Prep Magazine: Spring 2019

Prep

SAINT PETER’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SPRING 2019

Inspired to Inquire

Spring Transformations at Grand & Warren Spring at Grand & Warren ushers in a predictable cycle of events that prepares for the end of another academic year. Freshmen feel at home and morph into rising sophomores. Juniors angst over taking the SATs, as they receive their class rings they ponder their final year at Prep, distant as it may seem. Senioritis blossoms, and another Grand Gala raises money for scholarships. And then there is the start of spring sports and the rush from participating in baseball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, track and field, rugby and crew outdoors, freed from the indoor tyranny of winter. This year another Spring transformation has begun at Prep with the transition planning for a new President to assume the leadership of the school on July 1. This transformation is a first for Prep, as Kenneth J. Boller, S.J. concludes his six years of service as President and hands-off leadership to Dr. Michael A. Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, Prep’s first non-Jesuit President.

As with any historic change, this one may strike some as disruptive and unnecessary. Why, some may ask, tinker with a tradition of Jesuit leadership that has served Prep well for close to 150 years? As a member of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee that recommended Dr. Gomez be hired as Prep’s 28th President, I can attest that this change occurred without any prejudice to Prep’s Jesuit identity and cherished traditions. In fact, there was strong support on the Board and in the wider Prep family that whoever would succeed Fr. Boller should be well versed in Jesuit education and committed to see it continue to flourish at Grand and Warren. Dr. Gomez was chosen precisely because of his love for Prep and his distinguished track record in Jesuit education. He is the best person for the job – from a field of candidates that even included a few Jesuits.

Michael Gomez will assume the Presidency of a Prep that is not in crisis, and arguably in the best financial and academic shape that it has ever been. It is a Prep where the Jesuit mission thrives because of the creativity, commitment, and sacrifice of lay men and women who serve the school as faculty, administrators, staff, and generous benefactors in partnership with a small but dedicated group of Jesuits. His energy and vision struck us on the Board as ideal as we make the historic transition from a Jesuit President to lay leadership in this office.

Change, if it is not to be disruptive, has to be organic. It has to spring from the deep and most noble sources of someone’s character or an institution’s founding and guiding principles, values and traditions. In selecting Dr. Gomez to be our first non‑Jesuit President, the Board has respected the dynamics of such an organic transformation for the office of President. It is a transformation that has been underway in every Jesuit ministry since Vatican II ended in 1965. At that time the Jesuits heeded the call of the Council to help all Catholics deepen their baptismal identity as priests, prophets, and leaders in imitation of the Lord. We developed programs of lay leadership in the Church. And in subsequent decades, those lay leaders, men and women, have assumed positions of authority in many Jesuit ministries, from Provincial staffs to the Presidencies of Jesuit high schools and universities, to serving on and leading Boards of Trustees of Jesuit works.

Dr. Michael Gomez is in line with that gift of the Holy Spirit that is lay leadership in the Church. Inspired by the Gospel and Jesuit spirituality, Michael is a family man who has devoted his life to Catholic education. For this proud son of Grand and Warren, assuming the Presidency is a homecoming to the school that formed him as a young man, and that provided him with a vision of education as a young adult faculty member. The men and women of Prep set Michael Gomez on a career path that has taken him to other Jesuit schools in Omaha and Philadelphia where he has served with distinction as a teacher, coach, administrator and principal. His prodigious gifts as an educator in the Ignatian tradition are outdone only by his contagious enthusiasm and seemingly boundless energy. But could it have been any different from the puckish young man from Bayonne whose two older brothers preceded him at Prep, and who was the Class of 1991’s Marauder? Welcome home Dr. Gomez! The Jesuits look forward to working with you in our shared mission of forming men for others on the Jersey City waterfront, as we have done since 1872.

Claudio M. Burgaleta, S.J., Ph.D. Rector, Saint Peter’s Jesuit Community

SECTION CONTENTS

Prep

Cover Story 12

Volume 29 - Number 2 Spring 2019

Ken Boller, S.J. President

Jim DeAngelo, ’85 Principal

Mike Jiran, ’03 Editor John Irvine, ’83, P’11 Sports Editor Claudio Burgaleta, S.J. Chris Caulfield, ’03 Tom Comey Belkise Dallam Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 Jim Horan, ’70 Russell Jenkins RWR Photography Contributors

Inquiring Minds With an inquiry-based curriculum, and a new course sequence, Prep’s science department is teaching more science to more students – in a manner more tailored to each individual’s academic interests – than ever before.

Feature 8 Setting the Tone Before Ken Boller, S.J. bids farewell to Prep and becomes pastor of Saint Francis Xavier parish in Manhattan, he sits down with Jim Horan, ’70 to reflect on his years at Grand & Warren.

Mike Jiran, ’03 Additional Photography and Layout Prep Magazine is a publication of the Office of Communications of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School. It is distributed in print, free of charge, to Prep alumni, faculty, staff and parents, and online at spprep.org/prepmag Copyright © 2019, Saint Peter’s Prep. All publication rights reserved.

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To Whom Much is Given With his historic bequest, Frank Coyle, ’48 becomes the latest member of his class to lead by example.

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spprep.org

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facebook.com/spprep @SaintPetersPrep @spprep

16 5 Questions In addition to her duties as an upperclassman counselor, Belkise Dallam serves as Prep’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Alumni Relations: alumni@spprep.org or 201-547-6413 Communications: communications@spprep.org or 201-547-2308

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144 Grand A homecoming for Prep’s next president; Remembering Jan Butrym, ’01; A dean in turkey’s clothing helps feed area families for Thanksgiving.

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Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18 Select Photography Mace Duncan Ohleyer | Hotplate Original Design Concept

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17 Photo File A young English teacher surveys Grand & Warren from above. Two decades later, he’s about to return in a slightly different role.

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Sports A record-breaking Cross Country season; Soccer returns to HCIAL glory; Swimming and Indoor Track defend county titles (again!)

22 ON THE COVER: Logan Elliot, Josef Dirx, and Devan Quinn – all members of the Class of 2022 – measure the materials for their final lab practical in Tom Comey’s Chemistry Honors class.

(Photo by Tom Comey).

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Alumni Five new Legends of Prep; Classes of ‘44, ’57, and ’67 come home; regional reunion tour hits ten cities.

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A Homecoming for Prep’s New President Following the announcement last fall that Ken Boller, S.J., would step down at the end of the school year, the search began for Prep’s 28th president.

Prep’s board of trustees formed a committee, tasked with identifying a candidate with an outstanding record in education and rich appreciation and understanding of the Jesuit tradition, ready to build on Prep’s decadeslong growth trend and lead the school to still greater heights. It soon became clear that the face of Prep’s future was a face from Prep’s past: an alumnus, a former faculty member, and a former trustee. And so, following a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees, the board’s chair, Phil McGovern, ’76, P’11, announced that Dr. Michael A. Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, would assume the presidency, effective July 1.

“Dr. Gomez brings a record of achievement richly steeped in the Jesuit tradition, along with a true love of his alma mater,” McGovern wrote in a letter to the Prep community. “We have every confidence that he will lead with compassion and integrity, and will continue to drive Saint Peter’s Prep forward in innovative and strategic ways.” Dr. Gomez brings a diversity of experience and proven intellectual rigor to his new role at Saint Peter’s Prep.

He holds a B.A. in English from Providence College, an M.A. in English from SUNY Binghamton, an M.A. in Independent School Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and most recently a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1997, Dr. Gomez joined Prep’s English department, and over the next five years he would serve in numerous additional capacities – including freshman baseball coach and Walkathon moderator – before heading west to Omaha, where he became Assistant Principal for Student Affairs at Creighton Prep. Following this, he was appointed and served for 6 years as principal of St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia.

Dr. Gomez returns to Prep from Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, where has served as founding principal. Cristo Rey schools offer their primarily economically underserved students a blend of college preparatory coursework and corporate work internships. In this role, Dr. Gomez successfully built a strong faculty, created a vibrant value-based culture, and oversaw curriculum, athletics, student counseling, campus ministry, and college placement.

He worked closely with the Cristo Rey president and Board of Trustees to raise awareness of the school’s mission, build a robust donor base, and create and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners.

Prep’s incoming president is not shy about his enthusiasm for his alma mater. “I am thrilled to walk the corridors of144 Grand Street again and celebrate our rich tradition and foundation that is steeped in fierce love, an indomitable spirit, and an unwavering faith,” he said. “I am also excited to look ahead with a superabundance of hope and confidence of where we can go and what we can still become. While many things have changed in my life since my first period Latin class on my first day at Prep, what has never changed is my tremendous love for the school – our history, our people, our mission – and the gratitude and pride I have as a former student, teacher, board member, and now, president. With much joy and courage, I look forward to returning to the ‘house that built me.’”

McGovern expressed gratitude for the leadership of Fr. Boller “Over the past six years, Fr. Boller has overseen several major building initiatives, while enriching Prep’s high academic standards, increasing the endowment, and expanding the geographic scope of Prep students throughout the metropolitan area.”

Dr. Gomez will become the fifth alumnus to serve as president, and the first since the legendary Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62. He will also be the school’s first lay president – to date, all of Prep’s presidents have been Jesuit priests. This reflects a broader trend, ongoing among Catholic institutions in general, and Jesuit institutions in particular, of investing greater responsibility beyond the ranks of the clergy..

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Arrupe Week 2019: Homelessness Through a keynote lecture, displays around campus, a parents’ evening, a school Mass, and breakout sessions, Arrupe Week 2019 gave the Prep community an opportunity to examine the problem of homelessness in-depth and from a number of perspectives.

This year’s keynote speaker was Jim White, executive director of Covenant House New Jersey. Covenant House is a national organization that works with youth experiencing homelessness (ages 18-21), providing housing, food, immediate crisis care, and a variety of other essential services.

Mr. White shared experiences from more than 30 years in this ministry, and the journey of faith he has experienced in working with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

White acknowledged that his work has sometimes forced him to face uncomfortable situations and realities in order to see the fundamental good in all people. But in encouraging the Prep community to do the same, he recalled the story of Jesus encouraging Peter to join him in walking on the water, noting that sometimes we are called to put our doubts aside and “step

out of the boat.”

“We don’t always know the outcomes,” he said, “but we as men of faith don’t need outcomes. That’s God’s job. Our job is to step out in faith…to step out and act in love and courage. And the opportunities to do that are abounding.”

A parents’ evening during the week brought together about 20 Prep parents for dinner and discussion with Robert Johnson, an educator from Long Island who has previously experienced 17 years of homelessness. Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families were also on hand to share information about fostering and adoption – two paths out of homelessness for many young people.

The Friday of Arrupe Week began with Mass in the gym and continued with breakout sessions. During Mass, Tim Georgetti, ’19, a senior member of the Arrupe Week planning committee, offered a reflection on the connection between the season of Lent and the challenge to serve our brothers and sisters in need. He recalled his initial discomfort upon visiting the PARC shelter as a sophomore, as part of Prep’s Christian Service program, and how his assumptions and fears eroded as he interacted with the people at the shelter. Recalling Mr. White’s remarks, and looking ahead to the breakout sessions later that day, he told his fellow students this was their opportunity to “step out of the boat” or “at least dangle your feet over the side,” and come to a deeper understanding of homelessness and the people it affects. “We hope that by the end of the day, you will be ready to step out of the boat and help serve the homeless in your own personal way. Please

take that step with me, because with faith in Christ, the water will always be fine.”

ABOVE: Jim White, executive director of Covenant House New Jersey, delivered the keynote address. BELOW LEFT: Tim Georgetti, ’19, a member of the Arrupe Week planning committee, offered a reflection during the Friday Mass. BELOW RIGHT: Robert Johnson, an educator who was formerly homeless for 17 years, spoke with parents during an evening event.

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Jan Butrym, ’01: A Dear Friend & Colleague Last fall, Prep mourned the untimely passing of Jan Butrym, ’01, a longtime member of our Educational Technology staff. Jan’s kind demeanor, quick wit, and eagerness to share his expertise had made him a trusted and beloved figure at Grand & Warren for more than two decades, and his loss was felt profoundly in the school community.

Jan Butrym, ’01 (center) with Tom McGinty, ’71 and longtime colleague Dave Bailey, ’95 at the re-dedication of Mulry Hall last September.

From his first days as a Prep student in the fall of 1997, he quickly became known as a gifted computer technician, and in those early years of Prep’s developing IT infrastructure, he made himself available to classmates and adults alike in need of technical support. While studying at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Jan would often visit Prep after the day’s classes were completed, or even on weekends, to lend support as Prep worked to meet the technological demands of 21st century education.

In 2007, Jan officially joined Prep’s IT staff in a full-time role. It was a seamless transition that played a key role during the numerous construction projects that would take place over the following years, including one just completed this past September. While always well-known and wellrespected among his colleagues, the past several years had seen him become more familiar to students as well – particularly those participating in the burgeoning robotics program, or staffing the Chrome Depot in support of Prep’s 1:1 Chromebook initiative.

Prep principal Jim DeAngelo, ’85 remarked, “Jan’s impact on Prep, both as a professional and as a person, was profound. He was a great role model for both the students and his colleagues – a consummate professional and just ‘a great guy’ in every sense of that phrase. His presence on campus was a gift that we never took for granted.”

“In so many ways, Jan was the epitome of what any Jesuit institution in the world would hope for in its graduates,” added Ken Boller, S.J., Prep’s president. “Namely, a person of competence, conscience and compassion…a true ‘man for others.’”

Building Bridges that Span the Seas In the course of this school year, Prep has welcomed more than 75 international students to discover our own corner of the world at Grand & Warren. It began in September, with the fifth annual visit of students and teachers from Sant Ignasi in Barcelona (more recently, Prep students visited Spain during Easter break). Ten students and two teachers from Colegio de la Inmaculada in Lima arrived in January for a visit that included presentations to Prep’s sophomore class about life in Peru and at La Inmaculada (Prep students have the opportunity to visit Peru as part of a summer enrichment program).

The spring saw both a new experience – as 23 students from Rokko Junior-Senior High School in Kobe, Japan (pictured below left) shadowed Prep students for the day as part of a tour of Jesuit schools throughout the US – and a familiar one – the renewal of Prep’s biennial exchange with Clara-Fey-Gymnasium in Schleiden, Germany (pictured below right). The German Exchange began in the spring of 1985, and 34 years later, this cornerstone of Prep’s global education program is still going strong.

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A Below-Grade Upgrade Since Prep’s student lockers were relocated from the Mulry and Hogan basements to hallways around campus during the 2007-08 school year, the former Mulry locker room had sat mostly idle, its propensity for flooding rendering it suitable only for limited storage use. Extensive work under phase two of the Imagine campaign, however, remedied the longstanding flooding issues. This winter, in what could be considered the very last Imagine project, the newly dry basement became a workout space for a group not unfamiliar with water – Prep’s rowing team!

Hansen Earns (Another) Honor!

Adding to his numerous previous accolades, in April Prep athletic director and head football coach Rich Hansen (l.) was presented with the Msgr. Edward J. Larkin Award of Distinction at the Mercier Club’s Sportsman of the Year Award Dinner at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. The award is presented annually by this Catholic social organization to an individual who, by his or her character and achievement in the the field of athletics, is providing a worthy example of excellence. Presenting the award to Rich is event emcee Tim Reilly. Also pictured is son Rich III, ‘03, Prep’s assistant athletic director and assistant head football coach, who presented his dad at the dinner.

The award is named for the late Msgr. Ed Larkin, ‘30, who for years served as pastor of St. Cassian Parish in Upper Montclair.

Note: Prep Social Media A New Perspective While there are some authorized accounts and groups that focus on specific areas of Prep life (e.g. @sppathletics on Twitter, the Prep alumni group on LinkedIn, or class-specific Facebook groups), these are the only official accounts representing Saint Peter’s Prep as a whole: • • • • •

Facebook: Saint Peter’s Prep (@spprep) Twitter: @spprep Instagram: @SaintPetersPrep YouTube: Saint Peter’s Prep (spprep1872) LinkedIn: Saint Peter’s Prep (/school/saintpetersprep)

If you see another account on any of these platforms purporting to represent Saint Peter’s Prep, please know that Prep is not responsible for any content they may post. You may want to report such accounts to their respective platforms, or by emailing info@spprep.org.

Don’t forget to check out Prep’s official Instagram feed (@SaintPetersPrep).

The account re-launched last fall and has gained a steady following in the school community. In addition to newsworthy moments from school life, you’ll find historical images and trivia, and a fresh look at places and things around campus we often take for granted!

Food Drive Yields 50% Increase As part of the 2018 Great Ignatian Challenge, in partnership with our fellow Jesuit high schools, the Prep community donated 16,535 pounds of food for St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and St. Patrick & Assumption/All Saints Parish, both in Jersey City. That’s a 50% increase over last year’s total, and easily topped both the initial 12,000 lb. goal and the 15,000 lb. “reach” goal for the Thanksgiving food drive.

That result earned Prep a $25,900 donation from Jim Rowen, a Fordham Prep alumnus and trustee who created the annual competition. But Prep students could be forgiven if they took greater notice of another outcome: Prep’s dean of students, John Morris, made good on his pledge to wear a turkey costume (pictured at right) the day before Thanksgiving if the reach goal was met!

IGNATIAN THE GREAT

T P

CHALLENGE

AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM FAIRFIELD PREP + FORDHAM PREP + LOYOLA + REGIS + SAINT PETER’S PREP + XAVIER

IGNATIAN THE GREAT

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CHALLENGE

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A Run(a)way Success!

The PPA Fashion Show had a new look this year, visiting a new venue for the first time in more than a decade. More than 475 guests – as ever, mostly Prep moms – flocked to the Brownstone. An exciting array of tricky tray items awaited, as did a swag bag for each guest, an enjoyable lunch, and of course the runway show.

Once again, the stars were 24 Men of Prep and 12 Sisters of Prep who took to the runway, highlighting the latest fall fashions. In a new feature for this year, they shared the spotlight with members of Prep’s Ebony Club – celebrating its 45th anniversary – each of whom crafted a runway look that embodied a personal or historical narrative. The plan is to invite one of Prep’s many student clubs to participate in this manner each year, adding a new dimension to this Prep tradtion.

The 2018 Fashion Show contributed more than $100,000 toward Prep’s general operating funds, helping to keep tuition affordable for students and their families. It was possible thanks to the many guests, tricky tray donors and supporters, and especially the co-chairs – Olivette Diaz, P’19, Linda Doren, P’18, ’21, Kathleen Musico, P’21 and Denise O’Brien, P’21.

The Fashion Show will be on the move again in 2019, to the Venetian in Garfield, which has hosted the Mother-Son Dance the last several years. The larger venue promises plenty of room for Prep’s longestrunning fundraiser to continue growing each year!

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The “casual Men of Prep.” • The “Sisters of Prep” and “Formal Men of Prep.” • Members of the Ebony Club initiated a new tradition of Prep student clubs participating in the Fashion Show. • It takes a team of student and parent volunteers to distribute the hundreds of Tricky Tray prizes to their lucky winners. • Matisse Nelson, ’19 struck a pose while modeling casual wear. • One of this year’s “Sisters of Prep” was more a daughter of Prep: Maeve McNally, daughter of longtime English teacher Kitty McNally.

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SECTION 144 GRAND Among the notable retirements from Grand & Warren this school year are a veritable “First Couple” of Prep life: Mary Beth Caulfield, P’00,’03 departs from the Browning Center staff, and Jack Caulfield, ’71, P’00,’03, steps down from the helm of Prep’s finance office. Together, they have chaired the Prep Parents’ Association and two Grand Galas, and are a ubiquitous and welcome presence at Prep events. For his part, Jack is also a former trustee and board chair, a longtime member of the Prep Alumni Board, a trusted adviser to decades’ worth of Prep administrators, and the son of Edmund Caulfield, ’37. Their younger son, Chris Caulfield, ’03 – Prep’s English department chair and head track coach – has had the unusual distinction of having both his parents join him as Prep employees after his own tenure began. As his father steps back from daily life at Prep after more than half a century of growing more involved seemingly by the day, Chris offers this reflection.

A Family Commitment

by Chris Caulfield, ’03

When my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’m confident that more than a few times I probably said “I want to do what dad does.” I’m also fairly sure that at that time, I actually had no idea what “dad did” when he left the house for the day. As time wore on and I began to understand that my father was an accountant and chief financial officer at a major bank, I quickly realized that what “dad did” was way out of my comfort zone. Despite many a night at the kitchen table sitting with my father, I never really excelled in the math classroom; however, there have been many lessons I have learned from Jack Caulfield over the years that still serve me in my role shaping the other side of the brain in the English classroom each day.

For as long as I can remember, Saint Peter’s Prep has been a major part of my life. As a younger child, I remember donning Prep sweatshirts and cheering on the football team for their state title in 1994 at Giants Stadium. When asked by a grammar school classmate why I went to the game, my simple response said it all, “my dad went there.” As the years have worn on and I can reflect on all of my experiences at Prep and beyond, I know that my loyalty to this community would not be possible if it wasn’t for my father. He

has always answered the call to serve his alma mater in many different capacities, and I came to respect that dedication even more as he began to work alongside me in the halls of Grand and Warren.

Watching my father in a professional setting was certainly a new perspective for me. I began to see the constant professionalism and kind nature that he brought to his office each and every day, and I realized that my approach to work at Prep is thanks to the lessons I learned early from him.

My observations of my father in a work setting told me that he always treats people with respect and generosity, but when the tough decisions need to be made, he will be the one to make them. I have learned work ethic from my father, and that was showcased often at Prep as he would be one of the first people in the building each morning. Reflecting back, I believe that many of the lessons I learned from my father were probably shaped in a classroom at Grand and Warren in the 1970s, and my hope is that those lessons continue for the young men of our school today.

BELOW: The Caulfield family (Chris, Mary Beth, Edmund, ’00, and Jack) celebrated Edmund’s induction to Prep’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. RIGHT: Jack as pictured in the 1971 Petrean.

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FEATURE

This spring, Prep President Ken Boller, S.J. completes a six-year tenure at Grand & Warren – an era of outstanding growth in numerous areas. From the rapid development of the school’s global education initiatives, to the completion of a 12-year cycle of campus renewal, to the expansion of Prep’s scholarship endowment, the “Boller Era” will have a lasting impact at Prep. Before moving on to become the pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Manhattan, Fr. Boller sat down with Jim Horan, ’70 to reflect on his Prep years.

Setting the Tone Jim Horan: I’d like to begin by asking: how did you come to be president of Saint Peter’s Prep?

Ken Boller: Well it’s an interesting story of course. This is my third presidency, and I was a principal twice, but when I started at Fordham Prep, I said I would serve eight to ten years. The provincial came along in year eight and said, “How about nine years?” So we set in place a process to get a successor. That was the fall of 2012, and at that time, Fr. Bob Reiser indicated he was moving on from Saint Peter’s Prep – I have to distinguish our Preps! They opened a search committee and the provincial asked me if I would apply, so I did. I was interviewed and I was awarded the “gold seal.” [...] It’s an example of the kind of cooperation between the province and the Board of Trustees, where they were searching for a president, and the provincial made someone available, but he was behind the scenes kind of monitoring the process, as he has been in my successor’s transition.

Given your long experience in what was then the New York Province, and also your experience as a member of Prep’s board of trustees [1993-1999], I’m sure you were familiar with Prep on different levels. When you think of Saint Peter’s Prep vis-a-vis the other schools in the province, how are we different, being on this side of the river?

I had been very familiar with Prep, as you said, serving on the board, and as a matter of fact Fr. Bob Reiser is a very good friend of mine... and various things he was facing as the president would come up in 8 SPRING 2019 n SPPREP.ORG n PREP MAGAZINE

8 This interview has been edited and condensed. View the extended version at spprep.org/prepmag conversation. So I was aware of Prep’s story... we have five Jesuit high schools in the area, [and they] are more similar than different. But they are distinctive. And Hudson County, northern New

Jersey, is the flavor that makes Prep what it is.

We have wonderful Hudson County roots. Hudson County continues to be the place for immigrants and it’s reflected in our student body.

Although we don’t gather this information, I’m quite confident that close to 40% of our current students are either immigrants themselves or their parents are immigrants, so they are first generation. Prep truly has the opportunity to be quite transformative. Even though Xavier and Fordham Prep had significant immigrant populations, it’s even larger here in Hudson County and at Prep.

Immigrants make it real in a certain way: the highfalutin idea of a prep school – looking to the stars and looking perhaps to the Ivy Leagues. I think our young men are equally talented with those at any other school, [and] their families have great hopes for them because they have moved from their place of birth...for their children. The aspirations are

very high, and we are able to serve them.

Talking about Jersey City and Hudson County in 2019: many times you’ve addressed alumni, older alumni, and informed them that they graduated from a school in downtown Jersey City, and our current students are graduating from a school in the historic Paulus Hook neighborhood – And fashionable!

FEATURE SECTION – and fashionable, very important! Talking about the current Hudson County and Jersey City vis-a-vis across the river, the politics etc., what’s your feel? What’s your take on it?

Well, I am loathe to be a commentator on politics in Jersey City although I do feel that I have a lifelong attachment to this now that I am registered as a voter... Perhaps even a posthumous attachment to Jersey City! [laughs] Tip O’Neill said all politics is local, and we are in a city of 250,000 people, so everything is much more intimate. I had never sat across from the mayor at Wonder Bagel in New York City, but I did in Jersey City, and we had a brief conversation.

When people look at your six years here, they will point to, in particular, the ongoing renovation and growth of our campus: the Perkins Athletic Center, the extensive renovations to Mulry and Hogan Halls. Those projects really have come to transform the Prep. Had you done projects of that scope before you got here, at the other schools?

Yes...at one point, I was accused of an “edifice complex!” [laughs] One of the things I didn’t have to do at Prep was a science facility. At Canisius, Xavier, and Fordham Prep I helped organize and then execute the renovation of science facilities, including at Fordham Prep a major extension to the building. [Here,] that was wonderfully done by Bob Reiser, my predecessor...The biggest challenge, logistically, I think, was the Perkins Athletic Center because we had to shoehorn a facility literally on the sidelines of the field. The renovations of Hogan and Mulry are also significant. I’ve certainly done similar things in other places, but probably not all in as short a time. [...]

I would say, however, that some of the biggest transformation in the school is not in the brick-and-mortar but rather in the wonderful work being done by Jim DeAngelo, our principal, and the faculty, in the faculty formation and the professionalization of the way the faculty approaches their teaching.

And we’re doing this interview in our Browning Center, which was a

masterpiece of the most recent change. The way it is able to serve kids with a learning difference and help them meet their potential is just phenomenal. It’s a great impact, and a number of our

other schools are looking to imitate something along these lines.

From my own visits to Jesuit schools around the country, I find that Saint Peter’s Prep has a rather unique reputation. Some of the hallmarks are the creation of the Higher Achievement Program in the 1960s, or our great campus ministry program.

What is it about Prep’s DNA that may distinguish it a little bit from other Jesuit schools around the country?

Well, one of the areas in particular has been this

very strong tradition – it’s 25 or 30 years old – around social justice and the teachings of the Church with respect to social justice, culminating in our Arrupe Week experiences. That started, as I say, many years ago, I believe under Jack Raslowsky’s term as principal. The flavor of that is distinctive to any other school in the country and... every year, the theme for the year informs the way we look at issues, the way we engage the students on contemporary issues that relate Church teaching to real-life situations, and that’s important. And that’s become a part of our DNA here at Prep over these last three decades.

It integrates then in the kind of service programs we do, among other things.

One of the other things that’s not unique to Prep per se, but we are in the in the vanguard of our Jesuit schools around the world, is in our global outreach...open[ing] up to all our students that the world is within reach, and that not everybody sees things exactly the way we do in Jersey City. Learning those differences and getting into conversation and dialogue with those differences is a very important contribution to them.

In addition to your long, successful career as an educational leader, especially at the high school level, you’ve had a very important and impactful stint as a pastor at Saint Al’s in Harlem. Your next move of course is pastor at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Lower Manhattan. What’s the difference between being a pastor of a parish and the head of a Jesuit school?

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FEATURE

On one level I think one

of the biggest jobs of the president of a high school is to help set the tone in the school, because the administration, the day-to-day administration, is done by the principal, and then there are a lot of other folks in support functions such as our development office, etc. But the president helps set the tone and see the way things go. In a parish it’s the same thing, but obviously, the players are totally different...Saint Francis Xavier has an enormous social outreach ministry to the poor through a soup kitchen and a shelter, and a huge lay spirituality program. But they also have a very competent staff of lay leaders who run these things, and so the pastor’s job is to be a prayerful, supportive person in that mix, and help kind of guide, and again set the tone.

As you look back over six years, is there a particular week, or a day, or a moment that will stick with you?

I think one of the things about which I thought Prep really shone through, was in a very difficult period three or four years ago, in the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement. There was a terrible tragedy of the shooting of some young black men around the country, and this really galvanized a movement. We have a significant AfricanAmerican population – about 9% – and they come from a variety of backgrounds... they needed to share their own experiences with the larger community. Through some initiatives of theirs, and some work with the administration, we were able to set up a series of opportunities for the larger community to process this, to discuss this, in a supportive, listening environment, where everybody could tell their side of the story and everybody could find out and grow in the sense of what what were the underlying issues that were there. And that was, I thought, one of the moments of Prep at its best.

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And I think that leads into my final question... In many ways schools like Saint Peter’s Prep, Jesuit schools, are held to a higher standard, and the expectations for our alumni are extremely high: to be leaders, to be compassionate, the five aspects of being the Grad-at-Grad. What does a school like Prep or any other Jesuit school – what do we have to do to live up to that expectation, both in and out of the classroom?

Well, the first step is continue to do the great work we do, because we’re starting from a very high bar to begin with. The work we do with our young men, academically, spiritually, in terms of service, in terms of outreach, that is extraordinary. The other piece, which I alluded to before, is global awareness. And in the Jesuit network, internationally, we are connecting more and more of our schools through our websites, etc. We will have more opportunities going forward for the young men of this Jesuit school, Prep, to interact with other Jesuit schools around the world and talk about issues of current events, issues of religion, issues of other importance, and begin to share as Jesuit student to Jesuit student – be it from Peru to the United States, or Spain, or France, or whatever – to share different perspectives. These young men

live in a global society. They will have to flourish in a global society and beginning to become conversant in

that is going to be the skill set they really need. And I think we’re in the early stages of giving them that.

To Whom Much is Given: Frank Coyle, ’48 With historic $4.8 million bequest, yet another member of the Class of 1948 leads by example.

As alumni classes go, Prep’s Class of ’48 is in a league of its own.

Its ranks include the top two lifetime donors in school history (Jerry Sheehan and Don Moriarty, respectively), a Tony Award winner (Phil Bosco), and an inordinate number of classmates who as adults were among the national leaders in their fields, as well as significant supporters of their alma mater.

And now we can add Frank Coyle, Jr., to that pantheon.

This past November, Prep received a call from an attorney in Parsippany, NJ, informing us that one of her clients had died in August and that Prep was named as a beneficiary in his will. And then she added, “It’s a rather significant portion of the estate.”

When asked, “How significant?” she replied, “Close to $5 million.”

A few weeks later Prep received an initial distribution of $2,080,000 from the estate—with an additional distribution of approximately $2.8 million expected to arrive this summer.

According to Jim Horan, ’70, vice president for planning & principal giving, this ranks as the largest bequest in school history, surpassing the $1.87 million received in 2015 from the estate of Steve Hendzak, ’62.

As indicated in Frank’s will, the gift is earmarked to create an endowed scholarship at Prep in the Coyle family’s name. Thus, it will enable a number of young men annually to benefit from Prep’s Jesuit education.

“It is no overstatement that Frank’s gift is a gamechanger,” Horan noted, “not only in its size but with regard to the impact it will have on Prep’s endowment.”

He added that with this gift, the school’s endowment is likely to exceed $30 million for the first time.

Ironically, Frank was not on Prep’s radar prior to this gift. He and wife Yvette led a quiet life in Whippany, and he was a very steady, albeit modest, annual supporter for much of his adult life. He was 87 at the time of his death, and his Prep career preceded that of his brother James, who graduated in 1954.

That said, Frank’s backstory is one for the ages. He graduated from Prep with honors and received a B.A. from St. Peter’s College, where he was again an honors graduate. During his academic years, he won numerous

public speaking awards and was most proud of successfully competing with thousands of students from across the country in the Annual Hearst Oratorical Contest, representing Prep and the State of New Jersey.

Following his college graduation – and not yet sure of his desired profession – Frank wore the grey mailman’s uniform for eight years, walking the streets of Jersey City delivering mail. It was here, on his route, that he met, and interacted with, people from all walks of life, and he decided to enter the legal profession.

He would go on to earn a Bachelor of Law degree from Fordham University Law School, and continued there to earn a Doctor of Law degree. He was admitted to practice in New Jersey, as well as in the United States District Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Frank’s new career was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Specialist in the Intelligence Branch. When he resumed his legal career, he became a member of the law firm of Brause, Callaghan & Coyle, which specialized in litigation. In 1977, he founded his own general law practice in Cedar Knolls and served there until his retirement, often as an arbitrator.

Frank was an active contributor to his community in areas ranging from politics to community service. He lectured extensively before insurance companies and community organizations on specialized legal topics, and he is often remembered for his quick Irish wit and great storytelling abilities.

According to his friend of 45 years, Richard Bubnick, who serves as the executor of the estate, Frank often mentioned to him that as a youngster he was “in constant trouble and on the wrong track”…but he always added, “Prep pointed me in the right direction—and the school saved my life.”

For future generations of young men at Grand & Warren, Frank Coyle, Jr. – from the great Prep Class of ’48 – always will be remembered as the man who made their Prep education a reality – a true embodiment of the Jesuit ideal of being “a man for others.”

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COVER STORY

Inquiring Minds

by Mike Jiran, ’03

Freshmen in Jan Merski’s physical science class observed static electricity in action, using charged wands to attract and repel charged foam tubes.

An old stereotype of Jesuit schools held that whatever their many strengths, they treated science education as a low priority. Nearly eight years after the opening of the Moriarty Science Center, Prep’s science department is demonstrating why that notion belongs alongside the phlogiston theory, phrenology, and spontaneous generation in the museum of antiquated thinking.

As Prep’s new science building took shape along Warren Street, the promise of a new era of scientific education at Grand & Warren was bright.

“Science has always been of growing importance at Prep,” gushed one contemporary source when the facility opened. Its technological wonders provided the infrastructure for a newly revamped science curriculum almost from the start. “With new science facilities elegantly housed in our new building, we now have the means whereby only student capabilities will limit what we can do.” The year was 1966.

By century’s end, this enthusiasm would seem positively quaint, but in fairness to the Petrean staffer who offered that glowing review, the building’s original Burke Hall guise did represent the first-ever purpose-built science facility at Saint Peter’s Prep. By 2009, on the precipice of the renovations that created the Moriarty Science Center, however, history appeared ready to repeat itself. With most students already taking three lab courses, plus a growing level of interest in AP courses and electives, more than 90% of Prep students were enrolled in a science course during the 2009-10 school year. Just three full-size lab classrooms plus a smaller AP chemistry lab, meant scheduling had again become a limiting factor on what the science department could offer. The prospect of six full lab/lecture classrooms plus new prep spaces and two additional flexible classrooms looked to be a game-changer. “This is very exciting for us,” then-department chair Rosemary Annetta told Prep Magazine in 2009. “It will allow us to schedule more labs and be able to incorporate more inquiry activities more often.”

Inquiry-based learning had already become more prevalent in the department over the prior two decades, noted newly-minted Prep Legend Sr. Frances Marie Duncan, O.S.F., who served briefly as chair before being called to lead the U.S. Province of the School Sisters of Saint Francis. “The department when I first came in 1990 was quite traditional in its approach to teaching science. The labs were hands on, of course, but the outcomes were known and expected and accuracy against a known standard was the norm,” she said, adding that the switch from biology to physics as the 12 SPRING 2019 n SPPREP.ORG n PREP MAGAZINE

COVER STORY SECTION

ABOVE LEFT: Guest speakers have become a staple of the Prep science classroom. Here, students in the forensic science class of Alex Canale, ’05 learn about the detection and prevention of money laundering from a former Prep parent in law enforcement. ABOVE RIGHT: Current department chair Tom Comey credits his predecessor, Sr. Frances Duncan, O.S.F., with laying the groundwork for much of the department’s growth. BELOW LEFT: Tom Comey leads a class discussion. Even the lecture portion of today’s Prep science classes is largely a dialogue. BELOW RIGHT: The department’s newest member, Kevin Kuhl, ’14 (center) lends a hand as students explore the effects of caffeine and sugar on flatworm behavior. This lab served both as an introduction to the study of anumal behavior, and as an exercise in experimental design.

standard freshman course in the mid-2000s marked a turn toward greater reliance on hands-on experiences to help establish the fundamentals.

Helped along by the infrastructure improvements of the current decade – the MSC labs combined with Prep’s 1:1 Chromebook program – the emphasis on inquiry has grown steadily. Several years ago, the department adopted a new mission statement, officially embracing the inquiry method as the foundation of the curriculum. It states, in part, “Science courses focus on the scientific process, enabling students to discover and interpret scientific knowledge, develop positive attitudes and interests about science, and recognize that what they learn can be applied to decisions they will make in a world influenced by science and technology. To prepare students for this world, Prep has adopted the inquiry method of teaching science. This method fosters an environment of hands-on learning that invites students to explain what is being observed in a scientific manner.”

Chemistry teacher and department chair Tom Comey acknowledges the commitment to inquiry can prove more demanding when contrasted with a traditional lecture-driven approach – what he calls “the sage on the stage” – for teachers and students alike. “We need to really practice the way we ask questions...in ways that prompt the student to think along different lines and not [just] give the answer,” he explained.”We also have to develop activities and labs exercises that lead students to discovering the concepts and develop scientific skills, which takes time and dedication on our part. For students, it can be frustrating – at first it appears as if we aren’t teaching or we aren’t addressing their questions.”

Biology teacher Catie Eppler concurs. “It

would be very easy to teach in a complete lecture format. The instructor would disseminate information and the students would simply regurgitate it back to us. However, that style of learning doesn’t allow for any sort of higher level or critical thinking.” But the reward on both sides is significant. “There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the ‘light bulb’ go off when a student truly understands the material,” she said.

Comey added, “[I]t definitely leads students to develop their own thought processes and make stronger connections because they themselves have unearthed the concepts.”

Changing the way students discover scientific knowledge and come to grips with the scientific method can shape learning on a deeper level, as well. Donna Saulys, who teaches physical science and physics, pointed to a study of central executive nervous activity following physics lessons and assessments. “Brain activity during physics reasoning is modifiable by thoughtfully designed curriculum and pedagogy,” the authors found.

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COVER STORY

9/2018 Last Updated on 05/0

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department’s document outlining the new course sequence implemented for 2018-19. • Siobhan Rios helps her chemistry students measure a reagent. • The science department office is often a hive of collaborative activity, leading to strong teamwork and opportunity for innovation.

Encouraging students to start with the empirical, then develop and test their own hypotheses, serves additional purpose, Saulys noted. “The purpose of inquiry based learning goes beyond the subject matter. In physics we strive to teach students how to analyze data, reason logically and look for patterns,” she said. “These are skills critical for future success in college and the current job market.”

Following the transition to an inquiry-based approach in the classroom, this year saw the science department implement another transformation, this time to the overall course sequence students encounter as they progress through Prep. Echoing the student-centered vision of the inquiry model, the new sequence is a radical departure from the one-size-fits-all tracking (generally speaking, physics-chemistry-biology-APs or electives in recent years) it replaces. Now, offerings are divided into freshman courses, Tier A courses, and Tier B courses. Freshmen begin with physical science or chemistry honors, then select a Tier A class for sophomore year. Upperclassmen can continue in Tier A or select from Tier B. Honors and AP courses, with their own prerequisites, are found in all three groupings.

The department offers suggested paths through its offerings, based on students’ individual interests, though the decision ultimately rests with a student along with his family and counselor. For instance, a student with an interest in life sciences might take Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology, whereas a student interested in engineering might opt for Chemistry Honors, Advanced Chemistry II, Biology Honors, and Physics I Honors.

“The revised course sequence adopted by the Science Department this year was the result of many years of study, research and collaboration with the goal of improving science education at Prep,” said Jim DeAngelo, ’85, Prep’s principal. “With the new sequence, students will be offered not only the opportunity to study more science in terms of courses, but also exercise greater choice in their learning.”

Despite the potential pitfalls in facing a room full of students whose thinking might have evolved along very different paths, and keeping them on track without simply giving away the answers, Comey doesn’t hesitate when asked about the state of science at Prep:

“It’s working beautifully.”

Prep students have jumped at the opportunity to schedule additional science classes as electives. For the 2018-19 school year, Prep’s registrar, Mike Settembrino, ’01, reports a 101% enrollment rate in science courses. In other words, virtually every student at Prep was enrolled in a science course, with several students taking more than 14 14 SPRING SPRING2019 2019 n n SPPREP.ORG SPPREP.ORG n n PREP PREPMAGAZINE MAGAZINE

Words of wisdom for students from the department chair. The department emphasizes guided, student-driven problem-solving.

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Catie Eppler guides her biology students through the dissection of owl pellets. By studying the bone fragments contained within, the students were able to discern what prey the owls had eaten. She noted that inquiry-based learning required extra effort from teachers and students alike, but the outcomes are “always significantly more rewarding.”

one. Simply scheduling enough sections for all those students would have been an impossibility in the old Burke Hall, even under the older model of one designated lab period per cycle. In a very real way, then, this golden era for science at Prep has been made possible by the creation of the Moriarty Science Center.

But while the facilities have given the science program room to grow, that’s only half the story. The success of the redesigned curriculum rests, ultimately, with the teachers who have worked to develop it, and implement it each day. Collaboration is a hallmark of the faculty of any Jesuit school, and Prep is no exception. Within each department, teachers of a given – say, English 1 or Biology – meet weekly in professional learning communities, or PLCs. This model encourages peer-to-peer sharing of best practices, and has spurred innovation throughout the faculty. The science department has led the way. “The Science Department models collegiality and cooperation through their weekly PLC meetings,” DeAngelo said. “The level of collaboration among the teachers is impressive, and has led to vibrant and dynamic classroom lessons and hands-on lab sessions.”

And it goes beyond those structured moments. Year after year, when the academic departments gather for their group portraits, the science department turns up in color-coordinated outfits. When Sr. Frances was honored at last fall’s Carmela Schlitzer, Tom Comey, and Catie Eppler at Legends of Prep dinner, several of her former colleagues were on hand to congratulate her. the Legends of Prep XII awards dinner last fall.

Stick your head into the department’s shared workspace on the second floor of MSC, and you’ll encounter a mixture of lively conversation, students meeting with teachers, and an energetic exchange of ideas.

Certainly, a clear sense of camaraderie and shared mission is not unique among Prep’s departments, but perhaps nowhere else are the benefits so evident. The inquiry-oriented curriculum and the new course sequence offer students the richest science learning opportunities in Prep’s history, and they have been brought to life by the buy-in of the department.

“I would say that the progress we’ve made has a lot to do with the stability of the department and the willingness for each one of us to embrace the inquiry style,” Comey reflected. “We are a team, and together we focus on all of the students, not just the ones assigned to our individual sections. Our office is a shared space that is constantly buzzing with ideas and activities that we want to bring to our classes. The

complete trust we have in one another and passion for student centered learning have been some of our greatest assets.”

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5 QUESTIONS

WITH BELKISE DALLAM, DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

A member of Prep’s Guidance and College Counseling department since 2013, Belkise Dallam also became Prep’s first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the fall of 2017. In addition, she is the moderator for the Student Diversity Board. Recently, we chatted with her about her role in Prep’s mission, and the value of diversity in Jesuit education.

Prep Magazine: In addition to your role in guidance, what are some of your duties as Director of Diversity and Inclusion?

Belkise Dallam: My duties as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion involve working with students, alumni, and parents.

We currently have been working on developing the Student Diversity Board that is composed of students from all different grades and backgrounds. Our next phase of the Diversity and Inclusion program is to work with parents and alumni to create a board of adults.

PM Prep has always been a diverse community in one way or another. Why is it important now to focus on that diversity?

BD The one thing that I think is important is that Prep is a place of tradition and brotherhood – “Prep for Life.” Some students have expressed feeling as though it is not truly “Prep for Life” for them, because they don’t feel heard or accepted in one way or another. If students don’t feel like they have a place at the table then they become disconnected and ultimately do not enjoy their high school years. We are all here for the students, and we want to make sure that they learn about themselves and the world around them. We want to make sure that they enjoy their time at Prep. If they don’t, they won’t come back to share experiences with those younger than themselves and Prep.

PM How did the Student Diversity Board come about?

BD Three years ago, we started the Student Diversity Board with about seven students. This year we have 26 students and four adults. Interested students complete an application and are interviewed by myself and current board members. This year we are focusing our attention to students on the board expanding their leadership skills with a retreat at the end of the school year.

BD The Student Diversity Board will be offering cultural programming as we have in the past and will continue with our partnership with Kent Place School through our daylong student exchange. (This spring, members of Prep’s Diversity Board and a complementary organization at Kent Place in Summit visited each other’s schools to give presentations and lead discussions on diversity issues – Ed.) Because the Student Diversity Board is student-run, programming really does depend on the students, and what they would like to offer to the community at large.

PM Prep’s mission statement says our school community is “both enriched and challenged by its diversity.” Would you agree with that assessment? What are some of the challenges and opportunities you see?

BD I think that piece of our mission statement sums it up! It makes us who we are and to me, says we are willing to work on these challenges and continue to enrich our community.

One of the reasons I came to Prep is because of that line, “both enriched and challenged by its diversity.” It says that although we are a very diverse school, there are challenges.

Many other Jesuit schools have Diversity and Inclusion directors, but I have learned that each position is specific to the school. Our challenges are not the same as in other places; they are specific to us, and I think that’s important to remember. One challenge is that students come to us from many different places.

Some do not know how to navigate a college prep school. Others have never interacted with a community different from their own. It’s important that, from the onset of freshman year, they learn that they will meet students different from themselves.

They need to learn to understand and see from a different point of view. Only then we can begin to be empathetic towards one another.

PM What kind of Diversity Board programming can we expect to see in the future?

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Photo File: Rallying the Troops October 8, 1997. A young alumnus and first-year English teacher – not to mention moderator of the Walkathon committee – looks down from Mulry Hall as the Prep community prepares to set off on the trek to Liberty State Park. He is joined by his onetime guidance counselor, now his colleague. The counselor, Jim Dondero,’66, P’01, remains a mainstay of the Guidance & College Counseling department today. The English teacher, is Michael Gomez, ’91, who will begin another chapter in his own Prep story when he returns as president this summer.

The accompanying 1998 Petrean article on the Walkathon notes the then-Mr. Gomez’ tireless efforts in promoting the annual student-driven fundraiser, contributing to a 5% increase in the event’s income over the prior year. It was just another example of the irrepressible Prep spirt that served him so well as Marauder during his senior year and throughout his time in the English department. It will no doubt serve both Dr. Gomez and Prep well as he begins his tenure as president.

RIGHT: Students gathered in the courtyard awaiting their homerooms’ turn to begin the 1997 Walkathon.

With the Warren Street Plaza and new entrance steps still three years away, and the conversion of Burke Hall into the Moriarty Science Center more than a decade away, the backdrop is both familiar and yet rather different from today.

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SPORTS Sophomore Edwin Klanke had a breakout season, earning first team all county, all non-public, and all-state honors. He was named Hudson County Athlete of the year.

Cross Country

The Marauders finished the season ranked 9th in the state, and defended their Hudson County title. The team’s Hudson County course average of 16:08 shattered the previous record (also held by Prep) by 18 seconds.

The team advanced to the Meet of Champions for the second time in school history, and posted big wins at the Manhattan HS Invitational, Jersey City Championships, and South Hudson Championships.

Sophomore Edwin Klanke led the charge all season, setting a new 4K school record in 12:41, a new Holmdel 5K school record in 16:02 and a new overall 5K school record with a 15:29. He also went on to place ninth at the Meet of Champions. Liam Christman, who also went under the old 5K school record with his 15:49 personal best, Paul Ames and Tyler Parrado were key contributors throughout the season as well.

Football Prep finished the season with a 7-4 overall record,a 3-1 league record, and a top-10 state ranking. Senior quarterback Maasai Maynor led the Marauders to the state semifinals, finishing with a school record 2,036 passing yards. He also added 374 rushing yards, 25 passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.

Ayir Assante had a total of 817 yards on eight receptions and one interception. On the defensive end, Cody Simon had a total of 76 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions while Roman Oben Jr had 28 tackles and one sack.

Damani Falconer added 62 tackles and one sack.

Navy-bound quarterback Maasai Maynor was a firstteam all-division selection, along with senior teammates Ayir Asante and Stanley Dennis.

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Basketball

With only two returning starters, 2018-19 looked to be an uphill battle for Prep Basketball. However, the team rose to the occasion against tough county and state opponents all season.

The Marauders reached the state quarterfinals, and finished with a record of 16-11 overall and 11-3 in their division. The team’s hard work yielded some key victories, including a 45-44 victory over rival Hudson Catholic.

Freshman Mark Armstrong led the charge, finishing with 414 points, 71 rebounds and 31 steals while Will White and Jack Petit, the only two returning starters, also played key roles this season. White finished with 195 points, 57 rebounds and 50 assists while Petit had 140 points, 36 rebounds and 29 assists. The squad graduates three seniors, which leaves a big core group to work with for next year.

An outstanding freshman season for Mark Armstrong and a largely intact core of returning players point to big things for Prep Basketball in 2019-20.

Bowling The bowling team qualified for the State Championship by placing second in the Sectional Tournament. In Hudson County competition, Prep had three bowlers (Jordan Ververka, ’19, Zack Oswald, ‘20 and Nick Cocciadiferro, ’19) qualify for the HCIAL Individual Tournament.

Cocciadiferro placed fourth in the event.

Senior Nick Cocciadiferro hopes to continue bowling next year at NJIT.

Saint Peter’s finished the campaign with an impressive 10-2 record.

Senior Bryce Belser (airborne) avoids an attack in this win versus West Essex. Belser will continue fencing next year at NYU.

Fencing The Prep fencers finished the season with a record of 9-3. Among the wins were victories over Chatham (1512) and Ridge (15-12). The team advanced – for a third consecutive year – to the State Finals. The dream of a three-peat fell short, but Prep finished ranked #2 in New Jersey.

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SPORTS

Soccer The Marauders captured the HCIAL League Championship for the first time since 2013.

The team’s record of 16-4-1 included wins over Mamaroneck NY (1-0), Union City (1-0) and Kearny (2-1), which clinched the regular season title.

Senior goalkeeper Ulises Rodriguez looks to distribute the ball during one of his 11 shutouts.This one, against Wallington, was played at Montclair State University.

Senior captains, Kyle Hess and Jacob Brozon received All-County and All-State recognition. Junior Antonio Callegari led the team in scoring (20g, 12a) and was also an All-County selection well as a First Team All-State awardee.

Wrestling As a team, Prep’s wrestlers comprised a 20-5 record and a final season ranking of #18 in the State Coaches’ Poll. The grapplers captured an 11th straight County Championship, a District Championship and a #2 ranking in Region 4.

Among the many team accomplishments, several wrestlers achieved individual accolades. Niccolo Colucci, ’19 and James Cruz, ’19 earned their 100th wins and placed 4th and 5th, respectively in the NJSIAA State Finals in Atlantic City. The Marauders had 5 District 16 Champions, 2 Region 4 Champions as well as 5 individual qualifiers for the State Finals.

Sean MacLaney, ’19 celebrates a victory over Paramus. He will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall.

Crew The team had a successful fall season with the Varsity and freshmen all competing at all the major fall regattas – including the Head of the Charles in Boston, the Textile River Regatta in Lowell, Massachusetts, the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia and the season-ending Frostbite & Braxton regattas in Camden, New Jersey. Highlights included several top five finishes for the Varsity and medal-winning finishes for the Freshmen as they began their high school rowing careers. The team expanded its reach both geographically and competitively rising to the challenge of the stiff competition at all the major races and setting themselves up for success in the future.

The Varsity 8 in action on the Schuylkill River. Photo: RWR Photography 20 20 SPRING SPRING2019 2019 nn SPPREP.ORG SPPREP.ORG nn PREP PREPMAGAZINE MAGAZINE

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Indoor Track The team defended its City (8th consecutive) and County (third consecutive) championships, finishing with the #4 state ranking. Coach Chris Caulfield was again named Hudson County Coach of the Year.

The 4x200m relay team (Richie Luzzi-Liggins, Gus Nations IV, Ayir Asante, Joey Morrone) led the charge, winning the Non-Public A race and becoming All-American by finishing sixth at the New Balance Indoor Nationals.

Senior RJ Oben, Jr. won the Non-Public A sectional championship in shot put.

Other individual highlights included R.J Oben, Jr. winning the NonPublic A shot put title, the 4×800 relay team (Paul Ames, Chris Brooks, Edwin Klanke, Rodolfo Sanchez) finishing fifth at the prestigious Millrose Games, Luzzi-Liggins finishing second in the 200 at the Meet of Champions, Klanke & Adonis McGee each finishing fourth at the MOC and the shuttle hurdle relay squad (McGee, Morrone, Jared Veloso, Maasai Maynor) setting a school record to place 11th at the New Balance Nationals.

Hockey The team finished with a 11-11 record, had a conference record of 6-2, and finished ranked 8th in the state. Some notable victories came earlier in the season when Prep defeated Seton Hall Prep, 5-3, and Bergen Catholic, 7-3. The team reached the NJSIAA quarterfinals before falling to Delbarton.

Senior Matt Zdanowicz finished his Prep career with101 points (56G/45A), the first Marauder 100-point scorer since Sean Crowley, ’15. Zdanowicz earned third team all-state and second team all-group honors with his 24 goals and 22 assists for the year. Senior Ty Pezzolla had a total of 10 goals and 22 assists while senior Christian Della Rocco notched 11 goals.

Matt Zdanowicz drives toward the net vs. Seton Hall Prep. The senior forward contributed a team-high 46 points to a strong season-long effort by Prep Hockey.

Swimming Prep Swimming again defended the Hudson County championship (18 titles in the past 20 years, and 34 of the last 40!), and posted an 8-2-1 record en route to a #7 state ranking. At the New Jersey Meet of Champions, Gabriel Orbe set two school records and took third in the 100-meter fly with a 50.08. The 200-medley relay (Orbe, Ceejay Larino, Max Geller and Timothy Jimenez), 200-freestyle relay (Benjamin Gomez, Nick Wondolowski, Henry Brown and Jimenez) and 400-free relay (Orbe, Wondolowski, Brown and Kevin Whitworth) all finished sixth at the Meet of Champions.

Senior Gabriel Orbe enjoyed a recordbreaking season.

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The Stuff of Legend

Prep president Ken Boller, S.J. congratulates the Legends Class of 2018. From left: Bob Reiser, S.J., Sr. Frances Marie Duncan, O.S.F., Phil McGovern, ’76, P’11, Fr. Boller, Jim Ryan, ’66, P’04, and John Mullin, S.J. (accepting for the late Ned Coughlin, S.J.)

On a legendary evening for Saint Peter’s Prep last fall, the Prep Alumni Association celebrated the five newest inductees to Legends of Prep.

Simply by counting the numerous ties that bind these five individuals to Prep, one can begin to get a sense of how closely they are woven into the school’s history. Three – Sr. Frances Marie Duncan, Phil McGovern, ’76, P’11 (the current chair), and Jim Ryan, ’66, P’04 – have served on Prep’s Board of Trustees. Two (Phil McGovern and Jim Ryan) are both Prep alumni and the fathers of Prep alumni. Three (Sr. Frances, Bob Reiser, S.J., and posthumous honoree Ned Coughlin, S.J.) have served as members of Prep’s faculty and administration.

In accepting the honor, each honoree took care to credit the many friends and colleagues who shaped and enhanced his or her contribution to Prep life, reflecting the selfless commitment to service that truly distinguishes a Prep Legend. Perhaps more than any individual’s achievement – whether guiding the school through a period of outstanding challenges and opportunities, developing a retreat program that has shaped thousands of young lives, navigating the details of campus renewal, or seamlessly blending academic excellence with a commitment to form young men as whole persons – it is the humility and generosity of spirit that guides these actions that truly sets the Legends Class of 2018 apart, and marks them as truly Our Pride and Our Glory.

Created in 1993 to celebrate alumni and others in the Prep community who have had a profound positive impact upon Saint Peter’s Prep and upon the greater community by exemplifying the ideals of Jesuit education, the Legends of Prep awards are the highest honor presented by the Prep Alumni Association.

8 Inductee bios at spprep.org/PrepMag BELOW LEFT: Phil McGovern, ’76, P’11 accepted his award. BELOW RIGHT: The Class of 1966 turned out in force to celebrate their classmate, Jim Ryan.

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Cepheans Continue the Tradition In addition to the milestone reunion this spring (more on that in the fall 2019 issue!), three classes of Cepheans – alumni for 50 years or more – returned to Grand & Warren for reunions of their own, proving once again that the passage of time is powerless against the bonds of the Prep brotherhood.

First, in early October, the Class of 1968 celebrated their 50th reunion weekend – highlights included tours of Prep’s campus and Jersey City at large, which have changed just a bit in 50 years, a big win for Prep football over Don Bosco, the presentation of golden diplomas, and dinner and dancing in Prep’s O’Keefe Commons. The latter gave Class Chair Jon Hammer, ’68 – usually found tending bar at Prep reunions for the past several decades – a well-deserved opportunity to join the party!

The Class of 1958 had their turn a few weeks later, enjoying three days of activities planned with the help of classmates Vince Grillo and Dave Connolly. Their own bus tour of Jersey City featured a special guest guide: historian John Hallanan, ’99. The weekend concluded with Mass and the presentation of platinum diplomas.

And finally, in March, three members of the Class of 1944 and their guests visited Prep for a 75th reunion luncheon. Fr. Boller and other Prep administrators filled the group in on what’s new at Grand & Warren, and in return, the alumni shared their memories of life in a vastly different era of Prep history.

ABOVE: The Class of 1958. BELOW: The Class of 1968. BELOW RIGHT: Jon Hammer, ’68 receiving his golden diploma from Fr. Boller. RIGHT: The Class of ’44 posed in Prep’s main lobby. From left: Ken Boller, S.J., Lou Parisi, Jr. ‘70, Lou Parisi, Sr., ’44, P’70, Carl Finneran, ‘44, Samantha Finneran, Richard Phalon, ’44, P’69 and Nancy Weber.

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ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

Dear Prep,

CLASS NOTES

The ’40s Bill Valente, ’46 reflects on his days both at Prep and at what was then Saint Peter’s College, and notes “the teachers at Prep were the most significant for me.” He’s now 89, and spent 20 years as a math teacher.

Members of the Class of 1950 gathered in November at the home of Pat Butler, widow of J.D. Butler, ’50. Fr. Walter Nolan, ’50 celebrated a memorial Mass for deceased members of the class. Left to right, seated: Jim Stock, Don Hagan, and Rev. Walter Nolan. Standing: Greg Scheuermann, Ralph Walter, Don Finn, Ken von Schaumburg

The ’50s

College of Dentists at their 98th meeting in Hawaii. He is in full-time periodontal practice in New York City with his oldest daughter.

Ron Semple, ’52 published a new novel, Her Moaning Shadow, in November, through John Hunt Publishing in both the US and the UK.

The ’70s

Jim Merz, ’54 is Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard in 1967, and has also been a professor at UC Santa Barbara.

Rick Agresta, ’70 retired in 2017 and has enjoyed being able to spend more time with family, golfing, community organizations and the arts. He is also co-board chair of Project Redwood, a social venture nonprofit, established by his 1980 class at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, which supports “addressing extreme poverty by enhancing human capital through work and education.” Grantees have included Cristo Rey New York High School, where Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 served as founding president.

Hank Quense, ’56 has released his latest non-fiction book, Fiction Writing Workshop for Kids. This interactive ebook – including story worksheets and video guides – shows kids in grades 4-7 how to go about creating a short story while having fun.

John Hogan, ’57 and Gerry Drummond, ’58 ran their 15th 5k race together in Dumont, New Jersey.

The former Prep track teammates finished 4th and 5th, respectively, in their age group.

The ’60s Richard Molteri, ’62 is Professor and Associate Dean Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Joe Armbruster, ’63 and his wife, Phyllis, have seven children and ten grandchildren.

William Keller, ’63 published A Place Like Hoboken, a collection of short stories about his hometown, available on Amazon. He also recently became a grandfather, welcoming twins Oliver Max and Lila Rose last November.

Thomas Connolly, D.D.S., ’69 was elected President of the American

Jim Mann, ’66 celebrated the wedding of his daughter, Marissa, and Luke Andrews in September.

“Luke is a product of Walsh Jesuit in Ohio, so how could we not be happy?” Jim wrote.

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Brian Church, ’71 retired from a successful business career in 1999, and decided to sell real estate. What started as a hobby – he was always an investor in property – quickly grew into one of the most prolific sales organizations in New Jersey.

Now, 20 years later, the Brian Church Group is ranked among the top 1% worldwide, and nearing a half billion dollars in sales. He gets the most satisfaction from helping his “Prep Brothers” with their real estate needs. Some client/classmates have included Jim Sweeney, Paul Colford, and Art Blood. Since a portion of the Group’s commissions has always been set aside for worthwhile causes, Brian also remembers the work that Prep continues to do when it is time to donate.

Stephen Caruana, ’72 recently worked on the Passaic River Superfund cleanup.

John Gallagher, ’72 is serving a second term as chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society Board of Trustees. He and his wife Therese are also enjoying their first grandchild, Padraic, born last summer.

Joe Murray, ’73 is continuing his post-corporate career as a global media talent and voice artist. His ongoing research on Jersey City’s rich political history is being channeled

ALUMNI Gregg Stupinski, ’89 hosted a mini class reunion in Naples, Florida. Left to right: Kieran McGlynn, Gregg Stupinski, Kevin McCann, Ed Garguilo, Mike Parlavecchio, Carlos Jimenez, and Kevin Brodbeck.

into producing a third and final installment in his documentary series on Bossism & Machine Politics. This episode explores the city’s last commission government (1957-61).

George Krol, ’74 retired in the fall, following 36 years of diplomatic service, most recently as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

John Chester, ’74 retired February 1, following 44 years of service with the Jersey City Public Schools. John began as a Custodial Fireman Trainee in 1975, shoveling coal in the coal fired boilers in some of the district’s oldest schools. Through the years John worked in various positions in Business and Finance. He spent the last 19 years as the second in command of the Business and Finance Division overseeing all Business and Operations and administering a $670,000,000 budget. Upon his retirement he was presented with an engraved award presented by his coworkers identifying him as a “Person for Others.” As for the future, John began working 40 hour weeks when he was in 6th grade and looks forward to just putting his feet up and relaxing.

Steve Alonso, ’78 reports he’s expecting grandchild #4 this June!

Bob Triebe, ’78 was inducted last year to the New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame. Bob was recognized for his decades of service to high school hockey as one of the state’s most esteemed hockey officials.

The ’80s

Hugh Roarty, ’91 testified as an expert witness in the Sarah Stern murder trial this past winter. As a Research Project Manager at the Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership, he contributed his knowledge of the tidal patterns of the Shark River inlet.

Pat Giblin, ’93, serving his second term on the Cranford Township Committee, was chosen by his fellow commissioners at the start of this year to serve as the township’s mayor. Pat had previously served as deputy mayor.

Pat O’Connell ’94 presented on “International Trends in Higher Education Philanthropy” at the Universidad Católica de Chile during the 2018 Summit Internacional Educación. As a member of the Columbia University Faculty, Pat has lectured on issues of higher education philanthropy at the University of Oxford, the University of Bologna, International House New York and at numerous CASE and AFP conferences in the United States and Europe. Pat, Antoinette, and “Irish Twins” James (2 ½) and Catherine (1), recently moved to Bronxville, NY. Joseph Casazza, ’95, was promoted to sergeant in the Union City Police Department in December.

Danny Stupinski, ’96 is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and one of 26 USAF officers selected to attend the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. The mission of the Army War College is “to prepare selected military, civilian, and international leaders for the responsibilities of strategic leadership.” Students of the War College are expected to assume senior leadership roles in the national defense upon graduation.

Timothy O’Connell, ’82 celebrated with his daughter Lauren in 2018, as she graduated from Notre Dame.

The ’90s John Hayes, ’91 was named Executive Chef at The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel.

Chris Sclafani, ’86 caught up with fellow United States Military Academy alumnus, Chaplain Col. Matthew Pawlikowski, ’82 at the West Point Founders’ Day Dinner in March. Fr. Pawlikowski had served as an Army Ranger, paratrooper, and infantry officer, before moving to the Army Reserve to study for the priesthood in the 1990s, later returning to active duty. Since 2015, he has served as USMA chaplain, the first Catholic priest ever to hold that senior role at the Academy.

Two Mikes in real estate – Mike DeMarco, ’77 and Mike McGuinness, ’73 – posed together at the NAIOP 31st Annual Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala in May 2018. DeMarco, a Prep trustee, is CEO of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and a past trustee of NAIOP NJ, while McGuinness is CEO of NAIOP New Jersey, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. NAIOP NJ is a professional trade association for developers, owners, investors and asset managers, whose core mission is advocacy. The organization has close to 850 members in New Jersey, and over 19,000 members throughout North America.

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ALUMNI Robert Zywicki, ’96 was named Superintendent of the Mount Olive, New Jersey, school district last August. He previously served in a similar role in Union City, where he was recognized last May as a Future Ready Thought Leader by Future Ready Schools. He was one of just 16 superintendents nationwide to receive this honor for leadership in digital and personalized learning.

Pat Fitzpatrick, ’96 an attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Indianapolis – was selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers Indiana Rising Stars 2019 list. Rising Stars recognizes the top upand-coming attorneys in the state. Pat practices as a business litigator in both federal and state courts.

The ’00s Billy Bludgus, ’01 was named founding president of Cristo Rey Miami High School, set to open in September 2020. An alumnus of the University of Miami, he returned to South Florida in February to begin preparing for the school’s opening. Billy is a veteran of Jesuit high school administration. He had served as assistant principal at another Cristo Rey school – in San Jose, California – since 2014, and was previously director of Christian service at Loyola School in Manhattan.

Matt Ingles, ’02 joined Greenberg Gross LLP in Los Angeles as Counsel, where he represents public and private companies, high-level executives, and celebrities in high-stakes trial and appellate matters.

Jim Coe, ’04 won the Bill of Rights Institute’s Constitution Day Teacher Contest, which invited teachers to sum up their strategies for “helping students to make their mark in their communities and learn the Constitutional principles and values” in a single tweet. Jim teaches humanities at Newark Academy in Livingston.

The ’10s After graduating from Santa Clara University, Ciaran Freeman, ’14 was a 2018-19 O’Hare Fellow at America Media, the leading Jesuit media organization and publisher of America Magazine. This followed his Jean Donovan Fellowship last summer, which saw him write about the intersection of art, faith, and social justice as an intern at Commonweal Magazine.

On a recent America Media pilgrimage to the Holy Land, former Prep principal (now Xavier president) Jack Raslowsky, ’79 (center) met up with Jack Kakolewski, ‘62 and Joe Braun, ‘59. The three Prep men posed for this picture just after Mass in the church located above the home of Saint Peter, where Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law.

Jack Kakolewski has another Prep connection, Jack Raslowsky noted: his mother was Stella Kakolewski, who made lunches for a generation of Prep students at the old Academy Deli on Warren Street.

Neil Carroll, ’09 became the youngest-ever member of the Bayonne City Council when he was appointed to a vacant seat last November.

He’s pictured below (center) with fellow alumni Victor Badaracco, ‘09, Joseph D. Skillender, Jr., Esq., ‘07, Kevin Murray, Esq., ‘03 and Casim Gomez,’08 at an event in February.

Just blocks from where three members of Prep’s class of ‘57 once opened the very first Blimpie, Dan Londono, ‘09, Andrew Arrospide, ‘09, Daniel Sobsey, ‘09 and Ben Sobsey ‘14 hope to become Prep’s next culinary success story. Their restaurant, Alfalfa, offers specialty salads and soups, along with premium desserts. Prep teacher Anthony Keating, ’78 recommends the huckleberry donut!

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Regional Reunion Tour 2019 Prep’s annual regional reunion tour began in Florida this February, and wrapped up close to home with the Manhattan Happy Hour the first week of May. All in all, the year saw the Prep roadshow team of Mike Murcia, ’08, Jim Horan, ’70, and Ken Boller, S.J. visit alumni in ten cities, often joined by Prep colleagues, past and present.

Next year’s tour will include all ten destinations for this year, plus the return of Boston and Philadelphia, giving alumni around the country twelve chances to meet Prep’s new president, Michael Gomez, ’91, in their own backyards. The full schedule will be posted on spprep.org this summer.

And speaking of this summer, don’t forget about the prelude to our 2019-20 regional tour: the return of Marauders Down the Shore at Belmar’s Bar A! Save the date: July 20, 2019, 3‑8 p.m. and watch for more details at spprep.org/MaraudersDownTheShore!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Venice, FL, hosted by Helen & Kevin Collins, ’57; Bonita Springs, FL, hosted by Val & Bob Esti, ’55; West Palm Beach; Cary, N.C.; Duluth, Georgia, hosted by Carmen and Bruce Woerner, ’74; San Francisco; Santa Monica/Los Angeles; La Jolla/San Diego; Washington, D.C., hosted by Ken von Schaumburg, ’86; Among the more than 85 alumni at the Manhattan Happy Hour were this group from the Class of ’79.

Philip Bosco, ’48: an “Actor’s Actor” Last December, the prolific and versatile actor Philip Bosco, ‘48, the first of two Tony winners among Prep’s alumni, passed away at age 88. In a career spanning five decades, he appeared in nearly 40 films and well over 100 New York stage productions – including 52 on Broadway alone, earning six Tony nominations and one win for 1989’s Lend Me a Tenor. On the small screen, the many roles he played in the Law & Order franchise alone speaks to his range. He earned a Daytime Emmy in 1988 for an ABC Afterschool Special, “Read Between the Lines.”

Though generally cast in character roles, he often received critical and audience acclaim, particularly for his more than a dozen appearances in the works of George Bernard Shaw. A collaborative approach to his craft earned him the appreciation of his colleagues as well – and with it, his reputation as “an actor’s actor.”

Through it all, Philip remained true to his Prep roots. One alumnus reported seeing him sing “Pride & Glory” and “It’s a Peter’s Team” outside the Martin Beck Theatre during his stint in Moon Over Buffalo, and in a 1990 Prep Magazine profile following his Tony win, he acknowledged his Prep drama coach, James Marr, as “a tremendous influence, maybe the greatest influence” in the early days of his career.

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ALUMNI

VITA MUTATUR NON TOLLITUR (LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED) Current as of April 15, 2019

Alumni Fred J. Beddiges, ‘43 John R. Hanlon, ‘43 Brother of Robert M. Hanlon, ‘58 Philip M.Bosco, ‘48 Robert E. Bastan, ‘50 Uncle of William C. Sinnott, ‘61 John W. Hladik, ‘50 Grandfather of Matthew Hladik, ‘05 and John J. Hladik, ‘10 Andrew Katko, ‘50 Brother of John Katko, ‘58 Frank J. McMahon, ‘50 Michael J. Moran, ‘50 Vincent J. Saunders, ‘50 Brother of Vincent Saunders, ‘47† Joseph A. Pardo, ‘51 Brother of Stanley Pardo, ‘53 James J. Finnerty, Jr., ‘53 Ronald A. Witkowski, ‘53 Father of Ronald R. Witkowski, ’82 Thomas E. Lynch, Jr., ‘54 Joseph E. Makely, ‘54 William A. Tyrka, ‘54 Victor F. Banko, ‘55 Donald F. Gerne, ‘55 Brother of Robert Gerne, ‘48† William J. Kemple, ‘55 Richard M. Shalhoub, ‘55 Moritz O. Bergmeyer, ‘56 James E. McDonald, ‘56 brother of Robert McDonald, ‘49 Charles F. Voorhees, ‘56 Donald W. Schlicher, ‘57 David M. Stevens, ‘57 cousin of Joseph E. Stevens, ‘57 Joseph G. Urciuoli, ‘58 Robert J. Woolsey, ‘59 Robert Fischer, ‘60 Robert M. Zakhar, ‘62 Father of Michael Zakhar, ‘94 Eugene J. Duffy, ‘63 William Petro, ‘64 David R. Williams, ‘66 Brother of Lewis Williams, ‘57 Hugh Brady, ’67 Vernon R. Jimmerson, ‘67 Paul J. Kulkosky, ‘67 Daniel J. Murawinski, ‘67

Michael P. Donatacci, ‘68 Richard Hanlon, ‘71 James K. Greer, ‘76 Reynaldo C. Mariquit, ‘77 Anthony Kurasz, ‘78 Father of Michael Kurasz, ‘10 David M. Hunt, ‘81 Shawn R. Ostendorf, ‘87 Jan Butrym, ‘01 Prep network administrator Michael J. Downs, ‘04 Peter J. Imus, ‘12 son of swimming coach Jay Imus; brother of Mark Imus, ‘16

Gloria M. Hamill Mother of John (Jay) Hamill, ‘69, William Hamill, ‘71, Francis Hamill, ‘73, Edward Hamill, ‘74, and Charles (Carl) Hamill, ‘79; grandmother of Joseph Ponterdolph, ‘15; wife of Dr. John Hamill, ‘37†; sister-in-law of Edward Hamill, ‘35† and Francis Hamill, S.J., ‘46†; sister of William Mundt, ‘33†

Kenneth W. Maddox

Pasquale Toscano Father of David Toscano, ‘79 and Marc Toscano, ‘81

Family of Alumni

Nicholas D. Marinaro Father of Joseph Marinaro, ‘76

Hedwig Irene Triebe Mother of Robert Triebe, ’78

Rosaria and Antonio Mastria Parents of Louis Mastria, ‘84

Peter Vanechanos Father of Louis Vanechanos, ‘77

Rosemary McCann Mother of Harry McCann, ‘03 and Miles McCann, ‘08

Sergio S. Valente Father of Michael Valente, ‘88 and Robert Valente, ‘92

Virginia McGovern wife of Philip F. McGovern, Sr., ‘43†; mother of Philip F. McGovern, Jr., ‘76 (chair of Prep’s board of trustees) and John M. McGovern, ‘80†; grandmother of Philip F. McGovern, ‘11; sister-in-law of Joseph McGovern, ‘50†

Michael Veltre Father of John Veltre, ‘79

John Barabas, Jr. John W. Barabas, ‘55 Giorgio Castiello Father of George Castiello, ‘94 Edward Chu son of Daniel Chu, ’77; brother of Matthew Chu, ’14 and Winston Chu, ’15 Michael Dellutri Father of Lorenzo M. Dellutri, ‘07 Margaret A. Doody Mother of Michael Doody, ‘86; grandmother of Joseph Doody, ‘20 Thomas J. Favia Father of Thomas Favia, Jr., ‘77 and Jeffrey Favia, ‘78 Grace Filak Mother of Andrew Filak, ‘70, Michael Filak, ‘72, Douglas Filak, ‘79 and Ronald Filak, ‘84; aunt of Gary Filak, ‘71, Thomas Calvanico, ‘73, Robert Calvanico, ‘74 and George Filak, ‘76.

Thomas J. Foley, Jr. Son of Thomas J. Foley, ’55 Mary Gallagher Giro Gallo Father of Giro J. Gallo, ‘77, Richard Gallo, ‘80, and Louis Gallo, ‘82 Patricia “Tish” Gilvey Mother of John Gilvey, III, ‘85 and Matthew Gilvey, ‘87 Philip R. Greco father of Robert M. Greco, ‘84 Patricia Haggerty Mother of Daniel Haggerty, ‘97†

Patricia A. Lillis Mother of John Lillis, ’77, William Lillis, ’80 (former religion teacher), and Kate Lillis-Magnus, (Director of Annual Giving); mother-in-law of Mark DeMarco, ’79; grandmother of Ryan Lillis, ’14 and Nicholas DeMarco, ’19

Donald P. Merrick Former science teacher; father of John Merrick, ’81† and Stephen Merrick, ’83 Mario A. Moreira Father of Mario A. Moreira, Jr., ‘06 and David Moreira, ‘09 Thomas E. Mulhern Father of Thomas Mulhern, ‘00, Matthew Mulhern, ‘02 and John Mulhern, ‘08 Marry “Molly” Murray Mother of Anthony Murray, ‘72 and John M. Murray, ‘76† Betty Ann O’Brien Wife of Raymond O’Brien, ‘46† (former trustee); grandmother of Timothy Mulroy, ‘00, Kevin Mulroy, ‘02, and Matthew Mulroy, ‘06 Leonard Pasculli Father of Leonard Pasculli, ‘73 and Patrick Pasculli, ‘75 Robert Sexton Father of Sean Sexton, ‘86 and Bart Sexton, ‘89; grandfather of Charles Sexton, ‘21

James Sisk Father of Michael Sisk, ’10 Mary Sokolnicki Wife of Henry Sokolnicki, ‘67 Karen Stokes Wife of Peter F. Stokes, ‘88, P’17; mother of Peter A. Stokes, ‘17; sister-inlaw of Stephen Stokes, ‘75 and Kevin Stokes, ‘77 Diana Sweeney Mother of Michael J. Sweeney, ‘06 Ann Tedeschi Wife of Frank Tedeschi, ’62

Theresa Villanella Mother of Joseph Villanella, ‘79 William Warnock Father of Nicholas Warnock, ’94 Margaret Worst Mother of Matthew Worst, ‘96 Claire Wraga Mother of Joseph Wraga, ’67

Family of Current Students Grace Meehan-Carter Mother of Harold Carter, ‘19

Former Faculty & Staff D. James French, S.J. Former rector of the Jesuit community, trustee, and Latin and English teacher

Family of Faculty & Staff Michael Brock Father of Adrienne McLoghlin (English teacher)

Vita mutatur, non tollitur. Life is changed, not ended.

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ALUMNI SECTION

WEDDINGS | BIRTHS

Prep faculty members Catie Eppler and Casey Quinn, married March 23

Grace Mammen and Mike Haas, ’06, married January 3.

Weddings Nick Szubiak, ’92 and Michelle DeLauer March 24, 2018 Tim Miller, ’08 and Tia LaBruno June 22, 2018 John Du Val, ’08 and Emily Petrick October 13, 2018 Anthony Machcinski, ‘07 and Sarah Doherty March 9, 2019 Mike Haas, ’06 and Grace Mammen January 3, 2019 Casey Quinn (Prep math teacher) and Catie Eppler (Prep science teacher) March 23, 2019

Births Meghan and Vin Ruiz, ’02 daughter Catherine Therese, July 1, 2018 Ally and Liam Ahearn, ’01 daughter Eleanor Rose, July 25, 2018

On hand for the the wedding of Anthony Machinski, ’07 and Sarah Doherty were: Rich Brennan, ’07, Anthony Andreadis, ’07, Brendan Bartosiewitz, ’06, Anthony Machcinski, Matt Kaminski, ’07 (standing), Will Greb,’06, Ravi Pradhanang, ’07 and Daniel Camargo, ’07.

Catherine Ruiz, born July 1, 2018

Eleanor Ahearn, born July 25, 2018

Laura and Brian Cardino, ’00 daughter Mila JoAnn, December 11, 2018 Emily and Steve West, ’03 son Simon Joseph, January 23, 2019 Tarah and Frank Romano, ’06 son Thomas Michael, February 12, 2019 Marci and Anthony Medina, ’09 daughter Kateri Grace, April 11, 2019

Kateri Medina, born April 11.

Thomas Romano is the grandson of Frank Romano, ’86 and the son of Frank Romano, Jr., ’06.

He’d have to skip a grade to stay on track to attend dad’s and grandpa’s Prep reunions, but dad says the Class of 2037 will be just fine.

Prep was well-represented when John Du Val, ’08 married Emily Petrick (daughter of Bill Petrick, ’79) last fall. In attendance were: BACK ROW: Bill Lillis, ’80 (former religion teacher), Will Heyer, ’08, John Mulhern,’08, John Du Val, ’08, Bill Petrick, ’79, P’15, Andrew Petrick, ’15, Frank Free, ’79, and John Murphy, ’08.

FRONT ROW: Billy Grapstul, ’08 and Thomas Du Val, ’05

Tim Miller, ’08 and Tia LaBruno (daughter of Prep math teacher Terry), married June 22, 2018

A stylish Prep contingent – Sean Hannan, ’92, Richard Puleo, ’92, Danny Burgers, ’92, Patrick Smith, ’01, Nick Szubiak, ’92, Kevin Smith ’05, Francis McGurk, ’61, and Eddie Pickett, ’00 – posed with the bride at last year’s wedding of Michelle L. DeLauer and Nick Szubiak.

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Saint Peter’s Prep New Jersey’s Jesuit High School Since 1872

Office of Communications 144 Grand Street | Jersey City, NJ 07302

We’re looking for a few good Men for Others.

About 350, actually.

Prep’s 2019 Annual Fund closes June 30. This vital source of funding – about 11% of our annual operating budget – is doing well overall, but quite frankly, one area needs some improvement: alumni participation.

To equal the strong showing from our alumni last year, Prep’s advancement office needs 350 Prep men to stand up and show their support. Every gift counts, large or small. Every gift helps to make the life-changing experiences in these pages possible.

Make your gift today at spprep.org/AnnualFund.

You can also give by mail, by donating securities, or even via Venmo. To learn more, contact Kate Lillis-Magnus at 201-547-6455 or LillisK@spprep.org, or visit spprep.org/AnnualFund.