Prep News NOVEMBER 2021
RICHLAND, NEW JERSEY
Mrs. McHugh Named Dean of Academics By Luke Grippo ’24
Mrs. McHugh says being appointed Dean of Academics has been a great honor. She is committed staff writer to continuing the vision set prior to the start of the Mrs. Nancy McHugh, head of the STEM department 2021-22 school year. She said that she is humbled and member of the Prep faculty for over 18 years, that the community has such faith that she would has recently been appointed by Fr. Murray to be make an effective Dean of Academics. She stated the new interim Dean of Academics. She comes that although the days have become longer and more to the position after the departure of Mr. Stephen hectic, Mrs. McHugh is excited to be tackling this Cappucci ‘96, who has become the Head of School new challenge. She said that she finds it enjoyable, for St. Joseph’s Academy in Hammonton. Her and is putting her work ethic and time management exuberant personality is beloved by all who have had skills, along with many other skills she has instilled the pleasure to be in her Chemistry classes. She is in her students, to good use. delighted to be in this new position and is excited for the opportunity to bring her skills and knowledge to Mrs. McHugh shed light on her plans for the implementing the school’s academic vision. future as the new Dean of Academics. She seeks to help bring back the Third Semester, develop more Mrs. McHugh sees her role as Dean of online courses, see more diversity on campus, Academics as an extension of her role as head of the bring more real world applications to the student STEM division. As an active and involved member of work, and continue to implement better assessment the faculty, Mrs. McHugh is already part of the day- techniques. She finished our interview stating, to-day plannings and meetings to discuss events and “I hope to continue to put students first in every topics concerning the Prep. She believes that “the big decision, and to keep the ship sailing so that the switch would be becoming the face of academics.” entire community benefits from my academic leadership.”
Senator Gormley ’64 Honored at Gregor Mendel Dinner (Brothers Together) Endowed Scholarship. Proceeds from the staff writer dinner are to go towards matching the first $100,000 grant committed by The Edward E. Ford Foundation in order to St. Augustine Prep hosted its annual Gregor Mendel Dinner maintain a scholarship for Latino and Hispanic students. at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino on Thursday, October 21, where they announced newly elected Republican senator Before Senator Gormley addressed the attendees, speeches William Gormley, Esq. ‘64 as this year’s recipient of the Gregor from close friends and colleagues of Senator Gormley, such as Mendel award. The new senator is supported by many, both Chris Paladino, Executive Director of ACDEVCO; and fellow Democrats and Republicans alike. Senator Gormley’s support of Prep classmate and alumnus Mr. Ed Perugini ‘64, shed light on AtlantiCare, Stockton University, the Baumgardner Charitable the kind, caring, patient, and passionate nature of this year’s Fund, the Boys and Girls Club of America, ACDEVCO, The Prep, Gregor Mendel recipient. and many more companies and institutions, was highlighted, as numerous friends and colleagues came out to support him. In his closing remarks, Senator Gormley reminisced about the times he shared at the Prep, including his initial refusal to go The night started with an introduction from Fr. Robert there. He had talked to Coach Rodio shortly before the dinner, Murray, Head of School, followed by a performance from the who shared with him an enlightening quote that portrayed the Prep’s award-winning acapella group, the Testostertones. goal and the spirit of the St. Augustine Prep Brotherhood: “If They performed “Stand By Me” as arranged by Mac Huff and you think about how good you are as opposed to what the next “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” as arranged by Scott Turnbull. challenge is going to be, then you’ve already lost. We have to Jackson Kuzma ‘24 sang the solo for “Stand By Me.” Kevin stay humble.” Jay Wright, award-winning coach of the Villanova Grealis ‘22 and John Terista ‘23 sang the solos for “The Lion basketball team, was the insightful author of this rich, humbling Sleeps Tonight.” The small arm-and-step choreography and quote. Senior Ryan Bolt, representing student government and unreachable high notes brought laughter to the event. the Hermits Rugby team, recognized Senator Gormley’s specific contribution to Hermits Rugby by presenting him with a custom Lorenzo Lopes ‘24 gave a speech following the T-Tones Rhino Rugby Hermits Jersey #64, a custom Gilbert Hermits performance, describing his experience at The Prep as a Rugby ball, and the first-ever Hermits Rugby Challenge Coin. Hispanic student. Lorenzo’s speech was part of the introduction The evening honored a brother dedicated to the service of our of The Sandy Middlesworth Jr. ‘64 P’ 06 “Hermanos Juntos” communities. By Luke Grippo ’24
IN THIS EDITION
A PHOTO RECAP OF THE FALL SEMESTER
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: MR. CARMICHAEL
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PREP NEWS
NOVEMBER 2021
Native Americans in Thanksgiving Matt Adams ’23 staff writer
Today, we see Thanksgiving as a time of feasting on turkey and seeing family and loved ones. However, in 1621, Thanksgiving was very different from the holiday we celebrate today. Much of the three-day feast that took place is because of the generosity that the local Native Americans held towards the Plymouth settlers. In greater detail, it was Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe who made the feast possible. The early days of Plymouth were plagued with death and suffering among the Plymouth settlers, to the point of hopelessness among many of them. While the feast was intended to celebrate the Fall harvest, it was the Wampanoag tribe that guided the colonists in new methods of planting and harvesting. The feast took place with around ninety Native Americans and fifty colonists, and the local natives brought their share of food for celebration. Unlike today, the first Thanksgiving had venison, fish, shellfish, cabbage, and other food items that the Native Americans helped produce. Massasoit’s tribe made such a feast possible through their assistance to the fragile Plymouth Colony, along with the fact that their arrival in the feast brought five deer and a sign of hope for coexistence. Unfortunately, Plymouth Colonists brought slavery, oppression, and forceful removal to the tribe that had saved Plymouth Colony from its demise. Thanksgiving was initially noted nationwide when President George Washington declared “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.” Later President Abraham Lincoln asked Americans to take the last Thursday in November as “a day of Thanksgiving.” Finally, in 1870 Congress made Thanksgiving a national holiday. Thanksgiving is likely the longest American tradition that exists. Longevity is surely something to be thankful for.
Sculpture of Massasoit in Mill Creek Park, Kansas City, Missouri by Cyrus E. Dallin
The Rose M. Davis Brotherhood Ceremony Kicks Off the School Year The Classes of 2025 and 2026 are officially welcomed into the Hermits Brotherhood By Connor Bogan ’24 staff writer
Recently at Richland’s Proud and Peaceful Glen, the annual Brotherhood Ceremony took place. Each year at the beginning of September, St. Augustine Prep holds this ceremony in the Rodio Gym as an official induction for the freshmen into the Hermit Brotherhood. This year, however, there was a twist. For the first time, Eighth Graders were welcomed into the Brotherhood. The event began with Mr. Brendan Towell introducing members of the faculty. Beginning with the Augustinian Priests through the Deans, the Prep’s faculty took the stage. The class of 2026, or the Eighth Graders, were introduced, and walked to their front row seats. The present Hermits were then walked through the gym and introduced, starting with the Seniors through the Sophomores. All parents were asked to stand as the freshmen and transfer students were introduced and, led by the Dean of Academics Mr. Stephen Cappuccio and the Dean of Student Leadership Mr. John Huscher, walked to their seats. Father Tony Burrascano led all attendees in an opening prayer. After the Pledge of Allegiance Father Robert Murray opened the ceremony with a candle lighting and introduced members of the Student Government. Each member was given a special pin and took the Oath of Office. Father Francis Devlin blessed the pins and wristbands that the new Hermits would receive. Mr. Anthony Iaconelli called on the 8th Grade class to sign the book of Hermits and receive their wristbands. Mr. Cappuccio then introduced the freshmen class and new transfer students who also signed their names in the book of Hermits and received their blazers. Several teachers and alumni took part in placing the blazers onto the new Hermits. Coach Paul Rodio then walked to the podium to introduce the Class of 1972. In attendance to represent their class were five men: Mr. Michael L. Burshtin, Mr. Joseph Cappuccio, Mr. Joseph Kelly, Mr. John Mooney P’08, and Mr. Robert Pavlin. These men will receive their golden diplomas in 2022 to signify the 50th
anniversary of their graduation. All Hermits alumni present were then also recognized. A moment of silence was taken to honor the Hermits who have passed away, and guest speaker Mr. Matthew (Matt) Innocenzo ‘16, a graduate of Villanova and currently employed at Lockheed Martin Space, gave the closing remarks. Father Murray concluded the ceremony with a prayer. The Brotherhood Ceremony emphasizes the idea of a “brotherhood”, and marks the classes of 2025 and 2026’s beginning. The inclusion of the Eighth Grade class makes this year’s brotherhood ceremony one to remember. “It has been exciting to integrate eighth graders into the Prep community while also providing a unique eighth-grade experience”, says Mr. Connor Murphy, an English teacher at the Prep. “Though they sometimes take the moniker of “Richland Rowdies” a little too literally, they have always been eager to learn in the classroom. I believe Logic and Civil Discourse is a class all students would benefit from taking, and, so far, the eighth graders have enthusiastically internalized its precepts.” The Hermit Brotherhood hopes that these new Hermits feel welcome as they begin their exciting journey at the Prep. Hermit Alumni in Attendance to Place Blazers: Brunozzi, Phillip: Father - Phillip R. Brunozzi, Jr ‘96; Grandfather - Paul Rodio ‘70 Burns, Thomas Jr. : Thomas Burns ‘94 Clark, Alexander: Alex Clark ‘98 Davis, Harrison: Robert Brown ‘01 Gillespie, Gabriel: Jamie Gillespie ‘91 Kazunas, Nathaniel: Cousin - Phillip Hooper ‘16 Knight, Ryan: Edward Perugini ‘64 Kraus, Roland: Brother - Conner Kraus ‘19 Long, Alexander: Anthony Fanucci ‘90 Tenaglia, Joseph: Joseph Tenaglia ‘99 Torres, Wilson: Uncle - Shaun Whitehurst ‘95 Whitehurst, Logan: Father - Shaun Whitehurst ‘95 Grize, Oren: Jeff Grize ‘95
2021 NJ Election: Democratic Incumbent Phil Murphy Wins 2nd Term As Governor By Kevin Cole ’24 staff writer
Phil Murphy, democratic governor of NJ, narrowly wins reelection against republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli. Murphy became the first democratic governor in 44 years to win reelection in NJ. Murphy’s victory over Ciattarelli was far tighter than polls had predicted with polls showing that Murphy had as much as an 11 point lead. Murphy won with 50.9% of the vote whereas Ciattarelli came close with 48.3% with a total of 90% of the votes counted even though registered Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by more than 1 million according to CNN. Ciattarelli at one point held a substantial lead. Ciattarelli did run in the 2017 Republican primary for governor, but he was largely unknown across the state. NJ has more independent voters than members of either party, and that majority was shown through polls Tuesday. Murphy spent much of the campaign comparing Ciattarelli to former President Trump calling him out for being an extremist and attending a “Stop the Steal” on the same day there was a riot at the U.S. capital. Murphy is a former investment banker with Goldman Sachs who spent his own money to run for governor in 2017. Ciattarelli is a former member of the state Assembly and was known as a moderate during his time at the state capitol in Trenton, but ran to the right during his primary. With Biden’s approval rating being at an all time low of 38, a loss in Virgina, and narrow victory in NJ, democrats are concerned that the GOP could gain a majority in the House and the Senate which would make it even harder for Biden to pass legislation.
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PREP NEWS
LIFE IN RICHLAND THROUGH THE
NOVEMBER 2021
LENS
The work of staff photographers Tim Shea ’23, Liam Shurman ’22 and Karrie Davis P’22 ’23 continue to bring life to the stories from “Richland’s Proud and Peaceful Glen.” Their most recent work recaps all the action from the beginning of the school year. Clockwise from top left: 1) The Brotherhood Ceremony welcomes the Class of 2025 but also includes the first-ever 8th-grade class in Prep history. 2) Franklin Simms rumbles through defenders as the Hermits Football team rose as high as the 2nd ranked team in the state this season. 3) Campbell Davis, Enzo Acosta, and Tim Kubiak were honored for their Merit Scholarship achievement at a Wednesday All-School Mass. 4) Hermits Soccer takes the pitch vs. Ocean City at the home stadium of the Philadelphia Union. 5) The Richland Rowdies made their triumphant return to the stands at LaRosa Stadium. 6) The return of the Rowdie Rush at HermitFest! 7) Hermits Alumnus, Matt Innocenzo ’16 addresses the crowd at this year’s Brotherhood Ceremony.
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Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Carmichael By Matt Adams ’23 staff writer
Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Carmichael is the teacher of Honors/ CP U.S> History 1, APUSH, and Honors Civil War/ American Presidency courses at The Prep. He began working at The prep in 1984, and has become a favorite teacher in the History Department, and the school in general. I sat down with Mr. Carmichael to ask him some questions
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Q:What is your favorite sport? A: Football. “It builds character and discipline, and made me a better teacher.” Q: What book are you reading now? A: Biography of Robert E. Lee by Allen C. Guelzo Q: Who is your favorite president? A: Abraham Lincoln, he handled America’s greatest crisis in our history, and only he could have handled it as well as he did.
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Q: What is your favorite movie? A: “Diner,” which is set in Baltimore during the 1959 championship between the Colts and Giants, and the plot surrounded around a wedding. Q: What is your favorite time period to teach and study in US history? A: Civil War
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Q: What was your education? A: Undergrad: La Salle - Marketing (He doesn’t know why he majored in this) Graduate School: Notre Dame - Educational Administration
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Q: What was your favorite class to teach? A: Civil War class with Connor Murphy Q: What was your favorite Journeyman trip? A: Presidential tour, where he saw Lincoln’s birthplace for the first time and also visited the Hermitage (Jackson) and Monticello (Jefferson). Q: What are your plans for the Journeymen? A: We just want to get back on our feet, take a second-semester trip, but we don’t know where yet. The pandemic hurt the club greatly
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Q: What show did you last watch? A: Interview between Ken Burns and Shelby Foote: Uncut Q: Can you tell us an esoteric fact about yourself? A: I was in a football game with a Heisman Trophy winner (John Cappelleti of Monsignor Bonner HS- running back who went to Penn State) (Mr. Carmichael played football in high school as a quarterback. He wanted to play in college, but he realized he was too small. He played at West Catholic HS.) Q: What is one topic you wish you could teach alongside the current curriculum? A: The Renaissance and the (Protestant) Reformation in Europe Q: What is your favorite book ever? A: Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
Soccer (Record: 14-5-1)
HERMITS ATHLETICS FALL RECAP Football (Record: 9-2)
@ Archbishop Spalding; 34-13 loss vs. Notre Dame; 51-21 win vs. Williamstown (Hermitfest); 28-0 win vs. St. Joes; 24-7 win @ Millville; 31-17 win Lenape; 36-0 win @ Vineland; 49-6 win @ Shawnee; 21-7 win @ Spirit; 35-21 win Non Public A Quarterfinals: vs Delbarton; 28-13 win Non Public A Semifinal: vs Don Bosco Prep; 17-0 loss
Varsity: vs. Absegami; 8-0 win @ Delran; 3-0 loss vs. EHT; 2-1 win @ Pleasantville; 4-1 win vs. Cedar Creek; 4-0 win vs. Salesianum (DE); 2-1 win vs. Mainland; 4-1 win @ Absegami; 5-2 win @ Ocean City; 5-1 win vs. Ocean City; 4-1 win @ Holy Ghost Prep (PA); 1-1 tie vs. Pleasantville; 6-1 win @ Cedar Creek; 3-2 win @ Mainland; 2-0 win vs. EHT - Cape Atlantic Tournament; 2-1 loss vs. Chalick - Coaches Tournament; 3-2 win @ Oakcrest; 2-1 loss vs. Sterling - Coach Tournament; 2-1 loss vs. St. Joe Metuchen - 2nd round of State Tournament; 4-0 won @ Christian Brothers Academy - 3rd round of State Tournament; 2-1 (2OT) loss Captains: Pat Earnest and Brian Sharkey
Captains: Brady Small (OL/DL), Dennis Jaquez (DE/TE), Trey McCleer (QB/S), Nasir Hill (WR/CB/QB)
Rugby:
U-18 Varsity: Won 14, lost 2 U-18 Junior Varsity: Won all U-16 (A): Won all U-16 (B): Won all Captains: Geoff George and Vinnie Masci - U18 A (Varsity), Nick Campano - U18 B (Junior Varsity), John Bumernick - U16 A, John McAllister - U16 B
Cross Country (Record 8-2)
vs. Ocean City (L) and Absegami (W) vs. EHT (W) and Hammonton (W) vs. ACIT (W) and Millville (W) vs.Vineland (W) and Bridgeton (W) vs. Mainland (L) vs. Atlantic City (W) County Meet placed 4th
Crew:
Ocean City Regatta • Varsity 8: 1st overall • Lightweight 8: 3rd overall Head of the Schuylkill Regatta • Varsity 8: 33rd out of 47 / 12:24.197 • Lightweight 8: 46th out of 47 / 13:33.436 • Junior Varsity (A): 28th out of 46 / 13:05.047 • Junior Varsity (B): 41st out of 46 / 14:12.214
From the Desk of the Editor-In-Chief • Tyler Ward ’22 The holidays are a time to be thankful, a time to remember and a time to embrace those who enrich our lives. I’m thankful for a lot of things, most especially our school community and our excellent staff that worked diligently to put together this issue of Prep News. I would like to personally thank them and wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. ••• Work for South Jersey’s #1 Student-Produced Newspaper! We accept applications for our editorial and business staffs throughout the academic year. Located on the first floor of the Vincent L. Buondonno Center (known as ‘The Vincent’), The Prep News office constantly buzzes with reporters typing stories, business staff selling advertisements, photographers editing shots and editors providing guidance and banter. As South Jersey’s #1 Student-Produced Newspaper (founded in 1962), we have undergone several changes over the past 60 years, and we continue to iterate upon and improve our practices every day. Prep News aims to print bi-monthly editions, produce short videos, run a recurring blog, and post regularly to social media accounts – we are in discussions to take ownership of @hermitleaders on Twitter! With just under two dozen Hermits on staff, Prep News is one of the fastest growing clubs on campus. We pride ourselves on maintaining a learning environment as many members of our staff are navigating their way through their first experience in journalism. In the process, they are working to continue developing real-world skills in communication, management, digital media, editing, and so much more. Whether you have an interest in copywriting, photography, or graphic design, Prep News has a place for you. Contact ward.tyler@hermits.com to join the staff today!
Prep News Tyler Ward ’22 editor-in-chief Connor Bogan ’24 -Editor Luke Grippo ’24 - Editor Ryder Fuscellaro ’22 - Editor Matthew Adams ’23 Dennis Badger ’25 Brendan Berns ’23 Oscar Catanese ’22 Kevin Cole ’24 Matthew Flanigan ’24
Tyler Gerst ’24 Jordan Gross ’26 Ryan Knight ’25 Ryan Marengo ’23 Robert Papadeas ’22 Anthony Santora ’24 John Sooy ’22 Vincent Wren ’24 Alexander Zeck ’25
Liam Shurman ’22
Mrs. Karrie Davis P’22 ’23 ’26
Tim Shea ’23
photgraphy
photgraphy
photgraphy
Manny Dijamco ’99 publisher
Thomas Hewitt faculty moderator • copy editor
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