competitive compensation of talented faculty he believes are central to Loyola’s flourishing. Mark is the fourth son from a family committed to Catholic education. From St. Gabriel’s School in Riverdale, New York, he followed his older brother Malcolm ’70 to Loyola as a scholarship student. Malcolm too would go on to be a Gannon Award recipient, and serve the School on the Board of Trustees. Mark credits Loyola with giving him “the support and opportunity to be able to develop the self-confidence to leave the protective
shell of childhood, to take chances, to express myself, and in the process, discover my inner Johnny Carson.” He played basketball, starting as the shooting guard in his senior year. Memorable faculty members include: Headmaster Michael Guerra, “the consummate teacher”; historian Fr. Butler, S.J.; and Fr. Blessin, S.J., Dean of Discipline, “but pretty much loved by each and every student.” After studying psychology at Swarthmore College, Mark went on to New York University School of Law. He worked in the litigation department at Wall Street firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, before starting a law firm with an associate. Now with his own practice, he is primarily a commercial litigator. In his professional career, too, Loyola has played a part. As Mark says “I have represented Loyola friends, been a partner with Loyola classmate Pat Dwyer, been referred clients by Loyola friends, hired Loyola students as interns, and have done legal work on behalf of Loyola itself.” Married to attorney Sara Cobb with two daughters Julia and Lizzie, he says there “is no greater joy than being with my daughters.” Mark signs his emails to his daughters “Proud Daddy” calling that an “understatement.” Another great love is photography, through which he is able to express his artistic side. He has had a one person show in the gallery in North Haven, Maine, where he regularly spends summers. He often exhibits in the annual art show there, and is active in showing his work on social media. Mark feels privileged to have befriended “many Jesuits, faculty and Loyola parents, as well as alums from different years.” These friendships proved critical after the tragedy at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 when so many lives were lost, including those of alumni Joseph P. Shea ’72, Kevin R. Crotty ’74, Michael J. Armstrong ’85, and Thomas P. Cullen III, ’88. Mark had become close to Mike Armstrong through their shared work on the Alumni Association Board. He says: “Loyola was so extremely important to me, and to so many others in the days and weeks after 9/11. The support and love shared by the Loyola community literally sustained me, and really changed my life in so many ways. The rapport and genuine affection continues today.” He continues: “I am so lucky to have very many good friends from my four years at Loyola, but I feel truly blessed to have many more good friends who went to Loyola years before or after my graduation.” The Loyola community, too, is truly blessed to count Mark D. Speed as one of its own.
1. Mark Speed ’71 2, 3: Photography by Mark Speed ’71
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Thirty Years with Dr. Bob Meade By Mr. Joseph Acciarito, Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events
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n September 2014, as Loyola School began its 115th academic year, Dr. Bob Meade entered his 30th year of teaching English at Loyola. Reflecting on his time here, Dr. Meade drew on many memories. Dr. Meade began his teaching career in 1975 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary School in Hell’s Kitchen, teaching the sixth grade. After two years, he continued his career in Westchester, teaching at Iona Preparatory School from 1977-1985. Discerning a need for change eight years later, he decided that he wanted his next school to be someplace different, someplace “urban, smaller, and coeducational.” That is when he found Loyola. First impressions of Loyola were shaped by Dr. Meade’s initial interview with Sister Nora Cronin, PBVM, Assistant to the Headmaster. Sr. Nora was “crisp and professional,” Dr. Meade recalls, with a “keenly perceptive mind.” “Just coincidentally,” Dr. Meade adds, Sr. Nora had a “great relationship with my Headmaster at Iona Prep, Br. James Liguori, CFC. I knew it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Dr. Meade’s memory of meeting Loyola’s Headmaster, Father James Fox, SJ was equally vivid. He was a “distinguished, whitehaired gentleman, who wasn’t wearing the expected clerical black shirt and white collar but rather a suit and tie; I remember being struck by that detail as a good omen about the new world I was becoming a part of.” Though already a seasoned teacher, Dr. Meade did not know exactly what to expect as he embarked on his first year at Loyola. But by taking on a new challenge in his career, Dr. Meade had unknowingly demonstrated a Loyola Grad-at-Grad characteristic: being Open to Growth. Having no basis for judgement, he was eager to learn about—and open to becoming a part of—a new community. These values would inform Dr. Meade’s career for the next three decades. Over the years, Dr. Meade has taken care to reference the Gradat-Grad characteristics in his classroom. In his opinion, “these characteristics just lend themselves to an English class. When discussing characters in fiction, for example, you can ask if a character seemed particularly open to growth or was loving or was committed to doing justice. If I were a math teacher, I would find it hard to do that!” His role models, Mr. Dan Tram, Mr. Joe Hanser and Mr. Dan Sullivan—all of whom welcomed him as a brother 30 years ago— 22 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
have been his living testament to the core values of Grad-at-Grad. “In coming to Loyola, I was fortunate to find as colleagues and friends Christian men who were living the Grad-at-Grad characteristics. It’s one thing to talk about Grad-at-Grad. It’s another to see it in action.” By instilling these values in the classroom, Dr. Meade has positively impacted many Loyola students. He shared the details of graduates’ visits over the years: “After telling me what was going on in their lives, they would often ask excitedly, ‘Do you remember the time when…,’ and then mention something I said or did in class that —sadly—I had no recollection of.” Dr. Meade added, “It’s humbling to learn that my students don’t remember what I taught them, but they do remember how I taught them and that I liked them.” Dr. Meade has taught many Loyola students, and his students have, in turn, taught him. His most important lesson, he claims, is to handle issues on a case-by-case basis. “In my early days at Loyola,” he explains, “I was guilty of applying a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach, which certainly was not in keeping with the Cura Personalis, or care and concern for the individual. I have learned that each ‘teen moment’ is a “teaching moment,” an opportunity to communicate expectations for correct behavior to my students.” Having dealt with any and all situations, Dr. Meade has learned to handle himself and his class under all circumstances. His advice to future teachers: “Be yourself ! Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know.’ Be friendly, but firm. Your students already have many friends. What they need is for you to be their teacher.” Truly a lesson to be learned by all! When asked to define what Loyola should be known for, Dr. Meade confidently responded with one word: family. “The notion of family, community, and Jesuit Grad-at-Grad characteristics. Those are all part of what you would call the Loyola experience and what distinguishes us from other, equally-small independent schools.” Dr. Meade affirms that working with young people is the reason he continues to teach. He is especially pleased to be teaching freshmen, which allows him to see how the students grow over their four years at Loyola. Lucky for Loyola, Dr. Meade’s future goals include teaching for another eight or nine years before retiring. In his retirement, he plans to devote more time to writing.
The Class of 2015 First row from back, standing, left to right: Dylan Peer, Giovanni Salerno, Nicholas Leach, Nicholas Mollerus, Phillip Sivolobov, Elliot Scarangello, Julian Matiz, Reece Rodriguez, Henry Schulte, Tristan Simonneaux-Lanoix, Peter Carzis, John Marino, Tomaso Rock, Thomas Smyth, Alexander Anwer Second row from back, standing, left to right: Dr. Kristin Ross, Principal, Henry Greene, Perby Señal, Natalia Barragán, Caitlin Bonner, Isabella Scarpelli, Nina Kelly, Regina Fierro, Ana Lucia Parham Santana, Victoria Cox, Elizabeth Leyn, Joyce Ramirez, Erin Reisman, Tony Oroszlany, President Third row from back, sitting, left to right: Catherine Thrun-Dupuy, Maria Gallo, Tala Al Shaboot, Camila Nuñez, Evelyn O’Byrne, Hanna May, Aisling Coffey, Teressa Healy, Nicole Seredenko, Yuan Tan, Caroline MacLachlan Fourth row from back, sitting on the floor, left to right: Sungil Yoon, Mark Akhimien, Robert Schroeder, Michael Tierney, Louis Brereton, Luke Pramberger, Nicholas Brereton, Lukas Auletti, Scott Gray, James Hill
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School Year in Review Concerts
School Year in Review Dramatic Productions
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2014-2015 Student
ARTWORK
School Year in Review Forensics
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he small but mighty Forensics Team performed outstandingly well this year. The following team members qualified for States: Jules Almazar, Nicolas Baldwin, Aisling Coffey, Fiona Coffey, Regina Fierro, Benno Kass, Hale Macdonald, Nicole Seredenko, Jarrod Sinibaldi, and Kiera Xanthos. Siobhan Kiernan and Julia Robinson excelled at States as doubles champions with Siobhan qualifying in Prose/Poetry and Declamation and Julia qualifying in Original Oratory and Prose/Poetry. Along with Siobhan and Julia, Marianne Farrell and Kate Rose qualified for Catholic Nationals in Fort Lauderdale over Memorial Day weekend. The team boasted a few top five finishes, including fifth place at the Catholic Grand National Qualifying Tournament at Stuyvesant. Ms. Barbara Malecki and Mr. Edward O’Hare could not be prouder of the team!
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Forensics Team Roster: Jules Almazar ’16 Nicolas Baldwin ’16 Aisling Coffey ’15 Fiona Coffey ’17 Jack Draghi ’18 Marianne Farrell ’16 Regina Fierro ’15 Benno Kass ’17 Siobhan Kiernan ’17 Amy Li ’18 Paul Lorenc ’16 Hale Macdonald ’16 Julia Robinson ’16 Kate Rose ’16 Nicole Seredenko ’15 Jarrod Sinibaldi ’16 Hannah Taylor-D’Ambrosio ’16 Gianna Velez Corvino ’18 Bernard Witek ’17 Kiera Xanthos ’16
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School Year In Review Sports Highlights Varsity Boys Baseball
Loyola’s baseball team completed their storybook season, making it all the way back to the NYCAL Championship game, but this time coming home victorious! After a devastating loss in last year’s championship, the Knights made it their goal to go all the way this year and bring Loyola its first baseball title in 15 years. In two huge back-to-back league games the Knights were able to knock off Columbia. They then put away Trevor Day in the first round of the playoffs with a 19-9 victory, and finally in the championship game against Browning, down 4-1 entering the 6th inning, the Knights scored seven runs in the last two innings of the game to come away victorious. Senior captains, Luke Pramberger and Jack Marino knocked in a lot of key runs for the team and locked down the left side of the infield. Pramberger led the team in RBIs with 18 and Marino got eight key hits in those last four games including the game winner in the championship. Senior Mike Tierney patrolled the outfield for his fourth straight year and once again led the team in stolen bases. Senior, second baseman, Lukas Auletti saved the best for last, taking a foul ball off the face and coming back into the championship game to record three RBIs in the last two innings. Senior, closer, Thomas Smyth did exactly what he’s done the last few years and shut the door to preserve the semifinal and championship games. Junior pitchers, James Pizzitola and Jack Mullin were the two aces of the staff, each recording 4 wins and carrying the Knights on the mound. Junior Patrick Wareham was his usual self, playing stellar defense, terrorizing opposing teams on the base paths, all while batting close to .400. Junior, Joe Scarpelli was the backbone of the team behind the plate, catching almost every single inning all season, and freshman, Trooper Thornton played a big role in a lot of the late rallies down the stretch for the Knights. It was an incredible season, one this team will remember for years to come and it was nice to see these seniors finish what they started four years ago. Coaches: Mr. Gabe Rotman & Mr. Mark Howell Roster: Lukas Auletti, Scott Gray, Paul Lorenc, Jack Marino, Jack Mullin, Evelyn O’Byrne (Team Manager), James Pizzitola, Luke Pramberger, Thomas Reynolds, Joseph Scarpelli, Jarrod Sinibaldi, Thomas Smyth, Trooper Thornton, Michael Tierney, Liam Tobin, Patrick Wareham, Bernard Witek
Varsity Girls Softball
The Lady Knights Varsity softball team opened their 2015 campaign with a decisive 18-3 win against the United Nations School behind sophomore pitcher Willow Thornton’s 2 hitter. The damp cold spring climate on Randall’s Island saw the temperature at 33 degrees with grey clouds. The Lady Knights dropped the next two games 28 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
to Trevor Day and Horace Mann of Ivy League. “What looks promising,” exclaimed veteran Coach Agnostakis, “is our batters Thornton and Keller are sophomores. Captain Bonner and Coco Seredenko are the only seniors. Bonner was flawless at shortstop,” said Coach ‘A’. Junior Nora Caliban and Senior Coco Seredenko lead the team in power with two homeruns, two triples and a double as well as in the RBI category. Juniors, first baseman Julia Robinson and third baseman, Sommer Queally, made up a tight defensive minded infield. Sophomores Fiona Coffey and Ita Tannian covered right and left field. Both possess strong arms and play with lots of hustle. The girls capped off their season with a record of 3-2, an improvement from last year. They outscored their opponents 67-53 when totaling all of the tallies. With an exciting end to the season came an impressive stretch through the playoffs, leading the team into an upsetting championship game loss. Next year looks to be a promising year for the Lady Knights! Coach: Mr. Frederick Agnostakis Roster: Caitlin Bonner, Gabrielle Branco, Kelly Breidenbach, Eleanor Brown, Martha Brown, Nora Caliban, Fiona Coffey, Julia Goetz, Lily Keller, Sophia Laino, Victoria Montalbano (Team Manager), Samantha O’Donoghue (Team Manager), Sommer Queally, Julia Robinson, Nicole Seredenko, Ita Marie Tannian, Willow Thornton, Gianna Velez Corvino, Caroline Vinci, Kiera Xanthos
Varsity Golf (Boys and Girls)
The Loyola School Varsity Golf Knights enjoyed a very strong season with the support of several returning players and finished in second place in the NYCAL Championship – losing to Columbia Prep by only six strokes. Captain Dylan Peer celebrated his fourth and final year with the Knights, leading the team by personal example and by consistently strong scores that never exceeded six over par. Assistant Captain Peter Burke returned for his third successful year with the Knights, along with the enthusiasm and talent of fellow juniors Edward Curry, Andrew Mitchell, Michael Pash, and Jake Preston. Additionally, the Knights were joined this year by sophomore Arthur Perry, and freshmen Colin McVeigh, John Pohmer, and Owen Sheinberg. In every match of the season, the Golf Knights took the high road by evidencing honesty and sportsmanship with their opponents, and invariably conveying their love for the game of golf. Coach: Mr. Thomas Hanley Roster: Dylan Peer, Peter Burke, Edward Curry, Colin McVeigh, Andrew Mitchell, Michael Pash, Arthur Perry, Jake Preston, John Pohmer, Owen Sheinberg
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Varsity Girls Volleyball
This year’s Lady Knight squad kicked off the year strong with a 1st place finish in the Annual Dig Pink Rally Tournament. This was the first time the team has won the tournament in four years. Led by senior co-captains Natalia Barragán, Caitlin Bonner, Nina Kelly and Erin Reisman, the team used this momentum to beat nationally ranked rival Columbia Prep in their season opener. Another huge upset later in the season was against Trevor Day, who was also nationally ranked, beating them at their house 3 sets to 1. The 20142015 season ended with a 7-6 overall record, the best in years. The Lady Knights look forward to an even more successful season next Fall, however the seniors will be missed greatly. The team thanks them for their leadership! Coach: Ms. Kate Gilfillan Roster: Natalia Barragán, Caitlin Bonner, Eleanor Brown, Honor Chotkowski, Tori May Della Pace, Georgia Greenleaf, Nina Kelly, Lisa Leyn (Team Manager), Cooper Marshall, Sommer Queally, Erin Reisman, Julia Robinson, Robert Schroeder (Team Manager)
Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball
The JV Lady Knights had a challenging season this year but they made a diligent effort. With only a few returning players, the team was filled with new players including many freshmen. The team was led by junior captains Sophia Laino and Sara Timermans who showed their leadership throughout the season. Even though they did not win any games, they won many sets against some of the most challenging teams. The girls played with a lot of energy and came together as a team, especially when they needed to most. They learned many new skills and plan on having an amazing season next Fall! Coach: Mr. James Richroath Roster: Sara Al Shaboot (Team Manager), Gabrielle Branco, Kelly Breidenbach, Martha Brown, Arielle Brutus, Zoe Diflo, Catherine Grieco, Sophia Laino, Christina Lorenc, Caroline Lynch, Lauryn May (Team Manager), Angela Rica, Sara Timermans, Isabella Vincenty, Caroline Vinci
Varsity Boys Basketball
Veteran Coach Fred Agnostakis looked toward the 2014-15 Varsity Knights season with “cautious optimism.” Juniors Mike Frank and Jake Preston quickly became Loyola’s 1-2 punch as they opened the season at UNIS and kept their “names” throughout the season. The squad’s early season streak of winning 6 out of 7 games led them to winning the Horace Mann Peg Duggan Memorial Tournament. Mike Frank garnered “All Tournament Honors”, while Frank and Preston were named to the “All Tournament Team”. Senior Louis Brereton’s scrappy play and shooting abilities and junior Ryan Daniusis’ inside play gave the Knights depth throughout the season. Senior guard Mike Tierney gave the team high energy and defensive depth especially when guarding an opponent’s top shooter. Senior Tristan Simonneaux-Lanoix gave the team inside presence. When Coach A went looking for leadership he found senior guard Nick Brereton and he was named the team’s captain. Patrick Wareham came off the bench to give the team a lift in the backcourt with his ball handling skill and finding range from the 3 point arc. The
upperclassmen served as inspiration to freshmen upstarts Matt Cooper and Niall McStay. Both contributed to play major roles at times thus giving the players confidence for their futures in the program. The team placed 4th in the Regular Season in the NYCAL. In the league tournament, the Knights defeated LFNY and rallied to beat regular season champion Trevor Day 72-69. They earned the right to face rival Columbia Prep at CCNY’S basketball arena. The hard-fought championship saw the Knights on the short end as time ran out 75-73, but beating Trevor in the semi-final earned them a spot in the NYSAIS State Tournament for the first time since 2008. A winning record of 16-11, Horace Mann tournament champions, and finalists in the Loyola Festival and the NYCAL Tournament was all a team could ask for. Coach: Mr. Frederick Agnostakis Roster: Louis Brereton, Nicholas Bereton, Honor Chotkowski (Team Manager), Matt Cooper, Ryan Daniusis, Jonathan Derks, Michael Frank, Tristan Simonneaux-Lanoix, Cooper Marshall (Team Manager), Camila Nunez (Team Manager), Jake Preston, Giovanni Salerno, Michael Tierney, Patrick Wareham
Junior Varsity Boys Basketball
The JV Knights had a good season this past year, especially beginning with the new adjustment of practicing with the Varsity Boys every day. The team’s goals beginning the season were laid out: play hard, communicate as a team, with heart, and have fun. By the end of the season, this all clicked. The Knights were led by sophomore Bernard Witek and started three Freshmen: Ernest Frimpong, Mike McCormick and leading scorer George Moraitis. Sophomore Liam Tobin started at Center. The young Knights won their first league game right before Christmas and when they returned from winter recess in 2015, they wanted more. Close league games and buzzer beater finishes throughout January and February gave the team confidence and the one must-win victory to get into the league playoffs. In the semi-finals, they faced undefeated defending champion Columbia Prep. The Knights were up six at the half, however, with fatigue and foul trouble, an older, more experienced Columbia team, roared back to win and ultimately go on to win the league. Coach: Mr. Dominic Couzens Roster: David Cook-Francis, Ernest Frimpong, Benjamin James, Michael McCormick, George Moraitis, Alejandro Moreno, Francis Ofori-Amanfo, Nicholas Pantelidis, John Pohmer, Liam Tobin, Bernanrd Witek
Varsity Girls Basketball
With only four returning players from last season, there was a lot of uncertainty about what to expect from the 2014-15 Varsity Lady Knights. But in finishing the season with a record of 17-6, earning second place in the New York City Athletic League and runners-up honors in the NYCAL Playoffs, the Lady Knights proved that youth and inexperience do not have to be an impediment to success when you are willing to put in great effort without an ego. The Lady Knights’ season got off to an early start with a win against Hewitt before Thanksgiving. The Lady Knights would go Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 31
on an early tear, winning six of their eight games before Christmas. In the process, the Lady Knights won two in-season tournaments for the first time in the program’s history. In defeating Queens High School Complex and St. Agnes, the Lady Knights won the championship of the Martin Luther Lady Cougar Invitational for the sixth year in a row. The Lady Knights continued their winning ways after the holidays. January included an exciting one-point win at home against a disciplined Brearley team and an exhilarating and dominating win over Columbia Prep on Sports Night. Keeping their ways in thrilling fashion against LFNY, they scored 7 points in the final 58 seconds to turn a 4-point deficit into a 3-point win. It was the beginning of a stretch that saw the Lady Knights finish the regular season winning 6 of their last 7 games. The Lady Knights’ playoff run started in satisfying fashion with a dominant performance over LFNY in the NYCAL semifinals. But that satisfaction turned to heartbreak when the team suffered an upset loss to Columbia Prep in the finals by a single point. Despite the loss in the playoffs, the Lady Knights earned a number of accolades this season. They won two in-season tournaments. Summer O’Sullivan earned NYCAL First Team AllLeague honors, while Hanna May and Tori-May Della Pace were Second Team All-League. And with only one graduating player, the future only looks bright for the Lady Knights. Coach: Mr. David Palladino Roster: Julia Bonadonna, Kelly Breidenbach, Nora Caliban, Aisling Coffey (Team Manager), Tori May Della Pace, Nina Kelly (Team Manager), Lauryn May, Hanna May, Victoria Montalbano, Summer O’Sullivan, Ana Lucia Parham Santana (Team Manager), Sommer Queally, Joyce Ramirez (Team Manager), Ita Marie Tannian, Willow Thornton, Hannah Valente
Junior Varsity Girls Basketball
Trying out for basketball, many of the girls were anxious. Who was making varsity? Who was making junior varsity? Many who made the team already had experience. Many who made the team had no clue as to what basketball was really like. We were challenged. Basketball was not just a sport, it was a time for strangers to come together as family. Teamwork is what was learned. What was understood was that this sport was going to be difficult. Four months later, and many still have much to learn. But they learned a lot about themselves. No matter how frustrated the team got, they never gave up. Game by game, practice by practice, the girls were always determined to do their best. All in all, JV girls’ basketball worked hard all season. During games, players stayed active and persevered until the end. The girls’ hard work shone through every game they played. They were able to beat Calhoun twice and make it to playoffs. The ladies redefined their basketball skills and became the best players they can be. Coach: Mr. Robert Arbitello Roster: Gabriella Batista, Eleanor Brown, Emma Himes, Marilyn Liriano, Christina Lorenc, YuQing Pan, Angela Rica, Sara Timermans
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Varsity Boys Track and Field
The season summit occurred at the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) championships, held at Icahn Stadium on May 20. Two Knights, Senior sprinter Giovanni Salerno and Sophomore middle-distance runner Filippo Ravalli, excelled. Their fine performances were hardly surprising, however, as these two were the team’s bedrock throughout the season. Salerno finished ninth place among 36 runners. A week earlier, he claimed a bronze medal at Loyola’s NYCAL championships. Ravalli claimed 15th in a field of 23 at the NYSAIS championships. At the NYCAL championships, Ravalli took fourth place out of 11. A stable of veteran and rookie athletes completed the team. Seniors Henry Schulte and Bobby Schroeder specialized in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. Senior Philip Sivolobov and sophomore Frank Czuchan were the teams’ top long-distance men in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Joining Sivolobov in the long distances was Freshman William Chao. In addition to Sivolobov, other first-time track-and-field Knights who made a mark included Freshman sprinter Ernest Frimpong, Junior middle-distance man Marco Longinotti-Buitoni, and Junior sprinters Chris Campbell and Ericson Hernandez. On May 2, Sivolobov, Chao, and Ravalli competed in the Jesuit Championships at Icahn Stadium, with Ravalli claiming second place in the junior-varsity 400 meters.
Varsity Girls Track and Field
Loyola’s top three girls—junior sprinters Stephanie Anderson and Hannah Valente and senior long-distance specialist Teressa Healy— competed in the Iona Prep and Ursuline 38th Annual Track and Field Invitational on April 6. Anderson was a great asset to the team this year. Loyola’s record holder in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the long jump, Anderson took home three medals at the New York City Athletic League (NYCAL) championships on May 12, for second-place finishes in the long jump and the 200 meters and for third place in the 100 meters. At the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) championships on May 20, Anderson secured sixth place in a field of 26 competing in the long jump. Several other athletes were prominent contributors. Senior Natalia Barragán and Sophomore Arielle Brutus continued to progress in the discus and shot put. Under the tutelage of Coach Jamie Schombs, Barragán now has claim to the school record in the shot put, with a heave of 24 feet, one-half inch. Joining Barragán and Brutus were Sophomores Honor Chotkowski and Zoe Diflo, two fledgling track-and-field athletes who acquitted themselves nicely in the sprints and middle distances. Meanwhile, two other Sophomores reliably answered Coach Kate Gilfillan’s call to fill spots of greatest need: Gaby Batista, a middle-distance specialist, and Sierra Serinese, a long-distance runner. Valente joined Junior Viki Schmidtmayr, Sophomore Sabine Ollivier, and Healy to produce Loyola’s best 4x400-meter performance of the season, at the NYSAIS championships on May 12 at Icahn Stadium. But Healy emphatically placed her signature on these championships, making them her own. Loyola’s long-distance
ace during a sterling four-year career, Healy competed in the 1500 meters at the NYSAIS championships, where she summoned a heart-stopping final straightaway charge to eclipse the school record by mere tenths of a second. Healy’s electric race was the individual highlight of the 2015 season. Coaches: Mr. Andrew Donacik, Ms. Kate Gilfillan, & Ms. Jamie Schombs Boys Track and Field: Christopher Campbell, William Chao, Ernest Frimpong, Ericson Hernandez, Marco Longinotti-Buitoni, Julian Matiz, Filippo Ravalli, Giovanni Salerno, Robert Schroeder, Henry Schulte, Tristan Simonneaux-Lanoix, Phillip Sivolobov Girls Track and Field: Jules Almazar, Stephanie Anderson, Natalia Barragán, Gabrielle Batista, Arielle Brutus, Honor Chotkowski, Zoe Diflo, Bryanna Geiger, Teressa Healy, Rachel Lee, Francesca Marini Fichera, Sabine Ollivier, Viktoria Schmidtmayr, Sierra Serinese, Sara Timermans, Hannah Valente, Isabella Vincenty
Varsity Cross-Country (Boys and Girls)
The boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams inaugurated their seasons on September 27, competing in the Xavier High School 36th Annual Invitational in the Bronx. One week later, the teams traveled to Holmdel Park, New Jersey, where they competed in the prestigious Adidas Shore Coaches 40th Annual Invitational. In the boys’ Varsity F race of 5 kilometers, Senior Henry Schulte was Loyola’s top finisher, crossing the finish in 121st place out of 200 runners. In the girls’ Varsity E race, also 5 kilometers, Senior Teressa Healy was Loyola’s No. 1, collecting a medal for her 32nd-place finish in a field of 138 runners. The most important meets of the season occurred on October 30, the NYCAL championship, and on November 9, the NYSAIS championship. In the girls’ NYCAL race, Teressa Healy reigned triumphant, coasting to a first-place finish in a personal-record time of 21:21 for the 5-kilometer course. This was the second consecutive year Healy finished first overall in league. The boys’ NYCAL race saw a courageous John Pohmer reach the apex of his season, finishing the championship race as the Knights’ first runner. Docile weather marked the NYSAIS championship race, where Hannah Taylor-D’Ambrosio and Hannah Valente were Loyola’s sole entrants. Both ran gritty, determined races: Taylor-D’Ambrosio crossed the finish line of the 5-kilometer course in 24:49 and Valente followed in 26:03 Coaches: Mr. Andrew Donacik & Mr. Mark Alizzi Boys Cross-Country: John Pohmer, Henry Schulte Girls Cross-Country: Teressa Healy, Hannah Taylor-D’Ambrosio, Hannah Valente
Varsity Boys Soccer
The Varsity Soccer season was going to be a difficult one with the loss and graduating of five key players. However, the Knights, under the leadership of senior captains Tomaso Rock and Michael
34 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Tierney, took on the challenge to elevate their teammate’s level of play to compete against very good teams in the NYCAL. Coach Joseph and Coach Howell emphasized fitness and defense for this season. This emphasis allowed the Knights to catch other teams off guard on the counter attack. Unfortunately, the team started on a three game losing streak, but every game was closely contested. The defensive line of junior Edward Curry, sophomore Filipo Ravalli, sophomore Francis Ofori-Amanfo and junior Patrick Wareham kept Loyola in every single game. After some adjustments made by Coach Joseph, the Knights started to play better and went 2-2 in the next four games. The attacking trio of senior Tomaso Rock, junior Joshua Sacree and sophomore Arthur Perry put pressure on the opposition’s defense and linked up perfectly on the attack. A couple of suspensions and injuries derailed the Knights for the next three games, but they still finished with a win, a tie and a tough loss. Although it was a tough season, the players’ spirits never wavered and stayed upbeat and positive. Unfortunately, after a close, riveting and very tough loss in the final game against Columbia Prep, the Knights were out of contention for the final playoff spot. Coach Joseph and Coach Howell will miss the Seniors, but they are positive about the returning players, especially the defensive line. They are hopeful for some key additions from the JV and transfers so they can compete once again next season. Coaches: Mr. Jacques Joseph & Mr. Mark Howell Roster: Louis Brereton, Nicholas Brereton, Edward Curry, Jonathan Derks, Nicholas Mollerus, Alejandro Moreno, Evelyn O’Byrne (Team Manager), Francis Ofori-Amanfo, Arthur Perry, Luke Pramberger, Filippo Ravalli, Tomaso Rock, Joshua Sacree, Giovanni Salerno, Michael Tierney, Liam Tobin, Patrick Wareham
Junior Varsity Soccer (Boys and Girls)
It was a challenging season for the Junior Varsity Soccer Team, with seven players from last season’s squad making the jump to Varsity. Fortunately a high level of talent among this year’s freshmen tryouts resulted in nine of them filling the void. While the Knights were unable to secure a victory this season, there were visible improvements from game to game. Highlights from the season include inspired performances from veteran junior Victoria Montalbano and junior John Campbell. Our goal scorers this year included freshman Michael Bannon, freshman George Moraitis, freshman Will Chao, and freshman Michael Bach, who led the team with four goals. We are looking forward to improvements in the seasons ahead as the team continues working hard. Coach: Mr. Joseph Tiernan Roster: Theo Aiello, Matthew Bach, Michael Bannon, Charlie Broadbent, Peter Burke, John Campbell, William Chao, Austin Conte, Jack Crosby, Ernest Frimpong, Niall McStay, Victoria Montalbano, George Moraitis, Pablo Perez-Pelaez, Paul Russo, Isabella Scarpelli Visit http://www.loyolanyc.org/student-life/athletics/ to read more about Loyola’s Knights and Lady Knights!
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 35
Incoming Freshmen & Transfer Students Join us in welcoming the newest members of the Loyola community—our transfer students and the Class of 2019! Sarah Addison The Epiphany School
Andre Gillespie Allen-Stevenson
Chandler Naylon The Chapel School
Alexander Alvarez Our Lady Queen of Angels
Aidan Henegar The Chapel School
Noelle Nezolosky St. Joseph’s Yorkville
Isabella Arboleda Robert F. Wagner
Katherine Isler The Millbrook School
Rhiannon Aobh O’Connor Mustard Seed School
Sara Axiak St. Joseph’s Yorkville
William Isler Ridgefield Academy
Max O’Halloran St. David’s
Christopher Bell Windward
Ann Jacob The Epiphany School
Katherine Buttigieg St. Joseph’s Yorkville
Thomas Jakelich Bronxville High School
Agnes Ollivier-Yamin St. Stephen of Hungary School and Seton Home Study
Inigo Caballero Manhattan Country School
Jin Ho Jeong Mercersburg Academy
Peter Calano Eastchester Middle School
Ikki Kaijima Our Lady of Pompeii
Christian Chandy Geneva
Richard Kanarbi St. Anselm Catholic Academy
Katherine Conner Annunciation School
Emily Knapp St. Andrew Avellino School
Christian Conte All Saints Episcopal Day School
Ariel LaForest Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School
Daniel Cordon-Bouzan St. David’s
Mackenzie John Lawson The Dalton School
Klaus Damasceno Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Molly Maresca Sacred Heart of Jesus School
Sofia Elena Daniels East Side Middle School
Jake Marino St. Stephen’s of Hungary
Marco de Rossi St. David’s
Kylie McEneaney Robert F. Wagner
James Donarski St. Ignatius Loyola School
Isabelle McNamara-Angel St. Francis of Assisi School
Christopher Draghi St. Hilda’s and St. Hugh’s
Will Miller Resurrection School
Aaron Manfrin D’Souza Judge Memorial Catholic High School
Ashley Milone Helen Keller Middle School
Maria Estrada The Computer School
Philip Mollerus St. David’s
Fiona Fortunato Holy Child Academy
Steven Morris St. Ignatius Loyola School
Jack Foulsham St. Luke’s
Alexa Mulligan St. Ignatius Loyola School
Jeffrey Frerichs St. David’s
Elizabeth Nacion St. Francis Cathedral School
Cosimo Gherardini St. Ignatius Loyola School
Katie Nakano The Hewitt School
36 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Support Loyola G
ifts to the Annual Fund represent an important component of the school’s revenues each year, accounting for approximately ten percent of the operating budget. The actual cost of educating a student is more than tuition charged, and the Annual Fund helps to close that gap. Gifts to the Annual Fund benefit virtually every aspect of life at Loyola School. Every gift makes a difference in the education of the young women and men who attend Loyola. If you have any questions about the Annual Fund, please contact Ms. Lara Torsky, Director of Annual Giving at 646.346.8134 or ltorsky@loyolanyc.org.
Aidan O’Sullivan St. Ignatius Loyola School Daniela Pierro Little Red and Elisabeth Irwin Analisa Pisano Resurrection School Saman Reza Windward Nicholas Slayton Frances Richmond Middle School Natalie Suozzi St. Ignatius Loyola School Minghui Sun Beijing Saint Paul American School Lily Talarico St. Stephen’s of Hungary Morgan Turner The Benjamin School Joseph Ugarte Buckley Country Day School Gabriel Vonleh Catholic Memorial Ian Wareham The Chapel School Do you have a child, grandchild, relative or friend interested in Loyola School? This year Loyola will host two information nights: Thursday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Additional Admissions Events include: Tuesday, November 3, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. – Afternoon Information Session Wednesday, November 4, 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Loyola For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 646.346.8131 or visit the Admissions website where you can complete an online application at www.loyolanyc.org/admissions.
Secure Online Donation: www.loyolanyc.org/support Gift of Securities: Contact Samantha Hanley, Vice President for Advancement 646.346.8136 shanley@loyolanyc.org
Thank You!
Loyola School 980 Park Avenue New York, NY 10028 www.loyolanyc.org Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 37
Loyola School Reunion 2015 A
lumni from the classes of 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 are invited to come home to Loyola on Saturday, October 3, 2015 to celebrate your milestone reunions!
Questions about Reunion? Contact Joe Acciarito at 646.346.8133 or jacciarito@loyolanyc.org. Reunion 2015 Schedule and Details October 3, 2015 5:00 p.m. – Mass in the Loyola School Chapel 5:30 p.m. – School Tours 6:00 p.m. – Individual Cocktail Receptions for Class Years 7:30 p.m. – Dinner in the Alumni Gymnasium Alumni will sit with their respective classmates for dinner. *schedule subject to change Reunion 2015 Coordinators 1965: Thomas Sheehy 1970: Chris Levy, Bob Pacicco, Malcolm Speed 1975: Raul Rivera 1980: George Lesnik, Cindy Mercer 1985: Andrea Brereton, Kevin Sullivan 1990: Katie Brennan, Norma Ragalli 1995: Eddie Minson, Anne Sekel 2000: Jean-Marie Ciaffone, Mike Davila, Ryan Hawkins, Pat McGovern, Christina Sorbera 2005: Sharon Brady, Christina Gallinari 2010: Ted Conrad, Kwaku Frimpong
38 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Reunion 2014 Reunion 2014 was a great success! Alumni from the classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, and 2009 returned home to Loyola on October 25, 2014 to celebrate Mass together, enjoy individual class cocktail receptions, and share a delicious, fun beefsteak dinner. Festivities continued as friends across the decades sang and danced all night long to the DJ and posed in the photo booth, sporting great props.
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 39
Alumni Events Alumni Service Day On Sunday, December 7, 2014 alumni and their families, students and administrators gathered together to celebrate Mass and compile boxes with over 1,000 donated food items for the Welcome Table at St. Francis Xavier Church. Students donated a majority of the canned food items and were strongly supported by alumni donations as well. Donated items were distributed to individuals and families who rely on Xavier’s food pantry.
Alumni Dinner Loyola’s annual Alumni Dinner was held on Friday, February 6, 2015 and it was wonderful to welcome home many alumi, especially our reunion classes, who were able to attend. Thank you for joining us to honor Bro. Edward Sheehy S.J., who received the Fox Award and Carolyn Yordan Castel ’77, who received the Gannon Award.
40 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 41
Winners of the 2015 Shea-Armstrong Golf and Tennis Classic 1st Place Pat Farrell ’93 John O’Brien ’93 John Smith ’94 Tyler Whitehouse
Shea-Armstrong Golf and Tennis Classic June 8, 2015 was a beautiful, but windy, day at The Rockaway Hunting Club in Lawrence, New York. The strong whirling winds provided for some tough competition out on the green, which did not stop anyone from having fun! We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Phil McManus, P’08, Pat Farrell ’93, Thomas Shea ’74, and Laura Armstrong ’94 for their leadership and support of this year’s event. Many thanks to our Committee members whose efforts contributed to a great event! A special ‘thank you’ also goes out to our volunteers for the day – Fred Agnostakis, Ed Knapp, Gabe Rotman, Kris Cupillari and Joanne Setpetijan. The great day would not have been as successful if it were not for their help. We would also like to thank Sean O’Shea ’87 for being our Live Auctioneer. Mark your Calendars! Next year’s Shea-Armstrong Golf and Tennis Classic will take place on Monday, June 27, 2016 at The Rockaway Hunting Club. If you are interested in being part of the committee for next year’s Golf and Tennis Classic, please contact Lara Torsky, Director of Annual Giving at 646.346.8134 or ltorsky@loyolanyc.org.
42 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
2nd Place Thomas Shea ’74 Peter Okie Tommy Cullen Tim Daly 3rd Place Maura Devaney Peter Shea ’63 Jack Devaney Patrick Shea Straightest Drive Matthew Nemia Closest to the Pin Frank Nemia, Jr. ’73 Longest Drive Ellen Goodwin, P’18 Tennis Winners Tom Carter, P’18 Joanne Setpetijan Shea-Armstrong Golf and Tennis Classic Committee Laura Armstrong ’94 Pat Farrell ’93 Gerry Herrling ’73 Jerry Kelly, P’15 Christina Maurillo ’81 Phil McManus, P’08 Glenn Pallen† ’64 John Petrilli ’74 John Preston ’74 Norma Ragalli ’90
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 43
Alumni Parents Association
Alumni Notes 1948
Become a part of the Alumni Parents Association!
T
Joseph Di Palma is Executive Producer of the feature film Awakened, which had Red Carpet premieres in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and many more cities in the US and Canada. Awakened has an award-winning star cast and was released in select cities. It was also exhibited at The Cannes International Film Festival. This is the second successful movie of which Di Palma is Executive Producer. The first was Shannon’s Rainbow aka Amazing Racer.
he Association’s mission is to provide parents of alumni with a means of maintaining the bonds and friendships that began and developed while their child attended Loyola. The Association will work to accomplish this by hosting and planning events, communicating Loyola news, and securing volunteers and attendees for various events and outreach activities. Membership is open to all parents of alumni and we encourage you to get involved and participate! Ways to participate may include: • Attend Alumni Parents Association gatherings to remain connected with other parents and Loyola Faculty and staff • Help in planning or lending your special talent to an upcoming event. • Host an Alumni Parents Association social gathering or event in your home or at a restaurant. • Cheer on Loyola’s current students with other alumni parents at sporting events, concerts, or theatrical performances and arrange a group outing afterwards. • Brag about your alumni son or daughter! Parents of alumni are often our best source of information about our alums, so please send us those pictures and stories! For more information or to join, please contact Lara Torsky, Director of Annual Giving at 646-346-8134 or ltorsky@loyolanyc.org
44 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
1964
Daniel Reardon performed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The play ran from February 11 – March 28, 2015.
1972
Indie Film Producer Thomas Adelman was highlighted in the Spring 2015 issue of Indie Slate Magazine. His article was listed as a highlighted article on the front cover. The article shares advice for indie producers. Check out more at indieslate.com.
1951
Ron Morgan has created a website that is a compilation of his life’s work in science. You can check it out at http:// internationalsciencecenter.com/.
1956
Francisco (Pancho) Yllescas, now living in Ecuador, has committed to include Loyola in his estate planning. This unprecedented generational transfer of wealth will help Loyola School in incredible ways and we are extremely grateful.
Left: John Ciampoli ’76 Right: Joao Carlos Bueno ’78
1973
1984
1976
1987
Members of the Class of 1973 celebrated their 60th birthdays at a bar in Yonkers on February 28, 2015.
Members of the Class of ’73 celebrate their birthdays.
of Fr. Prior at his 80th birthday celebration under his fencing and show jumping uniforms.
John Ciampoli, Nassau County Attorney, survived a health crisis and thanks the clinicians at Franklin Hospital. A full video can be found at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=85eTLy8mqw
1978
Rafael Castellanos interviewed with The Wall Street Journal in early June on the importance of title insurance and how it can protect mortgage lenders and borrowers in disputes over property ownership. Joao Carlos Bueno recently placed third in the Modern Pentathlon Masters World Championship in Berlin. The Pentathlon consists of five sports – running, swimming, shooting, riding, and fencing. He credits Fr. Prior as his inspiration, frequently wearing a t-shirt
Congratulations to Jo-Ann Alvarez Webb, who is now Consulting Marketing Director at Fashion for Charity Gala.
Paula McGrath-Diouf is currently teaching in London and even has a fellow Loyola alum in her class!
1993
Thomas Galvin is now focusing on Real Estate at Rose Law Group. His concentration is on zoning and land use.
1995
Dee Tubridy brought a taste of Rockaway Beach to NYC last spring as the Refinery Hotel featured the first ever Bungalow Bar pop-up from April – May. Dee interviewed with NY Live! Host Lauren Scala in early April to promote the pop-up. Jessica Gallagher Muldoon has advanced her career in the NYC Department of Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 45
Education, recently becoming Assistant Principal at The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria.
1997
Joe Brogan is living in Phuket, an island/ province off the west coast of Thailand. After finishing his Administration and Supervision Master’s at Hunter College and working as Dean of Discipline in a NYC public school, Joe and his wife Aileen wanted an overseas experience. Joe is currently partaking in administrative work in Thailand, while teaching Economics and Global History. He’s expressed his future goals to eventually venture on to Europe!
1998
Grant Johmann is now working in Digital Marketing and Ecommerce as Head of Client Services at Sony (rGenerator/ DADC Group). Edwin Lescop received a new employment opportunity at Mizuho Securities. Alexis Thornton Piela received a promotion in early April at HUGE. She is now the Recruitment Operations Lead.
1999
Sonali Bruschi received a new employment opportunity in April as Global Category Strategy Manager at Pfizer Global Category. Congratulations to Adam Waggoner on his new job as Broker Associate at Generator Real Estate, LLC.
2000
Alexander Oleksyn’s paintings were on exhibit at Galerie Gris in Hudson, NY from September 4 – October 13, 2014. A small exhibition of late-19th-and early-20th-century French ceramic Domestic ware was recently donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Elizabeth Sullivan is the show’s organizer and a research associate in the Museum’s Eu46 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
ropean sculpture and decorative arts department. The show has received a lot of attention thanks to Elizabeth’s expertise in pairing the pieces to represent sources of inspiration. The Wall Street Journal issued an article highlighting Sean Walsh. Sean recently starred in a play titled “Chinese Coffee.”
2001
Tom Brennan is engaged to Amanda Nicastro. Kristina Chan left for Jamaica on November 15, 2014, to volunteer at an orphanage and help to build houses. This was a dream come true for Kristina and is something she has wanted to do for a long time.
2002
Congratulations to Wilton Rene Fernandez, who has been thriving as an Attorney in the Bronx Family Court Division of the NYC Law Department.
2003
Vicky Wasik was featured on the blog serious eat, where she talks about what “a day in the life” is like for her as a visual editor. You can read her piece at www. seriouseats.com/2014/09/a-day-in-thelife-vicky-wasik-visual-editor.html. Maggie Dolan and Greg Acosta are engaged to be married. Their wedding is planned for October 17, 2015.
2004
Melissa Gonzalez Grey launched a novel “The Girl at Midnight”, a YA fantasy novel. Many attended her first reading at Books of Wonder on West 18th Street. She was also interviewed by the Huffington Post, where she expressed her path to writing her first novel and shared her experience. Nick Waggoner has directed a film called “Afterglow – Lightsuit Segment.” You can watch the film at http://vimeo. com/108679294.
Degree in Special Education at Loyola University Maryland while working at a school for Autism. She anticipates completing the program in August.
On September 26, 2015, Loyola School was invited by Consul General Rob de Vos of the Dutch Consulate in New York City to attend a special lesson at the Museum of the City of New York. Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Kingdom of the Netherlands led the class lesson.
1
Marc Berardi has a new job as Associate of Tax Services in Credits and Incentives at PwC.
2005
Evan Richards and Jacquelyn Dougherty are now engaged.
2004 & 2007
2
Brothers Adam Belanich and Noah Belanich were mentioned on forbes.com for their great efforts in starting up their coffee distributing service called Joyride Coffee. Their efforts began in 2011 as a froyo truck and rapidly grew into one of NY’s best distributors for America’s most respected roasters (including Stumptown, Intelligentsia and Blue Bottle). Their goal is to spread quality coffee, eliminating Keurig coffee pods altogether!
2007
Join us in congratulating Justin Jahng, who has completed his first year as a Strategist at Praytell. Nikoleta Rukaj has announced her engagement to Bryan Shao. They’re planning a wedding for December 5, 2015.
2008
Steven Pastores received a Master’s Degree in Communication Practice at Columbia University in May 2014 and is currently an Account Executive at Conill Advertising Inc., Saatchi & Saatchi’s US Hispanic Agency in Miami, Florida. Congratulations to Nick Kanisczak, now an Assurance Associate at Pricewater-
Danny Velasco starred in the original play “Year Zero” at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, outside of Boston, MA. The play, which closed on October 5th, looked at the experiences of Cambodian-Americans after they have immigrated to the United States.
Dorothy Jetter is doing very well living in Washington, D.C. working for Americans for Tax Reform. She works for the Federal Affairs Manager and does a lot of writing on their blog. You can check out some of Dorothy’s writing by searching her name on www.atr.org.
2011
Daniela DiGuido became an Associate Teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools in May. 3 1.Andrew Leone ’13, Coach Agnostakis 2. Boris Johnson, Jessica Holden 3. Insurance City Women’s Basketball Classic
house Coopers. Christopher Vendome recently entered his 2nd year as a Ph.D. student at the College of William and Mary. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Computer Science.
2009
Bianca Doran is engaged to Vince Pantillone.
2010
Brynn Norris is pursuing her Master’s
John Catsimatidis was on Hannity on Fox News on January 14, 2015, giving his opinion on President Obama’s education plan. Stephanie Goetz has signed up to volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps ( JVC) in New Orleans starting in August 2015. She will be working as a Program Assistant for Café Reconcile.
2013
Andrew Leone, who is in the middle of his second year playing basketball for Fairfield University’s Stags, played against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Maggie Hom ’14, Duke ’18 was in the stands watching her fellow alum!
2015
America Magazine published an article about Hanna May’s story of fulfilling an
On Sunday, November 2, 2014, many members of the Loyola community ran in the NYC Marathon. Andy Donacik, Kristin Ross, Joe Tiernan ’94, Mary Kate Burke ’01, Dan Miller P’16, Chris Beha ’97, and Monica McEnrue ’03 joined the almost 50,000 runners in the bitter wind and cold to complete the marathon. The annual Insurance City Women’s Basketball Classic took place on October 30, 2014 at the Aetna Auditorium in Connecticut. This year, the Classic featured Loyola Trustee Mary Claire Bonner Lagno P’08 as an honorary coach representing Aetna. We are proud to share that Mary Claire and her teammates brought home the Defenders Trophy defeating the Travelers by a final score of 43-38.
Irish-American Dream in attending a Jesuit high school. Find the full article (dated May 11, 2015) on americamagazine.org and in the Daily News. Lukas Auletti was among the many young stars that shined on the diamond this year, as Loyola brought home their first Championship in 15 years. While attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt, Lukas dropped the bunt that rocketed back up to his face, splitting it open. Miraculously, he was able to return to the game to enjoy the win! The Daily News featured an article sharing this story on May 9th.
Faculty Notes
Led by Sue Baber, who is Chair of Theology Department and Director of Campus Ministry, the Loyola community took part in promoting relief efforts for Xavier High School in Chuuk, who experienced a devastating typhoon this Spring. The Jesuits’ USA Northeast Province raised nearly $30,000 in this effort. Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 47
2002
daughter Simone Violet Salisbury on August 2, 2014.
Iris Colon married Kevin Groen on September 20, 2014.
2003
Valentina Lugo married Marvin Guerra on September 5, 2014. The wedding was officiated by Fr. Steve Katsouros.
2004 When in Rome, Father Paredes met with his dear friend Pope Francis. Father Paredes and Pope Francis have a 30-year relationship!
Jamie Schombs, Loyola’s Librarian, ran the Baltimore marathon in October 2014.
Karolina Lempert married Charles Sekel on September 6, 2014. The wedding was officiated by Fr. Steve Katsouros.
2006
Jonathan Suquet married Mary Abigail Zanone in New Orleans on April 18, 2015.
Esteemed Professor of Literature at Loyola School, Jessica Holden and Loyola’s Director of College Guidance, Thomas Hanley, met the wildly popular Mayor of London, Boris Johnson at an exclusive gala at the Museum of the City of New York.
Births 1987
Weddings 1973
1989
Gerry Herrling married Carole Porter on December 27, 2014.
1995
McCarthy Hawkins married Marnie Klar on September 13, 2014 in Virginia.
Margaret Gonzalez and her husband Patrick Long recently had a baby girl, Nuala.
Myron Michalski and his wife Christine welcomed the birth of Mateo on February 18, 2015.
1992
Doug Borkowski and his wife Rachel celebrated the birth of Brooke Lindsey on February 7, 2015.
Join us in congratulating Mauro Maccioni ’91 and the Le Cirque New York team for receiving the 2015 Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence.
Jalma Guevara’s daughter, Georgiana, celebrated the birth of Jalma’s first granddaughter Ariana Caban on March 3, 2015.
2003
Karriane Humen-Pike and her husband, Matthew, celebrated the birth of their daughter Ava Mary who was born on December 22, 2014.
1997
3 2 1
Congratulations to Frank Vivolo and his wife Lyle on the birth of Clinton Angelo Vivolo on March 5, 2015.
1998
Felice Milani and her husband Michael welcomed their daughter Ava Charlotte Milani on February 18, 2015.
4
6 5
Lauren Spagnoletti and her husband Adam welcomed a baby boy, Jacob Morrison Donshi, in July of 2014.
1994
Maryhelen McCarthy McCaffrey and her husband Neil welcomed their third child, James Joseph McCaffrey on April 3, 2015.
2001
1994 & 2000
1999
Maria Perez ’00 and her husband Raul Perez ’94 welcomed their son Xavier Ignacio Perez into the Loyola family on March 8, 2015.
Faculty
Yesenia Ferrán and her husband Ivan welcomed their daughter Chloe Bernadette Rana on April 20, 2015.
1995
2000
Francis Vecchione married Meghan Quinlan on October 18, 2014.
Conor Lowry and his wife Tara welcomed Megan Tubridy Moore and her husband their fourth child Gerard Ignatius Lowry MacLean welcomed their first son Maon December 3, 2014. cLean Tubridy Moore on November 20, 2014. Sara Fay Snider and her husband Chaffin welcomed their daughter Catherine “Cate” Fay Snider on January 27, 2015. Torie Hajdu Abramson and her husband Andy welcomed their son Harry on October 9, 2014. Stephanie Leach and her husband Kevin
2004
Vanessa Coppa gave birth to Cara Lucia Coppa on January 14, 2015. Faculty member Dan and his wife Lidia Tramontozzi were excited to welcome their newest grandchild. Congratulations to Vanessa and her husband Christopher!
Jean-Marie Ciaffone married Steven John Messina at the church of St. Ignatius Loyola on June 28, 2015. Fr. Sehler was the officiant.
welcomed the birth of Ryan William and Conor Francis on August 16, 2014.
Vinnie Vernuccio and his wife Katie welcomed their son Alexander James on June 4, 2015.
9 7
8 1. Ava Charlotte Milani, daughter of Felice Milani ’98 2. Ava Mary and Matthew Pike, children of Karrianne Humen-Pike ’95 3. Chloe Bernadette Rana, daughter of faculty member Yesenia Ferran 4. Ariana Caban, granddaughter of faculty member Jalma Guevara 5. Jacob Morrison Donshik, son of Lauren Spagnoletti ’98 6. Nuala, daughter of Margaret Gonzalez ’87 7. Ryan William and Conor Francis Leach, sons of Stephanie Leach ’03 8. Simone Salisbury, daughter of Adele Plumail Salisbury ’99 9. Cara Lucia Coppa, granddaughter of faculty member Danilo Tramontozzi, daughter of Vanessa Tramontozzi ’98.
Adele Plumail Salisbury and her husband Pete welcomed the birth of their 48 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 49
In Memoriam 1937
James Murray passed away on January 2, 2015.
1948
Dr. William V. Healey passed away in Texas on May 1, 2015.
1957
Harvey Connell, former classmate of the graduating class of ’57, passed away. Harvey attended Loyola for three years, two years in the Junior School and one year as a Fourth Seniors (as Freshmen were called).
1961
1973 & 2015
Anthony Marino, father of Charles ’73 and and grandfather of Jack ’15 Marino, passed away on December 22, 2014.
1976
Katie Asch passed away on April 25, 2015. She was a part of Loyola’s first graduating class that included women.
1979
Theresa Larkin, mother of Michael Larkin, passed away on July 15, 2015.
1983
Claire Brabec, mother of Jeffrey and Todd Brabec, passed away on December 4, 2014.
Irwin Ruttenberg, father of Gary Ruttenberg and his sister, Holly (who briefly attended Loyola), passed away on July 25, 2014.
1964
1988
Daniel Chapple passed away on May 28, 2014. Glenn Pallen passed away on May 14, 2015.
Gildo Paganussi, father of Michael Paganussi, passed away on February 7, 2015.
1992
1966
Robert Salomone passed away in May 2015.
Christine L. Arena, wife of Gianfranco Arena ’91 and sister of Stephen Feiler ’98, passed away on April 30, 2015.
1967
1992 & 1994
Macy Ann Beha, mother of Jim Beha II ’67 and grandmother of Chris ’97 and Jim ’97, passed away on June 18, 2015.
1969
Matthew Byrne, son of Edward Byrne, passed away on August 24, 2014.
1970
Roy Vasile passed away on May 15, 2015. Licia Albanese Gimma, mother of Joseph Gimma, passed away on August 15, 2014.
1970, 1971 & 2004
Luigi Racanelli, father of Nicholas Racanelli † ’70 and Luigi Racanelli ’71, and grandfather of Luigi Racanelli ’04, passed away on August 11, 2014.
50 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015
Elias Frantzis, father of Ion ’92 and Phil ’94, passed away on December 21, 2014.
2017
Terry Keenan Kass, mother of Benno Kass, passed away on October 23, 2014. Michael Vestergom, father of Natalie Vestergom, passed away on February 24, 2015.
Save the Date!
Annual Alumni Dinner Friday, February 5, 2016
Faculty
If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at 646.346.8135 or jacciarito@loyolanyc.org
Bruna Morson, mother of Lidia Tramontozzi; mother-in-law of Dan Tramontozzi; grandmother of Mark ’96, Vanessa ’98, passed away on July 15, 2015.
Brooklyn Prep Alumni Association’s 2015 Golf Classic
Cathy Lyness, mother of former Headmaster Jim Lyness, passed away on June 15, 2015.
Former Faculty
Mary Pomer O’Donnell, sister of Bobby Pomer (Loyola’s former College Counselor), passed away in October 2014. Nicholas (Nick) Katsouros, father of Steve Katsouros, S.J. passed away on November 11, 2014. Father Eugene Zimpfer, S.J., who taught Math, Science, Latin, and religion at Loyola in the late ’50s, passed away on January 9, 2015. Jim Shields passed away on January 18, 2015.
The BPAA Golf Outing, now in its 14th year is held at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, NY. This year’s outing will be held on Thursday, September 17th with a rain date of Thursday, October 1st. Please make plans to gather your foursomes and join us for a wonderful day! All proceeds benefit the Rev. John D. Alexander, SJ Endowment Fund to permanently finance scholarships at Loyola School and other Jesuit high schools in the tri-state area. For additional information, please contact: Dave Campbell at davec538@aol.com Ralph Mascia at rmascia@bhiusa.com
The Michael J. Armstrong Foundation Posse’s Fall Gathering will be held on: Saturday, November 21st from 8:00pm to 11:00pm at Park Avenue Tavern, 99 Park Avenue, NYC. For more information, please contact Laura Armstrong at 845.398.0350 or michaelarmstrongfoundation@gmail. com.
Shea-Armstrong Golf and Tennis Classic Mark your calendars today! Join fellow alumni, parents, faculty and friends Monday, June 27, 2016 The Rockaway Hunting Club Lawrence, NY In memory of Joe Shea ’72 and Mike Armstrong ’85 There will be great food and drink, wonderful raffle prizes, hole-in-one competitions, and much more! If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at 646.346.8135 or ltorsky@loyolanyc.org
2002, 2005, 2009, & 2017
Angela Vinci, mother of James Vinci (former Board member), and grandmother of Elizabeth ’02, Catherine ’05, Margaret ’09 and Caroline Vinci ’17, passed away on October 4, 2014.
2004 & 2006
Richard Cirbus, father of Mary Cirbus ’04 and Allison Cirbus ’06, passed away on August 12, 2014.
2008
John Preston passed away on April 8, 2015.
The 6th Annual Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing Monday, September 28th Meadow Brook Club Jericho, NY
Golf Outing Presenting Sponsors: Gary Goodenough and Pat Kelly • To benefit those in need through the apostolic works of the Jesuits • To support the care of senior and infirm Jesuits Individual golfer: $1,250 Contact Debra Ryan at the USA Northeast Province Jesuit Office at 212.774.5544 or dryan@jesuits.org. For registration and information on sponsorships, raffles and journal ads, visit www.JesuitsEast.org
Save The Date!
Twenty-Fourth Annual Benefit Gala Friday, May 5, 2016 Wallace Hall
Cocktail Reception Dinner Live & Silent Auctions Cash Raffle DJ and Dancing If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at 646.346.8135 or jacciarito@loyolanyc.org
Loyola Magazine Summer 2015 51
Loyola School 980 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10028
A Recognized School of Excellence United States Department of Education
To Parents of Alumni If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office at 646.346.8135 with the correct mailing address. Thank you!
52 Loyola Magazine Summer 2015