Scarlet & Grey Fall 2024 | St. John’s College High School
Kevin Haley
PRESIDENT
Christopher Themistos
PRINCIPAL
Susan Hinton
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Kathryn Zahner
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
EDITOR
Elizabeth Gray
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
DESIGNER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Stephanie Mona
COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
Lawrence French
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jonah Koch
PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Gibbs ’96
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Thomas Veith
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Heather Long
DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING
Jean Morin
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES
Isabel Alcalde
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE 202-364-0229
DEAR ST. JOHN’S COMMUNITY,
Welcome to the fall 2024 Scarlet & Grey! As you will see, this issue reflects the ingenuity, creativity, and achievements of our students and alumni. It captures our Lasallian mantra: Enter to learn, leave to serve.
This fall marked another milestone of academic excellence as our 2024 graduates started their collegiate careers at impressive institutions such as: University of Maryland (21), Catholic University (9), Boston College (6), Notre Dame (3), Georgetown (3), University of Pennsylvania (3), Harvard (2), Yale (2), MIT, Duke, UVA, NYU, University of Chicago, Amherst, and the USNA (3), USMA (1), USMMA (1), and USCGA (1).
In November, six outstanding Cadets received the school’s highest honor, the President’s Medal. Edward Gibbs, Jr. ’67, John Poole, Jr. ’71, Karl Racine ’81, Jadranka Stojcic, and Roger and the late Deborah Whyte P ’04, ’06, ’12 personify our Lasallian principles, living lives dedicated to serving others and inspiring us all.
At our Admissions Open House, 200-plus student and parent volunteers welcomed 1,100 families to campus, and a record number of freshman Cadets volunteered to serve as ambassadors for our 8th-grade visitors. The efforts of the community combined with months of hosting dozens of daily shadow visits, yielded another record number of applicants. We also welcomed back hundreds of alumni for their class reunions and connected with others at local and regional networking events. It was a privilege to spend time with so many of you.
St. John’s Theatre treated the community to impressive performances of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine, one of the most popular plays of the last decade. And our bands, strings, and choral groups provided the soundtrack to the semester by entertaining us at the President’s Medal Celebration, during Masses and Open House, and with Christmas concert performances. Bravo, Cadets!
In Athletics, both our boys’ and girls’ cross country teams won WCAC championships. It was the seventh consecutive title for the girls. The cadet march-on preceding the Gonzaga football game was outstanding, and this year, there was a surprise for the community as two F-16s flew over Fernandez Stadium prior to kickoff—a nod to the tradition of this 100-plus year rivalry.
May the stories, images, and activities of our fellow Cadets inspire us to continue building a school community where each individual is valued, supported, and empowered to serve society as compassionate leaders.
Enjoy this issue!
Best,
Kevin M. Haley | President
THE PRESIDENT’S MEDAL
On November 8, St. John’s honored six outstanding Cadets with the President’s Medal, the school’s highest honor. Traditionally, this medal is awarded to distinguished alumni and friends of the school who have given extraordinary service to St. John’s and the greater community. The 2024 awardees were Edward C. Gibbs ’67, John Poole ’71, Karl Racine ’81, Jadranka Von Koprivnjak-Stojcic, and Roger and the late Deborah Whyte P ’04, ’06, ’12.
EDWARD C. GIBBS ’67
Most of the St. John’s community knows Edward “Ed” Gibbs as “coach”—the celebrated coach of SJC baseball since 1992. But baseball is only one part of Gibbs’s multifaceted career: in his professional life he has demonstrated the same drive and focus he’s taught players for more than 30 years.
Gibbs’s roots in St. John’s run deep—his father, uncles, cousins, and sons are all graduates. When he entered, he found it “a wonderful environment for students.” He remembers Commandant Brother Timothy as a “great guy, tough but fair.” And yes, he played baseball and football during his St. John’s years.
Gibbs worked in the construction industry to finance his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University and his law degree at The Catholic University of America, earning his JD in 1974. During his undergraduate years, the U.S. was embroiled in the Vietnam War. When drafted, Gibbs made a commitment to join the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate’s General (JAG) Corps upon graduation from law school. Despite being released from that commitment by the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, he honored it by serving on active duty in the JAG Corps from 1975 to 1978.
“As often happens when you make a decision for ethical reasons, the benefits came back two-fold,” said Gibbs, who credits his JAG experience trying court martial cases as shaping the advocate he is today. The range of serious criminal cases he dealt with as a JAG trial lawyer gave him “20 years of experience in four years of active duty.”
As an attorney in Maryland, Gibbs has played a significant role in its civic life. When he joined the top land use firm in Prince George’s County upon being discharged from the service, he found that being a land use attorney requires one
to navigate both the legal and political side of cases—so he became active in civic affairs. He served as president of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce in 1993 and has been an advisor and counselor to many campaigns and officeholders, including governors, state and federal legislators, and county executives. He has co-chaired and/or served on several transition teams, such as the 2007 transition team for Governor Martin O’Malley. For many years, Gibbs has been an advisor to and close friend of Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown.
In 1990, he established Gibbs and Haller, a boutique firm specializing in zoning, land development, and environmental and municipal law. Today, his practice primarily involves representing successful developers and publicly traded corporations seeking to secure entitlements for large, complex, mixed-used developments—cases that can take decades to resolve.
When Gibbs’s son Kevin ’92 enrolled at St. John’s, the baseball program had gone several years without a winning season. Gibbs was asked to serve as an assistant coach and when the head coach retired in 1992, John Ricca, then–athletic director, as well as several of the players, wanted him to step in. The rest is SJC sports history. In his first year, he guided the Cadets to a 13–12 winning record and in the second season, he began an amazing streak of winning 20 or more games in 13-straight seasons. Gibbs established St. John’s as an area powerhouse and pushed the program into the national rankings; he was named Washington Post Coach of the Year in 2005. He sent numerous players into college and professional baseball. He has also been the driving force and sponsor behind many of the baseball facility renovations and in 2007, the baseball field was named Gibbs Field.
Gibbs’s sons—both Kevin and Mark ’96— distinguished themselves in St. John’s sports.
Kevin was a standout baseball, basketball, and football student-athlete. He was a twotime member of Team USA and a three-time All-American at Old Dominion University. He spent 10 years in professional baseball, including three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers until injuries forced him to retire. Kevin’s sons Casey ’21 and Colin ’24 have continued the unbroken family streak by playing baseball at St. John’s and earning scholarships to continue their baseball careers in college.
Mark has been St. John’s head baseball coach since 2006; he is also SJC’s director of development. One of the top 100 high school baseball players in the country, Mark continued his career at George Mason University, setting several season and career records. Mark spent three-plus years in professional baseball before returning to take the reins of the St. John’s baseball program. As a coach, he has compiled an astounding 395–97–2 record, while winning nine WCAC championships and three DCSAA championships. His son Matthew ’26, a baseball player, and daughter Allie ’28, a field hockey player, currently attend St. John’s!
And Gibbs? He continues to serve as an assistant coach and says seeing three generations of the family on the same field is a special thrill. His pride in his children includes his daughter Lauren, now raising two young children in Annapolis.
He attributes his professional success to the powerful combination of a strong and loving family as well as the high academic expectations, caring teachers, and military discipline that he experienced at St. John’s.
in 2013 and served three three-year terms, the last as board chair. His time as chair encompassed the first year of COVID-19, which disrupted all educational institutions and challenged their leadership. “But St. John’s was prepared,” said Poole, explaining that the school had adopted iPads two years before the pandemic and had experience with both digital instruction and remote learning. “Our forward-thinking teachers were able to create assignments and keep our students learning,” he said, noting that teachers’ one-on-one relationships with their students were important in maintaining the connection. “We managed through that time, bringing students back on campus slowly.”
Board service and retreats also gave Poole greater insight into Lasallian education, which he says informs the school’s decisions and how it executes them. “When they are teaching the values to you as a student, you don’t know there’s an underlying vision,” he said. “But the salient values, including inclusion, community, and respect for all persons, are all there. La Salle’s vision in the 1700s still holds, and we honor that tradition.” Poole also praises his fellow trustees for their expertise and contributions. “The board is diverse, and there’s talent in every position,” he said,
passed away, he was sent by his firm to take over the controller’s duties, a temporary three-month assignment. Not surprisingly, at the end of that time, Daycon wanted to keep him, so he officially joined the company in 1980. It was the start of a successful 43-year career. Thanks to his people management and leadership skills, he rose steadily through the ranks to the position of vice president and became president in 2001.
Daycon, a distributor of cleaning and maintenance supplies, supports a wide variety of institutions. From K–12 and higher education, such as the Fairfax County Public Schools, the University of Virginia, and its largest client—the University of Maryland, to real estate companies and multifamily residences, the list of clients is long and includes operations as elaborate as Nationals Park and the Capital One Center. Poole assembled and led a successful team, and he is proud that many of his talented managers have been promoted to greater roles in their careers.
Poole retired from Daycon in 2023 and is now considering what his next chapter will be. While he hasn’t settled on a specific path, he is guided by a very clear sense of his priorities. “I learned you can only be happy if you have served, if you have made
a difference in someone’s life,” he says, echoing the values he learned at St. John’s. “Those beliefs and values will take you to where you’re supposed to be,” he said, “and that’s success.”
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Racine was three years old when his family emigrated to Washington, DC. He attended public schools in Northwest DC before entering St. John’s. He became a star basketball player and credits Mr. Dent and Coach Gallagher for putting him on a course of “modest success” at SJC and building his self-confidence.
He carried that confidence to the University of Pennsylvania, where as captain, he led the basketball team to two Ivy League championships. After earning his bachelor’s degree in economics, he entered the University of Virginia Law School, where he worked at a pro bono clinic representing migrant farm workers. He has said he was drawn to study law because of the role of lawyers in advancing civil rights.
Having earned his JD in 1989, Racine joined the law firm of Venable LLP, but left in 1992 to become a staff attorney at the DC Public Defender Service. After three years, he returned to private practice, and later served as Associate White House Counsel in the Clinton administration. Racine returned to Venable in 2000 and was elected to managing partner in 2006, becoming the first Black managing partner of a top100 law firm.
the community—creatively.” Both strive to achieve equity, work for social justice, and help people reach their potential.
During Racine’s first term, the OAG established an Office of Consumer Protection, which brought millions of dollars to DC in cases against corporate wrongdoers. In 2017, he established the Public Advocacy Division to preserve affordable housing, protect residents against wage theft, safeguard the environment, and ensure public integrity. As AG he managed 300 attorneys working on behalf of DC residents. His lawyers forced landlords to repair substandard buildings, moved nearly 2,000 children out of foster care, and won more than $10 million in relief for DC consumers.
Racine won national attention for his creation of an effective AG model and in 2022, the bipartisan National Association of Attorneys General awarded Racine the Kelley-Wyman prize, the top award given to an AG.
In 2023 Racine joined the law firm of Hogan-Lovell as a litigation partner, where he continues to work today. He has been active in aiding his native Haiti, supporting relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and raising money for the Haitian Education
and Leadership Program (HELP). “With his passion for justice, Karl models our mission,” said former SJC President Jeffrey Mancabelli.
was traveling the world and enjoying her work, but her life was about to radically change when war broke out between Serbia and Croatia. To escape the conflict, she and her son fled to the United States on Presidents’ Day 1990 to live with relatives in Washington, DC. She thought she would only be in the U.S. for six months, but the war dragged on.
A friend helped her find her first job— caring for a family’s newborn—and as the months flew by, Stojcic contacted her uncle, a priest in Rome, for guidance. He connected her with Br. Fred Stelmach, FSC, a teacher and the community director at St. John’s. Br. Fred helped her hire a lawyer to renew her tourist visa and when she needed a place to stay, the Brothers offered her temporary housing in an apartment on the top floor of their Military Road residence. The Brothers also helped her obtain a green card; she became a U.S. citizen in 1995.
As she settled in, the Brothers asked Stojcic if she would make Sunday breakfast for their community of 43. Overwhelmed by the prospect of cooking a meal for so many, she called her mother in Croatia to help her with the preparation. With breakfast scheduled for 9:00 a.m., she set to work at 4:00 a.m., and by 7:00 a.m., several Brothers were already peeking into the kitchen, drawn by the delicious aromas of crêpes Suzette and bacon. When the meal was finished, the
Catering for a celebration to honor Br. Barry Bartkowiak, FSC, on his 25th anniversary as a Brother. However, the caterer’s chef had recently quit, so Stojcic agreed to step in and make Br. Barry’s favorite dish—Seafood Newburg. She learned George’s recipe and then added a unique blend of spices, creating a culinary delight that earned her another job, working for George on the weekends. She gained a loyal following of customers, and after two years, she was ready to open her own catering business— Adrianna’s Catering.
She believes it is no coincidence that she started to work for the Brothers on Founder’s Day, May 15, 1990. “My honey, who is God, sent me to take care of His boys. I love the Brothers,” she said. The Brothers adopted her and became her family. She would make dinner in the afternoons for the Brothers on Military Road, and then go to La Salle Hall in Beltsville at 5:00 a.m. each day to make breakfast and lunch for the retired Brothers’ community. She did this for 20 years— until Br. Patrick King, FSC, passed away in May 2023.
Stojcic caters all the events at St. John’s from anniversaries, reunions, and Mothers’ Club meetings to faculty/staff receptions, sports banquets, and Christmas dinners. And Adrianna’s Catering is in high demand with the foreign embassies and consulates,
especially the Vatican, and countries in the Middle East, Europe, and former Yugoslavia. She also caters events for senators. In 2018, Stojcic opened Euromart, a gourmet food store in Rockville offering a fine selection of organic and preservative-free products imported from Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, and Slovenia.
“I came to the U.S. having just lost everything in the war, with only a little suitcase of belongings… You never think that you will start your life over again. For nine years, I didn’t see my mother or family. So, it meant so much to find a new family with the Brothers. They gave me security. I never needed to worry about how I would survive, because the Brothers were always there for me. St. John’s is not just my workplace; it is my home.” This spring marks 35 years Stojcic has been part of the Christian Brothers family.
son Roger.
In her first year (2000), Debbie was recruited to help with the Admissions Open House, and for more than a decade—including the two years she did not have children attending SJC—she managed almost every aspect of the annual event. She also served as president of the Mother’s Club (2004–2005) and as a member of St. John’s Board of Trustees (2019–2023). When then-president, Jeff Mancabelli, wrote of her passing in October 2023, he called her “one of the school’s most ardent advocates” who gave “countless hours of service to the administration and school community.”
Debbie had a caring heart and a terrific sense of humor. Her passion in life, other than her family, was her business—Whyte House Monograms. Started in 1996 with a simple sewing machine in her basement, the business quickly grew into the success it
of hospitality industry management, and senior government experience, he has helped St. John’s recruit outstanding talent.
Roger graduated from American University with a degree in political science and government. At the age of 23, he became director of the Advance Office for then-Vice President Nelson Rockefeller; in 1980, he directed operations for the vice-presidential campaign of then-ambassador, George Bush. Before founding the Whyte Group, Inc., Roger was CEO of the Jefferson Group Executive Search, Inc.; previously, he was the managing director of the hospitality industry practice of a major executive search company. His extensive government service includes positions as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Labor for International Affairs and Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, as well as service on numerous boards and commissions.
In keeping with their individual talents and interests, each of the Whyte children took a different path at St. John’s. After pursuing theatre in high school, Roger ’04 studied theatrical arts at the University of Pittsburgh, which led to his career in event production. Today, he is the founder and principal of the Stratus Firm, a recognized leader in the events industry; the firm produces high-visibility events, such as the annual Congressional Black Caucus
conference. His firm also produced St. John’s 2015 Cadet Corps centennial gala, an event which drew 1,100 attendees.
Ryan ’06 played football at St. John’s and earned a football scholarship to Georgetown University, where he graduated from the McDonough School of Business. A certified financial advisor (CFP), Ryan is now a private banker with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the DC-Baltimore area.
For her excellence in swimming at St. John’s, Morgan Ware ’12 earned a scholarship to the University of Delaware. After studying fashion merchandising, Morgan worked for Under Armour before returning to St. John’s as assistant director of admissions from 2021 to 2023. Continuing her mother’s work and legacy, Morgan is now owner of Whyte House Monograms, with a storefront located in Friendship Heights.
Mancabelli presented the President’s Medal to Debbie before she passed away on October 17, 2023. In her honor, the family established an endowment, “The Deborah McCarthy Whyte Memorial Scholarship” at St. John’s. The family knows that through this endowment, Debbie and Roger’s legacy of service and leadership will live on for years to come.
Karl ’81 and members of the Cadet Corps
Roger with Roger ’04, Ryan ’06, Morgan ’12, and family members
Mark ’96, Lauren, Ed ’67, and Kevin ’92
Jadranka, her family, and friends
Br. Michael, Br. Martin, Br. Timothy, Br. Francis, Jadranka, Br. Thomas, and Br. Mark
John and Les Smolin
NEWS AND INSIGHTS
SJC Appoints New Trustee
MELISSA JEZIOR P ’24 ’28
Melissa Jezior is the president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting, one of the largest women-owned companies in the Greater Washington, DC, area. Under her leadership, Eagle Hill has been named a top workplace on multiple occasions by The Washington Post, and Forbes named the company as one of the nation’s top management consulting firms.
Jezior is passionate about creating workplace cultures that simultaneously empower businesses and employees to achieve at their highest level. She built Eagle Hill on a foundation of diversity, inclusion, and pay equity—principles that are tightly woven into the culture of the company.
When she founded Eagle Hill in 2003, Jezior’s vision was to break away from the traditional
management consulting business model and create a more collaborative, family-driven type of consultancy. The company continues to grow rapidly and is sustaining its culture by blending the nimbleness and family-driven smaller firm with the approaches, methodologies, and capabilities of a larger firm.
Today, Eagle Hill provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of strategy and performance, talent, and change. The company’s expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors—from financial services and healthcare to media and entertainment. Eagle Hill has employees across the nation and offices in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA.
Prior to establishing Eagle Hill, Jezior held senior positions in the management consulting industry. She attended the College of William and Mary, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. As a workplace expert, she is cited frequently by major news media outlets and is the host of the Culture[ED] podcast. Jezior and her husband, Matthew, live in Washington, DC, with their two daughters, Olivia ’24 and Caroline ’28.
Records Are Made to Be Broken
KARIL ARNOLD ’26
On November 2, Arnold blew past the DCSAA competion in the varsity boys’ 5000m finals. With his time of 15:16.27, he took first place in the event and broke the previous school record of 15:40.50 set by Nicolas Grabarz ’22 in 2021. Arnold was named Washington Post All-Met Athlete of the Year for his record-setting performances this season.
Gary Potz Boys’ Tennis Head Coach
GARY POTZ
Arnold also holds school records in the 1600m with a time of 4:14.88 (2024) and the 3200m with a time of 9:16.83 (2024). Additionally, he is a key member of the school record-holding teams in the distance medley relay, 4x800m relay, and 4x1600m relay.
Faculty Accolades
Congratulations to Cristina Paluch, Tara Cameron, and Michelle Gould! Paluch is the 2024 Archdiocesan Veteran Teacher of the Year, and Cameron is Novice Teacher of the Year. They exemplify the tenets of the award, modeling faithful service, excellence, best practices, and innovations in Catholic high school teaching. They were honored at the 2024 High School Principals Association Fest.
Gould is our Distinguished Lasallian Educator recipient. Her dedicated leadership in the School Counseling Center has fortified mental health and wellness at St. John’s.
In August 2024, Potz took over as head coach of the girls’ tennis team and is excited to coach the boys’ team. In his first season as the girls’ tennis coach, he established a positive and supportive environment that set the foundation for a strong program. The team embraced key aspects of the sport, including footwork, serving, and competitive play while fostering character development. These aspects reflect the shared commitment to growth and the long-term vision of building a program capable of sustained success, including competing for a WCAC championship.
Potz’s playing career includes being a top-20 player in Hungary and competing in national and international events. He earned a tennis scholarship to ASA Miami and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he captained the team and was a two-time, all-conference player. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth while completing his MBA.
Potz is committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes by fostering confidence, leadership, and hard work on and off the court.
Cristina Paluch
Tara Cameron
Michelle Gould
Cadet Culture Life Beyond the Classroom
TO HONOR OUR COUNTRY’S VETERANS AND THE 1,500 ST. JOHN’S GRADUATES WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES, THE CADET CORPS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM LED THE SCHOOL IN A SERIES OF VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES.
On November 8, more than 100 Cadet Corps freshmen traveled to Arlington
the Tomb
Unknown
Cemetery
wreath-laying
National
for SJC’s annual
ceremony at
of
Soldier. President Kevin Haley, trustee Bill Scott P ’16 ’19, social studies teacher Chris Maloney, and Cadet Colonel Anthony Mancinelli ’25 presented the wreath.
Following the ceremony, the cadets visited the graves of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Robert ’46 and Silver Star recipient Jerome
McGovern to pay their respects. The McGovern brothers served and gave the ultimate sacrifice in 1951 during the
To honor SJC graduates who have served our country in the Armed Forces, cadets placed more than 1,500 flags on Veterans Hill in Gletner Courtyard. Each year, cadets fill the Wall of Honor outside Frana Auditorium with stories and images of the veterans in their lives.
’48
Korean War.
The Cadet Corps Leadership Program hosted the fifth annual Veterans Day 5K through Rock Creek Park. Following the run, the Men of St. John’s treated the participants to a cookout.
PRESIDENT HALEY HITS THE GROUND RUNNING
In his first six months serving as St. John’s president, Kevin Haley hit the ground running, quickly becoming a familiar face on campus. His schedule has been packed with activities, events, and initiatives—all aimed at fostering a stronger sense of community, and he has met with numerous students, parents, and alumni. His top priority is advancing the school’s mission to educate young men and women from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Freshman Orientation
The Sabre News, Six Burning Questions
Freshman Parent Coffee
From participating in Lasallian formation programs and the Peer Ministry retreat to welcoming new students at Freshman Orientation, cheering on our Cadets at numerous sporting events, and speaking with prospective families at our Admissions Open House, President Haley’s calendar has been filled with campus traditions and events. His presence at cultural and artistic showcases, including our fall play, Almost, Maine, and the winter concert series demonstrates his enthusiasm for supporting students’ creative expression.
Peer Ministry Retreat
Senior Mass and Breakfast
Classes of 1994 & 1999 Reunions
Classes of 1949 & 1969 Reunions
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
AUG. 27: Today we welcomed the Class of 2028 to campus! Peer ministers and members of the SGA provided guidance, leadership, and reassurance to our newest Cadets. Today is the just the beginning... #SJCBeReady
SEPT. 11: Early this morning, nearly 100 #SJCCadetCorps members participated in SJC’s annual September 11 stair workout to remember and honor those who died 23 years ago, including St. John’s alum MAJ Cliff Patterson ‘86. Louis Cardona ‘86 returned to campus to visit his classmate’s plaque and support his son, Luis ‘28, who completed the 20-minute AMRAP workout.
AUG. 28: Scenes from the first day of school. We are so happy to have you back on campus, Cadets! #SJCFamily
AUG. 28: Peer Minister Jawanna Onuoha ‘25 rings in the start of the 2024–25 school year! WE. ARE. ST. JOHN’S! #SJCTogether
DEC. 7: Congratulations, @sjc_ hoops_ for their epic 85–66 win over Max Preps #1 Brennan (TX)! With a commitment to teamwork and great coaching, these Cadets dominated on the court yesterday. #SJCBoysBasketball by Buc Shots
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SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
NOV. 13: On Nov. 13, 21 seniors from boys’ basketball, field hockey, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse, girls’ soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball committed to continuing their athletic careers in college. Congratulations, Cadets! Links in bio for the news article and Flickr album. #GoCadets #SJCAchievement @ sjc.athletics
AUG. 16: Watch out world—the SJC #Classof2024 is on the move! We wish these Cadets the best as they start the next chapter of their story. #SJCPossibility
AUG. 16: Don’t get the Varsity Blues! Party like it’s 1999, and you’re on the brink of Y2K this Sept. 14! We have a Sixth Sense that the Class of 1999’s 25th reunion will be da bomb. Link in bio. #SJCAlumni #FlashbackFriday
SEPT. 20: It was an exciting morning for the Class of 2025 as they celebrated their Senior Mass and Breakfast! Part of this annual tradition includes faculty and administrators serving the students breakfast before they head off to class. #SJCMissionandMinistry #SJCFamily
NOV. 3: #SJCFieldHockey WCAC champions!
AUG. 26: This morning, the #ClassOf2025 returned to Military Road for their Senior Kickoff! They heard from James Massey, director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Maryland, College Park, and received their schedules. #SJCGrowth
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SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
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OCT. 20: Today, we welcomed potential Cadets to our Admissions Open House! Thank you to the Men of St. John’s, the Mothers’ Club, student volunteers, faculty, and staff, for making this annual event an amazing experience for our visitors!
OCT. 10: Our #SJCCommunity is one of a kind. Filled with passionate students who strive to excel in and outside the classroom, our teachers and coaches encourage students to grow as individuals and write their own story. Opportunities at St. John’s are limitless and friendships are plentiful. Come to our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 20, to explore our community and meet the people who make St. John’s a kind and caring place for our students.
NOV. 9: Go St. John’s, beat Gonzaga! @sjc.football
SEPT. 17: Today was SJC’s annual Clubs & Activities Fair! With more than 50 clubs showcasing extracurricular passions, there is something for everyone at St. John’s! #SJCPossibility
OCT. 18: On Oct. 17, the #SJCCommunity gathered for the annual Waclawik 5K in memory of Carl Waclawik ’10, who passed away in 2007. A member of the #SJCCrossCountry team, Carl loved running and his Cadet family. Each year since 2008, Phil and Sydney ’07 Waclawik (Carl’s father & sister) return to campus to cheer on the runners. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Students x-country: Elias Weetjens ‘25 and Ava Dion ‘25; Students not x-country: Nate Gannon ‘28 and Delaney Hurley ‘28; Faculty: Jimmy Bradshaw and Haley Griffin. Branden Barberena ‘27 is the newest recipient of the Carl Waclawik Scholarship and finished 2nd. Way to go, Cadets!
SEPT 26: It was an honor to welcome back the @armydrillteam who performed and answered #SJCCadetCorps questions about drill team and military life. Also during the visit, @usarmy_ccg spent time mentoring the Cadet Corps Color Guard. #SJCOpportunities
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An Interview with Nolan Williams, Jr. ’86
COMPOSER,
PRODUCER,
LYRICIST, PLAYWRIGHT, AND CULTURAL CREATOR
BY JORDAN WRIGHT, WHISKANDQUILL.COM
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 8, 2024, UPDATED DECEMBER 2024.
WASHINGTON, DC – Multi-disciplinary artist and DC resident Nolan Williams, Jr. has already achieved more than most people do in a lifetime. At 55 years old, the Oberlin College grad is at the top of his game with a slew of media awards from his career as a composer, producer, playwright, lyricist, director, and cultural creator. We first met at the premiere of his 2022 production, “Grace, The Musical” at Ford’s Theatre, when I was reviewing the show that later garnered 11 Broadway World Washington, DC awards, and I have been following his career like a hound dog ever since.
As the inaugural social practice resident at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Williams, Jr. is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Kennedy Center’s National Performing Arts Committee’s 2019 Arts Advocacy Award.
He is known for composing emotionally stirring, inspirational, and uplifting music influenced by musical theatre, gospel, classical music, jazz, R&B, soul, and roots music featuring choral and orchestral works.
Many of his works have been performed at the Kennedy Center and are star-studded artistic collaborations with Aretha Franklin, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Denyce Graves, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo as well as local award-winning artist Nova Y. Payton. He has also collaborated with Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Leslie Odom, Jr., Natalie Cole, Raul Esparza, and more.
Williams, Jr. has recently released the PSA “Rise Up & Fight” produced by his NEWorks Productions media company as part of their Freedom Advances campaign. This animated music video and civic anthem is designed to encourage citizens to register and vote as well as ‘Post,’ ‘Share,’ and ‘Like.’ It emphasizes the importance of voting to achieve power and change for Black communities in America and has to date earned 18 international film awards, including “Best Music Video” in the London Global Film Awards, the Paris International Short Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Awards; “Best Animation
Photo by Marvin Joseph, courtesy of NEWorks Productions
Nolan rehearses with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Durban, South Africa (2016). Courtesy of NEWorks Productions
Music Video” in the Europe Music Video Awards and the Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards; “Best Lyrics Video” in the International Music Video Competition; five Awards of Excellence in the IndieFEST Film Awards, three Awards of Excellence in the Best Shorts Competition: two prizes in the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival; “Best Director-Music Video” in the New York Film & Female Actress Awards; and a Global Music Awards Bronze Medal. The short film is also a double nominee for the Cannes World Film Festival (“Best Song” and “Best Social Justice Short”) and has earned six Davey Awards and an Anthem Award.
Previous PSAs include the 2020 multi awardwinning social impact video, “I Have a Right to Vote” and the America Song Project, which garnered over 2 million and 1.3 million global hits, respectively. Williams has also produced, directed and co-written the celebrated documentary, “Becoming Douglass Commonwealth,” in commemoration of DC Emancipation Day 2021. This DC Statehood video—which has won ten media prizes— reviews the history and evolution of DC and its search for statehood status. The video features historians, scholars, business leaders, legal scholars, DC leaders, congressional representatives, former and current DC mayors, as well as community activists.
Williams just returned from London where he witnessed two of his works being premiered on that side of the pond by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Andre Thomas.
I recently had a chance to talk with this übercreator about his life, his accomplishments, and his dreams.
Does your inspiration come because of the need to connect with the culture or is it the need to educate to impact social change?
It’s both. Cultural connection is very important to me because I see great value in our cultural expressions. I’m always looking for ways to lift up our history, culture, practices, and traditions. At the same time, I understand the impact music and the arts have in educating and uplifting our community. I’ve been doing this impact work for 21 years through my company NEWorks Productions.
What haven’t you done yet that you’d like to?
I have other musicals currently in development. And, I want to do a musical recording of the social justice songs I’ve composed—a comprehensive album. I have written many of these songs during my 20-year tenure as music producer for Let Freedom Ring, the annual MLK birthday
Nolan performs with Natalie Cole at The Kennedy Center (2015). Courtesy of Georgetown University
Nolan conducts the National Symphony Orchestra (2012). Photo by Kadesh Dubose, courtesy of NEWorks Productions
concert jointly presented by Georgetown University and the Kennedy Center. I want to accomplish that in the next few years.
What’s on the horizon?
We will soon be making announcements about “Grace, The Musical.” I have been retooling it with Nikkole Salter (co-book writer) for the past two years, figuring out what the show wants to be. This past spring, we did a work session at Arena Stage and a private reading at the Kennedy Center.
I am also excited about my collaborations with the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando. I have revamped their “6th & Jazz” program, which annually reaches over 16,000 sixth graders in Osceola County—and we’re now looking to expand. And, I have been appointed the first artist director outside of the UK for a project called “STROKESTRA,” an organic initiative of music-making that pairs world-class musicians with stroke survivors and their caregivers. It was invented by the Royal Philharmonic in the UK a decade ago. The Dr. Phillips Center is now leading a residency of the project in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic and Advent Health. It’s a beautiful program purposed to build the spirits of those involved and to facilitate healing and wholeness.
How does the music come to you?
In different ways. I find it best to write when I’m inspired by something I read or see. There needs to be some kind of catalyst.
Sometimes it’s a lyric in search of a tune, other times it’s a tune awaiting a lyric. I’ve been very intentional in recent years about not writing as much at the piano, relying more on what I’m actually hearing. At some point, I’ll use the piano to refine concepts.
What cultural figures most influenced you as a child?
I was influenced by artists that were writing music that had value beyond entertainment. Like Stevie Wonder who wrote about being “born in hard time Mississippi.” His social commentary stood out to me, and the way in which he used rhythms and harmonies was interesting and novel. He was very much an architect in music.
During my student days at Oberlin College, I saw Gil Scott-Heron in concert. He was the anti-entertainment industry artist. It was clear, a few bars in, this dude writes about what he wants to say. He was not concerned about being commercial. I’ve come to realize how deeply moving that is. That’s part of what has inspired me to leverage the power
of music and the arts for social good—the mission of my company NEWorks—and the hallmark of the collaborative work we’ve been doing for 21 years with countless artists and arts organizations.
Like Wonder and Scott-Heron, I create and produce art to help shape the world I want to see. I’m hopeful enough to believe music has the power to reach at least one person and that, when it does, it touches the heart.
Who are you most inspired by today?
By this emerging generation of young creatives, many of whom are not household names but are creating art boldly. They are more open to ideas that are different. They are open to collaboration and not hung up by the -isms that most often divide us. With our recent project, Freedom Advances, we invited young creatives around the country to manipulate and sample two of our civic anthems, creating new ways to reach their peer groups. Our “Rise Up Song Challenge” drew submissions from artists with a combined social media reach that tops five million. Their submissions proved how gifted, smart, savvy and creative these young artists are in using technology that is compelling as well as entertaining. How could I not be inspired by that?
Nolan and Chef Carla Hall dish about the food history behind Nolan's musical Grace (2020). Courtesy of NEWorks Productions and Grace the Musical LLC
Would you ever write a modern opera?
It’s funny you should ask that. I have given some thought to the idea. I am open to it. When I traveled to the Met to see Fire Shut Up In My Bones written by Terence Blanchard, who is amazing, I thought, opera is something I’d consider writing.
When you’re composing a piece, at what point does the full orchestration come to you?
It depends. Sometimes ideas will just start to take shape. Other times it’s on the back end. I also love collaborating on my orchestrations because I love how my circle of colleagues helps to refine ideas.
How can viewers find your PSA videos? How are they promoted?
My company website NEWorksProductions. com is a great place to start. Also, we have a great team that pushes out our projects on the web. We rely on collaboration. We put out our work, then friends tell friends who tell friends. We also use grassroots means to reach people. Schools, regional theaters, artists, and community organizations are sharing our videos. We’ve garnered millions of views.
I know you’ve collaborated with celebrity chef Carla Hall on several projects, but what are your favorite foods and favorite local restaurants?
First, I love Carla—she is an amazing friend and supporter.
I like salmon. In our region, one of my favorite versions is the blackened salmon at Busboys and Poets, although right now, Lydia On H is my jam. Their Caribbean food is amazing!
Who would you most like to collaborate with on your next project?
It’s a long shot and a dream, but working with Stevie Wonder would be amazing.
And if I’m really dreaming, I’d love to work with Shonda Rhimes because I love her inventiveness—the way in which her concepts and productions showcase her love of the culture, the universality of her work’s appeal, and her standard of excellence.
What haven’t we touched on that you’d like to talk about?
Sixty years ago, three young civil rights workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman,
and Michael Schwerner—gathered with other volunteers in Mississippi to do important work in a state that was riddled with the plagues of racism and hatred. These volunteers had the courage to go into rural counties and register African American voters and to launch freedom schools that provided supplemental educational opportunities for children. But Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner were arrested on trumped-up charges and then released into the hands of the KKK, who abducted and murdered them.
My “Rise Up & Fight” anthem honors these three men and the sacrifices they made with their lives. And it’s a reminder that those of us who believe in freedom must be relentless in our efforts to advance it. Now that the results of our national election are settled, the real work of civic engagement begins.
This interview has been condensed and updated from its original form.
JORDAN WRIGHT IS A DC-BASED PUBLISHER AND SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO WWW.WHISKANDQUILL.COM. THE 15-YEAR-OLD WEBSITE FEATURES COVERAGE OF THE ARTS, TRAVEL, AND CULTURE FEATURING UP-TO-THE-MINUTE THEATRE REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS INCLUDING THE MONTHLY COLUMN “WHAT’S ONSTAGE IN THE DMV.”
Nolan conducts the National Symphony Orchestra and choirs at The Kennedy Center (2010). Photo by Billy Heart, courtesy of NEWorks Productions
Alumni in Action
DMV ALUMNI
ON OCTOBER 10, Cadets representing various class years ranging from ’62–’21 gathered at our DMV Alumni Networking reception. A special thank you to Anthony Aquino ’88 for discussing the importance of a strong alumni network.
PHILADELPHIA ALUMNI
ON OCTOBER 15, alumni came together to connect with local Cadets and meet President Kevin Haley. Thank you to hosts Bob ’73 and Priscilla Nalls.
NYC YOUNG ALUMNI
ON OCTOBER 16, Zack Feierstein ’07 gave a fantastic presentation on finance and Wall Street to young alumni. Thank you to Nick Luongo ’93 and Latham & Watkins, LLP in NYC! We are grateful to alumni reps Asia Chavous ’08 and Nick Papillo ’11 for helping to organize the NYC event.
YOUNG ALUMNI BUSINESS NETWORK
ON DECEMBER 19, young alums returned to campus for the Young Alumni Business Networking event! Cadets heard from event speakers: Chris Stevens ’70 (developer, Keurig Coffee Systems and professor, University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business), Cory Paton ’13 (CFP, CRPC, financial advisor, Merril Lynch), Anthony Aquino ’88 (president, EMI Services), and Rebecca Cassidy (senior associate, Business Design & Optimization Group, Georgetown University).
Cadets Who
INSPIRE
HYMEL ’85 INSPIRES NEW NETFLIX MOVIE
Kevin Hymel’s 2019 article, “Fighting a Two-Front War,” published in WWII History Magazine, is the basis for a new movie, The Six Triple Eight, which premiered on Netflix in December. The film was written and directed by Tyler Perry and stars Keri Washington. Hymel served as the film’s technical advisor.
An expert on General George S. Patton, Hymel is currently working on completing Patton’s War: An American General’s Combat Leadership, Volume 3, which will tentatively be published in 2026.
Photos provided by Netflix
CHIEF JUDGE MILTON LEE JR. ’78 INVITES CADETS TO INVESTITURE
On December 13, five CCLP cadets were honored to present the colors at the investiture ceremony of Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Milton C. Lee, Jr. Lee was excited to share this special occasion with the cadets.
DOWNEY ’92 POUNDS THE PAVEMENT FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Mike Downey is putting in the miles. He committed to run 50 marathons in 50 weeks to raise money for Children’s National in honor of his late niece Ella who lost her battle with pediatric brain cancer. On December 7, Downey completed his 50th marathon.
MAKENNA MORRIS ’20
Morris is on a roll! She signed a one-year contract extension with the Washington Spirit through the 2025 season. And on Jan. 8, 2025 she was called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 2025 Futures Camp.
DAVID OLUIGBO ’21
Oluigbo was named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar and will begin fully-funded postgraduate studies at Oxford University next fall. Currently at MIT, Oluigbo is a senior majoring in artificial intelligence and decision making and minoring in brain and cognitive sciences. At Oxford, he will undertake an MS in applied digital health followed by an MS in modeling for global health. Afterward, Oluigbo plans to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a physicianscientist who researches and applies AI to address medical challenges in low-income countries.
BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS ’02
Congratulations to JacobsJenkins! His play, Appropriate, took home three Tony Awards in June. Appropriate won Best Revival of a Play and Best Lighting Design of a Play. Sarah Paulson took home Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.
Photo provided by the Washington Spirit
CLASS REUNIONS
REUNION
Class of 1949
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1954
OCTOBER 26, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1959
OCTOBER 26, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1964
OCTOBER 26, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1969
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1979
OCTOBER 25, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1984
OCTOBER 25, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1989
OCTOBER 25, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1994
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
REUNION
Class of 1999
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
REUNION
Class of 2004
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
REUNION
Class of 2009
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
REUNION
Class of 2014
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
REUNION
Class of 2019
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
Class Notes
JACK TOOMEY ’63
In October 2023, Toomey published Crime, Tragedy, and Catastrophe, in Montgomery County, Maryland from 1860 to 1960, featuring 82 stories about crimes that occurred in a once rural county near Washington, DC.
CLASS OF 1965
The Class of 1965 gathered in early June for their annual golf outing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
CLASS OF ’67
On September 20, the Class of 1967 gathered for a luncheon in Annapolis to celebrate their 57th reunion. In what has become a ’67 tradition, this class plans and organizes an annual get-together to catch up with fellow Johnnies.
CLASS OF ’78 RALLIES FOR ALS
Classmates, Clay Fitzgerald, Ralph Buonomo, Steve Scaggs, John Foley, and Nick Celenza, gathered in DC to walk for ALS.
’77 AND ’78 BASKETBALL TEAMS
Members of the 1977 and 1978 basketball teams gathered at the home of Kevin Jez ’78 to reminisce and catch up with one of their coaches, Jorge Garayta ’67.
L–R: Billy Freitag ’79, Tim Cunningham ’78, Tom Fitzpatrick ’78, Mark Townsend ’78, Tony Izaguirre ’78, Billy Barnes ’78, Bert Donohoe ’79, Kevin Jez, and Jorge Garayta
CLASS OF ’78
Ted Trabue, Ron Ross, and Tom Graham reminisce at a birthday party for a former colleague.
CLASSES OF ’78 AND ’79
On September 8, members of the classes of ’78 and ’79 tailgated before the Commanders vs. Buccaneers game in Tampa, FL.
CLASS OF ’82
Gary Potts, Michael Brogan, John Metz, and Michael Kline reunited in San Antonio to watch the Johnnies take down Cornerstone Christian 17–9.
LOUIS CARDONA ’86
On September 11, Cardona returned to campus for his annual visit to classmate MAJ Cliff Patterson’s plaque. Cardona attributes his success at St. John’s to Patterson’s friendship and support. The close friends also attended Howard University together. Cardona’s son, Luis ’28, was one of 100 cadets participating in SJC’s annual Cadet Corps September 11 stair workout to remember and honor Patterson and all those who died 23 years ago.
BLAINE CAHILL-WELSH ’19
Cahill-Welsh has started his own seafood company, Blaine’s Got Crabs, servicing the DMV for custom catered events.
EMILY WOODHULL ’19
Woodhull has a development deal with a prestigious firm in Nashville, where she collaborated with award-winning producers and writers to create an EP that will drop in 2025. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Emily’s music resides at the intersection of alt-rock and alt-country.
CLASS OF ’20
Dylan Winebrenner ’20, Alex Garvey ’20, and Luke Schauer ’20 cheered on Greenville Drive teammates Cooper Adams ’18 and Justin Riemer ’20 while they were in town playing against Aberdeen.
On November 9, 2024, players and spectators enjoyed the surprise F-16 flyover before the annual St. John’s v. Gonzaga football game.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
The following pages highlight athletic accomplishments from the fall 2024 season.
*Correction: Logan Brooks ’25 received a WCAC honorable mention for softball during the spring 2024 season.*
• All-Met Honorable Mention: Anna Arnold ’26, Ella Krauss ’25
EQUESTRIAN
• IEA Under-Saddle Classes: Willa Murrow ’28 (1st place, Free Rein Farm) Nora Raymond ’26 (2nd Place, Free Rein Farm), Harley Miller ’28 (2nd place, Meadowood)
• IEA Varsity Over Fences Classes: Nora Raymond ’26 (1st place, Meadowood)
• IEA JV Walk Trot Division: Matilde Gruss ’27 (2nd and 3rd place, Meadowbrook), Sofia Sotomayor-Patrón ’28 (4th place, Free Rein Farm)
• IEA JV Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter: Elizabeth Branch ’25 (5th place, Free Rein Farm)
FOOTBALL
• WCAC 1st Team: Tariq Boney ’26, Jordan Harrison ’26, Tariq Hayer ’25, Kenneth McManus IV ’25, Joel Tillery Jr. ’27, Breyon Williams ’26, Drew Williams ’26, Reece Williams ’25
• WCAC 2nd Team: DeAngelo Bowden ’25, Tyler Butler-Simpson ’27, Ian Ellis Jr. ’26, Adrian Hamilton ’26, Amir Wallace-Jones ’25, Chase Pankey ’25, Will Polk ’27, Nolan Stringer ’26, Da’Jon Talley-Rhodes ’27, Nyeem Woods ’27
• WCAC Honorable Mention: Josiah Ampofo ’27 Jimmy Egan ’25, Bobby Luongo ’25, Hakim Satterwhite ’26, Rey Urquilla, Jr. ’27
• 1st Team All-Met: Tariq Boney ’26
• 2nd Team All-Met: Tariq Hayer ’25, Kenneth McManus IV ’25
• All-Met Honorable Mention: DeAngelo Bowden ’25 Hakim Satterwhite ’26
The De La Salle Society secures St. John’s future through planned gifts and provides another option for charitable giving. The most common type of planned gift is a bequest, but there are other opportunities that can provide income to you or to your loved ones, as well as capital gains and estate tax relief.
If you are interested in learning more about charitable trust gift annuities, retained life estates, or pooled income funds, please contact Tom Veith, associate director of development, at tveith@stjohnschs.org or 202-363-2316, ext. 1078.
In Memoriam
Our deceased alumni, faculty, and staff are enrolled as perpetual members of the St. La Salle Auxiliary. The Christian Brothers and the entire St. John’s community offer their prayers and condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.
NOTICES RECEIVED FROM JUNE 1, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024
To notify us of a death, please contact Tom Veith, associate director of development, at tveith@stjohnschs.org.
