Prep Magazine: Winter 2021-22

Prep

SAINT PETER’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL

End of an Era Prep’s longest-serving principal

bids farewell to Grand & Warren.

WINTER 2021-22

Accepting the Invitation Friends and family members, especially those who didn’t attend Prep and have less-positive memories of high school, often ask me what it’s like to walk the same halls in my mid-30s that I did as a teenager. I usually give them the bad news first: “Well, If you want to become acutely aware of the passage of time, try seeing the year you graduated high school written next to your name, day after day, year after year, every time you send an email, and watching that year fade into the mists of history.”

If that’s the worst of it, the best of it is harder to quantify; there are just so many positives. But like many of my fellow alumni who return to Prep in a professional capacity, I particularly value the opportunity to build stronger bonds with the place and its people, and to gain insights that reveal greater depths about the Prep experience.

One of those insights came a decade ago, when I was working with Jim DeAngelo, ’85, on a Prep Magazine story about the first 25 years of Prep’s German Exchange. Prior to his time as principal, Jim was best known around Prep as a German teacher and language department chair, and though my work with him as a student was through the TV Studio and eventually his Video Production class, everyone at Grand & Warren knew about his extensive knowledge of, and passion for, German language and culture. So as we talked about the inaugural exchange back in 1985, I was surprised to learn French was the language Jim had actually studied at Prep. He had first encountered German only after lobbying his history teacher, Bill Donohue (who also taught German and organized the exchange), to allow him to tag along on various activities when the Clara-Fey students visited Prep. With a bit more lobbying (on both sides of the Atlantic), and a summer crash course in German vocabulary, he had managed to secure a spot on the late-summer visit to Germany, and a journey of (now) 37 years and counting had begun.

I often think back on this bit of Prep teacher trivia, because it’s not so trivial after all. As a Jesuit school, Prep seeks to form students who are intellectually competent, religious, loving, committed to doing justice, and—above all, I would argue—open to growth. This is a story of openness to growth, stepping into the unknown, accepting the unexpected invitation to learn something new, and then striving to live it more deeply.

On an institutional level, this story is particularly resonant as we celebrate not only 150 years of Prep but 500 years since the conversion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola—in many ways the ultimate “openness to growth” story. But it has personal significance to me, as well. When I was in my teens, it was Jim who made me believe a kid who grew up in what felt like the last house in America without a camcorder could still learn the fundamentals of video editing, and helped me hone my interest in telling stories through multiple media. In my 20s, I took my first job out of college in the Prep library as a waypoint to deciding what would be next, but it was Jim who recommended me as an interim replacement for Prep’s departing communications director, and encouraged me to embrace the opportunity. (I guess I passed the audition!) And throughout my 30s, I have never hesitated to seek his counsel, whether I’m embarking on a new initiative, preparing to assume greater responsibilities around Prep, or even just looking for story ideas. I know the advice I get will always be thoughtful, will usually be delivered with a wry smile, and will never advocate just taking the path of least resistance.

You’ll hear from Jim DeAngelo in his own words in this issue, but I know I am just one of many alumni and colleagues for whom he has modeled openness to growth throughout the years. And as Prep looks ahead to next year with our next principal—my classmate and another of Jim’s former students, Chris Caulfield, ’03—further growth is certainly in Prep’s future.

On a related note, perhaps my default remark about working at Prep should grow with the times: if you want to be acutely aware of the passage of time, think back to sitting in Jack Campion’s English class, and then picture some of the other faces. Now imagine one member of the class recently completed his first season as head football coach, another has just been appointed principal, and together the three of you have already accumulated nearly 50 years of service to Prep.

Another chapter in this 150-year saga begins.

Mike Jiran, ’03 Director of Communications

CONTENTS

Prep

Cover Story The Great Collaborator

Volume 32 | Number 1 Winter 2021-22 Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 President

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Jim DeAngelo, ’85 Principal

Mike Jiran, ’03 Editor John Irvine, ’83, P’11 Sports Editor Catie Eppler Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 Jim Horan, ’70 Mike Murcia, ’08 Kate Lillis-Magnus Jennifer Nilsen, P’23 Lokesh Sutherland, ’24 Contributors

40 years ago, Jim DeAngelo, ’85 arrived at Grand & Warren as a sophomore transfer student. This summer, he will depart as Prep’s longest-serving principal.

Feature

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16 Works in Progress Two Prep alumni, separated by 33 years and one wall between their offices, spearhead a miniature media empire as part of the sesquicentennial celebration.

Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18 Select Photography

Departments

Mace Duncan Ohleyer | Hotplate Original Design Concept

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Mike Jiran, ’03 Layouts and Additional Photography 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

144 Grand Prep’s next principal; Mass of the Holy Spirit sets the tone; Kairos 66 restarts retreat program; Model UN is a model for success.

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Copyright © 2022, Saint Peter’s Prep. All publication rights reserved.

CONTACT US:

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spprep.org

To Whom Much is Given Paul Curmi, ’07 felt at home the very first time he visited Prep. Today, he strives to extend that opportunity to future generations.

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/spprep @SaintPetersPrep @spprep

Photo File A Spirit Award photo proves prescient, 20 years later.

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Alumni Relations: alumni@spprep.org or 201-547-6413 Communications: info@spprep.org or 201-547-2308 STAY UP-TO-DATE

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/spprep1872

Sports Cross Country’s dominance continues; promising start to Football’s second Hansen era; Soccer nets two First Team All-State selections.

20 Alumni Hall of Fame induction (at last!); Reunions return, and alumni do, too; Legends gather for a panel discussion; the McGovern Brothers’ home away from home.

To subscribe to our weekly P-Mail newsletter, contact info@spprep.org with your name, class year (if applicable) and preferred email address.

21 ON THE COVER: Jim DeAngelo, ’85 poses outside Mulry Hall, his “home” at Prep for most of his career as a teacher and administrator. Photo by Mike Jiran, ’03

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Chris Caulfield Named Prep’s 47th Principal Following a multifaceted search process that began last summer, Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 announced in January that Christopher B. Caulfield, ’03, who is currently interim vice principal for academics, will serve as the 47th principal of Saint Peter’s Prep, beginning July 1, 2022.

Caulfield joined the Prep English department in 2008, and served as department chair from 2015 until his interim appointment as vice principal last summer. Concurrently, he served as Prep’s head coach for indoor and outdoor track (2013-21) and cross country (2017-21). In the classroom, he earned a reputation as an engaging and innovative educator. On the sidelines, he guided the Marauders to dominance in all three seasons of competition and garnered numerous coaching accolades.

As both a student and a teacher, Caulfield has been directly engaged in Jesuit education since he began his freshman year at Prep in the fall of 1999. During that time, he has earned degrees from Boston College (B.A., English and M.Ed., Secondary Education) and Fordham University (M.S., Educational Administration and Supervision). Over his 14 years as a Prep teacher and administrator, Mr. Caulfield’s contributions to the academic life of Prep have included service on numerous internal planning committees, and in 2015 he was selected by the senior class as faculty graduation speaker. His connection to Grand & Warren spans decades and generations, as he is also the son of an alumnus (Jack Caulfield, ’71), the brother of an alumnus (Edmund Caulfield, ’00), and the grandson of an alumnus (Edmund Caulfield, ’37)—to name just three of the many Prep alumni among his extended family.

“Prep has always been home for me. Based on my experience as a student coming from Essex County, I am confident that many

students commuting from outside communities spent much more time in Jersey City than we ever did in our hometowns during those four years,” Caulfield recalled. “After the initial months of the pandemic, as I drove to Prep to distribute summer reading books, following months of virtual learning and a cancelled track season, I realized that I hadn’t been away from the Prep buildings for more than two weeks in my 13 prior years as an adult in the school community.”

“I hope you will join me in congratulating Mr. Caulfield on this appointment, and in welcoming him into his new role beginning this summer,” wrote Dr. Gomez in an email to the Prep community, announcing the appointment. “But just as importantly, I hope you will join me in sincerely thanking Mr. DeAngelo for more than 30 years of distinguished service to Prep, including 15 years as principal...Mr. DeAngelo has guided our Prep to new heights in global education, professional development for our faculty, and overall academic excellence.”

Prep’s next principal is eager to build on that legacy and spirit of collegiality. “My choice to work at Prep stemmed from the sentiment in the Gospel of Luke: ‘to whom much is given, much will be required,’” he said. “Prep

has given me so much over the years; it is my sincere hope that with the help of my colleagues and the extended Prep family I can do what is required to help our students experience the transformative effects of a Prep education.”

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Setting the Tone

As Prep began the school year—a year that celebrates both the 150th anniversary of Saint Peter’s Prep and the 500th anniversary of the conversion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola—perhaps no single event was more meaningful than the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition at Jesuit schools worldwide since 1548. The Mass took on particular significance as the entire Prep community gathered in one place for the first time since the pandemic forced the initial move to virtual learning in March 2020. In a year whose major themes have been celebrating Prep’s legacy and the joy of simply doing the work of Jesuit education together, in person, the Mass of the Holy Spirit was a fitting moment to gather and begin.

Fourteen Jesuits and one diocesan priest, all either Prep alumni or current or former members of Prep’s faculty and administration, joined the celebration, including five of the six living Jesuits who have served as Prep presidents. That group included Rev. Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62, Prep’s president from 1979-86, and currently Provincial Assistant for Pre-Secondary & Secondary Education for the Jesuits’ USA East province. Fr. Parkes served as celebrant for the Mass and, in his homily, expressed deep gratitude for the growth he experienced at Prep—both as a student and later as president—and for the many gifts Prep has given in its first 150 years, both to its alumni, and to the world through the work of its alumni. Fr. Parkes also offered a challenge: “May this year be the greatest year in the history classes be the greatest classes that ever graduated from Saint Peter’s Prep. God bless you.”

of Saint Peter’s Prep, and may these four

After Mass, students and adults alike were invited to Keenan Field for a carnival in celebration of Prep’s sesquicentennial. The festive atmosphere underscored the gift of having the entire school community back on campus each day, and helped set the tone for a year that has seen a return to so much of the rich community life that defines the Prep experience.

BELOW LEFT: Six of Prep’s seven living presidents gathered in the Siperstein Library before Mass. From left: Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91; Jim Keenan, S.J.; Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62; Jim Joyce, S.J.; Ken Boller, S.J.; and Bob Reiser, S.J. BELOW RIGHT: After Mass, a carnival atmosphere—literally!—awaited the Prep community at Keenan Field.

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144 GRAND

Kairos 66 Leads a Retreat Resurgence

by Mike Murcia, ’08

After nearly two years since Prep’s last overnight retreat, fifty-two members of the community embarked on Kairos 66, reigniting a staple in Prep’s Campus Ministry program. It was the latest milestone as Prep continues to resume the rich campus life of pre-pandemic times.

Since its inception in the fall of 2007, Kairos has served as a newfound “rite of passage” for Prep’s students. An optional, three-day retreat for juniors, Kairos is an opportunity for students to reflect on God’s presence in their everyday lives. “Kairos” is a Greek word meaning “God’s time” and, during the retreat, students have a chance to step outside of their normal routine and become more aware of how much they are loved by God and others.

I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Kairos 2 in February of 2008. Up until then, the rich history of Prep’s Emmaus retreat was what my classmates and I were constantly exposed to…and it was a history we found sacred. Kairos was a life-changing experience for so many of us, and it was the perfect way to end our high school experiences. In my interactions with alumni older than myself, I’ve often thought, “I wish this person had the opportunity to experience Kairos.”

When I returned to Prep nearly six years ago, as Director of Alumni Relations, I never thought I’d have the same thought about our current students.

Unfortunately, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 made those thoughts a reality, wiping out the remainder of the spring 2020 retreat calendar, as well as severely limiting the scope of the program during 2020-21.

Last May, Campus Ministry successfully executed a hybrid Kairos retreat for juniors and seniors who were signed up for retreats that were canceled due to the pandemic. Although it was different from a traditional retreat, the energy and enthusiasm were as vibrant as any other Kairos. Five students from that retreat took the responsibility and commitment of serving as senior leaders for this year’s first two Kairos retreats.

This winter, I was blessed with the privilege of directing Kairos 66, exactly fourteen years after experiencing Kairos 2. With those five senior leaders, our mission was clear: bring back Kairos and remind everyone why its impact is so important.

Within the first few hours on our first night, it was clear why this group of juniors and seniors had jumped at the chance to join the first “regular” Kairos they could. Through large group discussions, small group reflections, high energy spent during free time, and everything in between, it was evident that these young men were so excited to be together, to strengthen their relationships with each other, and to experience all that makes the Prep brotherhood so special.

Since our return, each day at Prep has been a reminder of Kairos 66. Students who made the retreat are seen spending time with each other in the Commons, greeting adult leaders in the hallways, or even expressing interest in serving as leaders for our upcoming Kairos retreats. It’s a reminder that our retreat programs are back, and that this special form of “Prep Magic” is ready to make its impact in the lives of our students again.

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The alumni faculty/staff panelists, left to right: Nyshier Oliver, ’09, John Irvine, ’83, P’11, Jim Horan, ’70, Pete Geary, ’05, Rich Hansen, ’03, Kevin Kuhl, ’14, Mike Murcia, ’08, and Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10.

Windows Into Prep History In January, eight of the many alumni currently serving on Prep’s faculty and staff took center stage for a special sesquicentennial assembly. The panelists answered questions from members of the student council about their own experiences of Prep through the decades, both as students and as adult members of the community. With the classes represented ranging from 1970 to 2014, the panel certainly encompassed a diversity of experiences at Grand & Warren, but as the discussion unfolded, some of the constants at Prep became clear: a school that challenges students academically, emphasizes opportunities for students to grow both inside and outside the classroom, prepares them to interact with and respect people of differing backgrounds and opinions, and inspires them to generosity of spirit.

More granular topics included favorite teachers, favorite memories, important lessons, “Prep non-negotiables,” things each panelist would do differently, and what defines a “Prep man.”

Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10, of the History & Social Sciences Department was the first to attempt to define a Prep man. “We’re training you to lead, and when you lead you’ve got a headwind. It’s harder,” he said. “So

when you get out there and you’re looking for the light, and sometimes you don’t see it, that’s because you are the light. You guys are carrying it, and leading the Prep way, out in the world.”

Rich Hansen, ’03, head football coach and chair of the Physical Education Department, pointed to the essential “Prep pride.” He explained, “It’s not arrogance; it really is just appreciation for what the formative process is...what matters is that everybody, at some point, gets it, and realizes how much they’ve gotten from Saint Peter’s Prep. We’re proud of that.”

An archived live stream of the panel discussion is available at spprep.org/150Assembly

Prep Rededicates 9/11 Memorial On September 10, 2002, a garden and flagpole (installed that spring as a gift of the class of 2002) were dedicated at the corner of York and Warren Streets, in memory of the members of the Prep family who lost their lives one year prior, in the attacks of September 11, 2001. With the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaching last fall, nineteen years of exposure to the elements had clearly taken their toll on the old dedication plaque.

And so, in an effort spearheaded by senior Matthew Blomgren, ’22, Mary Anne McElroy of the History and Social Sciences Department, and Dean of Student Life Catie Epplier, the garden was re-landscaped and rededicated, along with a new version of the plaque, during a brief prayer service this past November.

The service included a blessing by Fr. Bob O’Hare, S.J., and reflections

by Prep’s president, Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 and principal, Jim DeAngelo, ’85, both of whom were members of the Prep faculty in the fall of 2001.

“Even on our dark days, and in those anxiety-ridden nights when we wonder if the sun will ever rise, when everything feels uncertain and unfamiliar, when we’re suffering from loss or confusion, when we stumble or fall hard, or lose our way,” Dr. Gomez said, “let this memorial remind us that—as individuals but more so as a Prep community—we have the strength to rise up and be that one light to one another that will always, always overcome the darkness.”

Matthew Blomgren, ’22 read from the book of Isaiah during the prayer service to rededicate the memorial.

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144 GRAND LEFT: Jim DeAngelo, ’85 introduced his Master Class presentation in the library in February.

RIGHT: Miryam DeChairo (speaking) and Aymee Torres, P’19 co-hosted the inaugural presentation in November.

Sheehan Scholars Get a Master Class...or Two! Now in its 11th year, the Gerald V. Sheehan, ’48 Scholarship Program has, from the beginning, offered numerous academic and other enrichment opportunities in addition to full tuition for some of the most promising students in each class. This year, with Tom Comey (Science Department Chair) and Mary Anne McElroy (History & Social Sciences Department) joining Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 (Director of Marketing & Public Relations) as directors of the program, those opportunities have expanded further.

One new initiative is the Master Class Series, which is designed to expose students to topics beyond their curriculum. The program aims to highlight the scholarship of faculty and staff at Prep in their particular field using the themes of the Grad at Grad. Aymee Torres, P’19 and Miryam DeChiaro of the World Languages Department gave the first Master Class in November. In their presentation, “Open to Growth: The Immigration Experience,” they shared memories and reflections of their experiences of coming to the US (from Cuba via Brazil and Italy) and Colombia, respectively. The aim of the presentation was to inspire inspire students to be open to growth and to challenge themselves to pursue goals in life despite setbacks and obstacles.

This was followed in early February by Prep Principal Jim DeAngelo, ’85, who drew on his Prep teaching days—including an elective on the history of the Holocaust—to present “January 30, 1933: An End, and a Beginning.”

DeAngelo’s presentation detailed the rise of the Nazi party in Weimar Germany. He argued that while the installation of Hitler as chancellor on January 30, 1933, is sometimes characterized as a “seizure of power,” it is important to recognize that it transpired entirely through legal means, often with the blessing of Germany’s prior political establishment, who failed to see the potential danger. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, he invited students into the machinations of the German parliament both before and after this pivotal moment, as a onetime fringe movement, once given access to the levers of power, quickly took the opportunity to eliminate all meaningful opposition.

The Master Class program is designed to offer several presentations per semester. In addition to the faculty and staff speakers, upperclassmen will also be presenting material on research they have done, either through independent study or summer internships while at Prep.

Where the Old Oaks Gather...

It’s unlikely anyone at Prep entered the 2021-22 school year expecting to see veteran English teacher Rich Peters, ’85 don a crown of laurels in class. But when he agreed to teach Joyce Kilmer’s “Old Poets” at the suggestion of Jim Hollywood, ’66 of the Math Department (who considers the poem a favorite), Peters decided to pull out all the stops in honor of a fellow alumnus and longtime colleague. His AP English students entered the Hammer Heritage Room to find it transformed into an interactive gallery, with displays providing literary and historical context for the work.

Students moved through the space, guided by a pamphlet with reflection questions to answer, before arriving at one final prompt: If you want to feel like an old poet, try on a laurel crown and sit by the [virtual] fire. If you do not want to feel like an old poet, proceed to the exit.

BELOW LEFT: Jim Hollywood, ’66 (left) perused the interactive lesson, joining Rich Peters, ’85 (right) in the laurel-crowned camp of old poets. BELOW RIGHT: An overview of the display, including a virtual fireplace.

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Seniors Commit to College Athletics As of this writing, nine members of the Class of 2022 have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Clockwise from top left:

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Wrestler Felix Lettini (Wisconsin) made an early commitment in December.

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On National Signing Day in February, Sam Slade (left) and Avery Powell (right) committed to Holy Cross for football.

Also committing in December were football players CJ Wesley (Howard), Marc Pretto (Fordham), Andre Oben (Purdue), KJ Miles (Georgia Tech) and Bryce Rooks (Monmouth).

Also on National Signing day, Fitzroy Ledgister committed to Rutgers for track and football.

A Model for Success Prep’s Model UN has amassed an enviable record in the past 12 months, beginning with the virtual Seton Hall Model UN conference in the spring of 2021. In online competition, Prep took Best Overall Small Delegation, along with five individual awards (Best Delegate: Stephen Bassler, ’22; Outstanding Delegate: Lucas Hjertberg, ’22, Nicholas Marusic, ’22, and Logan Elliot, ’22; Verbal Commendation: Nicolai Mendoza, ’24 At the South Jersey Model UN conference in October, Hjertberg, Marusic, Mendoza, and James Scheurer, ’22, each earned Best Delegate honors in their categories, while Andrew Norris, ’24 earned Best Novice Delegate and Ryley Alonsozana, ’25 earned Best Position Paper.

Most recently, at the Moorestown Model UN Conference in February, Bassler, Marusic, Mendoza, and Gavin Rutledge, ’24 earned Outstanding Delegate, while Aidan Maione, ’24 and Finn Getz, ’25 added Best Novice Delegate awards.

This fall, Model UN members added awards from last spring’s Seton Hall virtual conference to the trophy cases outside the president’s office. Flanked by Model UN adviser Mary Anne McElroy and Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, are Nicolai Mendoza, ’24, Stephen Bassler, ’22, Lucas Hjertberg, ’22, Logan Elliot, ’22, and Nicholas Marusic, ’22.

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144 GRAND Woman for Others:

Catie Eppler

by Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16

Catie Eppler’s story started in western New Jersey with Mom, Dad and her brother, a close extended family, Catholic schools, theater, and, perhaps most importantly, a pony. A sixth grade teacher inspired her love of science. Her experience of nurturing school environments meant that Randolph Macon College was a natural next step after Morris Catholic High School. Joining the “Macon Outdoors” group led to experiences in camping, skydiving, boating, and all things adventurous.

A career in epidemiology was her goal, but she was also focused on a post-graduate program in therapeutic riding instruction, working with children and adults who are disabled. She got a call in mid-October of 2011 about an open science position at Prep from Jane Bleasdale—then Prep’s Director of Faculty Formation, and previously an administrator at Morris Catholic. Concerns about the commute led her mom to offer the idea of “one year at a time,” and to encourage her to give it a try. She hasn’t looked back.

Her first teaching assignment, as a nervous 23-year old, was Anatomy and Physiology and Biology. She took to the students right away, although she recalled some “testing boundaries.” She wasted no time diving into Prep’s co-curriculars, such as Academic Bowl with Carmela Castellano Schlitzer, and Marauder Nation with Tom Comey, two of her colleagues in the Science Department. She attended Prep retreats and recalls a memorable Kairos with Dennis Aloia, ’12 as her student leader, and longtime friend Maura Toomb as the Director.

She soon became one of the school’s most recognizable and beloved teachers and colleagues.

When the position of Dean of Student Life opened up in 2021, Catie was interested, even though she would miss the classroom greatly.

In the lab, 2014...

Her closeness with students and her commitment to cura personalis makes her, in her words, “passionate about the outside-the-classroom part of high school.” There aren’t many facets of student life in which she was not engaged already, serving as moderator to the Student Council, a producer of the musicals, and a chaperone on summer immersion trips and retreats. Her reputation is that of a person who never says “no” to an opportunity to enhance the lives of Prep students.

The first year in this new role has been exhilarating and challenging. Planning assemblies, taking inventory of existing clubs, and exploring new offerings with the student council has deepened her belief that we need to “celebrate our clubs, and celebrate our students.” She aims to empower students to make decisions, with her guidance. New clubs are emerging all the time, notably the Magic Club, Engineering Club, Historical Conversations Club, and the Philosophy, Politics and Economics Club.

She says: “The support and encouragement of the administration and my colleagues here at Prep is overwhelming. I’m proud to be Prep’s first female dean, but honestly, I don’t think about that much. I’m just focused on empowering students to form meaningful lives outside the classroom.” She continues, “an event doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact. The small things are important and this is how we can make high school great for our boys. Building relationships with students and then being able to maintain that connection after they graduate is truly a blessing. I love being able to see my former students succeed and help them when they are low, even after graduation. It isn’t just that though. Prep

also encourages adults to grow. When I stepped in the door in October 2011, I never imagined I would be where I am today. I have found a true passion and it has been fostered by both the mentorships and opportunities available here.”

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...and in the Commons, 2022

PHOTO FILE

PHOTO FILE:

A Matter of Principals In February 2002, junior Chris Caulfield, ’03 was one of five students to receive a Prep Spirit Award at an honors assembly. Like each of the four seniors who also received awards that day (at right, L-R: Mark DeGennaro, ’02, Brian Guarini, ’02, Javier Persad, ’02, and Roberto Concepcion Jr., ’02) Chris then had his picture taken with Prep’s principal, Jack Raslowsky, ’79. The faces have changed, but these congratulatory photos with the principal remain part of the experience for Spirit Award recipients to this day.

Of course, there’s something different about this particular Spirit Award photo from Prep’s archives: The recipient is standing in what will become his office this summer, 20 years later, as he begins his tenure as Prep’s 47th principal (see page 2).

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COVER STORY Prep has had 46 principals in its first 150 years, an average tenure of about 3.2 years. So it’s remarkable to realize fully one-tenth of Prep’s history has been written with Jim DeAngelo, ’85 at the helm of the school’s academic life. In characteristically understated fashion, the former German teacher—who first arrived at Prep as a sophomore transfer student in 1982—has guided Prep to new heights in global education, faculty and staff formation, and overall academic excellence, even in times when life beyond Grand & Warren has often been uncertain. As he began his last semester at Prep, he sat down for a conversation with Prep Magazine’s editor to reflect on four decades at Grand & Warren, and particularly on 15 years of leadership as collegial as it has been consequential.

The Great Collaborator

Interview by Mike Jiran, ’03

Mike Jiran: 40 years ago this fall you transferred to Prep as a sophomore.

Jim DeAngelo: Wow! So when you think about Prep in 1982 and Prep in 2022, what are some of the the biggest differences?

Well, I could never have imagined that I’d still be at Prep 40 years later when I came here in 1982. The biggest change, externally, is the neighborhood. It was very quiet, and in some ways it was a kind of a depressing and not a very vibrant neighborhood. I think it seemed empty and burned out, as evidenced by many of the brownstones that would be empty in this area. So it was very much a case of coming to Prep and then blocking everything else out in terms of the neighborhood.

We didn’t really venture far. Today it is such a vibrant destination and a highly desirable place to live.

Internally, I think the school just looks better in terms of physical plant.

There’s been a lot of renovation and it just seems to be more modern and up-to-date. To be honest, it seemed a little old-fashioned and dusty to me when I came as a student.

And what are the constants throughout those years?

What remains, I think, is the incredibly welcoming spirit of students in particular. I have heard time and again, when I’ve had friends come and visit from other Jesuit high schools, that this place is very welcoming.

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They always felt that they were part of something when they were here.

It reminded them a lot of their own schools in the best ways, and they felt that there was a great openness and an incredible hospitality. People would always mention the little gifts that they would get, and how they wouldn’t walk away from here empty-handed.

You’ve had many lives at Prep: student, alumnus, teacher, moderator for numerous activities, and finally as principal.

Would you say that your arriving at Prep as a transfer, instead of through the sort of “regular” channel as a freshman, has given you a different perspective?

Very definitely, I

think coming here as a transfer from another high school, I saw Prep with different eyes than students who had come in as freshmen. I had something with which to compare in that first year at the other high school. And it’s not in any way to denigrate that school, but I just felt that there was a greater diversity of students here, a greater diversity of experiences. And also, the quality of the classes and the intellectual challenge was really very evident to me even as a sophomore. And that has always stayed with me. I think because of that,

I appreciated more what Saint Peter’s Prep had to offer me, and to offer students in general. And really that appreciation and affection and love for the school grew over the years that I was here.

Looking back 15 years later, what was your first thought when you got the call inviting you to be our next principal?

SECTION COVER STORY Thinking back to that call from [then-president] Fr. Bob Reiser, there was a moment of abject fear, and saying, “Oh my God, this is really happening,” and “Can I do this?” And I remember there was a moment or maybe a couple of hours of that, but then thinking back through the process and saying, “This is something that I wanted, and now I need to respond.” And that was what helped to get me over those those initial doubts.

Back in 2007, you predicted two key themes in Prep Magazine for your time as principal. One was the need for Jesuit schools to engage on a different level in light of fewer Jesuits being available to define the school as “Jesuit.” The other was the need to adapt to new ways of communicating and teaching.

How do those predictions hold up?

I think they held up pretty well. When I think back over the last 15 years, a common project of the Jesuit high schools—not just in North America and the Jesuit Schools Network, but also the worldwide network of Jesuit education—began with, “How do we enhance our Ignatian identity? How do we make our schools better Jesuit schools?” And I think it has expressed itself in so many different ways. Think about the global partnerships that are a priority of the worldwide network of Jesuit education, the global meetings that have happened within the province and around the world, virtually and in person. The great sharing of ideas and programming around how we enhance our identity as Jesuit schools.

I think Jesuit schools are at the forefront of many Catholic schools in saying, “How do we retain, and in some ways enhance and expand, the definition of what it means to be a Catholic school, or in particular a Jesuit school, especially in light of the declining number of Jesuits?”

And the reality is there. But

I do think in many ways everybody here is much more aware of what it means to be a student or a teacher or a staff member in a Jesuit high school than we may have been in 2007. And that’s because of the very conscious efforts of the networks to which we belong, but also a personal commitment and the nurturing of that commitment through what we do here at Saint Peter’s Prep.

Secondly, I spoke about needing to adapt to different ways of communicating and teaching. The state of our educational technology, I think, was pretty weak in comparison to many other leading schools in 2007. But in the intervening years, Prep has done a remarkable job in terms of adapting, and adapting in good ways, to the latest developments in educational technology as a means of teaching and learning.

You can jump ahead to our experience of the last two years of the global pandemic, where the technology was there to really keep us together.

Virtual learning, distance learning is not ideal in comparison, obviously, to in-person learning. But in the absence of in-person learning, I think the Prep community—students and teachers, everybody—adapted incredibly well to keep alive the spirit of Prep and to keep our work going at that time.

Just as the pandemic will have a long tail in terms of some negative effects, I think the positive effects of how technology brought us together—not just as a Saint Peter’s Prep community but also connecting with schools around the country and around the world—will also continue. And I think we can dream in different ways of how that can continue to keep us together and foster new partnerships and new ways of learning.

When Jim Horan asked you that question 15 years ago you called it the “vision question.” So let’s call this one the “legacy question.” We’re entering the last semester of what has been the longest tenure of any Prep principal. So when people look back on the Jim DeAngelo era, 20 years from now, what are the main themes, the broad strokes that you hope they’ll remember?

I think the growth of global education here at Prep is something that would be a hallmark of the last several years, and I think there are two parts to that. There’s the programmatic part, in terms of the expansion of global programs, but the other side of it is the increase in the number of people—particularly adults, faculty and staff members—who are participating in global programs.

I don’t think global and international programs are seen as solely the domain of foreign language teachers anymore.

Rather, we are able to invite a greater range of of colleagues to take part and to keep the global programs going and expanding here at the school.

Then there’s the growth of technology in the classroom. It may have been a natural outgrowth, but I think there was an impetus that it needed to happen at the very beginning. And, I also hope, a spirit of collegiality and cooperation, through things like professional learning communities. It’s something that you look back on and say, “Okay, that was a result of the work and the dedication that we had put in.”

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COVER STORY Hurricane Sandy initially rendered all of Prep’s buildings west of Warren Street unusable. Prep’s faculty and staff spent the early days of November 2012 working in the library to plan for a gradual return of students to campus.

So then a little bit more specifically, is there a moment or initiative that stands out to you that made you particularly proud of Prep over the years?

I think establishing the partnership with our school in Peru, in Lima, was a step out of the norm for us, even as we expand our global and exchange programs. Just the incredible willingness and the trust that our colleagues at the school in Lima had in us, and the willingness to come together, and to take a chance, and to come and visit us and to take part in our school life during their summer vacation, which is January/February. And then the incredible welcome that our students and teachers have had in Lima over the last several years. And then there was the opportunity for one of their teachers to come and spend time teaching here, as well as a colleague from Barcelona. It’s also nice to see teacher exchanges and opportunities for our colleagues to spend time abroad and teach. It’s something that is a great hallmark, I think, of what global education can be.

After all these years around Prep, you’ve more or less seen it all around here. But does anything still surprise you? Not necessarily hurricanes or pandemics...

I was just going to say that! ...But on a human scale, are there any surprises?

I think on a human scale, year to year—maybe it’s not such a surprise, but still, I think it’s always very pleasing to see the

rededication that especially the teachers have to this school and to the work. It’s the willingness to look at things in a new way and to try new things and to grapple with what it means to be a teacher at a Jesuit high school. That meaning can change and deepen over time, with a mix of new colleagues and people coming together, and in some ways it is continually new. Because of that it’s very refreshing. And then it regenerates and I think it has an effect on everybody.

Even with a declining number of Jesuits, we don’t even talk about

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it as much anymore, because I think we’ve adapted in a way, in the best ways, to say, “We can do this,” as lay colleagues. We very much appreciate our Jesuit colleagues and friends and the support that we get from the Jesuit community at Saint Peter’s, from the province. But I think we’ve grown up in that way, and matured to where we can say it is solidly and most decidedly a Jesuit school, and it’s a school that will continue to grow and develop.

Let’s talk, then, about those sort of global-scale surprises.

You were here for 9/11 as a teacher, and as principal, you’ve helped us navigate through Sandy and still now through the pandemic. What have you learned about Prep and about yourself from working to steer the proverbial ship?

What I learned about myself, especially with the experience of Hurricane Sandy, is to trust other people a lot more. Doing things together with others, in collaboration with others. Being open to that and in some ways being vulnerable and saying, “Hey, how can we do this together?” and not feeling that I needed to have all the answers or even to do all the work to get the answers. That it would be better, it is better, to be in collaboration and in cooperation with others. That was something I learned very quickly in those first couple of days after Hurricane Sandy closed down much of the campus. And then bringing together the faculty and staff and the administration in the library about a week later

not to say, “Can we do this?” but rather “How do we do this?” And the only way we could do it was to have everyone together and to say, “Okay,

within these parameters, with these constrictions, this is how we can do it,” and then bring Prep back. That was a great lesson to me that I

COVER STORY brought to much of the rest of my work. It was great comfort and it’s still a touchstone for me to look back on and say the greater the

collaboration, I think, the greater the success we can expect.

And so jumping ahead to the COVID-19 pandemic, in those early days, approaching it with the same mindset. Even weeks before the shutdown of campus came, before the lockdown came, bringing together people in groups and saying “Okay, how do we do this? If we need to shut down campus for a period of time, how can we do this?” And sharing that question in groups throughout the school. And then once it happens, “How do we continue to do this?”

Personally, I found great wisdom, great comfort, in reaching out to other schools both here in the United States and then also abroad. Our European schools were a couple weeks ahead of us in the experience of the pandemic, and speaking to them throughout that time helped me to understand where we were headed.

other individuals who have really been a part of the legacy. I think of seeing people retire and having an opportunity to say goodbye and to say thank you, those retirement parties that we’ve hosted often in the library or in other places. Especially people that I had in class, that I knew as a student. There’s an extra poignancy to that.

That takes me to my next question. There is no shortage of your former students roaming these halls—including yours truly, but maybe more notably your successor. Have you given much thought to that aspect of of this moment?

I have. I’ve had the privilege of working with Chris Caulfield, obviously this year in his role as vice principal, and then previously as an English teacher and chair of the English Department. But also then knowing him as a student, and having him take part in the German Exchange when he was a student as well.

While we’re talking about sustaining and inspiring: who are some of the people who have defined this chapter of your Prep experience?

People have asked me if I feel old because of that. And I don’t! Actually, I feel there’s a great sense of joy and having this shared experience, a shared experience of being a Prep alumnus and then being able to step into this role with great joy and with great hopefulness. You know all the good things that Chris embodies as a person, as a teacher, and as a professional. He’s going to bring that into this work, and I think Prep is in very good hands because of the person that Chris Caulfield has developed into and will continue to be as a leader.

Wow. There are so many people. I’m almost afraid to answer the question because I think unfortunately I would need to leave so many people out.

We’ve talked a little bit about global education but maybe we can talk more about where you see that going in this pandemic-colored world. How does it stay fresh or relevant?

But to think about great influences, you know Fr. Tony Azzarto was always there, always an open door and a great companion, someone who listened and also understood what I may have been going through, especially on a personal level. I appreciate in great ways Fr. John Mullin, who had that connection when I was a student. He was one of my teachers in both junior and senior year, and then having him here when I was back as principal was just a great comfort, and someone who I think provided wise counsel.

I think the challenge of global education in this moment of pandemic times, where the pandemic is still affecting lives and restricting things is this: as more and more in-person things happen but some of the international aspects of travel are still restricted, how do we continue to build upon the virtual and the digital successes that we’ve had?

The great generosity, and the work together, that collaboration, is something that sustained me and continues to inspire me and my work.

I think of my colleagues on the administrative team, who again embody that collaboration and the collaborative efforts that we’ve had. Inspiring, challenging, but also willing to do the work. I’m trying to thank some

And then, even going forward, how might the virtual aspect of things be a complement to the in-person? Because there’s a great desire to return to the in-person aspects of global programming. For example we have a group coming from Germany [this spring], and are trying to work on other groups. We had the group from Barcelona here in the fall and our students will be traveling in the spring and in the summer. There’s a great desire to restart that, but I think there is now a knowledge and an experience that there can be some sort of a continuation, officially, but it happens also personally. It might be students FaceTiming with

Student exchange programs have been a highly visible hallmark of global education at Prep, and of Jim DeAngelo’s time at Grand & Warren.

LEFT: DeAngelo (standing, third from left) participated in Prep’s first-ever German exchange as a senior, taking on the challenge despite having only formally studied French. “I finished up that trip with a heightened understanding of what I didn’t know, but I started Boston College that fall determined to change that,” he later wrote.

CENTER: In his years as Prep’s German teacher, and occasionally as principal, DeAngelo accompanied numerous German Exchange groups. This group from 2001 included his eventual successor as principal, Chris Caulfield, ’03.

RIGHT: The fall 2021 visit by students and teachers from Sant Ignasi in Barcelona marked the resumption of full-scale exchanges at Prep after a nearly two-year gap.

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COVER STORY each other, or even just WhatsApp. There’s so much more connection between students now when compared with even 10, 15, 20, 30 years ago, back to those first exchanges. And as a result I think the power and the impact of an exchange is going to be much more long-lasting than it was when I took part in the German Exchange in 1985.

I think that it’s fair to say that you’ve had a hand in keeping Prep highly visible and highly engaged among peer schools in the Jesuit world and the independent school world, and not only building and maintaining those bridges but often being that bridge yourself. In your interaction with peer schools, what have you learned about what makes Prep unique?

I always speak with great pride and great sincerity and authenticity about the ability of our colleagues here, the teachers in particular, to come together and to work on a common project together. Think about how highly involved everybody in this community has been in things like self-studies for accreditation projects, for sponsorship reviews by the province, anti-racism training, and so many other things. When I speak to my principal colleagues at other schools about how we at Prep come together and spend time in meetings, or spend time after classes have already completed in June, they’re astounded! Often they’ll say, “That could never happen at my school,” or “People wouldn’t do that,” or they would be less than cooperative in doing that, and...maybe it wouldn’t be worth the investment of time.

And I am always a little confounded by that, because I’ve rarely found that. When we’re able to explain why we are doing this, the investment that our colleagues and our friends here at Prep put into their work—

someone very facetiously once said “You know, Jersey City sounds like Candy Land!” as if it would never play in other parts of the country.

And I always say, “Come and visit us in Candy Land and see what it’s like! Come and visit any time, and I’ll bring you to classrooms, I’ll bring you into these meetings and you can see with your own eyes how we do this.” We joke about it

sometimes in different meetings, but I always want people to come to Jersey City and to visit us here at Prep and to see the really good things that are happening here. And it really is a collaborative and a communal effort. That is very special, and I am cognizant of that.

And I have been cognizant of that for so many years, especially when sharing with people from other schools about how they may have hit roadblocks and challenges from within. I’ve rarely had that, and I’ve been blessed. And I really am appreciative of that and I was always, I think, very clear to share that.

Looking ahead to Prep’s horizon, what are some of the challenges and opportunities that you think Prep will encounter in the next couple of years?

DeAngelo points to one more constant among all the changes he has witnessed at Prep: the Statue of Liberty, just to the south. His years as principal have seen Prep take on a broader and deeper global outlook, while always remaining firmly rooted in its (and his) hometown of Jersey City.

Looking ahead I think engaging in a makeover of the English Building similar to what happened in Mulry Hall and Hogan Hall and Burke Hall here on the west side of campus is an incredibly exciting project. To take a look at Mulry Hall, which is so beautiful—I think in some ways it’s the hallmark building of our campus—and to say what that will be able to be for future generations of students, I think that’s very exciting.

I think about the future of where technology is, in helping to develop life in the classroom, but also at the same time how do we maintain kind of the human connections, right? And the programs that happen through Campus Ministry and our retreat and service programs, to continue those, and to have those as a part of our education as well. And I think that comes together very neatly with kind of what a global view of education is. It’s much bigger than what’s happening here at Grand & Warren. It’s that impetus to look outward, and to look out with open arms, both figuratively and then quite literally, welcoming people here and having them be part of our community.

Just take a minute to reflect personally on all these years at Prep, and on the place and on the people who inhabit it. What has it all meant to you?

I think the experience could be summed up in that Gospel story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, walking along the road, being in companionship with each other, but also Jesus there and at first not recognizing him. And then in that moment of recognition, you know, “hearts on fire,” and then wanting to share that with others. I think that is a very apt metaphor for the experience at Prep. I think coming to an awareness of the good things that are happening here, the role that faith has played in my own life, and then being enlivened by that and wanting to go out and to share that with others has been a foundational experience

and something that really spurs me in all aspects of my life. And that will continue.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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SECTION

To Whom Much is Given: Paul Curmi, ’07

The Curmi family—Allison, Grace, Paula and Loreto, P’07, Paul, ’07, and Noah.

Many alumni recall their first experience at Saint Peter’s Prep as a “Freshman for a Day” as the start of a relationship for which they are forever grateful. At the impressionable age of 13, Paul Curmi, ’07 felt a distinctive kind of environment at Grand & Warren, and over the next 20 years, that initial impression would have a profound effect on every aspect of his life.

Like many Prep families, education and religion were both a core focus for Mr. and Mrs. Loreto Curmi, P,’07 from Summit, New Jersey, where several Catholic high schools are within a 20-minute drive. With no connection to Hudson County, the family didn’t really have Saint Peter’s Prep on their radar compared to other schools in Union, Essex, and Morris Counties. But after hearing about a neighbor whose son was already enrolled at Prep, Paul added it to the list of schools that he would apply to, and, as his did with each of the other schools, signed up for the “Freshman for a Day” experience.

“Prep just felt like home during the visit,” Paul remembers. “I was immediately drawn to the camaraderie of the students, a supportive staff, and unique atmosphere which I did not find at any of the other options.” Paul completed his application to Prep shortly after that visit. “I was fortunate enough to be accepted, and I’ve never looked back,” he says. “Prep has continued to feel like home ever since.”

It’s evident that Prep really feels like home to Paul, as he and his wife Allison live just down the street from campus with their children Noah (Prep class of 2037!) and Grace.

“Seeing Prep students in the neighborhood serves as a continual reminder of Prep’s ongoing impact in the lives of many other young men,” Paul says. “It is all of our responsibility as alumni to

serve as ‘men for others’ and help to see that this legacy continues for many years to come.”

Paul’s support of Prep is not only as a good neighbor. He’s also a generous contributor to the Annual Fund and he serves as a Class Chair for his 2007 brothers, whom he keeps informed regarding all the goings-on at Prep—from reunions to happy hours to golf outings. Obviously, Prep has touched Paul’s life in more ways than just academically.

“I met my future wife at a Prep dance with Saint Dominic Academy. Many of my closest friends are those I met at Grand & Warren. I stay in close contact with many of my teachers,” Paul is proud to note. “Quite

simply, Prep has given me so much and I feel an eternal debt of gratitude for all of the lessons, experiences and opportunities Prep provided during my four high school years. Ever since I walked through the door as a ‘Freshman for a Day,’ Prep has had a leading role in shaping my future.”

PREP MAGAZINE n WINTER 2021-22 15

FEATURE In adjacent offices the second floor of Prep’s very first building, Shalloe Hall, you’ll find two veteran administrators, proud alumni of different generations, linked by their enthusiastic knowledge of Prep lore (and, coincidentally, with rhyming names), working intensely on twin media projects for Prep’s sesquicentennial celebration. On one side of the wall, Jim Horan, ’70 is creating a book on Prep’s history for release this fall. On the other, Mike Jiran, ’03 produces and directs the ongoing video series Pride & Stories. Each has taken on this project in addition to the usual complement of “ordinary” responsibilities, but each will tell you: it’s a labor of love!

Works in Progress This story really begins in 2017, with an offhanded comment by then Prep president Fr. Ken Boller, S.J., to vice president Jim Horan, ’70. At the conclusion of their weekly meeting, Fr. Boller noted casually, “And, of course, it’s time to start thinking about the 150th,” adding, “it’s five years away, but those years will fly by.”

Fr. Boller spoke from experience. Two decades earlier, and two miles to Prep’s east, he had served as president when Xavier High School in Manhattan planned and executed its 1997 sesquicentennial celebration.

The members of the broader Prep community were about to learn a new word: ”sesquicentennial.”And like so many institutions celebrating milestone anniversaries, Prep was about to embark on a series of commemorative activities—including efforts to document the school’s history and culture through “a book” and “a video.” But it would take a few more years for those items to take their shape.

One early challenge was the state of Prep’s archives, such that they were. One might imagine rows of filing cabinets brimming with significant documents, but they simply did not exist. Historical photos were also in short supply. Worse yet, previously existing boxes that did contain archival materials had once been stored in the basement of Shalloe Hall—until 2012, when it was filled with seven feet of brackish water, courtesy of Superstorm Sandy.

Fr. Boller was aware of this, but he also knew that there were Jesuit archives in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere that could help fill in the gaps. He hired two archivists to quantify the available off-site resources, while Horan began initial discussions with colleagues across town at Saint Peter’s University—after all, both schools began as components of what was then Saint Peter’s College.

Fast-forward to 2019 and the mid-summer arrival of Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 as Prep’s 28th president. The 150th anniversary was now just under three years away, and as the first semester took hold, 16 WINTER 2021-22 n PREP MAGAZINE

Gomez gathered a steering committee to brainstorm and codify the various components that would make this celebration truly memorable for all cohorts within the Prep family. A book and a video were clear must-haves. Horan was tasked with overseeing the book project, while communications director Mike Jiran, ’03 would take the lead on the video project. The initial plan was for each to identify (and, eventually, contract) candidates who had the requisite experience and ability to produce these high-profile projects, then liaise with those outside contractors as development continued. Of course, Prep had many alumni and other connections in the fields of writing and filmmaking, but there were lingering logistical issues, including in some cases their availability—and the pandemic’s onset in early 2020 didn’t help.

It was during this vetting process, with endless scenarios being discussed and considered, that a reality gradually emerged—namely, that Prep actually could handle these two components in-house, with Horan acting as editor and lead author on the book and Jiran directing one or more videos. Both administrators possessed an in-depth knowledge of Prep’s history and were very experienced in their fields. After a few “what if” sessions with the committee, there was unanimous agreement to proceed along this path.

With that settled, both men separately began tackling their respective projects, while facing a common challenge. As Horan explained: “It became clear early on that neither Mike nor I could rely on strictly linear storytelling, the way that most other schools had produced similar ‘histories.’ Prep just doesn’t have access to that granular detail on what was occurring each month of each year of the school’s existence.

“But that turned out to be a blessing, as it forced Mike and myself to independently construct new narrative vehicles that convey not so much Prep’s ‘history,’ but instead its ‘story.’ I’d like to think we both cracked the code, independently, on how to accomplish that.”

FEATURE SECTION

Don’t miss out!

New episodes of Pride & Stories are released approximately twice a month on Prep’s YouTube channel (spprep1872) and primary social media feeds (listed on page 1). Links to new releases are also shared via email, so it’s a good idea to ensure Prep has your current email address! Scan the QR code at right or visit spprep.org/PrideAndStories to catch up on all currently available episodes!

Details on the book release will be shared in the months ahead through various Prep channels, online and in print. Be sure to stay connected with Prep as our sesquicentennial celebration continues!

Jiran concurred: “If we had the archives to do it, I think there would have been this temptation, maybe even this self-imposed pressure, to do a purely chronological history. But when it comes to telling a story, particularly on screen, that puts you in a corner. Even if you break it into segments, you risk making something that’s too long to be watchable—and yet, paradoxically, it might lack depth and that human touch, because you’re rushing through decades in a few minutes.”

For the book, Horan—who for three decades taught the senior journalism elective at Prep and was the founding editor of Prep Magazine–decided to focus on the “zeitgeist” of each portion of Prep’s history. This would be conveyed primarily through interviews with alumni (including one representing each year from 1940 to the present), complemented by “endless sidebars” and what he and the researchers have unearthed in various archives. And then there’s what he euphemistically calls “sanctioned plagiarism”—from yearbooks, Jesuit diaries, Saint Peter’s University’s own anniversary materials, the Jersey City Public Library, and myriad other sources.

In addition, he enlisted the assistance of some other members of Prep’s faculty and staff, as both writers and researchers. “I am so fortunate to be surrounded by talented colleagues who share my passion for Prep, and for this project,” he said. “Their assistance has been invaluable.”

He added, “My goal is to produce a book that will be informative, of course, but also incredibly insightful, focusing on what it was like to be on campus during world wars, periods of political strife, and, at times, transformational social change. But most of all, I want it to be ‘a fun read,’ in which you can open it to any section, chapter or page and, afterward, say, ‘Even though I attended Prep many decades prior to, or after, the period I just read about, I recognize that place—JUG and all.’

“It’s evident that Prep’s DNA hasn’t wavered, even as the neighborhood, the faculty, the curriculum and the campus have all kept up with the times.”

On the other side of the wall, Jiran brings to this project 15 years’ experience as Prep’s ultimate communications multi-tasker, with deep expertise ranging from major publications and branding work to the school’s web, video, and social media outreach. His approach, rooted in 30 issues (counting this one) thus far as editor of Prep Magazine, plus his formative experiences as a student leader of Prep’s TV Studio and Petrean yearbook, is characteristically eclectic. And so, what began as “the video” morphed into Pride & Stories, which he describes as an anthology series celebrating Prep by highlighting memorable people, moments, and traditions.

“I just love to collect Prep stories,” he said. “Everybody with a Prep connection has a story, a dozen stories, a hundred stories to tell, and in a small way I’m preserving and sharing them.” Nine episodes have been released as of this writing, with more still to come throughout 2022. Some rely on snippets of interviews with alumni, faculty, administrators, coaches, parents, and students to provide insight into a particular topic, while others present a kind of “video essay,” a personal reflection or recollection in one voice.

Given the timing—episode 1 debuted September 9, 2021—it was only appropriate to begin this generally celebratory series on a somber note.

“Tuesday, B-Day, September 11, 2001” retells Prep’s handling of the events of 9/11 and its aftermath, 20 years later, in the words of alumni, teachers, and administrators who were at Grand & Warren that day.

“I had some reservations about starting with such a serious topic,” Jiran recalled, “but the timing was right, and I know from having lived it from a student’s perspective that it’s a defining Prep moment for anyone who was here at the time. I also think our resilience as a school, and doing what we could to help the broader community, is a window into what Prep is all about.”

He added: “Even beyond the subject matter, that first episode had me worried all summer. Was the runtime too long? Did the interviews and my editing do justice to the story? I made the conscious decision to have very few visuals or music cues and let it be like an oral history, but would that be boring for the viewer? But the response from the Prep community was just tremendous, and it really made me trust my instincts a bit more. And really, that has continued as we release each episode. It’s been an honor and an amazing journey.”

Some subsequent topics have included the origins of the Prep seal, the creation of the Warren Street Plaza, the significant role of “Prep Moms” in the school’s culture, and the football team’s quirky history of successfully “going for two” points in pivotal moments.

While the book and the videos dominate Prep’s use of media in this celebratory season, they are more than complemented by an eclectic array of in-person events, some monumental and others relatively minor. For Dr. Gomez and the steering committee, the goal is for this current highly significant sesquicentennial celebration to be truly memorable–for the current freshmen right through to the most “veteran” alumni.

As he put it, “Prep deserves nothing less!”

PREP MAGAZINE n WINTER 2021-22 17

SPORTS LEFT: First-year head coach Russell Jenkins picked up right where his predecessor, Chris Caulfield, ’03, left off, earning Hudson County Coach of the Year honors along the way.

BELOW: The team earned Prep’s first-ever NJCTC championship, and Junior Alex Schimmel (center) was voted Hudson County runner of the year.

Cross Country The graduation of several key runners and a head coaching change did not seem to impact the team. Former assistant coach Russell Jenkins took the reins, replacing Chris Caulfield, ’03, and the transition was a seamless one. The Marauders continued to dominate both their Jersey City and Hudson County opponents, capturing an eleventh straight City Championship and a fifth straight County title. The runners also brought home a championship trophy from the Catholic Track Conference – the first time in school history. Coach Jenkins was named Hudson County Coach of the Year by his coaching peers.

Sophomore Andy Mayorga, seen here splitting two Union City defenders, led the team in scoring (10G, 2A) and earned First Team All-State honors.

Soccer The team finished the fall season with a record of 11-7-1, which included a 1-0 victory over Trinity (NY) and a hardfought 2-1 State Tournament loss to #4 Notre Dame. In that season-ending defeat, the Marauders started five sophomores and one freshman.

Junior captain Leo Maura earned First Team All-State recognition.

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SPORTS

Former Head Coach Rich Hansen looks on from an unfamiliar position—that of “just” athletic director—but the scene is familiar from his time at the helm: Prep comes from behind to win on a late 2-point conversion. This time it was junior quarterback Robert “Champ” Long with the score to defeat Seton Hall Prep in an overtime thriller at Caven Point.

It was just one of several memorable wins for the Marauders, with first-year Head Coach Rich Hansen, ’03 (inset), in a campaign that reached the state semifinals.

Football Prep Football took the field in early September with a new head coach, for the first time in 33 years. Rich Hansen, ’03 took over the program from his father with the simple, but lofty goal of keeping the program as strong as it has been. The Marauders began impressively with victories over Paramus Catholic, West Orange, and Northeast HS (PA), outscoring their opponents 144-8. Close wins over Seton Hall and DePaul Catholic followed. Navigating the Super Football Conference, the team then dropped 3 of 4 before advancing to the state semifinals and finishing with a record of 8-4.

“Assuming the head coaching position for the 2021-22 season has been an extremely exhilarating experience,” Coach Hansen reflected. “The players were amazing in their dedication to the program throughout a modified off-season and summer due to COVID restrictions. We won some really exciting games and laid a good foundation to build upon next season.”

Water Polo With the outstanding performance and leadership of senior Griffin Wagner, the team finished its season with a record of 3-3. According to Coach Patrick McCoy, “Breakout performances by juniors Evan Briggs and Sebastian Arteaga and sophomores Nick Valente and Thomas Gaughan propelled the team to wins over Fieldstone (18-6) and Trinity (14-8).”

The 2nd varsity 8+ rowing up to the start line at the Overpeck Fall Classic.They would finish second, three seconds ahead of CBA.

Crew In a return to a typical fall campaign, the rowers saw success early. The Second Varsity 8+ finished third at the Head of the Riverfront, outperforming rival and two-time National Champion Montclair. That result bolstered the Varsity 8+ to a strong finish in the international field at the Head of the Charles in late October—Prep’s best-ever finish in that boat class at the historic regatta.

PHOTO: Jennifer Nilsen, P’23

The Freshman 8+ had a record end to their season, finishing second at the Head of the Fish Regatta.

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ABOVE: Members of the Class of ’83 congratulated their two Professional Achievement Award recipients, center: Gen. Ed Daly, ’83 and Mark Hogan, ’83.

FAR LEFT: Rear Adm. Steve Tomaszeski, ’68 accepted the Professional Acheivement Award.

LEFT: The postumous Professional Achievement Award for Rev. Charlie Beirne, S.J., ’56 was accepted by his sister, Eileen Hart, and brotherin-law, Dominic Hart, ’59.

Twice Delayed, HOF Welcomes 9 New Members Around the same time COVID-19 forced Prep’s campus to close in the spring of 2020, the nomination process began for the Hall of Fame Professional Achievement and Service Awards, originally scheduled for the fall of 2020. Nominations were collected, evaluated, and voted upon in the virtual realm during those early days of the pandemic, and the honorees were notified in June. Ordinarily, Prep Legends and Hall of Fame honorees only have a few months to wait before their big night, but as 2020 rolled on and Prep embarked on a year of hybrid instruction, it became clear the Hall of Fame Dinner would need to be pushed back to the spring. It was then postponed again, this time to October 2021.

When the long-delayed induction ceremony finally arrived, with hundreds of guests on hand at The Grove in Cedar Grove, and nine Prep alumni set to join the Hall of Fame, gratitude was the theme for the night. There was gratitude for the chance to be together once more, gratitude for the many contributions of the honorees to their respective fields, and above all, gratitude for the 150-year Prep tradition that set each journey in motion.

Learn more about this deserving class of honorees at spprep.org/HOF2021.

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Rev. Bill Watters, S.J., ’52 (accepting remotely from Baltimore) and Bill Lillis, ’80 received the Ernie Baker, ’38 Community Service Awards. John T.M. Chester, ’74, P’03,’05 and Bob Corke, ’55 received the Br. Paul Harrison, S.J., Spirit of Prep Awards. Prep’s own Mike Murcia, ’08 received the Young Alumnus Award.

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1971

1965

1980

1966

1981

1975

1985

1976

1986

Reunions Return, and So Do Alumni Fall 2021 was Prep’s busiest reunion season in memory, with the delayed reunions from 2020 and the spring of 2021 adding up to a total of 18 classes coming home to Grand & Warren. The classes of 1970 and 1971 shared a combined 50th reunion weekend in November, while two days of milestone reunions, one for -0 and -5 classes and another for -1 and -6 classes, took place in October.

The Classes of ’60 and ’61 will have their delayed 60th reunion, together with the Class of ’62, May 13-14, and the March 12 milestone reunion for -2 and -7 classes will see the reunion schedule begin to return to normal. The 50th reunion weekend for the Class of ’72 will take place this fall (final dates TBA). For more information, contact Mike Murcia, ’08: MurciaM@spprep.org or 201-547-6413.

1991

1995

1996

2000

2001

2005

2010

2011

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A Night for Legends As part of Prep’s ongoing 150th anniversary celebrations, three legendary Prep teachers returned to Grand & Warren to share memories, stories, reflections, and no shortage of laughter on the night of November 11. The opportunity to spend an evening with Jack Campion, Carl DeLorenzo, ’67, and Ana Garcia—collectively representing well over a century of service to Saint Peter’s Prep—attracted so many alumni, parents, and past and present members of Prep’s faculty and staff that the event had to move from the library to O’Keefe Commons.

A spirited panel discussion, moderated by Prep admissions director John Irvine, ’83, P’11, touched on a variety of topics, from joining the Prep faculty to influental colleagues, from proudest moments in the classroom to DeLorenzo’s surprise TV appearance as an expert “Presidential Historian” during coverage of the 2009 presidential inauguration.

The evening also included a cocktail reception, giving guests the opportunity to catch up with three of Prep’s best-loved former teachers.

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Joe Cooney, ’45, P’68,’76: An Appreciation by Jim Horan, ’70 Some 30 years ago, Saint Peter’s Prep created an award to honor individuals who have had a profound—often transformational—impact on the school. It is called the “Legends of Prep” award, and its recipients include faculty members, administrators, trustees and advisors.

Joe Cooney, a proud member of the Prep Class of 1945 who went to his eternal rest in January 2022, received his Legends recognition in 2001, highlighting a truly extraordinary career as a two-term trustee, invaluable advisor to eight Prep presidents, longtime member of the board’s Master Planning Committee, and a most impactful influence on the development of the Prep campus.

Put simply, if the Legends pantheon was to elect its own Mount Rushmore, Joe’s name would certainly make the short list.

On the surface, Joe’s primary field of expertise was real estate…but, in fact, it was also insurance, taxes and, most of all, strategic planning.

Someone is interested in the old York Street parking lot across from the gym? “Call Joe.” What do we do about the firedamaged convent next to the Freshman Building? “Call Joe.” Might Prep be able to acquire the decrepit row house and the Warren Street deli in order to expand the rec yard? “Call Joe.” An alumnus wants to donate a house to Prep. What do we do with it? “Call Joe.” Significantly, this process also worked in the reverse direction, with Joe dropping by the offices of many sitting presidents over the years to suggest transactions that, while seemingly bold at the time, would each prove to be a proverbial “no-brainer” just a few years later.

Joe Cooney in 2001

Probably the most dramatic example occurred in the late 1990s, when Joe approached Fr. Jim Keenan with the idea of having Prep purchase two acres of very distressed industrial property a block to the school’s south, off of Van Vorst Street. Five years later, it would be christened as Keenan Field, becoming a state-of-the-art training facility for the football program and home field in the spring for lacrosse and rugby.

Today, it is difficult to imagine Prep not having that facility…and almost impossible to accept the reality that Joe Cooney is no longer available to provide his wonderful combination of acumen, foresight, expertise and, most of all, unwavering passion for his beloved alma mater and its Jesuit tradition.

In so many ways he became an integral part of Prep’s DNA, the consummate “man for others” and “class act.” He absolutely relished being “a Prep man,” and his ever-gregarious nature and personal warmth lit up every room he entered, on or off campus. Joe’s colleague and very close friend (and fellow Prep Legend) Tom Leane, ’65 would utter his own oft-repeated mantra when Joe’s name would be referenced in any conversation: ”Joe has a Ph.D in common sense.” Invariably, everyone within earshot would look at each other, smile, and nod knowingly.

Prep greatly misses this most loyal son…and he always will rank as a Legend to his core.

Golf Tournament Stays the Course In 2020, early COVID restrictions forced Prep’s annual golf tournament from its traditional June date to August. In 2021, the August date was retained in order to allow a move to a new venue—Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield. A full field of golfers turned out to take on the challenge, packing both the morning and afternoon sessions. At day’s end, the award winners were: Lowest Foursome Callaway: Damian Halligan, Gavin Cummings, ’84, Jeff Garrigan, P’14, and Dave Viggiano, ’79

Marcel E. Wagner, ’56 Cup (Overall Lowest Gross): Chris Lally, ’81

Lowest Foursome Gross: Mike Egan, ’91, Michael Egan, P’91, ’93, Dennis Egan ,’93, and Peter Strandes, ’91

Individual Lowest Callaway: Brian Lowe, ’70

Ladies’ Cup (Lowest Gross by a female golfer): Anne Magnus

The 2022 tournament will look to build on this success, returning to Forest Hill on a similar date: August 29, 2022. More information will be available in the weeks to come.

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8 Share your photos, class notes and other news with us...Email info@spprep.org!

The ’50s George Shabet, ’52 and his sons, Michael, Steven, and Andrew, joined in their annual Thanksgiving hunt at a lodge in the local Tri-State Area.The sons did all the cooking CLASS NOTES as well as planning the hunting strategies.

It was great to spend quality time together extolling the many virtues of filming in New Jersey, including newly away from the regular routines of life, and expanded and extended tax credit initiatives. each was successful in collecting a deer and turkeys.

Dear Prep,

Frank McConville, ’54 recently celebrated a milestone, celebrating the wedding of the first of his twelve grandchildren as Ryan McConville married Caroline Thomas last fall. “Bless them!” Frank writes.

The ’70s

Robert McGrath, ’71 retired on on December 31 after 42 years of practicing law. “Looking forward to expanding my culinary skills, traveling & being ‘pop-pop’ to my four grandchildren,” he writes.

Joe Waters, ’57 has retired from his land surveying practice and turned Len Pasculli, ’73 wrote a feature article about Jim Hannan, ’56, for the business over to his son Barry. Joe started Waters Land Surveying, the Society of American Baseball Research. Hannan, an inaugural (2005) Inc. in 1971 in Santa Barbara, California, where he and his wife Fitzi inductee to Prep’s Athletic Hall of Fame was a major-league pitcher have lived since 1958. for the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Brewers Roger LaGratta, ’59 and wife Connie enjoy winters at Pelican Landing from 1962-71. He was later president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (1982-86), and he has chaired the MLBPAA in Bonita Springs, Florida. board since 1996. Hannan’s 1965 graduate school thesis at New York University addressed the injustices of MLB’s pension plan, and was instrumental in the Players Association’s negotiations for a better plan in Fred Ducca, ’63 retired in June 2021 from the University of Maryland. 1969.

This was Fred’s second retirement; in August 2009 he retired from the Pasculli has written several biographical articles for SABR, which appear Federal Highway Administration. in print or at sabr.org.

John Anderson, ’69 and his company, Black Watch Productions, were commissioned by the State of New Jersey to create a promotional video Charlie Lizza, ’74 was named to the NJBIZ 2021 Law Power 50. The former chair of Prep’s Board of Trustees is a partner in the Newark to try and bring more film production and production infrastructure to firm of Saul Ewing, specializes in intellectual property law for the the state. John and Monica Anderson wrote, produced, and edited the video, hosted by Danny DeVito. It is being sent out to networks, studios, pharmaceutical industry. He has also spent decades as a mediator in the Southern District of New York and served on the U.S. District Court’s producers and content creators all over the country and the world, New Jersey Local Patent Rules Committee.

The ’60s

Joe Murray ’73 is writing for an article for submission to the Rutgers University periodical New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, a project of the New Jersey Historical Commission, Rutgers University Libraries and Monmouth University. The article examines New Jersey’s 1937 gubernatorial election, often called a “stolen” election due to Hudson County’s decisive voter turn-out and suspected election fraud engineered by state Democratic boss, Frank Hague.

This hotly disputed election is discussed in the Stick@ Nite webcast, hosted by friend and classmate Anthony L. Romano, ’73, Hudson County Commissioner for the 5th District. The interview covers Joe’s ongoing research into bossism and machine politics in Jersey City during the era of Frank Hague.

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SECTION ALUMNI Steve Alonso, ’78 and his wife Mary Jo split their time between Indiana and Hilton Head Island, S.C. They have three grown daughters and five grandsons, are enjoying their retirement, and look forward to celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

The ’80s Dennis Alvarado, ’83 joined Bloomberg LLP in New York as lead HR business partner in the Americas for the enterprise data business.

Kevin McKnight, ’84 works with U.S. Military Academy (West Point) admissions as a field force officer.

Erik Harrison, ’85 has two children in college: Alexandra at Boston University and Matthew at Drexel University.

Christopher Conklin, ’86 was appointed Superintendent of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools in 2021. Since 2011, he had served as Assistant Superintendent for Pupil-Special Services in Edison Public Schools. He began his career in education as a middle school teacher and learning disabilities teacher consultant, and later served as director of special services for Haledon Public Schools and Hackettstown Public Schools.

Greg Bellotti, ’88 was promoted in 2021 to Chief Information Officer and a member of the Executive Leadership Team for Elementis Global, a $1B global specialty chemicals company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The ’90s Fazad Ali, ’90 was named Managing Director of the Newark Airport hub for FedEx Express in 2021. Fazad first joined FedEx in 1992 as a handler, and has held various management positions since 1996.

Vernon Gibbs, ’96 is the co-author and co-illustrator of the children’s books When Good Fruit Goes Bad (2020) and I’m Dreaming of a Brown Christmas (2021). Good Fruit teaches lessons “about how to eat healthy, create less food waste, but more importantly how to find value and worth in just about everyone and everything, especially yourself.”

Brown Christmas is “inspired by the lyrics of the classic Christmas song, ‘White Christmas,’ but as imagined through the eyes of a young AfricanAmerican child living in the city.

The ’00s Greg Conti, M.D., ’00 is the founder, owner, and chief executive of Fidelitas Forensic Consulting, LLC, a private forensic pathology consulting firm. Services include expert witness testimony, medical record reviews, and private autopsy services.

Tom Ciuba, ’04 was named Vice President of Communications at Genessee & Wyoming, a holding company that oversees more than 100 short line freight railroads in the US and Europe.

Daniel Libatique, ’06 is currently teaching as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

This fall, he will begin a tenure-track appointment as an Assistant Professor of Classics at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

Brendan Canale, ’09 was promoted to Director of Field Service for the Baltimore Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Brendan has served in multiple roles at the Council over the past nine years.

The ’10s Keith Cummings, ’10 was awarded the Darren K. Willoughby Superior Service Award by the Nu Lambda Lambda Chapter of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi in November.

Kevin Innis, ’10 passed his board exam and graduated from Western University with a doctorate in physical therapy last summer.

John Cozzarelli, ’11 is the founder of Cozz Coffee, a coffee roasting company inspired by John’s interest in art, skateboarding, and punk music (CozzCoffeeRoasting.com).

Ted Carroll, ’15 graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Economics. He is currently working for Athena Healthcare in Boston.

Patrick Carroll, ’16 enlisted in the US Air Force in 2019. He was deployed in the Middle East in 2021, and is now stateside, focusing on drones.

Mason Holland, ’19, who served as president of Prep’s Student Council in his senior year, is currently serving as President of the Undergraduate Student Government at the University of Connecticut.

Stephen Williams, ’00 has worked in developing and producing television and film projects of all sizes over the past two decades. A few years ago, his professional passion and his personal passion for horses crossed as he began to work as a horse wrangler for stage and screen. The work mostly involves preparing horses for their ‘closeups’ and, at times, appearing with them. These appearances have included leading the military parade in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Aida, crossing the Lincoln Center stage on horseback. He has also appeared as a mounted officer in multiple films, and most recently as a “Crypto Cowboy” riding through the streets of lower Manhattan.

Last summer, Stephen worked on set with Nathan Lane, ’74 during filming for HBO’s The Gilded Age, preparing the personal horse-drawn carriage of Nathan’s character, Ward McAllister. “On set at the Fairlawn Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, I had just finished preparing the surrey of the rig when Nathan climbed aboard to shoot the scene,” Stephen reports.

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CLASS NOTES

A Maroon and White Wedding

The Prep group photo is a staple of Prep alumni weddings...and, as a natural extension, a staple of Class Notes as well (if you don’t believe us, just glance at the next page)! We don’t have any formal records on this, but at a glance, this group, photographed at the 2021 wedding of Andrew Booth, ’06 and Krystina Nardone (inset) might be the largest ever to appear in Prep Magazine.

Courtesy of the Booth family, pictured left to right are: Alexander Booth, ’62 (Andrew’s father), Charles Booth, ’71 (Andrew’s uncle), Michael Blaney, ’71, Jay Booth, ’66 (Andrew’s uncle), Raymond Reddington, ’71, Mark Tiedemann, ’06, Raymond Pasuco, ’06, Giancarlo Sapalsan, ’06, Anthony Talarico, ’06, Christopher Mathers ’12, Michael Smith, ’05, James Braddock, ’06, Nicholas Criaris, ’05, Matthew Hladik, ’05, Francis Kenny, ’05, Jack Opel, ’ 06, Mark Dologhan, ’06, Jason Thorne, ’06, Steven Calefati, ’83 (Andrew’s uncle), Patrick Blaney, ’05, Charles Comprelli, ’05, Peter Cardella, ’05, Kevin Guarini, ’06, former Prep president Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J., and Anthony Calefati, ’75 (Andrew’s uncle).

Three more Prep alumni in the Booth family tree include Andrew’s great-grand uncle John Murray, 1981, great uncle Murray Booth, ’28, and grandfather Al Booth, ’32.

A Home Away From Home For so many alumni, Prep becomes a home away from home. But for the six sons of the late Peggy and William McGovern, ’41, who attended Prep between 1966 and 1984, Prep was so far from home that it became a home away from home...away from home!

The six McGovern brothers—Bill, ’70, Pat, ’72, Frank, ’75, Jim, ’78, John, ’83, and Tim, ’84—followed their dad and their uncle (Harold, ’46) to Grand & Warren, but their road to downtown Jersey City was just a bit longer, as they resided in Sparta, New Jersey, in distant Sussex County. Even by modern standards, when Prep men find their way to campus from well over 140 communities throughout the region, that would have been a hike—roughly 50 miles by road, with no direct public transportation available.

But fortunately for the McGoverns, a family outpost was available in the basement apartment at 121 Grand Street, just across from Prep. “All six of us resided there during our respective tours at SPP....with our grandmother and aunt on patrol in the upstairs apartment,” Bill wrote. And so what might have been the longest Prep student commutes of the era instead became the shortest, and all six brothers graduated from Prep, “thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of our parents.”

All six McGovern brothers gathered at Grand & Warren last year, and took the opportunity to pose on both sides of Grand Street.

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ABOVE: Last summer’s graduation party for John and Mike Scheurer brought together: Brian Kealey, ’22, Patrick O’Shea, ’21, Rob Scheurer, ’19, James Scheurer, ’22, Justin Scheurer ’25, Joe Scheurer ’86, Bob Scheurer, ’84, Mike Scheurer, ’21, Kieran Reynolds, ’21, and John Scheurer, ’21.

RIGHT: Bill Ruane, ’73 hosted an unofficial Class of ’73 golf outing at New Jersey National. Kneeling: Bob Colacurcio. Front row: Bill Ruane, Chris Sortiro, Ralph Quaglia, and Mike Delaney. Back row: Pat Walsh, Bob Neal, Tom Jago, and Karim Kaspar

At 60% Prep alumni, the groom’s party for the August wedding of Mike Lazorwitz, ’03 and Whitney Emmons earns an honorable mention. Left to right: Matt Lazorwitz, ’98, best man (and Prep communications director) Mike Jiran, ’03, Mike Lazorwitz, ’03, Mark Chaplin, and Roy Lazorwitz.

Prep was well represented at the September 2021 wedding of Tom Evans, ’15 and Alyssa Rose Morano, outside Nashville. Left to right: Patrick Maguire, ’15, Kevin McVeigh, ’15, Will Springer, ’15, Tom Evans, ’15, Bradley Switala, ’15, and Michael Evans, ’10.

Members of the Class of ’85 gathered for a pre-Christmas dinner. Standing: George Cepeda, Ben Monserrat, Vin Corso, Rich Lugo, and Bryan Granelli. Seated: Neeraj Gupta, Robert Crespo, Ron Novicio, and Erik Harrison.

Brian Archer, ’86 hosted a gathering of his classmates in July, prior to the official 35th reunion last fall. Left to right: Tom Reilly, Mike Dandorph, Joe Guarino, Frank Briamonte, Mark Stapenbach, William Wilkes, Nick Wood, Chris Falco, Brian Archer, Mike Flynn, Bob Leahy, Jeff Casler, Joe Scheurer, Bill Scheurer, Mike Crowley, Brad Ohlmuller, Chris Sclafani, Sam DeLuca, and John DeRose.

Louis DiPaola, ’08 married Maureen Brady, the daughter of Bernard Brady, ’64, last July, with Fr. Tony Azzarto, S.J. and Fr. John Shea, S.J., ’64 co-officiating. In attendance were Frank Sorochen, ’64, Kaz Herchold, ’64, Brendan Bryant, ’08, Dylan McMahon, ’08, Greg Morrissey, ’08 of the Prep English department, and Patrick McGrath, ’08.

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VITA MUTATUR NON TOLLITUR (LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED) Through February 1, 2022

Alumni

Jeffrey Gross, ’73

Walter R. Lezynski, ’42

John M. Tolve, ’75

James P. Dugan, Esq., ’47 Father-in-law of John Hanlon, ’02

Joseph C. Dorneo, ’83 Father of Ryan Dorneo, ’18; cousin of Raul Camaligan, ’88

Thomas J. Purcell, M.D., ’75

Joseph M. Cooney, ’45 Father of Joseph K. Cooney, ’68 and Kevin M. Cooney, ’76; grandfather of Daniel C. Cooney, ’15†; former trustee; 2001 Legends of Prep honoree Robert J. Shalhoub, ’48 Brother of Donald Shalhoub, ’68 and the cousin of Richard Shalhoub, ’55 John D. “Jack” Flinn, ’49 Michael F. Estavanik, ’51 Donald J. Margoli, ’51 Thomas R. York, ’51 Walter Canzonier, ’53 Rev. William S. O’Brien, ’53 James G. Coyle, ’54 Brother of Frank J. Coyle, ’48† Rev. Edward F. Salmon, S.J., ’54 Prep President 1987-90; son of Edward F. Salmon, 1924; nephew of Robert Salmon, 1923 Rene Ackerman, ’55 John G. Gisondi, ’57 Michael P. Ring, ’57 Brother of Aloysius Ring, ’51† Robert M. Hanlon, ’58 David J. Harper, ’59 Brother of George T. Harper, ’50† Thomas J. Nowicki, ’59 Joseph P. Quirk, ’60 brother of Jeffrey Quirk, ’64

Richard E. Dobronsky, ’83 Father of Matthew Dobronsky, ’21

Maeve Lynskey Sister of Owen Lynskey, ’14 and Patrick Lynskey, ’16

Patricia Ann Barabas Wife of John Barabas, ’55

Josephine Mattiaccio Mother of Blaise Mattiaccio, ’73

John T. Ciani Father-in-law of Terry Feeney, ’76

Debra Lucas-McGady Wife of Frank McGady, ’78

Robert Cocca Father of Nick Corrado, ’81, P’12, ’16 and Michael Cocca, ’87; grandfather of Nicholas Corrado, ’12 and Dominic Corrado, ’16

Patricia M. Machler Wife of Gregory Machler, ’58

Family of Current Students

Roman Madej Father of Dennis Madej, ’69

Szymon Suchcicki Father of Michal Suchcicki, ’22

Sr. Mary McGuinness, OP Aunt of James G. McGuinness, ’69, Michael G. McGuinness, ’73, and Brian McGuinness, ’80; sister of Robert A. McGuinness,† former math teacher and 2001 Legends of Prep honoree

Noemi Torres Mother of Harry Massey IV, ’23

Vincent M. Cronen Brother-in-law of Philip McGovern, ’76, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and John McGovern, ’80†; uncle of Philip McGovern, ’11 Nancy Josephine Daddi-Bello Mother of Vincent Bello, ’21 Anna “Nancy” Doyle Mother of John P. Doyle, ’09, James Doyle, ’12, and Brian M. Doyle, ’15 Francis E. Fallon Father of Daniel Fallon, ’02 and Francis Fallon, ’05

William P. Foley III Father of William P. Foley IV, ’09

Geoffrey Blake, ’64

Angela Giglio Mother of Joe Giglio, ’87, director of guidance and college counseling

Martin Golden, ’67

Anna Giudici Mother of Giuliani Giudici, ’74 and Mario Giudici, ’77

Thomas Biondo, ’70 Brother of Vincent Biondo, ’68 and Michael Biondo, ’72

Josephine Gosman Mother-in-law of Anthony Verdi, ’95, and grandmother of Aiden Corage, ’24

Louis R. Giusto III, M.D., ’70

Judith P. Greeley Sister of Joseph Quirk, ’60† and Jeffrey Quirk, ’64

George P. Gurdak, ’70 Father of Anthony Gurdak, ’03 and Frank Gurdak, ’03 Kevin M. Dailey, ’71 Gregory Winberry, ’72 Brother of John Winberry, ’68; cousin of John Costello, ’72

Robert Weierman Father of Robert Weierman, ’89 and Thomas Weierman, ’93

Ruth Aumack Wife of Raymond Aumack, ’55; aunt of Sean Aumack, ’89 and Craig Aumack, ’93

F. Gerald Fitzpatrick, ’63 Cousin of William Tierney, ’79

Rev. William J. Rakowicz, S.J., ’66 Uncle of Richard Piotrowicz, ’73

Marie Trosky Mother of John A. Trosky, ’68

Family of Alumni

John R. Jakubowski, ’83

John F. Bassi, ’63

Charles J. “Jerry” Dailey, ’65

Maria C. Illy Sister of Walter J. Illy, ’44, former German teacher and administrator; aunt of Walter Illy, ’87

Frank C. Trombino Father of Frank A. Trombino, ’92; cousin of Frank Briamonte, ’86, Chris Briamonte, ’91, and Rick Briamonte, ’99

Helga Liccardo Mother of Joseph Liccardo, ’77 and Thomas Liccardo, ’80; Grandmother of Joseph Liccardo, ’04, Michael Liccardo, ’07, and Robert Liccardo, ’10

Natalie E Feehan, Esq Wife of John J. Curley, ’66, former trustee; Sister of Michael G. Feehan, ’58; Sister-in-law of William Curley, ’60 and James Curley, ’62

Frank E. Catalina, ’61

Patrick B. Haughney Father of Brian Haughney, ’89; grandfather of Patrick Haughney, ’19 and Emmett Haughney, ’25.

Thomas O. Green Brother of Kevin Green, ’66 Jayne Hague Sister of James Hague, ’79

Rita C. McKeon Mother of Juston McKeon, ’93 and Patrick McKeon, ’96 Peter J. McMonagle Father of Peter J. McMonagle, ’12 and James J. McMonagle, ’14 James M. Mullins Father of James Mullins, ’97 Michelle Nisbet wife of Rick Nisbet, ’87; sister-in-law of Richard Nisbet, ’86 Richard G. Nugent father of Richard M. Nugent, ’88 William “Bill” Popp uncle of John Murphy, ’08; brother of Peggy Popp-Murphy, P’08 assistant director of operations Christine Pisko Mother of Michael J. Pisko, ’06 Mary T. Rotondi Mother of Anthony Rotondi, ’78 Gregory F. Sullivan, M.D., ’58 Randi E. Sack Wife of Joseph Sack, ’62 Robert E. Swab Father of Robert Swab, ’08 and Michael Swab, ’11†

Jason A. Wilson Father of Keith J. Cummings, ’10 Madeline Wilson Wife of Sean Wilson, ’05; daughter-inlaw of Michael J. Wilson, ’76; sister-inlaw of Matthew Wilson, ’08 Walter Wojcik Father of Donald J. Wojcik, ’73

Jose B. Valverde Father of Jose Valverde, ’23

Former Faculty & Staff Rev. James Dinneen, S.J. Faculty chaplain, 2000-15 Stephen Hamp Math teacher and lacrosse coach, 2000-03 Francis J. McAllister Former assistant soccer coach

Family of Faculty & Staff Rose Allocca Mother of Michaelangelo Allocca, religion teacher Edward Dexter Father of Brad Dexter, history teacher Helen R. Guide Wife of Don Guide, former volleyball head coach Dale Harris Father of Kristen Harris, guidance & college counseling office manager Roger Laguerre Father of Patrick Laguerre, assistant dean and head baseball coach

Charles K. Sweeney Father of Patrick Sweeney, ’16

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

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WEDDINGS | BIRTHS

Alison Ockay, born August 31, 2022, with brother Ryan, born September 30, 2019.

Christina Dixon and Tom Cicanci, ’09 married December 3, 2021

ALUMNI

Katherine Mitchell and Kevin Styles, ’05, married August 7, 2021. Prep alumni on hand included Kevin’s brother (and best man) Craig Styles, ’09, Jon Bossio, ’04, James Fournier, ’05, and Kyle Hanselman, ’05.

Weddings

Births

Andrew Booth, ’06 and Krystina Nardone May 28, 2021

Jacqueline and John Opel, ’06 daughter Kennedy Lynne, March 12, 2021

Louis DiPaola, ’08 and Maureen Brady July 17, 2021

Tarah and Frank Romano, ’06 daughter Vivian Marie, May 18, 2021

Mike Lazorwitz, ’03 and Whitney Emmons August 1, 2021

Melissa and Bryan Rohrman, ’07 son Stryker August, May 28, 2021

Kevin Styles, ’05 and Katherine Mitchell August 7, 2021

Sara and Lee Dorry, ’91 son Lucas James, June 17, 2021

Ryan Adams, ’03 and Jennifer Wenzel August 14, 2021

Lisa and Michael Wieners, ’04 son Connor Michael, July 27, 2021

Tom Evans, ’15 and Alyssa Morano September 4, 2021

Stephanie and Mike Ockay, ’05 daughter Alison, August 31, 2021

Michael Wieners, ’04 (former director of alumni relations) and Lisa Corrado October 10, 2020

Matt and Sarah Morissette (assistant director, guidance & college counseling) son Calvin Quinn, September 9, 2021

Timothy Brown, ’05 and Casey Friedman September 25, 2021

Melissa and Joe Battista, ’02 son Luca James, December 14, 2021

Mike Ruzek, ’08 and Jeannie Brown October 17, 2021

Sophia and Jonathan Chiluisa, ’03 daughter Elise Noelle, December 25, 2021

Miles McCann, ’08 and Ali Young November 13, 2021

Grant and Caroline Hutchinson (history teacher)

Tom Cicanci, ’09 and Christina Dixon December 3, 2021

Andrea and Robert Rodriguez, ’03 daughter Katherine Marie, January 26, 2022

daughter Isabelle Evangeline, December 31, 2021

Jeannie Brown and Mike Ruzek, ’08, married October 17, 2021

Mike Lazorwitz, ’03 and Whitney Emmons, married August 1, 2021 Vivian Romano, pictured with older brother Thomas, is also the granddaughter of Frank Romano, ’86 and the niece of Anthony Romano, ’16.

Stryker Rohrman, born May 28, 2021

Crystina and Jeffrey Watkins, ’05 daughter Lillian Isabel, January 27, 2022 Jennifer and Ryan O’Flaherty (phys ed. teacher) son John Edward Timothy (Jet), January 9, 2022

Lillian Watkins, born January 27, joins brothers George and Dominick.

Lucas Dorry, born June 17, 2021

Maureen Brady and Louis DiPaola, ’08 married July 17, 2021

Thomas Evans, ’15 and Alyssa Morano, married September 4, 2021

PREP MAGAZINE n WINTER 2021-22 29

Students • Alumni • Parents • Faculty & Staff • Coaches • Friends of Prep...

144 Grand Street | Jersey City, NJ 07302

You’re invited!

Saturday, May 14 • 1-5 PM on Prep’s Warren Street Plaza

Bring your whole family and celebrate 150 years of Prep Pride!

Food & Drinks • Games • Music • Surprises A free day of fun for the entire Prep community... together at Grand & Warren!

Visit spprep.org/blockparty for more info or to RSVP! The Block Party at Grand & Warren is free of charge, but your RSVP is appreciated for planning purposes.