Scarlet & Grey Spring 2013

spring 2013

The President’s Medal A Tribute to the 2013 R ecipients

Lou Donatelli ’52

Joe Borger ’76

Al Merritt ’58

Bro. Tom Gerrow, fsc

Dear St. John’s Community,

Scarlet & Grey Vol. xxV • No. 2 • spring 2013

St. John’s College High School President

Jeffrey Mancabelli Principal

Bro. Michael Andrejko, fsc Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Michael Esten Director of Development

Mark Gibbs ’96 Director of Communications

Kathy Howe Director of Annual Giving

Deborah DuPont Events Manager

Gerri O’Boyle Database Manager

Lori Martin Editor

Kathy Howe Photography

Lawrence French Kathy Howe Art Director

Frank Sheehan St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Road, NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015 www.stjohnschs.org Alumni and Development Office 202.364.0229 | F: 202.363.5091 khowe@stjohnschs.org

As we come to the conclusion of another exciting and successful school year, we must express appreciation for our many blessings. This year we have enjoyed the opening of the new Cassidy Commons Dining Hall, Fitzpatrick Library, Fernandez Stadium with the Mona Clubhouse and the Magnolia Football Pavilion. These facilities are complemented by our launch of a one-to-one iPad program for all students this fall.

These new facilities and programs not only provide an exceptional educational experience for our students; they also highlight the distinct advantage of a St. John’s education to prospective students. This is evident from the 1,030 applications we received for the Class of 2017: our most competitive year to date.

As we continue to plan for our future, however, it is important to reflect on the past. In this issue of the Scarlet & Grey, we feature four visionaries who have been instrumental in shaping and securing the St. John’s legacy. These men understand the importance of long-term planning to ensure future success and enthusiastically offer their energetic leadership and talent to guarantee that we fulfill our mission of preparing young men and women for a life dedicated to leadership, achievement and service to the community.

Furthermore, these benefactors know that service to others and sharing one’s blessings define success. It is by adhering to this philosophy that great schools are built and sustained. Excellent institutions thrive because of their vibrant alumni community and strong parent support.

Although each of these men has contributed his time, talent and treasure, every gift given to the school is an act of generosity and a commitment to the future vitality and excellence of St. John’s.

We are truly grateful for all forms of support, and we acknowledge in a special way those alumni and parents who so graciously and selflessly invest in the future success of the next generation.

With the recent passing of Al Merritt ’58 in March 2013, I would like to share a personal reflection on this great man. I had the privilege to work with Al for the past 14 years and during his tenure as board chair, I grew to understand his deep commitment to the Christian Brothers and to St. John’s. His passion for the school was evident in the countless hours he devoted to its success. Al lived a life dedicated to his faith, his family and to serving others.

He was a loyal son to St. John’s and his impact on the school will never be forgotten.

The inspiration generated by this year’s accomplishments will certainly carry over to the fall, but in the meantime, I wish you all a restful, enjoyable summer.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jeffrey W. Mancabelli President

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2 Life at St. John’s 14 Sports at St. John’s 4

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19 Architects of a Decade 26 Alumni Action 30 Class Notes

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32 St. John’s Photo Gallery 36 Condolences

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Life at St. John’s Poverty Education Week 2013: Changing Perspectives

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During the week of March 4-8, St. John’s held its fifth annual Poverty Education Week on campus. The purpose of this event is to bring students to a deeper understanding of the causes and issues of economic poverty.

The faculty incorporated lessons about global poverty into each subject across the curriculum. In addition, activities, presentations and displays taught the St. John’s community more about the plight of those living in poverty, both at home and throughout the world.

On March 4, students had the opportunity to volunteer their time at Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School. St. John’s has regularly scheduled trips to LAMB to work with an enrichment program called Kid Power, an afterschool program throughout DC. SJC students help with homework, assist with enrichment exercises and play games and sports with the LAMB students.

Then on March 5, St. John’s welcomed two speakers from the National Coalition for the Homeless, Candi Darley and André Colter. Both are both part of the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau, which is comprised of “extraordinary people who have given of themselves to share personally and powerfully with others about their own experiences of homelessness.” Throughout the day, these speakers generously shared their stories with the junior class in De La Salle Chapel, putting a face to the global issue of homelessness.

On March 7, students attended one of the week’s highlights: the Hunger Banquet organized by the Mothers’ Club.

1 & 2. Student artwork was displayed around campus throughout Poverty Week. 3. The Mothers’ Club served rice or rice and beans to students assigned to the low- and middleincome groups at the Hunger Banquet. 4. (From left) Michael Borger ‘07, Chris Harlen ‘06, Alana Koenig ‘08 and Sally Evans ‘12 spoke to seniors about their service work and living the Lasallian mission beyond St. John’s. 5. Students show off their “golden tickets” at the Hunger Banquet.

Life at St. John’s

The Cadets Go to Disney World This February, students from the St. John’s Music Department took a six-day trip to compete and perform at events in and around Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL. The Advanced Vocal Studies and Wind Ensemble groups each received a special invitation to participate in Disney Honors, a prestigious, noncompetitive music festival. Adjudicated by some of the best musicians in the country, this event includes performances, clinics and guest speakers.

Student-musicians also receive constructive feedback and suggestions for improving their performance. To participate, vocal and instrumental groups must have earned the highest-possible rating of superior for their previous performances at Festival Disney.

The Regimental Band and Competition Jazz Ensemble audi-

During each lunch period, students were randomly sorted into three groups: 55 percent low income, 30 percent middle income and 15 percent high income. The low-income group was given only rice for lunch and had to sit on the floor of Cassidy Commons, while the middle-income group received rice and beans and sat in chairs. The high-income group, who received the “golden ticket,” sat at tables for their feast and were waited on by members of the Mothers’ Club.

Each student received a vignette from Oxfam International that told the story of a person living in their assigned income group, and many students got up to share their vignette during lunch. Shelley Brazier, who co-chaired the event with Tanie Guirand, also shared facts and figures about global poverty with students as they ate their lunch.

“For the past five years, St. John’s College High School has sponsored a

The Regimental Band marches down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

tioned for and were invited to perform in and around Walt Disney World. The Regimental Band marched down the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, and the Competition Jazz Ensemble performed at Downtown Disney, entertaining

thousands of visitors to the park and surrounding properties.

To see performances from Disney Honors and more, visit our Performing Arts YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/SJCPerformingArts.

Poverty Week, whose programs have been impressive in raising the awareness of its students to the devastating challenges of global poverty and hunger,” Brazier said. “These activities have also facilitated an awareness that each student can be an advocate to eliminate these social ills. It would be wonderful if SJC’s Poverty Week served to inspire other schools to find ways to also address these significant problems.”

On March 8, the week’s final event saw the return of four alumni to campus – Michael Borger ’07, Chris Harlen ’06, Alana Koenig ’08 and Sally Evans ’12.

They spoke to seniors about their service work and living the Lasallian mission beyond St. John’s.

Borger attended Manhattan College, a Lasallian school, where he worked with the student government to organize clubs and build the community. He also participated in the college’s Lasal-

lian Outreach Volunteer Experience, traveling to Texas to help victims in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Harlen is a service coordinator for The Choice Program in Baltimore, MD. The program works with at-risk youth, often in troubled environments, teaching them job and life skills and mentoring teens as they transition to adults.

Koenig spends much of her time volunteering in the Langley Park /Tacoma Park area where she grew up. She coaches a girls’ and boys’ basketball team, delivers meals to low-income families with terminal illnesses and tutors at a local elementary school.

Evans took a gap year after graduating from St. John’s, which she used to take a service trip to South Africa.

There she worked as a teacher and tutor and counseled drug-addicted mothers, learning ways to teach others to help break the cycle of poverty.

St. John’s College High School 3

Life at St. John’s

Gallery Night 2013 On March 12, St. John’s held its sixth annual Gallery Night to spotlight and celebrate the work of this year’s student artists. Awards were presented for best in show, second place and third place, as well as honorable mention and people’s choice.

The Donatelli Art Award, which is presented annually to an upper-level art student for outstanding involvement, service and commitment to art at St. John’s, was awarded to Chloe Isaac ’13.

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Life at St. John’s

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1. Camilla Cook ’13, Third Place 2. Autumn Dorsey ’13, Honorable Mention

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3. Clare Burdeshaw ’13, Best in Show 4. Darian Bassett ’14, Honorable Mention 5. Bianca Bush ’13, Honorable Mention 6. Maggie Wood ’15, People’s Choice

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7. Julia Andreas ’13, Second Place 10

8. Will Krauland ’13, Honorable Mention 9. Baeza Michael ’13, Honorable Mention 10. Taylor Williamson ’14, Honorable Mention 11. Christine Dedoulis ’13, Honorable Mention 12. Anzhonny Castillo ’13, Honorable Mention 13. Evelyn Matos ’14, Honorable Mention 14. Mickey Demas ’15, Honorable Mention

St. John’s College High School 5

Life at St. John’s

SJC Students Speak at Academic Symposium

Allan Bernal ’14

On March 12, five students participated in the High School Principals Association’s Academic Symposium.

The event featured presentations from 44 students representing 19 Catholic high schools in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

St. John’s students presented on topics in art, literature and morality, and each was recommended by a teacher for inclusion in this symposium.

A Meeting of the Minds

Tim Barry ’14

Submitted by Ray Nighan, Honors British Literature

The Great Chain of Being in “Macbeth”

A disruption in the Great Chain of Being leads to undesirable consequences for every hierarchal link within the chain. William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” involves two major breakages in the Great Chain of Being. First, Lady Macbeth severs the Great Chain of Being by manipulating and subordinating her husband in an effort to satisfy her lust for power. Second, Macbeth, driven by unquenchable ambition, disrupts the Great Chain of Being by murdering King Duncan. Shakespeare uses vivid bloodshed motifs, ironic mental deterioration imagery and microcosmic and macrocosmic analogies to demonstrate the consequences of the Macbeths’ attempts to advance their positions in a manner inconsistent with the natural hierarchal scale. The tragic undoing of Macbeth and his wife, as well as the deleterious impact of their behavior on the Scottish kingdom, demonstrates that deviation from the Great Chain of Being begets ruin.

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Submitted by Ken Cooper, Morality

While sitting in a cafe, trying to write a paper for a morality class, the main character (without a name or gender) is spoken to by a mysterious man. A conversation is struck up, and it is revealed that the man is none other than Plato.

Despite this being impossible, the main character continues the conversation until Aristotle appears and joins in. They all converse about matter and form until Pascal joins the discussion and weaves the concept of God into the conversation.

Freud eventually participates and “evaluates” God, and he is eventually joined by Nietzsche who also seems to be “against” God. It becomes a significant discussion/ argument, and it is left up to the main character to decide what they believe.

Pablo Lindsay ’14

Submitted by by Ray Nighan, Honors British Literature

Othello’s Tragic Paradox

Human life contains a fundamental and inescapable paradox: one natural fault or evil can corrupt otherwise untainted virtue and goodness. Shakespeare’s “Othello” demonstrates a flawed marriage in which Othello’s love for Desdemona is subject to his constantly vacillating worldly affairs in war and matters of state.

Moreover, Othello creates an unhealthy image of Desdemona as a perfect goddess.

Ironically, Othello also subconsciously values Desdemona as a sexual object.

Othello’s military lifestyle has spurred a strong sense of detachment in worldly affairs. This desire for abstraction negatively affects his personal life as he searches for certainty and self-justification.

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony, sexual imagery and powerful soliloquies to reveal Othello’s nobility, jealousy, lack of selfawareness and fundamentally unhealthy relationship with Desdemona. Paradoxically, the virtues Othello has cultivated

throughout his life leave him extremely vulnerable to Iago’s deception and tragically blind to his own faults. Therefore, Othello is a tragic hero that falls from a position of precarious renown and distinction because of intellectual error.

Jake Pawela ’14

Submitted by Victoria Melin, AP Art History

Coke Bottles and War Memorials: The Variety of Expression in Modern American Art

The 1960s were a time of political, economic and social change. The world was at the grips of war, technological advancement and protest. The sweeping changes in society became the major inspiration for many musicians, authors and artists. The 1960s saw an explosion of variety in the world of art. Painters explored new subjects and mediums. On one hand, Andy Warhol became the unique voice of a generation by exploring the new world of consumerism. Meanwhile, Maya Lin offered a minimal and controversial site of national mourning. These two artists demonstrate the variety of artistic approaches ushered in by the sweeping changes of the 1960s.

George Sbily ’13

Submitted by Kelly Flynn, Literature and Society

Apathy in “Fahrenheit 451”: The Decline of Intellectual Thought and the Destruction of a Society

Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” is a testament to the importance of literature and intellectual thinking in any society. The novel describes a chronological process, during which technology and mass culture lead to an apathy for literature. This apathy is the main reason for the intellectually dysfunctional and dystopian society described in the novel. Apathy will eventually lead to the destruction of the society.

Life at St. John’s

2013-14 Cadet Promotions On March 27, the names and ranks of next year’s JROTC leaders were revealed, including next year’s Cadet Colonel: Andre Andrada ’14.

“Being colonel is the greatest responsibility that I have yet to take on,” Andrada said. “Through it, I will be able to express all of the values and lessons that I have learned in life.

Not just from JROTC, but from my friends, family, teachers and any community that I have been a part of.”

The names and new ranks of the senior officers are listed below; for a full list of cadet promotions, visit www.stjohnschs.org/news.

• Colonel: Andre Andrada ’14 • Regimental Sergeant Major: Eleanor Franc ’14 • Lt. Colonel: Brandon Tull ’14

Kahlil Epps ’14 Honored as One of the Nation’s Top Youth Volunteers This February, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards named Kahlil Epps ’14 as one of America’s top youth volunteers for his efforts on behalf of the community. He was chosen as one of two state honorees representing Washington, DC. St. John’s nominated Epps to celebrate his work on Project SnapShot, an organization he co-founded. Working with law enforcement, community groups and government agencies that sponsor local events, Project SnapShot photographers use their skills to capture holiday memories for children and families in need.

“I knew that many children and their families do not have the opportunity to take photographs on special holidays due to financial constraints,” Epps said. “We are dedicated to filling that void in the lives of DC’s most vulnerable children and families.”

• Lt. Colonel: Daniel Dagdag ’14 • Lt. Colonel: James Schnurr ’14 • Battalion Sergeant Major: Andrew Fernicola ’14

They take individual and group portraits, distributing the prints within minutes, and later provide a photo slideshow for the sponsor and attendees. After each event, Epps spends hours editing the photos and creating a slideshow with just the right music.

“The community groups really appreciate the slideshows,” he said. “They often use them to share with funders and local partners to support future activities.”

Epps has donated his services at a police station’s Halloween children’s party, a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and several Christmas parties. This summer, Project SnapShot will be on hand to take team photos of children who participate in DC’s recreational summer swim program.

“Volunteering is about using something you love to give back to your community, and that is what I do with my photography. I put my heart and soul into every photograph I take, because for some, mine is the only one they have,” Epps said.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are conducted by Prudential

• Battalion Sergeant Major: Matt Fitzgerald ’14

• Band Sergeant Major: Elease Cook ’14

Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). These awards honor young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Each of the honorees received $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip to join the other winners at national recognition events in Washington, DC. St. John’s College High School 7

Life at St. John’s

St. John’s Administration Welcomes Three New Members For the 2013-14 school year, St. John’s will welcome three additions to its administrative team. First, Christopher Themistos will take on a new role as assistant principal for academic affairs. A part of the St. John’s community for 12 years, he began in the Social Studies Department, where he taught and developed course curricula.

He also served as director of admissions for three years and taught in the English Department. For the past five years, Themistos held the position of academic dean. In this position, he directed the De La Salle Scholars Program, oversaw course registration and scheduling, served as director of the Summer School Program and worked closely with the other members of the administrative team. He is a graduate of the Lasallian Leadership Institute, a formation

program for educators in Lasallian schools, and received the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award in 2010. Themistos earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and his M.A. in education policy and leadership from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Shannon Egan will also move into a new position as dean of academic services. Egan has been part of the St. John’s community for six years, teaching Spanish within the Department of Modern and Classical languages. She has served as Spanish Club moderator and as a member of the Student Assistance Committee, as well as a participant in the VEGA Young Lasallian Retreat in 2011, and she was honored as the Archdiocese of Washington’s Teacher of the Year for St. John’s last fall. She earned her B.A. from Mount Saint Mary College, NY, and her M.A. in curriculum

Shannon Egan (left), Christopher Themistos and Victoria Melin.

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and instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Finally, Victoria Melin will begin her new role as director of the De La Salle Scholars Program. She received her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and her M.A. from Brown University. Since joining SJC in 2004, Melin has developed a highly successful AP art history program. In recognition of her commitment to teaching, she earned both the Archdiocesan Teacher of the Year Award and the St. John’s Gasser Award for Excellence in Lasallian Education. She served the St. John’s community by acting as a moderator for a variety of student clubs and is an active member of the St. John’s retreat program. Recently, Melin helped lead St. John’s to a successful Middle States reaccreditation as an internal coordinator. This summer she will represent St. John’s at the Buttimer Insitute of Lasallian Studies at St. Mary’s College, CA.

Life at St. John’s

Maria Rainer and Captain Georg von Trapp share a moment.

St. John’s Enjoys “The Sound of Music”

Top: The von Trapp children have their new governess, Maria, surrounded.

Bottom: The cast and crew of “The Sound of Music.” Front row (seated): Katie Fricke ’16, Deborah Ehrenreich ’13, Kevin Shea ’13, Rachel Stanton ’14, Emiko Hinds ’14, Bailey Brown ’14, Dan Shepp ’14 and Adriana Penafiel ’15; second row (seated): Alex Rapp ’14, Brenna Ryan ’13, Rebecca Walters ’14, Camille Hodgkins, Jack Stallard ’14, Katherine Gonella ’16 and Raphael Patrick MbuyiMuindilayi ’13; third row: Kalee Healy ’16, Anne Speer ’16, Rose Marshall ’16, Vera Ruhlmann ’16, Alia Nahra ’16, Nate Fellner ’16,

Matthew Missar ’14, Bianca Nicolosi ’14, Caroline Sturges ’16, Cyprien Bullock ’13, Maggie Fernicola ’15, Priscilla Felten ’16, Austin Stevens ’15, Peter Conley ’15, Michael Yao ’15, Michelle Shipley ’14, Maddie Henderson ’16, Margot Trouve ’16, Eliza O’Donnell ’16 and Olivia Munero ’16; fourth row (on stairs, from bottom up): Olivia Patton ’13, Daniel Pearson ’15, Conor McDowell ’13, Justin Trabue ’13, Julia Sturges ’14 and Rosa Diaz Aguado ’14; fifth row (across the balcony): Annie Tracey ’16, Caitlin Donahue ’15, Claire Conley ’13, Clodagh Johnston ’16 and Joanna DiBiase ’15.

From April 11-13, the St. John’s Theatre presented “The Sound of Music” in Frana Auditorium. The musical follows the story of a young postulant, Maria Rainer, who is struggling with her decision to become a nun. She is encouraged to spend some time away from the abbey and sent to serve as governess for widower Captain Georg von Trapp’s seven children. Maria teaches the children to sing and forms close bonds with the von Trapp family, including falling in love with Captain von Trapp.

They marry, but in the end the family must flee Austria to escape from the Nazis. The musical is loosely based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.”

This beloved musical features lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, music by Richard Rodgers and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. “The Sound of Music” was produced by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals.

St. John’s College High School 9

Life at St. John’s

St. John’s Spanish Students Plan A Summer Of Service This summer, six St. John’s students will dedicate their school vacations to serving others in countries throughout Latin America through the Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) program.

St. John’s has a long history with AMIGOS. In the mid-1990s, Sr. Catherine Mindling, RSM, current chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department, organized and accompanied students on a service trip to Durango, Mexico. Sr. Catherine said she saw great value in taking SJC students to developing countries in order to help broaden their global perspective.

“The goal was to open their hearts and their world to include others living beyond our borders, to inspire global awareness and to break down myths and unreal barriers that physical distance and language seem to create,” Mindling explained. “Since then, we found and are participating in a program that provides the same noble goals that are in keeping with our mission as Catholic Christians and those of the SJC community.”

Through AMIGOS, St. John’s has sent more than 50 students on service trips during this 15-year partnership.

SJC students have traveled to countries throughout Central and South America; three have gone back for second terms, while other veterans have served as trainers, helping prepare DC-area students for their first summer trip.

These volunteers spend six to eight weeks during the summer immersed in the language and culture of their assigned country. Students live with a host family and work in two- or three-person teams with other AMIGOS participants. The volunteers partner with their host community to develop a project that will fulfill a unique need; past projects have included painting school buildings, building libraries and laying pipes for a clean water system. In addition to this community-based initiative, participants also work toward goals based on regionally determined themes, such as environmental health or media and art.

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Front row: Alexa Romero ’14 (left) and Gabby Watson ’14; back row: Solis Winters ’14, Nora Doyle ’14, Kathleen Spritzer ’14, Emily McDonald ’14, Taylor Williamson ’14 and Sr. Catherine Mindling, RSM.

To qualify, students must be 16 years old and have completed their sophomore year of high school. In addition, volunteers must have completed at least two years of high school Spanish or the equivalent. They train throughout the school year leading up to their mission trip and must meet the program’s fundraising requirements.

The 2013 St. John’s volunteers prepared for their service trips by training with AMIGOS veteran Nora Doyle ’14, who spent last summer in Paraguay.

“I chose AMIGOS to extend my boundaries during the summer, and I think I learned a lot about myself and the community in which I lived,” Doyle reflected. “I spent eight weeks in Paraguarí, Paraguay, planning youth camps on community health. I really enjoyed my experience, and I helped to facilitate and plan the training of this year’s volunteers as a veteran trainer. I enjoyed sharing my experiences with the 2013 volunteers.”

This summer, Emily McDonald ’14 will travel to Cotopaxi, Ecuadar; Alexa Romero ’14 and Kathleen Spritzer ’14 to Cocle, Panamá; Taylor Williamson ’14 to Mariz, Nicaragua; Gabby Watson ’14

to Canar, Ecuador; and Solis Winters ’14 to Mazagalpa, Nicaragua. Each of these students is eager to immerse themselves in another culture and to serve these communities in a meaningful way.

“As a freshman at St. John’s, I first noticed the phrase ‘enter to learn, leave to serve’ posted on my religion teacher’s door. Since then, this phrase has served as a reminder that my education is extremely valuable,” Spritzer said. “This is an opportunity for me to broaden my horizons and a chance for me to put my education, especially in the Spanish language, to good use. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for everyone’s support!”

“By serving as an Amigos volunteer, I hope not only to improve my Spanish but also to successfully work with the people within my community to create a sustainable project that will last long after I leave,” Watson shared. “Also, I will be teaching the local students health-related topics, such as malaria and dehydration.

Through this I am excited to get a taste for public health (which I am considering studying in college) and experience a complete immersion within the lives of my host family and community.”

Life at St. John’s

Board of Trustees Selects New Chair This May, the St. John’s Board of Trustees appointed Tom Frana ’65 as its new chair. Frana rejoined the board in 2012 and previously served for 10 years on the St. John’s Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. He is the president and CEO of ViON Corporation and has more than 40 years of experience in the information technology industry.

“I look forward to serving as chair of the Board…more importantly, I look forward to helping take St. John’s to the next level in all aspects,” Frana said.

Correction: The winter 2013 edition of Scarlet & Grey incorrectly identified Tom Frana ’65 as a graduate of the Naval Academy; Frana attended Kendall College. We apologize for the error.

St. John’s Debuts New 360-Degree Virtual Tour This spring, St. John’s added a new 360-degree virtual tour to the website.

This tour provides visitors with detailed views of more than 20 locations on campus and will give potential students a real sense of what it’s like to be on campus. In addition, the tour provides

written descriptions of each location for even more detail. To view this tour and see the results of the recent construction and renovations at St. John’s, just visit www.stjohnschs.org/tour/index.html or navigate to Admissions/Campus Tour on the school’s website.

Stay Connected Make sure you’re up to date on the latest news and events happening at St. John’s:

L ike us on our official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ StJohnsCollegeHighSchool Visit our website for news and announcements: www.stjohnschs.org/news Follow us on Twitter: @StJohnsCHS

St. John’s College High School 11

Life at St. John’s

Students Dedicate Their Spring Break To Serving Others During this year’s spring break, 10 students, one teacher and SJC’s principal traveled to eastern Kentucky to spend their vacation serving others as part of YouthFest, the Christian Appalachian Project’s alternative spring break for high school students.

The Christian Appalachian Project is an interdenominational, non-profit Christian organization “committed to serving people in need in Appalachia by providing physical, spiritual and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services.”

The St. John’s volunteers were split into two groups, each working on a construction project for one of two sisters who live close to each other. They got first-hand construction experience, demolishing old structures and building wheelchair ramps for each home. They dug postholes, cut and measured the wood and materials and calculated the grade to ensure it was not too

steep for safe use. In addition, the students built decks and planted flowers to brighten up the new additions. Building the ramps made the homes much more accessible for these sisters, one of whom had been unable to leave the house for some time.

Grace Hymel ’14 said the best part about the trip was seeing how happy their work made “Ms. Delilah,” whom Grace said showed the volunteers unconditional love from the first time they met.

“Experiencing this kind of love meant more to me than I could ever put into words. I think that this kind of love for a stranger is rare and extremely special.

This experience has forced me re-evaluate the things that are important to me and make me a better person, which I am so thankful for!” Hymel said.

Matthew Shipley ’13 agreed that it was moving to see how much their service meant: “We didn’t get to see what our

work really meant to her until we saw her face on the last day.”

In the evenings, the St. John’s group stayed at the retreat center with other delegations from Ohio, Michigan, New York and Virginia. The teen volunteers were able to get to know each other and enjoy special programming, including a lesson on the history of Kentucky, a blue grass concert and a talent show.

Benilde Teacher Katie Vedete said the trip allowed these students to expand their worldview and see how different their St. John’s experience is from that of other high school students.

“It’s a different kind of diversity. They learned a lot about other kinds of people; not just the people they were serving, but also the other students at YouthFest,” Vedete said. “I think they learned a lot about each other, too – the bus ride there was silent, but the ride back was ear-splitting!”

Above: Front row, from left: Katie Vedete, Cameron Battle ’14, Sydney Bullock ’13, Christina Sourvinos ’14, Justin Trabue ’13, Jannie Orange ’13, Bro. Mike Andrejko and Andrew Chevez ’14; back row: Matthew Shipley ’13, Hannah Hardy ’14, Nicholas Satterfield ’14 and Grace Hymel ’14.

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Life at St. John’s

From left: Nick Drohan, Will Golding ’15, Greg Sesny, Alex Kruse ’14, Joseph Latifullah ’14, Oliver Weigand ’14, Joseph Nadonley ’16, James Williams ’14, Brennan O’Reagan ’13, Mary Anne Sheridan ’14 and Chuck Majkrzak.

Robotics Team Enjoys A Successful First Year This spring, St. John’s brand new Robotics Team competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition, matching up against teams from across the East Coast and even Brazil and Israel.

The FIRST Robotics Competition is the premiere nationwide engineering challenge for high school students.

In January, FIRST announced this year’s challenge and sent each team a kit of common parts for use in building their robot; however, the team was not provided with any instructions. The students spent six weeks designing and building their machine, putting in 20 to 30 hours of work per week on the project. The goal was to build a robot that would shoot Frisbees into different goals, drive around a 34 x 54-foot field,

gather Frisbees from feeding stations and climb a tower.

The St. John’s team included 16 students and four adult mentors.

The students split into four specialty groups to accomplish their goal: the mechanical group built the physical robot, from design to attaching the final nuts and bolts; the electrical team connected all of the wiring, sensors and motors to the control system; the computer programmers used JAVA to apply classroom programming to the real world through a user interface; and the marketing and business group kept track of expenses and orders and created flyers, posters and material for team outreach.

The Robotics Team is also a great example of how alumni and parent gifts make a difference in the life of the school; the team was made pos-

sible through a generous donation from Tom Frana ’65.

Overall, the team’s inaugural year was a resounding success. At the DC Regional Event in March, the team finished 3-4-1 and was ranked 31-59.

The judges also presented St. John’s with the Rookie Inspirational Award, which is given to a rookie team that promotes community outreach and brings science, technology and engineering outreach to students. In April, the team faced tougher competition at the Chesapeake Regional event, ultimately winning one match.

“The mentors unanimously agreed that we surpassed our wildest expectations this year in what we accomplished with this program. The students designed and built a robot that was able to accomplish at some level all the components of this year’s game,” said Greg Sesny, team founder and St. John’s physics teacher. “The greatest satisfaction I had this year was after our second-to-last match. During the match we had a mechanical failure. When it was over, the kids got together, fixed the mechanical problem and came up with a plan to prevent the failure from happening again.

They implemented and tested the plan, which is what we would have told them to do to solve the problem. This is amazing success, especially considering that many of these students didn’t know the difference between a nut and a bolt when we first began.”

St. John’s College High School 13

Sports at St. John’s winter 2013 Sports In Review The boys’ basketball team finished the season with a record of 20-10 and was ranked No. 17 by The Washington Post. The boys advanced to the WCAC championship game.

The girls’ basketball team finished the season with a record of 33-1. They were ranked No. 1 by The Washington Post and No. 3 and No. 6 in the country respectively by MaxPreps and USA Today.

The girls won the WCAC championship by defeating Good Counsel. The team also won the prestigious Bishop Walsh Tournament for the third straight year.

Senior Lindsay Allen (Notre Dame) was

14 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

named as the WCAC, The Washington Post and Gatorade Player of the Year. Lindsay was also named to the McDonalds and WBCA All-American teams. The team’s record during Lindsay’s four years was 117-19, with four straight trips to the WCAC championship, which they won twice. She was named first team All-Met for the third straight year.

The wrestling team had their finest season in more than two decades, finishing second in the WCAC and claiming the DC city title for the first time in school history. The team also set a record with eight wrestlers winning their weight class championships at the city title championships.

The swim and dive team completed another successful season, finishing fourth

in the girls’ and eighth in the boys’ championships. The team also broke several school records: Sydney Kirsch ’16, Claire Luigard ’16, Kara Osborne ’13 and Isabel Bogart ’16 broke the school record for the 200 medley relay; Kirsch broke the record for the 100 free; Luigard broke the record for the 100 breast; Tommy Gillespie ’16 broke the school’s 100 fly and 500 free records; and Kevin Mackenzie ’14 broke the 100 free and 100 breast records.

The indoor track team brought home the championship trophy from the Fifth Annual Screaming Eagle Invitational.

The team also placed four singles and two relay teams at the New Balance National Championships in New York, as well as nine individuals and two relays at the Kentucky Indoor Track Championships.

Sports at St. John’s

Individual Honors – Winter 2013 • Lindsay Allen ’13 (Basketball) – Gatorade DC Player of the Year, WCAC Player of the Year, The Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year, DMV Miss Basketball Award Winner, McDonald’s All-American, WBCA All-American, MaxPreps Second Team All-American, USA Basketball U17 World Champion • Jasmine Bailey ’13 (Basketball) – WCAC Defensive Player of the Year • Tori Oliver ’13 (Basketball) – Most Valuable Player, Bishop Walsh Tournament • Jonathan Scribner (Basketball) – WCAC Coach of the Year

All-Met Honors – Winter 2013 First Team • Lindsay Allen ’13 (Basketball) Second Team • Tre Campbell ’14 (Basketball) • Tori Oliver ’13 (Basketball) Honorable Mention • Darian Anderson ’14 (Basketball) • Amari Carter ’15 (Basketball) • Sydney Kirsch ’16 (Swimming)

WCAC Honors – Winter 2013 First Team • Lindsay Allen ’13 (Basketball) • Darian Anderson ’14 (Basketball) • Tre Campbell ’14 (Basketball) • Tori Oliver ’13 (Basketball)

First Team All-Defense • Darian Bryant ’14 (Basketball) Second Team • Darian Bryant ’14 (Basketball) • Amari Carter ’15 (Basketball) Third Team • Jasmine Bailey ’13 (Basketball) • James Palmer ’14 (Basketball) Honorable Mention • Allanté Holston ’14 (Basketball) • James Mitchell ’14 (Basketball) • Mike Morsell ’14 (Basketball) • Elisabeth Parks ’13 (Basketball) • Kayla Robbins ’16 (Basketball)

Wrestlers Capture St. John’s First DC City Championship The wrestling team had a standout 2012-13 season. They won their first tournament of the year, the St. James Invitational, and it was their best finish overall and in the WCAC since the 1980s.

The team has seen a steady improvement the last three years, but this year it took a huge leap forward. For 2010-11, they were 3-10 overall and 0-8 in WCAC; for 2011-12 they were 7-10 overall and 3-5 in the WCAC; and for 2012-13 they finished 17-7 overall and 6-2 in the WCAC. The team capped off its season with the first DC city championship in school history. It was also the first time any team in DC had eight individual champions. The St. John’s winners were Garrett Brams ’15, Kendall Cherry ’15, Bo Williams ’14, Brett Simon ’15, Pat Wenzlaff ’14, Tom McNamara ’14, Ryan MacPherson ’13 and Josh Simon ’16, who was also the

WCAC champion and the first freshman to win the WCAC championship since the early 1980s.

“Winning the DC championship was extremely special to me. It was one of the goals that the other coaches and

I had set last season, and with all the kids’ hard work we were able to get it done. The best part about the championship is that seven out of our eight champions are returning next year!” said Head Coach Karl Danso.

The 2012-13 wrestlers.

St. John’s College High School 15

Sports at St. John’s

Z a c h Z a g one ’ 1 3

A

s a three-sport athlete, Zach Zagone ’13 has spent a lot of time wearing the Cadets’ scarlet and grey. During his time on the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams, he has proven himself both on and off the field, emerging as a leader and a role model for his fellow athletes.

Zach spent four years as a defensive tackle for the SJC varsity football team. He said that joining the varsity team as a freshman gave him a chance to learn from his coaches and older teammates, and becoming a part of St. John’s long athletic tradition helped him to mature and become a stronger person. At this year’s football banquet, he received the Matt Dillon Award, which is given to the best two-sport senior in the football program. Zach said that his overall favorite memory from his time at St. John’s was beating Gonzaga in football during his sophomore year, which was the “best feeling ever.” Next year, he’ll continue his football career at Frostburg State University in Maryland.

“Zach worked hard for four years and emerged as one of the most consistent players on the team. In his senior year, he had 39 tackles, which was the most on the team for a defensive tackle or noseguard. He also started half of the games on the offensive line. He was a dependable player who was always ready to answer the call,” said Joe Patterson ’93, head varsity football coach. “Given the number of boys that St. John’s has compared to some of our competitors, our football program relies greatly upon multi-sport athletes. Zach

16 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

serves as a great example of a student who contributes in multiple arenas.”

He also spent three years as a goalie on the varsity lacrosse team. Zach said that his favorite memory from his senior season (as of April 2013) was beating Good Counsel at lacrosse, which he said was the only time in his SJC

athletic career that one of his teams has beaten Good Counsel. The team finished the season 11-8.

As a junior, Zach decided he wanted to try something new to keep in shape between the football and lacrosse seasons, so he joined the varsity wrestling team as a heavyweight. He said that wrestling, which is so different from his other sports, taught him the most and was the hardest sport he’s ever played. In his senior year, he served

as team captain and finished third in the WCAC and second in the DC city tournament.

“Although Zach had only wrestled his junior year, there was no doubt that he would be one of our captains his senior year. The coaches looked to him as someone that could be trusted and counted on, and equally as important, the kids on the team respected Zach and followed his lead,” said Karl Danso, head varsity wrestling coach. “Whether he had just won or lost, Zach would be one of the first guys up, cheering on the rest of his teammates, putting the team ahead of himself.”

As his senior year came to a close, Zach reflected that it had been “really emotional, to think that I’m never going to play another season for St. John’s, never put on the uniform again.”

However, he has made a lot of good memories during his St. John’s career: he met some of his best friends through SJC sports and learned a lot from his coaches, especially how to be a leader and how to handle adversity.

“St. John’s athletics have meant everything to me. They’ve taught me a lot of life lessons, like how to work hard and become a leader. To make the correct decisions, both on and off the field,” Zach reflected. “We’re so blessed at this school to have such good coaching. I don’t think I’ll ever have any coaches better than the ones I’ve already had. Seeing what your coaches do and hearing what they say, how they coach us and how they lead us, reflects back to all the players how we should treat people and take on challenges.”

Sports at St. John’s

Girls’ Varsity Basketball: “A Season for the Ages”

By Head Coach Jonathan Scribner As I contemplated and prepared for the 2012-13 season, I knew we were going to be a strong team. We had lost some great seniors at graduation, but we had a strong group of returning seniors who had many years of experience and all the talent to go with it. But it wasn’t until we entered the annual Best of Maryland Summer Tournament that I knew we had a chance to do something really special.

There was a chemistry among the girls that was obvious. Everyone on the team, from the freshmen up, understood and accepted their roles. That, combined with great leadership and tremendous talent, set the table for what would turn out to be a season for the ages.

For girls’ basketball, the season really starts in early September. The girls participated in eight weeks of rigorous weight, speed and conditioning training, and everyone in the program worked extremely hard to prepare for tryouts in

November. Once official practices started, I knew we were off to a great start.

And a great start we had! We were tested early, as the conference opener was against rival and league favorite Good Counsel. The Lady Cadets prevailed and went on to finish the month of December a perfect 10-0, with wins over Roland Park (Baltimore), South Shore (New York) and conference rivals Bishop Ireton and St. Mary’s Ryken. The highlight for us, however, was our trip to Puerto Rico, where the girls played and won three games, but more importantly had the experience of a lifetime, bonding as a team and having fun. The most memorable part of the trip was a nighttime team canoe trip to Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bay, one of only five such waterways found in the world. After Christmas break, we took off for our annual trip to New York City to face perennial powerhouse Murry Bergtraum. We won for the second straight time to end December with a perfect record.

January and February would prove difficult, as they always are in the WCAC. However, all of our early hard

work paid off as we won every game but one to finish with an extraordinary record of 27-1. In the playoffs, we had no problem handling Bishop O’Connell and Elizabeth Seton, finding ourselves faced with Good Counsel in the championship game for the third straight year. Having won one and lost one, we were eager to win the rubber match, which we did 77-76 behind 28 points from Lindsay Allen ’13 for a second championship in three years.

To finish off the season, the Lady Cadets traveled to Cumberland, MD, for the Annual Bishop Walsh Invitational, returning as two-time defending champions. The team did not disappoint, winning its third consecutive BWIT championship behind an MVP performance from senior Tori Oliver.

All in all, I couldn’t have asked for more from the players, the coaches or our parents. We finished with an astounding 33-1 record and the No. 1 ranking in the final Washington Post High School Poll.

We were also ranked No. 3 and No. 6 nationally in the MaxPreps and USA Today polls, respectively.

St. John’s College High School 17

Sports at St. John’s

L ind s ay All e n ’ 1 3

W

hen future generations look back at St. John’s best athletes, there is no question that Lindsay Allen ’13 will be among them. The basketball phenom finished out her SJC career on a high note, and her future looks extremely bright.

Lindsay joined the St. John’s varsity basketball team as a freshman, but didn’t start until her sophomore year.

Once she started, she didn’t stop; during her time as a player, the team won two WCAC championships, including the 2013 title. The girls finished this season 33-1 and were ranked in the top 10 nationally.

“It was amazing. All the seniors came in ready to go, and the underclassmen really committed to the program and what we had to do to win,” Lindsay remembered.

She also earned several individual honors, including WCAC Player of the Year, Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year and Gatorade DC Player of the Year for girls’ basketball. She was selected as both a McDonald’s and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American, a MaxPreps Second Team All-American and the DMV Miss Basketball Award Winner.

“Lindsay will graduate as one of, if not the most decorated athlete ever to come out of St. John’s. She earned that by not only possessing unlimited basketball talent, but also by being one of the most tireless and consistent workers I have ever come across. This rare combination of talent and work ethic is what carried Lindsay and her teams to such great levels and championship performances throughout her career at St. John’s,” said Jonathan Scribner, head girls’ varsity basketball coach.

18 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Although unquestionably talented, Lindsay is an extremely hard worker, both on and off of the court – she’s also an excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society.

“When I think about Lindsay Allen, I can’t help but reflect on a famous quote

from Michael Jordan. Jordan states that ‘some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.’ Lindsay always makes it happen.

That is why she has succeeded so much in life as a 17-year-old student-athlete. She strives for excellence in the classroom, she maintains a balanced social life and she has changed the culture of girls’ high school basketball,” said Courtney Hall, assistant girls’ varsity basketball coach.

Lindsay said that she learned the importance of balancing commitments and how to manage her time effectively at

St. John’s, skills that will serve her well as she moves on to play for the University of Notre Dame next year.

“It’s very challenging academically here, and the sports programs are very good. It’s all about time management, because you don’t always have all day to do things. So after practice I have to figure out when I’m going to do homework, eat, shower, do laundry, things like that. I have to plan it out, and that’ll really help me next year,” Lindsay said.

Basketball has also presented Lindsay with opportunities beyond the SJC program. She spent last August traveling with the USA U17 team, which gave her the chance to tour Europe; the team took home a gold medal from the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

She also enjoyed experiencing the New Orleans culture when she played in this year’s WBCA High School All-America Game at the NCAA Final Four – a tournament Lindsay hopes to return to with Notre Dame.

Lindsay said that her coaches and her teammates are like her second family.

While she’s ready to move on to the next phase, she has enjoyed being a part of the St. John’s community, where “everyone really accepts you and realizes who you are, and lets you be who you are.”

She has certainly made her mark on St. John’s, one that won’t soon be forgotten.

“The greatest gift Lindsay has given me is reminding me ‘that someone is always working harder than you.’ Not only has this ‘motto’ challenged me to become the best Lasallian educator I can at St. John’s; it reminds me that my teachings set a foundation for young adults to build upon for their future,” Hall reflected.

Architects of a Decade

T

he President’s Medal is awarded to St. John’s College High School’s most distinguished alumni and friends, those who have given extraordinary

service to St. John’s or to the world community.

Presented biannually at the Hannan Banquet,

this award represents the school’s highest honor.

On Nov. 7, St. John’s will honor four men

whose contributions to the school have shaped

the last decade: Al Merritt ’58, Joe Borger ’76, Lou Donatelli ’52 and Bro. Tom Gerrow, FSC.

St. John’s College High School 19

Architects of a Decade

lagher. From that meeting, they struck up a close friendship based on a love of baseball, a mutual respect for the Lasallian educational philosophy and a shared agreement on the importance of education. They visited each other a few times each year and took annual trips to Florida to watch the Red Sox at spring training camp, trips which later grew to include Merritt’s sons and grandsons.

“ The cumulative effect of being educated by the Christian Brothers under Lasallian principles readies one for leadership, I believe. Practicing sound personal values, respecting the rights of others and caring for the less fortunate all prepare one to lead, as well as to follow.” – Al Merritt ’58

Building A Better School: Al Merritt ’58

A

l Merritt ’58 believed strongly in the importance of providing a quality education for every student. Throughout his life he was a passionate advocate for learning, but he had a special commitment to supporting Catholic education because of the Lasallian principles and dedication to service he learned at St. John’s.

Merritt felt strongly that his success in life could be attributed to his time at St. John’s and Georgetown University. As a high school student, he was an exceptional athlete, leading the baseball team to several championships; he was inducted into the St. John’s College High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also an excellent student and a second lieutenant in the JROTC. Merritt often said that his experiences with the JROTC and athletics programs taught him important lessons about leadership that he used throughout his life.

“The cumulative effect of being educated by the Christian Brothers under Lasallian principles readies one for leadership, I believe. Practicing sound personal values, respecting the rights of others and caring for the less fortunate all prepare one to lead, as well as to follow,” Merritt said. (Scarlet & Grey, Spring 2009) He had a special relationship with one Christian Brother in particular. Bro. Ed Gallagher, FSC, taught Merritt as a freshman and coached him for four years on the baseball team. He and Merritt reconnected in the early 1990s, when Gallagher was principal at St. John’s. Merritt brought his daughter to visit Georgetown and had dinner with some of the Christian brothers, including Gal20 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Merritt served on the boards of several Catholic educational institutions, including St. John’s, Georgetown and Emmanuel College in Boston. He joined the SJC board in 2000 and spent many years chairing the Finance Committee, which is responsible for the school’s financial planning, borrowing and investing. Having served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Liberty Mutual, an asset management firm that oversaw $75 billion in investments, Merritt was well suited for this position. He also chaired the Ways and Means Committee, which evaluates student demographics, class size, tuition, financial aid and faculty compensation and workload.

On July 1, 2009, Merritt took on the role of board chair. Jeff Mancabelli, then principal, remembers their first discussions, which laid the groundwork for what developed into a strong relationship when Mancabelli became president of St. John’s in 2010.

“We made a plan to speak every Thursday for the year leading up to my start as president. It started as a way to get to know

Al Merritt ’58 (right) with Burns McLindon ’52 in the Spring 2009 issue of Scarlet & Grey.

Architects of a Decade

each other’s leadership styles and plan for the future,” Mancabelli reflected. “Our conversations grew beyond just a vision for St. John’s; we became good friends who shared a common bond and passion for our faith, our families and service to St. John’s.”

As board chair, Merritt was an active and present force in the life of the school. Even though his home was in Lynnfield, MA, just outside Boston, he regularly made the trip to Washington, DC, to attend school plays, concerts, athletic events and open houses. He encouraged other board members and alumni to do the same, including classmate Bob McCleary ’58. Although they ran in different crowds at St. John’s, they struck up a close friendship through their reunions and put into place regular lunches to encourage their classmates to stay in touch. McCleary, who is currently co-president of the St. John’s Alumni Council, believes that Merritt was behind his invitation to the council’s first meeting. “He personally was trying to bring a lot of people back to the school,” McCleary remembered.

Though Merritt retired from the business world in 2001, he treated his role at St. John’s as a full-time job, working tirelessly to help the school realize its full potential. He served as board chair until February 2013, when he had to step down for health reasons; however, he was able to see the fruit of his labors in the school’s physical transformation, curriculum enhancements and vibrant student body. He also left his personal mark on the school with the Merritt Trustee Center Lobby, named in honor of his parents, Charles and Kathryn.

Merritt’s son, Mark, remembers that his father often referred to his time at St. John’s as his “golden years.” His father also believed in using the Lasallian ideals he’d learned there to help transform his local community, devoting much of his time to public service in Lynnfield. He was at various times a member of the Finance Committee, chair of the School Building Committee and chair of the Economic Development and Housing Advisory Committee, and he was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2008.

One of Merritt’s proudest accomplishments was the construction of Lynnfield’s new middle school and the renovation of the high school and both elementary schools. As head of the School Building Committee, Merritt led the initiative that drastically improved these facilities and saved the community millions of dollars on the project. Gallagher later toured these Lynnfield institutions, and he remembers that the teachers all loved Merritt and “made a big fuss over him” in gratitude for all of the hard work he put into improving their schools.

“He made sure they had whatever they needed to make it a great school. I think he was very much influenced by John Baptist de La Salle; he really believed that education was the key to success in life,” Gallagher said. “In his later years, he was anxious to make these great schools and he spent a lot of his resources, his own knowledge and money, to see that kids got a good education.”

The school lost one of its greatest stewards when Merritt passed away on March 20, 2013. However, his legacy will live on at St. John’s and in the many other communities he touched.

“He had a commitment to Catholic education that spanned his whole life, and it all began with the impression that St. John’s

made on him,” said Mark Merritt. “He wanted to give back all he could, because he felt so much had been given to him; not just book knowledge, but the importance of being an active participant in all that is going on around you. He believed in developing young people into leaders and building things for the future.”

Creating A Blueprint: Joe Borger ’76

J

oe Borger ’76 has St. John’s in his blood: his father, George ’38, brother, Tom ’65, and more than a dozen other relatives attended the school. Later, Borger’s own sons, Matt ’04 and Michael ’07, also chose to become Cadets. So it comes as no surprise that St. John’s is a cause to which he has tirelessly and enthusiastically dedicated the last 10 years of his life.

“He really attributes where he is in life to St. John’s,” reflected Matt Borger. “The friendships he made and the education he received there are what he really feels propelled him to a successful career, and so he tried to give back to St. John’s what it gave to him.”

He first began working with SJC through former school president Bro. Tom Gerrow; they would chat after 7 a.m. Mass about construction work needed at the school. As president of Borger Management, a DC-based firm specializing in property management and real estate development, Borger was an ideal candidate to advise St. John’s on this work. He soon joined the Building Committee and began working on campus projects.

Matt Borger remembers that one of the first projects his father worked on at St. John’s was the wood paneling that now lines the

St. John’s College High School 21

Architects of a Decade

Joe Borger ’76 with his sons, Michael ’07 (left) and Matt ’04.

walls of Heritage Hall. Although some worried that the students would deface the paneling, Joe Borger knew that they would take pride in the school’s new look; he was right, and the paneling remains a beautiful and unblemished addition to the school’s entrance.

In 2003, he joined the St. John’s Board of Trustees, and this past year he served as vice chair. During the last decade, the school has undertaken $30 million of new construction and renovation projects, including Cassidy Commons, Fitzpatrick Library, the Senior Terrace, Magnolia Football Pavilion, Fernandez Stadium, Gibbs Baseball Field and Mona Clubhouse. There have also been smaller projects, such as upgrading classroom wiring to accommodate this fall’s new iPad initiative. Borger has been intimately involved in planning and executing all of these projects, coordinating with various board committees and the wider school community.

“Without his stewardship, I don’t know how any of this would have gotten done, to be truthful. Having money available for things doesn’t mean they get built. He’s somebody that puts his nose to the grindstone and gets things done,” said Brendan Quinn ’89, current board member.

“ It’s easy for me to contribute to something I believe in… I want to have been a spark to inspire others to pick up that torch and take it forward.” – Joe Borger ’76 One of Borger’s greatest successes was the creation of the St. John’s master plan. When he first joined the board, he discovered that although the school was currently in a strong and stable position, there was no documented blueprint for future growth. He led the board in developing a 10-year master plan, starting with the necessary basic infrastructure enhancements and working up to the construction and renovation of school buildings. Borger wanted to make sure that the school wasn’t doing things ad hoc, but was instead following a strategic plan that would allow it to realize its full potential in a 22 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

controlled and successful way. Today, many of the “wish list” items included in the original plan are completed projects on campus.

“Joe worked tirelessly to ensure that St. John’s had a strategic plan for the facilities, so that we were looking broadly into the future and making very smart decisions when it came to the growth of the campus, a long-term vision for the school and its facilities,” said Jeff Mancabelli, St. John’s president. “Under his leadership, Joe secured a path for St. John’s, which will provide our students with outstanding facilities that respond to their needs.”

Former board member John Magnolia ’66 said Borger was influential in creating the master plan, ensuring that everyone “had some skin in the game.” Borger met with teachers, students, parents and alumni in order to understand where the school wanted to go and what it needed to get there. From there, the board developed physical and curriculum plans and assessed the cost associated with each project. The board then integrated the master plan with a fundraising campaign to raise capital for school enhancements; to date, the completed projects have been fully funded through the generosity of the St. John’s community.

“He demands quality. I can tell you I’ve never seen anybody squeeze a nickel tighter and have a better interest in the school than Joe Borger. I think he’s worked so hard that he’s lost a few hairs spending all his time and energy!” Magnolia joked. “He’s a man of high integrity, and I’m proud to call him a friend.”

Seeing these projects come to fruition has been very fulfilling for Borger. He said that while he knew the outcome would be positive, he didn’t realize that it would be so far-reaching, affecting every student who attends St. John’s. As he lives nearby and attends many SJC events, Borger has had the opportunity to see firsthand just how much of a difference these changes have made in the life of the school.

Borger’s tireless dedication to St. John’s stems from his passion for the school, a passion that he has passed down to his sons.

Matt and Michael both said they’ve enjoyed seeing their father’s work come to life on campus and witnessing how much pleasure this work has brought him.

“He really wants to make sure that what he’s doing is for the betterment of the school. It’s always about making the school a better place for more generations and more years to come,” Michael Borger shared. “He really believes in the school and the mission and he believes this is what he’s called to do to give back.

I’m really proud of him.”

As he ends his decade of service on the St. John’s board, Borger is proud of the work they have accomplished together. He’ll continue to be involved with St. John’s as a member of the Physical Plant Committee, because he wants to see his current projects through to the end. He said there are a lot of good things on the horizon for St. John’s, and he’s eager to see what the next phase will bring.

“It’s easy for me to contribute to something I believe in. I was raised in the Lasallian tradition, and I grew up with the idea that you are supposed to give something back,” Borger said. “Now someone else will take over. I want to have been a spark to inspire others to pick up that torch and take it forward.”

Architects of a Decade

Strengthening the Foundation: Lou Donatelli ’52

L

ou Donatelli ’52 has a special relationship with St. John’s and the Christian Brothers. When he was a student, his mother and father, Elsie and Louis, were very involved in the Mothers’ Club and Men’s Club. The Brothers were also close family friends who would often visit the Donatelli home to join them for meals and to watch television programs.

Then, during his senior year at Villanova University, his father passed away. His brother, Jim ’56, was still a high school student, and the Brothers embraced the Donatelli family. They took Elsie under their wing, providing her with a job at the school and helping her adjust to her new life; she continued to work at St. John’s until the late 1970s. Donatelli remains immensely grateful for their kindness, which he said was “above and beyond the call of duty.”

That experience cemented his bond with St. John’s, and he remains devoted more than 60 years later. The school’s strong moral foundation and Lasallian philosophies shaped the man he became and had a profound effect on the life he’s led since graduation.

“It’s a mutual love affair,” Donatelli reflected. “St. John’s has been a very rewarding experience for me. We try to live by the Lasallian tradition in our lives, so it’s been very important to me and to my family.”

Donatelli is a steadfast supporter of Catholic education, a cause he has long championed at St. John’s and other DC-area educational institutions, and it is an interest shared by his extended family. Many Donatellis have attended St. John’s, including his son, Doug ’79; his nephews, David ’83 and James ’80; his great-niece, Elizabeth ’11; and his great-nephew, James ’13. Others chose to attend Gonzaga College High School, which has sparked a friendly rivalry at family functions. Lou Donatelli was the first St. John’s alumnus to sit on SJC-rival Gonzaga’s board of trustees, which clearly shows the strength of his belief in supporting Catholic institutions.

However, St. John’s is his favorite school, and Donatelli has stayed actively involved in its life over the years. He was there when the school struggled in the late 1980s and early 1990s, rallying alumni to support the school and helping to make the changes needed to usher in a new era at St. John’s. The school called on Donatelli again in 2000, and he joined the St. John’s Board of Trustees. He took on a leadership role within the Finance Committee, focusing on securing the school’s financial future.

“It certainly means more than just a high school to my dad. St. John’s was always there to help our family when we needed it, and I think my father has always felt a profound amount of gratitude to St. John’s for that,” Doug Donatelli said. “So anything that he could do to help out, he’s always been willing to do.”

Donatelli has had a long career in finance, having worked on the New York Stock Exchange and in securities before opening Donatelli and Klein, a real estate investment firm. The company later split into two firms: First Potomac Realty Trust, where son Doug is currently CEO and chairman, and Donatelli Development, Inc., where Donatelli serves as chairman.

Mitch Neitzey, current parent and chair of the Finance Committee, began working with Donatelli in 2010, when he was preparing to end his 10-year term on the board. The school convinced Donatelli to stay on as an advisor, and Neitzey has relied on his excellent advice and straightforward feedback.

“ I’ve been very impressed with the caliber of the students and the education they’ve received at St. John’s. The school should be very proud of that; I know I am.” – Lou Donatelli ’52 “He’s such a wonderful resource to have. The depth of his business knowledge and life experience is unique. He’s always the first one I think to call when I have any ideas or want to talk though any issues related to financial matters at the school,” Neitzey said. “He loves St. John’s and continues to spend a lot of time devoted to the welfare of the school and the students; it’s one of his main concerns in life. He always finds time for St. John’s.”

St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli has also enjoyed a close working relationship with Donatelli over the years. “He has been a mentor to me in so many ways. During my transition from principal to president, he wanted to ensure he was there for me with advice, counsel and support. I am so grateful for our relationship and for his support of the school and my work.”

St. John’s College High School 23

Architects of a Decade

proud of that; I know I am. There’s nothing better for me than to see a strong, vibrant St. John’s going forward.”

Constructing the Future: Bro. Tom Gerrow, FSC

W

A 2007 photo of Lou Donatelli ’52 (left) with his son, Doug ’79, at the headquarters of Donatelli Development in Bethesda, MD.

In addition to working with the board and the school administration, Donatelli has given his support in other areas at St. John’s. The arts are of particular interest to the family, many of whom have been part of the SJC visual and performing arts programs. In 2000, the family dedicated the Donatelli Art Center in honor of his parents, Louis and Elsie, who were so devoted to the school. The Donatelli Art Award is also presented annually to an upper-level art student for outstanding involvement, service and commitment to the arts.

“The arts are an important ingredient in what we like to contribute to St. John’s. The programs were terrific when I was a student, and they are still strong today,” Donatelli said. “Studying the arts adds another dimension to a student’s overall education, and I like to see that fostered.”

The Donatellis also generously support tuition assistance programs at several institutions in order to help deserving students receive a Catholic education. In 2007, Lou and Doug Donatelli made a $1.6 million lead gift to the St. John’s capital campaign that created a permanent endowment for tuition assistance, as well as helped implement the school’s master plan.

“I came from modest means. I’ve been relatively successful, and it has been great to be able to help individuals who need financial assistance, who need a boost to attend a school like St. John’s,” Donatelli shared.

While the school has changed significantly since his time as a student, Donatelli feels the changes have been for the better.

The choices to make the school coeducational and the JROTC program optional have allowed St. John’s to become a more vibrant, inclusive Catholic institution, one that he feels was sorely needed in the Washington, DC, community. And while some things may have changed, the school’s core values and its tradition of excellence have not. He often interviews Cadets who are applying to Villanova, and he is pleased with what these students have shown him.

“The Lasallian tradition continues on,” Donatelli said. “I’ve been very impressed with the caliber of the students and the education they’ve received at St. John’s. The school should be very 24 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

hen Bro. Tom Gerrow was called to serve at St. John’s in 1994, he found a school in need of a clear vision for the future. Enrollment had decreased, and the school had recently transitioned to a coeducational, militaryoptional institution. In addition, the physical facilities, which had not been updated since SJC moved to Military Road in 1959, were in dire need of update and repair. Fortunately, the school’s new president was a man of vision and purpose who would ultimately usher in a new era at St. John’s.

“Knowing the challenges that Bro. Tom faced when he arrived at St. John’s, I can say emphatically that 100 people could have been chosen as president and 99 would have failed,” said Jeff Mancabelli, current St. John’s president. “Why was Bro. Tom successful?

He was not simply taking a job; he was answering a call. He was guided by mission as his sole motivation. As he would say, divine providence had placed him exactly where he was meant to be.”

“ He was not simply taking a job; he was answering a call. He was guided by mission as his sole motivation. As he would say, divine providence had placed him exactly where he was meant to be.” – Jeff Mancabelli Bro. Tom was no stranger to educational facilities. His first assignment with the Christian Brothers was at South Hills Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA. He went on to work at St. Gabriel’s Hall, Resurrection of Our Lord School, West Catholic High School and Hudson Catholic Regional High School. Each of these schools was improved by his time there, through expanded enrollment, enhanced curriculum and improved facilities.

He hoped that he could achieve the same success at St. John’s, but he wouldn’t be able to do it alone. Bro. Tom worked closely with the Board of Trustees, engaging them as active participants in the plans for revitalization. He also recruited new members with experience that would complement and strengthen the board. Together, Bro. Tom and the trustees started taking St. John’s in a new direction.

“People make the biggest difference. At St. John’s, we were able to bring on some very good people, to let them come up with their ideas and run with them,” Bro. Tom said.

Kevin Cassidy ’70 was nearing the end of a board term when Bro. Tom arrived, and he said that he was very impressed by Bro. Tom’s leadership and his clear vision for the school. Cassidy described Bro. Tom as a focused man who was at various times

Architects of a Decade

a leader, a visionary and a cheerleader, but who was also humble enough to know that he didn’t have all of the answers. When Bro. Tom later asked him to come back and serve another term on the board, Cassidy agreed immediately.

“I don’t admire a great number of men, and I don’t think there’s a great number of admirable men, but he is,” Cassidy said.

“He was a really interesting man for me to work with and for, and it was an experience I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”

Bro. Tom began St. John’s physical transformation by determining the projects he thought would have the greatest impact on the students, while also engaging the support of the wider SJC community. One of his first priorities was the addition of air conditioning to the main school building, which was accomplished with assistance from Jim Donohoe ’63. The athletic facilities were the next logical choice: with the exception of a small girls’ locker room, the school was still using the original facilities from 1959, which had been badly strained by the addition of the girls’ teams. The St. John’s community rallied to the cause, and as a result Roth Gymnasium and Fernandez Stadium both opened in 2000. The school also became one of the first in the region to install artificial turf playing fields.

At the same time, Bro. Tom began marketing St. John’s heavily to the Washington, DC, community, focusing on its identity as a faith-based school with strong academics. Word spread and enrollment began to grow, hitting 800 students by 2000. Today, more than 1,000 students attend St. John’s, and nearly 3,000 students attended the school’s 2012 Admissions Open House.

The board mounted two capital campaigns during Bro. Tom’s tenure at St. John’s, raising funds for tuition assistance, faculty enrichment, curriculum enhancement and the badly needed physical construction and renovation. As a result of the community’s generosity, St. John’s was able to make more than $30 million in facility improvements during Bro. Tom’s 16-year term without taking on long-term debt.

These improvements completely transformed the campus. New facilities included the Scaggs Trustee Center (2001), Kimsey Science Center (2002), Quinn Computer Lab (2002), Quinn Stadium (2005), Smith Football Field (2009) and Gibbs Baseball Field (2009). In addition, renovations were made to classrooms, offices, Heritage Hall, Frana Auditorium and the De La Salle Chapel.

By the end of Bro. Tom’s term, St. John’s was a thriving institution with a robust endowment and a clear vision for the future.

Much of that success can be directly attributed to Bro. Tom’s hard work, perseverance and determination to see the school succeed.

Joe Borger ’76, vice chair of the board of trustees, worked closely with Bro. Tom on construction projects and the development of the St. John’s master plan. He described Bro. Tom as a decisive, handson leader who believed in the importance of always having another project on the horizon in order to keep St. John’s moving ahead.

“Bro. Tom was the right person at the right time. His vision was straightforward and common sense. He knows education; he knows how to build a school. Not a lot of people have that insight,” Borger reflected. “St. John’s has been totally transformed, not just in the physical campus and the student body,

but in the public’s perception as well. If it wasn’t for him, the school probably wouldn’t be here today.”

Bro. Tom moved on from St. John’s in 2010, leaving behind many friends and supporters. He said that what made his time at St. John’s special was the chemistry among the people there and the way that the community came together to help move the school forward. In 2012, Bro. Tom took on a new role as president of La Salle Academy in Providence, RI, and he said that he hopes his time there will be just as successful.

“Every time you take over a school, I think your goal needs to be to take that school to the next level,” Bro. Tom said. “Each school has its own personality, its own character. La Salle is a great school. I hope that I can help take it to the next level as well.”

St. John’s College High School 25

Alumni Action

Alumni Council Update The Alumni Council has been hard at work this spring, organizing events on campus to help bring Cadets together in order to reconnect with each other and with St. John’s.

On April 19, the Council hosted a luncheon for local SJC alumni featuring speaker Kip Gregory, current SJC parent and author of “Winning Clients in a Wired World.” Gregory spoke about ways to use technology more efficiently, including saving time while managing email, harnessing social networking as a business and career development tool and using your iPad or smartphone productively when away from the office.

On April 27, the Council sponsored an alumni cookout on campus. Attendees enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs and fellowship on the Fitzpatrick Library Terrace, which provided an outstanding view of the varsity baseball team’s victory over Good Counsel. To see photos from this event, turn to page 33.

This summer, the Council will continue to assist with the organization of the fall reunions. The Mentoring Committee is looking to assist with Career Day and to connect young alumni with more experienced graduates. There is also interest in fostering active regional alumni chapters in cities with large clusters of St. John’s 26 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Top: Alumni filled the Vaghi Dining Room for the April luncheon. Bottom: Kip Gregory, SJC parent and author, spoke about using technology more efficiently.

graduates. Some of these efforts were kickstarted by SJC President Jeff Mancabelli’s alumni receptions this spring in Naples, FL; New York City, NY; and Los Angeles and San Diego, CA. The Alumni Council is currently led by co-presidents Ron Beckwith ’53 and Bob McCleary ’58. John Poole ’71 and Anthony Aquino ’88 serve as co-vice presidents, and Matthew Ritz ’97 is the secretary.

Call to Remember St. John’s is proud of the many alumni who have gone on to serve their country in the armed forces, and the Call to Remember honors these brave men and women. The full list is published on the school’s website at www.stjohnschs.org/calltoremember. If you see an omission or error, please let us know — send the information to Lori Martin, database manager, at lmartin@stjohnschs.org.

Alumni Action

The De La Salle Legacy Society The De La Salle Legacy Society allows the school to recognize those alumni, parents and friends who have chosen to include St. John’s in their estate plans. This group honors the spirit of St. John Baptiste de La Salle, who liquidated his inherited estate at the age of 32 and

distributed the money to the poor during the great famine of 1683-84.

Society members may choose to remember St. John’s in a variety of ways. They can make the school a beneficiary of a percentage of estate residuals, leave a percentage of a life insurance policy or portion of their estate to St. John’s or transfer property or stock holdings to the school in their will.

In whatever way they choose to make their gift, their generosity will ensure that the school continues to provide a high-quality Lasallian education for the generations of young men and women to come.

“I believe St. John’s is at the top when it comes to the premiere schools in our area. St. John’s – the Christian Brothers and teachers – will always be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said John Aydinian ’71. “The De La Salle Legacy Society provides such a unique opportunity for me to thank all of them and continue the St. John’s tradition.”

“My wife and I have a soft spot for St. John’s. We also see the advancement at St. John’s in the curriculum and physical plant and understand that it takes money to keep these things going,” explained Billy Scaggs ’54. “As the nun teaching my fifth grade class said, ‘the only money you can take with you is the money you give to charity.’”

“Frederica and I decided to include St. John’s College High School in our estate plan to reflect our appreciation for the quality of education at such a reasonable cost,” said George Valanos, father of Frederic ’11. “St. John’s stood out for its diverse, multicultural environment with a reasonably large student body, yet manageable class sizes.”

For more information on the De La Salle Legacy Society, please contact Michael Esten, vice president for institutional advancement, at 202-364-0229, ext. 1059, or mesten@stjohnschs.org.

The McGovern Brothers and Their St. John’s Legacy Every cadet at St. John’s is responsible for knowing about the McGovern brothers, Robert ’46 and Jerome ’48, and a commanding officer might ask any cadet to recite their history during hall inspection.

The McGovern brothers each joined the Army and served in the Korean War, and sadly both were killed in 1951 within 11 days of each other. They were highly decorated for their bravery: First Lieutenant Robert McGovern received the Medal of Honor and Second Lieutenant Jerome McGovern was awarded the Silver Star. Both are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The St. John’s drill team, “The McGovern Rifles,” is named in their honor, and their medals are displayed proudly in the Msgr. John J. Enzler Board Room at St. John’s.

Jerome McGovern ’48

Robert McGovern ’46

St. John’s College High School 27

Alumni Action

Cadets At Large:

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ’02 Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ’02 is living his dream. At St. John’s, he was heavily involved with both the theatre program and student publications. Since then, he’s found a way to fuse those creative passions; today he is a professional playwright whose work has been performed on both national and international stages.

His first major role was in the school’s production of “Pippin,” a role the New York City resident said he thinks of often now that “Pippin” is currently playing on Broadway. Tim Emerson ’84, director of the St. John’s Theatre, remembers Branden as a standout in a class of strong performers.

He also made his mark at St. John’s academically. A strong student and valedictorian of his class, he served as editor for two years on the school paper. English Teacher Joe Patterson ’93, then advisor to The Saber, remembers Branden as a student who excelled at both writing and editing.

“Branden had a tremendous command of the language, and he possessed a fantastic creative flare,” Patterson said. “I had him as a student in three different classes: honors American literature, journalism and advanced editing. He was exceptional in all three. His writing was marked with a maturity that was unparalleled.”

He attended Princeton University, and it was there that Branden became more serious about the academic side of the craft, focusing on the study of theater, writing and anthropology. His artistic, academic and creative pursuits came together in the classroom, and he began writing his first plays. Branden went on to earn a master’s degree in performance studies from New York University, and now he continues to study and refine his art, regularly participating in writers’ retreats, theater labs, playgroups and workshops.

In 2010, Branden’s first professional production, “Neighbors,” was staged at The Public Theater in New York. Since that initial run, it has been produced 28 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

four additional times, including shows in Boston, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles.

This May, “Neighbors” made its European premiere at the United Kingdom’s HighTide Festival.

His most recent play, “Appropriate,” premiered this March at the Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, KY. Branden describes it as a classic family drama about three siblings who return to their father’s home after he passes away. Their father was a hoarder, and as they descend on his estate they unearth secrets that call into question who their father was and what they are to each other. “Appropriate” will make its Washington, DC, premiere this November at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

Branden’s work has earned critical praise, and he’s been honored with a Princess Grace Award, the Dorothy Strelsin Playwriting Fellowship, the Paula Vogel Award, two residencies with the Sundance Theatre Lab and a fellowship in playwriting from the New York Foundation for the Arts. On April 8, Branded received the inaugural Tennessee Williams Award from the Sundance Institute’s Theatre Program; actress Sally Field presented Branden with the award and the accompanying $10,000 grant.

He’s currently on commission at both the Lincoln Center Theater and Yale Repertory Theater. Branden also just began a residency at the Signature Theatre Company in New York City; they will produce the New York production of “Appropriate” early next year.

In addition to writing, Branden has been teaching the next generation of playwrights. He occasionally teaches at his alma mater, NYU, and just completed a playwriting and screenwriting course at the Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. Branden said teaching his own classes

has given him a new perspective on and appreciation for his own teachers.

“For the first time in my life, I understand my teachers. It’s incredibly humbling,” Branden said. “It’s true that you remember your teachers’ names for all of your life. All these people completely changed my life, and they’re the ones I think of first when I think about my St. John’s experience.”

Branden said the most valuable thing he learned at St. John’s was to be as well rounded as possible. He has been surprised to discover that courses he thought weren’t relevant to him at the time later turned out to have the most influence on his work.

“I entered high school thinking I knew what I wanted to study. I resisted things like religious education or math class, but actually things like honors morality or honors church history or even calculus are classes I actually still think of to this day and probably influenced me a lot more than I realize,” Branden said. “I think the Lasallian ideal of the well-rounded individual is crucial. It’s about committing to a lifetime of learning in every aspect, books and beyond. Every inch of my experience was valuable.”

Alumni Action

Lt. Col. Richard P. Ellinger, USAF (1919-2013) On Wednesday, April 17, Lt. Col. Richard P. “Dick” Ellinger passed away.

A Washington, DC, native, Ellinger graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended the University of Maryland. He enjoyed a 43-year career as a master electrician for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, which later became Verizon Communications.

Ellinger dedicated more than 40 years in military service to his country. He enlisted in the armed forces during World War II and was honorably discharged after the war ended. He reenlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and Ellinger received his second honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force after it became a separate military service. He then served for 37 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, receiving his third honorable discharge upon his retirement.

He served the St. John’s College High School community for more than 25 years, where he was ahead of the

curve in bringing video technology to the high school level. Ellinger first began filming football games at SJC in 1976 when his son, Rick ’80, was playing for the Cadets. He later expanded his focus to other athletic events, devoting many hours each week to filming SJC games, and became a fixture at St. John’s. In addition to his time, Ellinger generously donated video equipment to the school and recruited, trained and coordinated the student volunteers who helped film games throughout the year. In 2007, Ellinger was awarded the game ball after St. John’s defeated Gonzaga; the game ball is given to notable members of the St. John’s community.

Ellinger also gave his time and effort to other organizations. He was deeply committed to the Boy Scouts of America; he was an Eagle Scout, and he served as a troop leader when his sons became scouts.

He hosted Boy Scout camping trips on his property at Deep Creek Lake, MD,

Dick Ellinger (top right) with 1993 members of the student video crew.

from the 1950s through the late 1970s.

In addition, he spent thousands of hours filming interviews with former bombardiers and copilots for the B-26 Marauder Historical Society, for which he also helped to maintain the website.

He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Ellinger is survived by his wife, Pearl; two sons, including Rick ’80; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Ar rc ch hbbis isho hopp Ph Phiilliipp H Ha anna nnan ’31 n ’31

H A N N A N B anqu e t Honor i ng Lou Donat e l l i ’ 52 A l M e r r i t t ’ 58 Jo e Borg e r ’ 76 Bro. Tom G e r row, F SC

thursday, November 7, 2013 Columbia Country Club Cocktails 6 pm Dinner 7:30 pm

Chevy Chase, MD

St. John’s College High School 29

Class Notes We want to hear from you!

Do you have news to share with the St. John’s community? We want to hear from you! Submit your class notes and pictures to stjohnschs@gmail.com.

Right: A group of St. John’s alumni, including graduates from the 1950s through the 1980s, gathered at the home of Cap Mona ’61 in Naples, FL, this winter to “swap stories from the good ol’ days.”

1950 From Gene Henry: “Bro. Patrick Power, FSC, who taught Latin at St. John’s for 19 years from 1942 to 1961, had a special celebration for his 100th birthday at La Salle Hall in Ammendale, MD, on Dec. 15, 2012. Although Bro. Patrick taught at six different Christian Brother schools in Washington, Philadelphia, Cumberland and Pittsburgh from 1932 to 1975, his longest teaching tenure was at St. John’s College High School.

As one of his students at St. John’s on Vermont Avenue from 1946-1950, I had the honor of attending, with other students, colleagues and relatives, his Mass and banquet. His pithy recollections and witty remarks demonstrated that he retains his memories and good humor at age 100. As a 1954 Notre Dame graduate, I gave Bro. Patrick an ND football shirt and asked him to wear it and pray for ND during the ND-Alabama championship game. I also gave him a small Belleek China Irish harp in honor of his ancestry. You can see his witty comments about those gifts in this photo (at right). St. John’s was fortunate to have Bro. Patrick as a teacher for 19 years, and I was honored and delighted to be with him again after 62 years.”

1962 W.J. “Bill” Schwieder, CLTC, retired as an insurance broker and is proud to announce he and Marsha have their first great-grandchild. This summer, Marsha and he will celebrate their 48th anniversary. Also, Bill was recently elected as the incoming commander of the Virginia Beach Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of The United States Power Squadrons.

30 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Gene Henry ’50 and Bro. Patrick Power.

1972 Effective Feb. 24, Stanley Thomas Allen was promoted to administrative officer of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Rheumatology Products in the Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. He also received the Support Staff Excellence Award at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Honors Awards ceremony held in June 2012.

1974 From David Crapo: “I have been a lawyer for 28 years. For the most part, I have focused on bankruptcy and insolvency. For a lot of reasons, it made sense to shift

my focus into health law. So, at age 52, I started a master’s program in health law and policy at Seton Hall Law School. I finished last May (at age 56).”

1979 In late 2012, Penguin Books published “To Have and Have Another – A Hemingway Cocktail Companion,” written by Philip Greene. Critically acclaimed by The Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Wine Enthusiast, Garden & Gun, Huffington Post and many others, Greene’s book is a cocktail lover’s guide to the life and works of Ernest Hemingway.

Class Notes

It contains 55 authentic recipes from his novels, short stories and letters, as well as excerpts, anecdotes, great vintage photos and ads and other interesting tidbits. Phil lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and three daughters and is trademark counsel for the U.S. Marine Corps at the Pentagon.

Stanley Allen ’72

John Ruffini ’83

Charles Sanders has relocated to Tampa, FL, as the regional director for Benefield Veterinary Hospitals. He and Dave Queen ’78 attended the Redskins’ win over the Buccaneers on Sept. 30, 2012. Dave is a former Tampa Police Department sergeant and current owner of Queen Investigations & Security.

1983 John Ruffini and his wife, Lisa, recently purchased The Olde Towne Creamery and Desserts located in Easton, MD. After winter renovations, they reopened in March 2013 to a very receptive and hungry community! They serve hand-dipped premium ice cream, shakes and sundaes, host birthday parties, make ice cream cakes and are available for off-site functions as well. John and Lisa live in Easton with their three children, Tony (16), Adriana (13) and Alexandra (12).

Justin Molloy ’94

Marcus Hunt ’02

1988 This January, Clint Perez was appointed executive vice president in charge of operations for SEP Connect, LLC, the Vienna, VA-based leader in search engine placement. SEP Connect utilizes its proprietary technology to place local business on the front page of Google. Prior to his current role, Clint held senior level marketing positions with SEP Connect, Best Buy, New Era Cap and Discovery Communications. Clint holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

1994 Justin Molloy and his wife, Gretchen, welcomed their first child, daughter Frances Ann, on Jan. 14.

1999 Russell Lee Euliss IV was born on Feb. 28 to Russell and Lisa (Jordan) Euliss.

2002 From Marcus Hunt: “I’m currently deployed to Afghanistan and my team and I gave a construction site tour to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction a few weeks ago. During the tour, I found out the senior inspection manager is a St. John’s alumni: Brian Flynn ’63. Two St. John’s alumni doing great work in Afghanistan.

It truly is a small world.”

The work of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, recently announced winner of the

inaugural Sundance Tennessee Williams Award, will be included in the 34th season of productions by DC’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. From Nov. 4 thru Dec. 1, 2013, Branden’s play, “Appropriate,” will be presented on the Woolly’s stage.

The Woolly characterizes the play as “chronicling a Southern family’s bizarre reunion following the death of their father” and “a riveting potboiler with more secrets than you can shake a stick at. It is also a take no-prisoners indictment that will leave you peering into your own soul and history.” Branden’s theater interest grew and his writing was refined as a student at St. John’s College High School.

St. John’s College High School 31

Photo Gallery

New York City Reception, March 21, 2013

Los Angeles Reception, April 15, 2013

32 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Photo Gallery

San Diego Reception, April 17, 2013

Alumni Baseball Game, April 27, 2013

St. John’s College High School 33

Photo Gallery

Doc Scalessa Golf Tournament, May 10, 2013

Kevin Stecklein ’92, Jim Whitty ’93, Jeff Mancabelli, Rich Whitty ’85 and Pat Whitty ’98.

Greg Hymel ’84, Dennis Sheehan ’85, Matt Conway ’85 and Dennis Shea ’84.

Mark Munson ’89, Tom Benjamin ’89, Rob Spallone ’89 and Brendan Quinn ’89.

Mark Conrad ’71, Alfie Bruno ’70, Ron Serabian ’69, Pat Ward ’93, Joe Patterson ’93 and Antwon Bailey ’08.

34 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

Photo Gallery

Jay Fielding ’68, Mark Crosby ’68, Mike Noonan ’68, Greg Fisher ’68 and Phil Feliciano ’68.

Pat Patton ’75, Paul Zmuda ’85 and Rob Zmuda ’75 .

Lou Crowley ’76 shot a hole in one!

Members of the Class of 1965.

St. John’s College High School 35

Condolences

Our deceased alumni, faculty and friends 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. (Includes notices received through April 30, 2013.)

Alumni 1937 Joseph Cordes 1938 Leo Holland 1939 Edward Veihmeyer 1942 Peter McKenna 1944 George Schoolmeester 1947 George Norris

1948 Aloysius Donoghue 1948 Louis McCarthy 1951 John Kelley 1952 John Corliss 1952 John Gardes 1953 Francis Harding

1957 Robert Curtin 1957 Frank Stoutenburgh 1958 C. Allen Merritt 1959 Donald Franyo 1959 Richard Whitty 1963 James Aylor

1970 Michael Russell 1972 James McDonough 1973 John Casey 1977 John Laux

• Tremor, Jenny, grandmother

Family And Friends Of St. John’s • Acree, Vernon, father

• Fernandez, Sr., Raul, father

• O’Brien, Theresa, mother

• Aylor, James ’63, brother

• Frana, Sr., Benjamin, father

• Oristian, Babe Ross, mother

• Blick, Elizabeth, wife

• Joram, Philip Robert,

of Darrell Acree ’57 of John Aylor ’60

of Edward Blick ’44

• Brant, Frances, mother of

Michael Brant ’65, Timothy Brant ’67, Patrick Brant ’69 and Dennis Brant ’72; grandmother of Bridgette Brant ’04, Kyle Brant ’04 and Tyler Brant ’06

• Brown, Allouise, mother of Bro. Mark Brown, current SJC faculty/staff member

• Cordes, Joseph ’37, brother of Eugene Cordes ’44

• Curry, Jr., Thomas, father of T.J. Curry, current SJC faculty/staff

• Curtin, Robert ’57, brother of Richard Curtin ’59

• Ellinger, Sr., Richard,

former SJC faculty/ staff member; father of Richard Ellinger, Jr. ’80

36 Scarlet&Grey Spring 2013

of Raul Fernandez, Jr. ’84

of B. Thomas Frana, Jr. ’65

father of Michael Joram ’74 and Mark Joram ’75; father-in-law of Thomas Veith, current SJC faculty/ staff member; grandfather of Taylor Veith ’16

• Mannion, Joseph, former SJC faculty/staff member

• Mona, Loretta Hoffmann “Boe,” mother of Joseph Mona ’58, Vincent “Cap” Mona ’61 and Garrett Mona ’66; grandmother of Mitchell Mona ’15 and Reese Mona ’17

• Mullikin, Teresa

Giaquinta, mother of Donald Mullikin ’84 and Brian Mullikin ’86; aunt to Anthony Giaquinta ’57, Paul Giaquinta ’73, Raymond Youstra ’81 and William Youstra ’83

of Michael O’Brien ’68

of Karl Oristian ’73 and Peter Oristian ’82; grandmother of Peter Oristian ’13 and Thomas Oristian ’16

• Pegg, James, father of Brendan Pegg ’12

• Ritter, Justine Koncelik,

mother of Michael Ritter ’67

• Sazama-Petrov, Patricia, sister of Sharyn SazamaMoreau, current SJC faculty/staff member

• Schoolmeester,

George ’44, brother of John Schoolmeester ’53; father of Kenneth Schoolmeester ’69, Lawrence Schoolmeester ’69 and Edward Schoolmeester ’72

• Smith, William, father

of Gregory Smith ’66 and Randolph Smith ’69

of Lauren Tremor ’08 and Daniel Tremor ’16; mother-in-law of Susan Tremor, current SJC faculty/staff member

• Veihmeyer, Edward ’39, brother of Francis Veihmeyer ’44; father of John Veihmeyer ’73

• Whitty, Richard ’59, son of

Richard Whitty ’34; brother of J. William Whitty ’64; father of Richard Whitty ’85, Edward Whitty ’86, Jim Whitty ’93 and Patrick Whitty ’98; uncle to John Whitty ’95; grandfather of Richard Whitty ’14

• Wimsatt, Margaret, mother of James Wimsatt ’57

The St. John’s Fund

St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Rd., NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015

Yearly Giving. Daily Impact.

To make your gift today, visit www.stjohnschs.org or mail your check to St. John’s using the envelope included in this edition of the Scarlet & Grey. Questions? Contact Debby DuPont, director of annual giving, at 202-364-0229 or ddupont@stjohnschs.org.

St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Rd., NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015

Classes of

Classes of

1968 & 1988

1958, 1978 & 1988

1993, 1998 & 2003

1973 & 1983

Saturday, September 21

Friday, September 27

saturday, September 28

Saturday, october 5

Classes of

Classes of

Save the date for the fall 2013 class reunions! This year, St. John’s is pleased to welcome back classes with years ending in three or eight. For more information and to register online, visit the St. John’s website at www.stjohnschs.org.