Benedict
The
Vol. 1 issue 2 & 3
News
A Rich Past, Ever Springing Forward 28 Goose: SBP’s Father Christmas 1 Free Speech, Free Press
19 Football Remains Ever in the Past
Spring 2019
Double Issue
TABLE OF CONTENTS History
Free Speech, Free Press The Beginning of Greatness Will Benedict’s Remain All-Boys Uniforms over the Years Benedict News throughout the Years A School Run by the Students for the Students Winning Sports Culture At SBP Convo: The Heart of the Matter Religous Sense in Nature Football Remains Ever in the Past
1-2 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18 19-21
Brother Groomes Trio of Talent
22-23 24-25
Student Life
Student’s Cleats 4 Kids
26
Sisters of St. Joseph Goose: SBP’s Father Christmas Fr. Ed: Father of Fathers
27 28-33 34-35
Protector Baskerville Mr. DiPiano Mr. Riley Mr. Vespole
36-37 38-39 40-41 42
Mr. Gillis Mr. Kjolhaug Mr. Kleist at SBP
43 44 45
Come to Hungary for a Year K-12 A Year of Growth The Pros and Cons of Technology Finding God in Unexpected Places Should the Uniforms Change
47-48 49 50 51-52 53-54
From the Abbey
Faculty and Staff
Volunteers Editorials
Wrap-Around Cover Photo by Jacob Anthony Amaro Illustration to the Right by Emmanuelo Ulysse Spreads by The Design Staff
EDITORIAL
Free Speech, Free Press:
Always Was, Always Will Be Essential to Freedom
More than 200 years ago--from May 27, 1787 to Sept. 17, 1787--several representatives from the states met in Philadelphia to overthrow the Articles of Confederation, which had served to that point as the fledgling country’s first Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were far too weak to support the infant country in its early stages of independence from Great Britain. The new Constitution was a major improvement upon the first. Under it, the central government was divided into three branches--executive, judicial, and legislative--with a system of checks and balances, so that no one branch was overbearing. But perhaps the most celebrated component of the Constitution, even today, is the Bill of Rights.
The Founding Fathers, who themselves had been subjects of the domineering monarch of Great Britain, were concerned about human rights. This was reflected in the Bill of Rights, which granted, in document form, liberties and freedoms that Americans still benefit from today.
allows for rights not listed in the Constitution; and the tenth asserts that any rights not given to the federal government shall be given to the states and people. All of these rights and freedoms have been important over time. But recently, the First Amendment has garnered a reputation as the most elemental. And it is. The First Amendment--the freedom of speech and of the press, in particular--has allowed us to influence the course of history for the better. Take, for instance, the fatal shootings of students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It spurred young people from across the nation to action and they used free speech and press rights in their arsenal as key weapons. They tackled gun control issues and made changes both in their immediate communities and beyond.
In the Bill of Rights, 10 Amendments to the Constitution are laid out: The first specifies that Congress can never restrict freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition; the second details the right to bear arms; the third creates the option to opt-out of housing soldiers; the fourth prevents unreasonable searches or arrests; the fifth prevents exposure to double jeopardy or compulsion to bear witness against oneself; the sixth stresses the rights of those accused in criminal cases; the seventh conveys the right to trial by jury; the eighth bars excessive bail and “cruel and unusual” punishment; the ninth benedictnewsonline.org 1
Though problems still exist related to guns, as they always will, due to our human individuality, it is our ability to speak our minds and stand up for what we believe in that makes us free. How could we do any of that without the First Amendment? Indeed, the mere thought of living without First Amendment freedoms is frightening. Those countries that do not have freedom of speech and press, and, equally, those countries that limit them—and many exist—make of their inhabitants prisoners because those citizens cannot express themselves. Although we have those freedoms in the United States, the times are changing. President Donald Trump does not seem to have much appreciation for press freedom. He has directed much negativity toward the press (the media), often times calling what it produces “fake news.” To side with him for a moment, there is “fake news” out there, but it is certainly is not the work of journalists. Journalists, like many other professionals, abide by a code of ethics, which is bounded by values of truth and fairness. They do not write “fake news.” Trump, on the other hand, has proven himself to be anything but truthful. The Washington Post reported that in 497 days of presidency, he had made 3,251 false or misleading claims—on average, that’s 6.5 a day. That’s a lot, and this is precisely why some, like social scientist Bella DePaulo, argue that he is an overt pathological liar. If we want to be subjugated like citizens in other countries where press freedoms are curtailed, we should let Trump continue his attacks on the press. But, if we want to fight this dangerous trend—if we want to have some say about the way we live in this country—then let us aim to recognize the value in our First Amendment freedoms. This sounds simple enough—all we need to do is read about our rights and freedoms, right? But, no, that is not enough. There is a difference between knowing and being aware. When we are aware, we apply to our own lives the knowledge we gain. 2
The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2
April
In that regard, we are falling terribly short. We are asleep and blind. And we live in an era that only feeds this oblivion—a time when me, myself and I takes precedence over any other perspective, and where most technology is geared toward satisfying that problematic urge. iPhones litter our hands. Our fingers work hard to type away at the letters on them. We might as well call them ”me” phones and “myself” phones, too. Earbuds dangle from our ears, serving to further isolate us from the rest of the world. There’s no end to it. We, the alleged future leaders of our world, are more tangled than any other generation in this narcissistic, technological trap. Ignorance is driving us closer and closer to our demise. We have to ask ourselves: When will the change come? The answer is not immediately clear. However, we can start to change by empowering each other, young and old alike, to draw upon the freedoms and rights granted us in the Constitution by our forefathers. Here at the Hive, we have a proud tradition that recognizes the value of the First Amendment: The Benedict News. This organization began as a College Quarterly in 1910, became the Kayrix in 1920 and adopted its current namesake in 1930. For all those years, The Benedict News has empowered students to “have a voice not only within their community but also in the world beyond,” as its mission statement reads. And the reassuring fact is that that there are many other organizations in this world that seek to provide the same opportunities as The Benedict News. Together, let us seek them. Together, let us remember to give voice to the voiceless. Together, let us veer from the deluge of technology by which we’ve been drowned. Together, let us strive to better our world through knowledge and awareness.
The Beginning of
Greatness
To look at Newark Abbey and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, sitting serenely atop a ridge overlooking the city of Newark, and emphasizing their values of kindness and community, it may be hard to imagine that such institutions were created in response to violence and hatred directed at Catholics. Yet, according to the Rutgers University historian Thomas McCabe, that’s how it all began. In order to understand, one must look to the beginnings of the Abbey, when it was known as St. Mary’s Benedictine Priory. The roots of the story stretch back to a strong-minded bishop and a xenophobic political group called the Know-Nothing Party.
Members of the Know-Nothing Party, prominent between the late 1840s and early 1950s, strongly opposed immigrants and followers of the Roman Catholic Church. “It was in 1854 when the Know-Nothing Party reached its height,” said historian McCabe. On Sept. 5, 1854, 3,000 anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic men of the Know-Nothing Party marched through Newark chanting ethnic slurs. They later sat for lunch, drinking beer and wine. In a drunken stupor they shouted and shot their pistols into the air gathering onlookers. “Many Irish Catholics worked in the factories nearby and heard the noise,” said McCabe, author of 4 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
By Kalvin Mensah
HISTORY “Miracle on High Street,” a book detailing the origin of Newark Abbey and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. From blocks away, Fr. Nicholas Ballesis, a Catholic priest and pastor of St. Mary’s Church, heard the oncoming din and became fearful of the commotion. As he hid under his bed, he heard the violent paraders enter and vandalize St. Mary’s Church. At the same time, a group of Catholics who had gathered after watching the parade began to defend the church. “Many Irish Catholics barricaded themselves in the Church to defend against the rioters,” said McCabe. But the rioters broke past the defenders and continued to ransack St. Mary’s Church, destroying the organ and overturning the altar. They also cut off the hands and head of a statue of the Blessed Mother. The reassembled statue is now situated in a glass case in the lobby of the Radel Library. At some point during the riot, Fr. Nicholas’ assistant, Fr. Charles Geyerstanger, entered St. Mary’s and retrieved the Blessed Sacrament. After, Fr. Charles and Fr. Nicholas abandoned their priestly robes in fear of the rioters and fled to a parishioner’s home. Just moments after their departure, rioters burst into the rectory, only to find a young maid. She “stood defiantly
with only her broom as a weapon,” according to McCabe’s account. She refused to tell the rioters where the priest had gone even under threat of death. The rioters would have burned the church to the ground, had it not been for the police and the re-emergence of Fr. Nicholas. The priest proceeded to perform the last rites to a few of the injured Irish Catholics. Only two arrests were made that day. A newspaper of the Know-Nothing Party placed the blame on the Irish Catholics. According to McCabe, the riot and the subsequent attack on the church brought about the arrival of the Benedictine monks. The monks were sent by Fr. Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., the leader of the order in the U.S., to strengthen the Catholic standing in Newark and remain as a bulwark for a continuing, growing presence.
Fr. Boniface did not at first wish to send the monks but the resolve and persuasion of Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Newark’s first Catholic bishop, and the command of Pope Pius IX spurred him to action. The riot not only spurred Bishop Bayley, who wished to strengthen the Catholic standing in the Eastern U.S., but it also boosted the will of the Irish Catholics. “It convinced the Irish to stay,” McCabe said. As the Irish community continued to grow, the need for a Catholic school became apparent. “The Irish community grew to a point where they needed a school,” said McCabe. As a result, the Irish looked to the Benedictines who were known educators to start the school. One of the monks said, “There can be no question of a monastery without a school,” McCabe said. And so in 1868 St. Benedict’s, a day college with a record of only two students, was created.
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After 150 Years, Will Benedict’s Remain
By Kevin Calle
All-Boys?
The year 1868 was a fateful one. It was in that year that Father Boniface, O.S.B., and other Benedictine monks opened a school. The school was linked to Newark Abbey and St. Mary’s Church. It was called St. Benedict’s College. When the monks first opened St. Benedict’s doors, almost all schools, whether public or private, were single sex, and Benedict’s was no exception. The thought of being co-ed never even crossed its founders’ minds. One hundred and fifty years later, Benedict’s still remains all-boys. However, today, people may wonder, why is St. Benedict’s Prep still an all-boys school? “It was just the norm back then,” said Newark Abbey’s Archive Keeper, Historian and Religion teacher Fr. Augustine Curley, O.S.B. ‘74. Later on when co-ed schools gained traction and were the rule for public schools, Benedict’s remained a single-sex school. Recently, Catholic high schools like Hudson Catholic became co-ed due to low enrollment rates, but Benedict’s never shared the same challenge. In fact, after Benedict’s closed temporarily in 1972 and then re-opened, interest did not abate. The school’s popularity continued. “[Enrollment] just hasn’t been an issue,” explained Fr. Augustine. He agreed that there are some advantages to admitting female students. One would be that male students would have to behave better 6 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
around females. However, there would be some disadvantages. For example, he pointed out that current students act differently around girls at retreats and events that are co-ed. He noticed that the students from Benedict’s often try to distance themselves from their school peers to talk to other female students. “Our guys develop a closer relationship when there are no girls around,” he noted. Last year brought many changes to St.Benedict’s. For example, it became a K-12 school by absorbing St. Mary’s, a co-ed K-8 school that had been
run on the same monastery grounds. With the merger, the 7-8 section of St. Benedict’s became, for the first time, co-ed, too. This allowed female Middle Division students to obtain leadership positions -- but only short-lived ones in that, when they graduate from 8th grade, they cannot continue on at St. Benedict’s Prep. Troi Slade, after leading the Middle Division in her 8th grade year, now attends Benedictine Academy, an all-girls high school in Elizabeth. “I felt kind of sad leaving...and leaving my leadership role at SBP. But I’ll always remember all of the great things and insight that I’ve learned
from teachers,” she said. She also acknowledged that there are challenges with trying to have girls be part of the Prep Division. “I’m indecisive because in one way, it would be a historical change that could have amazing results, but in another way it could be very challenging and may end in a lot of problems,” she said. Fr. Augustine shared similar concerns. He noted that, “... traditions like the Trail or the Overnight would have to change.” While having girls in the school would bring benefits, it would also introduce some logistical issues. According to Fr. Augustine, “If (female students) come, we’d have to either increase class size or find more space and increase teachers.” As of right now, there are about 500 students in the Prep Division. If, hypothetically speaking, girls were admitted, half of the male student body would have to go if changes were not made to allow for the expansion. Transitioning SBP into becoming a co-ed institution would provide an enriching experience for new female students, but would also present new challenges. As time passes, the question we have to ask ourselves is: What do we want SBP to look like in the future?
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The More They Remain the Same...
By Seun Eisape
Uniforms The MORE Things Change,
O
ver the years, the St. Benedict’s Preparatory School uniform has transformed in many ways to lead to the trademark monklike hoodie and dress slacks of today. Most are not aware of the importance of uniforms and what it takes to create and uphold their image. Uniforms have to be constantly worked on and perfected. And the leaders of SBP have been at it for almost 150 years. This extensive work shows in the effectiveness, unity and notoriety that the uniform possesses.
executive director of the Vox Institute. Hoodies also fixed the problem of disorderliness with shirt and ties because they don’t have to be tucked in. Fr. Ed continuously brought up the idea of putting guys in hoodies, but was shot down every time.
After weeks of being rejected, Dr. Cassidy recalls Fr. Mark saying something to the effect of, “Look, you obviously wanna do this, we’re not gonna For most of the history of SBP, students have know whether or not it works until we do this, so been required to wear uniforms. However, in the if you wanna do it, do it, and let’s just stop period between 1973 and the late 1980s, “guys wasting time with this.” After Fr. Ed. had finally just had to look neat,” said Dr. Ivan Lamourt been granted his request, SBP Art teacher Mrs. ‘82, Assistant Headmaster for Student Life. Dr. Tara Lamourt drew up a design of the hoodies Lamourt recalls wearing sweats and sneakers to that would soon become school. “Look, you obviously wanna do this, a Benedict’s trademark. The thought of having we’re not gonna know whether or not it hoodies as a uniform works until we do this, so if you wanna The current hoodies came from Fr. Ed. “For do it, do it, and let’s just stop wastin time have gone through many changes including years Fr. Ed had talked With this.” having heavy and about putting guys in lightweight versions, uniforms that would -FR. MARK PAYNE O.S.B including having make them look like “St. Benedict’s monks,” said Dr. Glenn Preparatory School” Cassidy, 8 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
written out in the spot where the school seal is presently, and having group abbreviations under the seal.
tie with a blazer. She believes blazers among upper and lower division students should remain different colors just as the current uniform is.
In addition to the traditional uniform that most students wear, there are also two temporary uniforms for freshmen and transfers. Freshmen wear a gray t-shirt for Spring Phase until they have “earned their colors” through the Freshman Overnight.
However, she said, there should be flexibility among ties for “creativity.” The current uniform in the spring is a black/gray polo which is optional in the fall. In the winter, the standard is a black/gray hoodie, which is optional in the fall and spring. These are worn with dress slacks, black/brown shoes, and topped with an ID attached to a lanyard looped around the neck.
“We wanted to send a message that yes you are part of the school, but you even have to go through these steps in the summer to become a beginner,” Dr. Cassidy added. “The transfers this year adopted that same mentality.” In the present 2018-19 school year, transfers started the tradition of wearing maroon t-shirts during Spring Phase to “earn their colors.” Mrs. Lorraine Elias, an SBP English Teacher, recalls seeing the Benedict’s guys on the bus in their shirts and ties with blazers when she was a teenager attending Arts High School. “They were the most dignified bunch of guys on the bus... it seemed to affect their behavior,” Mrs. Elias said. She prefers having Benedict’s guys in a shirt and
Fr. Ed said that whenever someone is wearing the St. Benedict’s uniform, he is representing SBP. There have been times where guys have gone out and participated in “stupidity,” as Fr. Ed likes to say, while wearing Benedict’s uniforms. This frequently results in Fr. Ed getting a phone call about the students’ actions, thus solidifying the notion of the powerful connection between SBP uniforms and the school’s image. Photo courtesy of Newark Abbey Archives St. Benedict’s uniforms have changed over the years. The blazer and tie look is the favorite of some.
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The Benedict News
10 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
All photos Courtesy of Nwark Abbey Archives
Throughout The Years
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By Carlos Presina and Lucas Guillen
A School Run by the StudentS for the Students
“Never do something for students that they can do themselves,” said Fr. Albert Holtz, O.S.B, ‘51. Being here before the school reopened in 1973, Fr. Albert had the chance to witness the evolution of SBP and how leadership was immortalized here. As a student-led school, SBP has a history of leaders, generations of them. However, the whole idea of leadership didn’t just come from thin air. The idea all started when a young Fr. Mark Payne, O.S.B., ‘69 arrived. As a former Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, he instantly took over the Backpacking Project, a multi-week experience that includes hiking along a 47-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey. He changed the management of the hiking experience, elevating student leaders as its managers. Previously, adults were responsible for running the experience. Now the adults’ job is to monitor them. Student participants learn how to do their specific tasks from older kids, then use what they learn to survive five days in the wild. “It’s meant to be boy-led while the grown-ups sit back and watch,” Fr. Albert said, referring to a saying by Fr. Mark. Matters worked out well, as a result of the change in the trail’s management, according to Fr. Albert. Kids learned how to be able to lead a group. At some point, according to Fr. Albert, Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., and Fr. Albert asked Fr. Mark, “Do you think we can run the school the same way that we run the backpacking program?” This meant seeing to it that the students ran the school through an intricate leadership structure. “If you really want to make it work, yes it can work,” was Fr. Mark’s response, according to Fr. Albert. As Fr. Albert explained, this approach of teaching leadership helps create a sense of ownership for the school as well as any actions taken by students. “ It is very different if someone were to say, ‘Clean my tables and my floor,’ as opposed to a person being responsible for cleaning up his space or the lunch room,” Fr. Albert said. The sense of ownership helps give students the chance of taking up leadership and getting the job done, he added.
What Carlos Acosta, White Section Leader ‘18, thinks of leadership has been developed throughout his years here. “Leadership changes because everyone runs the school differently,” he said. “Over the years, the leaders were harsh, lax, it depended. My senior leader team tried to be more relaxed. We had to be more focused and serious. The most important thing is that the job gets done within the community.” When he was accepted as White section leader, he was excited but also knew that his position came with a lot of responsibility. “As a leader you have to make sacrifices, and you have to set the example, just because everyone ends up looking at you,” he added. Before the school was reopened, the school was run by the adults and the monks. Everyone listened to the Headmaster and the Dean of Discipline since they were the leaders in charge. “The school was run traditionally here much like every other school, the role of the grown-ups was to run the place,” Fr. Albert said jokingly. The one person who ran the order in the school was the dean of discipline, this role wasn’t shared especially with the students. Now since the reopening Fr. Ed wasn't threatened about kids making big decisions with the school. With leadership being 45 years old here in St Benedicts, “it would be too late for us to go back now,” Fr. Albert said smiling.
(Opposite page) Illustration by Grant Parker
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By Olatunji Adewole and Chrisley Alexis
At SBP,
Coaches Say its Winning
Sports Culture
Sprouts from a St. Benedict’s Preparatory School has created a long-lasting legacy for itself in the world of high school sports. Many elite athletes have been the product of the programs at the school. Famous athletes such as J.R. Smith, Lance Thomas, Claudio Reyna, and Edward Cheserek have all been a part of the bigger picture that Benedict’s athletes have been painting for the past 150 years. St. Benedict’s is renowned for soccer but has also earned a stellar reputation with its basketball, wrestling, and track and field programs. All of these programs have produced many Olympic athletes and even Olympic champions. Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., was involved with the school long before he came to run it. Aged 73, he can still remember the development of athletes who went into professional sports. Athletes such as Ben Scotty ‘55, he noted, went on to play in the NFL.
Spirit of Community
the brush when it comes to the portrait of St. Benedict’s athletic legacy. Fr. Ed has a strong feeling that Caruso still holds the punt return record at his alma mater West Point which he graduated from in 1968. While St. Benedict's has a plethora of famous athletes from the 20th Century, there are also Benedict’s-produced professional athletes of a more recent vintage. For example, J.R. Smith is a very successful NBA athlete who is a well-known alumnus of the school. “J.R. Smith ‘04 probably could have been a football player in the NFL, he was an unbelievably talented athletes,” said Fr. Ed. “I mean the guy was a ridiculously great high school athlete... I mean what can you say, he’s playing in a league with the best athletes in the world, right?”
“Most guys that come here to St. Benedict’s Prep always get better, as we don’t only work on team stuff, but the individual himself, the body and the mental.” - Coach Taylor
So much talent has passed through SBP. “Mike Caruso was a three-time NCAA wrestling champion,” Fr. Ed said. “Now could Mike Caruso have been a basketball player? No. But he was unbelievable at wrestling.” He added, “Most people are never going to be good at every sport, but they can find their one sport and excel at it.”
But, then again, he said, there’s Frank Cosentino ‘62. “(He) played football here on an unbelievable level... played basketball and was a terrific shortstop in baseball,” Fr. Ed said. Athletes like Caruso, he noted, are the ones holding 14 The Benedict News Vol. 2 Issue 1 April. 2018
The skill of this ultra-gifted high school athlete still shows in J.R’s time in the NBA. He has played 15 seasons and out of those 15 has made the playoffs 11 times. In 2016, he went on to win an NBA championship with the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But of course these accomplishments do not come without the hard work. The type of rigorous training that still goes on today at SBP’s basketball team. “ Having the dorms and living on campus [like most players do] allows them to practice almost every day for 3 hours from August to March, which will prepare them for that next level: college and eventually the NBA,” said SBP’s Basketball Coach Mark Taylor. Coach Taylor also said, “Most guys that come here to St. Benedict’s Prep always get better, as we don’t only
work on team stuff, but the individual himself, the bodyand the mental.” Not only does St. Benedict’s have an active population of dedicated athletes, but it also has a staff of dedicated coaches. The coach who has led the soccer program to victory for many years is Jim Wandling ‘92. Along with many of the sports coaches in the school, many are alumni, which demonstrates how much graduates really love giving back to the school. “I have been here a long time and the teams just get better and better every year. I have what I think to be an honor to coach these athletes,” Coach Wandling said. Gaining the high reputation that comes with coaching an illustrious team, is not why any coach works hard and pushes teams to excel. “That’s not what it’s about... it’s about making the kids better and the reputation as a coach will come when you lead them to championships,” he said. Wandling also tries to instill in his athletes what he believes to be the most important part of sports -teamwork. He says that if each player, regardless of position, plays for a championship scarf then it is not
Photo by Rodney Fequiere a team, but a group of soccer players running around on a field. “If the players play for each other then they are a team and if they play for each other, then...well, you see what it does, we are national champions,” he said. The training that forms these high school athletes into pros does not all happen on the court or field. However as basketball coach Mark Taylor mentions, school practices such as Convocation and the school’s student leadership system help the coaches to easily enforce an already present feeling of community and discipline within the athletes. “Most guys that come here to St. Benedict’s Prep always get better, as we don’t only work on team stuff, but the individual himself, the body and the mental,” Coach Taylor said. benedictnewsonline.org 32
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Convo: The Heart
of the
Matter
By Nasir Guyton and Jonathan Dulce
C
onvocation is one of the many traditions at St. Benedict's Preparatory School. It’s a venerable one dating back to July 2, 1973: the first ever Convocation.
Convocation is loved by many if not all students and faculty at St. Benedict’s. “I really love the vibe at Convo, especially when we’re doing the cheers,” said UD2 Daniel Obi. Convocation also attracts outsiders as many visitors to St. Benedict’s say that Convocation is the best part of their experience. Convocation is a trademark of the St. Benedict's community. Convocation started the first day the school reopened on July 2, 1973. “We invited the mayor and a lot of dignitaries.We handed out a little program, and on the cover was the word ‘Convocation,’” Fr. Albert Holtz, O.S.B., said. The day after the first Convocation, Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B, wanted the whole school to meet together before class so he could give a pep talk and take attendance. Back when Convocation was just starting, 90-plus students were wedged into the cafeteria. “We all fit in the corner of the cafeteria nearest to the stairs that go up to the glass doors. It seemed like a good idea to keep meeting every day to build community. And we just kept on doing it,” Fr. Albert said.
16 The Benedict News Vol. 2 Issue 1 April. 2018
One of the most loved parts of Convo by the students are the songs. The songs have always been a crucial part of Convocation. “They’re supposed to be uplifting and a prayer at the same time,” Fr. Ed once said. When songs at Convo debuted, they were played by Rev. Peter Winstead, who led the gospel choir at Blessed Sacrament Church in Newark and would come three days a week to play at St. Benedicts. “We also had another musician in the mid-90s who would lead us in traditional hymns on the other days but Rev. Winstead is the person who wrote most of the best songs we do at Convo,” said Fr. Albert. After Rev. Winstead died, Dr. Dennis Lansang and Dr. Jeremy Fletcher decided that the songs Rev. Winstead created shouldn’t disappear. To address this, Dr. Lansang obtained some recordings of Rev. Winstead singing at Convo. Since Rev. Winstead never wrote down any of his music, Dr. Lansang had to transcribe the music and also added more songs. Fr. Edwin identifies Convo as the most important part of the school’s daily ritual. It sets the tone for how the rest of the day goes, in terms of schedule and morale. The-age old tradition has carried on for many years, and has remained ingrained in the DNA of St. Benedict’s to this day.
Photo by Jacob Anthony Amaro
Courtesy of the Newark Abbey Archives benedictnewsonline.org 17
“God is the true artist, we are merely humble imitators.�
-Mr. Gallerani
At Benedict’s,
Football
Remains Ever
Past
By Ahmad Henderson
19 Benedictnewsonline.org
In it’s prime, SBP’s football team was a powerhouse in New Jersey.( Far Right) A denizen of the field from the sports’ glory days at St.B’s.
Between 1972 and 1973, the leaders of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School had many decisions to make. One hard choice was between having a soccer team or keeping the football team. SBP Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B, decided to have a soccer team and not keep the football team. That decision has caused the school to turn into a powerhouse soccer team and be constantly talked about as the top high school soccer team nearly every year. The history of SBP’s football team has been forgotten by many. In its prime, the football team was a powerhouse in New Jersey. It won nine state championships between the years 1927-1950. The football team was led by Hall of Fame football and baseball coach, Joseph Kasberger. The football team produced players such as Ben Scotti ’55, who was a defensive back for the Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Many SBP alumni went on to play professional football. 20 The Benedict News Vol.1 Issue 2 April. 2019
“This school has produced many athletes that have gone to play at the professional level including the football team,” said John Maryiati ’63. Maryiati played on the football team from 1960 to 1963. Fr. Ed does not want a football team because of one word: money. “To run a football team, it would cost at least $300,000 and we don’t have that kind of money. Alumni would donate for the football team but we don’t have a field anymore or anywhere to practice,” he said. He also does not want a football team because of its health risks. “Nowadays, you hear all of the people with CTE and all of these brain disease and injuries,” he added. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disorder caused by repeated head trauma. CTE is found in many athletes involved in a spectrum of sports, but it is commonly suffered by many football players. Fr. Ed, who played on the football team during his high school years at St. Benedict’s,
Photo courtesy of Newark Abbey archives. does not like football anymore. Maryiati wants to have a football team but he understands Fr. Ed’s reasoning. “I know we cannot afford to have a football program,” he said. “To have a top flight football program, we will need to have easily $600,000 and more. We do not have that money in the budget.” In the 1960s, St. Benedict’s had 800 students annually, so there were enough people to have a football team. When the school reopened in 1973, there were only between 70 and 80 students attending, barely enough to field a football team. Presently, though the ranks of the school have swelled to more than 800 students with the inclusion of the Elementary and Middle Divisions, there are still not enough students to draw from toW field a football team, Maryiati said. UDII Kevin Jackson believes that having a
football team would have changed the history of the school and its athletic reputation. Marcus Hinds SY agreed. “More people would have come to Benedict’s,” Hinds said. However, it is unlikely St. Benedict’s will have a football team. “As long as I am in charge of the school and on my feet, St. Benedict’s will not ever have a football team,” said Fr. Ed.
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The
Artistry of Brother
Groomes
By Yannie Lopez
22 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
H
e blows a gust of air from the mouthpiece into the body of the saxophone and nails the high note with ease. His groupmates shout “Oh yeah, Brother!” The song, “Stay Up,” ends and he walks back and sits on the top row of the chipped wooden bleachers. He grabs a worn-out green rag, wipes away sweat, and flashes a smile at the cheering section in one end of the Shanley gym. This musician whose music we often enjoy is Johnathan Groomes SY, the Group Leader of Father Dunstan Smith. Groomes is a Newark native but moved to East Orange at a young age. He struggled in Middle School, but when he was in eighth grade he heard about Saint Benedict’s Prep and applied. Once accepted, Groomes said, “My first impression of the school was that the school was big. It was a big place.” On the first day of the Overnight, he was struck by the diversity of the school. “Being in a room full of people of different races and different colors -- that was unusual to me because my middle school was basically all black with one white person out of us all.” The Overnight, he said, was rough that year. The freshmen would have every single one of their books stacked upon their elbows and be forced to hold them up without dropping a single item. After being broken down mentally, he found support in the community around him. He couldn’t find a reason to complain about the events he was experiencing because everyone he knew was going through the same thing. “It wasn’t about yourself, it was about your whole class, you being one, you being able to move as one,” he said. What he did find was a bond with his brothers. “In this school, I am never alone,” he said. Calling out, “Brother Groomes!” is the best way to get Johnathan’s attention. Why “brother” when no other student is referred to that way? Is it because he plans on becoming a monk after
graduation? No. As he tells it, the moniker is rooted in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s when the Black Panther Party was at its zenith of public recognition. He said people in the movement would be known to salute one another with, ‘Hey brother how you doing?’ It became a trait that Johnathan adopted and made his own because he considers everyone at St. Benedict’s to be his brother. It became Johnathan’s trademark. “It’s not only that,” said Groomes, “It’s to get rid of the N word, I use that in substitution...It’s used to belittle us as people.” In addition to his trademark style, Groomes acquired something else at SBP. “I’d never seen a saxophone until I got here,” he said. “It was beautiful, I loved it. The sound of sound.” He considers the instrument his best friend. “I want to be a musician,” explains Groomes, whether it’s playing the saxophone or piano, organ, bass. “As long as it has something to do with music,” he added. His musical interests span the spectrum, including Gospel, R&B, Blues, Soul, Funk and smooth jazz. Groomes is always working at learning different instruments to become a more versatile musician and to experience more music. Johnathan also plays gigs, even though sometimes he doesn’t get paid. “I do some out of the kindness of my heart and for the experience,” he said. As Groomes continues to master his art of music, he still manages to be the Group Leader for Father Dunstan Smith. He has never lost hope in his efforts to accomplish his dreams. If he wants something, he goes and works for it. Upon graduation, Johnathan plans on attending Montclair State University to continue his passion for music and bringing joy to the ears of those who listen. (At left) Johnathan Groomes has developed a liking for soul music as he plays more instruments. Photo by Justis Worrell benedictnewsonline.org 23
Talent
Rodney Fequere
Trio of
At St. Benedict’s, there are hidden artists among us. At least three walk the halls of our community every day. They are Nicolas Antonio Wynn FY, Nicholas Kabanda UD1, and Xavier Yon UDII. Wynn, A.K.A. Honcho Savv, hails from Newark, N.J. He started rapping when he was 11 years old. He felt motivated to become an artist after listening to his inspiration, the rapper Trippie Redd, when he was 12. Nicolas says that his “music style is different and not like all these other rappers...I don’t like to be compared to all these other rappers because I take music as pure art, like timeless music where songs will never get old.” He draws out what’s on his mind in his lyrics. “Look at how I’m chasing my dreams til it gets better, Ima put 4,000 hours on the line to make sure I’m right in the mind” Honcho Savv in “Nothing Ever Changed.”
24 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
Nicholas plans on taking his music everywhere he goes with him for the rest of his life, applying it wherever he can. Kabanda, A.K.A. Nick Breezy, was born in the East African country, Uganda, moved to Queens, N.Y., at the age of six, returned to Uganda for a year, and then moved to N.J., bringing him to SBP. Nick’s choice to rap came to him spontaneously when he was young and, as he got older, he began to compose lyrics. As a kid, writing poetry was something that came very naturally to him. “One day I just decided I want to rap all the time,” he said. “I was in fifth grade when I started writing raps but I would only do it once a month. It wasn’t until I was in sixth grade where I started writing every day.” Nicholas’s music includes lyrics about his personal struggles. “I’m facing my fears that really wasn’t fears, those was just false assumptions.” Nick Breezy in “All Heart Interlude.” It is meant to influence others positively, and not portray the negative messages that a lot of modern day rappers do. The major artists that have influenced his music range from Kendrick Lamar and Joey BadA$$, to J. Cole and Eminem. Nicholas plans on taking his talents to a big stage. He wants his work to be compared to some of the top rappers in the industry. He hopes to have a positive impact on his community and show that people can follow their dreams just as he did. Yon, A.K.A. Norcom, lived in Killeen, Texas, but moved to Fort Worth four years ago. He now lives in the “Now I’m finally being me, man I’m psyched, I just write it, never fight it, used to hide it, just embrace it, now I face it, man I’m feeling so complacent but the feelings so adjacent,” Norcom raps in “Local.” Leahy House at SBP. Xavier’s inspiration for making music comes from Chance the Rapper. “He was the first person that I really listened to,” Yon said. “And seeing him spread a positive message motivated me to do the same thing.” Yon switches his music style from time to time, so he can experiment and do a little bit of everything. As of right now he just enjoys making music and being able to express himself through it. He has no intention of taking his work to a professional level unless he is noticed. However, Yon is fine with collaborations.He collaborated with Nick Breezy and featured on the song “Loud Thoughts” which can be found on Breezy’s page. All three of these artists have used the St. Benedict’s Prep Community to showcase their music in one way or another and now it is our turn to go ahead and support them. All of the music can be found below. Honcho Savv: https://soundcloud.com/savv2times/ Nick Breezy: https://m.soundcloud.com/nick-breezy-916311671
Norcom: https://soundcloud.com/m_i_s_t_r_o
benedictsnewsonline.org 25
STUDENT’S
Cleats 4 Kids e a iv r D Hit
By Christian Bermeo
Eduardo Richa was born in Brazil but he came to America to play soccer, joining the championship soccer team at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. At the end of soccer season, he saw his teammate, Giuliano Gomez, preparing to throw away slightly worn cleats. Remembering the loved ones and friends he left in Brazil, some of whom could not afford cleats, he asked Giuliano not to throw them away. He decided to keep them, leading him on a path to giving back. Eduardo returned to Brazil in the summer and visited his friend, Iago. He gave Iago the cleats as a gift from his friend. Afterwards, Eduardo realized how effective the gift was and realized that there are a lot of other kids that do not have soccer cleats to use. So he decided to create a project, called “Cleats 4 Kids.”
Eduardo Richa to the left
have at least 40 cleats by mid-December before he returned to Brazil for the holidays.
Within two weeks of his start, he was close to achieving his goal of collecting 20 cleats. He decided to keep on collecting. “The more cleats, Eduardo had to wait until Benedict’s soccer season ended. He then asked all his friends to give the better,” he said. At press time, Richa had more than reached his goal of 40 cleats and is him any soccer cleats they were not going to use proud of what he’s accomplished with the help anymore. He explained to them that there were of the community. needy kids in Brazil that cannot afford soccer cleats, and then asked, “Please let me have Rider Cedeno, an SBP student who donated any cleats to donate them to the kids.” Eduardo his cleats to the cause, said, “Eduardo is a very used his soccer team as a starting point, thoughtful person, and that's why I donated collecting four pairs of cleats. cleats.” Cedeno donated his cleats from this year’s soccer season and a pair of cleats he had In early November, Eduardo introduced his idea used before. He was inspired by Eduardo's work to the school, in a speech at Convocation. He explained how disadvantaged kids he knew back and felt that he could probably start a similar in Brazil needed the schools’ support to help them program for his home country of Ecuador. play soccer, and they would appreciate any soccer Photos by Yannie Lopez cleats donated to them. Eduardo was hoping to 26 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 Apr. 2019
Sisters of St. By James Hunt
Joseph:
A Belief in Community
The Sisters of St. Joseph have been associated with Newark Abbey and St. Mary’s Church for many years. Recently, however, the Sisters have become an integral part of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. The continuous evolution of SBP has advanced with accepting female students in the Middle Division last year, and with the addition this school year of the St. Mary’s Elementary Division. Sister Ann Marie Gass, S.S.J., was given the responsibility of leading the new Elementary Division addition. Her experience with children and teaching goes back to when she first came to Essex County. “I first came here in 2002,” she said. “I began teaching first grade here so I was the first grade teacher for 15 years.” Sr. Ann, along with other member of the Sisters of St. Joseph community, shares the values of community through faith, which aligns beautifully with St. Benedict’s core values, she noted. The Sisters’ goal for the merger is finding ways to “distribute” positive influences from older students among younger students so they will absorb good values. Sr. Ann sees the joining of the schools as progressing well but including a few bumps. “I think it’s had some challenges but I think it’s also had some positive pieces as well,” she said. “We were very much used to being an elementary division which was kindergarten through eighth grade... and now we have the opportunity to broaden and be more expansive.” The history of the Sisters of St. Joseph dates back to 1650, when it originated in southern France. The order started with six women under the direction of Jean Pierre Medaille, S.J. These women were neither educated nor wealthy, but they dedicated themselves to their work. “We weren’t actually founded as educators,” said Sister Linda Klaiss, S.S.J. “We were founded to be ready and do all good works.” But almost from the community’s inception, it was realized that education was a key need of the populace. And the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sr. Linda noted, are taught to accommodate the needs of the people.
The universal idea of community unites all divisions of the school. “Giving up what you want for what we need” and setting aside personal differences for the betterment of the collective whole are important values to be embraced, Sr. Linda said. She never planned to run the school’s food pantry but didn’t hesitate to take on the duty when asked.
Each morning when Sr. Ann wakes up to embark on a new journey she said she finds serenity in a poem attributed to the Jesuit priest Pedro Arrupe, noted for encouraging the promotion of the “faith that does justice” that says partly “Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Here is the full prayer attributed to Fr. Arrupe, S.J.:
Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Illustration by Anthony Gautsch
“Education is the key because... you can have your home robbed or your clothes taken but once you have an education that cannot be taken from you and expands the avenues and possibilities to your life,” added Sr. Ann.. In 1968, the Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph began its mission of religious and formal education at St. Mary’s Elementary, called there by Abbot Martin Burne, who had been educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. “Abbot Burne had had the Sisters of St. Joseph when he was a boy in school up at Blessed Sacrament... and asked if our Sisters could come over and take over the work here and that’s how we came to be here,” said Sr. Linda. This past year represents the 50th Anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Clara Christie came in the late 1960s as principal of St. Mary’s. “Some Sisters came to teach at the school... because the elementary school was St. Mary’s... And they came as educators originally,” Sr. Linda said.
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SBP’s Father Christmas: Goose Leads as a Listener By Jacob Anthony Amaro While much of the world fails to spy Santa Claus on Christmas, those anticipating the arrival of the man in red at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School are more fortunate. Each year, at the request of the student leaders who run the school, Santa visits the Hive for the annual Christmas Program. Elves and “reindeer” follow in his wake, singing jolly Christmas songs and bringing cheer. Long-time Hive members know that this Santa may be more than just Santa’s helper. After all, at the close of the program, when Santa leaves St. B’s ostensibly for the North Pole, a gentleman remains who bears, physically and spiritually, a striking resemblance, even when he swaps his warm, red suit with a thick, black cassock. His name is Fr. Augustine Curley, O.S.B., Ph.D. Father Augustine, or “Goose,” as students affectionately call him, is well-known to students and faculty at SBP not only for his intellect, but for his empathy. “He is Father Augustine in every sense of the word -- and then Brother,” said Mrs. Lorraine Elias H’12, an SBP English teacher. Like the mythical Pere Noel, Goose possesses a generosity of spirit. He will willingly give up whatever else he may be working on, some say, to listen to people. And he gives them what they need. “I think he has an incredible ability to sit and talk to people and listen,” said Br. Mark Dilone, O.S.B, who professed his simple vows for Newark Abbey in October. “He’s willing to spend time with people and share his stories -- oftentimes relating with students, since he was a student himself.” Fr. Augustine was born in Livingston, N.J. He attended St. Philomena’s in Livingston for his early grammar education. Then, at the age of 10, he moved to Belleville, N.J., and there went to St. Peter’s to complete his elementary education. He moved on to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., for high school, from 1969 until its closing in 1972. He completed his high school education at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J., graduating from there in 1973. “It was very tough,” he said of the school’s closing. “I liked the monks, the atmosphere -everybody cared for each other -- and it came as a surprise.” The school had closed due to declining enrollment. That, in turn, was brought on by parents’ fears about racial tensions in the city, following the Newark Riots of 1967. At the same time, there was discord in the monastery over several key matters. Ultimately, many of the monks at Newark Abbey moved to St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, N.J., leaving a dedicated cadre behind. St. Benedict’s reopened in 1973, with the help of several people who stood by its side in the midst of chaos.
Photo by Jules-Roland Gouton
Fr. Augustine has brought a lifetime of learning to bear on his work at St. Benedict’s.
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Photos (Top, third, and fourth from bottom) by Jules-Roland Gouton. Photo (Second from top) by Jacob Anthony Amaro.
Fr. Augustine devotes himself to matters of mind, spirit, and heart.
Goose, at the time, was getting ready to take off for college. He had matriculated at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., where, after switching majors five times -- beginning with French -- he settled on double-majoring in Philosophy and Politics, and minoring in Studio Art. His focus on Philosophy over other majors, in particular, was rooted in the challenges it poses through many of its fundamental questions -- including, but not limited to, the reason for humankind’s existence, the fate of the universe, and the search for God. “There’s no interesting question that’s easy to answer,” he said. “A question that’s easy to answer is not interesting.” Pursuing his new focus and following the recommendation of a mentor, he went on to earn his doctoral degree in philosophy from Boston College in Newton, Mass. His goal was straightforward--to become a professor of philosophy. But trailing Goose, wherever he went, was someone who had always kept in touch: Fr. Melvin Valvano, O.S.B., Newark Abbey’s then and current Abbot. Goose didn’t know it at the time, but keeping in touch with the Abbey and school, and visiting both places on occasion, would eventually impel him to permanently return for the monastic life. All he needed was a push. And it happened: Goose realized, through certain events in his life -- girls, in particular -- that he wasn’t doing what he was supposed to. “There was always that feeling that somehow I was running away from what God wanted me to do,” he said. Goose returned to the monastery in 1982, giving up his “would be, could have been” career as a philosophy professor. He taught French I and II at SBP for a year. From 1983-1984, he embarked on his novitiate (the first step in becoming a Benedictine monk) while teaching religion and working as an archivist and librarian for the monastery and school. On Sept. 15, 1984, he made his simple vows, starting the process that would bind him to the monastery. In the following four years, from 1984-1988, he attended the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., obtaining a Master’s in Systematic Theology. He was ordained a deacon in 1988. Upon his return to the monastery, he served that role for about half a year for various religious feasts. He was then ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Francis of Newark, N.J., on November 26, 1988.
30 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 Apr. 2019
Photo by Jacob Anthony Amaro
He became SBP’s Santa by accident, but now Fr. Augustine is the school’s “own Santa Claus.”
Curiously, even as a child, Goose had considered seeking the priesthood. He grew up around Catholicism—his family is Irish Catholic. As a young man, his parents were very much involved with their parish. He also knew of several family members who had found vocations as nuns and priests. Today, Goose is often seen ambling through school hallways, smiling and chatting on his way to class, the Archives, or en route to a historical conference. He shakes the hands of passing students and, on occasion, converses with and/or embraces them. He continues to serve as a Benedictine monk (he is Newark Abbey’s Prior), a priest, religion teacher, historian (archivist), librarian, philosopher and, of course, the Hive’s own professional Santa. Outside, he is a part-time lecturer at Seton Hall University, a book and documentary reviewer, an author, and a member of both the New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission and
the American Catholic Historical Association. Despite having a doctoral degree in philosophy, Goose over time, and recently, has gravitated toward history. His love for the subject started when he was a high school student at St. Peter’s and was working at the front desk of the school. One day, he said, some ladies approached him, seeking to find the grave of their grandfather. Because they didn’t have a deed, they couldn’t access it, they told him despairingly. The person in charge gave Goose permission to look through school records. Goose didn’t find what the ladies were looking for. But he did find information on his family. Through this information, he was able to make historical connections among some family members. In college, he had considered studying history, but, in his words, “I was not impressed with the history teachers I had, so I never really did history officially.” He was far more impressed benedictnewsonline.org 31
with his philosophy professors. Now, he works mostly on local history. He has written numerous historical articles and essays over the years. Most recently he co-authored “Ever Dear,” a coffee table book for the Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) of the school, detailing the relevant history of the school since its inception in 1868. He is also planning to write a book about the history of St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Newark, N.J, but that project has proven difficult to start. Goose was supposed to have worked on the book four years ago during his sabbatical, to be spent at Munsee -- property that SBP owns near the Appalachian Trail, used primarily during the Backpacking Project. However, on his first attempt to travel to Munsee, his car’s battery died. Seeing that this was the case, the Abbot gave him permission to rent a car for the year. With this new car, he was ready to leave for Munsee by the next weekend. When the time came, he was heading down the concrete steps of the monastery to get into his car -- where he had everything ready -- with a copy of the History of the Diocese of Trenton in his hands. “It was very icy and I slipped,” he said. “And rather than protecting myself, I protected the book.” Goose banged his knee on the edge of the concrete step. He couldn’t get up -- not even with the help of several passersby. Subsequently, an ambulance took him to University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where surgeons operated on his knee. He was forced to cancel his sabbatical plans for research and writing. His next opportunity to complete his project came this past summer. Once again, his plans were thwarted. A doctor informed Goose that he was in need of major surgery -- his good heart was in need of a bypass. “I thought about the amount of time I would be losing again because of illness,” Goose said. “But since my father and a brother both died at a young age from a heart attack, I was happy that the problem was found while it could be taken care of before I had a heart attack.” 32 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 Apr. 2019
With his surgery a success, Goose has been finishing up a course of physical therapy. He plans to resume work on his book this coming summer. He credits his faith and the support of the monastic community, his family, and many friends with helping him get through his difficult times -- which, in the 90s, included even a fight against cancer that he won. “This chubby, jolly, bearded, sparkling man with a little bald on the top (of his head) was suddenly hairless, with a pointy face, and thin as a rail,” said Mrs. Elias. “I almost didn’t recognize him. He was undergoing chemotherapy -- and it would appear for an extended period of time.” Mrs. Elias believes Goose was able to keep his cool throughout the entire ordeal because he treats everything that happens to him as “just another thing that God sent -- just the way God would send an academic project, or his teaching or working on backpacking.” This appears to be the case. In fact, Goose’s biggest worry when he dealt with both cancer and open-heart surgery was, “not really being able to do my work, not being able to concentrate, and feeling that I was losing a lot of productive time.” His strong work ethic is praised by many. “He gives himself totally to whatever he’s working on,” said Mrs. Elias. Goose doesn’t like to admit that he works hard. However, he does say that “I could never see myself wasting time.” He rarely watches television. Most recently, he watched T.V. only to see President Trump’s State of the Union Address in February, and he can’t remember the last time he watched it before then. Despite all of Goose’s hard work -- in the archives at SBP, as a historian, teacher, monk, and priest -- perhaps one of the greatest things that he does, day in day out, is something that his counterpart Santa Claus is known for: listening to people. He became Santa by listening to a student. “One year, Chris Henry (a student) said to me, ‘You
Courtesy of the Newark Abbey Archives
Fr. Augustine, center row, fourth from right as a Benedict’s student in the Seventies.
should be Santa Claus.’ I said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ Then he said ‘And Narciso and Pavlisko (two other students) should be your elves.’ I said ‘If you get Narciso and Pavlisko to be elves, I'll be Santa Claus,’” Fr Augustine said. Chris Henry did manage, indeed, to convince his friends to dress up as Santa’s elves. Unfortunately, by the time he did, SBP students had already left for Christmas Break. Undeterred, Santa and his two elves walked around the school, cheering those who remained. They also surprised the school’s Headmaster, Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., in the monastery refectory. “It was the only time I have seen him at a loss for words,” Goose said of the headmaster.
The next year, Charles Cawley, a long-time benefactor of SBP, was hosting a Christmas party and had asked someone to get a Santa. The person he asked told him, “We have our own Santa Claus,” directing him to Goose. “So I have been doing it every year since,” said Goose. Goose would agree that he loves working with people -- students, in particular. To him, the best aspect of working at the school is “being able to influence the lives of young men,” many of whom are without fathers, or of parents with complicated relationships. He seeks to influence their lives not by “fill(ing) in for a father,” he said, “but by giving them a male figure they can talk to and have a relationship with.”
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of
Some time in the 1950s, Fr. Hirsch, the pastor of St. James R.C. Church in Woodbridge, N.J., led a group of students to St. Benedict’s Prep to enable them to take the entrance exam. Among those students was an eighth grader by the name of Dennis Leahy. “The first couple days here... I felt a sense like I belonged here,” said the student, now an adult. Although he was accepted to St. Mary’s in South Amboy, Dennis was rejected from St. Benedict’s. Bill Leahy, the boy’s father, was undeterred. He was determined to get his son into St. Benedict’s. The youth’s father talked to Monsignor McCarlston, who then wrote a letter to the Headmaster of St. Benedict’s at the time, Father Philip Hoover. Monsignor McCarlston asked Fr. Phllip if he could find a way to accept Dennis to the school. Monsignor McCarlston told Fr. Philip that he saw something special in the youth. Monsignor McCarlston believed the youth would become a priest. This was enough to convince Fr. Philip into accepting Dennis. Fr. Philip couldn’t have known at the time what he had made possible. He had accepted the student that would someday fill his shoes as Headmaster. He had accepted the youth who would become the nationally renowned Father Edwin Leahy, O.S.B, who would bring St. Benedict’s Prep
Fathers
through turbulent times into the present.“ Edwin” is the saint’s name he took on when he became a monk. Fr. Edwin, or “Fred” as many students affectionately choose to call him, was born on Dec. 8, 1945. Fr. Ed knew he wanted to become a priest from a young age. “I grew up around priests, they were always around the house coming to see my parents.” Fr. Ed never really put much thought into it, he simply knew that he was going to become a monk. Before Fr. Ed evolved into his present adult persona of being “stern and impactful” as Maroon Section Leader Juan Perez describes him, Fr. Ed lived the fun teenage life. Fr. Ed dated one girl named Jane for three years in high school. He never lost contact with her even after they broke up. Fr. Ed would later go on to baptize her kids and bury her
The Benedict News Vol. 2 Issue 1 April 2019 34
Story and Photo by Yannie Lopez
Fr. Ed:Father
husband and father. In order to become a novice, the young Leahy was instructed to go to college for two years and then begin the path toward monkhood. So, when Fr. Ed graduated from SBP in 1963, he attended St. Bernard College in Alabama and St. John’s University in Minnesota. “I studied very little, I just had fun. Didn’t study much at all,” Fr. Ed said. After professing his vows, Fr. Ed went to Seton Hall University with Fr. Philip and graduated with a degree in philosophy. He may have been quite a busy man at the time, but Fr. Ed worked on a construction crew during his summer breaks from school. He also worked as a caddy at a nearby golf course. Many may wonder how Fr. Ed got the idea of running the school in a way that allows students to supervise each other during large blocks of the day. When asked by Scott Pelley, a writer for the award-winning TV newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” “You let the kids make a mistake?” Father Ed responded, “That is a better learning experience for them.” To learn from mistakes can be seen as the direct route to “chaos” as Pelley put it. However, Fr. Ed said he is a person of faith and that always guides his decisions. He also trusts students to sort out a problem before it descends into chaos. Fr. Ed experienced a life-changing moment when Fr. Gerard 51’ tossed him a book titled, “The Headmaster” by John McPhee. The book was about Frank Boyden, who served as Headmaster of Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts for 66 years. Fr. Ed didn’t become the Headmaster of St. Benedict’s for another 6 years.
“Our Convocation grew out of something that Frank Boyden did with the kids at Deerfield Academy... Boyden did it Sunday nights, I decided to do it every day.” Fr. Ed always wanted the best for St. Benedict’s. In 1972, when St. Benedict’s closed, Fr. Ed, Fr. Al. Fr. Philip and Fr. Mark were put to the test. They had to rebuild the school from scratch. Each man brought his personality to bear on the crisis, making a unique contribution to the reopening effort. Fr. Ed worked to raise funds. Fr. Al, a prolific writer, created “A Possible School,” a white paper and blueprint offering the guiding concept and template for St. Benedict’s. This included the school’s unusual calendar, which, begins in July and ends in late May or early June. Fr. Mark, drawing upon his leadership experiences with the Boy Scouts of America, conceived the idea to have all incoming freshman spend five days in the gym, like a sleepover, and learn about the school. He decided to call it, The Overnight. SBP’s current Assistant Headmaster Dr. Ivan Lamourt was part of the school’s second Overnight. Fr. Mark had another idea, to send the freshmen into the mountains and hike. This would end up becoming the school’s Backpacking Project, a five-day hike along a 55-mile-long portion of the Appalachian Trail. The school still bears the influence of these leaders. Fr. Ed’s faith has been tested time and time again. With each challenge, he said, his faith has grown stronger. To this day, he travels the country, speaking about St. Benedict’s Prep and “what we do here and how we work.” He raises about $7.5 million annually to keep the school operational.
Fr. Ed at morning Convo.
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The Protector
36 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 Mar. 2019
By Joshua Morris
You may often see an enthusiastic security guard greeting students at the front entrance of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School each morning. His name is Reggie Baskerville and he works the midnight to 8 a.m. shift. Students report they are pleased to be welcomed by him as they display their I.D. badges. Many said he has a funny and caring personality. Mr. Baskerville was born in Newark, N.J. and grew up in East Orange. He didn’t attend college, but went straight to work for the company, Command Security. He then came to work for St. Benedict’s. He didn’t attend St. Benedict’s but had a friend who did. He listens to hip-hop and even put out an LP -- a record with two sides. And he also is a Music and Youth Leader. He played music in a band called MadHeadz from 1994 to 1996. He made hip-hop, he even played the keyboard and drums. When Mr. Baskerville first came to St. Benedict’s in 1991, he was placed to work her temporarily by officials at his company. However, in 2000, some Benedict’s alumni asked him if he could stay on at Benedict’s permanently. So he did.
(Opposite page) Reggie Baskerville finishes his shift. (Above) Baskerville is well-liked by the community.
Photos by Jules Gouton
Reggie is a father of two daughters and said he supports them by working several jobs. “After I leave here each day, I do a little bit of everything,” Mr. Baskerville said. Mr. Baskerville is well liked in the Benedict’s community, including by co-workers. “Reggie feels it’s easy to work for St. Benedict’s Prep because he loves each child like they are his own,” said Mr. Phillmon McFadder, a fellow security guard at SBP. “It’s the only way he feels he can do his job properly.” Mr. McFadder, who has known Mr. Baskerville for 15 years, describes him as a great guy. They first met when Phil started to work here. He also describes Mr. Baskerville as “a jokester and funny guy.” He added that Mr. Baskerville takes his job very seriously every day he comes into school. benedictnewsonline.org 37
Mr. DiPiano
on his return to SBP: “We are doing something special here” By: Camilo Scarpone
hysical Education Teacher, Wrestling & Baseball Coach Frank DiPiano ‘01 is happy to be home. Recently named to the SBP Hall of Fame, DiPiano said he is honored to join his father, Michael DiPiano Sr. H ‘82, and his brother, Michael DiPiano Jr., there.
P
“We are doing something special here,” DiPiano said. The St. Benedict’s Prep Hall of Fame recognizes graduates who exhibited extraordinary achievements at The Hive or alumni and friends who have made noteworthy contributions in their chosen fields. Mr. DiPiano is one of 9 individuals and two teams recognized in 2018. He says his father had the biggest impact on his wrestling career. He added, however, that he would not be the wrestler he was or the coach he is today if it were not for his friend and workout partner, NCAA Division I Champion Steve Mocco and coach, the late Roman Ruderman. After coaching and working as a substitute teacher at Nutley High School for nine years, DiPiano came back to the Hive for the opportunity to teach here. As a champion wrestler, he cherishes some memories as being part of the 2000 National Championship team for the Gray Bees.
38 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
His best memory is as an individual wrestler competing before a large crowd and pinning a kid from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, who went on to play football for the University of Alabama. “You have to start thinking before you get on the mat,” DiPiano said. “You have to know what you want to do before you get on the mat.” Throughout his career as an athlete, DiPiano found ways to fight against quitting and motivate himself. He admitted that, “Junior year I quit, I lost matches. I was just in a funk. I was questioning my wrestling. My coach told me to put things into perspective. Then that weekend I won a big tournament in Washington, D.C.”
are being able to coach but also to work with people he went to school with that were his friends. It is gratifying to him that they are all back doing the same thing that they did as students, but now as mentors. DiPiano thinks he is a better coach than wrestler. “The experiences I had as an athlete made me a better coach in those situations,” he said. The advice that DiPiano has to give to members of the future generation is to listen to their coaches, set realistic goals, train, eat the right way, and show respect for their coaches and their school.
DiPiano’s favorite part about Benedict’s, when he went here, was that he grew up here, making it home. His favorite parts about Benedict’s now
benedictnewsonline.org 39
Mr. Riley:
Martial Arts Master
GIVES STUDENTS A STRONGER VOICE By Luis Narvaez
F
or some people, it’s about feeling safe on the street. For others still, it’s all about health.
Mr. Marc Riley, a history teacher and martial arts instructor here at the Hive, has been studying martial arts for 50 years. Mr. Riley was introduced to martial arts when he was six by his father who became his first instructor. His father practiced martial arts such as Tang Soo Do, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and boxing, when he was in the military. Sensei Riley’s father wanted him to learn how to defend himself. This is how he began his martial arts career. For decades, many people have learned the art from Mr. Riley for a variety of reasons. His martial arts students call him Sensei. Sensei comes from the Chinese and Japanese honorific “Person born before another” or also translated as “One who comes before.” Sensei Riley is an assistant instructor of Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate at the Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo in Brooklyn, NY. Sensei Riley has not always practiced Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate. He had heard of the dojo, but did not train in it initially. “I have done Tang Soo Do, a Korean-style martial arts and I have done Shotokan, an Okinawan style of martial arts, which is a cousin to Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate,” Sensei Riley said. “I have also done Shi Tao Do -- it is part of the 40 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
family branch of Shorinjiryu but it is very different, it is more linear.” Mr. Riley got started in Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate when he introduced his son to martial arts. His son was being picked on by a bully so Mr. Riley wanted his son to know how to defend himself. “When it comes down to bullies, you have to know how to stand up for yourself,” he said. There were expensive karate schools to choose from, and Mr. Riley’s wife suggested that he take his son to one of those karate schools. However, she did not know of Mr. Riley’s martial arts background. The Rileys found a dojo located in the community center in Piscataway. The chief instructor of that dojo told Mr. Riley that they only begin accepting students when they are eight years old. However, Mr. Riley’s son was six. The chief instructor made an exception -- his son could train, but only if Mr. Riley trained with him. Initially, Mr. Riley was hesitant about resuming his martial arts training. “I thought it would be worthwhile to get my son started in martial arts. It seemed to be a pretty good school,” Mr. Riley said. The Dojo had classes for children and teens, making Mr. Riley the only adult student. It was a great opportunity for the chief instructor to have an adult available to demonstrate martial arts moves to the
kids. “The chief instructor wanted to demonstrate martial arts moves on me to show the class,” Mr. Riley said. “He did not know my martial arts background. He wanted to put me in an arm lock. It turned out that I did martial arts moves on him. I had him in a pretzel knot.” Mr. Riley sees martial arts as a part of a healthy way of living. “Doing martial arts is a great way to get in shape, it helps people defend themselves, Mr. Riley said. “I have been doing martial arts for quite some time and I am able to defend myself accurately.” There are many benefits of taking martial arts that anyone can apply it in his daily life, including school, home, and work, Mr. Riley added. During Spring Phase, Mr. Riley teaches a class called “History Of Martial Arts”, In this class, students learn about traditional weapons, such as the tonfa, kama, bo staff, sai, and swords. Students also learn where martial arts came from. Students are taught how to fight and spar with each other, in this class the students also go to trips to different dojos. Besides learning how to fight, spar or learn the history of martial arts, students learn their strength and weaknesses. Students are also taught on how to think before acting, whether
it’s on the mats or off the mats. A former student, Juan Perez SY, took martial arts with Mr. Riley. “Mr. Riley is a great person, you can learn a lot from him. He teaches different techniques on how to fight,” Perez said. “If a student has trouble catching up in martial arts he is really patient and waits until his student gets the hang of it.” Wood-May Joseph SY, another of his former students, said he learned much from Mr. Riley. “He doesn’t just teach us how to fight,” Joseph said. “He also teaches the history of martial arts, the history of the weapons...I learned from him and he is a really patient guy. He won’t move on until you have mastered the technique. ” Ultimately, martial arts can influence a person for the better, Mr. Riley said. “If you’re one to be angry a lot, it may soften that anger. If you find that you’re shy and timid, it may bring you out of that shyness, it may make you more confident to have a stronger voice,” Mr. Riley said.
benedictnewsonline.org 41
Vespole:
Sachs Award Winner Wants
History Students Asking Questions
By Nicolas Wynn
SBP History Department Chairman Spencer Vespole was honored with the Raymond J. Sachs Sr. ‘25 Award for Distinguished Teaching in November. Science Teacher Jon Marlow, last year’s recipient, presented the award at an assembly in Conlin Auditorium before the entire St. Benedict’s Community The award is presented annually to a faculty member nominated by his or her peers for outstanding work with students, both in the classroom and beyond. Nicolas Wynn, writing for The Benedict News, interviewed Mr.Vespole about the award and his career. BN: How did you feel after winning the Sachs Award? Mr. Vespole: It felt good. I didn’t really become a teacher to win individual awards at anything. But it did feel good to have people cheering for me and things like that. I also think that it’s kinda cool and I really like and respect that I have won the Award. BN: Were you shocked to win it? Mr. Vespole: Honestly no, I wasn’t shocked I won it, though it’s not to say I expected to win it. BN: Do you have any role models? Mr. Vespole: My favorite was Mr. DiFranco. He was fantastic and a really strict and tough teacher. You also couldn’t get by him. He actually failed me in my first year at Benedict’s and I’ve never failed a class before. He was a big influence in teaching me how to work. He also made me glad I enrolled here. BN: You have been teaching for six years. What is your approach to teaching history? Mr. Vespole: As a world history teacher, I don’t think that history is about memorizing things. I think history is more of an ‘argument without an end,’ a quote attributed to (Dutch historian) Pieter Geyl. I try to create a classroom where every day we have a fundamental question before us. But history is also about making arguments,and also to prove what you’re saying. A lot of what we learn in history is applicable to other things, for you to be able to make a point. BN: How do you balance your commitment to teaching with your duties as a water polo coach? Mr. Vespole: It’s really not that difficult. Although, at the end of the season, I am tired. I wanted to coach water polo because I have played it in middle school, high school, and (Bowdoin) College. At Bowdoin (in Brunswick, Maine) I coached the women’s team. There were some times I wished I were playing instead of coaching because of how much I enjoy it but it’s great to watch guys get better.
42 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
Mr. Gillis: difference in students’ lives
Making a
and Spikeball, too
By Davion Cottrell-Miller Mr. Daniel Gillis, an “Intro to Economics,” teacher and Benedictine volunteer this year at the Hive, is a Minnesota native 1,172 miles away from his hometown, Burnsville, Minnesota. Gillis graduated from St. John’s University in Minnesota in May 2018, and truly enjoyed the experience. “I grew incredibly as a student, and as a person. I learned more about my faith there and about myself.” Gillis said, “I loved growing up in Minnesota, and when thinking about it, Minnesota people tend to be the nicest out there off the bat.” He added, “The downside to that is that Minnesota people will never tell you when they disagree... whereas people in Newark seem to be more direct about how they feel or act.” Out of all of Mr. Gillis’ college professors, there’s one that stands out. His name was Dr. Gary Prevost. Now retired, he taught for 40 years at St. John’s. Dr. Prevost had offered individual meetings with people interested in Political Science and Mr. Gillis was one of them. However, the night before the meeting, Mr. Gillis received an email from Dr. Prevost saying he had last-minute doctor appointments scheduled but that they could do it over the phone. “He took the time to call me and ask me, What I was interested in? Why was I interested in Political Science? Where did I want to take it?,” Mr. Gillis said, despite his professor dealing with health issues, “...he took time out of his day in general to talk to someone he barely knew.” In addition to a passion for education and working with students, Mr. Gillis is a self-acclaimed Spikeball
pro. He says, “If anybody knows what that is, plays it, and wants to get absolutely destroyed, hit me up.” According to our research, Spikeball, also known as Roundnet, is a 2 vs. 2 team game. The official website (spikeball.com) states that: “A player starts a point by serving the ball down onto the Spikeball net so it ricochets up at his opponents. The returning team has up to 3 hits between them (think bump, set, spike) to return the ball back onto the net. The rally continues until a team can’t return the ball onto the net within their three touches.” Mr. Gillis thinks that Spikeball has a chance at being as popular here as it is in Minnesota. Mr Gillis cherishes the uniqueness of Benedict’s. He said, “I love that the students seem to be engaged in their work. For the most part they’re excited to learn and they hold each other accountable. I think that’s something a lot of schools don’t have.” Working as a volunteer, “I care about young people and the opportunities they have. I know the difference that having an encouraging role model can make. And I want to be that difference for students at SBP.”
Photo by Ny’Gee Green (Above) Mr. Gillis is enjoying his time in New Jersey. benedictnewsonline.org 43
Mr. Kjolhaug: By Alexander Benanti
I’m so
As you walk through the hallways of St.
Glad I’m Here
Benedict’s Preparatory School, you’ve probably noticed some familiar faces and others that are completely new. Mr. Augustus Kjolhaug (pronounced “chell-ogg”), a Benedictine volunteer this year at SBP, is one of those new faces. He can often be found in his coding class, or near the counseling center, accompanying Dean of Students John Rowe on his walks through the halls or supervising JUG (detention) after school every day. Otherwise, you might see him running a mile and half to get to his gym in Newark where he works out. Mr. Kjolhaug was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. He went through the Duluth public school system, before attending St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he majored in psychology. He made the decision to devote a year of volunteering to learn more about the people, culture and uniqueness of SBP. In addition to his work at SBP, a large part of Mr. Kjolhaug’s experience has been sharing in the customs and traditions of the monastic life in the Newark Abbey. Mr. Kjolhaug considers one of his strengths to be his adaptability. He spoke about getting up early in the morning to pray with the monks and eating dinner in silence with them in the evenings. At first he admits that these unfamiliar customs were a challenge, 44 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2
April 2019
“It’s crazy, man,” Mr. Kjolhaug said. “But it’s crazy in a good way.” -Mr. Kjolhaug
but after a while these tasks just became “one of those things you just kinda get used to.” Mr. Kjolhaug arrived at St. Benedict’s in mid-July. During his time here he got to see the wonders of this school. “It’s crazy, man,” Mr. Kjolhaug said. “But it’s crazy in a good way.” Compared to his old schools, St. Benedict’s is a very different environment that encourages positive, proactive activity. He said “Teachers here will pull kids up by their straps.” This strong sense of community fostered is different from everywhere else he has been, because everyone cares about everyone. This has given him a new perspective on life. Another aspect of the school that Mr. Kjolhaug marvels at is the quality and effectiveness of Benedict’s counseling center. He said, “They run this place like a private practice.” Mr. Kjolhaug has an interest in running his own private practice in the future, working with adolecents. He often sits in on morning meetings and talks with kids privately, allowing him to practice his trade under the tutelage of Assistant Headmaster Dr. Ivan Lamourt ‘82. Mr. Kjolhaug’s days are full of work, but work that interests him. No two days are same because everyday is a new adventure for him. He said, “I left the office today thinking, ‘Wow, I'm so glad I’m here.’”
Kleist at SBP:
By Kevin Marin
A Sense of Belonging
Imagine waking up one day and arriving to an unfamiliar place. One would think that a sense of panic would arise. But, at least in one person’s case, a sense of belonging appeared instead. Having just arrived to teach for the Winter Term 2019, Mr. Jonathan Kleist described his first view of St. Benedict’s as “phenomenal, breathtaking.” Kleist (whose last name rhymes with “haste”) is a new member of the Gray Bee community. He is the fourth volunteer to arrive here for the 2018-19 school year from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He joins the other volunteers this year that include: Mr. Daniel Gillis, Mr. Augustus Kjolhaug, and Mr. Lincoln Mullings. Mr. Kleist grew up with his family in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a triplet. Having two brothers at home may seem as a good and heart whelming feeling, but for Mr. Kleist it was different. As he puts it, Kleist’s biggest challenge was “fitting in,” something he said he often found difficult in his formative years. The competitiveness was always there for the triplets, he said. “Challenging each other was an everyday thing,” he said. When faced with attending college, he didn’t know if he would fit in. But, no matter what challenges he had faced, he never gave up. Instead, he said, he pushed through and conquered it. Kleist already had the values of a Gray Bee without even knowing it. When Kleist transitioned from high school to college at St. John’s, he met his orientation leader Daniel Gillis, who later became a friend and a mentor for Kleist. Mr.Gillis preceded Kleist at SBP, joining as a volunteer in August 2019 and currently teaching economics. Gillis is also working as coach for the Gray Bee Varsity Baseball Team.
Kleist initially entered his freshman year of college as a chemistry major with a minor in secondary education. However, early in his freshman year, Kleist decided to switch his major to theology and continue his minor in secondary education. “When I changed (majors), I was especially afraid that my parents and friends would view me as a failure for changing so quickly,” said Kleist. But, through the study ofreligion, Kleist fell in love with how he believes it shaped his life in accordance with God's will. Kleist’s advice for seniors is “not to be afraid to switch majors because, if you don’t, you would never know if it could be a life changing decision.” For his recreational time at St. John’s, Kleist joined a men’s volleyball club. Drawing his deep passion in theology, Kleist is teaching Middle Division religion. He loves teaching Middle Division students because of the thrilling energy the students bring in learning about religion. “I had a number of teachers that mentored me throughout high school,” Kleist explained. “I feel called to bring my experiences into the classroom and similarly help students learn and navigate the many challenges young people face.”
Courtesy of the Newark Abbey Archives
Come to Hungary
for a Year!
Hungarian Monks Propose Gap Year for Gray Bees
By 2018 Fall News Production Class
Photo courtesy of Pannonhalma Archabbey
Pannonhalma Archabbey is situated on a hilltop in the Hungarian coutry side
They came from far away.
Two monks, who traveled 4,338 miles to make their announcement, are proposing a partnership with St. Benedict’s, that would send recent graduates to teach at their ancient monastery for a year. Fr. Albin, O.S.B, headmaster of Pannonhalma Archabbey School and Fr. Konrad, O.S.B, a teacher of German, Latin, and fencing, journeyed to Benedicts’s last fall from the Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary and proposed an opportunity for graduating seniors. “I like very much the atmosphere -- the spirit, which is based on the Rule of St. Benedict,” Fr. Albin said after witnessing Convo. He added, “I think the most important (thing) for St. Benedict’s is community. What I sensed here this morning at Convo was very similar to what we have.”
The monks are proposing a “gap year” for a Benedict’s graduate, a post-high school year usually devoted to cultural experience and studies. Their idea is that SBP alumni would live at their monastery school for the year for free and teach English. The program, they believe, could benefit both communities. They are also hoping SBP representatives will bring along some of SBP’s unique cultural aspects to share with their community. The monks came to Benedict’s after being inspired by a “60 Minutes” feature on SBP and after seeing “The Rule” documentary. Their monastery, like Newark Abbey, is Benedictine, so the way that St. Benedict’s runs is relatable. Fr. Albin “liked the atmosphere” and thought his school could learn from what Benedict’s does. “The biggest aspect that we want to add to our school is the community part of St. Benedict’s,” Fr. Albin said.
benedictnewsonline.org 47
Pannonhalma Archabbey, situated on a hilltop in Pannonhalma in the Hungarian countryside, was founded in 996. Presently the home of 42 monks, the monastery was once a refuge for Jews fleeing arrest, encampment and possible death from the German Army during World War II. “The monastery served as a safe place for Jews while Hungary was under control of the Third Reich,” Fr. Albin told the class. “Recently we even found the scrolls of the Jews that stayed here during the war hidden away in a remote part of the property. And we found them and gave them back to the Rabbi of Budapest, and they were just very excited.” Pannonhalma Academy, the school on the monastery grounds, is a school for adolescent boys in Pannonhalma, Hungary. The boarding school holds about 300 boys and was established in 1939. Fr. Albin, a graduate of the school himself and teacher of English, History, and Portuguese joined the abbey because he enjoyed school there so much. “I was very young when I joined the monastery, I loved the place and perhaps I wanted to try it out,” said Fr. Albin. “The question is not why you join but the question is always why you stay. And that needs an answer every year because you change and the world changes so your motives have to change.” Fr. Konrad said he entered Pannonhalma Archabbey because he felt that it was the best place for him. He wanted to lead a Christian life and he felt that Pannonhalma was the place for him. St. Benedict’s welcomed the visiting Benedictine monks with open arms. Marcus Colombo UDI gave them a tour of the monastery grounds and Ms. MacPherson’s News Production class was lucky enough to get an interview with them. Fr. Albin said he regards community as vital to human life. “Without community, we aren’t human.” Fr. Konrad agreed. “Community is the foundation.” “If you have a good 48 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
community you can build up on that. If the community is bad it doesn’t matter how talented you are or how many languages you speak.” At Pannonhalma, all students at Pannonhalma board at the school, and are only allowed to leave once a month to see family, “This is very important to building community,” Fr. Albin said. A gap year is a program where a high school graduate can take a year between high school and college to travel and visit a different part of the world, and witness a different culture. This approach, which is highly recommended by some of the most prestigious colleges in America, gives students an opportunity to take a break from the classroom and get an experience that they would otherwise not be able to have. A student participating in the program at Pannonhalma would be involved in many things. He would teach English to students and faculty at Pannonhalma, participate in culturally enriching travel experiences in and around Hungary, and learn how the monastery operates. The monks said that a few St. Benedict’s students have already expressed interest in the program. “You are in a monastery, you are on the territory of a monastery,” said Fr. Albin, explaining what draws him to monastic life. “And what these monks are doing is preserving culture, preserving community. Even in a world where community tries to be no longer understood. (Community) is the treasure to be kept for the future. Mark my words.”
PHOTOS BY JAMES HUNT Fr.Konrad and Fr.Albin visit SBP after being inpsired by “6o Minutes” feature and “The Rule” documentary
K-12
Benedict’s:
By Demi Amigun & Emile Hammam
wth A Year of Gro
“Garnet and Gray,” the students of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School sing at Convo as their voices echo through the Dalton Gym. Two years ago, the sight of boys in black and gray hoodies was all there was to be seen during Convo. But that is no longer the case. Three colors can now be seen -- black, gray and maroon, worn by the students in the newly introduced grades K-8. This newest contingent represents the student body of the former St. Mary’s Elementary School and a portion of the Lower Division of SBP. St. Benedict’s has always been known as an all-boys school until recently. Now that grades K-8 are part of St. Benedict’s, there are girls in the school. Over the years, St. Mary’s has been situated at various buildings on the Newark Abbey property. Until recently, St. Mary’s was running a parallel program -- the Elementary Division had one schedule, and the traditional 7-12 grades of St. Benedicts was running on a separate schedule.“The more we were together, it seemed it was in the best interest of those who were looking at the vision and mission of this place to combine and have K-12 come about under the auspices of Newark Abbey-St. Benedict’s Prep.,” said Sister Ann Marie Gass, S.S.J. Sr. Ann, who is the Dean of the Elementary Division, came to St. Mary’s in 2002 and taught first grade for 15 years. It is her experience and service that led Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B, to ask her to take on the ministry in 2017.
Sr. Ann believes it was a wise decision to continue the mission and to do what was needed for the students and families. “ Many schools in the inner city close because there isn’t the sustainability to keep them going,” she said. “But we have something unique, so the needs are being met.” Many schools in the inner city close because there isn’t the sustainability to keep them going,” she said. “But we have something unique, so the needs are being met.” Since the start of the 2018 - 19 school year, SBP student leaders have been trying their best to involve the Elementary Division and Middle Division in shared activities. Now there’s Convo for the Middle and Prep Divisions every Friday in the Dalton Gym, and Convo with the entire K-12 on the last Friday of every month, also in Dalton Gym. In October the senior leaders had a representative from every group come to the boardroom, some had costumes, and they set up the boardroom for K-6 with piles of candy. “Involving the Elementary Division is harder than including the Middle Division, because they are younger and they don’t have the same mentality as us, but it seems like the little kids are enjoying everything thus far,” said Juan Garcia SY, Freshman Leader. benedictnewsonline.org 49
Op-Ed
The pros and CONs of
By Miguel Alzamora
Technology
Saint Benedict’s Prep is a school that is rich with history and tradition. However, technology has also had a major effect upon SBP over the years. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using technology. The way Mr. Marc Riley, a history teacher, sees it, people often use technology for playing video games or other sorts of activities. He said that when he walks into the Academic Computing Center, he often sees students playing games or watching videos that are not school-related. Technology has also changed the classroom environment because it adds the temptation of distractions. According to Mr. Riley, “Teachers have to walk around the classrooms to check if the students are actually working and not on another website.” Students are not always engaging in the academic work and he does not like seeing that. Instead of using technology the way they should, students are using it for other things. In any good conversation, there are always two sides. Fr. Maximilian Buonocore, O.S.B, who teaches multiple subjects and works in the library, praises technology for its ability to enhance the efficiency, and speed, of completing tasks like cataloging. A card catalogue is
a series of cross-indexed cards that listed all the contents of the library and were placed alphabetically in file cabinets accessible to all library users. Before the advent of computers, card catalogues were heavily used. There would be one card for a keyword. Library visitors could search for author names and, subsequently, their books. This is no longer the case. Fr. Max said, “Nowadays, you see students walking around with tablets and laptops and searching things up where back then, it would take hours to look for an author's name in a drawer. So it has really enhanced and impacted learning in different ways.” Many educators today have seen the advantages technology has to offer. Most homework, for example, is given online, and students do the work on their computers or cellular devices. In some people’s views, this makes the homework process more streamlined. Students also have the option to practice online in areas where they may be struggling. It is clear that how technology is used impacts our school in positive and negative ways. Therefore, we should focus on using technology to leverage existing processes like homework assignments and research, to benefit from its availability at our school and steer away from practices that can diminish learning. Illustration by Grant Parker
50 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
The SBP Overnight has stood as rite of passage for FY students for decades.
Photo Courtesy of Newark Abbey Archives
Op-Ed
By Mr. Stephen Adubato
Finding
God in
Unexpected Places
P
icture this--you’re sitting in the middle of a class that you find to be even more boring than a phone with a dead battery. You keep checking the time, praying that it will all finish faster. “When is this going to end?” you think to yourself, as your head starts to droop onto the desk. Your teacher shakes you awake and tells you to pay attention. “For what?” you wonder. “It’s not like I’m actually going to use this in the future...”
Illustrations by Elvin Alicea
Yeah, you are probably not going to use most of the things you learn as a student. But if you ask the people who established the first universities, that’s precisely the point of an education. Allow me to explain what I mean. The first universities were established by Italian and French monks in the 11th century. While these universities welcomed lay students, they primarily served priests and members of religious orders (monks, nuns, and friars). Why would a monk need to know about something “useless” like algebra, astronomy, or ancient history? Sure, most monks would not have needed to know about those subjects in order to do their “jobs,” but they saw education as something greater than learning how to get a particular job done. It’s valuable to learn something, not because you are going to use it, but because it is beautiful in itself. All knowledge has a value insofar as it is like a ray of the Light of God, the ultimate Source of all truth and knowledge. The more you know about life, our existence, and the created world, the closer you inch toward the Creator Himself. In his book Love of Learning and Desire for God, Fr. Jean Leclerq argues that it was a passionate desire to know and love God that drove medieval monks to engage in their studies. It was as if each subject they studied became a petal on a flower. As their knowledge increased, the flower continued 52 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
to blossom and become more beautiful, inciting their desire to know more and more as they went along. The beauty and fragrant aroma of the flower pointed to God, who constitutes the greatest form of beauty. Part of what fanned the flames of the monks’ passionate desire was their belief in the Incarnation -- that God came down to the level of His creation and lived a regular, everyday life with us. The coming of Jesus redeemed the material world by “shedding His light” on all of existence, even on the boring, mundane, and dark parts of it. This is why St. Benedict says in the Rule that monks should “regard all the vessels of the monastery and all its substance, as if they were sacred vessels of the altar.” (RB 31:10) Everything in the material realm took on a sacred meaning after God Himself entered into that realm. Now, everything is a sign that points to Him. I see every day how different classes at St. Benedict’s Prep continue in this tradition of fostering a passion for knowing God through different paths of knowledge. For example, I see the appreciation for beauty that the students in Mrs. Wye’s art classes have developed through their incredible paintings that are hanging in the cafeteria. I also can see how Mrs. Tuorto, through her science teaching, communicates her fascination with nature to her students. Every Fall Term, I ask her to give a presentation to my Senior Religion students about how her interest in studying science has helped her to grow to appreciate and know God as the Creator of the beauty of the natural world. The monks themselves can tell you about how their own studies have helped them to grow closer to God. They’ve studied a whole range of subjects from psychology (Fr. Max, Br. Thomas Aquinas) and philosophy (Fr. Augustine), to art (Fr. Maynard) and chemistry (the late Fr. Mark). Those students who have gone to Fr. Max for tutoring in the library probably know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen him tutoring students in algebra, chemistry, and history. And the whole time, he seems so engaged and fascinated by what he’s explaining. It makes you wonder, what does he see in all of it? How can a person spend his whole afternoon tutoring different subjects without starting to find them dull or empty? It’s pretty clear to me that his eyes are set on something greater that is revealing itself through the tiniest details of those subjects. Sometimes it may feel that your classes are boring and pointless. But that’s kinda the point. Sure, you should be prepared to do your job in the future. But an education is about much more than knowing how to get your job done. It’s about gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake. That’s because knowledge is beautiful in itself, it’s meaningful, and it’s a path to growing in intimacy with God. So next time you’re bored, take the risk of asking your teacher why he or she thinks their subject is fascinating, and what sparked their passion for it. We may not fully understand that subject’s value now. But as St. Paul said “[f]or now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.” -Mr. Adubato teaches religion and directs the Gray Bee Ministry at St. Benedict’s. Illustrations by Elvin Alicea
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A
by Seun Eisape
Vote
for the Benedict’s Men in
Uniform 17.3 26.8
14.2
3.1 7.9
None Current hoodies
7.9
Maroon or black polo/ hoodie and black slacks Anything that says Benedicts with jeans or slacks White, Maroon, or Gray polo and dress pants, Benedict’s sweater in winter Casual (polo, jeans, slacks) Shirt and tie with Benedict’s blazer and dress pants 54 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April 2019
22.8
To some, the current Benedict’s black hooded uniform is an iconic symbol of what it means to be a Benedict’s man, providing a clear visual connection to the school’s founders, the monks of Newark Abbey. To others, while a uniform is nice in concept, and presents a consistent image, the question revolves around deciding which uniform best fits the era. For others still, it’s not so important what a person wears -- it’s what he does, it’s how he acts towards others, it’s what he believes. I thought it would be important to explore this important issue. In December 2018, as the Op-Ed Editor of The Benedict News, I emailed a survey to the SBP community-at-large inquiring as to the community’s view on what students should wear on a daily basis. As a writer, I leave it for our student leaders to decide whether to act based upon this information. As for me, I like asking questions and learning how people think. Of the approximately 600 people queried via email, 127 people responded. Here are the highlights of the results: ● The largest portion of respondents, 26.8 percent, wanted the Benedict’s uniform to be a shirt and tie with Benedict’s blazer and dress pants ● 22.8 percent wanted to wear anything that says Benedict’s on it with jeans or slacks (hoodies, T-shirts, sweaters) ● 17.3 percent wanted NO uniform ● 14.2 percent wanted to keep the current uniform ● 7.9 percent wanted maroon or black polos or hoodies with black slacks (lightweight/heavy hoodie) ● 7.9 percent wanted white, maroon, or gray polos with dress pants, with a Benedict’s pullover sweater during winter ● 3.1 percent wanted casual wear (any color polo with jeans and slacks) Yes, the most popular uniform choice, according to the survey, is the Benedict’s blazer. However, my choice in the subject would be to keep the hoodie and polo we have, but change the gray hood to the maroon hood Benedict’s had in 2005.
Op-Ed
The hoodie is the best fit for the active culture that Benedict’s has, and not only has the uniform grown to be a fixture of Benedict’s culture, it is the best fit for Benedict’s. As most people affiliated with Benedict’s know, Benedict’s is definitely a prep school, but it has a unique culture. The stereotypical image of a prep school where people walk around in blazers doesn’t seem to be apt for Benedict’s. Things are done non-conventionally here, and since Benedict’s is such a non-conventional school it makes sense to have a different presentation. Don’t get me wrong, having a Benedict’s blazer would be a good look, however it somehow seems a bit “extra.” In a place where people are so on the run that they often forget their belts, the clean, simple look of the hoodie seems to be the best solution: classy yet casual. In regards to changing the gray hood to maroon, I prefer maroon over gray. Maroon sticks with the school color theme and adds a more lively look. Also, this allows for a distinction between the Middle and Prep divisions, with the Prep Beginners in maroon and the Middle in gray. And, as for wearing Benedict’s simplified gear or having no uniform, I agree: Those would be comfy and more stylish. However, this is a prep school and we need to show it. What we need is a consistent look tailored to our lifestyle. To me, our hoodies are the answer.
Illustration By Anthony Mosquera
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EDITORIAL BOARD Jules Gouton Jacob Amaro Jose Garcia-Orozco Yannie Lopez Kevin Calle Jonathan Dulce Jonathan Oniyama Seun Eisape Ahmad Henderson Daron Reyes Luis Narvaez Kitta MacPherson Lincoln Mullings
Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Business Manager Photography Editor Online Editor Managing Editor Assistant Social Media Editor Op-Ed Editor Feature Editor Social Media Editor Head Administrator Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
ARTISTS
DESIGNERS
Elvin Alicea Grant Parker Anthony Gautsch
Taylor Grant Emmanuel Itembe Samuel Kusi Anthony Mosquera Alex Nimbona Israel Small Jerry Tranquilus Phil Wilson Matthew Zuniga
St. Benedict’s Preparatory School 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Newark, N.J. 07103 www.benedictsnewsonline.org Follow us on Twitter: @TheBenedictNews 56 The Benedict News Vol. 1 Issue 2 April. 2019
STAFF WRITERS Olatunji Adewole Chrisley Alexis Miguel Alzamora Demi Amigun Alex Benanti Christian Berneo Davion Cottrell-Miller Lucas Guillen Nasir Guyton Emile Hammam James Hunt Kalvin Mensah Joshua Morris Carlos Presina Kolby Samuels Camilo Scarpone Ismael Sela Emmanuel Ulysse Urijah Williams Nicolas Wynn
PHOTOGRAPHERS Angelo Ante Jaden Cross Frank Deigh Ny’Gee Green Bryan Lala Jaime Pozo Emory Rodrigues Jordan Shiver Christian Tapia Joshua Viveros Justis Worrell Nicolas Zuniga
The Benedict News Magazine is published during the academic year by the students of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. Our mission is to provide a voice for the students and provide news of concern to them in a balanced and fair manner. The Benedict News Magazine and www.benedictnewsonline.org abide by the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists. The editorials reflect the views and opinions of the The Benedict News Editorial Board only. The Benedict News Magazine and www.benedictnewsonline.org belong to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Quill and Scroll, the Garden State Scholastic Press Association, and the Journalism Education Association. If you would like to be a patron of The Benedict News, please contact us at benedictnews@sbp.org. Thank you to the entire SBP community for your support.
Follow us on Twitter! @TheBenedictNews
MISSION STATEMENT
Keeping in mind the values of integrity, brotherhood, and community stressed at St. Benedict’s, the mission of The Benedict News is to represent, in truth, context, and fairness, the news which it covers. It also aims to give students a chance to have a voice not only within their community but also in the world beyond.
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