Prep News - December 2022

VERITAS

DECEMBER 2022

Hermits Talent Shines at Christmas Art Gallery and Concert

By Jack Klotz ’27 staff writer

The magic of music shines bright all year at St. Augustine Preparatory School with Mrs. Newnam and Mr. Stenswold guiding the performing arts programs. Music creates a sense of community during the holidays. The St. Augustine Preparatory School’s Annual Fine and Performing Arts Christmas Gallery and Concert was held Sunday, December 11, 2022, in the Scarpa Study Commons. The holiday music provided peace and joy with performances by the St. Augustine Band, St. Augustine Choir, The Testosterones, and the St. Cecilia Choir. The music heard during the performance included a variety of genres from traditional holiday classics to contemporary holiday delights. The holiday music evoked a nostalgic mood as the performers played or sang both traditional and contemporary songs such as Deck the Halls, The First Noel, Carol of the Bells, We Three Kings, and O’ Little Town of Bethlehem to more contemporary holiday music such as The Nutcracker Rock and Believe from the Polar Express. Mr. Stenswold composed Glory to God and On a Cold Winter’s Night for the musical program. The audience also had the opportunity to stroll through The Prep’s art and photography gallery prior to the concert.

The Testostertones are an audition-only acapella group composed

Third Semester: Ready For Takeoff

Richard Russell ’26 staff writer

There will be a wide variety of third semester courses this year; from local courses to domestic courses, and even the Global courses. There will be more information on the rest of the courses on the Prep’s website available at a later date, and emails will be sent for the registration process when the time comes. For now here is information on some of the global courses available…

One of the courses available is Costa Rica and Panama. First you will fly to Costa Rica and observe some of the nature that they have to offer. Then you travel to Guanacaste to visit hot springs and the rainforest. After that you will fly to Panama city, the capital of Panama. There will be a variety of activities to choose from; boat rides, tours around the city, and a tour of the famous Panama Canal. Then you will finally depart for home.

Another one of the trips available is the Galapagos Islands. First you will fly to Ecuador and tour around the capital of Ecuador Quito.

of nine singers. This year the TestosterTones have performed at the Gregor Mendel Award Dinner, the 2022 Open House, and the Annual Board of Directors/Austin Society Holiday Dinner. The current TestosterTone members are: Brody Ackermar, Nicholas Auer, Matthew Flanigan, Luke Fortucci, Luke Grippo, Jackson Kuzma, Lorenzo Lopes, Michael Sherron, and John Terista. When asked about the impact of the music department during high school, John Terista ’23, commented, “During my time at the Prep, the music department has become such a big part of me and has shaped me as who I am today. I have met and befriended so many amazing people and mentors that have all helped me grow my passion for Music and the Arts. It has become a big part of who I am and I am proud to be a member of our Music Department and everything surrounding it.”

The St. Cecilia Chorus is a new choir named after the patron saint of music. Students from St. Augustine and Our Lady of Mercy Academy make up this co-ed choir. The choir was created in the winter of 2021.

The St. Augustine Pep Band lifts the spirits of the Richland Rowdies and all spectators in attendance, playing at each home football game. The band includes drums, guitars, bass guitars, trumpets, clarinets, a trombone, saxophones, a euphonium, and a keyboard.

The St. Augustine Sax Quartet is a small saxophone ensemble with keyboard accompaniment that performs at various school events. The Sax Quartet evolved last year from band class. The Sax Quartet has been featured at the Run for the Roses 2021, Open House 2022, and the annual Christmas and Spring Concerts. The Sax Quartet is composed of two alto saxophones, Aiden Andre and Ian Paradella, with Anthony Tramp playing the tenor saxophone, and Jose Hernandez jamming on the baritone saxophone.

The St. Augustine Band is composed of students in grades 8 through 12 who perform at the Christmas and Spring Concerts. The Concert Band is a larger ensemble than the Pep Band with more instruments playing a variety of musical genres. Connor Bogan ’24 was asked about his band experience at The Prep. Connor Bogan stated, “I would say that it’s opened me up to learning more instruments. The experiences have increased my enjoyment for playing instruments in general and I appreciate music much more now.”

Mamma Mia is this year’s annual musical, performed with St. Augustine Prep and Our Lady of Mercy Academy on February 9, 10, and 11.

Then you fly to the islands Baltra and Santa Cruz to view nature and go on tours. Then you will travel to multiple other islands for activities. You will then return to Quito and depart for home.

The last international course we know of is the Ireland course. First you will take an overnight flight to Dublin, the capital of Ireland. Once there you will be going on tours around the city and visiting St. Patrick’s cathedral and the Book of Kells. Then you will travel to Galway, to observe nature. You’ll travel to Kilarney to visit the Bog Museum and Blarney Castle. After that you will be traveling to Cork, Ireland to take a tour and visit the Queenstown experience. The last part of the trip will include a visit to Kilkenny and Kildare to see the national horse farm in Ireland. Finally you return to Dublin and depart for home.

These are just some of the global trips available and more information on the global, domestic, and local trips will be released at a later date.

To learn more about Third Semester, visit hermits.com/thirdsemester

RICHLAND, NEW JERSEY

The 2022-23 Third Semester took off in late November as the Hermit Brotherhood traveled to Italy.

Fine & Performing Arts students entertain community throughout the year.

Tramp ’25 staff writer

HermitFest is an annual event enjoyed by all on campus when you are here at St. Augustine. It’s the one day of the year when everyone comes together, regardless of class, and gets to express the Augustinian values. From dress-down passes to bouncy houses, it’s a fun experience for all involved.

The day begins with a free dress-down day for everyone that paid the 20 dollars for a shirt and for other excitement throughout the day. With morale boosted the students continued with their regular day, with Chick Fil A being provided for lunch to excite the students even more.

As the day came to a close, the students headed to La Rosa field to support our hermit brothers in their soccer game against Vineland. At around the halfway point, the game was tied 1 to 1. Most people had left the game to see the excitement on campus and eat some good food that was being provided. Those that stayed at the game, witnessed a wonderful match with the undefeated hermits winning the game 5 to 3.

The fun continued as the focus shifted to the campus which had changed into a forum for the 600-plus student body to get to know each other and hang out. The girls from OLMA had showed up, leaving some guys to try their wittiest remarks, with some success. For some real fun, the guys headed over to the bouncy houses to jump around and compete against each other for some healthy competition. If you started to feel hungry, there was a plentiful spread of burgers and chicken tenders next to a tub of Arizona ice teas.

After interacting with each other for a couple of hours, the spirit team leaders gathered everyone in for the hermit’s huddle. After getting hyped, the Rowdie Rush commenced with everyone sprinting towards LaRosa field. The game would get going with the National Anthem setting the atmosphere as it was played with two electric guitars. The pep band hyped everyone up as the game between Holy Spirit and the Hermits kicked off. At the half, the Prep was only down 7-0 and the second half saw the Hermits fall behind for good by a score of 28-0. We can’t always be winners but we can look at the successes, like the lifelong friendships that were formed during the entire day.

The Freshman Experience: John Perrotta ’26

As we enter a new academic year, a new class of freshmen has arrived. Acclimating to a new school takes time to adjust, so a month into school we can gauge how we are doing so far. When Richard Russell was asked what made his adjustment easier he said, “The friends I have made and free time have helped me adjust easier.” When asked about his favorite experience he continued, “My favorite experience was definitely HermitFest. I was hanging out with my friends a lot over the course of the day and watching the game.”

HermitFest was a fantastic experience for all students, but especially for the freshmen as it allowed them to socialize with everyone in a non-academic context. When Giovanni Catania was asked how he was adjusting to becoming a freshman he replied, “I am adjusting nicely thanks to upperclassmen in the school,” He finds that the support of his older peers makes the adjustment easier, especially considering they have more experience. When Giovanni was asked about his most challenging adjustment he responded, “The dress code; especially the winter uniform, had to be the most difficult part.” Going from dressing casually every day to dressing up can be challenging, especially in terms of comfort. Jake Lenhardt says, “I look forward to all of the cool and unique opportunities I will have in the future like sports, and having fun with friends.” It is apparent that the freshmen are adjusting well to high school life at St. Augustine Prep, and are already making lasting memories with their Hermit brothers.

Is Bullet Train a Must See?

We review the David Letich directed film.

By Javier Arceo ’25 staff writer

The summer blockbuster “Bullet Train” directed by David Letich stars Brad Pitt as a morally hapless assassin has landed on Netflix. Pitt and an assorted number of other assassins try to outwit each other in order to each get their hands on a special briefcase. I love the fact that each character has a unique trait and doesn’t feel the same to the cliche action hero trope. This movie is the perfect blend of both comedy and action, from hilarious one-liners to awesome and creative fight scenes. The close and compact setting of the train is a great choice for the audience to connect to the characters. This movie has a very similar energy to classic 80s movies like Die Hard and Rambo. Brad Pitt was a perfect choice for the role, being both a capable fighter and also having excellent comic timing. If you’re into both action movies and hilarious dialogue, you don’t want to miss this movie.

Total score: 9/10 - A must see

THE PREP

SCOREBOARD

By Jack Klotz ’27 & Kevin Cole ’24 staff writer

The fall sports season for St. Augustine Prep was a thrilling one.

The Hermits Varsity Football team’s season ended with a record of 6-5. The football team’s first win occurred at home against St. Joseph’s High School (Hammonton), winning by a margin of 30 to 10. On 9/30/22 the football team won against Shawnee with a score of 38-14. The football team’s last game of the regular season was played on 10/21/22 at home against Lenape with a 17-0 win. Prep Varsity Football began another playoff run with a convincing win against St. John Vianney but fell to nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep in the quarterfinal round.

The Hermits Varsity Soccer team ended the year with an outstanding record of 11-7-3. On the day of Hermitfest, accompanied by an enthusiastic crowd of Richland Rowdies, the soccer team won against Vineland High School 5-3. They would cap off the season by winning the CAL Championship wi th a win against Hammonton.

Anthony

HermitFest kicks off another memorable school year

Hermits Soccer celebrates the program’s first Cape-Atlantic League Tournament Championship.

To Decorate or Not to Decorate? When does Christmas Begin?

the age old debate

By John Perrotta ’26 staff writer

The debate over when Christmas preparations should start has been a contentious one, with some people arguing that they should begin before Thanksgiving, while others believe they should start after the holiday.

Proponents of starting Christmas preparations before Thanksgiving argue that there is simply not enough time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get everything done. With the busy holiday season upon us, they argue, it is necessary to start preparing early in order to avoid feeling rushed and stressed. Starting Christmas preparations before Thanksgiving also allows people to enjoy the holiday season at a more leisurely pace, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the last-minute rush to get everything done.

On the other hand, those who believe that Christmas preparations should

start after Thanksgiving argue that it is important to focus on Thanksgiving and give it the attention it deserves. Thanksgiving is a holiday that is meant to be spent with family and friends, reflecting on all that we are grateful for. Starting Christmas preparations before Thanksgiving, they argue, takes away from the spirit of gratitude that is at the heart of the holiday.

In conclusion, the debate over when Christmas preparations should start is a complex one, with valid arguments on both sides. While some people believe that starting preparations before Thanksgiving is necessary in order to avoid feeling rushed, others argue that it is important to focus on Thanksgiving and give it the attention it deserves. Ultimately, the decision of when to start Christmas preparations is a personal one and depends on an individual’s priorities and preferences.

Carmine and Dana Catalana ’76 P’07 Receive Mendel Award

By Luke Grippo ’24 editor-in-chief

Over 40 years ago, two loving souls found their way towards each other while riding the bus to school. For 40 years, these two served their community with nothing but the utmost devotion and care. And now, over 40 years later, they remain happily dedicated to St. Augustine Prep, their community, and each other.

Mr. and Mrs. Carmine and Dana Catalana were the recipients of this year’s Gregor Mendel Award, an award bestowed onto shining figures of the St. Augustine Prep Community. I had the pleasure of being able to talk to them right after they got their award. When Mrs. Catalana walked over to her husband and interrupted his conversation with someone, I saw the genuine love that they had for each other in the readiness on his face when she asked him to come over so the two of them could talk with me. This is when I realized how much their love, and the care and concern of so many more people, has resonated through the Prep and the surrounding community.

They’re rooted in a rich history at St. Augustine Prep. Mr. Catalana was a graduate from the Prep in 1976, where he excelled academically and would go on to graduate from Merrimack College with a business degree. He would take over his father’s company, Cumberland Dairy, where he has worked for 42 years. In 1995, he became the president of the company, a position he serves with diligence and clarity. Under his leadership, the company has formed powerful relations with McDonald’s, Wawa, and Rita’s Water Ice. Continuing in his father’s footsteps, Mr. Catalana served seven years on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House before becoming an active member of the Advisory Board at the Prep for Innovation and Experiential Learning. The generous donations from his family have allowed the business program to grow and develop. Catalana’s three brothers, Frank Catalana ’78 P’14 ‘17, Michael Catalana ’81, and David Catalana ’82 P’13, were all graduates from the Prep, and Frank and David’s children would go on to graduate in 2013, 2014, and 2017. Carmine’s sister, Maria Iaconelli, is not only the wife of beloved Prep teacher Mr. Tony Iaconelli, but she is also an OLMA graduate of 1984 and a parent of both a Prep and OLMA graduate. At the very foundation of their extensive St. Augustine Prep history,

Mr. Catalana’s father, Carmine III, was a past Gregor Mendel award recipient.

Mrs. Dana Catalana graduated from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in 1978, and her brother, Howard Kazan, is a Prep graduate of 1979. She graduated from Stonehill College in Massachusetts and received her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Catalana would go on to serve on the Board of Directors for both St. Augustine Prep and Our Lady of Mercy Academy where her unwavering commitment to both schools allowed them to thrive in enrollment, innovation and development, and economic prosperity. In addition, as a member of the board of Spirit and Truth Ministries, she has helped feed hundreds of people at the Vineland Soup Kitchen as she tirelessly worked to improve the lives of those in need in our local community.

One of the Catalana’s most notable contributions to the Prep is the KEEP THEM IN BLAZERS program, which strives to provide more students the opportunity to attend the Prep and experience the Brotherhood.

The Gregor Mendel Dinner was a beautiful night at St. Augustine Prep. Welcomed by some of the Prep’s finest students, this year’s attendees were led into the Rodio Gym, where they reunited with old and new friends alike. The subtle elegance of the night, with the casualness that comes with being around your friends, set a lively and pristine mood in Rodio Gym. Iconic business teacher and Crew Head Coach Mr. D’amico helped present the Catalanas with the Mendel Award, as their son had once been an active member of crew, rowing in the City Championship-winning Varsity 8 in 2005. Mr. D’amico also presented the Catalanas with two oars, one of which their son had actually rowed with in his City Championship win.

Following an entertaining performance of “I Want it that Way” by the award-winning Testostertones and delicious ice cream sundaes from the Catalanas’ Cumberland Dairy company, Mr. Nick Catalana beamed in front of the crowd as he introduced the award to his parents.

Past Gregor Mendel award recipients reminisced about the nights

they received the award and what they’ve been up to since. The Prep News had the pleasure of being able to talk with two of the former Gregor Mendel award recipients, Mrs. Rose Davis H’19 and Senator William L. Gormley ’64. The ambiance of the evening, highlighted by the chatter of these prestigious alumni, served as a great backdrop to our conversation with Senator Gormley. He was funny and witty, smooth and endearing. He recalled the night he got the award with joy and humor, and went on to tell us about many of the great advancements he sees from the Prep in the future, including a resurgence of the Crew program. Mrs. Davis, the beloved recipient of the 2019 Gregor Mendel award - whose resounding dedication to the boys brought a tear to the Prep News’ team’s eyes - recalled the night she received the award. Mrs. Davis emphasized numerous times that the boys at the Prep are the reason why she got involved with the school. She called the students “the best” and resounded within us the fraternal patriotism that comes only from the Brotherhood at the Prep. “The country needs you,” she emphasized. The country needs us. That is what’s so special about this award. For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Gregor Mendel dinner, and I’ve talked to a number of the recipients. From a Hermit Brother’s perspective, what I find so special about this award is that it doesn’t just honor someone who dedicated their time and money to the Prep. It honors those who have felt the Brotherhood, those who have seen and believe in what St. Augustine profoundly called one of the greatest gifts that God has given us: friendship. Augustine believed that friendship was a divine gift from God. Tonight, we honored two people who found in each other a best friend, and this friendship enabled them to serve the community and each other, with the greatest virtue known to mankind: love. So, as we head into the Christmas season, let us remember the love and brotherhood that connects all of us here at the Prep, whether that be the students, faculty, alumni, or family.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Catalana. Thank you for everything you do and Merry Christmas from the Prep News team.

Tackling

of when we should break out the Christmas decorations.

A powerful story about servant leadership rooted in unconditional love.

THROUGH THE LENS OF THE BROTHERHOOD

We spotlight some of the most creatively gifted students in all of Richland – our student photographers. The work of Mrs. Davis’ photography class was recently spotlighted in a gallery held prior to this year’s Christmas Concert. Students grabbed their cameras and sought to capture some of their very best work for a recent family heritage project. They were also given the option to spotlight their home away from home, the campus of St. Augustine Prep

ZACHARY AUER ’25

PATRICK MILLIKEN ’24

LUKE JOHNSON ’24

ANGEL COLLAZO ’23

JACK LAMBORNE ’24

BRENDEN MCGRATH ’23

ROBERT SCIMECA ’23

LOGAN WHITEHURST ’25

C.J. MATTHEWS ’25

JOHN COBB ’25

LUKE FIELD ’23

KADEN NAAME ’23

Fr. Stephen Curry, O.S.A. Named Eighth Grade Director

Augustinian continues the momentum of the Prep’s 8th-Grade Initiative

We sat down with Father Curry to ask him some questions:

Q. What has been your favorite part of being the 8th Grade Director?

By Tyler Gerst ’24 staff writer

This school year, Fr. Stephen Curry became the 8th Grade Director. Just a month into his new position and the school year, he has had a fantastic time. His transition into the new position was great. It allowed him to work with more constituents than he has had in the past. Now, Fr. Curry is seeing new facets of the Prep. So far, his favorite part of being the 8th Grade Director is that when he sees the 8th graders, it reminds him of his own upbringing. Being the youngest of 14 children , many people helped him when he was in 8th grade; and he sees this as an opportunity to provide the same support. Building on this year, his goal for the future of the 8th-grade program is to make new ventures by creating a Student Leadership team, peer intervention, campus clean-up services, and a mini Third Semester. He is also working on establishing new sports programs for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, alongside Mr. Iaconelli.

A: I worked with Middle School students for 10 years at other Augustinian schools. It has always been one of my favorite ages because it reminds me of my own upbringing. As the youngest of 14 children, many people helped me when I was an 8th grader, and now it is my turn to provide the same support to other 8th graders.

Q: How has the transition into the new position been?

A: The transition has been great. It allows me to work with more constituents than I have in the past. I’m seeing new facets of St. Augustine Prep.

Q: Do you have any ideas for the future for the 8th graders, whether it is the Class of 2027 or the Classes in the future?

A: My vision is to build upon the foundation Mr. Iaconelli started with last year’s inaugural 8th-grade class. New ventures that are taking place this year are creating a Student Leadership team, peer intervention, campus clean-up, and a mini Third Semester. Also, we are working on establishing new sports programs for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Renzulli

By Matt Adams ’23 staff writer

Q: What subjects do you teach?

A: World Religions and Philosophy

Q: Who is your favorite author at this moment?

A: Cormac McCarthy. I am reading Suttree and I appreciate the language in the book. I relate with the character a great deal as well.

Q: Many of us know that you enjoy philosophy of all kinds. Who is your favorite philosopher and why?

A: I like Aristotle simply because of how he has shaped the way we look at the world around us and how we process it.

Q: You coach many students in Crew. How did you begin Crew as a kid?

A: I began rowing in seventh grade after signing up for the program. Mr. Connell was my coach and since then, I have spent each spring on the water.

Q: As we see many manifestations of the Buddha around the room, what is the aspect of Buddhism that draws you towards the faith?

A: The concept of immediate peace with oneself and remaining calm amid suffering attracted me to learn more about the faith. It is a simple yet effective practice that anyone can work towards.

Q: As us students come closer towards graduation and future challenges, what is the best religious or spiritual advice you can give us?

A: The best for you is what God wants for you, and you can approach such truth by not overthinking it and taking a more personal approach that values well-being.

From the Desk of the Editors-In-Chief Connor Bogan ’24 and Luke Grippo ’24

We are so excited to bring you the latest edition of Prep News. Christmas is a time to be grateful, a time to give and a time to embrace those who enrich our lives. We are thankful for a lot of things, most especially our school community and our excellent staff that worked diligently to put together the first Prep News edition of the school year. We would like to personally thank them and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas season. •••

Work for South Jersey’s #1 Student-Produced Newspaper! For 60 years, the esteemed Prep News staff has produced high-quality newspapers covering topics ranging from school events to important world events. We are proud to continue the long tradition of Prep News by improving our skills in the spirit of continuing the tradition of “Speaking VERITAS since 1962” .

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 StudentProduced 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. Our goal is to produce regular issues and provide staff members with journalism experience and the ability to improve in the art of writing. Writing for Prep News also allows our staff to have their work read by family and friends. The creative aspect of our club is another aspect we take great pride in. Most school newspapers only write about school events, but we take it one step further, incorporating movie reviews, opinion pieces, and even real-world events to give the newspaper depth. 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 bogan.connor@hermits.org or grippo.luke@hermits.org to join the staff today!

Connor Bogan ’24

editor-in-chief

Matthew Adams ’23

Javier Arceo ’26 Matthew Flanigan ’24 Tyler Gerst ’24 Eric Gerst ’26 Lorenzo Lopes ’24

Jack Klotz ’27

JT Matusiak ’24

Richard Russell ’26

John Perrotta ’26 Anthony Santora ’24 Anthony Tramp ’24

editor

SUBMISSIONS: We welcome letters and guest columns. All submissions must include the author’s name and affiliation with St. Augustine Prep, and should not exceed 250 words for letters or 700 words for columns. Prep News reserves the right to edit all material before publication. All material submitted becomes property of St. Augustine Prep. Please email submissions to communications@hermits.com.

Thomas Hewitt faculty moderator • copy

Mrs. Karrie Davis P’22 ’23 ’26 photgraphy

Manny Dijamco ’99 publisher

Luke Grippo ’24 editor-in-chief

Connor Bogan ’24