Malvern Magazine Spring 2016

A Light of Exposure Sharing the Love of Triathlon

Malvern, Cuba and a Reunion 73 Years in the Making

Spring 2016

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

Friar Fun in the Summer!

Classes • Camps • Test Prep www.malvernsummerprograms.com

Contents Malvern Magazine :: Volume 13 :: Issue 2 :: Spring 2016

Features

12 The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

Malvern makers create with others in mind.

They want to help. They create with Caritas.

They are real-life superheroes. They are indeed good people. They are Augustinian inventors who are striving each day to do good in our world.

By Jim Mack and Sarah Ravenfeld

26 A Light of Exposure

This in-depth and heart-wrenching story about suicide among young people earned the author the Journalism Education Association's 2016 Student Impact Award.

By Justice Bennett ’16

34 Giving Back and Sharing the Love of Triathlon

Paul Stockett ’13 created the Chase the Friar Kids Triathlon as a way to share his love for the sport and give back to Malvern Prep.

By Sarah Ravenfeld

36 Malvern, Cuba and a Reunion 73 Years in the Making

Last May, Malvern Prep welcomed one of its sons back to campus after a 73-year hiatus. Juan Busto, Class of 1942, returned to the School and spent the day with students and faculty. By Jack Thomas Tomarchio ’73

38 The Veritas: Our Rookie Alumni Teachers Departments up front

Alumni

2 Head of School's Message 3 Letters to the Editor

40 NewsNotes

Around Campus

48

4 Friar Days 24 The Big Picture A Light of Exposure Sharing the Love of Triathlon

On the Cover

Malvern, Cuba and a Reunion 73 Years in the Making

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest inventors

Class Notes Connections and Conversationss

Malvern makers are real-life superheroes who create with others in mind. They are Augustinian inventors who are striving each day to do good in our world.

Please Recycle this Magazine

48

Page

Malvern celebrated the life of Father Dave Duffy, O.S.A. '48 on the 10th anniversary of his passing, January 9, 2016.

up front

Dear Friends of Malvern— At my son’s lacrosse practice recently, I struck up a conversation with a dad standing

President

Rev. James R. Flynn, O.S.A.

next to me. I quickly learned that he is the

Head of School

managing partner of a strategy consulting

Assistant Head of School

firm in Philadelphia.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

With a son finishing his junior year in high school (a different allboys Catholic school that shall not be named) and another son finishing 2nd grade (at a local Catholic grammar school), he was curious about Malvern Prep. “I hear you guys are doing some really interesting things with learning,” he said. “What’s that all about?”

I told him that Malvern Prep has taken the two things we have always developed in students— Augustinian mission and Global Literacies—and blended in a third dimension: Entrepreneurship. “Not necessarily in the business sense,” I added. “We mean things like working in teams and creatively solving problems.”

He nodded his head enthusiastically.

“That’s what we look for when we hire,” he said. “Given the complexity of the world, and the interconnectedness of the global economy, we need two qualities above all else: the ability to work in an unstructured environment and the ability to solve problems creatively. If your guys are already getting a college prep education and if they develop a sense of Catholic mission, then teaching them to be entrepreneurial will give them a competitive advantage.”

In this issue of Malvern Magazine, you will read about Malvern alumni and current students who are creatively solving problems—with a deep sense of purpose. They are, in very different ways, wonderful expressions of Malvern Prep’s vision for leadership in a global economy and society.

Just as importantly, these stories show that Malvern has always produced entrepreneurial types. Here’s a quick trip through the last six decades: Eustace Wolfington ’50, inventor of the modern method of financing car leases; Tip O’Neill ’63, founder of International Raw Materials; Lou Colameco ’77, founder of Wellshire Farms; Mike O’Neill ’80, founder of Preferred Sands; Dan Kelly ’99, founder of Wellbody medical clinic in Sierra Leone; and Joe Barba ’08, founder of Labor on Demand. And that small sample just scratches the surface.

What stories do you have of Malvern Prep “problem solvers with purpose”? Please share them with me at ctalbot@malvernprep.org.

In the meantime, read on for what I think is our best issue yet of Malvern Magazine. And thank you, as always, for your love and support of Malvern Prep. mp For Malvern—

Christian M. Talbot Steven R. Valyo ’70 Carrie Snyder

Development Office Director of Development

Victor D’Ascenzo ’81

Associate Director of Development

Carolyn McLaughlin

Director of Alumni Relations

J. Michael Treston ’02

Director of Gift Planning

Mary-Helen McCulloch, J.D.

Director of The Malvern Fund

Emily Buck

Database Administrator

Christine Tiberi P’10’12

Assistant to Advancement

Marie Sumser

Communications and Marketing Associate Director of Communications & Public Relations

Jim Mack

Social Media and Public Relations Specialist

Sarah Ravenfeld

Advancement Coordinator

Katelyn Rodgers

Magazine Staff Editor in Chief

Christian M. Talbot Editor

Jim Mack Layout & Design

Proof Design Studios Printing

Great Atlantic Photography

Rob Buscaglia P’22, Bob Colameco, Mike DiTrolio, Jim Mack, Kevin Monko, Kate Plows, Sarah Ravenfeld and Katelyn Rodgers Contributing Writers

Justice Bennett ’16, Jim Mack, Sarah Ravenfeld, Katelyn Rodgers and Jack Thomas Tomarchio ’73 Malvern Preparatory School

418 S. Warren Avenue Malvern, PA 19355-2707

tel: 484-595-1100 fax: 484-595-1124 e-mail: information@malvernprep.org web: www.malvernprep.org

Christian M. Talbot Head of School

2 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Malvern Magazine is made possible through your support of The Malvern Fund.

For Malvern Magazine queries, call 484-595-1117 or e-mail communications@malvernprep.org.

Up Front

Letters to the Editor Share your thoughts with us!

We welcome all readers to give us feedback on this issue or to share story ideas for future issues. All letters to the editor that we receive will be considered for publishing in the next issue of the Malvern Magazine. (Letters are edited for length.) Letters to the Editor can be mailed to Malvern Preparatory School, 418 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, PA 19355-2707, attn:

Malvern Magazine or e-mail communications@malvernprep.org.

Continuing the Conversation Warm greetings from Palm Springs, Calif., – a small (pop. 47,000) city that, with two of us now living within a couple miles of each other here [Paul Zak, '64], may boast one of the world’s larger concentrations of alumni who served Malvern as a yearbook editor-in-chief! But of course, this area also has many betterknown distinctions – including, beyond the many events drawing golfers, music lovers and architecture buffs from throughout the world, one of California's largest LGBTQ Pride parades (held in November, comfortably far from the 100-degree heat of late June).

What especially caught my attention at my first Palm Springs Pride last year was a group of 200 or more teens marching as

representatives of their Gay-Straight Alliances at more than a dozen Coachella Valley high schools and middle schools. Like a great many other spectators, I found their participation heartening, indeed moving beyond words, and more ...

I was prompted to wonder when the LGBTQ community at Malvern — whose online diversity statement has yet to include the words “sexual orientation” – might look forward to the school’s explicitly recognizing that real Brotherhood embraces, even celebrates, us all. Soon, I hope.

Ray Warman ’66

Maintain Your Malvern

Connections

Follow us on Twitter @MalvernPrep

Connect via LinkedIn

Find us on Facebook

Share on Instagram

Watch our YouTube Channel

We're on Pinterest

Read our Student Blog

Read our Head of School's Blog

Get connected at www.malvernprep.org/social

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 3

Around Campus

FriarDays

Photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Mostoller

Malvern Welcomes Pope Francis with Song Yes, Malvern junior Nick Gatti admits, the

To welcome Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the group created a music video of its performance of “We Are One Body” featuring photos of Malvern Prep Christian Service projects and photos of Pope Francis.

The video was produced by Eric Gibson ’96 and was shared on the World Meeting of Families Facebook page. mp

thought of singing in front of a crowd of more than one million people was nerveracking, but his enthusiasm for singing with the Archdiocesan High School Papal Choir dwarfed his nervousness. "The Papal Mass was a sight and experience I will remember for the rest of my life," he says. "I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to sing for the Pope."

Gatti was joined in the choir by sophomore Christian Franck and alumnus Phil Daubney '15. They performed at the Papal Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 27.

Gatti, Franck and Daubney were

Nick Gatti ’17 (left) and Christian Franck ’18.

school singers who auditioned this summer. Gatti, Franck and Daubney have

three of 50 (32 girls and 18 boys) chosen

all participated in Malvern's Liturgical

from a pool of 80 Archdiocesan high

Music Group, directed by Ed Liga.

4 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

::: You can find the video on Malvern’s YouTube channel.

Around campus

FriarDays

Rebound:

Malvern Hosts Chris Herren and his Harrowing Story “Don’t assume other people will help.”

While one can take away many lessons from this fall’s Distinguished Speaker, that message rings true in a community that prides itself on empathy and support. Chris Herren, former NBA player and author of Basketball Junkie, spoke at Malvern on October 27 to an overflowing Duffy Arts Center Theatre audience about his descent into addiction and how the miracle of his recovery has driven him to share his story with as many people who will listen.

Even though many may have read his book or seen his documentary, Kyle Hegarty ’17, a member of Malvern’s Peer Educators and Malvern team leader of Herren’s Project Purple Initiative, thought seeing him in person was a powerful message. “His story is very relatable to Malvern,” Hegarty says. “He was a great athlete who had so much potential, so to hear his message made us all think about the decisions we make and how these could impact our bright futures.”

“We did expected a huge crowd, but not as big as the one we got. It was an amazing turnout, and I truly believe it made a difference to people and helped them along whatever path they are on,” Hegarty adds. mp

Help Malvern Prep Through Two Simple Tax Credit Programs!

It’s likely that your business qualifies for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) Programs.

To learn more about using your business tax dollars to help Malvern students reach their goals contact Victor D’Ascenzo ’81, Director of Development, at 484-595-1111 or vdascenzo@malvernprep.org, or visit malvernprep.org/SupportMalvern.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 5

Around Campus

FriarDays

Wanted: Computer Programmers, No Experience Required

If you peered into the Learning Commons during Community Time one day this winter, you would have seen glowing plastic orbs that glided across the carpet, made 90 degree turns on table tops, stopped, started, reversed direction, all seemingly on their own. If you looked closer, you may have figured out that Malvern students, and some adventurous teachers, were controlling these spheres through an iPad app.

These students were participating in the national Hour of Code, an initiative designed to dispel some of the myths about computer programming.

6 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

“Many people think computer programming is difficult and something that only nerds and hackers can do,” says Science Department Leader Kevin Quinn. “Through Hour of Code, we hope to show that anyone can program and that it is fun to do.”

Nick Villano ’18 is in Quinn’s AP Computer Science class, and he drew a crowd as he was showing off some nifty tricks with what is officially called a Sphero through the company’s SPRK app.

Soon the Learning Commons was filled with students sending off the Spheros in all directions, and sometimes chasing after wayward robots as they shot off course. The students were learning that coding isn’t always sitting in a dark room banging away on a keyboard.

“Programming is less about learning a programming language and more about learning how to frame problems and instructions in a way that a computer can understand, a skill that is valuable to everyone,” says Quinn. mp

Around campus

FriarDays

Recognition Redefined Malvern’s Middle School has a new take on Honors Assemblies – transforming what can be a rote reciting of names into a unique student-driven experience. In these Demonstrations of Learning, students present what they have learned to their fellow peers. It’s a way to bring the entire Middle School together and show how each student learns in his own way. Teachers and families are also invited.

At the first quarter event, students presented on topics related to George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm: sound pollution, sustainability package redesign, how to market and create a public service announcement regarding sustainability, the origins of Malvern Preparatory School and leadership.

“I didn’t know how serious an issue sound pollution was until I was pushed to learn about it in my class,” said Tommy Bevevino ’20, whose project included a section about how sound from ships pollutes the ocean. “Project-based learning helps me do things with my hands and helps me learn better.”

The students in the audience quickly became engaged when Gavin Kane ’21, Ben Davis ’21 and Austin Yang ’21 began to present their project on how to market and create a public service announcement (PSA), about sustainability. Kane, Davis

and Yang spoke about how they worked in a team and how they choose what roles each of them would play in the creation of their project based on their individual strengths. At the end of the presentation, the boys showed their PSA, which won the most views on YouTube from all projects in that class section.

Collboration is key to the Middle School's student-driven learning.

The Demonstrations of Learning concluded with a question and answer session with the audience.

“I look forward to continuing to refine this approach in the future,” noted Middle School Head Patrick Sillup. “I am genuinely excited by the idea of students showcasing understanding in an authentic and engaging environment.” mp

The maker lab in the Learning Commons is an ideal spot for project-based learning.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 7

Around Campus

FriarDays

Brotherhood is Love: Malvern Cancer Survivors Join Forces to Fight Disease Before Andrew Clark ’17 came to Malvern Prep, he had only known one other kid who had cancer, but during his time at the school he learned that three Malvern students fought cancer and won, just like he did.

These four banded together to help Clark win the 2016 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Student of the Year and raise $68,000 in critical funding to eradicate blood cancer.

"I cannot thank you enough for all your support and all your help," Clark says. "We made a huge difference."

Clark was diagnosed with leukemia when he was three years old. During his seven-year battle with the disease Clark became friends Mark Rodgers—the “one other kid” he knew who had cancer. Clark and Rodgers, a student at Springfield High School, shared the same doctor at A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children. When Rodgers, who won the 2015 LLS Student of the Year award, nominated his friend this year, Clark immediately thought of his Malvern brothers. Malvern’s three other cancer survivors, Mason Abate ’16 and Ethan Bedwell ’16 and Nick Calvaresi ’17, all devoted themselves to Clark’s campaign.

“I think that we will have a bond that lasts a lifetime,” says Clark of the group.

“I know I will remember them all for the rest of my life and hope that they will be able to do the same. They all know that we would not be here today if it wasn’t for people 20 years ago who were inspired to save lives. Because of that, we are motivated to help find a cure.”

Calvaresi shares Clark’s sentiment. “I was surprised to hear that there were other cancer survivors here at Malvern, and it also comforted me to think that there are others who struggled like me and know the hard times I actually went through.”

Abate was diagnosed with cancer when he was a freshman, and his struggle galvanized the Malvern community. “The

Malvern students spelled out Mason Abate's ’16 initials to show their support.

8 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Andrew Clark ’17 (right) with Upper School Head Ron Algeo ’87 P’15

brotherhood at Malvern is something I can’t put into words,” he says. “When I was first diagnosed, the whole school got dressed in orange and lined up to spell my initials on the football field. They did that just to try to make me feel a little bit better and let me know they had my back.

My classmates used Google Hangouts or FaceTime with me for every single class period so I would not have to repeat a year. The brotherhood at Malvern is real.”

“For many people, Mason’s illness is still fresh in their minds. They were really affected by Mason’s illness and treatment, and they will do anything they can to help find a cure,” Clark says.

Clark hosted a “Catch the Cure” family fun night at the Main Line Sports Center to raise funds and asked for gifts through a website he helped create. Students shared updates on social media and plastered posters around the school. Clark has spoken at each of the grade-level honors assemblies this month, and Calvaresi penned a personal refection about his cancer fight for The Blackfriar Chronicle.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed

by Malvern teachers. “These guys are trying to make an impact on the world around them. They are not waiting; they are doing it now,” says Upper School Head Ron Algeo ’87 P’15.

Maybe even more important is that Andrew, Mason, Ethan and Nick know that they have brothers who will do anything for them.

“I could never imagine what my life would be like if I did not have Malvern Prep,” Clark says. mp

Around campus

Friar Sports Highlights Wrestling

Cross Country

Wrestling Takes Third at National Preps, Claims Two Individual Titles

Wills Leads Friar Harriers

Malvern qualified 11 wrestlers for the prestigious National Prep Tournament at Lehigh University in February. Nine Friars earned medals, including two champions, Mike Beard ’18 at 182 pounds and Seth Janney ’17 at 220 pounds. Malvern placed third as a team behind powerhouses Blair Academy and Wyoming Seminary and finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation by InterMat, the first time in program history it has been ranked nationally.

At states, Malvern took second place behind Wyoming Seminary.

The host Friars crowned three champions and five runner-ups. With his fourth finals appearance, Matt Lattanze ’16 won the Ron Nelson award for most team points in a four-year span. Taking first place for the Friars were: Shane Hanson-Ashworth ’19 at 106, Beard at 182 and Janney at 220. Finished second for the Friars were: Henry Hague ’19 at 113, Nick Lattanze ’16 at 126, Matt Lattanze at 160, Nicholas Florschutz ’19 at 170 and Rashon Lusane ’16 at 195. The Friars won their second-consecutive Inter-Ac Title this winter.

Colin Wills ’16 took first place in 17:01 at the InterAc Cross Country Championship at the 5k course at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia in October. He followed that performance with an outstanding Indoor Track season that included a first-place finish in the 800-meter run in 1:57.48 at the Greater Philadelphia-area Track & Field Coaches Association Meet of Champions at Lehigh University in February and a seventh-place finish in 4:19.65 in the Boys' Emerging Elite Mile Run at the New Balance Indoor National Meet in New York in March.

Colin Willis ’16 (right) won the Inter-Ac Cross Country Championship.

Matt Lattanze '16 earned a silver medal at the state championships and won the Ron Nelson award for most team points in a four-year span..

Soccer

Friars Land Three on All-Main Line Soccer First Team Malvern Prep finished 15-5-2 and was ranked 11th in the final Southeast Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Poll. David Bettenhausen ’16, Mike Narzikul ’16 and Chris Savino’16 earned First Team All-Main Line Honors.

Hockey

Hockey Beats Carroll in Quarters, Falls to La Salle in Flyers Cup Semis In the Flyers Cup tournament, the Ice Hockey team beat Archbishop Carroll 6-3 in the quarterfinal round to advance to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual Cup champion La Salle. As the three seed in the tournament, the Friars dispatched Carroll behind two goals by Joey Abel ’16 and three assists by Joey D'Elia ’18.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 9

Around Campus

FriarDays Friar Sports Highlights continued Swimming

Swimming & Diving Wins Inter-Ac Takes Third at Easterns After bringing home its fourth-consecutive Inter-Ac title, Malvern brought home a third-place team finish at the 116th Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championship at La Salle University. The 200-medley relay team of Dan Waterland ’18, William Schaffer ’16, Zach Maher ’17 and Billy Beard ’16 went 134.64 for the bronze medal. Maher, Lou Franzone ’19, John Connors ’18 and Beard finished in fourth place for the 400 free relay, while the team of Maher, Connors, Franzone and Schaffer took seventh place in the 200 free relay. Individually, the Friars were led by Schaffer who was third in the 100 breast and fourth in 100 back. Beard was ​fifth in 100 free and seventh in the 50 free.

Aaron Salinas ’16 was fourth in 100 breast; Maher was sixth in the 100 fly; and diver Trevor Henderson ’19 finished seventh.

Co-captain William Schaffer ’16 was one of four Friars to earn All-American honors.

Beard, Maher, Schaffer and Salinas secured All-American status for the season.

Water Polo

Water Polo Claims Third Inter-Ac Title, Finishes Second at Easterns In November, Malvern Water Polo clinched its third-straight Inter-Ac title with a 7-5 win over Haverford and followed up that win with an impressive finish at the Eastern Prep Water Polo Championship.

The Inter-Ac championship is the first outright title for the Friars, who tied with Penn Charter for first place the past two seasons. Malvern trailed the entire game against Haverford until Tait McGlinn ’16 tied the game with 4:05 in the fourth quarter.

Isaac Salinas ’18 scored his only goal of the game at 1:45 to put Malvern in front for the first time all game. McGlinn led Malvern with three goals on the day. Aaron Salinas ’16 was a defensive standout, and goal keeper Rory Allen ’13 made 14 saves.

At Easterns, second seed Malvern opened the tournament with wins over Loyola, Md., 12-8, and Gonzaga, D.C., 11-8, to advance to the championship game against top seed Calvert Hall, Md. The game was tied 4-4 at the half and 7-7 after three quarters. Calvert Hall pulled away in the final quarter with two goals to win 9-7. The Friars had three players with two goals apiece: Maher (one assist), Stephen Salle ’18 (one assist) and Isaac Salinas (two assists).

Allen played well in goal with 13 saves and three steals. Salle and Isaac Salinas made the All-tournament team with eight and nine goals, respectively, for the tourney.

10 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Co-captain Tait McGlinn ’16 had a number of key goals for the Friars this season.

Around campus

FriarDays

Will Powers ’16 joined the Malvern 1,000 - point club this season.

Basketball

Powers Joins 1,000 Point Club Will Powers ’16 became the 13th Friar to score 1,000 points in his basketball career, hitting the mark in a 90-50 win over Springside-Chestnut Hill in January. The First Team All-Inter-Ac selection averaged 19.7 points per game this season. He joins Joe Walters (1967), Mike Oristaglio (1970), Charlie Ryan (1972), Charlie Floyd (1974), Gordy Bryan (1978), Pat Purcell (1978), Barkley Sample (1981), Rob McCarry (1983), Gary Duda (1988), Dave Glaser (2001), Brian Grandieri (2004) and Brendan Kilpatrick (2012) in the 1,000-point club.

Golf

Golf Wins Inter-Ac, State Titles The Golf team claimed the state title and its second Inter-Ac championship in the past three years with a talented and balanced squad. Marty McGuckin ’16 fired an impressive 74 (4 over par) on the famed East course at Merion G.C. to win the 2015 Bert Linton Invitational Tournament. Matt Davis ’18 led the team with three Inter-Ac Invitational wins and a league-low 36.8 average.

Matt Civitella ’19 was a standout performer all year, helping to clinch the league title with a team-leading 37 in the Friars’ win over Germantown Academy. The team went an impressive 39-2-1 overall and 29-0-1 in the league this season. Davis, McGuckin and Civitella were joined by Mac Updike ’17 on the All-League First Team.

Rashon Lusane ’16 was a force all over the field for the Friars this year.

Football

Malvern Gridders Dot Post-Season Award Rosters Malvern Football finished second in the Inter-Ac and seventh in the final Philadelphia Inquirer team rankings. Offensive lineman David Lynch ’16 and running back O'Shaan Allison ’18 were named First Team Daily News All-City. Allison, Rashon Lusane ’16, Jake Glavin ’17 and Ryan Murray ’16 were named First Team All-Main Line. Lusane, Nathan Daller '20 and Joe Basiura ’18 represented Team USA at this year’s International Bowls versus national teams from Canada.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 11

12 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

By Jim Mack and Sarah Ravenfeld

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 13

I was shopping at the Malvern Wegman’s last fall and I ran into the parents of three of the subjects of this article.

(Where else do you run into anyone in Malvern?)

I told Mr. and Mrs. McGill P’06’07’09 that I was working through a story in my head about people at Malvern who invent things. I said that their sons were at the top of a seemingly long list of alumni, students and teachers who create, and that this theme fits right in with some of the academic innovations that are happening at the School.

They said they thought the article was a great idea.

Since I had them cornered in the meat aisle, I strung together some questions about when the boys started getting interested in building and robotics, what courses, teachers or activities helped set them on their path …

Then Mrs. McGill politely stopped me. She didn’t answer any of my questions. But she did kind of answer all of them.

“My sons could have done robotics anywhere,” she said. “They’re smart kids.

They would have been fine at any school and excelled academically. We sent them to Malvern because we wanted them to be able to sing and act and play sports and be involved in whatever they wanted to do. They learned how to dress appropriately and how to speak in public, and those things were very important when they gave presentations in college. Most of all, we wanted them to become good people.”

I thanked her and we said good-bye and the McGills maneuvered their cart around mine, but I stood there for a moment thinking, “That’s it. That’s the difference. That’s the story.” (That and the proliferation of Avengers movies out at the time.)

14 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Malvern makers create with others in mind. They want to help. They create with Caritas. They are real-life superheroes. They are indeed good people.

They are Augustinian inventors who are striving each day to do good in our world.

- Jim Mack

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

McGill Brothers Battling ’Bots:

A Force for Good Steve McGill ’06, Will McGill ’07 and Nick McGill ’09 Since they were little and playing with Legos, Steve, Will and Nick McGill have been

tinkering, building and rebuilding, and often doing this

together. All three received their undergraduate and graduate degrees from Penn Engineering, and all have participated in Penn’s Robot Soccer team. While they have branched out onto their own career paths, they still maintain their deep connections with each other and with Malvern. Today, they all serve as mentors to Malvern’s Robotics Team, and are working to create revolutionary inventions for the good of society.

Steve McGill ’06

has continued his passion for robotics throughout his academic career at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (double major), his M.S. in Robotics and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He held many leadership and service roles while at Penn, including captaining an unusual sport.

He has been the team leader of the Penn Robot Soccer team – which won the World RoboCup Championship in 2012 and 2013 in the one-foot-tall division, and won back-to-back championships at the five-foot-tall level. McGill brought the one of the robots to Malvern’s Learning Commons after the 2013 championship to the delight of students and teachers alike. The similarities to human movement are stunning.

“The robot autonomously finds the soccer ball on the field using sensors that mimic human perception. Also, the robots must walk on two legs, and get up on their own if they fall,” McGill says.

McGill has transferred that same technology for work in disaster response robotics.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 15

A Force for Good Continued

Steve McGill '06 shows off one of his world-champion RoboCup Soccer robots in the Learning Commons.

“Legs can be advantageous in certain environments,” he says. “On such area is fighting fires onboard naval ships. Doors and ladders limit the usefulness of wheels, so deploying a humanoid makes sense. We have tested various maneuvers, from opening doors to turning valves. As with everything in real-world robotics, you must know how to manage, program and debug every aspect of the project.”

His advice for Malvern students? “Being able to program a computer helps in so many ways! Programming is useful in accounting, web development and a host of other nonengineering areas,” he says.

Will McGill ’07

was also a double major as an undergrad at Penn, earning a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, as well as earning his M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering. He now works as an engineer at PECO, first as an Equipment Health System Administrator in the Transmissions and Substations group, and currently as an Aerial Equipment expert with the Distribution Standards and Equipment group.

He works to review and improve construction standards and equipment and to improve reliability and efficiency. He also engages in research and development in conjunction

16 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

with organizations such as the National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With the FAA, he is working on a program to make Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) more effective and safe.

“UAVs are able to inspect transmission lines, distribution lines, tunnels and gas lines, and PECO is interested in using UAVs to assess storm damage,” McGill says.

McGill credits Malvern for enabling his academic and professional success, but in more ways than you might expect.

“Mr. [Tom] Stewart, Mr. [Bob] Boyce and Mr. [Mike] Koenig made an impact on our lives and helped teach the inquisitive nature and problem solving aspect of engineering; through the Malvern Theatre Society, Mr. [Rich] Roper helped us with public speaking, courage and thinking on our feet; Mr. [Jay] Schiller helped us with hard work and dedication through water polo; Dr. J. [Rev. Dr. Joseph Oechsle] was a major influence in calculus and learning thoroughness; and Fr. [Jim] Flynn, O.S.A. and the other friars helped put perspective in our lives,” McGill says.

“Malvern develops the whole person with interests in many areas who can communicate across a wide spectrum,” McGill continues. “I feel confident to step outside my comfort zones and step up to any challenge. Malvern created a template that can be used when uncertainty clouds my judgment or direction.”

Malvern’s themes of connection, collaboration and creation resonate with McGill.

“Engineering calls for various areas of expertise to come together to accomplish a task,” he says. “In order to do that, groups need to connect with each other by sharing ideas and collaborate with their talents to create something that can change how people live their lives.”

Nick McGill’s ’09

path has mirrored his brothers’, but he has made his own distinct mark in the engineering world. He, too, was a double major at Penn, earning his B.S. in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering before earning his M.S. in Robotics. He is currently an Electromechanical Engineer at Bresslergroup in Philadelphia, working on projects from smart sprinkler systems to wearable devices.

This area of wearable robotic devices is where McGill has funneled much of his passion for creating and for helping

Nick McGill '09 and his award-winning Titan Arm saves The Split Button at Penn from collapse.

others. At Penn, he worked in the Robotic Rehabilitation Lab, where he helped develop the award-winning Titan Arm, which is an assistive mechanism that provides extra strength for bicep curls and tricep extensions.

“It’s also the ultimate in wearables. Just like a Fitbit, the Titan Arm was built to track arm motion, so, for example, a physical therapist can remotely review patients’ exercise for the day and send them advice on their struggle points,” McGill says.

McGill and his partners formulated their idea for the Titan Arm after seeing a lot of exoskeletons for people who couldn’t walk. “Could we replicate this for success on the upper body for people with lost strength due to stroke or disease?” they thought.

“Our team saw captivating applications of such a device, such as pre-injury assistance (wearing the exoskeleton for lifting heavy boxes), and post-injury recovery (better tracked and better executed exercises),” he says.

The Titan Arm was completed as a senior design project using two innovative techniques – using 3D printing as a

low-cost way of creating a basic upper body exoskeleton, and using electromyography, or electric signals from muscles, to control the exoskeleton.

While still in the test phase, to say the Titan Arm has been a success is an understatement. McGill’s team was the first American team since 2007 to win the James Dyson Award, an international design competition, and the Popular Science Invention Award. The Titan Arm was featured in multiple news outlets, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wall Street Journal and CNN. His team was driven for success because they were thinking of how this project can help those in need, and they were successful because they were able to work well together—both of these traits McGill attributes to Malvern.

“Malvern taught me to be compassionate with others and to know who they are and what they are passionate about,” McGill says. “I’ve been able to connect with so many incredible people throughout my collegiate career because of this. I’m not afraid to put myself out there and try new things.”

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 17

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

3 0 ’ o k s u S Tyler

Creating with Caritas Tyler Susko ’03 is drawn to helping some of the most vulnerable people, a trait he traces back to his time as a student at Malvern.

“Malvern instilled a sense of service in me,” he says. “When I was a student, we visited a school for children with cerebral palsy, and I was emotionally struck by these children.”

Susko graduated from MIT last spring with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. At MIT he worked in the Newman Lab, which focuses on biomechanics and robotic rehabilitation. There, he got the idea to create a robotic machine for infants with cerebral palsy to habilitate them (not rehabilitate, as Susko points out, because at that point, movements have not been learned).

“This idea was something that had never been attempted before but has great opportunities, in my opinion, due to the proximity in time to the neurological injury,” he says.

Unfortunately, funding was lost for that program, so Susko pivoted

18 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

to developing a new robot for the rehabilitation of walking for adults after neurological injuries such as stroke and cerebral palsy.

“The number of people affected with stroke is 10 to 100 times as great as those with cerebral palsy depending how you look at it, so there was more funding there, and I could still work with adults who have cerebral palsy using the same device because the static injury is the same in nature, just has a different onset time,” Susko says.

He took the robot through a one-month trial with three patients and saw marked improvement in walking speed and balance. His initial success with this program gives him hope that he can continue his work with infants in the future.

Susko is currently is a tenuretrack teaching professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He directing the Design Program within the Department of Mechanical engineering and teaching freshman through senior Product and Machine Design courses.

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

Maholla:

TheAndrewEco-Warriors Lees ’02 and Evan Hajas ’04 When Andrew Lees ’02 and Evan Hajas ’04 graduated from Malvern Preparatory School neither had a desire to sit behind a desk and punch the clock. They wanted to

make a difference and contribute something meaningful to society. From that idea, Maholla Products, Inc. was born.

Launched in 2010 and growing steadily since, Maholla specializes in eco-friendly lifestyle products such as snowboard racks, coffee tables and shelving.

“We are committed to getting back to the basics of good business with highquality innovative products, unparalleled customer satisfaction, a strong social responsibility and having the smallest environmental impact as possible,” says Hajas.

“Maholla is a combination of the Hawaiian word ‘mahalo,’ a respectful word used to show thanks, and ‘holla,’ the colloquial American greeting meaning see you later.” says Hajas.

“We feel the word perfectly sums up how we view our relationship with our customers we respect them and their equipment and want them to love our products so they are happy to return in the future. Our products are just a vehicle to cultivate that relationship.”

Their mission? To help the world

become a cleaner and healthier place, one product at a time, by using recycled or highly sustainable materials and giving back to the community.

One of their product ventures is Grassracks, a line of easy-to-hang board racks and home décor.

“All of our products are made from 100 percent bamboo, aside from the mounting hardware,” says Hajas.

“The quality is unparalleled in the industry and gives our customers a stronger, more attractive option to display paddleboards, surfboards, snowboards, skis or bikes.”

Lees developed the idea for Grassracks after struggling to find functional and attractive options to organize his skateboards, surfboards and snowboards. He and Hajas spent a year developing ideas and locating manufacturing sourcing.

“We started with a few designs, but soon began to build a comprehensive line of board, ski and bike racks, and just as important, we built a brand that customers in the industry recognize. It’s the simple American dream … two friends from high school, an engineer and a marketing guy, have an idea and start a business,” says Lees.

With their ties to the local community and determination to succeed and continue to grow their business, it’s no wonder Lees and Hajas are seeing their hard work pay off. But they didn’t get there without the foundational blocks developed during their time at Malvern.

“My Malvern education prepared me for this venture in my life,” says Hajas. “Being at Malvern helped me realize what I wanted to do for a career, and it wasn’t sitting at a desk.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 19

The Eco-Warriors Continued

Bobby Becket ’20

Experiential Learning Wave Rider Did you build a surfboard in Middle School? Bobby Becket ’20 did just that! As part of the Middle School’s Experiential Learning philosophy, students have the opportunity to discover a passion and bring it to life.

“All Middle School students have Experiential Learning built into their schedules,” says Global Perspectives Teacher Steve Swope. “They tackle monthly design challenges and can work on personal projects.”

Becket, who loves surfing at the Jersey Shore, built two functional surfboards – a 4.5-foot board and an eight-foot board – in the School’s set-shop in the Duffy Arts Center.

“I’ve always been interested in surfing,” says Becket.

Andrew Lees '02 (left) and Evan Hajas '04 use recycled or highly sustainable materials in their innovative Grassracks line of products.

“At Malvern I had the opportunity to build a surfboard, so

I figured out that I enjoy creating products and building with my hands.”

“When I was a student, Malvern taught me to always push boundaries and not be satisfied with just getting by,” says Lees. “I was challenged to go above and beyond what I thought were my limitations, and that translated into a successful college career.”

Giving back to the community is an important part of their company’s mission.

Lees and Hajas have worked closely with Economics Teacher John Ostick P’99’07’13 and Director of Experiential Learning Aaron Brady to bring current students and alumni on board to help out with their business and learn a bit about being an entrepreneur and starting your own company.

“Thanks to the Experiential Education programs at Malvern, we’re able to get involved and give back to our alma mater,” says Lees. “We’re excited to see how important these kinds of programs can be for Malvern students of any age.”

“The Malvern students who came on board last school year helped us develop a marketing plan for a specific bike rack. They did a lot of great research and the information was helpful for us,” says Hajas.

“The thing about Malvern is that you are expected to do more. You are expected to own a business, make a contribution, do something that is greater than yourself; and that’s reflected in the caliber of people and teachers on campus and in the classroom,” says Hajas.

“Being a successful entrepreneur starts with hard work and dedication, which was the foundation of my education at Malvern Prep. From there you just need the creativity and drive to take it all the way,” says Lees.

such as learning how to operate drills and the difference

why not take advantage of it?”

In addition to practical knowledge around building,

20 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

between screw types, Becket has grasped a strong knowledge of the ups and downs of the building process.

“Experiential Learning afforded me the opportunity to have a great hands-on experience,” says Becket. “But, I also dealt with the difficulties of the process - things not working or having incorrect measurements - they taught me to be flexible and always triple-check my work.”

Swope has worked with Beckett through the entire process.

“I am impressed with Bobby’s level of motivation,” says Swope. “What he has accomplished represents the best of what our Experiential Learning program is designed for – giving students the opportunity to discover or cultivate a passion in many different ways.”

“It’s great to be able to have the ability to come up with an idea and actually see it come to life,” says Becket. “Mr. Swope has provided strong guidance and support for me and the rest of the students in Experiential Learning,” says Beckett.

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

Mobile Game Designer Man Zach DeStefano ’17 Multitalented, creative and entrepreneurial

would all be accurate ways to describe Zach DeStefano ’17. How about Z-licious?

That’s the name under which DeStefano markets the three mobile games he designed, soup-to-nuts.

“I was brainstorming with my friends about a name that people would remember. Someone threw that out almost as a joke. It stuck and I went with it,” says DeStefano. So, www.z-liciousgames.com was born.

From the site, you can download “Duality,” 8-Bit Beatdown” and “Tiny Miner” as apps for your Apple or Android mobile devices. The games all feature retro arcade graphics. You can also find them on the Google and Apple app stores.

“One of the more technical challenges is designing for different devices and screen sizes to accommodate for different phones and tablets on the market,” DeStefano says.

His persistence has paid off, as the games have had more than

40,000 downloads in more than 140 countries.

DeStefano is a top student, earning the highest GPA in his class the past two years. He also participates in track, cross-country, Mathletes, the Impressions Literary Magazine and the school’s TV Studio. He is also a talented musician, and has written the music for each of his games.

DeStefano started programming in second game, and his parents encouraged him to attend a “Scratch” programming language camp. His interest grew in Middle School at Malvern, where teachers provided the opportunities to incorporate programming into many of his school projects. Since he is so busy during the school year, he works on some smaller design features and

graphics throughout the year that he can build into games during breaks.

He built his first game, “Duality,” in three days over Christmas break freshman year.

Though he is still tweaking some details and it is not yet released, his latest app, “Get Off My Planet,” was named a PA-06 Congressional App Challenge First Runner-Up, in the contest sponsored by Congressman Ryan Costello.

Zach and his dad set up Z-licious Games as a LLC organization, which allows him to incorporate ads and generate revenue. He is learning about income and expenses, as well as tax implications—all things a budding entrepreneur should know.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 21

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

The Friarbot

Student-Driven, Collaborative, Creative: Malvern Robotics Malvern Prep’s Robotics Team is entirely student-driven. From the planning and designing of the Friarbot, to soliciting local businesses for sponsorships, to determining what projects they will or will not undertake, Malvern students are taking the reins and learning to succeed, and fail, on their own.

“At one point during the year, groups of students were working on various projects meeting with an alumnus, web conferencing with a college professor, and building a competition table for the Middle School - and I realized that each group was totally self-sufficient,” says Robotics Team Mentor and Science Department Leader Kevin Quinn. “They don’t need, nor want, me to tell them what to do.”

Each year the Robotics Team participates in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC), which, at its core, works to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, through opportunities to enhance skill-building, inspiration, innovation, communication and leadership.

“The interesting thing about FRC is that the game and rules are unveiled in January, and each team has six weeks to build a robot that is able to compete in the competition,” says Quinn. “This year’s game is called Stronghold and the robot has to be able to siege a castle that is protected by a number of obstacles.”

“There’s a lot of design limitations we have to take into consideration,” says Ben Koo ’16. “One of the defenses we have to get through is only 16 inches high, so our entire Bot has to be within those 16 inches. We want our Bot to be

22 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

a certain height above the ground, so we have to take that into consideration when designing and building our Bot.” “We pride ourselves on having built a program where the boys are involved in, and directing, every aspect of the project,” says Quinn. “They’re coming up with designs, building the robot, doing the back-end work and finding sponsorships. In the end, they have complete ownership of the robot if it succeeds or fails.”

This year, 18 students are working on the Friarbot.

Each of the students specializes in a different area of the building process, which includes business components, fundraising, form submissions, Bot design and project management, as well as many areas of engineering, including: electrical, mechanical and computer science.

The BotCave, the team’s new space on campus that was dedicated last year, has given them the opportunity to meet every day during Community Time and be more effective after school.

“Before, working in a warehouse off campus gave us a bit more space, but having a location on campus has allowed us much more flexibility and time to get projects done. Instead of having to transport to another location, we are up and running at 3:30 p.m. and can then get much more work done after school,” said Quinn.

The Malvern Robotics Team would like to thank

Tom Stewart P’07 and Robert Boyce for their continued stewardship of the program. In addition, they would also like to thank CTDI for the use of their facilities and yearly sponsorship. Thank you to Joe D’Ascenzo’78 P’09’16 for your help in finishing the space at Malvern Prep, and finally, to the alumni who came back to contribute your time to the program - Gordy Bryan ’78, the McGill brothers and Gus Cicala ’77 - thank you!

The Makers

Malvern’s Mightiest Inventors

Friars Play Spoiler for Virginia Tech Grand Touring Team Gordy Bryan ’78 and Malvern Robotics Last year Malvern students Matt Heisler ’16, Benjamin Koo ’16, Samuel Li ’16, Joseph Martin ’15, Alexander Mankowski ’16, Harrison McCurdy ’16, Brian Sayers ’15 and Jack Szipszky ’17 were presented with a challenge: help college engineering students build a low-budget race car, or ChumpCar.

What exactly is a ChumpCar? “A ChumpCar is a nickname given to a junkyard car,” explains Koo. “Parts are taken from other cars to build a competitive racecar. There are limitations on what can and cannot be put on the car and how much money can be spent. At the end of the building process, the car should be able to go a certain distance within a certain amount of time.”

Gordy Bryan ’78, an alumnus of both Malvern Prep and Virginia Tech, reached out to Director of Development Vic D’Ascenzo ’81 and Director of Alumni Relations Mike Treston ’02 about how Malvern Prep students could be involved with the chumpcar that students at Virginia Tech were building.

“Vic and Mike put me in contact with Gordy,” says

Kevin Quinn, Science Department Leader and Robotics Advisor. “They thought this was a great opportunity to not only support an alumnus, but also involve Malvern Prep students in the building process and connect them with students at Virginia Tech.”

Bryan serves as an advisor to the Virginia Tech Grand Touring team, which builds the ChumpCar. He also drives the cars in races. He saw this project as an opportunity to foster a relationship between his two alma maters.

“I wanted to involve my high school,” he says. “It is a great opportunity for the Malvern boys to be involved in building a reallife racecar. It is a true hands-on, studentcentered learning experience.”

The Malvern students built an active spoiler that helped Virginia Tech’s racecar drop a

second or two off of each lap, which adds up a large drop in time.

“The purpose of the active spoiler is to move up and down while the car is racing to give it a bit more traction,” says McCurdy.

“The spoiler that the guys from the Malvern Robotics team built was helpful,” says Gordy. “It kept the car down and the ride smooth - a lot of other teams noticed the creative and innovative spoiler that the students built.”

During the process of building the spoiler, Malvern’s students had the opportunity to work with engineering students from Virginia Tech.

“It was a great experience working with the Virginia Tech students,” says Koo. “They shared with us how the ChumpCar ties in with their program of study, but they also gave us advice about college.”

“Participating in the ChumpCar project gave the boys an opportunity to work with college students, who are already at the next level of engineering, and learn from them about what to expect if they plan to pursue this at the college level,” says Quinn.

During this project, all three boys learned a lot about the mechanics of a car at a very fundamental level and what to expect from robotics and engineering on a collegiate level, but McCurdy summed up the experience perfectly.

“It is a lot easier to say you will build something than to actually do it,” he says. “It was easy for us to say, ‘oh yeah, we will build a spoiler,’ but along the way we encountered difficulties that we didn’t envision having when we started out.” mp

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 23

The Big

Picture

Our Journey

Together As Friars, we never walk alone. With Christ as our inspiration, and guided by caring teachers and priests, we journey together in our restless pursuit of Truth.

Photo by Kevin Monko

24 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 25

This article originally appeared in the January 2016 issue of The Blackfriar Chronicle, the student newspaper of Malvern Prep. The article won the 2016 Journalism Education Association’s Student Impact Award. PhillyVoice.com ran this article as a top story this April.

Graphics by Jimmy Faunce '16

26 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Defeated.

Disconnected.

Suffering.

Desperate.

Hopeless.

• Andrew Miller is a pseudonym used to protect the family of the source.

Andrew Miller stood in the middle of a forest attempting to hang himself on May 22, 2013.

Two years before, Andrew was a senior at Malvern and was headed to college on a full academic scholarship, but classes were never really his thing.

Andrew always loved working on extracurriculars, especially the arts and theatre. He said that not going to college was not really presented to him as an option at Malvern, but he wishes it had been.

Andrew never had a drink of alcohol or rip of a bong during high school, but by the time he reached second semester of his freshman year at college, he was using drugs heavily.

“The first time I got high … one of the first thoughts in my head was ‘my God I should really not ever not feel like this.’”

Andrew said. “I was just a fan of feeling good, and I would do anything to feel good.”

By his sophomore year he was addicted to cocaine and selling pot, pain medications, ecstasy and cocaine for some friends on his campus.

His education completely fell to the wayside.

His grades were not meeting the requirements for his academic scholarship, but he said the college never addressed his declining GPA, so his grades continued to falter. Ultimately, he finished his last semester at that college with a .7 grade point average.

He was barely going to class, and when he was, he was usually high.

Andrew didn’t want people to know about the drug and alcohol use, though. He wanted to keep the facade of the outgoing, wholesome good kid that everyone knew him as back in high school. Not even his parents knew the true extent of his struggles.

“It’s not that they were blind,” Andrew said. “It’s that I was blinding them.”

Even in high school, before his challenges with drugs and alcohol, Andrew said he felt he was unable to develop meaningful relationships.

“Through high school – even before high school … I had felt like I couldn’t be myself, like I couldn’t be honest,” he said.

He said that he saw a therapist during high school, but he did not work at therapy, and was able to convince his parents and others that he was OK. The double life in college wore down on Andrew, and his drug use, specifically cocaine, was unsustainable.

“I couldn’t continue to survive how I was because the drugs weren’t really working anymore,” he said. “Just physically it stops eventually, and you have to do so much just to feel OK.” He did not feel like he could tell anyone that he needed help.

“I felt completely alone,” he said. “I felt like there was no way to connect to anyone, even if I had really wanted to.”

Without help and the drugs wearing off, Andrew decided in April he would take his life, and on May 22, 2013, he set out into the woods, never intending to return.

“When I decided that I just wanted out, I really stopped battling … and just kind of gave myself over to feeling completely hopeless and alone,” Andrew said.

Andrew did not show up for any of his work or school obligations that day, which was irresponsible, “even for me,” he added.

His friends searched until they found him in the woods, attempting to kill himself.

“I was unable to complete that act,” Andrew said. “I was vacant and sort of defeated [when my friends found me] … I was sort of stuck.”

His friends took Andrew back to his house and called an ambulance and Andrew’s parents. At the hospital, Andrew was put under a 24-hour watch period for three days. It was at the hospital that he spoke to his parents for the first time after his attempt.

“My parents came in and they were terribly upset but happy that I was existing, and basically said ‘anything you need to do at this point, we’ll be here,’” Andrew said. “At that point I told them everything that was going on.”

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 27

A Light of Exposure The nurse of the hospital approached Andrew with an ultimatum: either admit himself to a psychiatric hospital with a special focus on drugs or she would have to forcefully do the same thing, which would result in it showing up permanently on his mental health record.

He chose the first option.

“It kind of felt like [an asylum],” he said. “There were people that I thought were just flat out crazy.”

Andrew didn’t really feel out of place though.

“After about the first day I realized that I was there for a reason,” he said. “Whether or not I felt like I belonged, I was there and that hadn’t happened by accident.”

When he left that facility, he went to an in-patient institution to help with his addiction.

Sure enough, Andrew has been sober since that nearly fatal day.

The Stats and the Factors

About one in six children seriously consider suicide and one in 12 attempt suicide, according to a 2013 CDC study. According to the same study, the percentage of students who seriously consider suicide or make a plan for suicide decreased from 1991 to 2007, but has since started to increase.

Dr. Dan Romer, Director of the Adolescent Communication Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, believes that increase is due to the recession. “If you look at suicide rates across all the ages in 2008 they all went up,” Romer said. “The economy affects everyone.”

Romer also believes there is some merit in the idea that suicide is less taboo than it used to be and that as a result, suicide rates are higher. “Suicide has become more accepted as a solution for people … especially those with an incurable disease,” Romer said, “and that probably filters down into people’s mindsets in general that if you don’t think life is worth living, suicide is an acceptable solution.”

In the Greater Philadelphia Area, suicide has been in the headlines often recently, with six student suicides in 13 months

28 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

at the University of Pennsylvania and Cayman Naib, the 13-yearold Shipley student who was found dead after hundreds joined in a four-day search.

In 2015, 60 Chester County residents died by suicide, which is the most in at least the last 25 years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health EpiQMS database. Mrs. Tracy Behringer, Community Outreach and Education Consultant of the Chester County Mental Health / Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities office, said that this number is probably lower than the real number.

“Suicide is often underreported,” Behringer said. “Even though the information we have are confirmed suicide numbers, it’s probably not all-inclusive.”

Dr. Matthew Wintersteen of Thomas Jefferson University and Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Against Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative supports that claim. “To rule a death a suicide, you need really compelling evidence,” Wintersteen said. “It’s hard to get a real grasp of the number of suicides. It’s probably underestimated, but we don’t know by how much.”

Social Media

The growth of social media – like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – is another possible explanation for the increase of youth suicides since 2007.

The potential negative effects of social media were especially highlighted in the death of Madison Holleran at the University of Pennsylvania. Social media use went from nearly nonexistent in 2004 to almost universal in 2010. Social media, and most specifically Instagram, is host to a specific teenage culture that shows only the best of oneself – your best smile at a dance with your happy date, your best selfie, your best competition. Teens may not share their ugly pictures and saddest moments with people on Instagram.

In an interview with HuffPost Live, clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula said, “We engage in social comparison, but [teenagers] are sort of comparing these ideal selves,” he said. “It’s a contest to see whose ideal life is better than the other person’s.”

Wintersteen thinks social media also plays a role with cyberbullying. “You can go to your school right now, say something about somebody in front of your whole school in two seconds and you can’t take it back really,” Wintersteen said. “And then you have those idiots that chime in say ‘well why don’t you just kill yourself?’”

A survey of almost 2,000 middle school students published by the National Institute of Health, found that students who were cyberbullied were twice as likely to attempt suicide. However, Wintersteen also pointed out there are several benefits of social media when it comes to youth suicide. “Social media can be really helpful because it gives you an opportunity to express how you feel,” Wintersteen said. He also mentioned the ability for easier connection between many people who are suffering.

Romer, who studied the effect of social media and online discussion forums on youth suicide, found that social media platforms where most of the people students are talking to are friends and family are not risk factors, and provide a lot of support. “We think that [support] counteracted the possible negative effect,” Romer said.

Another study that analyzed chat rooms and social media effects on youth suicide published by the National Institute of Health is more conclusive about the effect of social media. “In sum, evidence is growing that social media can influence prosuicide behavior,” the study stated.

Romer said his 2011 study “advocated that organizations and the government should be more proactive in putting information online for people who are alienated … [and] who are going online and looking for support.” However, with the speed in which technology is changing Romer said “You’ve got to be constantly looking for ways to counteract.”

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 29

A Light of Exposure In the end, social media presents new threats, and opportunities for preventative measure. Until there is more information and research done on the issue, the field remains inconclusive about the effect of social media on youth suicide rates.

However, Wintersteen doesn’t believe that pressure is exclusive to wealthy suburbs. “For inner-city kids there’s a huge push … to make something for yourself.”

Gender Socioeconomic Status

In the late 1990’s, Professor Suniya Luthar set out to study trends of misbehavior in low-income families. As a comparison group for her study she used families from a private school in an affluent suburb.

In her demographic of households with a median income of over $150,000 per year, she found that more of those students had problems with substance abuse and depression than in the low-income families, especially in the male population.

The average household income of a Malvern Prep family is estimated to be $311,125, according to an optional, self-reported survey of current parents done by The Fidelum Group in 2015.

Two of the most proven risk factors of suicide are depression and substance abuse, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. According to Luthar’s study, 59 percent of suburban males self-reported using any illicit drugs compared to 39 percent of inner-city males. By that same study, the percentage of suburban males who suffered from serious depression was five times that of the inner-city boys.

“The belief in the past was that those kids from your higher socio-economic families can’t be suicidal, like ‘look at all the benefits they all have? You’re driving around in a Range Rover at 16 years old, how could you be depressed?’” Wintersteen said. “You have to look at what’s behind all of this. There’s a belief you have to be really good.”

Wintersteen related the concept of socio-economic status effect on suicide rates to suicide rates for medical students.

Medical students are one of the most at risk student populations, Wintersteen said.

“They’re so used to doing really really well, but then you get put in the context of a lot of other people who also do really really well,” Wintersteen said. “And suddenly you’re not the best anymore and you spent your whole life being the best.”

Wintersteen believes there can be that sort of culture on the Main Line of Philadelphia. “There’s a lot of pressure to do really well – some of that is self-imposed and some of which is other people,” Wintersteen said.

In Hollywood, American boys are fed a perception of masculinity with stars like Vin Diesel, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Liam Neeson. Being a man means being bold, courageous, strong and powerful.

In the music industry, American boys are enthralled by songs of difficult lives of drugs, alcohol and sexual conquest.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, boys are four times more likely to commit suicide than girls, and our society’s expectations of men to be “manly” could be the reason.

School Psychologist Dr. Dorothy Sayers said the difference in suicide rates for males versus females comes down to two things: impulsivity and method. “Boys are much more aggressive in how they make an attempt and boys are more impulsive,” Sayers said.

That aggression may come, in part, from all the downpour of imagery associating manliness with toughness and force.

Wintersteen believes it almost entirely a result of method, and not really impulse at all.

“High school is all about how you fit in and there is this interpersonal struggle like ‘who do you hang out with?’”

Wintersteen said. “I think girls get it just as much as guys get it, but at the end of the day it comes down to boys are more likely to use guns.”

Wintersteen referenced a study that analyzed the difference between teenagers who were in the hospital after surviving a suicide attempt and teenagers who died from a suicide attempt.

The main difference between the two was not socioeconomic status, race or anything else except whether there was a gun in the house. According to that study, if there is a gun in a house with a child who attempts suicide, they are two and a half times more likely to be dead.

According to Wintersteen, 67-80 percent of suicides by firearm are from guns within the house. As a result, Wintersteen had a message for any parents who have a gun in the house and a kid who is struggling: “Ask yourselves the question ‘how would you feel if your child shot themselves with your gun?’” he said.

With non-firearm methods such as suffocation or poison, more common among teenage girls, there is a time to regret an attempt and survive it by calling 9-1-1 or telling someone. But with a gun, there is no time to regret.

30 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Help

Starting with the current school year, every public school teacher in the state of Pennsylvania is required to have four hours of professional suicide awareness training every five years.

Malvern is not legally obligated to follow Act 71 because of its independent school status. Faculty and staff received a Crisis Management Suicide Policy and Procedures document, which outlines the steps they should take if a student threatens harm to himself and/or others, according Mrs. Neha Morrison, Director of Human Resources. Faculty and staff must read through this policy every year, however they do not train to the Act 71 standards.

Organizations such as The Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force (CCSP) are a major source for professional development in youth suicide awareness. According to Behringer of CCSP, the organization offers several free trainings at major public schools in the area that send students to Malvern – such as West Chester Area School District. Behringer, who has been with CCSP since its inception in 2005, is a certified trainer of QPR. QPR or “Question, Persuade, Refer” is one of only 12 suicide prevention programs or interventions nationwide that have met the rigorous quality of research and dissemination requirements to be deemed “evidence-based.” Someone trained in QPR learns how to recognize the warning signs of suicide crisis, know how to offer hope, and how to get help and save a life.

“You can teach anyone … three basic steps to help someone in an emotional or psychological crisis,” Behringer said.

The program, which lasts a little under two hours, can certify teachers, students or anyone to be an official gatekeeper. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.

This January, 17 Malvern students, and two faculty members became gatekeepers in a coalition between The Blackfriar Chronicle and Peer Educators.

Beyond the county level, there is also the Pennsylvania Against Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI). Dr. Matthew Wintersteen is the co-chair of the public/private collaborative organization. PAYSPI is a network of people from the academic and clinical sides, but also survivors and government employees who all work to reduce youth suicide in Pennsylvania. PAYSPI offers lots of resources for ACT 71 as well as an annual PSA contest for high school students based around youth suicide prevention.

Sayers, Behringer and Wintersteen all had the same message when it comes to dealing with a friend who is depressed, has suicidal thoughts, or change in behavior: Tell someone.

“We don’t recommend that adults or kids keep it to themselves,” Mrs. Behringer said. “It’s too much for an adult, let alone an adolescent.”

Often times, students may confide in their friends after making them promise not to tell out of fear for potential consequences. Even in those cases, they all say a student absolutely needs to tell someone.

Wintersteen has seen students who knew about a suicidal friend and didn’t say anything. “That student has a lot to carry,” Wintersteen said. “You don’t want to be that kid.”

Losing a Son

Brad Harkins ’04, came home from kindergarten with his best friend on May 15, 1992, like any other day.

Brad’s mother Carol, now the co-chair of CCSP, had been out shopping when she got a call that her ninth-grade son Jim did not show up to his Downingtown Area School District school that day.

She drove home and asked Brad to go up and check on Jim and see if he was ok and just decided to play hooky for the day.

He returned downstairs to report to his mother that his 15-year-old brother Jim was asleep, but Jim wasn’t really sleeping.

Jim was a three-sport athlete and an absolute goofball, Carol said.

Jim was the type of kid that would wear a shirt and tie when his baseball team had to, but against societal norms, Jim was the type of kid to wear his shirt and tie with gym shorts.

“He was absolutely larger than life, funny, that kind of thing,” Carol said. “But he was also very serious about what he wanted to achieve and was hard on himself.”

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 31

A Light of Exposure Her favorite picture of Jim has him on the sideline of the soccer field with a Georgetown bucket hat on. Keep in mind, that was back before bucket hats re-entered the realm of “cool.”

Jim succeeded on the baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball court and in the classroom.

“He was always in a sport,” Carol said. “He had just made the American Legion [baseball] team and was playing travel soccer.”

During his freshman year, his grades started to slip a little bit and Carol started to become aware that he was drinking alcohol.

His travel soccer team was breaking up. Most of Jim’s friends had girlfriends at the time, and Jim was disappointed that his date to the freshman dance wasn’t his girlfriend.

“They were really the normal teenage struggles,” she said.

Now, it is evident that may not have been the case. Carol believes that Jim may have had slight undiagnosed ADD and depression that he never voiced.

Carol’s son Jim ended up shooting himself fatally the day of that freshman dance, with his father’s handgun.

After seeing Jim, Carol told Brad that some terrible accident had happened with Jim and immediately called 9-1-1.

“I was just in like total shut down mode – like there, but not there,” she said.

The first few days and weeks were tough for the Harkins.

“For a long time, you just feel like you’re in an alternate reality,” she said.

Carol couldn’t eat or sleep for the first few weeks, and the grief was actually physically painful. She was almost just totally shut down, and the only thing that lifted her out of it was that she had another son and daughter that she had to be present and care for.

Carol said there was an abundance of love and support from the community after Jim’s death. There wasn’t even enough room at their parish Ss. Philip and James for everyone to join in the funeral service.

“It was amazing to me, the support that we received,” Carol said.

She didn’t feel that there was any external stigma and no one really said anything insensitive, but she felt a stigma anyway.

“You still just feel like ‘well, what’s wrong with us?’” she said.

Carol eventually had to explain to Brad and her then-middle school daughter that Jim had taken his own life.

They all went to group counseling sessions and really got involved with a group called Compassionate Friends. The Compassionate Friends is an organization that helps provide grief support after the death of a child.

Naturally, she tried to be strong and protect her children from seeing her cry. She also believes that her children did the same

32 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

thing for her. Their family grief counseling sessions and time with The Compassionate Friends were their ways to express their feelings and move along in the grieving process.

“The grieving process really doesn’t stop,” Brad said. “It kind of just dwindles, and you can cope with it throughout time.”

Carol went back to school at Immaculata University the fall after her son’s death, and by “no coincidence” majored in psychology.

She later became a peer facilitator in The Compassionate Friends, joined CCSP five years ago, and is now one of the co-chair of the organization.

Carol finds her work very rewarding now. “[Giving back] is really the only way to make sense of everything,” she said.

As for Jim’s brother Brad, he said that selective memory has successfully blocked out most of his knowledge from his traumatic experience back in 1992. Brad joined Malvern’s Class of 2004 in seventh grade.

Carol decided to send Brad to Malvern in part because she wanted him in a smaller, more supportive environment after everything he had been through.

Brad found that care in some members of the community.

Brad, now a Penn State University graduate, works as accountant at a local Malvern firm.

According to Brad, there is a scholarship established in Jim’s name at Great Valley High School for a student who lost someone close to them over the past year.

The Life-after

Strengthened.

Connecting.

Improving.

Better-than-ever.

Working hard.

Andrew has now started to put his life back on track.

“Now that I am choosing not to cover up who I really am, I have to find out what life as me is going to be like,” Andrew said.

Although Andrew never finished his bachelor’s degree, he now happily works in a coffee shop and in retail to support himself.

“I love it because I get to talk to people all day … [and] help

solve problems,” Andrew said. “I am challenged and I get a lot of different experiences per day.”

Andrew is starting to develop some meaningful relationships and said he currently has a great therapist that he meets with twice a week.

His life still isn’t perfect, but he would never contemplate doing what he did again.

Andrew is now two years and eight months sober, but that hasn’t come without difficulties.

“It’s like going into your closet, taking a lighter and burning anything that you’ve ever worn. Then stripping off the clothes on your back and lighting them up. It’s like being completely naked,” Andrew said. “You have to basically start sewing. You get some fabric from some 40-year-old alcoholic, who is your sponsor, and he gives you the basics. Then you go to your family and they give you some needles. Then you go to some meetings and you get some thread, and eventually you just start sewing until you have something halfway decent to wear.”

He still gets cravings, but he just tries to think about where it would take him. “I think about the long-road it would pitch me on that I would probably not return from,” Andrew said.

Andrew, now without the demons of his double-life, is starting to develop some honesty in his relationships, especially with his parents.

“My parents and I have never been closer … just because I don’t lie to them,” he said, “which I know maybe sounds a little bit obvious, but to me it’s like a total revelation.”

For Andrew, that honesty about feelings and personal struggles is really at the center of it all.

“Shame dies in the light of exposure. Fear of who we are starts to dim in the light of exposure,” Andrew said. “Obviously that’s incredibly painful and difficult, so for me to say, ‘just do it,’ like I’m in some sort of terrifying Nike advertisement is not realistic. But I think at its core … it’s an issue of honesty.”

As a society, we aren’t always honest with ourselves about suicide. It can be difficult, gut-wrenching, tense and emotional, so we avoid honest conversations about warning signs and ways to help.

But every day in the U.S. in 2014, 15 people under the age of 24 took their own life, according to the American Association of Suicidology.

Andrew was and is far from alone.

“It seems daunting almost to say this affects everyone, but in reality, that unites us more than anything,” Andrew said. “It tells us that there are people who have been through the same things. It tells us that there are people that we can talk to that understand these incomprehensible things.” mp ::: Justice Bennett ’16 is the co-editor-in-chief of The Blackfriar Chronicle.

About the Author Justice Bennett ’16 has thousands of questions running through his head, and that drives him to seek out answers. That drive is what has led him to numerous achievements both inside and outside of the classroom at Malvern Prep.

Bennett is

Yankelitis ’16 presented at the National High

co-President

School Journalism Conference in Orlando, Fla.

of the Diversity

The Blackfriar Chronicle (BFC) Co-editors

Awareness Club,

presented about how newsrooms can utilize

a captain of

social media to engage their audiences and

the Speech and

share stories.

Debate team and

“Light of Exposure” started out as a small

a captain of the

column for his journalism class. It was a topic

Mock Trial team. He also started Students

that hit home, and once he started digging, he

Helping Students, which helps get inner-city

realized it needed to be a longer feature. The

schools the resources they need.

article took about two months to complete.

He was named the Pennsylvania Press

“It just seemed like there had been so

Association Student Journalist of the Year,

many suicides by young people in the area and

and his portfolio was submitted for review at

I was upset. One of those was 13-year-old

the Journalism Education Association's (JEA)

Cayman Naib. He was a family friend from

convention in Los Angeles in April.

pre-school, and when he went missing my

"Light of Exposure" earned Bennett the

mom was a big help in the search and we even

JEA's Student Impact Award, and he was

drove up and down the R5 hanging up posters,”

recognized by Youth Journalism International

Bennett says.

as its Student Journalist of the Year.

This past November, Bennett and Ben

Bennett notes that the BFC is very much a collaborative effort and it is because of

the work of his fellow editors and staff (as well as previous editors-in-chief) that he is successful. Ms. Kate Plows, ceramics and journalism teacher and BFC advisor has provided much support. “Without her pushing me to write for the staff my sophomore year I wouldn't even have found this passion. She gives the BFC everything she has and pushes herself every day to support us however she can,” Bennett says.

Bennett hopes to study in a major related to political science in college and write for a student newspaper. He plans on a career in journalism, although public office is also an option down the road. These aspirations make sense, because in each of Bennett’s works, he strives to make a difference.

“I hope that the Malvern administration starts to take our paper seriously as a means of student expression. I think the foundation is really set for the BFC to be a great forum for voice in the community, and I hope I can check the website while I'm in college and see people using the BFC to voice their opinions about the school,” Bennett says. “I hope a culture shift happens where things change because of journalism like they do in the real world.”

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 33

Giving Back

Through Sharing the Joy of Triathlon

By Sarah Ravenfeld “Paul is a doer. A leader in his own right.”

Paul Hornsleth '64 P’96’02 leans back into his chair, in a moment of quiet reflection, before continuing about his former Friar student and swimmer, "He really takes to heart the words ‘lead by example.’ He makes sure that his actions support what he says he will do."

Paul Stockett '13 is a junior at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He's majoring in Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, but he doesn’t let his tough class schedule deter him from being involved in a number of extracurricular activities.

"I'm on the Varsity Swim Team and an active participant in the Triathlon Club at Purdue," he says. "But I am also heavily involved in USA Swimming, too. I am the Athlete Representative on the MidAtlantic Board of Directors, Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Athlete's Committee (plus serving on six other committees!) and I am the Mid-Atlantic Representative who

34 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Paul Stockett ’13

attends the United States Aquatic Sports National Convention to vote on rule changes and move the sport along."

In fact, this past November, Stockett was honored by USA Swimming for creating the first athlete-led Safe Sport Training Initiative. This incentive program encourages high-school-age swimmers to learn about Safe Sport, a program that provides policies and best practices about issues that include background checks for coaches and other club employees, photography in locker rooms, and inappropriate relationships.

He's also the chair and founder of the Chase the Friar Triathlon, an annual event for kids ages 7-14 that introduces them to the sport of triathlons.

"I initially brought the idea to Mr. Hornsleth, Mr. [Jay] Schiller and Mr. [Jim] Stewart. They set up a meeting and when I walked into the conference room Mr. Stewart, Mr. Hornsleth, Mr. Schiller, Mr. [Larry] Legner, Mr. [Ted] Caniglia, Mr. [Mike] Koenig and Mrs. [Tasha] Hillery were sitting around the table," he says, reminiscing with a smile. "The seat at the head of the table was empty, and Mr. Stewart said, 'Well, go ahead, take a seat. This is your meeting.' It was definitely one of those ‘wow’ moments because all of those people, important people, were sitting at that table, waiting to hear what I had to say."

The Chase the Friar Triathlon is more than an athletic event, though. All of the proceeds raised from the event support Malvern’s Christian Service Program and the Erika Hornsleth Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded each year to a student who demonstrates financial need and shares Erika’s enthusiasm and dedication to being a scholar-athlete in an aquatic sport. All recipients must also complete an additional 12 hours of community service with underprivileged children.

“I was happy to see Paul’s initial interest and excitement about bringing a kids triathlon to Malvern Prep,” says Legner, Director of Christian Service.

“One of the goals of Malvern’s Christian Service Program is that students come to

Paul Stockett ’13 hands out awards after the Chase the Friar Kids Triathlon

realize that they can make a difference in the world. Understanding that we are all born in God’s image and those of us who have been blessed, have a responsibility to help those in need. Paul Stockett is living this message.”

“One of my favorite things about the triathlon is that it was created

by a Malvern student who has, since graduating, continued to run the event,” says Jay Schiller, Malvern Prep teacher and Swimming and Water Polo Head Coach. “This showcases the strong generosity and ingenuity that our boys have and are encouraged to cultivate during their time here.” mp

One of the goals of Malvern’s Christian Service Program is that students come to realize that they can make a difference in the world.

Understanding that we are all born in God’s image and those of us who have been blessed, have a responsibility to help those in need. Paul Stockett is living this message.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 35

Malvern, Cuba and a

Reunion 73 Years in the Making

By Jack Thomas Tomarchio ’73 Last May, Malvern Prep welcomed

addressed the school with a presentation

one of its sons back to campus after a

of his life and journey from Cuba to

73-year hiatus. Juan Busto, Class of 1942,

Malvern Prep in 1941.

returned to the School and spent the day

Born in 1925 in San Juan y Martinez,

with students and faculty. He was given a

Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Juan Busto represents

tour by Malvern Middle School students

a Malvern student not seen on campus

who study Spanish and who conducted

since the early 1970s. From its earliest

the entire tour in Spanish. Later, he

years, Malvern educated scores of boys

Although his first trip back to Malvern was 73 years in the making, Juan Busto ’42 rarely missed a Malvern reception in South Florida. Busto (left) is joined by (from left) the late Rev. David Duffy, O.S.A. ’48, former President, Martin Farrell P’13’15, former Director of Development, and his late wife, Digna Busto.

36 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Juan Busto ’42 (left) went into his family’s tobacco business in Cuba after completing his education.

from Central and South America and the Caribbean. In its early days, Malvern was almost exclusively a boarding school with students hailing from Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia, New York and Virginia. Peppered in these early classes were students from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, Argentina, Columbia, Panama and other Latin American nations.

Because of the reach of the Augustinian Order, students came to Malvern from across Latin America for their high school years or as Post Graduates for one year of study before moving on to college.

Many were the scions of the elites in their home countries; the sons of presidents, generals, government ministers, industrialists and large land owners.

Juan was the heir to a family-owned tobacco plantation, which was famous for producing premium leaf used in Cuba’s famous Havana cigars. Additionally, the plantation grew sugar and coffee.

The family agricultural business began shortly after Juan’s father arrived in Cuba from the Asturias region of Spain in 1885.

As the eldest son, in his family, Juan was earmarked to take control of the family plantation and the tobacco business.

Accordingly, his parents decided to send him to the United States to prepare him for his career in business. To that end, Juan was to become more proficient in English as a preparatory step to matriculation at Villanova College.

After attending Catholic elementary and high school in Cuba, Juan applied to Malvern for his senior year. In September 1941, Juan left Havana on a ferry boat bound for Key West, Fla. From there he went to Miami where he boarded a train

to Philadelphia. Arriving on campus he joined the Class of 1942.

Like most borders, Juan lived in Tolentine Hall and took his meals in Austin Hall, which was also the residence of Malvern’s Augustinian community. Juan’s roommate was Harry V. Brown ’42, known to his classmates as “Pinky.” Although still learning English, Juan threw himself into Malvern activities, joining the school newspaper staff, the Sanctuary Society and the Blue and White Club. In the spring he went out for the Baseball team and became the starting Varsity shortstop.

He described baseball as his “passion.” His classes included Algebra, Intensive English, History, Theology and Literature. He fondly recalls his instructors Fr. Egan, Fr. Keating, Fr. Carney, Fr. Grifferty and Fr. Dennis, Malvern’s legendary Headmaster. Juan vividly recalled the day the world changed for many of his classmates, December 7, 1941. On that day Juan and several of his classmates were returning from a football game Malvern had played against Camden Catholic when they heard on the car radio that Pearl Harbor had been attacked by the Japanese. Juan said that the students and faculty came together over this news, and within months several of his classmates began to alter their college plans and enlisted in the service. One classmate, Bill Hackett ’42, left Malvern early in February 1942, volunteering for the Army paratroops.

Not being an American citizen, Juan was not subject to military service, but still the war affected his life. His parents felt that with the world at war, he should come home

Juan Busto ’42 receives a campus tour in Spanish from Middle School students.

One of the highlights of Juan Busto’s trip was connecting with the current Varsity Baseball team.

Because of the reach of the Augustinian Order, students came to Malvern from across Latin America for their high school years or as Post Graduates for one year of study before moving on to college. after graduating from Malvern and forgo his plans to study at Villanova. Although disappointed, Juan returned to Cuba to immediately enter the family business.

From 1942 until 1959 Juan worked in his family agricultural enterprise, in which he was in charge of all production on the plantation and the sales of all tobacco leaf product to Havana’s cigar industry.

The Bustos prospered during these years, and Juan married and raised a family. In 1959 all that came to an end when Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution overthrew the government of President Fulgencio Battista.

The substantial Busto family holdings were soon seized by the Communist government and nationalized. After almost 75 years, Juan’s family was out of business. With the business gone, Juan decided to leave Cuba.

Initially he went to Mexico where he worked out the details of getting his wife and four children out. By March 1960, he was successful and the family landed in Miami.

For the next 56 years Juan and his family lived in Florida where he raised his family, now numbering five children.

During these years, Juan embarked upon a successful career in the entertainment,

oil and refrigeration industries. Juan retired in 1989.

Upon his return to Malvern, Juan reminisced that the life of a Malvern student prior to World War II was a pleasant one, although at bit quiet at times. In those days, Malvern Prep was truly a country school, cattle still grazing on the campus and students doing farm chores. Set in rural Chester Country, Malvern Prep was isolated and insular.

Juan recalled a tight community of priests and students where for fifty cents the boys could take a taxi into Paoli or go to the movies in West Chester. On weekends the students walked into Malvern village where they got haircuts or rose at 5:00 a.m. for long hikes to Valley Forge State Park led by Fr. William Cullen. If they got sick, the village doctor made “house calls” to campus. It was a vastly different life that they lived than the students of today.

In his many years away from his alma mater Juan never forgot Malvern. He still regularly attends alumni gatherings in South Florida and is quick to tell anyone that his one year at Malvern Prep was “the best decision I ever made.” mp

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 37

The Veritas Our Rookie Alumni Teachers

by Katelyn Rodgers

and the Duffy Center went up. The spirit of the School has changed too. There’s now a good push toward philosophy and education where a lot is going on in the classroom that provides direction to students to do their own learning. I don’t remember football players in the play back when I was a student. Today, athletes are happy to be on stage.

Q: When you were a student at Malvern, did you have any mentors that made an impact on your life?

Borish: I loved photography. Jacki Cantor was somebody I could talk to about life, about school, about anything. She would just listen. Even now, being in the science department and being able to flip around and see eight faces to ask advice of, each one providing insight to me, helping guide me along the way, is just incredible.

Jeff Carroll '02, Social Studies, Jason Sammartino '04, English, and Stephen Borish '10, Science, all began teaching full-time at Malvern Prep this year. Borish graduated from Temple University with degrees in Biology and Spanish.

Carroll graduated from Penn State University with degrees in Criminology and Spanish and then from Temple University with his education degree. Graduating from Drexel University with degrees in Business and English, Sammartino then attended St. Joseph’s University to obtain a degree in education.

See the video of the interview on Malvern Prep’s YouTube channel.

Carroll: Jim Stewart. Knowing that someone is there who is so willing to help and his help is so reliable is definitely someone who inspired me to become a teacher. The most special thing to me is to be able to work with my mentors today.

Sammartino: Jamie Wasson, Tim Dougherty and Ed Liga have been incredible inspirations of my life. They were there to help and taught me how to love literature and music. It’s great now to be able to call them my colleagues. To be able to bounce ideas off of them and them say, “Yeah. That’s a great idea,” just makes my week. The community here is unbelievable.

Q: W hat is the best part of your day Q: What’s different at Malvern today than when you went here as a student?

Borish: There’s a new emphasis on the collaborative aspect of learning and struggling through new things with other people. A student realizes that if he may not be good at one thing that another student may have the tools and skills to help. This collaborative force on campus is

38 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

seen all over the place and that wasn’t as strong when I was a student.

Sammartino: Arts were seemingly ignored when I was a student. Now we have this gigantic building that’s right at the center of campus. It’s really nice to see more students involved in the arts, the band and the play.

Carroll: The layout, fields and quad all look different. Dennis Hall was knocked down

working at Malvern?

Borish: I was really thrown off when the students thanked me after class or when I handed back a test and a student who didn’t do well said, “Thank you.”

Carroll: These kids are polite. If I mess up in class, they will still thank me. Being able to interact with the students outside of the classroom in activities is also a highlight of my day.

Sammartino: Students say “Thank you” as they leave the class.

Q: W hat are your biggest challenges working at Malvern?

Borish: At the end of the day, I’m tired.

Carroll: Transitioning from teaching high school to middle school was my biggest challenge. Mr. Chinici, who I took over for after he retired, said, “The biggest difference is that in high school you have to walk in a room and wake them up. In middle school you have to walk in the room and peel them off the ceiling.” He was absolutely right.

Sammartino: Trying to make sure my lessons are engaging to get the students up and moving around as much as possible.

Carroll: I want them to know that I’m being honest when I say it’s okay to make mistakes. A lot of students are afraid because they feel like they will sound unintelligent if they say the wrong answer. I begin my classes with, “Stop worrying about being right.”

Sammartino: I love the guitar.

Q: W hat were you involved in when you were a student a Malvern?

Borish: Malvern Theater Society, Liturgical Music, Track, Speech and Debate, National Honors Society, Yearbook Carroll: Football, Mock Trial, TV Studio, Lacrosse Sammartino: Jazz Band, Malvern Theater Society, Liturgical Music, Lacrosse

Q: W hat makes a Malvern Prep Friar different?

Borish: The idea that it’s okay to be different and to know that your brothers foster that idea of being different. It’s okay to explore who you are as a person is essential to being a Friar and being part of the Malvern Prep community.

Carroll: Today it’s the willingness to participate in a lot of different things rather than putting yourself in a box and just being a football player or just being a performer.

The culture has become students accepting other students by taking risks and putting themselves out there without fearing being bullied or being labeled.

Sammartino: Collaboration has really opened the doors and as students move forward in their education, they’re going to be doing a lot more group work in college.

It’s a good thing to learn the concept that “I’m not always going to be the leader or the one in charge” and how to learn how to work through this is a great skill the students are developing.

Q: W hat do you want your students to know about you?

Borish: I love Spanish reggaeton music. It’s my go-to jam.

Q: How has Malvern Prep guided your life?

Borish: Taught me to think. I am certainly not the same person I was and I don’t think that was the purpose of Malvern. It’s not to make you think a certain way. It’s to make you think. It started me rolling trying to get to know the world and trying to get the world to know myself. My teachers didn’t want me to agree with them on everything.

They wanted me to think about what they were saying and for me to decide for myself.

Carroll: When I think about my development I think about K-8 at St. Dot’s, college at Penn State University, and all of that combined did not have the impact that my four years as a student at Malvern had and as an alum. It has been the most impactful association that I’ve had.

Sammartino: Malvern really helped me grow as a person.

Q: W hat do you expect from Malvern Prep students?

Borish: A lot. The world is changing and expectations are high for everybody in every capacity of life. The notion that you have to be great at every single thing is a really tall glass of to fill. It’s frustrating sometimes and it takes faith. As long as you are prepared to handle situations you have never encountered before with the appropriate skills than you can handle anything in life that happens.

Carroll: I expect some of the older academic qualities to come through. Malvern students should be well-rounded. They should speak well, write well and communicate well in general. They should be comfortable with who they are and not feel like they have to fit in. Malvern students should be confident knowing that Malvern Prep has taught them skills to use in order to be the best version of their selves.

Sammartino: I’m constantly impressed with how students are able to keep their schedules. Aside from what they have in their classrooms, half of these guys are playing for four or more sports teams and are involved in every club imaginable. They get their work done and are incredibly busy and it’s impressive. It’s great to see them expanding and involved in so much.

Q: What do you hope to learn from Malvern Prep as an adult?

Borish: I want to be able to help people go from wherever they are to the next step in their lives. Teachers have great power, and it’s our responsibility to take students from where they are now to where they want to be and then make sure it happens.

Carroll: I’d like to learn how to model the lessons I teach so that I lead by example. Our previous teachers put forth this example for us to learn from and as they were just teachers then, they were also people. For us to learn from those examples is the best thing I could do as an adult.

Sammartino: I hope to learn how to inspire my students the way my mentors inspired me. I don’t know if that’s something you ever learn until students come back and tell you. To be able to have the same influence on students the way my teachers at Malvern had on me would be incredible. mp

::: The Veritas is a series of interviews with prominent members of the Malvern Prep community. Would you like to see someone interviewed in a future issue? Email suggestions to

communications@malvernprep.org.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 39

Alumni

NewsNotes Share your Alumni news!

Malvern Prep encourages all alumni to share news in the NewsNotes section of the Malvern Magazine. To contribute, visit the Alumni page on www.malvernprep.org, write to Alumni Programs, Malvern Preparatory School, 418 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, PA 19355 or e-mail alumni@malvernprep.org.

(All alumni notes are edited for length, grammar and content.)

1943

1956

George Phillips drove to last

Members of the Class of 1956 got together this past December for a Mini-reunion luncheon at Ryan Christopher’s in Narberth. Pictured here are: (left side front to back) Ed Rhodes, Paul Morgenthaler , Gordon Burlingame, Jack Carfagno, Lee Brown, MaryHelen McCulloch, Director of Planned Giving; (standing) Jack Novicki; and (right side front to back) Dominick Falini, Henry Faragalli, Robert Godwin, Mike Treston ’02, Director of Alumni Relations, and John Gillin '57. Bill Hespe (not pictured) is the chef at Ryan Christopher's.

year’s Father Duffy Alumni Christmas Party all the way from Signal Mountain, Tenn.! He was able to connect with a number of fellow alumnus including John Campbell '60 (left).

Alumni photos are welcome! Digital photos, saved as 300 dpi .jpg files, are accepted, as well as print photos. To submit a photo, e-mail it to alumni@malvernprep.org or mail it to Alumni Programs, Malvern Preparatory School, 418 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, PA 19355. Photos will be returned upon request. Only acceptable photos will be published.

::: Looking for a great way to get involved with Malvern that involves the people you know best—your class? The Class Agents & Correspondents program is the answer! Email alumni@malvernprep.org to get involved.

aLUMNI NEWS

Saluting Our Retired Teachers Two outstanding educators retired last June. Joe Redican '60 P'88, a dedicated alumnus, teacher and coach, served Malvern for 19 years. Tom Stewart P'07 served Malvern as a science teacher, department chair, coach and moderator of many clubs

1947 Larry Glass visited Malvern

this November from Doylestown where he has lived with his wife since the mid-1960s. Glass recalled his great memories during his time at Malvern and beyond, including golfing with Father Duffy.

for 21 years. The Malvern community enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at their retirement party on June 2, 2015.

(From left) Bertie and Joe Redican ’60 P’88 with Kit McGettigan P’02.

Tom Stewart P’07

40 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Larry Glass ’47 (center) prepares to head out on his campus tour with (from left) Stewardship Coordinator Chuck Chinici P’90, Director of Development Vic D’Ascenzo ’81, Director of Planned Giving Mary-Helen McCulloch, J.D. and tour guide Matthew Daller ’17.

Alumni

1957 Members of the Class of 1957 got together for their annual Christmas luncheon at the Philadelphia Country Club, along with a few friends from other classes.

Pictured here (from left) are: Jerry Morris, Andy Talone ’58, George Peckham, Paul Missett ’59, Joe Gable, Kevin Flynn, Mary-Helen McCulloch, Director of Planned Giving, Michael Civitella ’58 P’79 GP’19, Dan Walsh, Ed Heins, Mace Thompson, Bob Brogan ’57 P’91’94, John Heins ’58, Bob Fogarty, Andy Saul, Charlie Litzelman and John Gillen.

1960

1966

Tim Flanagan presented his

Fran Dunphy became the

vision for the future of the Catholic Church in the United States in a speech at Oxford University last February.

Flanagan is the founder of Catholic Leadership Institute, which provides world-class leadership formation to bishops, priests, deacons and lay leaders throughout the United States. He received Malvern’s St. Augustine Alumni Award in 2007.

winningest coach in Big 5 history when his Temple Owls defeated Central Florida on February 6. Dunphy earned his 517th career win - the most ever by a Philadelphia college basketball coach.

1965 Glenn Waychunas paid a

visit to his good friend Patrick Driscoll (right) at his home in Rutherford, N.J., this past November. Waychunas, who lives in San Carlos, Calif., was unable to attend the Malvern Reunion last May because he and his wife were traveling in Europe at that time.

Waychunas and Driscoll had a great time and plan to get together again soon.

Rev. Brian Flanagan retired

1981

2000

Barkley Sample was

Michael Croce and his wife, Julia,

named Waldon Mercy’s 2015 Outstanding Alumnus at its Reunion this past November.

Sample was honored for his deep and long-standing commitment to Waldon Mercy Academy, where he has served on the Development Committee, as a phonathon volunteer and as a critical link between fellow alumni and the school.

welcomed their twin boys, Archie and Fletcher, on February 24.

1987 Michael Augsberger is living

is Switzerland and working as managing director at swissminds AG. He caught up with Head of School Christian Talbot and Middle School Head Patrick Sillup during their trip to Germany this September to participate in a workshop on designing studentcentered learning environments sponsored by German furniture company VS.

1994

this past June after 12 years as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and serving in many leadership positions in the Diocese of Palm Beach. He recently got together in Florida with his brothers to celebrate his brother Dennis’ 60th birthday.

Pictured here (from left) are Tim

Brian Lananhan is publishing

Flanagan ’60, Tom Flanagan

Patrick Bresnan debuted his

’69, Dennis Flanagan and Rev. Brian Flanagan.

his first book, Post-Conflict Education for Democracy?

Bosnian Education in the Post-War Era 1995–2015.

He is Associate Professor of Citizenship Education at the College of Charleston.

2001 Brian Collins,

Associate Attorney in the Insurance Recovery Practice at Offit Kurman, wrote an article featured in the December 1, 2015, edition of The Legal Intelligencer's Pennsylvania Law Weekly. The article, "Litigators: Get to Know Amendments to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure" identifies the recent changes that took effect on December 1, 2015, and addresses specific information that is critical to litigators.

Benjamin Cross married

Rosemary Connors on October 3 in Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel at Malvern.

Benjamin is project manager at his family’s chimney- and masonry- restoration company, D.J. Cross, Inc. Rosemary is a reporter and weekend anchor at NBC10 Philadelphia. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii.

Sean McConnell his wife, Erin,

welcomed their twin daughters, Shannon Christie and Kelly Grace, into the world on February 16.

1995 short documentary The Send Off at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. The film, which follows local teenagers as they prepare for prom in rural Florida, was nominated for the Documentary Short competition at Sundance.

It was one of only 18 short films selected out of more than 8,700 submissions. Bresnan raised enough money through his fundraising efforts to bring two teens from the documentary to Park City, Utah, for the festival.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 41

Alumni

NewsNotes

Mike Meehan ’03 visited Malvern this January as the first participant in the Parent Alumni Speaker Series (P.A.S.S.) in the Counseling Resource Room.

He talked about his experience as a Division I Football player at Princeton University and his time at Villanova Law. Meehan is a business attorney in Philadelphia.

(From left) Brendan McMoran '99, Kevin Millard '99, Ryan Edginton '99 and Eric Moore '02

aLUMNI NEWS

Friars Enjoy Great Day on the Links at 31st Annual Golf Outing Though it may have been months or even years since

2003

2006

Kevin Lilly is a personal trainer

Ed McAssey married Karolina

in Los Angeles, where he coaches some of the best athletes, actors and artists in the world. “I often find myself teaching movement patterns and exercises to my clients and giving physical explanations,” he writes. “My passions for the physical sciences started in Mr. Boyce’s class. On opening day with a new client one of my go-to lines is ‘If I get too SCIENCY please tell me to shut up.’

I always get a chuckle, followed by the instruction to keep teaching.”

Heyduk on July 11 in Athens, Ga. Attending the wedding from Malvern were (from left) Stephen Krueger ’10 and classmates Paul Winterhalter , McAssey, Michael Dingerdissen and Chis McCullough .

they have seen each other, when a bunch of Friars get together, it seems like old times. Malvern alumni enjoyed a great day on the links at Waynesborough Country Club on Monday, September 21 for the 31st Annual Alumni Golf Outing. The 116 golfers picked up right where they left off and enjoyed an afternoon of golf, friendship and reconnecting with Malvern Prep.

"The tradition of the Golf Outing, along with the camaraderie and brotherhood, is what makes this event different from others," says Malvern's Director of Alumni Relations Mike Treston '02. "I would like to thank all of our players and sponsors, especially Lou Colameco '77 T and Jeff Siegfried '77 for their generosity. Also, the Event Co-Chairs Michael Croce '00 and Rich Devine III '03 did another outstanding job."

42 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Eric Wygant ’06 married Laura Core at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington on June 26, 2015. Many members of the Classes of 2005 and 2006 shared in the festivities.

Alumni

Malvern Choral Director Ed Liga, Barbara Hackman P’05, award-winner Philip Daubney ’15, Paul Hackman P’05 and Brittany Hackman.

aLUMNI NEWS

First Hackman Memorial Award Remembers Choral Pioneer at Malvern When Brian Hackman ’05, passed away in a tragic accident in September 2014, Brian’s family thought that one of the best ways to honor his life was to encourage gifts to Malvern’s Choral Music Program. They did not realize the outpouring of support that would come from their simple request.

Brian Hackman '05

When Brian arrived at Malvern in 2001,

the Men’s Chorus was a new performing ensemble consisting of only six members. By the time that Brian was a senior, the program had grown to more than 80 singers in three different ensembles, according to Malvern Choral Director Ed Liga. Brian, who Liga said was a shy and quiet freshman, found his place in the Chorus. “Brian’s confidence and vocal ability grew, and with that, so did the success of our arts program,” said Liga. “Brian became a role model and an arts student who was talented, confident and fearless onstage. Brian made singing cool.”

Brian sang “O Holy Night” at a “Malvern at the Kimmel Center” event in 2004, and he was the featured soloist at Malvern’s 2005 Commencement, singing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.”

Brian made an impact on the life of many Malvern students, who may never have tried singing or the arts without his example and encouragement. After his death, Brian’s family, classmates and friends donated more than $5,000 to the School’s Choral Program.

Liga decided to use that money to set up an award and $500 honorarium to be given each year in Brian’s memory to a senior member of Men’s Chorus in recognition of exceptional vocal talent and outstanding dedication to Malvern’s Choral Music Program.

Brian’s parents, Barbara and Paul Hackman, and his sister, Brittany Hackman, were on hand at Malvern’s Senior Awards Breakfast on June 3, which happens to be Brian’s birthday. At the breakfast, Liga presented the first Brian Hackman ’05 Memorial Award to Philip Daubney ’15, a member of Men’s Chorus, the Liturgical Music Group, the Malvern Theatre Society and the Philadelphia Archdiocese All-Catholic Chorus.

“Phil has demonstrated outstanding dedication to Malvern’s arts program, not only as an exceptional soloist in concerts and musicals, but also as a role model and mentor to his classmates in rehearsals and backstage,” said Liga. “But for all his accomplishments, the Hackman family will remember him foremost as the Malvern student who sang 'You Raise Me Up' at Brian’s funeral."

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 43

Alumni

NewsNotes Marcin Morys earned his

Ph.D. in computer and electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.

He is currently doing post-grad work in robotics with the U.S. Navy

aLUMNI NEWS

John Scargall’s ’08 Country Career Takes Off With a little help from friends like Christian O’Connor’08

2007

John Scargall ’08 burst onto the country scene last year with his debut album Breakthrough.

His classmate Christian O’Connor ’08 has been instrumental to his success, helping Scargall write songs and playing at live shows.

Nick Harkness, a corporal

in the U.S. Marine Corps, reenlisted for a second fouryear term. He is currently a Machine Gun Squad Leader in Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines.

Captain Jeff Cummings '02 was the reenlisting officer and is currently the Commanding Officer, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines.

John Scargall ’08 surprised Malvern students and teachers at the annual Christmas Show with an energetic rendition of “Wild Rover.”

Scargall spent the summer touring with NASCAR, singing at their events to promote the NASCAR ’15 video game, which features his song, “Leave it on the Track” as its theme song. Scargall landed feature articles with The News of Delaware County and Main Line Today magazine and was a guest with O’Connor on the Sports Illustrated Now program. "This is a show where country superstars like Lee Brice have performed ... where tons of sports legends have been interviewed," Scargall said, "As a music and sports fan myself, this is absolutely incredible."

In August, he was featured on PBS 39's new series "Steel Sessions,” and a contingent of Malvernians made the short trek to Bethlehem, Pa., for the live taping.

The aptly-titled Breakthrough was released in October, and “Leave it on the Track” cracked the iTunes Top 100 Alt. Country songs chart. Last but not least, Scargall channeled his best Marty Farrell and surprised Malvern students and teachers at this year’s Christmas Talent Show with an energetic rendition of “Wild Rover.” Here’s to keeping traditions alive and continued success for our alumni recording artists.

Nick Harkness ’07 (right) reenlisted for a second term with the Marines. He is pictured here with his commanding and reenlisting officer, Jeff Cummings ’02.

44 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

A crew of Malvern teachers, alumni and staff watched the live taping of “Steel Sessions.” From left are: Malvern teacher Nicole Wilkinson, Malvern teacher Teresa Lohse, band member Jordan Straub, band member Christian O’Connor ’08, John Scargall ’08, band member Jacob Beers, Jordan Scargall ’13, Malvern teacher Rich Roper and Malvern Director of Development Vic D’Ascenzo ’81.

Alumni

record) and in forced fumbles with six. He tied for second in tackles for loss with 19 1/2, a figure that led the Big Ten.

2012 Connor Mahoney was named

Nate Osborne ’07 returned to campus to share his experiences of living and working overseas in Medellin, Colombia.

He met with Jim Kirchner's Honors Spanish 4 classes throughout the day on October 8. "Having Nate come and speak is great for the students to see why learning a second language is important for the real world," says Kirchner, who is Malvern's Language Department Leader. "He shared his story in Spanish and encouraged questions from the boys."

Osborne has been teaching English at EAFIT University in Medellin for two-and-a-half years.

2008 Ryan Nassib, the back-up

quarterback for the New York Giants, threw his first career NFL touchdown pass on December 27, 2015. The pass was a 25-yard strike to Myles White in the end zone.

Mike Rawlings '08. Legendary

faculty member Mike Rawlings P’07’08’09 also made the trip.

2009 Joe Miele III and his dad, Joe Miele, Jr. ’77 led a contingent of

16 Friars on their second annual college football excursion, this time to the great state of South Carolina to see the Clemson Tigers defeat the Florida State Seminoles. In the caravan were: Andrew Zoeller '09, Chris Putsch '09, Brendan McNulty '09, Matt McCullough '09, Justin LeStrange '09, Kyle Curley '09, Harte Thompson '09, Ryan Creighton '10, John Rawlings '09, Steve Boyle '09, Pat Oates '09, JK Poirier '09 and

2011 Ryan Murphy graduated from

the Rhode Island School of Design and is now a consultant at SY/Partners. One of Murphy's team's projects has been working on the XQ Challenge, Laurene Jobs' $50M competition to reimagine high school. "We are at an inflection point," Murphy told Christian Talbot at a recent meeting, "and a few years down

the road some schools will look back on this time and realize that they had a chance to seize it, but now they're behind the curve." Murphy spoke at the Malvern’s State of School Town Hall meeting in March about his educational journey, his current professional work, and also reflects on how Malvern is positioned embrace design thinking and to create leaders for our changing world. You can watch his presentation at malvernprep.org/townhall.

Carl Nassib had a tremendous

senior season for the Penn State football team. Nassib was named All-American, won the Rotary Lombardi Award for the nation’s top lineman or linebacker and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end.

He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Nassib led the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks with 15 ½ (a Penn State

to the Northwestern Football team’s 2016 Leadership Council.

The player-elected group has significant input on team goalsetting, uniform selection, optimal gameday schedules and more.

Steve Perpiglia has played as

a walk-on for Boston College basketball for four years.

The senior team captain was surprised with a full scholarship following BC's win over Fordham in December. Coach Jim Christian announced the scholarship to the team in the locker room and then went out to the arena and announced the news to Steve's parents, friends and family.

Christopher Tiberi

moonlighted as Merrimack College’s Santa Claus this past Christmas season. Tiberi helped kick off the holiday season on campus with the official tree lighting then visited with local kids before treating them with ice skating at the hockey rink with Santa! This photo was used on Merrimack’s home page.

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 45

Alumni

NewsNotes Austin Velte was named

captain of the Yale lightweight crew team. Velte has sat in the two seat of the varsity eight for two consecutive seasons.

2014 Jim Sincavage and Austin Velte ’12 and competed against

the best rowers from around the world at the U-23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, July 22-26. Velte, a senior at Yale University, and Sincavage, a sophomore at Princeton University, competed in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x) at the World Championships.

2015 Peter Calvaresi scored two

goals to help the MIT Water Polo team defeat Fordham this November. Magnus Sims, who plays for Fordham, missed the game because of injury.

Matthew Lanetti is enjoying

his time at The Citadel, where he is majoring in chemistry and studying Naval science. He writes, “We watched Crimson Tide the other night. After the film, I heard some cadets saying how cool it must be to meet a Cold War era sub captain. I quickly jumped in and declared that not only have I met a Cold War era sub captain, I was taught by one for two years.”

aLUMNI NEWS

Accomplishments, Service Honored at Annual Alumni Awards On the eve of Malvern Prep’s Homecoming, Malvern Prep honored six distinguished alumni for their accomplishments and service to both the Malvern community and the world. The Alumni Awards dinner has become a cherished tradition at Malvern, and on October 23, the Friar community gathered to celebrate St. Augustine Award winner Dr. Dan Kelly ’99, Alumni Loyalty Award winner Dave Frank ’91 T, and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Dave Hisler ’95, Frank Oschell ’92, Kevin Pellegrini ’90 and Jim Rullo ’89.

A theme of brotherhood highlighted the speeches of each of the honorees, with Hisler noting that “the bonds of friendship were the most important part of [his] Malvern experience and are what makes Malvern special.”

Oschell noted that his classmates and teammates made Malvern a special place, and that they continue to be a part of his life. “This brotherhood is how we accomplish great things,” he said.

His sentiment was echoed by Frank, who was recognized for his commitment and service to the School. “The Malvern brotherhood lasts a lifetime,” he said. “Malvern is a family.”

Kelly, the St. Augustine Award winner, has been a transformative force for the people of Sierra Leone as a doctor and tireless public health advocate. The St. Augustine Alumni Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Malvern alumnus, and it awarded in recognition of a lifetime achievements that exemplify the spirit of Malvern Prep and the core values of the Augustinian tradition.

Kelly thanked Malvern for developing not only critical thinking and problem solving skills but also for encouraging him to follow his passion and instilling the values that guide his life. “I was inspired by Malvern’s Christian Service program. I didn’t understand poverty until I felt it,” he said.

“Today, as I meet Malvern students, I see them being shaped by Augustinian values, global literacy and an entrepreneurial spirit. Malvern is developing the next generation of global leaders.”

Pete Ciesiekski helped the

Duquesne Dukes to the Northeast Conference football championship with a win over St. Francis.

Duquesne earned an automatic birth in the FCS playoffs.

From left: Jim Rullo ’89, Dave Hisler ’95, Dr. Dan Kelly ’99, Dave Frank ’91 T, Kevin Pellegrini ’90 and Frank Oschell ’92

46 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Alumni

Alumni Hockey On December 27, the Malvern Hockey Boosters were delighted to host former Friar skaters for a Malvern Hockey Alumni Game at Ice works in Aston. Millsy was there to get the old-timers back on the ice as soon as possible.

In Memoriam Robert "Bob" Auch '62

John "Jack" Gibbons '56

Cecilia Osinski

Augustus A. Boova P'68'69'74 GP'98

John J. Giordano ’50

Stephen G. Pavlick '76

Robert D. Buscaglia

Paul J. Godlewski '86

Peter F. Pierangelli P'72'81'81 GP'08

Joan Carini

Virginia "Denny" Hayden P'76'81 GP'04'08

Thomas E. Powers ’48

Francis A. "Frank" Cariola, Jr. '86

Jackie Himmelreich P’20

Donald A. Ropain ’56

Hollis “Holly” Cheshire

Richard Hurst '60

Donald P. Sharples P'88

Anthony P. "Sonny" D'Agostino P'84 GP'14

Peter R. Huver, Sr. '55

John M. "Matt" Treston P'85'87

Thomas W. Drennen P’73

Margaret "Sunny" Klinges P'75'76 GP12'15'18

Ruth Gold West

Philip F. Dwyer, Jr. '62 P'85'93

Brian J. Maguire '75

Genevieve Willis P'83'84'86

Richard J. Ecock '57

J. Francis Mahoney IV ’63 P’96

Hugh F. Ferry, Jr. P'97'99'04'08

David Mazzoni '66

Marjorie Ann "Marcy" Wolfington P'76 GP'05'15'16'17'18

Russell Fitzgerald P'77 PT

William R. McNerney '53

Sheila Gaffney P'95

Felicia Mercuri P'75

Rev. William T. Garland, O.S.A. PT

Peter Moore '73

Corrine Gaudiosi P'99

Peter Noutsos

James L. Woodward IV '98 Benjamin Yanoviak Isidoros J. "Izzy" Zanikos P'04'10

Spring 2016 / Malvern MagazinE / 47

Alumni

Connections and Conversations C e l e b r a t i n g F a t h e r D u ff y On the 10th anniversary of his passing, Malvern honored the Rev. David J. Duffy, O.S.A. '48 with a special Mass and Reception that brought together old friends and alumni, and former and current faculty, staff, parents and students to celebrate and share memories of this great priest who devoted his life to Malvern.

Here are memories and glimpses of conversations that were shared that day in person and on social media.

“Thank you for letting Marty be who he is.”

"As someone who didn't have the privilege of knowing Dave Duffy, I nevertheless felt true joy at seeing so many people come

- Fr. Duffy to Sue Farrell P’13’15

“This tribute to Father Duffy was a great event for the man and Malvern. Honestly, I haven't had such a feeling for a long time." – Jim Stewart P’86’94 PT Hon

together to honor his memory and his impact on their lives. There is no greater tribute to Malvern than that!"

– Christian Talbot

“He was a special man. When our daughter passed he came to our home to personally offer his condolences.” - Maria Sgambati McFadden

“Such a great friend, great man and loving priest. For many, a piece of us died when Father Duffy left us. Ever will he live in our hearts … to the Moon, Heaven and back …” - Colleen Leonard Leyden P’07’08 "Father Duffy was a natural leader who let people follow their dreams ... that is why Malvern is so successful." - Don O'Neill '57 TE

“Fr. Duffy had a heavy foot. We made it from Fort Washington on the Turnpike to Malvern Prep in 15 minutes.”

- Ted Caniglia P’03

One day he caught me sad due to my sister-in-law dying. I told him she wasn’t Catholic, no matter to him, he went over to the house that night to bless her and pray with my brotherin-law Joe. I will never forget him, may perpetual light shine upon him. Always the priest!” - Kathleen Meyers Feehery

His enthusiasm was undefeatable, even under the most dire circumstances: “We almost died together!”

- Fr. Duffy said to his niece Kathy Duffy T after careening into a guardrail on an icy night

Keep the conversation going… Are you following Malvern Prep on Twitter and Facebook?

Watching our YouTube channel? Joined us on LinkedIn? Reading the student blog? Check out all of our social media channels for exclusive content, news updates and more. www.malvernprep.org/social Old-fashioned email works, too! Write to us at communications@malvernprep.org.

48 / Malvern Magazine / Spring 2016

Brotherhood is Love

Show your LOVE with an investment in THEIR future. Help us continue to lead the way for future Friars by making your year-end, tax-deductible gift to The Malvern Fund today!

Your LOVE provides ...

• Athletic opportunities open to all Friars through an intramural sports program ...

•F inancial assistance for young men who deserve an exceptional education ...

•S tate-of-the-art facilities for students to uncover their artistic talents ...

•T echnology that connects our community and encourages research, innovation and discovery ...

•S ervice-learning trips to foster global awareness and encourage real-world problem solving ...

•C hoices, experiences and goals that set Malvern students apart as future leaders.

Show your LOVE ... make your gift online at www.malvernprep.org/GiveOnline or with the envelope included in this magazine.

418 S. Warren Avenue • Malvern, PA 19355-2707

SAVE the DATE

Reunion 2016

October 28 and October 29, 2016 Classes of

1946, 1951, 1956, 1961,

1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996,

2001, 2006 and 2011

Join us this fall as we celebrate Reunion on Homecoming Weekend! www.malvernprep.org/AlumniReunion