Magnificat - Fall 2021 by Church and Schools of Saint Mary

Magnificat

Volume 13 | No. 2 FALL 2021

A Publication for the Schools of Saint Mary Alumni, Parents & Friends

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Letter From The Pastor

Letter From The President

Welcome to the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of Eucharist

Vice President of Development | Edward Short Director of Admissions | Norma Stafford Director of Alumni and Parent Relations | Kiera Gmelich Walsh Director of Communications | Eileen Symmons ’82, ’86

New Latin Program

Performing Arts Program

Sodality Program

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD President | Robert Bossé Amy Murphy Adriana Calosso-Breen Courtney Pierce Anthony Conte Rocco Romito Dionne Dixon-Allen Terence Scheurer Robert Dunphy ’89, ’93 Nicole Sharpe Sandra Frey

Faculty, Staff and Board Updates

Carrying Forward the Torch of Truth: Scholarship Giving

Saint Mary Adapts to Pandemic Restrictions

PTO and Gaels Parents' Association

Take-a-Break

Athletic Program

High School Summer Programs

Commencements

Honoring Carol & Brian Dunning

College Acceptances

Open House

Alumni Notes

In Memoriam and 9/11 Anniversary

Ways To Give

Parish Gala

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD President | Larry Siedlick ’68 Tim Ahern Daniel Amoruso ’76 Kathy Bunger ’78

Robert Fabio Brian Flannery ’88 Maureen O’Reilly Shannon Pompy

THE SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President | Patty Hennelly Anglin ’69 Vice President | Thomas Smyth ’86 BOARD Robert Anastasia ’71 Judith Annibale Betts ’55, ‘59 Vincent de Venoge ’14 Jenny Fox ’08 TJ Hoban ’11 Brian McCabe ’03 Cara Midwinter ‘12, ‘16

Robert Pennachio ’86 Christopher Santarelli ’06 Jannki Shah ‘15 Eve Soldatos ’08 Denise Vey Voda ’72 Patty Yantz ’69

ON THE COVER: Grateful recipients of the Don Monti Scholarship Fund.

From the Pastor Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends, Let me begin by quoting something St. Paul said in one of his letters to the Corinthians: “God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1Cor. 10:13) As we begin a new school year at the Schools of Saint Mary we can look back at the many challenges of last year and forward to the opportunities that lie ahead with these encouraging words close to our hearts. They will help us to rededicate ourselves to giving our students the formation they need not only in the liberal arts but the rich Catholic tradition as well. Every school year comes with challenges but those of 2020 were utterly unprecedented. And yet our staff, faculty, alumni, students and parents met these challenges with flying colors. Some of this can be attributed to our collective resourcefulness. I know how hard administration worked with faculty and maintenance to ensure that in-person learning continued at our schools under the most volatile and demanding of circumstances. I know how adaptive our students were throughout the year. I know how patient and cooperative our parents were. And, despite every disruption and every heartache, how staunchly supportive our alumni were. But I also know that it was our shared faith – our shared trust in God’s good plan -- that gave each one of us what we needed to meet and overcome the trials of COVID.

and I thank each and every one of you for joining me in the advancement of our vital mission. Now, in closing, I will say a prayer of deepest gratitude for all of our parents, alumni, friends, and benefactors. May God continue to make you the pattern of His blessings and may our school always prize the gifts you bring to our indispensable work by following in the footsteps of His first disciple, our beloved patroness. In Jesus and Mary,

Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo

Now is also a time for us to look ahead to the future. We have a brilliant new president in Father Elias Carr, who will build on all that we achieved in recent years to give our students the thorough academic and faith formation they need to meet their future with confidence and success. We have the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist coming to teach in both our elementary and high school. Their highly respected dedication to vibrant Catholic education makes them the perfect fit for our schools, and we look forward to working with them in joyous and creative collaboration. Lastly, we have our marvelous alumni, who continue to support our mission with the most unstinting generosity. These are blessings that will make 2021 not only a year of thanksgiving but of renewed achievement, 4

From the President Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends, As the incoming president of the Schools of Saint Mary, I share Father Bob’s admiration for the faith and esprit de corp that has enabled the schools to weather the COVID storm so ably and I look forward to the upcoming school year as an opportunity for us to renew that shared faith by recommitting ourselves to the moral, spiritual, and academic formation of our students in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Of course, having taught in both the elementary and the high school last year I saw up close the dedication that animated our faculty at a time fraught with uncertainty. Now in my new role, I will benefit from all of the collegial bonds I formed while working beside our teachers. If I can understand the challenges our teachers face, I can also understand and respect the many ways they find to overcome those challenges. Adaptiveness is crucial, and our faculty has truly shone in that regard. Over the summer, I had an opportunity to meet with our administrators, and I am excited to see how unified they are, how eager to join forces to make this upcoming year a new and exciting chapter in our faithfilled history. The arrival of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, known nationwide for their commitment to excellence in Catholic education, will certainly be a part of that new chapter, as will new faculty who have recently joined our team. In the months ahead, I also look forward to meeting with parents, alumni and other well-wishers, all of whom, I know, are integral to our family of faith. “Faith is the realization of what it is hoped,” the Book of Hebrews reminds us. (Heb. 11-1) Our hope in God’s good plan, our hope in His fatherly love, our hope in His guidance keeps our faith at St. Mary’s steadfast and unwavering. Ours is a truly inspiring mission and I am blessed to be a part of such a talented team all working together to advance that mission for the benefit of our bright young students.

Thank you all for your generous, continuing support. Faithfully in Christ,

The Very Rev. Dom Elias Carr, Can. Reg. 6

WELCOME

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join the Schools of St. Mary

With gratitude to God for their expansion, we joyfully welcome the Sisters to our faculty.

The Schools of Saint Mary has always taken great joy in hosting dynamic young orders of religious sisters, including the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal and the Dominican Sisters of Life. Their vibrant faith, deep learning, and infectious enthusiasm have always impressed our students, parents, teachers, and parishioners. According to Father Bob, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish: “We are delighted that one such vibrant young order, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist has decided to join our schools in our ongoing mission of educating the young people entrusted to our care. We will be welcoming the sisters when the new school year begins in September.”

Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist

Founded in 1997 under the auspices of the former Cardinal of New York, John O’Connor, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have grown enormously since their founding. Their Dominican charism places strong emphasis on teaching and they have made admirable

contributions to various intellectual apostolates throughout the Church. Although based in Ann Arbor, they currently send sisters to teach in fortunate Catholic schools around the country, including schools in Illinois, Washington, and Michigan. Since their devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady and their commitment to the liberal arts grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition mirror our own, they will be a wonderful complement to The Schools of St. Mary. On their website, the Sisters testify to the appeal of their charism: “Drawing upon our own intimate relationship with Christ as women religious, we bring a conviction and a passion to our

apostolate as we offer to others our knowledge of Christ and His Church.” Their vision of education – and ours – is summed up in a quote they include on their site from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “The dignity of education lies in fostering the true perfection and happiness of those to be educated.” As educators sought after around the country, the Sisters accomplish this by fostering the “true perfection in virtue” of their students. The Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist will be residing at St. Hyacinth Parish in Glen Head, New York. A video of the formal announcement by Bishop Barres can be found on our website – www.stmary.ws. “That the Bishop chose to designate The Schools of Saint Mary to receive the Sisters is a welcome mark of the confidence he places in the rigorous liberal arts education we offer our students in the Catholic intellectual tradition,” Father Bob observed when the news first broke.

Saint Mary’s Adopts Study of Latin As a part of our commitment to providing our students with a classical education in the liberal arts, Saint Mary’s is adopting the study of Latin in the Fall Semester of 2021. Classes will be taught by Ms. Silvana Farina, who is thrilled to be spearheading the program. “We are walking lexicons, “ the novelist Penelope Lively once wrote. “In a single sentence of idle chatter, we preserve Latin, AngloSaxon, Norse; we carry a museum inside our heads, each day we commemorate people of whom we have never even heard.” The truth of Lively’s insight is borne out by compelling statistics. Roughly 80 percent of the entries in any English dictionary are borrowed from Latin. Over 60 percent of all English words have Greek or Latin roots. In the nomenclature of the sciences and technology, the figure rises to over 90 percent. Here is striking proof of how fundamental Latin is to English. More specifically, Latin helps students understand the terms of law and medicine. For over two thousand years, it has been the language of the Catholic Church. It is instrumental to understanding world history and literature. It is also a great source of wonderful epigrams. Now that we are all emerging from COVID-19 and looking ahead to the future with confidence and hope, no phrase could better capture our shared sense of expectancy than: Per aspera ad astra – “Through hardships to the stars.”

it promotes clarity and concision; it demonstrates how precise thinking goes hand-in-hand with precise writing. As the Catholic novelist Evelyn Waugh once observed, studying Latin helps students to recognize “that a sentence is a logical construction and that words have basic inalienable meanings.” These are crucial benefits for our students, not only here at Saint Mary’s but beyond in whatever career they choose to pursue. “If English is the world’s language now, it is only so because of its deep indebtedness to the first world language,” says Fr. Elias Carr, President of Saint Mary’s. “We are thrilled to be offering Latin to our students because it shows how committed we are not only

to classical education but to the richness of our shared intellectual, cultural and religious inheritance.” Ms. Silvana Farina, who teaches both Latin and Italian, provided her insight regarding our new curriculum offering: “Under the garden of everyday language, there is the carpet of ancient roots. Latin is a precious source that will support students to understand critically the world in which they live. Despite the challenges that learning a classical language in the modern world presents, I believe Latin students will eventually say, as Saint Augustine did in his Confessions: Adamaveram enim Latinas (“For I was passionate about Latin”).

Yet there are many more reasons for studying Latin: it teaches students the vital role that parts of speech play in the effective use of language; 10

“WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT THEATRE IS HOW TRANSFORMATIVE IT IS.”

–MR. BRIAN STALTER, DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM

‘The Play’s the Thing:’ Performing Arts at St. Mary’s Are Alive and Well As all of our alumni know, the Schools of Saint Mary’s has a long and distinguished tradition of putting on great shows that capture the unique creativity and joy of our school. Brian Stalter, the Director of the Performing Arts Program, continues to uphold this tradition by showcasing the wonderful theatrical talents of our student body – talents he has been instrumental in identifying and developing.

how transformative it is,” he says. “How it can take an introverted student and allow them to express their creative side in a safe environment. Then you begin to see the student's confidence rising. They begin to build new friendships and suddenly they have a new enthusiasm for life!”

“A strong theatre program ignites school spirit,” Mr. Stalter says. “As opening night approaches, the buzz of excitement builds uniting performers, tech crew, and musicians. It brings together all members of our school community to celebrate the unique talents of our students.” This was certainly the case this year with his productions of two charming musical comedies, The Drowsy Chaperone for our upper school and Shrek for our middle and lower school. The sheer talent on display in both these productions was delightful to behold. In addition to focusing and inspiring his brilliant student companies, Mr. Stalter knows how to capture their joy. “What I love most about theatre is 12

Our New Sodality Program: Putting Faithful Profession into Faithful Practice A sodality, from the French solidalité or ‘fellowship,’ is a religious confraternity set up by lay Catholics to foster greater devotion, mutual spiritual help and charity. Starting in the Middle Ages, many sodalities placed themselves under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin, knowing that she would help prosper their prayer life and animate their act of charity. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Society of St. Francis Regis first began as sodalities. “The sodalities offer our students a place of genuine friendship, rooted in faith, as well as a place to discuss how to live the virtues as teenagers in the 21st century,” says Mr. Anthony Cannatella, who teaches English and Theology at the school. “These monthly meetings become the foundations of our yearly retreats, where students have the opportunity to experience the love of Christ in a unique and special way.” In adopting our own sodalities, Saint Mary’s gives high school students the opportunity to work with teachers on a one-on-one basis to enter into and embody the virtues, practice their faith more intentionally and grow in spiritual love and charity.

“Having sodality allows the students to have candid one-onone conversations with faculty members about our faith in an environment that takes the pressure out of the situation. These candid conversations encourage our students to be examples of the Catholic faith in the real world and promote the virtues that we discuss in situations they experience outside of the classroom.” For example, since adopting the program, students at St. Mary’s have met on retreat to discuss the virtue of penitence and the parable of the Prodigal Son, as well as the virtue of

fortitude and the life of Saint Joan of Arc. Paul Pileggi, who teaches Church History at the school, also vouches for the benefits of the program: “By reflecting on the deeper questions of life, our students discover authentic meaning in their search for the Truth. Reflecting on the Gospel opens their eyes to this liberating Truth in its journey from the head to the heart.” Thus, as a result of the program, students have a better formed understanding of how the profession of our Catholic faith infuses our practice of it.

“

The sodalities offer our students a place of genuine friendship, rooted in faith, as well as a place to discuss how to live the virtues as teenagers in the 21st century

”

- MR. ANTHONY CANNATELLA

Lauren Becker, who teaches Chemistry at the school, elaborates: 14

For Mr. Cannatella, “Our mission at St. Mary's is not just to impart intellectual education. While that is important, as a Catholic school, we have the charge from Christ to form students who love God, ‘with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ (Matt. 22:37) Our sodalities will continue to offer the opportunity to form their hearts and souls in order to strive to live in the Image of God. Ultimately,

through the celebration of the Eucharist, we come together as a school community to imitate Christ more perfectly.”

"Joan of Arc" (1879) by Jules Bastien-Lepage. Reproduced with the kind permission of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The artist, a native of Lorraine, depicts the moment when Saints Michael, Margaret, and Catherine appear to the peasant girl in prayer in her parents’ garden, inspiring her to oppose the English invaders in the Hundred Years War. Bastien-Lepage’s naturalistic depiction of Joan’s spiritual awakening nicely captures how the profession and practice of faith unite.

SCHOOL NEWS

Faculty, Staff, and Board Updates We welcome the following staff and faculty members to the Saint Mary’s community. May their new beginnings be faith-filled and fruitful in their respective roles serving our students and the mission of our schools. where she finds it to be the most rewarding and fulfilling.

MIMI CHAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Mimi Chan joins Mr. Edward Short and the Development Team as the new development associate. Mimi has extensive experience in digital marketing, web support, development, and fundraising. She encompassed all of these skills to help her prior company (Children’s Hope India) successfully fundraise each year at their annual events. These events included the Annual Gala, Spring Luncheon, Walkathon and various fundraisers sponsored by the organization’s young professionals and high school students. Mimi also managed the Educate a Child program at Children’s Hope India where a sponsor is matched with a child in need and received regular updates on his/her educational progress. Her role at Children’s Hope India encouraged her to continue her pursuit in the non-profit industry 16

Prior to joining the Schools of Saint Mary, Mimi also garnered wide consulting and financial experience with KPMG, JPMorgan Chase, and Lehman Brothers. She developed her analytical and organizational skills in addition to her eye for detail in these earlier ventures. Mimi was in Creative Services at Lehman Brothers where she worked with Investment Bankers in New York and in the satellite offices in London and Hong Kong.

PA (Mercersburg Academy), a co-ed Catholic HS outside of Baltimore (John Carroll School, Bel Air MD) and most recently at Convent of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls K-12 school on 91st St in Manhattan. I have advanced degrees in theology from the University of Notre Dame and Fordham University. My wife and I met singing with the Oratorio Society of New York. We have three children and live in Port Washington, New York."

Mimi received her Bachelor of Science degree from NYU Stern School of Business. She lives in Williston Park with her husband. Her son is a culinary student at Johnson & Wales University.

MS. SILVANA FARINA LATIN AND ITALIAN Silvana Farina grew up and studied in Italy. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Bari with degrees in Latin and Italian Literature, she later earned an M.A. in Publishing from the College of

MR. JOSEPH DeMERIT HISTORY "I grew up in Port Washington, WI. I majored in history and played football at Dartmouth College. I taught at a small boarding school in

St. Caterina da Siena - University of Pavia. In order to teach in public schools in Italy, she completed a special program in Pedagogy. She will teach Italian and will start the Latin program in the upper school bringing her experience to the U.S. 17

SR. MONICA MARIE LYNK, O.P. Sr. Monica Marie has joined both the theology and math departments in the upper school. This is her eighth year as a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. She grew up in Texas and felt called to religious life from a very young age. Sister earned her B.S. in Education from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She is teaching geometry along with 9th and 10th grade theology.

The Church and Schools of St. Mary Welcomes New Parochial Vicar and Chaplain FR. DOMINIK WEGIEL

SR. MARY MAGDALENE, O.P.

"I am the associate priest here at St. Mary’s and

A Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, she professed her vows in 2002. Sister has received various degrees, mainly in Theology and Liberal Arts, from the University of Pamplona, Spain, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Providence College, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome. She considers it a privilege to have served in the apostolate of teaching high school in Michigan, Arizona, Florida, and Illinois. She is happy to be among the first Sisters coming to the diocese of Rockville Centre! She looks forward to bringing the fruits of her travel, studies, and contemplation of Christ to her students at St. Mary’s College Preparatory School in Manhasset where she teaches Spanish and Theology.

the Chaplain for St. Mary’s Elementary School and High School. I was born, along with my twin brother Kacper, on August 1st, 1992. I am a first generation American as my parents, Stanislaw and Iwona Wegiel came from Krakow, Poland back in 1990. I grew up in Maspeth, Queens and I attended Holy Cross Parish. In 2014, I graduated

MR. CÉSAR GONZÁLEZ

from Stony Brook University with a degree in

César has joined our St. Mary’s Modern Languages department this year and is teaching Spanish in Elementary and High School. He has a Bachelors and Masters in Communications from two of the top universities in Colombia, including the most prestigious Jesuit, “Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.” He played Water Polo, representing his country in several international tournaments, and was part of the South American Championship team in 1982. César created and taught specialized Spanish courses for law, health and finances professionals and institutions. He is a photographer and published writer with articles in regional Spanish newspapers and Catholic publications.

Applied Mathematics and Economics. During my time in college, I was involved with the Newman Club where my faith and intellectual life began to flourish. In my junior year in college, I had a profound prayer experience and felt God calling me to the Priesthood. Right after college, I

SR. MARTIN THÉRÈSE, O.P.

applied for the Seminary with the Diocese of Rockville Centre. I went to the College Seminary

Sister Martin Thérèse, a member of the Dominicans Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and native of Canada, received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement for high school in history and social studies from Eastern Michigan University. She enjoyed four years assisting the novice mistress in the formation of the young Sisters, earned a master's degree in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, a Diploma of Spirituality from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas where she also studied philosophy, and worked full-time with the Sisters' most recent endeavor, Openlight Media (www.openlightmedia.com). Teaching a variety of grade levels since 2006, most recently Sophomore Theology in Austin, Texas, Sister is thrilled to be on Long Island in the Diocese of Rockville Center teaching middle school at St. Mary's in Manhasset.

in Douglaston and studied philosophy. After Douglaston, I then went to the Archdiocese of New York to attend St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. I studied theology for four years and received my M.Div. and M.A in Theology. I have done pastoral work in St. Christopher’s Inn, which is a Drug Rehab facility, Sloan Kettering Hospital,

SR. MARY DOMINIC, O.P. Sister Mary Dominic is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Originally from Minnesota, she entered religious life in 2013 and professed her final vows in July 2021. She taught at an elementary school in Phoenix previous to coming to serve in New York. She is thrilled to have the privilege of serving in the Diocese of Rockville Centre and of bringing the souls of her students closer to Christ at St. Mary’s Elementary School where she teaches math and religion.

and Campus Ministry in Manhattan College. Prior to Ordination, I served as a Deacon in St. Agnes Cathedral. This past summer on June 19, 2021, I was ordained a Catholic Priest of Jesus Christ by Bishop Barres and now I am assigned to St. Mary’s Church here in Manhasset. It is a great joy to be here and I am excited to bring God’s presence, peace, and love to this community."

WELCOME, NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS Cara Midwinter is honored to be a part of the St. Mary's Alumni Board since St. Mary's will always hold a special place in her heart! Cara graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. She is now a pediatric Registered Nurse at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. “I enjoy finding new restaurants with friends and I love living in the DMV area as there is so much to do and explore,” Cara says, “and I am excited to travel more in the future. Go Gaels!” “Hi! My name is Jaanki Shah. I graduated from St. Mary’s in 2015! After high school, I attended the New York Institute of Technology for a 7 year B.S./ D.O. program to get my medical degree. Currently, I have just begun my final year of medical school. I am so thankful to have been asked to join the St. Mary’s Alumni Association. St. Mary’s had taught me so much and helped me to build a strong foundation for my future and I am grateful to now be able to pay a little of that forward.”

“As alumna of both St. Mary’s Elementary and High School, I am honored to be a part of the Alumni Association.” – CARA MIDWINTER '12, '16 20

TJ Hoban is a 2011 graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He loved his high school experience at St. Mary’s and is happy to get involved again as an alum on the Alumni Board. TJ graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island in 2015 with a B.S. in Marketing. He had a radio show on WDOM

91.3 called “TJ yo DJ Live from Friartown”, was a Senior Class Representative on Student Congress, the Marketing Chairperson for Student Alumni Association, and was on the Sailing Team. He now serves as an Alumni Ambassador for his class year like he does at St. Mary’s. TJ travels frequently between his hometown in Port Washington, NY and NYC. His Dad, and other relatives were alums of St. Mary’s and he was happy to follow in their footsteps and attend the high school as well. TJ loves reconnecting with former classmates over the years and still stays in touch with some of his closest friends. He entered the media industry in a variety of roles in the Ad sales realm, ranging in Digital, Ticket Sales, and Photo Licensing. He then transitioned into the Film and TV Industry Acting, Writing, and Producing various projects in the Greater NYC area. He was featured in a Short Film titled “Spirits” directed by Robert T. Maisano that was accepted into numerous Film Festivals during COVID, and was a featured waiter in Pop Star Dua Lipa’s Latest Music Video “We’re Good,” and was on the CBS hit show “FBI” to name a few. TJ writes, “God writes a straight path with crooked lines and I am happy he has brought me back to my alma mater.” In his spare time he enjoys reading and writing, spending summers at the beach, playing golf, photography, exploring/

traveling to new places (especially after last year) and reconnecting with friends. "I hope everyone is healthy and safe in the St. Mary’s Community,” he writes. “Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and on Instagram, @liandnycliving and @tjhobz." For Vincent de Venoge, “St. Mary’s has always been a second home to me. After graduating from SMES in 2010 and SMHS in 2014, I went on to graduate from Clemson University’s School of Business in 2018 with a B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Management. Since graduating from Clemson, I have been working at WarnerMedia in Ad Sales for Turner Broadcasting’s Entertainment, Sports, and Emerging Consumers properties and I love it! I’ve been with the company for just about 3 years now. In my time off, I’m a die-hard sports fan (Let’s Go Mets). I love to travel, and love spending time with my family, especially with my goddaughter Virginia!”

Jaanki Shah '15

TJ Hoban '11

Vincent de Venoge '10, '14

ON THE COVER

Carrying Forward the Torch of Truth: Scholarship Giving at Saint Mary’s

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED AT ST. MARY’S Chapdelaine Scholarship Confort Foundation Scholarship Costarino Family Memorial Scholarship Denihan Scholarship Keepnews Scholarship Msgr. McCann Scholarship Our Lady of Fatima HS Scholarship Our Lady of the Rosary ES Perrotta Gioia Memorial Fund Principal’s Scholarship The Brother Kenneth Robert Scholarship The Christopher Valentine Memorial Scholarship The Don Monti Scholarship Fund The Gorman-Schatz Family Scholarship The Janet Barth McHale Memorial Scholarship The Joseph A. and Dorothy A. Salat Scholarship The Kathleen Fabio Scholarship The Kevin J. Dillon Scholarship The Martinez-Fonts Family Memorial Scholarship The Mary Jane Surgala Scholarship The Matteo Diaz Scholarship The Sister Jean Drummond Memorial The Smollen Family Scholarship The Timothy J. Coughlin Memorial Fund The William and Camille Ruggiero Fund Timothy Midwinter Memorial Scholarship William A. Daly Columbiettes

In his letter to the Don Monti Foundation, thanking them for their support, Matthew wrote of what an honor and a thrill it was for him to be considered worthy of such a scholarship. And he continued by describing how he means to turn his scholarship award to account. “Currently, I am a junior at the Schools of Saint Mary,” he wrote. “I am interested in building on the excellent grounding in the classical liberal arts and the Catholic faith that I am receiving at Saint Mary’s to pursue studies in computer science and finance. My ultimate goal is to become an entrepreneur by starting my own business and helping others. Beyond my academic work, I play on the basketball and cross-country track teams at the school. I am also an altar server at the Saint Mary’s Church, and I serve as a facilitator at the Rotary Youth Leadership Association Program.” Joella’s letter to the foundation was an equally impressive testament to how well she represents the Schools of Saint Mary. “Currently, I am a junior at the Schools of Saint Mary," she wrote; “and I am eager to build on the wonderful Catholic liberal arts education I am receiving at Saint Mary’s to pursue studies in Nursing and Real Estate. Since the Don Monti Foundation is committed to curing cancer as a part of its medical research, I am particularly grateful to them for choosing me as a recipient of their scholarship. Beyond my academic work, I am interested in the arts and musical theatre; I am team manager for the Girls Volleyball Team at the

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL GERARD BUCKLEY WITH JOYOUS SAINT MARY'S STUDENTS.

school; and I serve as a facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program.” By awarding such well-rounded, talented students academic scholarships, donors like the Don Monti Foundation give them the ability to focus on doing as well as they can in their current studies so that they can be thoroughly prepared for success in college and beyond. Generous scholarship gifts allow our students to realize their goals and make their dreams for the future a reality. Their dreams are our dreams! That so many of our alumni contribute so generously to our various scholarship funds testifies to their readiness to give to present and future students the same lifelong benefits they received when they were students at the Schools of Saint Mary’s. They know how ‘to give forward,’ as the saying is, to carry forward the torch of truth, the truth

of our shared Catholic faith and of our shared commitment to education grounded in the rich Catholic liberal arts tradition. If you are interested in naming a scholarship or making a donation to benefit a student in need of tuition assistance, please contact Mr. Edward Short in our Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Mr. Short's role as Vice President of Development includes cultivating scholarships such as those named on the opposite page. To learn more about these scholarships and their criteria, please visit saintmaryshs.org

EDWARD SHORT Vice President of Development eshort@stmary.ws 516-627-2711

St. Mary’s Achieves Success with In-Person Academic Year Despite the Pandemic THIS ARTICLE WAS A FEATURED FRONT PAGE STORY IN THE MANHASSET PRESS. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION BY ANTON MEDIA GROUP.

Saint Mary’s Elementary and High School decided to zig while everyone else zagged this past September. Their 2020-21 reopening plan consisted of having every student back in school on a full-time basis for synchronous learning. The architects of the master plan were high school Principal Gerard Buckley and elementary school Principal Sarah Griffin, along with a task force. St. Mary’s hired Perotta Consulting last summer, a firm specializing in threat mitigation and emergency operation planning, to help create and form their reopening plan for the school year. “Our first move was to identify key personnel who would make up our ‘task force’ in collaborating on important reopening decisions,” Buckley said. “Our joint task force included members of 24

the administration, facilities management, and our health staff. When we explored reopening, we discussed everything from an alternate day schedule, a hybrid model, to shortened days removing lunch and large gatherings, to full remote and then the current plan: in-person instruction for all who requested such. A survey of our community further solidified this need for full, in-person learning. We extensively evaluated our facilities and realized we could safely manage the entire N-12 student population on our campus. It was at this point that we also hired a consulting company specializing in pandemic threat mitigation to do a building survey and assist in the writing of our reopening plan.” When St. Mary’s finalized their plan to reopen, they communicated with parents through email and YouTube Live sessions that provided a way for parents to ask direct questions to administrators. They also appointed a COVID coordinator, so parents knew who to contact if they had any questions. St. Mary’s experienced an increase in enrollment this academic year due to two Diocese of Rockville Centre schools shutting down and also the attraction of providing inperson learning for all students. The increase in population within the same physical footprint presented challenges while also trying to keep

students 6 feet apart as mandated by the State. “There has been an increase in enrollment at St. Mary’s. Families are confident in the safety measures we put in place and value the Catholic Liberal Arts Education we can provide for our students,” Griffin said. “Our elementary school saw the largest increase, and a fair number of students joined the high schoolas well.” With their smallest cohort being seven students and the largest being 19, St. Mary’s hired 12 new staff members to deal with reduced class sizes and the increased enrollment.

They also enlarged their substitute teacher pool. Students had the option of going fully remote, with the flexibility to change each marking period. “In both the high school and elementary school, the class size was based upon maintaining proper distancing,” Buckley said. “The high school utilized larger spaces such as the gym and auditorium, and even the turf field. The elementary school converted unused space into classrooms to open up more sections and reduce normal class sizes.” St. Mary’s made it mandatory for all students and staff to wear a mask while on campus. In fact, they became part of their school uniform, and students received a St. Mary’s edition face mask. Mask breaks occur throughout the day at the teachers’ discretion, during lunch breaks and scheduled outdoor time for the students. “All students remove their mask for lunch where the tables are spaced at least 6 feet apart. In N-5 classrooms, students eat in their rooms, again spaced 6 feet apart,” Griffin said. In classrooms, the teachers provide breaks, alternating rows, and setting timers for students to switch. Whenever an in-class mask break occurs, the distance from the person removing the mask in addition to those keeping the mask on must remain 6 feet away.” While none of this is normal, changes and compromises were needed to get students fully back into school. St. Mary’s athletes experienced their fall and spring sports seasons with safety precautions in place, and they look forward to a full return to normality in September.

“Each day that we are in school together is truly a blessing considering the extended closure we all experienced last spring,” Griffin said. “Teachers and students alike are enjoying being together and learning while embracing the challenges and remaining hopeful

for the future. We look forward to celebrating the end of a trying yet successful academic year. We continue praying for all who were impacted by the virus and especially those we lost.” ORIGINAL STORY BY MARCO SCHADEN, ANTON MEDIA. PHOTOGRAPHY BY EILEEN SYMMONS, ST. MARY'S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS communications@stmary.ws

PTO and Gaels Parents’ Association – Our Inspired Volunteers We’re so grateful to our parents who are steadfast in their support of the Schools of Saint Mary. Both parent leadership organizations – the High School’s Gaels Parents’ Association and the Elementary School’s PTO – hosted a range of virtual fundraising events over the course of the school year. Both the Gaels and PTO sponsored monthly raffles and plant sales for their school communities to participate in. The PTO hosted the

Halloween Howl for students and the Virtual Take-A-Break fundraiser. The Gaels worked with Mr. Stalter to produce a Livestream “Springtime in Paris” Ladies Night Out program.

School, enthusiastically support the mission of the schools, with a singular focus – the education of our students. Thank you to all those who supported these events in so many ways!

With numerous smaller events throughout the year, parent leaders and volunteers of the Elementary School and High

OOL SAINT MARY’S HIGH SCH ATION PRESENTS GAELS PARENTS’ ASSOCI

Springtime in Paris SATURDAY | MAY 15, 2021

LIVESTREAM EVENT Printemps à

7:00 PM LIVE FROM CAMP

NT, FEATURING ENTERTAINME FABULOUS GRAND RAFFLE X PRIZES, DROP IN THE BO RE! RAFFLES, & MO LS DETAI WATCH FOR MORE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVIN

G YOU JOIN US!

CTLY VIRTUAL EVENT WILL DIRE ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS OOL AT ST. MARY’S HIGH SCH BENEFIT THE STUDENTS

2021 Take-A-Break Thanks to the dedicated work of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Take-A-Break Committee, our Take-A-Break virtual event this year was a wonderful success, garnering $100k. This year's Take-A-Break commemorated its 25th Anniversary with the theme of 'Together We Are Grateful'. We thank the many generous families, organizations and businesses that patronized the Take-A-Break Journal, which thanked our vital essential workers.

Thank you! Essential Workers grateful

Our Saint Mary’s Elementary School community feels beyond to all of our essential workers for their dedication in placing the safety and security of our children, teachers, and staff first! Each person worked tirelessly to ensure we would be as safe as possible and continue to allow our children to learn, interact, and thrive each day. THANK YOU! FACILITIES

VINCENT HARTLEY

ROSA DOMINGEZ

JAY FULLINGTON

MIGUEL CARBAJAL

DOROTA KOSTYRA

CECILLA LOPEZ

OSCAR LOPEZ

JOSÉ HERNANDEZ-MARTINEZ

MARVINE MORA

CARLOS PORTILLO

MARIA SANDOUAL

EDDIE SANTIAGO

ARNOLD SANTOS

RICK SCHNEIDER

Grazie!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SARAH GRIFFIN

EDITH PORTILLO

SECURITY

OFFICE

CATHY MAGUIRE

EILEEN WOLF

BRENDAN BRADY

CARMINE RANDAZZO

HEALTH

SHAZ PANZIK

Our Unsung Heroes of St. Mary’s 28

Athletic Program Middle School Updates St. Mary’s Elementary School Athletics Program is a competitive program which requires commitment to both games and practices. The girls Lacrosse team is comprised of girls from 6th to 8th grade. The team met three times a week for practice and games, in which we practiced team building skills, stick handling skills, endurance, and competed against other Catholic schools on Long Island.

Girls Lacrosse is in the Catholic Middle School Athletic Association. After a year of many obstacles, the Middle School sports program started back up this past spring. The season in itself was a triumph for the coaches and boys since there were many doubts about having sports at all for this school year. Although the St. Mary’s boys struggled to find a number in the win column, their excitement to play sports again was

the highlight of the season. Many thanks to our dedicated parents and Athletic Director Anthony Calzetta for organizing a successful spring sports season.

Coach Panetta Helps to Lead the Chaos Lax Club to Victory in the Premier Lacrosse League Championship Game Congratulations, Coach Panetta! We couldn’t be more proud to have you teaching in our classrooms and leading us on the field as our head coach at St. Mary’s. Your dedication to the students and your athletes is a testament to your faith in action. We wish you continued success and leadership in the game of lacrosse. In his life off-campus, Coach Panetta is an assistant coach and serves as the offensive coordinator for the Chaos Lax Club, which defeated the Whipsnakes during the September 19 Premier Lacrosse League’s 2021 Championship game held in Washington, DC. Televised on NBC Sports, the game was a thrilling end to the season. According to the station’s highlight reel, “Chaos completed their Cinderella run to the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League crown, putting together a dominant performance on both sides of the field to dethrone the two-time defending champion Whipsnakes 14-9.” With Coach Matt Panetta’s storied history in the lacrosse world, being a part of this professional organization further demonstrates his love for the game. Coach Panetta’s passion for the sport includes his unique combination of playing and coaching at all levels, which has given him a perspective and insight few people can match. A 3X All-American at Johns Hopkins University, All-Star and All-Pro honors with the NLL and MLL, Coach Panetta is also a member of the LI Metro Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame. His career at St. Mary’s spans 18 years as an English teacher while serving as director of summer programs, boy’s lacrosse camp coach, and head lacrosse coach for the boy’s varsity team. Congratulations again to one of St. Mary's leading lights!

St. Mary’s Summer Programs Returned for Summer 2021 After taking a hiatus due to the coronavirus, the St. Mary's Summer Programs returned triumphantly to campus this past summer. According to the school's athletic director, Patrick Welsh, the enrollment of campers reached a new high. The camps offered this past summer were Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Basketball, Soccer, AllSports, Speed and Conditioning, and Dance/Cheer.

were already celebrating their ability to return to camp this summer amid the pandemic! Our new school chaplain, Fr. Dominik Wegiel, and Schools of St. Mary President, former President, Dr. Joseph McCleary greeted Norvel. It was a special treat for all to meet the 6'10" center and watch him slam dunk on our home court!

Norvel Pelle of the New York Knicks made a special stop in Manhasset over the summer to meet the children attending our Saint Mary's Basketball Camp. While on campus, Pelle took time to assist the school's basketball coach, Ira Hunt, run drills and speak to the children about the sport and the importance of being a team player. There were many extra-happy campers in the Br. Kenneth Robert, FMS Gymnasium, who

Commencement Exercises for the St. Mary’s High School Class of 2021

Elementary School Class of 2021 Celebrates 95th Anniversary of the School

Longtime Parishioners and School Community Members to Receive Honor at Parish Gala on Saturday, October 30, 2021

“If you are open to the call of God, He will give you the tools you need to do His work.” – CAROL DUNNING

Service to community and neighbor comes with incredible ease to these longtime parishioners of the Church of Saint Mary and parents of three graduates of both the Elementary and High School of The Schools of Saint Mary. Carol and Brian Dunning may appear on paper to be a dynamic duo with high powered positions and educational pedigree, but this is not at all how they would characterize themselves. In fact, neither of them spends too much time dwelling on appearances but much more time thinking about what they could do to serve their parish.

the pastor of Saint Mary’s, and Dr. Celeste Checchia, the principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School. And so began their steadfast commitment of service to the Church and Schools of Saint Mary’s in Manhasset.

Carol and Brian met in law school at Boston College in 1987 after having attended The University of Pennsylvania and Tufts University, respectively. Prior to that, Carol attended The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and Brian attended MacArthur High School on Long Island. Soon after law school they were married and settled in Princeton, New Jersey with jobs in New York and Philadelphia. The Dunnings moved to Tribeca in 1994, where their two eldest children, Megan and Colin were born, followed by Brooklyn Heights in 1999. In 2002, after their youngest child Eamon was born, they moved to Manhasset and settled in Munsey Park.

The Dunning children Megan, Colin, and Eamon, all attended Saint Mary’s Elementary School and High School, from which they graduated. Carol has served for several years as a Eucharistic Minister, both at the Church and the Bristal Assisted Living community. She is a past chairperson of the High School Advisory Board, served on the High School Gaels’ Parents’ Association Leadership Committee for ten years, and was a member of the Elementary School Board and for two years served as the Elementary School PTO Vice President. Carol is also a member of the Rosary Society and volunteers her time with the RCIA program. Brian has served for several years as a lector and is a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and Pastor’s Strategic Advisory Committee.

Once in Manhasset, they realized that they wanted a Catholic education for their children and quickly came to know the late Monsignor John J. McCann, then

It is almost hard to tell which is their full-time job: service to the Parish of

Saint Mary or their legal practices. Carol is the General Counsel to Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty and Brian is a founding Partner of Dunning Rievman LLP, President Emeritus of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, volunteer legal advisor to the Holy See Mission to the United Nations. In either case, The Church of Saint Mary is the grateful beneficiary of their incredible resources of spirit, faith, time and treasure. Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo, Pastor of The Church of Saint Mary says, “Carol and Brian will receive the Magnificat Award at our Parish Gala on October 30, 2021, at Plandome Country Club. They are emblematic of the meaning of this award in that they have answered “yes” to the call of Our Lord Jesus Christ in service and faith. I cannot be more delighted to be presenting this honor to such a faithful couple and family.” Above all else, Carol and Brian believe it is the responsibility of Catholics to be examples of the Gospel teachings and to participate in educating souls and defending our faith. Carol is drawn to a teaching that says, ‘Jesus doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.’ She notes, “If you are open to the call of God, He will give you the tools you need to do His work.” For more information on the event, please contact Sean Collins in the Church of St. Mary Office of Development at 516-627-4605 or email scollins@stmary.ws.

“We work to involve all stakeholders in order to maximize student potential by providing extensive academic counseling, character development, and individualized college counseling.” – JESSICA KEMP ’06 GUIDANCE COUNSELOR/AP COORDINATOR

College Acceptances 2021 ADELPHI UNIVERSITY

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

BOSTON COLLEGE

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

--BS/MBA 3+1 PROGRAM

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

RENSSELAER UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

CANISIUS COLLEGE

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY

CASE WESTERN RESERVE

SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

SVA

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

SIENA COLLEGE

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

THE SOPHIE DAVIS SCHOOL

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

OF BIOMEDICAL EDUCATION

ELON UNIVERSITY

ST. BONAVENTURE

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

SUNY COLLEGE AT GENESEO

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN INDIANA UNIVERSITY

“The school counselors at St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School are an integral part of the school, providing a comprehensive and developmental counseling program for our diverse set of students. As a department, our goal is to facilitate development through a student-centered approach to ensure every St. Mary’s student graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for college and career success and personal growth.” – Christopher McDermott Director of College Counseling

TEXAS A & M OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

IONA COLLEGE ITHACA COLLEGE LAFAYETTE UNIVERSITY LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MANHATTAN COLLEGE MARIST UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND -COLLEGE PARK UMASS AMHERST UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MICHIGAN STATE MOLLOY COLLEGE NEUMANN UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 42

OPEN HOUSE for ADMISSIONS

Alumni Notes 1953

JIM FITZPATRICK married Ginny August 2019. He has good health, but has decided not to count 2020 in his age! He is enjoying life in Florida. JOAN MORTENSEN became an RN, she was working for an anesthesiologist. A patient asked her where she went to school. Joan told the patient about St. Mary’s grade school and high school. The patient replied “You are a brain. Only brains graduate from St. Mary’s.” The patient then asked, “why didn’t you tell me you went to St. Mary’s?”

1956

Join us to learn about our Catholic faith community, liberal arts curriculum, and extracurricular offerings.

THURSDAY, OCT. 28, 2021 | 7:00-9:00 PM TOURS ARE BY RESERVATION ONLY. PLEASE VISIT SAINTMARYSHS.ORG TO SCHEDULE YOUR TIME. ALL COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WILL BE OBSERVED.

Saint Mary’s High School A college preparatory high school in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

51 CLAPHAM AVENUE, MANHASSET, NEW YORK 11030 SAINTMARYSHS.ORG | 516 627 2711 44

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. NORMA STAFFORD, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AT EXT. 1084 OR NSTAFFORD@SAINTMARYSHS.ORG.

PAT PRYOR KEISERMAN reports her 12-year-old self would not believe how happy she was to get not one but two shots! The longawaited vaccines finally arrived. Her youngest granddaughter Violet arrived in February 2020 just before the pandemic hit, so she was able to see and hold her for the first few weeks. Her oldest granddaughter Kathryn went off to the College of William Mary that August. Thank goodness for FaceTime and Zoom that keeps them all connected. Pat is looking forward to the time -- soon, she hopes -- when we can be with those we love and hug them. EDWARD MORAN writes, “After 60+ years in the New York/New Jersey area, we finally moved to Daniel Island, South Carolina which is basically a suburb of Charleston. It was tough cutting the longstanding

business and social ties but it was made somewhat easier by the fact that things had changed so much in the old neighborhood in June when we moved. Due to COVID, there was no opportunity for farewell get-togethers and, ironically, no opportunity for introductory get togethers in South Carolina. Since we intend to spend summers in Ocean City, Maryland area, we have high hopes of heading back to the old neighborhoods for some family/ friends reunions this summer when COVID hopefully loosens its grip. Other than a longstanding Super Fund trusteeship for the State of New Hampshire, I'm finally getting to contemplate what this retirement business might be all about and whether I can stand it.”

1959

JUDI BETTS is on the board of directors for Suffolk County Boy Scouts of America and had a fundraiser honoring Michael J. Dowling and his life work at her home. There were fifty guests with a matching funds program making $50,000 for the Boy Scouts.

1960

PAUL MURPHY retired in April 2011 after forty years practice in internal medicine. He lives two blocks from his daughter, her husband, and two grandsons in West Orange, New Jersey. Paul takes a course per semester at Seton Hall. He is currently taking a course in the history of the Middle East. He goes

to the gym and plays guitar almost daily. Paul is looking forward to golf at Plandome with Richie Maikis, Charley Rufe, and Tom Reilly, an alumni event. Paul sees Tom Reilly often. He has six children all doing well. One librarian, computer consultant, teacher/writer, teacher, musician/behavior manager with autistic student/and air force lieutenant. His first granddaughter, Molly Murphy Knudsen, was born on 2/8/15. Paul will be staying with his daughter and her husband in Florida for two months to help out. He is enjoying singing while walking her when they need a rest. His two grandsons Pablo Murphy Torres and Liam Murphy Torres are delighted to have a new cousin. Paul doesn’t know what makes him feel older: the fact that his oldest is 46 or that Willie Mays is in his 80s, or that his oldest grandson is a freshman in college. He thinks it's probably the last since he remembers pushing his grandson around Boston in his stroller. Paul moved to Safety Harbor, Florida two years ago following his mantra of follow the grandchildren. He lives in the same town as his daughter who is a writer/editor. His five-yearold granddaughter keeps his spirit young and his body aware that it is no longer young. Paul volunteers for hospice and keeps playing guitar. He looks forward to the 55th reunion if they have one.

1962

PHILIP FEICK is retired.

JOSEPH MANNO is happily retired with 5 horses, two dogs and 200 acre horse farm in western North Carolina.

Festival in East Randolph, New York. He has done the Adirondack Marathon every September since 2001, but was cancelled in 2020.

JIM MERKEL served twenty one years in the Air Force during the Cold War, Minuteman Missile System. He taught middle school (6th – 8th grade) for nineteen years. Three of his students became priests! Several students advanced to Washington DC for the National History Day Competition.

JOHN WALSH has been living in Hawaii for the last 30 years.

1963

MARGARET REUSCH BOE is retired.

1964

JOHN F. REIN is a retired EVP of a technology company. His wife and he have two wonderful grandchildren. They enjoy their homes on the North Fork of Long Island and Captiva, Florida.

1966

ROBERT COYNE retired from the County of Nassau and currently consults one day a week for Nassau County in Bethpage. He is married to Nancy and has four children, Anne Marie, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Thomas. Nine grandchildren: Ashley Anne and Anthony born on May 25, 2008; Oliver on May 1, 2013; Christine on May 27, 2013; Aidan on October 3, 2016; Owen on December 13, 2016: Nicholas on December 7, 2018, Summer on August 19, 2019: and Joseph Jay on August 2, 2020. Robert was able to get some traveling done in 2020. He drove out to Pasco, Washington for the birth of his youngest grandchild with a stopover in Utah to hike up to Delicate Arch. After much searching he found a ''real'' marathon to run in September, Amish Country Running 46

1968

JOSEPH MARINO graduated from the University of Detroit in 1973 with a Masters in Engineering. He served in the Air Force for 24+ years, living in California, New Mexico, and Washington, DC area, finally retiring in 1998 as a Lt Col. He worked for a small aerospace engineering firm for eight years; retired in 2007. Joseph is currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1969

JIM D’ORTA is excited to celebrate his triplets 13th Birthday on August

1970

MARYELLEN (LOCHER) MULLINYONKERS reports, “This past year has been difficult in many ways. We've missed spending treasured time with family and friends. Recently my whole family, after all had been vaccinated, got together to celebrate that very fact - it was joyful! (See photo). I'm looking forward to my 50th Reunion in September to celebrate with my classmates!”

The Class of 1970 had a virtual Zoom reunion on January 31, 2021. We had about 25 people in attendance. In the words of our dear classmate, Joe Giaccone, “To have seen and spoken to classmates for the first time in half a century is nothing short of wondrous.” We look forward to another reunion this year.

1971

5. A.J., Cubby and Maryrose are looking forward to becoming teenagers.

KATHLEEN MAURER SMITH is an interim assistant vice president for academic affairs at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. She and her husband, Mike, will celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in June.

1972

GERARD BUDD writes, “Class of 1972!! Many great memories of a very ‘Memorable’ Class!! Still

practicing medicine after forty years in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida!! Married for thirty-five years with three grown children and three grandchildren. Kept in touch with Brother Donald Richard, our principal for many years. Hope we can have a 50th Reunion!!!”

in Fort Lauderdale...The Seagate! Cheers.

1977

GARY NELSON an architect for the

1980

CHRISTINE (KRYSTEEN) HAMILTON (WESCOTT) a working actress and retiring from JetBlue Airways. She is temporarily in Phoenix due to COVID working for NCL.

1976

RAYMOND (RAY) HAYES lived in New Hyde Park during high school and went on to Boston College after graduation. He has lived in various spots in the USA, but made it back to the east end in Westhampton for over twenty years and upon marrying in 2001 settled nearby in East Moriches. Some of his fondest memories stem from the fantastic buddies and cohesiveness they had as they jelled in their junior and senior years. He is ever so grateful as these friendships still remain today. After Boston College he became a United States Air Force pilot which led to a fabulous airline career as well as the opportunity to defend our great nation during Operation Desert Storm. Ray eventually grew up just enough to marry a Navy flight surgeon he met on Catholic Singles who had not only the guts to marry him, but move from the nirvanas of San Diego to Long Island where they happily have been raising two daughters and a son. The world has changed so much since his days of history with George Lamb, running along Shelter Rock Road for Ed Tracey and attending detention sessions with Kubba. Man, those were some great times. One for the record was an Easter road trip where Lou Bennincasa, Frank Hone, Dave Daily, and Ray drove to Florida in the "Nova'' to rendezvous with other future St. Mary's alumni at what we eventually discovered

New York; senior member Capital District Baseball Umpire Association, Albany, New York.

1985

DINA MARINELLO (JUDGE) married Michael Judge (5/30/92) and celebrated their twenty-eighth this year. They have two beautiful children, Shannon Lily (20) and Michael Philip (14). They reside in Mineola, New York. Dina is still in close contact with many of her St. Mary's friends.

1986

city of Phoenix, Arizona. He recently served as owner representative for the Phoenix Suns (Talking Stick Resort Arena) $230,000,000 renovation. He was elected vice president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) West Region and featured in the organization's magazine 'NOMA Voices', In March he was featured in the USA Today Storytellers Series Segment: “I am Black.”

MATTHEW HILL is a cyclist, BJJ blackbelt, former professional luthier and music industry guy, now making a living in the bike business.

1987

KRISTIN (RUSSO) GOMEZ reports her oldest son Patrick graduated from the University of Dallas (May 2020) and married Miranda Lozano on December 5, 2020.

1979

ROBERT J. MCLAUGHLIN is a member and engineer for the Fort Hunter Volunteer Fire Department, Guilderland, New York, of Counsel, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP Albany, New York; adjunct professor, School of Business at Siena College, Loudonville, 47

She is also a huge superhero fan and three years ago, she was approached by Routledge (after a workshop presentation she created on Batman's Journey as a Homicide Survivor) to develop an academic and clinical textbook, with also stories from the bereaved, on the use of modern superhero narratives to teach theories, principles and practices of bereavement

1990

PETER HARLICK shares that in October 2020 members of the class of ’89 and ’90 got together on what has become an annual deep sea fishing trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Pictured are Mike Rutigliano ’89, Mike Lamaina ’90, Frank Darcy ’90, Pete Harlick ’90, Joe Donovan ’90 and Chris Flynn ’90. These alumni are still making memories and sharing stories of their time at St. Mary’s!

1991

BRYAN BOETTCHER is married to Amanda with three children - Ashley, Grace, and Katelyn. They are living in Columbus, Ohio.

1993

MAUREEN BRADY (COYLE) has been living in California since 2015. K. JOY CAVANAGH-ROSS completed her Masters in Educational Technology from Fairfield University. She is a technology executive at

JIMMY BLAKE and DREW MILLER have a weekly golf game where they talk about their time at St Mary’s. And despite his best efforts, Drew has yet to beat his classmates and hasn’t even broken a 100 yet!

1997

JASON NACINOVICH is living in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. He is an owner of Hop Barons (www. hopbarons.com) which is a BBQ rub and spice company that uses their own grown hops in their products. He also owns Hop Barons Kitchen (www.hopbaronskitchen.com), a commercial rental kitchen.

1998

ENGINE Group, senior vice president Global Strategy and Partnerships for EMX Digital. At home she is a devoted mother of two, Peter (9, 3rd grade) and Kate (5, Montessori Kindergarten). They are living in Fairfield, Connecticut. ROB DUNPHY, JOHN MORRISSEY, 48

JILL HARRINGTON-LAMORIE, DSW, LCSW has Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and did her undergraduate work at The Catholic University of America (Masters in SW at Adelphi). She has been a clinical social worker, adjunct professor, and researcher for over twenty years. Her area of focus has been on trauma, loss, and bereavement. Jill was the lead field researcher for the National Military Family Bereavement study - the first congressionally mandated federal research project studying bereavement in military families.

(particularly counseling). The book focuses on the transformative power of loss and as well as the concept of post-traumatic growth. It also includes stories from the bereaved and their own hero's journey and growth through profound grief and loss. STEVE MORIN shares that Grayson Morin was born Feb 17 at 2:30pm in San Francisco, California. Jessica and Grayson are happy and healthy.

2000

SHARLENE THAMPI writes, “I live (and have always lived) in New Hyde Park, New York. My fondest memories include enjoying science lab classes with Mr. Klement and participating in various clubs like SADD and Science/Health Clubs after school. I have not been affiliated with the military, but I do truly

support their services in protecting our country. I started my freshman year at SMHS in the Fall of 1996, but later transferred to Martin Van Buren High School in my sophomore year. I graduated in August 2000. I went to India for a change of location for my undergraduate studies in nursing. I completed my Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (which is the equivalent of an Associates Degree in Nursing) in 2004 from India. I came back and worked a year as an LPN at Coler-Goldwater Memorial Hospital, Roosevelt Island from 2007-2008. I got married and started preparing for my RN boards, and passed in November 2009 with the birth of my firstborn son Melvin. Soon after I had my second son Mathew, I got divorced. In the meantime, I went back to work as an RN at Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. I also decided to go back to school for my graduate degrees. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing: magna cum laude in July 2015 from Kaplan University, Master of Science in Nursing Education in October 2018 from Grand Canyon University, and my Doctorate of Nursing Practice-Healthcare Systems and Leadership in December 2020 from Chamberlain University College of Nursing. I am still working at Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation as a ventilator and respiratory step-down nurse due to my personal preferences. I hope to work in the ICU unit of a city hospital (under Health and Hospitals Corporation) in the future so I can obtain experience in critical care. In the meantime, I am catching up on various nursing certifications and participating in health educational events. I also like to hang out with my family and friends. My hobbies

include: cooking, travelling, watching movies (all types), scrap booking, journalling, etc.”

2002

ALICE JUNG declares 2020 was a year of grounding. She writes, “We stayed home the entire year like many people across the planet, but we spent the year doing what we would never have the time to do: homesteading. In spring, we started first with growing seeds indoors and creating an outdoor garden. By summer, we got chickens, built a coop, and eagerly hoped for eggs. As autumn leaves began to fall, we foraged wild mushrooms and camped in our backyard gazing up at the stars. I never thought stars were visible in the NY metro area until that moment. As the days got darker, we spent Christmas alone at home for the first time in our lives. No holiday shopping or party hopping. This year was by no means easy. It was a drastic change in lifestyle. But like the changes of

safety of our family and friends in the community as we embark on a new year.” VERONICA QUINN shares that she and her husband started a hot sauce company. They are currently featuring their truffle hot sauce and more sauces to come in the future. Follow them on Instagram for Facebook - 516 Hot Sauce.

2004

JESSICA RIOS RIVERA reports, “My husband and I welcomed our first child on 2/1/21. Charlotte Reese Rivera joined us amid our New York snow storm two weeks early.”

2006

CHRISTOPHER SANTARELLI is engaged to Rachel Leonard of State College, Pennsylvania in March 2021. In February of 2021, Christopher was promoted to vice president at Marino, a New York-based public affairs and strategic communications agency. His clients have included Cushman & Wakefield, McDonald’s, Ashkenazy Acquisitions Corporation, and Knotel.

2007

seasons, we adapted with gratitude and enjoyed a lifestyle we would have never thought to experience had we not been forced to stay at home. We pray for the continued

ANTONIO ALFONSO has lived in Queens ever since graduation but has moved from Bayside to Astoria. Some of his greatest memories at St. Mary's include his involvement on the Varsity Soccer team, the annual walk-a-thons, service as a senior in peer group counseling, and the general community that St. Mary's offered at the time. Since graduating in 2007, Antonio attended and graduated from Baruch College with a double major in Economics and Political Science while serving as president of the Undergraduate Student Government in his senior year. Since obtaining his diploma, 49

he has worked in roles within finance, technology, and politics. He is currently working as the political director of the Queens County Democratic Party.

In Memoriam The St. Mary’s community expresses its deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and classmates of the following deceased alumni and staff whose deaths were reported to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

2014

JADA D. QUINLAN is currently in her second year of the Long Island AuD Consortium Program of Adelphi, Hofstra, and St. John’s Universities. She started her first externship in the spring semester 2021, studying audiology.

Paul Lindner FACULTY

2018

AARYN TAFT accepted an offer for an internship at JP Morgan Chase for this summer! She is located in the New York office and is super excited about this opportunity!

Kevin J. Dillon 1990 REUNION

FACULTY Kevin J. Dillon was not only a beloved colleague but a true friend, a source of steadfast good counsel and a wonderful exemplar of unflagging generosity. As everyone who had the benefit of being with him over the years knows, Kevin gave of himself unstintingly. No one personified fidelity to God’s greatest commandments better than Kevin. He loved God with all his heart and all his mind and all his soul; and he loved his neighbor as he loved himself. For 40 years, he was an inspired and inspiring educator – teaching for 30 years at St. Mary’s in Manhasset and 10 years at Cathedral prep in Manhattan. His legacy of Christian dedication and Christian gentleness lives on in the many students he instructed and guided over the years and in the colleagues whose lives he enriched.

Paul Lindner was a member of the St. Mary’s family for over thirty years. Before working at St. Mary’s, Mr. Lindner worked in the Brooklyn Diocese for a number of years and also as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at St. John’s University. Mr. Lindner’s students always spoke of what a kind man he was, and how it brought him immense joy to share our faith with his students. Faculty members would tell you that Mr. Lindner was the teacher who would say hello to everyone and always ask how your day was going. He had a positive, cheerful attitude that shone inside and outside of the classroom. Mr. Lindner’s after school clubs, Music Club and Chess Club, were always an enjoyable experience for his students. His teaching reinforced the joy of learning in his students each and every day.

Joseph P. Ilnitzki FORMER FACULTY Joe Ilnitzki of Huntington Station, New York taught English and Computer Science for many years at St. Mary's, before ending his career teaching English at Bishop Verdot in Fort Meyers, Florida. Mr. Ilnitzki is fondly remembered as an inspiring teacher and an admirable colleague. On May 28, 2018, when American Legion Post 304, Manhasset held their annual Memorial Day Parade along Plandome Road., St. Mary’s parish and school community supported the Legion. Mr. Ilnitzki was one of those who carried the The Schools of Saint Mary banner through the streets of the town in support of the great works of the Legion, together with the school’s president and principals.

Remembering Timothy J. Coughlin on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 “’Who's that guy?’ That's what the copy shop clerk wanted to know when a customer came to pick up the funeral photos of Timothy Coughlin. That's what his wife, Maura, wanted to know when she first spotted his ‘big Irish face’ in a downtown bar. People were drawn to him before he even opened his mouth, often to tell a joke or display his distinctive vocabulary (‘Great lair!’ he would say to a host).

Anniversaries are often occasions of joy, but they can also be reminders of heartbreaks. The 9/11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. And left many families and friends of families devastated. On this, the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, we at St. Mary’s remember all of those from our own local community who lost their lives in the attacks, especially Timothy J. Coughlin. Everyone who ever met ‘Cogs’ had a good word for him – for his exuberance, his wit, his love not only of family and friends but of all the people whose paths he graced. Here are just a few of the many tributes from those who had the privilege of knowing him.

‘I called him a friendship hawk because he was just so good at circling back and seeing how friends were doing,’ said Frank Coughlin, one of his three brothers. Timothy was the kind of man who gave the towel guy at the gym his start on Wall Street. The doorman from the Coughlins' Upper East Side building was at the funeral. "I said something smug about how Timmy was so generous," Frank Coughlin recalled. "He said, `No, it wasn't that. It was that Timmy was my friend.' " “It's been years but I think about you all the time,” Frank Bice added. “Hoops at Plandome - you soaring through the air like Superman to block my shot. You and Johnny Driscoll racing in the play ground at St. Mary's. You running by me in football. Parking cars at Plandome and you driving off in the nicest car. …I met Pope John Paul II on three occasions. Every time he looked at me I thought of you - same intensity

and passion for life. I received the Timothy J. Coughlin Award at St. Mary's last year. Greatest honor of my life. Thank you, Tim, for your friendship, example, and spirit.” “At a memorial at my church this morning I received a card with the name Timothy John Coughlin - Age 42, New York, N.Y. - World Trade Center,” Sheree wrote with words that many who never knew Timmy will echo. “Although I never had the chance to know you or what your life was even like, I have the chance to pray for your family and I will include them in my prayers every day.” Since Timothy Coughlin was just one of those who lost his life on 9/11, we also wish to take this opportunity to remember and honor all of the others from our community who lost their lives. Now, and forever more, they remain in our hearts and in our prayers.

Taken from us on September 11, 2001 during the attacks in New York City against the United States of America. +

DECEASED PARISHIONERS OF THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY ROCO CAMAJ PAUL REAGAN CASCIO JOSEPH D. DICKEY, JR. ROBERT EATON JEFFREY EARLE LE VEEN CHRISTOPHER QUACKENBUSH DONALD ARTHUR ROBSON MICHAEL H. SEAMAN DONALD F. SPAMPINATO, JR. MATTHEW GILBERT VIANNA STEVEN A. GIORGETTI

DECEASED ALUMNI FROM ST. MARY’S ELEMENTARY /HIGH SCHOOL ROBERT J. BAIERWALTER ’75 THOMAS D. BURKE ’77, ’81 JAMES L. CONNOR ’77 KEVIN M. COSGROVE ’69, ’73 TIMOTHY J. COUGHLIN ’72, ’76 THOMAS P. HOLOHAN ’83 TIMOTHY C. KELLY ’77, ’81 MICHAEL V. KIEFER ’94 RICHARD D. LYNCH, JR. ’84, ’88 PETER J. OWENS, JR. ’77 ANTHONY PEREZ, JR. ’86

RELATIVES OF PARISHIONERS ARTHUR BARRY ALYSIA BASMAJIAN THOMAS D. BURKE STEPHEN PATRICK CHERRY JAMES L. CONNOR KEVIN M. COSGROVE TIMOTHY J. COUGHLIN JOHN F. ISKYAN TIMOTHY C. KELLY MICHAEL P. LUNDON SEAN LYNCH WILLIAM MINARDI EDWARD PAPA BART JOSEPH RUGGIERE DIANE M. URBAN We remember how they loved us in this world. We remember our Lord’s promise: we shall see them again. May they rest in God until we meet again. Amen.

Ways to Give to The Schools of Saint Mary Annual Fund Annual giving supports our current Elementary School and High School students. The annual fund goes directly to our operating budget and provides funds for current academic and extra-curricular programs including academics, athletics, performing arts, service programs, and technology. You may direect your gift to either the Elementary School, High School, or split it between the two. Every gift, of every amount, is valued and appreciated. To make a gift to the Annual Fund, go to: www.tinyurl.com/stmarysannualfund

Scholarships

Establishing a scholarship to support a student of our High School or Elementary School is a wonderful way to honor your own legacy as a St. Mary’s alum. It is also a great way to honor a beloved teacher or coach. You may establish a named, endowed scholarship from which an award is made to a student each year while the principal of your gift remains intact. To establish a named scholarship fund, please call the Office of Development.

Estate Gifts

Giving thanks for the blessings we have received and sharing those gifts with others are two cornerstones of our faith. A meaningful way to give back to our schools is by making a gift in your estate plan to St. Mary’s. There are many ways to easily make a planned gift. Please check with your financial advisor.

Parish

Gala

Honoring this Year’s Magnificat Award Recipients

C A R O L & B R I A N D UN N IN G

Matching Gifts

Many companies match their employees’ contributions to independent schools. You must initiate the process to double or triple your gift through your place of employment. You may need to contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations for required tax ID information. Below is a list of the organizations who generously matched the gifts of their employees this fiscal year: CHUBB Equifax, Inc. Fortress Investments Group LLC Goldmach Sachs & Co. Matching Gifts

Mutual of America State Farm Companies Foundation UBS US Bank Foundation

For further information about giving, please contact: The Schools of Saint Mary Office of Development & Alumni Relations 1300 Northern Blvd. Manhasset, NY 11030 516-627-4605 54

Carol and Brian Dunning have been a part of The Church and Schools of St. Mary for many years. They have three children, Megan, Colin, and Eamon, who went to both our Elementary School and High School. Carol has served for several years as a Eucharistic Minister, both at the church and the Bristal Assisted Living. She is a past President of the High School Advisory Board, she served on the High School Gaels’ Parents’ Association Leadership Committee for ten years, and she was a member of the Elementary School Board. She is also a member of the Rosary Society and volunteers her time with the RCIA program. Brian has served for several years as a lector and is a member of the parish Pastoral Council and Pastor’s Strategic Advisory Committee. All are welcome to come to the 2021 Parish Gala to salute the Dunnings!

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Non Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit No. xx xxxxxxx 1300 Northern Boulevard 1300 Northern Boulevard Manhasset, New York 11030 Manhasset, New York 11030

Administrators, faculty, staff, and clergy were on hand to welcome the Class of 2020 and their families back for our Administrators, faculty, staff, and clergy were on hand to welcome the Class of 2020 and their families back for our first-ever car parade in May! This was the first time students were back to the school since March 12, when the decision first-ever car parade in May! This was the first time students were back to the school since March 12, when the decision was made to discontinue classes on campus due to the global health crisis. was made to discontinue classes on campus due to the global health crisis.

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