S T. S E BA S T I AN’ S M AGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2022
Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Chairman William L. Burke, III P’95,’97,’00,’04, GP’23 Executive Officer, Headmaster James L. Elcock ’77, P’08 President Patrick J. Hegarty ’89, P’23 Vice President Kathleen A. Murphy P’21 Secretary David M. Calabro ’78, P’16
Board2021-2022ofTrustees
Treasurer Members: Rev. John M. Borders, III P’03 Casey M. Condron ’94, P’23,’24 Timothy J. Connelly P’17,’19 Barbara E. Connolly P’10,’12,’17 John G. Cox P’22,’25 Catherine C. Daniel P’15,’18,’20 Timothy P. Doherty ’87 P’17 Rev. Michael E. Drea Stephen M. DuFour P’14,’18,’21 William B. Evans ’77, P’17 Dana W. Fulham P’14,’24 John W. Hueber ’71 Kathleen F. Ix P’22 Susanne C. Joyce P’20,’23,’26 Carolyn M. Lemone P’16,’18 Shawn D. Martin P’17,’18,’19 Peter J. McLaughlin ’55, JohnGP,’13,’19,’24,’24E.McNamara ’81, P’14,’18 James F. Mooney, III P’18 Michael P. Muldowney P’12,’16,’22 John A. Piccione ’76 Randall P. Seidl P’17,’19 Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. Troy L. Stanfield P’21 Kurt R. Steinkrauss ’91, P’19 Brian S. Strachan P’11,’14 Stephen P. Ward ’96, P’24,’25,’27 Andrew A. Wasynczuk P’14,’17 Julie G. Mulvey P’17,’21,’26 President, Guild of St. Irene Michael R. Frisoli P’17,’19,’21,’22,’26 President, Men’s Association Peter A. Galligan ’74 President, Alumni Association Trustees Emeriti: David F. Gately ’73 J. Brad Griffith ’58, GP’19,’23
St. Sebastian’s School Mission Statement A Catholic independent school, St. Sebastian’s seeks to engage young men in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason. By embracing Gospel values in an inclusive, nurturing community and by inspiring intellectual excellence in a structured liberal arts curriculum, St. Sebastian’s strives to empower students for success in college and in life. The ideal St. Sebastian’s graduate will be a moral and just person, a gentleman of courage, honor, and wisdom, a life-long learner who continues to grow in his capacity to know, to love, and to serve God and neighbor. 38 Three Generations of Hoops Reunion 202258 14FEATURES 78th Commencement St. Sebastian’s graduates 67 students on June 2, 2022 on the West Campus fields 36 Hockey Project Update Fundraising for the Henry T. Lane Rink Improvement Project exceeds goal 38 Three Generations of TrevorHoopsMullin’23 follows in the footsteps of his father, Steve ’84, and grandfather, Joe Ferrone ’54, playing basketball for the Arrows 58 Reunion 2022 Alumni from the classes of 2’s and 7’s come back to campus to celebrate Reunion IN EVERY ISSUE 2 Headmaster’s Letter 3 Around Campus 34 Event Highlights 42 Fine Arts 46 Winter Sports 52 Spring Sports 64 Alumni Updates 67 Class Notes 75 In Memoriam S T. S E BA S T I AN’ S M AGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2022 Headmaster William L. Burke, III P’95,’97,’00,’04, GP’23 Assistant Headmaster Michael P. Nerbonne Director of Advancement Richard F. Arms P’14 Editor & Designer Christine Y. Robertson, Director of Communications Principal Photographer Brett Crawford, Visual Media Coordinator Editorial Advisor Michael Deschenes, Director of Library & Information Services St. Sebastian’s Magazine is published twice a year by the Communications Office. Correspondence concerning the magazine should be sent communications@stsebs.orgto: St. Sebastian’s School 1191 Greendale Avenue Needham, MA 02492 www.stsebs.org781.449.5200 COVER: Ben Frisoli ’22, holding his diploma up high, celebrates at the end of the Commencement ceremony. INSIDE COVER: Andrew Hahm ’22 receives his diploma and a congratulatory handshake from Headmaster Burke.
May we connect soon and often, and may God continue to bless you and your loved ones every sacred step of the way. With love and gratitude, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
William L. Burke III Headmaster I have long loved this scriptural sentence, complete with two perfectly used semicolons. Early on, I noted that the first word, ask, forms an acronym: A for ask; S for seek; K for knock. What Jesus asks of us here is to be engaged—fully engaged —in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason. When we pray for the health and well-being of a loved one or for any other cause under the sun, we ask God for help. When we ask a question in class, we seek enlightenment from a mentor or classmate. Sometimes answers are late in com ing, as the Spirit often moves slowly, and so we knock, and we do so in faith, firmly believing that—if we keep on asking, and if we keep on seeking, and if we keep on knocking—we will one day have our answer; the door will be opened. And how wide open so many doors have swung throughout this past academic year, thanks be to the grace of God and to our outstanding students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends who cooperate with God’s grace in the advancement of our most important mission.
—Matthew 7:7
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From the desk of the WilliamheadmasterL.BurkeIII
I thank you all for loving God, working hard, and taking good care of one another.
AROUND CAM PUS News & Notes from Our School Community
Inspiring Participation in Civic Life
Headmaster Bill Burke with speakers Alberto Machuca P’27 (left) and Pastor Jose Hernandez (right) in Ward Hall.
“Do what makes your eyes shine . Never be embarrassed for who you are or what you do.”
On February 16, St. Sebastian’s hosted two powerful speakers, Alberto Machuca P’27 and Pastor Jose Hernandez, who spoke about the role God has played in leading them to lives of service.
Members of the Class of 2023 who participated in Harvard Model Congress pose in Ward Hall. Back Row: Jack Heeney, Jack Lordi, Charles Bacon, Alex Yang, Brett Porter, Liam Burke, Ben Garrity, and Connor Dumouchel.
Front Row: Matt Choumenkovitch, Eddie Ryan, Alex Roth, Jack Daly, Matt DeAnzeris, Ethan Merithew, Matt Malloy, and Will Hansen.
Alberto Machuca P’27
The presentation, “Hope Central: From Gangs to God & from the Law to the Lord,” was brought to us by the Watts 2 Boston Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the Los Angeles Police Department by providing resources to underserved youth and victims of crimes. Julie Mulvey P’17,’21,’26, Founder and President of Watts 2 Boston, introduced the two speakers who live on opposite sides of the country, but share a common bond as religious leaders with a passion for helping Machuca,others.originally from Mexico, now resides in Boston where he and his wife, Tania, serve the Hispanic community as missionaries. He shared his journey, beginning with how he discovered God during his childhood and how his faith later impacted his career as a lawyer and ultimately led him to becoming an ordained minister and dedicating his life to preaching the Gospel. Machuca encouraged the students to “do what makes your eyes shine. Never be embarrassed for who you are or what you do.”
On February 24, a delegation of 16 St. Sebastian’s juniors, led by faculty member Brian Lewin, participated in the annual Harvard Model Congress, the largest government simulation in the United States. Each student was assigned a role on different committees representing the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government as well as international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council and the G-20 Economic Summit.
Connor Dumouchel ’23 received a gavel award for Best Delegate in the Historical Committee. The St. Sebastian’s delegation passed over 25 bills and resolutions in committee and saw several of them passed by the full House and Senate. Alex Yang ’23 alone passed six bills in the Senate Finance Committee. Topics ranged from sanctions against North Korea and Iran to providing vaccines to countries in Africa and intervening in the Russian war with Ukraine.
A Passion for Helping Others
Pastor Hernandez began his speech with a traumatic story from his youth, describing what it was like to grow up in Watts, one of the most dangerous places in the U.S., where he lived in poverty and surrounded by violence. He then shared his journey from being a gang member to giving up a successful career to become a pastor. Through his ministry, he serves the community of Watts in many ways, from providing meals to helping families under threat move out of the projects. Pastor Hernandez challenged the boys to take advantage of the opportunities given to them and “Love God, love others and go out and make a big difference in this world.”
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A video about Willie Eldon O’Ree was shared, highlighting how the former Boston Bruins winger and the first Black player in the National Hockey League faced racial struggles during his career and persevered. Jayden Grier ’22 then introduced his father, Michael Grier ’93, the first Black player, both born and trained in the United States, to play in the NHL. Grier talked about his upbringing and how he received racial adversities like name-calling when he was just a young child playing hockey. He thanked his parents for sending him to St. Sebastian’s and discussed how the School changed the course of his life. He then spoke about his successes playing for Boston University and in the NHL. He told the Arrows, “Challenge yourself to do better.” Grier most recently worked for the New York Rangers as Hockey Operations Advisor prior to his appointment as the San Jose Sharks General Manager in July (see pg. 70).
Celebrating Black History Month Robotics Teams Showcase Their Skills
Members of St. Sebastian’s two Robotics teams (Team 133 and Team 19556) competed against 22 other teams from the area at the FIRST Robotics Massachusetts Qualifying tournament on February 19 at Canton High School. It was an intense, but fun-filled day, with Team 133 placing 7th and making it to the semifinals as an Alliance Partner and 11th place Team 19556 posting a winning record in their inaugural season.
A Unique & Powerful Look at Military Training Combat veteran, professional photographer, and author Darren McBurnett (McB), Navy SEAL (ret), spoke to the St. Sebastian’s community on April 5 about the difficulties and mental struggles he had to overcome as he trained to become a Navy SEAL. McB’s 24-year career as a SEAL included numerous deployments to combat zones in support of missions such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He developed an interest in photography while he was in the Navy and became the first photographer to document with full access the Navy SEAL training, resulting in the acclaimed photography book Uncommon Grit. McB shared photographs from his book, as well as never before seen video he took during SEAL training.
The St. Sebastian’s Community gathered in Ward Hall for the annual Black History Month Assembly, “Unity Through Diversity,” on February 28. The gathering was filled with powerful words and music, including poems written by famous African American poets and songs performed by the Dana Hall Gospel Choir, led by David Coleman.
Dana Hall Gospel Choir Director David Coleman, Headmaster Bill Burke, Meyer Chambers, MPA President Gary McCall ’22, Michael Grier ’93, P’22, Jayden Grier ’22, and Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne. Darren McBurnett (McB), Navy SEAL (ret), talks about his photography of SEAL training.
Finance Academy Speaker Series
On January 31, Edward Perkin P’25, Vice President of Eaton Vance and Chief Investment Officer (Equity), spoke about the emotion behind stock-picking and investing in general. Perkin’s talk covered topics from how to remove bias from picking stocks to how to maximize success in a group setting.
Bestselling author Arthur Brooks addresses the St. Sebastian’s audience.
Brooks gave an engaging presentation on how to live a happy life, providing our students with actionable strategies and thought-provoking ideas. Using cutting-edge science and philosophy, he explained the difference between happiness and success and dispelled myths as he defined what it means to be happy. Brooks shared what he considers to be the four key ingredients to happiness—faith, family, friends and meaningful work. He extolled the importance of balance, noting that he strives to incorporate all four into his daily life. Brooks encouraged the boys to continue to invest in their faith and relationships at St. Sebastian’s, emphasizing the benefits of walking the spiritual path, as well as cultivating friendships made in high school and college.
On February 28, Krista Ryan P’23 and Martine Elie P’23,’25 spoke about their roles in the finance industry. Ryan provided insight into her job as a financial services attorney, including tracking and enforcing regulations in this complex industry. Elie, a financial analyst, then explained the new age trading of meme stocks and pushback against hedge fund shorting and gave students advice in future investment Onendeavors.April25,
Class of 2022 Inductees include (from top to bottom, left to right): Colin Boland, Matthew Choi, Kevin Cummings, Charles DeMatteo, Jack Flynn, Alexander Hartman, Ryan Kazmouz, Cooper McCann, Aidan McCarthy, Brendan Melley, Kevin Wakakuwa, Richard Walsh, and Paul White.
Arthur Brooks Shares the Key Ingredients to Happiness A rthur Brooks—a Harvard professor, PhD social scientist, bestselling author, and columnist at The Atlantic—addressed the St. Sebastian’s community on April 20 as our Birmingham Lecture Series speaker. Brooks was introduced by faculty member and alumnus Paul Keady ’16, who interned at the American Enterprise Institute, where Brooks served as the president for ten years. Brooks is the author of 12 books, holds the title of Chief Happiness Correspondent for The Atlantic, and serves on the faculty of both Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School, where he teaches one of its most sought-after classes, “Leadership and Happiness.”
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Robert Ix P’22, co-founder of the investment firm Crestwood Advisors, gave a presentation centered around the rules and observations he has made in investing over his 35 years in the industry. Using numerous companies and personal investments as examples, he explained the process and approach to take when trying to further understand how to analyze companies and the stock market as a whole. “Keep it simple” and be patient were among the takeaways for students to consider when it comes to investing. Thirteen Arrows Inducted into Cum Laude Society Thirteen members of the Class of 2022 were inducted into the Cum Laude Society during a ceremony held on March 4. Emily McCann P’22,’24, Former CEO of Citizen Schools, VP of Educator Community at Curriculum Associates, provided the keynote address. Dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in secondary schools, the Cum Laude Society has grown to over 350 Chapters located in public and independent schools in the United States, Canada, England, France, Spain, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Four St. Sebastian’s parents delivered fantastic presentations to members of the Finance Academy as part of the club’s popular Speaker Series.
Raif S. Boit, Matthew N. Choumenkovitch, John Q. Daly, Brendan T. Fulham, Quinn A. Mulvey, Alexander C. Perkin, Alex W. Yang Kevin Ghelli Award Benjamin N. Garrity, Peter J. Hunt Frank J. Hennessey, Jr. Award
William P. Judge Award
Villanova University Alex W. Yang University of Virginia Ethan L. Merithew Williams College Peter J. Hunt Yale University Michael J. Kalinichenko Alizadeh Most Improved Student Award
Matthew R. Rohatgi Joseph Compagnone Memorial Award Landon J. Bailey, Zion R. Simmons
SCHOOL AWARDS COLLEGE
The Class of 2022 gathered for the annual Senior Class-Alumni Breakfast on May 26, joined by members of the Alumni Board and alumni trustees, as well as six alumni parents who have sons in the graduating class. The event was held for the first time on the Class of 2007 Terrace at the Griffith Headmaster’s House. Board of Trustees President Jim Elcock ’77, P’08 encouraged the seniors to stay connected to the School and to hold close the relationships they have made here. Alumni Board President Peter Galligan ’74 shared his family’s longstanding relationship with St. Sebastian’s, as one of five brothers to attend the School, and then announced the four 2022 Class Agents elected by their peers: Jack Flynn, Brendan Melley, Mark Newell, and Thomas Scordino. Headmaster Burke urged the seniors to slow down during their final week at St. Sebastian’s, savor their final days together, and say the things that need to be said to their classmates and teachers who made their time at St. Sebastian’s what it was.
Thomas D. Ashe, Jr., John A. Esserian
Kevin T. Mutch Award Nolan D. Joyce, Quincy O. Pickett Grace S. and Raymond M. Vorce, Sr. Award
Charles A. Bacon Bausch and Lomb Science Award
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Suffolk University
William L. Burke V, Joshua A. Corbett
The following students were presented with awards recognizing their academic achievements during the Undergraduate Awards Assembly on May 25. Boston College Alexander G. Maalouf Brown University Andrew B. McNeill Dartmouth College John R. Lordi Harvard Club of Boston John Q. Daly, Patrick R. Sliz College of the Holy Cross Matthew P. DeAnzeris, Matthew R. Rohatgi University of Notre Dame Caspar T. Touloukian St. Anselm College Connor R. Dumouchel St. Lawrence University Brett E. Porter St. Michael’s College
Catholic Citizenship Award
John Q. Daly, Edward T. Ryan
William P. Judge Scholarship
James P.B. McDonough Award
MEMORIAL
Seniors Will McInerney and Matt Noone fill their plates at the Senior Class-Alumni Breakfast.
John M. Barrette, Liam N. Cunjak
Alexander J. Baynes Trinity College Dublin John D. Heeney
Dominic D. Funke
AWARDS
John P. Birmingham, Jr. Writing Award
Alexander G. Maalouf Chapel Speech Awards Grade 11: Kellen P. Donovan, Lars R. Gubitosi, John R. Lordi; Grade 10: Deven S. Carkner, Brendan M. Schmidt; Grade 9: Benedikt J. Ehrhardt; Grade 8: Jack T. Kelleher, Joseph P. Martin; Grade 7: Thomas D. Ashe, Jr. & BOOK
Breakfast Welcomes Class of 2022 into Alumni Ranks
Gandolfo Language Award
Jason Keating Award
Men with Positive Attitudes Award
Patrick R. Sliz
Alexander J. Baynes
Michael J. Kalinichenko
Charles A. Bacon, Alex W. Yang
Undergraduate & College Book Awards
Robert T. Craven, Ethan L. Merithew Robert J. Joyce, Jr. Award
Excelling in the Classics In preparation for competing in Holy Cross’ Classics Day, the Latin Club held its annual Certamen Night on March 29. Latin Club members formed teams to compete in the quiz-bowl style game, testing their knowledge of literature, grammar, history, mythology, and culture. The “Chutzpah” team of Jack Flynn ’22, Sam Hinman ’23, Marty Kane ’22 and Will McInerney ’22 took 1st place in the Upper Division and the “Invictus” team of Liam Cunjak ’25, Max Kalinichenko ’25 and Ryan Pat ’25 secured the top spot in the Lower Division. Two days later, members of the Latin Club had a successful Classics Day at Holy Cross on April 1. In Certamen, the Lower Division team of Liam Cunjak ’25, Dominic Funke ’26, Max Kalinichenko ’25, Hunter MacArthur ’24, and Ryan Pat ’25 won 1st place and the team of Raif Boit ’24, Jack Flynn ’22, Marty Kane ’22, Will McInerney ’22, and Eddie Ryan ’23 came away with 3rd place in the Upper Division. Eddie Ryan won 2nd place in the Art Contest, followed by Charlie Bacon ’23 who finished in 3rd place.
LEFT: Jack Daly ’23, with grandparents Dan ’61 and Dorothy Daly P’88,’92, GP’23, and his mother Susan Daly. RIGHT: Students and grandparents play a game in science class.
The day began with a lunch program in Ward Hall which included: a fitting prayer from Fr. Arens; remarks from Guild of St. Irene President Julie Mulvey P’17,’21,’26, Ryan Donovan ’23, Mrs. Amy Habib, grandmother of Declan Caroll ’25, and Headmaster Bill Burke; and a musical performance of “Fly Me to the Moon” by Ben Goffredo ’24, Andrew MacDougall ’27, and Derron St. Marie ’24. Our honored guests then had the opportunity to sit in on classes with their St. Sebastian’s student before celebrating Mass with Fr. Arens. Special thanks to our Grandparents & Special Friends Day Co-chairs, Meredith Shachoy P’21,’25 and Darice Merageas ’21,‘24, and to the many Guild of St. Irene volunteers who worked together to make the entire day, from registration to dessert, run smoothly.
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A Dynamite Debate Season During the second half of the academic year, St. Sebastian’s Debate Team participated in four virtual tournaments hosted by Kingswood Oxford and Stoneleigh-Burnham School, St. Sebastian’s, the Groton School, and Northfield Mt. Hermon. Arrows debaters delivered excellent individual and team performances in both the Novice and Advanced Divisions at these competitions as they sought to argue, inform and entertain the judges. Jack Flynn ’22 won 1st and 2nd place prizes at two of the tournaments for his humorous address in the After-Dinner Speaking Competition. Maxwell Surprenant ’22 and Raif Boit ’24 also earned Individual Speaking Prizes. Congratulations to these students and the entire team for an impressive debate season.
Ryan Pat ’25, Dominic Funke ’26, Liam Cunjak ’25, Max Kalinichenko ’25, and Hunter MacArthur ’24 stand with their 1st place trophy.
GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
After two years of hosting Grandparents & Special Friends Day virtually, it was a wonderful sight to see 240 grandparents and special friends on campus for this favorite annual event on April 26.
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RIGHT: Severin Chambers ‘10, Beth and Meyer Chambers P’10,14, Ann Cedrone, keynote speaker Professor Michael J. Cedrone ’91, and his daughter, Elizabeth, gather for a photo.
F amily and friends of MPA gathered in Ward Hall to share in a wonderful meal and celebrate senior members at the annual Men with Positive Attitudes Banquet on May 26. The program included musical performances, recited poems, reflections by senior members, and tributes to the graduates by underclassmen.Thekeynote
May 27th was a day of unity, brotherhood, and service at St. Sebastian’s. The morning began with a presentation by Ukraine Forward, brought to the school by Matthew Choumenkovitch ’23. Matthew had been moved by what he had been hearing and seeing about the plight of the Ukrainian people who have been suffering and struggling in a war zone and sought a way to make a positive impact. Representatives from Ukraine Forward, an organization whose mission is “to supply life-saving resources to people in Ukraine,” presented on the history of Ukraine and their organization’s humanitarian efforts. Student-led discussions and reflections on the presentation followed before the students took to the fields to compete in the annual Red & Black Day events. The morning’s events also included a Health & Wellness presentation by several Peer Mentors from the Class of 2023, as well as a service project for Catching Joy.
LEFT: Senior members of MPA—Mark Newell, Brendan Melley, Gavin Walsh, PJ McKeigue, Andrew Hahm, Maxwell Surprenant, Matthew Choi, Gary McCall, Aidan Maguire, and Marty Kane—are celebrated at the banquet.
Arrows Reflect, Compete and Serve on Red & Black Day
MPA Banquet Pays Tribute to Senior Members
speaker, Georgetown University Law Professor Michael J. Cedrone, Esq. ’91, weaved together three themes, each marked by a song he associates with this community: “My themes begin with our stories and goals as Men with Positive Attitudes, continue by drawing inspiration from role models in the fight for civil rights, and combine by considering our beloved Mr. Chambers, who urges us to dream beyond ourselves.”
Following dessert, Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne gave senior recognitions, notes from each senior’s memory box were read aloud by faculty members and departing faculty member Aturo Adkins ‘14 was recognized for his contributions to MPA. The evening closed with Fr. John Arens offering a traditional blessing upon the seniors. It was a special night for the seniors, their families, underclassmen and alumni who came back to campus for the event.
He concluded with announcing the launch of the Meyer J. Chambers Men with Positive Attitudes Fund. The endowment fund, initiated by Cedrone and supported by alumni and parents, reflects the 35 years of service that Chambers has devoted to the School and the positive impact he has had on countless St. Sebastian’s students.
In his remarks, Max shared, “Since my start at St. Sebastian’s in 7th grade, Mr. Nerbonne has guided, supported, challenged, and inspired me to strive for excellence. Most importantly, he has always believed in me… His love of teaching has instilled in me a great love of learning, not just about academic subjects, but about faith and service.” In addition to his role as Assistant Headmaster, Mr. Nerbonne also served as Max’s Debate Advisor, Greek teacher and Confirmation sponsor. This award represents his positive and lasting impact on countless Arrows. Max was one of the less than 1/4th of 1% of applicants chosen to receive the extremely competitive Coca-Cola Scholar Award. These 150 students, who were selected from an initial pool of 68,000+ applications from across the country, not only exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics, they are change agents, positively affecting others in their communities. Among his many accomplishments, Max serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Catching Joy, Inc., a nonprofit which promotes youth volunteerism. For the past 13 years, he has led various initiatives through Catching Joy, including several involving his classmates at St. Sebastian’s. One of his projects involved making and collecting more than 2,000 blankets for those in need. “It is extremely rare for such a young man to have both the sensitivity and care and concern for others combined with Maxwell’s leadership, creativity, and ability to motivate his peers as well as adults around a common, very worthy cause,” noted Mr. Nerbonne. Congratulations to Mr. Nerbonne on receiving this well-deserved recognition as an exceptional educator and to Max for joining the 34th class of Coca-Cola Scholars!
During Corporate Chapel on May 23, Maxwell Surprenant ’22—a 2022 National Coca-Cola Scholar— presented personaltheirsignificantmentortohaveCoca-ColaAsofCoca-ColaNerbonneHeadmasterAssistantMichaelwiththeEducatorDistinctionAward.partoftheprogram,Scholarstheopportunityelectateacherorwhohashadaimpactonintellectualanddevelopment.
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
10 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE AROUND CAMPUS Adam White, English teacher and varsity lacrosse coach, makes his debut as a novelist with The Midcoast. Released by Penguin Random House in June 2022, The Midcoast tells the story of a family of lobstermen who skyrocket from poverty to wealth, a local writer obsessed with their rise, and the small-town secrets that bind them all together. White, who grew up on the Midcoast, in Damariscotta, ME, drew inspiration from this smalltown haven and his high school job at a lobster pound when developing the book’s plot. He began working on The Midcoast eleven years ago when he was in graduate school at Columbia University, primarily utilizing his summers to write. This well-crafted piece of literary fiction, with a criminal element, explores class, privilege and the American Dream.
Max Surprenant ’22 presents Assistant Headmaster Mike Nerbonne with the Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction Award.
Paul Tremblay P’19, math teacher, coach and award-winning, nationally best-selling author, unveiled his newest novel, The Pallbearer’s Club, in July 2022. Seamlessly blurring the lines between fiction and memory, the supernatural and the mundane, The Pallbearers Club is an suspensefulimmersive,portraitof an unforgettable and unsettling friendship with a dash of New England folklore and Gen X faux-memoir. In addition to the release of this eighth book with publisher William Morrow, one of his earlier novels is being adapted for film. Filming wrapped in late spring and the movie is scheduled to be in theaters in early 2023.
Michael Nerbonne Named Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction
Serving Our Neighbors
Making Sandwiches That Make a Difference
In early March, St. Sebastian’s held a drive, organized by Wendy Thurmond P’25, to support Ukrainian refugees. The response from our school community was tremendous, with donations of items pouring in, from wipes and nail clippers to combs and toothbrushes. A group of students worked together to make 270 toiletry kits to ship to Poland and also packed three large boxes with men’s gloves, socks and thermal blankets to ship to Ukraine. Sixteen boxes totaling 800 pounds were sent to a Catholic Church along the border in Poland, where the kits were distributed to the thousands of refugees coming across the border. Keeping the Chop-A-Thon Tradition Alive
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Although fathers and sons were not able to slice and dice in person due to continuing COVID restrictions, St. Sebastian’s Men’s Association President Mike Frisoli P’17,’19,’21,’22,’26 and Director of Service Programs John Eaton kept the decade-long tradition of the Chop-A-Thon alive. On March 3, employees of the Pine Street Inn gave an update over Zoom on how the non-profit has successfully navigated through the pandemic to meet the needs of the homeless community in Boston. The following morning, members of the senior class loaded a St. Sebastian’s bus with the significant contributions made by our families, including fresh fruits and vegetables, other food items and gift cards, and brought the donations to the Pine Street Inn.
Coming Together to Support Ukraine
On a Monday evening once a month, St. Sebastian’s mothers come together with their sons and Fr. Arens in Ward Hall to prepare over 100 lunches for homeless individuals, families, and veterans served by Father Bill’s & MainSpring House. Volunteers make sandwiches, assemble lunch bags, and write personal notes to the men and women who will receive the lunches while spending quality mother-son time together. The next morning, additional volunteers pick up the lunches and deliver them to shelters in Brockton. Father Bill’s & MainSpring’s mission is to end and prevent homelessness in Southern Massachusetts through programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services to achieve self-sufficiency.
Integral to the St. Sebastian’s mission, our Service Program lives the order of the day of loving God, working hard, and taking good care of one another. Below are just a few of the many ways our students have served our neighbors recently.
Dhaniel Ramos ’23 uses his mobile phone to take photos of model cars during photography class.
Members of Ms. Wiggin’s sophomore English class roleplay a Victorian era tea party while studying Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
12 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE AROUND 7thCAMPUSand8th grade students participate in an Easter egg hunt. A GLIMPSE along Greendale Avenue
play in the
Ryan Albertson ’22 sips on a shake as Ellie’s Treats stopped by to give the senior class a treat on their last full day of classes.
St. Sebastian’s musicians perform
during the Semi-Formal.
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Declan Schwarz ’27 performs an experiment with a balloon and weights in Matt Willey’s science class.
Faculty member Michael Calabro ’16 and Robert Walusimbi-Mitchell ’24 Faculty vs. JV Basketball Game.
Congratulations, Class of 2022!
St. Sebastian’s School graduated 67 students at its 78TH EXERCISES on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in a ceremony on the West Campus fields. The morning’s celebrations included awards, speeches and the conferral of diplomas to the outstanding Class of 2022.
COMMENCEMENT
16 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE William J. Adams Ryan P.
AlexanderCormacCharlesMichaelTimothyColinAlbertsonC.BolandR.BrowneMichaelP.CallowJohnM.CarrollMichaelT.CataldoJohnK.ChisholmMatthewS.ChoiC.ConnellyJohnG.CoxThomasC.CroninKevinE.CummingsGriffinK.CusackS.DeMatteoNicholasJ.DerenzoBraedanP.DonovanWilliamM.EliasJohnT.FlynnBennettT.FrisoliK.GallagherRyanW.GallantBrendanR.GormanJaydenJ.GrierNicholasN.GroverAndrewJ.HahmS.HartmanAndrewP.HasseyJohnG.HentschelSamuelF.IxMartinF.KaneRyanN.KazmouzDylanC.KnightlyBrianW.Luppy
Fordham University Boston College Duke WashingtonGeorgetownCollegeCollegeGeorgetownPitzerGapProvidenceHarvardColoradoUniversityCollegecommit2023CollegeYearCollegeUniversityoftheHolyCrossoftheHolyCrossUniversityUniversityin St. Louis Colorado College Harvard VillanovaMiddleburyUniversityTulaneBostonDickinsonSkidmoreNortheasternAmherstVillanovaGapPrincetonBucknellVillanovaTuftsHarvardGapBerkshireVillanovaUniversityUniversitySchoolYearUniversityUniversityUniversityUniversityUniversityYearUniversityCollegeUniversityCollegeCollegeCollegeUniversityofCalifornia(Irvine)CollegeUniversity Aidan J. Maguire Gary J. McCall Cooper B. McCann Aidan C. McCarthy William M. McInerney Patrick J. MaxwellJosephAlexanderLiamBrendanMcKeigueA.MelleyC.MuldowneyMarkJ.NewellAidanE.NoonanMatthewT.NooneKristianG.NordbyChristianG.PichayThomasE.ProiaL.PurpuraJackH.RideoutT.SantosuossoThomasM.ScordinoTimothyR.SouzaJackK.SullivanC.SurprenantJosephG.SylvesterColeJ.SzemanJohnJ.ToomeyJohannesC.VigenerKevinS.WakakuwaGavinG.WalshRichardC.WalshPaulF.WhiteMatthewB.WilliamsRichardA.WilzCormacF.WrightCharlesZ.Yang Duke UnitedVillanovaFordhamMiddleburyNortheasternUniversityUniversityGeorgetownDukeHarvardHowardUniversityUniversityUniversityUniversityUniversityofPennsylvaniaofVirginiaUniversityCollegeUniversityUniversityStatesMilitaryAcademy at West Point College of the Holy Cross St. Lawrence University University of Georgia University of Michigan University of Louisville Boston CornellColbyFairfieldCollegeUniversityUniversityBabsonUniversityClarksonCollegeColbyColbyHarvardBostonAmherstCollegeCollegeCollegeUniversityCollegeCollegeoftheHolyCrossUniversityofNotreDameCollegeofSouthernCaliforniaofCalifornia(LosAngeles)oftheHolyCrossUniversityCollegeUniversity CLASS OF 2022 MATRICULATION
Bennett T. Frisoli Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award
awards presented include:
Charles S. DeMatteo, Kristian G. Nordby Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award Braedan P. Donovan, Andrew J. Hahm Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence
TOP: Seniors and parents enjoy dinner and conversation during the Baccalaureate Mass & Dinner.
ISL Award of Excellence
Michael C. Connelly West Point Acceptance Kristian G. Nordby Mothers Medals Kristine DeMatteo ’11,’13,’16,’18,’22 Karen Johnson (McCarthy) ’15, ’17, ’22 Daniela Muldowney ’12,’16,’22 Erin Byrnes (Santosuosso) ’15,’18,’22
MIDDLE: Sgt. Trevor Stanfill of the United States Marine Corps presents the Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award to Kristian Nordby. BOTTOM LEFT: Headmaster Bill Burke presents an Athletic Commitment Award to Thomas Scordino. This award is presented to members of the senior class who have participated in athletics each season from their sophomore through senior years.
In addition to
On June 1, 2022, the eve of St. Sebastian’s Commencement, the Class of 2022 and their parents, along with members of the administration and faculty, gathered in St. Bartholomew Church for the Baccalaureate Mass, followed by dinner in Ward Hall. receiving the traditional St. Sebastian’s tie and pen, seniors were presented with the recognizing their contributions to the School. of the
BOTTOM RIGHT: Headmaster Bill Burke and Assistant Headmaster Mike Nerbonne honor Karen Johnson (McCarthy) ’15, ’17, ’22 as a mother of three or more Arrows graduates.
talents and
awards
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 17 COMMENCEMENT 2022 MatriculationFIVE-YEAR#’s Colleges to which 5 or more students have matriculated over the past 5 years Boston College ..............................38 College of the Holy Cross .............. 25 Providence College .......................18 University of Notre Dame .. ..........15 Harvard University .......................12 Villanova University ......................11 Northeastern University ...............11 Duke University ...............................8 Wake Forest University ..................8 Colby College ..................................7 Georgetown University ..................6 Middlebury College ........................5 Univ. of Wisconsin (Madison) .......5 MassBaccalaureate&Dinner
Some
The Headmaster’s Award Presented to the graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average Cooper B. McCann
Commencement Awards
The St. Sebastian’s Scholar Award Presented to the graduates who have received a yearly average of B or higher in every course every year
William J. Adams III, Ryan P. Albertson, Colin C. Boland, Michael P. Callow, John M. Carroll III, Michael T. Cataldo, John K. Chisholm III, Matthew S. Choi, Michael C. Connelly, Thomas C. Cronin, Nicholas J. Derenzo, Jayden J. Grier, Andrew J. Hahm, Alexander S. Hartman, Brian W. Luppy, William M. McInerney, Brendan A. Melley, Aidan E. Noonan, Matthew T. Noone, Kristian G. Nordby, Alexander L. Purpura, Thomas M. Scordino, Timothy R. Souza, Maxwell C. Surprenant, Cole J. Szeman, John J. Toomey, Paul F. White, Cormac F. Wright, Charles Z. Yang
Thomas M. Scordino
18 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE COMMENCEMENT 2022
Kevin Wakakuwa receives an award from Headmaster Bill Burke.
The Robert S. Gilligan Award Presented to a senior who best exemplifies the qualities of courage, determination, and perseverance
Presented to individuals selected by the faculty English Literature Kevin E. Cummings, Charles Z. Yang Latin Charles S. DeMatteo History Michael T. Cataldo, Cooper B. McCann, Aidan C. McCarthy Religion Charles S. DeMatteo, Cooper B. McCann English Writing John G. Hentschel, Cooper B. McCann, Aidan C. McCarthy Spanish Aidan C. McCarthy Drama Ryan P. Albertson, John T. Flynn, John G. Hentschel, Matthew T. Noone, Joseph T. Santosuosso, Paul F. White Photography Ryan N. Kazmouz Ceramics Andrew J. Hahm, Timothy R. Souza Mathematics Cooper B. McCann, Aidan C. McCarthy, Cole J. Szeman, Charles Z. Yang Physics Cooper B. McCann, Kevin S. Wakakuwa Chemistry Alexander S. Hartman Biology Charles Z. Yang Greek John T. Flynn, Thomas M. Scordino Computer Science Cooper B. McCann Special Medals Awarded to individuals who, during their high school years, have achieved the highest grade point average in required and advanced courses in the respective disciplines Humberto Cardinal Medeiros Memorial Medal for Modern Languages Aidan C. McCarthy Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Beatty Memorial Medal for English John T. Flynn Rev. Msgr. John F.X. Harney Memorial Medal for Religion Cooper B. McCann Rev. Msgr. Charles D. McInnis Memorial Medal for History Aidan C. McCarthy Paul A. Ablondi ’57 Memorial Medal for Mathematics Charles S. DeMatteo John A. and Kathleen T. Nerbonne Memorial Medal for Classics William M. McInerney St. Sebastian Medal for Science Charles S. DeMatteo, Richard C. Walsh St. Sebastian Medal for Fine Arts Charles S. DeMatteo, Timothy R. Souza
Presented to the graduates who have received a yearly average of A- or higher in every course every year
Pursuit of Excellence in the Discipline Awards
The Sr. Evelyn C. Barrett, O.P. Scholarship Award Presented to that senior who, in the opinion of the Faculty, most exemplifies in body, mind, and soul the spirit of St. Sebastian’s School
The St. Sebastian’s Scholar with Distinction Award
Kevin E. Cummings, Charles S. DeMatteo, John T. Flynn, Ryan N. Kazmouz, Cooper B. McCann, Aidan C. McCarthy, Kevin S. Wakakuwa, Richard C. Walsh
Cooper B. McCann
Brendan A. Melley, Maxwell C. Surprenant The Joseph P. MacDonald Award Presented each year by the Student Council, in conjunction with the School community, to a member of the St. Sebastian’s family for outstanding service to the School
BOTTOM: John Eaton, Director of Service Programs and religion teacher, receives The Joseph P. MacDonald Award, which is presented each year by the Student Council in conjunction with the entire School community to a member of the St. Sebastian’s family for outstanding service to the School.
The Cardinal Cushing Memorial Medal for Student Service Presented to a senior for exemplary service to the School
TOP: Class of 2022 graduates (L-R) Liam Muldowney, Charlie DeMatteo, Nicholas Grover, Jack Flynn, and Charles Yang pose for a photo after Commencement.
John C. Eaton The Reverend Charles K. Riepe Medallion Presented by the Assistant Headmaster, in consultation with the administration and faculty, to the members of the graduating class who have shown true leadership in exemplifying the virtues of faith and honor for which the School stands Ryan P. Albertson The Founder’s Medal Presented to the member of the Senior Class whose character, leadership, and fortitude most closely reflect the ideals that inspired William Cardinal O’Connell to found this School in the name of St. Sebastian Gary J. McCall, Patrick J. McKeigue The Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Medal Presented each year to a senior for exemplary initiative, creativity, and perseverance in advancing the mission of the School John T. Flynn, Timothy R. Souza The Alumni Award Presented to a senior, selected by the faculty, who possesses strength of mind, body, and character; who displays outstanding attitude, effort, and achievement; has innate commitment to excellence in all endeavors; and who has made many and varied contributions to St. Sebastian’s School Aidan C. MatthewMcCarthy,T.Noone
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 19 COMMENCEMENT 2022
Gentlemen, your parents, your primary educators, who have engaged in sacred partnership with us over these St. Sebastian’s years, have held you and clothed you and changed you and fed you and soothed you. They have nurtured you and supported you; instructed you and corrected you. They have prayed for you and paid for you, making untold sacrifices to provide you with countless gifts, including your prized St. Sebastian’s education. They have loved, loved, loved you without condition and beyond all telling. And your grandparents, and your siblings, and your aunts and uncles and cousins have loved you, too, and will forever. This is your big day, but it’s your family’s big day, too. In a moment, I’m going to ask you to rise, turn to face your families and express your tremendous gratitude. I received a text about you gentlemen on Tuesday from an Arrow from the Class of 2008. He writes: “Another year of winners and leaders coming out of the best school in the world.” A number of you have expressed this same sentiment in your Corporate Chapel speeches this year. I quote three of you: St. Sebastian’s is the best place on earth. St. Sebastian’s is the best decision of my life. There is no better School. Such high praise makes us want to work ever harder. Believe me. Our God-centered, student-centered School is, as you know, a gift from God sustained and strengthened by many outstanding people who cooperate with God’s grace to call you to ever rising peaks of excellence in body, mind, and spirit. High among these people are our faculty and staff, your outstanding teachers and coaches and moderators and mentors who under the expert direction of Mr. Nerbonne, challenge you and support you so lovingly well. I am in awe of these fabulously gifted and totally devoted women and men who so freely and fully give and give and keep on giving the very best parts of themselves to you. One of you has shared: “All my teachers here love their students: this is not normal.” At the height of his powers, President Abraham Lincoln said of himself: “I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me, and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
III
HEADMASTER’S ADDRESS Live Harmonious Lives BY WILLIAM
20 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE COMMENCEMENT 2022
Please rise, face your friends on our faculty and staff whom you never want to disappoint and express your gratitude. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony. (Psalm 133) What a year of harmony! Right from the start! We conclude our September Board meeting in the wrestling room, walk through the huge tent where parents, past parents, and alumni are gathering for the Leadership Reception, join the frenzied crowd as our varsity soccer team comes from behind to beat Nobles in overtime. As the sun goes down, seemingly every student in the School rushes the field. And we are one!! Harmony! More glory on the fields and courts and courses and ice ensues, league championships, play-off games, and a walk-off homerun, and together we cheer. We are one. Our musicians absolutely crush Christmas Eve in Sarajevo, you seniors write and direct and strut and fret your way through your awesome play, “This is a Robbery,” you gentlemen crush debates and throw your hearts and souls into service at the Miracle League, teach photography at Cotting School, create portraits for orphans, and the band plays on in soul stirring harmony. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for harmonizing so lovinglyAlthoughwell!afew of my friends know the story I’m about to tell, it’s not a story that I’ve ever shared from the stump. Perhaps you, like I, have been powerfully inspired by a hero from afar, a person you’d love to meet, a person from whom you believe you could learn so much. One such person for me was Father Ted Hesburgh, who led Notre Dame extraordinarily well throughout his 35-year term as the university’s President, from 1952 through 1987. A largerthan-life figure, Father Hesburgh was often in the news. One famous photo depicts him standing shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a 1964 civil rights rally in Chicago’s Soldiers Field. L. BURKE
What did it cost Father Hesburgh to utter these kind and caring words? There is no story without them. And in this instant, after all these years, it occurs to me that Father Hesburgh has spoken at a St. Sebastian’s commencement. The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. Father Hesburgh here gives us permission and encouragement to keep doing what we do best: articulate and advance and repeat and repeat and repeat our mission and all we hold dear. Our mission: A Catholic independent School, St. Sebastian’s seeks to engage young men in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason. By embracing Gospel values in an inclusive, nurturing community and by inspiring intellectual excellence in a structured liberal arts curriculum, St. Sebastian’s strives to empower students for success in college and in life.
And so wonderfully quotable was he! One memorable Hesburgh line that had resonated with me for years is: “Piety is no substitute for scholarship.” Clearly, Notre Dame, St. Sebastian’s School, BC, and all other religious educational institutions of excellence must be laser-focused on and eternally devoted to academic rigor as well as spiritual depth. In the spring of 1991, my first year as Headmaster of our great School, I managed to get ahold of my hero’s telephone number. Although no longer Notre Dame’s president, Father Hesburgh remained on the Notre Dame campus, fully engaged in and invaluable to the university’s friend-raising and fundraising initiatives.
• You’ll be able to keep the beat if you are constantly returning to it.
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 21 COMMENCEMENT 2022
The ideal St. Sebastian’s graduate will be a moral and just person, a gentleman of courage, honor, and wisdom, a life-long learner who continues to grow in his capacity to know, to love, and to serve God and neighbor. Our order of the day: Love God, work hard, and take good care of one another. Of course, we can get knocked off the path and lose our way. What then? Here’s what Marcus Aurelius, the great stoic philosopher has to say: “When forced, as it seems, by circumstances into utter confusion, get ahold of yourself quickly. Don’t be locked out of the rhythm any longer than necessary. You’ll be able to keep the beat if you are constantly returning to it.” In this year of harmony and always may we hold these truths: • You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.
A past parent of three St. Sebastian’s graduates has shared with me the order of his priorities in Five F’s: Faith, family, friends, fitness, finance. Concern yourself with and commit yourself to the advancement of those five F’s and all shall be well. This all came back to me in April, when Professor Arthur Brooks honored us by delivering the Birmingham Lecture. Brooks, a renowned social scientist, a prolific author, a world-class orator, and a gifted educator, teaches a course on happiness at Harvard Business School. When asked how one can teach a course on a feeling, he retorts that happiness is not a feeling; it’s a science, and here is the formula: A strong faith life, a strong family life, strong relationships with friends, and purposeful engagement in the world, whether as a volunteer or a paid Brooksemployee.wentonto share that there are two kinds of friends: Real friends and Deal friends, and he explained that Real friends love people, use things, and worship God. Deal friends use people, love things, and worship themselves.
I summoned the courage to make the call. Father Hesburgh answered his phone. I introduced myself and told him how much it would mean to me and to St. Sebastian’s if he would honor us by serving as our 1991 Commencement speaker. He responded by informing me that he had just turned down our nation’s President—George Bush, the Elder—who had asked him to speak at one of his schools, and that he would have to turn me down, too, because he was no longer delivering commencement addresses. Of course, I completely understood. But our conversation didn’t end there. Father Hesburgh asked if I would do him a favor. Of course, I answered. And here’s what he asked: “Would you promise me that if any of your students at Notre Dame aren’t being served well, you’ll give me a call?”
The graduates turn around to face their parents to express their gratitude.
I think of these five L’s: Listen, learn, labor, laugh, love. And I promise you, you are experiencing all five today and you will every day at St. Sebastian’s. Listen, learn, labor, laugh, and love. By listening to and learning from our sisters and brothers of every race, we have grown in empathy and come to believe ever more firmly in the truth of our faith: that each of us is a genetically unrepeatable gift from God made in the image and likeness of God. There is no race better or worse than another. We are all called by God to be the best we can be and to take good care of one another. We are one. The only person we need to be better than is the person each of us wasEveryyesterday.good business plan begins with the end in mind. What are your hoped-for outcomes? We share ours every year at Admissions Open House when we guarantee that our students will be known and loved and called to greatness by great people, that they will be engaged in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason in a community of spiritual depth and academic rigor, that they will be well prepared for admission to and success in the most excellent, most appropriate colleges for them, that we expect them to continue to pursue truth through faith and reason in college and beyond, that we expect them to seek and find meaningful work that will help tilt the universe more toward the good, the true, and the beautiful, that they take their vocations very seriously, and for most it will be as husbands and fathers, and that we want them to go to heaven, and everything we do at this School is done with that sense of ultimate purpose ever beforeAnd,us.of course, I have a five-letter riff for this one, too. And it’s the last one. I promise. In Five H’s, I offer what we want for all of our students and for all of our families and for all of our faculty and staff who serve so lovingly well and for our trustees and alumni and for every person on the planet: Happy, healthy, holy, harmonious lives of love and service in this world and—here comes the fifth H—eternal joy in heaven. Gentlemen of faith and reason, respect and honor, strength and depth—thank you for what you have shared in your Corporate Chapel addresses and in other speeches this year. Here are excerpts: Pray more. Worry less. Live in the now…our God has a plan for us…Every day is a gift from God…be kind…cherish relationships…do not take time for granted…the present is a present from God…My faith in Christ has brought me joy…Focus on lifting the burden of another. Get involved… stay late…don’t change who you are or how you sound; be yourself…be patient…it will come…be grateful…be kind… be humble…the success of the scholar is the byproduct of his passion…service is fulfilling: we gain from work we perform…my teachers believe in me…life is a team game… everyone is smiling: I love you guys… when I was in 7th grade, upperclassmen made me feel as though I belonged… every day is a gift from God…I went from a kid who went to school to becoming a student…all Arrows have a certain benevolent nature…my desire to join the army comes from the outreach and selflessness I see here. I will continue to love God, work hard, and take good care of others…the greatest place on earth with the best faculty and students… my mom has more friends here than I do…thank you, Mom and Dad, for your unconditional love and forgiveness… thank you, Mom and Dad, for your foresight in sending me to Sebs…our God has a plan for us…my brother needed me: no is not an option…I promise I will continue to grow and do great things in college and beyond…I have been blessed…I felt comfortable stretching myself here…my faith in God—that he has a plan for me—has allowed me to be fully engaged in the present. I have learned to adapt. I now take it day by day and seek to work hard, live virtuously, and enjoy the present…thanks to the love and support of my parents and brothers, I have a happier, more meaningful life…I love you all so much.
Headmaster Bill Burke leads the way ahead of the graduating seniors on the Headmaster’s Walk during Commencement.
22 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE COMMENCEMENT 2022
“WeShalom!are all called by God to be the best we can be and to take good care of one another. We are one. The only person we need to be better than is the person each of us was yesterday.”
A few weeks ago, when Mr. Ken Kelly, the 49 year-old, loving father of 8th grader George, died suddenly, our 8th graders and their families attended the wake and funeral, and a number of you gentlemen did, too. Many people new to St. Sebastian’s marveled that Seniors were in attendance. But that’s just how you roll: Grief shared is divided and joy shared is multiplied. Yes, St. Sebastian’s is a very good place. We’re not perfect, and we never will be, but I love every one of you, and I love the way we’re trending.
When you arrive on campus in the fall, you will receive a letter from me, and I’d like to share some of it now.
I ask you, who are these people calling us to greatness? I submit that you 67 young men are counted in that number. That you give what you have been given by your primary and secondary educators is a powerfully beautiful, self-evident truth.
4. Go to Church. Now, I’m still going to send the letter. As I’ve told you before, I cannot promise you lives free from injury or illness, but I can promise you good lives—if you hold sacred your relationships with God and with everyone else. For if you keep your heart and your mind and your soul open to the grace of God and strive to do the Lord’s will, and if you regard every woman and every man you meet to be someone like you, who has been made for eternity, you’re going to treat each person a certain way—with honor and dignity and respect and love and truth and justice and mercy, and you’re going to live good lives. It cannot be otherwise. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. You’ll be able to keep the beat if you are constantly returning to it.
2. Set reasonably high goals. Go to class. Take good notes. Make an appointment to meet with each professor early in each semester. Make the first move by asking questions about your professor’s family, education, etc.
I believe that Ukraine is a very good place, too, and I know that so many of us, perhaps all of us, stand in loving solidarity with that sovereign nation’s citizens, people who merely want to return to the freedom and peace that they had enjoyed. But evil lurks, as C.S. Lewis reminds us in these stirring words: The makers of misery can destroy in others the happiness they reject in themselves. Elsewhere, C.S. Lewis writes: History is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. Remember the first variable that Professor Brooks shared in his formula for happiness? Faith. As you head off to college, commit to deepening and expanding your faith lives. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. (Psalm 127) Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russian Nobel prize winning author and heroic Soviet dissident, who blew no uncertain trumpet, passed away in 2008, but he speaks to today’s problems in the Ukraine and elsewhere in these excerpts from his 1983 Templeton Prize acceptance speech in London: Men have forgotten God…The entire 20th Century is being sucked into the vortex of atheism and self-destruction… Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin, and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force, more fundamental than all their political and economic pretensions. Militant atheism is not merely incidental or marginal to Communist policy; it is not a side effect, but the central pivot… This sounds pretty dire, doesn’t it? But we know who wins in the end. Solzhenitsyn finishes with these words: No matter how formidably communism bristles with tanks and rockets, no matter what success it attains in seizing the planet, it is doomed never to vanquish Christianity. Gentlemen, continue to pursue truth through faith and reason in college, even if your professors and fellow students are not doing so. You need not be strident, but please be faithful. There will be challenges. But you will never be alone, as you always and forever have access to the two most powerful forces in the universe: God, and people of good will through whom our Lord works.
I can’t resist sharing a few suggestions which I believe will help you enjoy success in college: 1. Do all of your own work. Even though many around you may engage in plagiarism, resist the temptation. Hold sacred your integrity.
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 23 COMMENCEMENT 2022
3. Sunday—Thursday from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. be in the library, free from the inevitable distractions in the dormitory.
The time has come, gentlemen. Our heads know that it’s time to go, but how our hearts ache that it is so. I speak for our trustees and our faculty and staff when I tell you that I respect you, and I admire you, and I lovePleaseyou. return to us often—in joy or in sorrow—and we’ll be right here waiting for you with hearts and arms wide open. May God bless you every sacred step of the way. Saecula Saeculorum.Gonowin peace.
The second opportunity was early September 2021 when Mr. Burke gave his opening remarks on Harmony at the School’s Opening Assembly. You all walked in very casually and took your appropriate places with your advisors and never looked more handsome. With that gleam in your eye, you were ready to start your final year at St. Seb’s with energy and excitement. Your class was in complete harmony. However, what left the strongest impression on me was how the underclassmen, particularly the newest Arrows, were laser focused on figuring out who you were and acknowledging that you were the big men on campus—and they were now sharing a pew with you and your advisors. You all have made a huge impression on everyone here in Needham. Not only the undergrads... who by the way, know your football number, what position you play in hockey,
2. We make sure that St. Sebastian’s stays true to its mission.
3. We have a long-range strategic plan.
67 Seniors 25 of you have older brothers that have gone before you 19 have younger brothers you are leaving behind 6 of you are the middle child 1 of you is the last of 5 brothers 3 of you are the last of 3 brothers 6 of you are the sons of alumni dads who have graduated from St. Sebastian’s You are off to 19 states this fall Your class has a weighted GPA of 93.56 ... and these are just the headlines. As President of the Board of Trustees, I am honored to join you this morning to congratulate you on this wonderful accomplishment. My fellow trustees, including myself, don’t know you all individually, but as a class you certainly made yourselves known to all of us. A Board meeting never ends until we are brought up to speed with all of your accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic fields, or at your community service projects. Your class has set the tone for the school, and to no one’s surprise, you have been that razor sharp arrow that has always been pointing in the right direction.
1. We hire and recruit the Head of School.
4. We ensure that St. Sebastian’s has a sound financial plan. All our responsibilities are for you and all of the Arrows who have come before you and the Arrows who will follow in your footsteps. You deserve and hopefully have benefited from our core responsibilities and our commitment to St. Sebastian’s.Imustsay, for as long as I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees, the Class of 2022 has to be one of the best, if not The Best, class in our school’s 80+ years of existence. I look at what you have accomplished and what your teachers, coaches and other school leaders have shared with us over the past ten months. I knew you were special when I heard about your two-day trip to the Kennebec River for Senior Leadership. I know those days reinforced your special relationship and acted as a bond of adherence that would cement your class forever. I also remember how one of your classmates had a bad cut on his foot and had to be returned to Boston via Mr. Dan Burke at the wheel. The unintended consequence is that this formed a very special relationship between these two individuals that I’m sure will last a lifetime.
Trustees have four simple tasks:
PRESIDENT’S
Good morning to the great Class of 2022. Five years from now, I will have the good fortune of celebrating my 50th reunion at St. Sebastian’s and five years from now you all will be celebrating the first of many reunions with your fifth. If we stop and take a look at today’s headlines, here is what we’ll see. We will see stories about the Ukrainian crisis, the economy and inflation, escalating gas prices, mass shootings, the baby formula shortage, cases of COVID, and the Celtics hopefully winning another world championship. So when we look back at these headlines five years from now, let’s see how far we come, but today, gentlemen, it’s all about you.
24 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE COMMENCEMENT 2022
BY
’77, P’08
BOARD ADDRESS The Brotherhood Never Graduates JAMES L. ELCOCK
President of the Board of Trustees—having to think back upon my own graduation years ago to offer a few remarks. Your teachers and coaches want to hear from you and don’t want to think that the last four to six years have not made an impression—they are your biggest fans and most loyalStaysupporters.intouch with your classmates. You may be surprised who becomes ....
The Doctor The Venture Capitalist The Educator The Priest A future brother-in-law I can guarantee you that you have made lifelong friends at St. Sebastian’s and the brotherhood never graduates. It will get Mystronger.tradition is to end each speech with a lyric from a country music artist. As many of you know, my son Jimmy, who graduated in 2008, has been a touring drummer for ten years. He joined you all for breakfast last week at the Headmaster’s house and suggested a few lines from Mitchell Tenpenny’s newest single, Bucket List. I’m gonna love a little more, dream a little deeper Leave all the leavers, keep all the keepers Find peace of mind in the time the good Lord gives Say, “I love you” ‘fore the moment’s gone And never have to ask myself, “What if” When I get to the bottom of my bucket list
Gentlemen: Congratulations to the extraordinary Class of 2022. God Bless.
LEFT: The Arrows legacy continues as proud alumni join their sons prior to Commencement (from left): Front Row: Jim Elcock ’77, Mike Maguire ’91, Griffin Cusack ’22, Joe Cusack ’88, Matt Noone ’22, Matt Noone ’86, and Headmaster Bill Burke. Back Row: Jayden Grier ’22, Aidan Maguire ’22, Marty Kane ’84, Marty Kane ’22, Todd Proia ’91, and Thomas Proia ’22. RIGHT: Jayden Grier ’22 stands with his father, Michael Grier ’93, after Commencement.
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 25 COMMENCEMENT 2022 what your plans are for next year, what kind of car you drive and probably what awards you might have received over the last few days. It was their job to know you and to have that special relationship—even if it was only to be acknowledged in the hallway with a nod, a fist pump, or a high five. Don’t kid yourselves, these young men looked up to your class because you’ve accomplished so much, and you’ve made our school better than ever. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention your teachers. They frankly are our most important and valuable assets at St. Sebastian’s. They teach for the love of teaching and have the yearning to share with you their depth of knowledge and subject matter excellence. They prepare you, not only for that next grade, but for this graduation. Teachers teach because that’s their vocation—it’s not a job, it’s a lifelong ministry to serve you and to help prepare you for this launch and life.
Today, you’ll walk through that time-honored tradition of saying goodbye to all the faculty, not only those who taught you so well this past year, but all the teachers you have had since 7th or 8th grade. And remember the teacher who never had you in the classroom but ended up coaching you where you learned more on the sidelines than you ever could have imagined. I think you will agree with me... your teachers are awesome! Though your days as a student are coming to a close with this graduation, you are becoming our newest alumni, joining your group of 2,600 Arrows who have all gone before you. Remember, this is your school. You will always have St. Sebastian’s in your back pocket and that is not something you will ever lose, unlike a wallet or an iPhone. The same way that St. Sebastian’s will always have you in their heart. The school will never miss a beat. So gentlemen, a few final thoughts. I say this because I never dreamed that I would be standing before you as
Each graduate comes here with a different narrative, a different story all his own. And for anyone who’s invited, as I have been today, to come in and say something that fits everyone? Come on, it’s not possible. What I can do, however, is to pick up a little bit of what Jack was speaking about in his address. He remarked that when he’s feeling down, he tries to stay close to a positive person. In psychology, we call those kinds of things accelerants. Everyone needs an accelerant from time to time. I don’t care who you are. We don’t always have a good day in life. Sometimes the economy takes a dip. Sometimes you hit a bump in the road. Sometimes the curve ball comes your way and strikes you out. And so, it helps to have a plan when life doesn’t smile on you. It’s important to ask: Who can I lean on? Particularly when life gets burdensome and seemingly too heavy for my shoulders. We all need accelerants. I do, you do, Jack does, and popes and presidents do. Positive accelerants can improve life. I’ll give you an example. I like golf. I’m not very good at it, but I learned this: if you take a golf hole and paint a series of big circles around it, and then ask an accomplished golfer to take 10 putts from about 12 feet, he’s probably going to miss more than s/he ordinarily would. Why? Because the big circles painted around the golf hole make the hole appear smaller than it is, and it negatively affects the golfer’s confidence. But if you paint smaller circles around the golf hole, making the golf hole appear larger than it is, guess what? That same golfer will more than likely make more putts than s/he usually does. Why? Because the hole appears bigger and it looks like it is far more doable. Like Jack was saying, sometimes you need a positive accelerant in life that picks you up. Sometimes in life you need to hang around someone or some other source of inspiration that helps you be who you want to be. BY FR. TONY PENNA Associate Vice-President and Director of Campus Ministry, Boston College
I’ve learned something from my many years of preaching: Short is Better. This is especially true when everyone is sitting in the sun, like today. I must admit that I had a hard time deciding on what to say to this graduating class. It’s hard because I’m an outsider. I’ve never met any of you graduates. I don’t know your story really, until I heard some of it today. It’s certainly flattering to be invited to be the commencement speaker, but when you come in from the outside, it’s more challenging to say something relevant. Besides being brief, a speaker would be smart to realize that commencement talks don’t come in one-size-fits-all size and that you graduates—even though you may look like each other in your blue jackets with flower, your white pants and red ties—are not the same. You’re not that similar in so many ways. Every one of you is different, a unique experiment unlike any other.
And the last reason I wanted to come here today is to hear Jack Flynn’s Salutatorian address. It was excellent, Jack. I don’t think you have to worry about measuring up to any speaker who came before you. You clearly can hold your own. Congratulations.Iwanttobebrief.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Shine Brightly
First of all, I’m very happy to be here. I feel a little underdressed looking at our graduates today. You’re looking sharp in the traditional St. Sebastian’s graduation garb. I’ve driven by the school a number of times, but I’ve never been here before today. I’ve been wanting to be here for a number of reasons for a long time.
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The first reason—as the Headmaster alluded to earlier—is that you have respected, loved and been very kind to Meyer Chambers (Director of Music). Meyer is a longtime colleague of mine at Boston College. When you’re good to a friend of mine, I’m going to be a friend of yours forever. So, I want to thank you for your kindness to Meyer. And I also want to say thank you from the bottom of Boston College’s heart. Boston College has been the beneficiary of hundreds of graduates from St. Sebastian’s over the years. These graduates have come to Boston College well educated and well prepared for the kind of school that BC is. They’ve clearly made BC a better place. So, the invitation to speak today gives me the opportunity to thank the headmaster for the many students St. Sebastian’s has shared with BC.
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INTRODUCTION OF Father Tony Penna by Headmaster William Burke III
To which one student, yelled out: “What is the meaning of life?” After the laughter subsided, Papaderos said, “I’d like to answer this question.” Taking his wallet from his pocket, he fished out a small, round mirror the size of a quarter. Then he said, “I was a small child during the Second World War. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror from a motorcycle wrecked by a grenade. I kept the largest piece of mirror and began to smooth out the jagged edges with a stone. I became fascinated by the fact that I could use it to reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine, into deep holes, crevices and dark closets. I kept the little mirror as a toy; but as I grew older and more mature, I grew to understand that this was not just a toy that I could play with. It was a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to realize that I’m a fragment of a mirror whose whole design I do not know; but with what I have, I can reflect light— be it truth, understanding, goodness, peace, courage, forgiveness, wisdom—into the dark places that exist, where there’s hatred, where there’s doubt, and where there’s fear.” Perhaps the graduates here today, like Robert Fulghum, can think of their talent as a kind of fragment of a great mirror that can be positioned in such a way to reflect powerfully and shine forth brightly where light is badly needed in our world.
To know Father Penna is to love him, and so many of you gathered today love him. Among the many great things Father Penna does at BC is advise, support, and travel with the men’s hockey team, which for the past several years has been coached by the winningest coach in college hockey, Jerry York. I have often remarked that the two most Catholic subgroups at BC are the Theology Department and Jerry York’s hockey team, and Father Penna is at the heart of it all.
And when I look at all of you today, I see a new generation of talent. Meyer Chambers has told me many times how richly gifted the students at St. Sebastian’s are, and the award ceremony that just took place confirmed it. I mean, my God, where’s Cooper McCann (Class Valedictorian) sitting? Can I ask what the heck you eat to be so gifted? The rest of us should try it. But the question is: What are you going to do with all this talent? It’s the big question that all of us hopefully will ponder and answer at some time in our lives. Let me offer a story that perhaps may serve as a kind of verbal accelerant for you on this day and in the years to come. A writer named Robert Fulghum wrote a book a few years back entitled, All I Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten
Before taking on his assignment at Boston College, Father Penna worked at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, so he is no stranger to Catholic secondary school excellence. At St. John’s and at BC, Father Penna served alongside BC’s top admissions professional, my good friend, John Mahoney, who, like everyone else who knows Father Penna, never tires of extolling his many virtues.
Father Penna celebrates Mass at St. Matthew’s in Southboro, where our recently retired 42 year veteran Business Manager Jack Doherty ’62 and his wise wife, Kathy, and our Director of Advancement, Rich Arms, and his wife, Muriel, worship. They, too, shout the good news of Father Penna’s giftedness. And finally, my beloved colleague, Meyer Chambers, who gets all the credit for recruiting and landing Father Penna for today’s Commencement address, has served in Campus Ministry at BC with Father Penna for many very happyPleaseyears.help me welcome Father Tony Penna.
If the title is true, this is not good news for schools like St. Sebastian’s or institutions like Boston College, Notre Dame or Harvard. Fulghum tells about a time he travelled as a young man to Greece to attend a seminar with Alexander Papaderos, a philosopher and renowned peace advocate. As Papaderos was ready to conclude the two-week seminar, he asked the ritual closing question, “Are there any more questions?”
Members of the Class of 2022 share a moment of laughter during the Commencement ceremony.
2022 You might have noticed that I put on sunglasses a few minutes ago because I was blinded by a burst of light coming from where our graduates are sitting. Yes, there is a fragment of mirror in all of us and certainly in all the graduates gathered here today. It’s called talent. And your talent is a small but mighty fragment of Fulghum’s mirror. And St. Sebastian’s is the stone by which you have shaped the talents that God has given you and molded your identity in all your uniqueness and differentness. Now, let your talents shine brightly. Let them enrich and bless our world. Be the doctor who heals. Be the singer who inspires. Be the scientist who changes how we care for our environment. Be the athlete who brings joy and pride to a school or city, like the Celtics will do this week for the city of Boston. Be the writer who writes the next great novel or next great poem. St. Sebastian’s Class of 2022 has great talent. Let me remind our graduates of a great principle in Catholic theology. All talent is a gift from God, and these gifts are given for two great reasons. First, gifts are given for your own satisfaction and happiness, for your own good, so enjoy them. And second, gifts are given to be shared with the world, so the world becomes a better place for all, for neighbor and stranger alike. I’d like to end this speech by quoting a great Jesuit educator, Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., who, if he were here today, would say to you that St. Sebastian’s is not so much a place you go to, as it is a place from which you go forth from, to shine brightly with the gifts that God has so richly given to you. So, to the Class of 2022, I say to you: Congratulations! We are proud of you! Shine Brightly! The world needs you at yourThankbest!!!you.
LEFT: Graduate Colin Boland shakes hands with faculty member Chris Lynch and other faculty and staff members after Commencement.
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“St. Sebastian’s is the stone by which you have shaped the talents that God has given you and molded your identity in all your uniqueness and differentness. Now, let your talents shine brightly. Let them enrich and bless our world. ”
ABOVE: Aidan Maguire chest bumps with his father Mike Maguire ’91 in celebration after receiving his diploma from him during the ceremony.
TOP: An aerial view of Commencement as the graduates and faculty process across the West Campus fields. BOTTOM LEFT: Alex Purpura gives a fist bump to a classmate after accepting his diploma. BOTTOM RIGHT: A group of graduates gather for a photo on the West Campus fields.
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Mr. Burke, Mr. Nerbonne, Mr. Elcock, Father Penna, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the faculty, parents, family, guests, and fellow members of the Class of 2022. De La Salle High School in Toronto, Ontario, had always sort of caught my interest. Whenever I was up in Canada for the summer, it might have come up once or twice in casual conversation. But when I learned that my father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather had all attended the school, it became my obsession. The school crest in my grandfather’s office, the team pictures with the old-fashioned equipment, the dark green blazers. There was no way I could break the tradition after four generations of my family had gone to the same school. I proposed several alternative living arrangements, made multiple unprompted phone calls to my grandparents in Toronto, would relentlessly bring up the topic at dinner, and research the application process online in my spare time. To not go would be a waste, an offense to my literal ancestors. But instead, I found myself at St. Sebastian’s School, an all-boys day school about three minutes from my house. To think, a place this extraordinary was sitting in my Whybackyard.isSebs a special place? I mean, what is the advantage of spending your teenage years here as opposed to any other high school? From my point of view, architecturally, technologically, and geographically, we are definitely a stateof-the-art establishment. But as I’m sure you all know, it’s not the tan bricks that make Sebs what it is. Simply, I think it is not where you learn, but what you learn and who you learn it from that makes all the difference. I am not going to stand here and pretend you all don’t know what Sebs is like. You know just as well as I do what makes Sebs special. But what I do want to assure you of is that it is, actually, special. Believe me, I’ve been to an Admissions event or two. I know the pitch. A private school is, after all, a business. We talk about the teachers, the community, the brotherhood, the faith, and the academics. The sports, the arts, and the clubs. Sebs sounds like the whole package, but so does every other school you go to for a visit day. The natural conclusion a person would come to is that some of it can’t be true. Maybe the teachers aren’t as available as they say they are or maybe the kids aren’t as welcoming or maybe no one cares about the sports. The crazy thing I’ve realized, over my six years here, is that nothing we tell prospective families is a romanticization of our school, nor an exaggeration. I could stand here and defend each and every talking point you would hear at a Sebs event. The one thing we don’t talk about at these events is other schools. Speak highly of ourselves, and nothing of others. Well, I am going to step over that line and say it: you will not find these things at other schools. I know the name and could describe every student in my grade to another person. I’m sure someone at another school could do the same. But how about for the teachers? The staff? Does that still hold true? There is a sense of identity and closeness here I can’t seem to find anywhere else, and believe me, I’ve asked. Also, out of curiosity, I went around asking a few of you over the past few weeks if there was anyone in our grade you didn’t like. Everyone had the same reaction: silence for a few moments, perhaps a short hum of concentration, and then a no. Out of 66 other kids, there is not a single one they could not connect with. How can that be? What I think it is, and not to be ambiguous, is a sense of identity and unity. We are a small school. So every year, we have the same teachers, do homework in the same library, stand shoulder to shoulder in the same Henry’s Corner watching or even playing in the same games. None of these things on their own are unique. But when you come to Sebs every day, praying in the same chapel, studying for the same tests, and running sprints next to the same guys, Sebs becomes not just a school, but a way of life. The routine of a Sebs student is ingrained in your mind. Staying after school to do homework goes from being a grind to an absolute blast.
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VALEDICTORY COOPER B. MCCANN
ADDRESS A Special Place BY
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Going to a hockey game changes from an expectation to a privilege. The fact that a senior can look me in the eyes and say to me with a straight face that they would want to go back and stay at Sebs till 10 PM working on a failing mousetrap car says something about the people he’s doing it with. It’s impossible to dislike someone who has the same responsibilities, values, and passions you do. And when you go to a school with people you like and respect, a lively community, and a sense of belonging, a lot of school-related things start to feel not like school at all.
“St. Sebastian’s is a special place, a place that can both feel like home and teach us everything we need to move on to the next stage in our lives. We are all forever Arrows.”
I will leave you with one last remark: Have faith in the man you’ve become, trust that the lessons you’ve learned here will guide you well, and never forget what it means to be an Arrow. Sam Ix processes onto the field during Commencement.
I feel like some of the chapel speeches I have heard on the Sebs community and brotherhood get it wrong. They all describe the same Sebs culture we know and love, the same one I’ve been talking about, but the ending feels off to me. A few times, I remember the senior that was speaking would leave us with the sentiment that we should all cherish and enjoy Sebs while we can, because it is a unique place, and beyond Sebs, schools can’t hope to compare. I don’t think leaving is something we should fear and feel uncertain about. St. Sebastian’s is, after all, a preparatory school. Everything that makes it special does not become irrelevant once you leave these hallways. What I mean is, everything we value about Sebs will have a real meaning in our time going forward into college. Sebs has a consistent daily schedule and rhythm that will no doubt help us organize and give purpose to our ample free time next year. Our deep faith lives will be a reliable foundation in a time when everything else is changing. The rigorous academics and examinations will prepare us for the difficulty of a college course. The emphasis on available extra help from our teachers encourages us to seek out office hours with our new professors. The yearly chapel speaking program creates an opportunity to practice public speaking. Our vibrant and authentic sense of brotherhood will help us to find sincere and reliable friends. And our identity as a St. Sebastian’s man will give us the determination to succeed at any level. I stand here, in front of you all, feeling completely unprepared for college. I hardly know anyone, have no idea what classes will be like, can’t come back home after a long day, feel uncertain about my previously certain career path and interests, and overwhelmed by the freedom. But when I look out at all of you, I see 66 brothers whom I know are more than ready. So I think I will give myself the benefit of the doubt and say I probably am too. St. Sebastian’s is a special place, a place that can both feel like home and teach us everything we need to move on to the next stage in our lives. We are all forever Arrows. I’d like to thank just a few people. To my parents, who have done nothing but love and support me through every step along the way, and who have made everything I do possible. To my teachers, who have all gone above and beyond to help make me into the student I am today, especially Mr. Cleary and Mr. Wilbur, whose passion for their subjects, energy in the classroom, and inspiring personal character have set fabulous examples for me and my fellow students. I’d like to thank Mr. Ryan, who has been my advisor for the last six years, and all my coaches for soccer, hockey, and baseball. Lastly, I’d like to thank all the parents here today, whose choice to send their sons to Sebs with me has made it the best experience of my life.
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Mr. Burke, Mr. Nerbonne, Mr. Elcock, Fr. Penna, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the faculty, parents, family, guests, and fellow members of the Class of 2022—I’m Jack Flynn, and I’d just like to say, Salvete. For those of you who took Spanish, that’s Latin for “Sup.” I’ve always thought that the idea of a student giving a speech at his own commencement is a little silly. I am the Class of 2022’s salutatorian—hold for applause—so I am now in the very awkward position of providing my sage life advice to my fellow teenagers. But in order to effectively give advice, one needs wisdom and perspective, of which I have neither. So instead what I’ll do is I’ll share with you the greatest lesson that St. Sebastian’s has taught me. Maybe by sharing this lesson, some of you will get as much out of it as I have. But before I get into that, I want to reflect on two of the best classes I’ve taken here, two classes which bookended my six years, the first in seventh grade, the second in my senior year.
The first was my seventh-grade algebra class with Mr. Palmaccio. It was my first year, so, as a humanities-minded individual, I expected it to be one of those classes you just have to put up with. But, because of Mr. P., and because of the group of kids in that class, algebra quickly became my favorite subject that year. There was always good banter and teasing going on, and amidst all that, the development of lasting friendships with kids with whom I’m still very close. And a great friendship with Mr. P.—he made me really enjoy the class. Now, I don’t mean to spoil it for you, but this isn’t one of those full-circle stories, where I was completely swayed and just because of this one class I’ve decided to pursue a career as a professional mathematician. That didn’t happen. I’m not going to college to be an algebra major. Harvard doesn’t have an algebra major. Harvard has an algebra concentration. But it is a full-circle story in that I had Mr. P. again this past year for calculus, which is slightly harder than algebra, but it’s always a lot of fun and very worthwhile if Mr. Palmaccio is running the class. My other favorite class—after seventh-grade algebra with Mr. P. —was senior-year AP Literature with Mr. Lynch. This is the best class that I’ve taken in school. We read some outstanding pieces of literature: Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment, Hamlet—I urge every eighteen/nineteen-yearold male to read Hamlet. It’s so good and so important for people our age. But that’s why everything we read in AP Lit was so good: these books were handpicked because they discuss topics and themes that are important to developing kids, for boys readying themselves for manhood. And this was deepened by our discussions of these works in class. We would debate across the table about whether Hamlet’s doing the right thing or what Tolstoy wants this symbol to represent. And we had some fierce debates sometimes—inside and out of the classroom. They would carry on to Ward Hall and the library after school. And Mr. Lynch would let it happen—he’d give us room to develop our points, and to refute things that had been said, and to stumble over our own logic. But in the crossfire, we each discovered what we believe to be true. Which is really important. And we got to that point with each other, by listening to each other’s beliefs and experiences. As a result, it was a wild and challenging and really fun class.
SALUTATORY ADDRESS Embrace the Sun T. FLYNN
BY JOHN
’22
Now, take a second and think about your favorite class that you took at Seb’s. Adults too—try to remember your favorite class in high school. What was it? And why was it your favorite? Obviously, the main reason these two classes were so meaningful to me were not because of what I learned or even the books I read or the algebraic formulas that were covered. And I’m willing to bet that that’s not why the class you’re thinking of was your favorite. It was because of the people in these classes, the friendships that sparked and deepened through these classes. It taught me, ultimately, the importance of surrounding myself with good people. Because that’s when I’m happier. And there’s something to be said for being happy. A case can be made. A couple years ago—sometime in the first semester of my sophomore year—I had this very strange moment of realization that I wasn’t happy. I would wake up in the morning unhappy. I would wake up angry and frustrated. And that’s no way to live. But I realized that I was focusing on the wrong things. I’m a very cynical person. I’m an Irishman, so I’m a naturally cynical person. So when you put me in a room with another negative person, I get dragged down to his level. But you put me next to a positive person, he cancels out my negativity and brings me up to his level. So I learned not to waste my time on negativity and instead to make a conscious effort to focus my energy on the positive and optimistic people in my life. And this all made me much more appreciative for the wonderful relationships that I have with really good-hearted people.
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Now, will this speech, which I am delivering to you now, go down in history as one of the greatest commencement speeches of all time, up alongside Kurt Vonnegut’s famous “Wear sunscreen” speech? Will this be one of the best? Probably. But actually, while I have you, I’d like to talk about that Kurt Vonnegut speech, since you bring it up. There is a commencement speech attributed to Kurt Vonnegut, though the authorship is debated, that advises the graduating class to “wear sunscreen.” Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today and tell you: DO NOT wear sunscreen. What? Did that pasty Irish kid just speak out publicly against sunscreen? First of all, yes, and second of all, he has a name! I tell you, my friends, do not wear sunscreen. I will explain this point with a solid but potentially confusing allegory, so bear with me. (This is great, I feel like Socrates, just throwing allegories around.)
These people have made me a much better and much more positive person. Same thing with groups and events and experiences—I learned to say no to things that weren’t making me happy. Why waste my time? It’s made me better appreciate and more deeply enjoy the parts of my life that do make me happy. Then you have things to look forward to. Thankfully, the St. Sebastian’s campus is rife with good and happy people, and my relationships with these people are what got me to where I am in my life now. And it’s not just with people my age. I met Mr. Lynch in the summer going into my seventh-grade year, the summer before I started here. And I never had him in class until this past year. But his guidance and friendship were incredibly impactful throughout my six years. I consider him one of the most important mentors I have in my life. Same goes for Mr. Palmaccio: he’s been a wonderful friend to me, and I always value his advice and conversation. I would say the same for my advisor, debate team coach, and Greek teacher, Mr. Nerbonne, whose friendship and counsel have helped me through more than he realizes during my six years. Or Mrs. Wiggin, a first-year Arrow—our time here only overlapped by one year, but we’ve developed a fantastic friendship during that short time, which I hope will continue. And Mr. Riemann—talk about positive people. Between you and me, I have no recollection of meeting Mr. Riemann. Zero idea. I never had him as a teacher; he never moderated any clubs I was a part of. One day we were just saying hi to each other in the hallways and talking about books and writers and podcasts and restaurant recommendations. I don’t know how it started, but he’s a great guy and we’ve had some fantastic conversations over the years. That’s what makes Seb’s great—that’s what Seb’s is. Cultivating meaningful and lasting relationships, sometimes out of nothing—they just happen, they just grow naturally, because good people with good morals and similar interests gravitate towards each other naturally. That happens with classmates, with teammates, with teachers, with the school nurse, with anyone in the community. I love it.
The sun is known for—it actually originally gained notoriety for its emission of warmth and light. Putting on that sunscreen blocks out that warmth and light from your life. That shouldn’t be our goal. Don’t put on that sunscreen—embrace the sun, embrace that warmth and that light from the world. Embrace the people from whom you derive that goodness. But that doesn’t come without risk. When you open yourself up to the sun, it can burn you. The sun can literally burn your skin. There’s a danger involved when you open yourself up like that. But if you don’t open yourself up, and you don’t take the risk, and you lather yourself in sunscreen, you’ll never experience the happiness and love that the sun/ your relationships can provide. Take that risk. Leap before you look. My most fun memories are of when I decided to leap before I looked. There’s a great quote from one of my favorite prophets, Bruce of New Jersey. He’s the greatest philosopher to come out of New Jersey. Sorry Mr. Cleary, you’re a close second, but it’s Springsteen! At least you beat out Bon Jovi. Mr. Ryan, you’re number four. But the great philosopher Bruce Springsteen, in his song “Blinded by the Light,” said, “Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun. Oh but Mama, that’s where the fun is!” Embrace the sun. Listen to Bruce Springsteen, not Kurt Vonnegut. Anyway, I’d say that’s a pretty sound allegory. With this advice, though, I don’t mean to come off as preachy, because I can’t take credit for it. It’s not coming from me. Seb’s taught me all this, and it was a perfect environment for me, personally, to grow up in and to try things and to fail miserably and to learn. I think about what it would have been like if I had gone to Winchester High School, or some other lesser institutions I had considered. I remember there was one school in Belmont I was considering—it was up on a… slightly higher elevation. But had I gone to any of these other schools, I would have been a completely different person— no question. St. Sebastian’s has given me the experiences, the education, and most importantly the relationships that guided me to where I am in my life now. I’m incredibly grateful for everything that’s happened these past six years. Seb’s has no equal. It is a wonderful, wonderful place, and I’m incredibly happy and proud to have been a small part of it. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to my family. My mother, who is the most generous and loving person I know. My father, who I can always count on to have my back and who always pushes me to try new things. They’ve supported me unconditionally, and that’s something for which I’m incredibly happy and grateful. So for those of you just waking up, here’s the Sparknotes of my speech. Two things. One, surround yourself with good people, positive people, positive forces. Surround yourself with the Cole Szemans of the world, the Brendan Gormans, the Alex Purpuras, the Liam Muldowneys. These are the good people. Hunt these people down and latch onto them for dear life. And B, I am smarter than Kurt Vonnegut. He wasn’t the salutatorian of his high school! Thank you all very much, and thank you St. Sebastian’s. God bless.
RIGHT: A participant hopes he gets the right line on his putt. Parents of alumni, Kathleen O’Connell and Ted Hoff P’11,’13, catch up with Headmaster Burke.
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One hundred golfers gathered for the Headmaster Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Dedham Golf and Polo Club on May 16. The outing successfully raised funds for St. Sebastian’s Headmaster Scholarship which provides financial aid to students. Blessed with a beautiful day, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, alumni and friends enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on the course. During an outdoor reception, participants heard from our Men’s Association President Mike Frisoli and Headmaster Bill Burke, and with help from Marty Kane ’84 P’22, we auctioned off some fantastic golf items and getaways. Champions of the tournament were Jim Freehill P’21, Tom Clarke GP’19, Mike Fotiades P’19, and Mark Farley P’19,’25. Thank you to our Golf Committee members Mike Frisoli P’17,’19,’21,’22,’26, Mike Muldowney P’12,’16,’22, Richard Walsh P’22,’24 and Rick Sutphin P’26 and all of our sponsors and participants for their generous support of the tournament.
HEADMASTER
SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
Guild of St. Irene Fashion Show
One of the sure signs that Arrows truly are forever is the Parents of Alumni Reception. Hosting this event on campus on April 28 and seeing many familiar faces for the first time since 2019 was a spring highlight. Special thanks to Brendan Sullivan, our Dean of Students, for speaking to the crowd and filling them in on the many twists and turns taken to keep the students in class and on campus for the past two years. Fr. John Arens and Headmaster Bill Burke also delivered remarks and a warm welcome to those assembled.
Mothers from across the grades gathered in the West Campus Center’s Wrestling Room for a great night out to celebrate the Guild of St. Irene Closing Event & Fashion Show on May 5. During the cocktail hour, guests had a chance to both shop and mingle. While attendees enjoyed dinner, senior moms made their way down the catwalk dressed in the latest fashion trends courtesy of Details and Goods. Special thanks to the fabulous five Fashion Show Chairs (L-R)—Shu Li P’25, Elizabeth Derenzo P’20,’22,’24,’27, Staci Bailey P’23, Daniela Muldowney P’12,’16,’22 and Paula Lordi P’18,’23—who organized a fantastic night of fashion, fun and festivities.
Catching Up with Parents of Alumni
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
LEFT: The golfers get ready to head out for an afternoon on the course.
Headmaster Burke ended the evening with remarks about savoring both the moments and the memories of this time in their sons’ lives.
TOP: Parents of the Class of 2022 gather around Fr. John Arens as he blesses the Class of 2022 Entry. MIDDLE: Johanna Elias, Karen Johnson, Carolyn Carroll, Chris Hahm, Kathleen Ix, Grace Marie White and Jill Toomey; BOTTOM LEFT: Sean Albertson, Matt Noone ’86 and John Cox; BOTTOM RIGHT: Sheryl and Chris Boland with Michelle Gallagher.
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Parents of the Class of 2022 gathered on the afternoon of Monday, May 30, to celebrate their sons and kick off graduation week at the Senior Parent Dinner. A cocktail hour was held in the Class of 2019 and 2020 Faculty Commons, followed by the formal blessing and dedication of the Class of 2022 Entry and the Class Brotherhood Fund.
The Class of 2022 Entry is a welcome refresh to the Academic Building and was part of an anonymous gift challenge to the class. Thanks to the parents’ extraordinary support, the Class of 2022 Brotherhood Fund achieved a record level. Dinner followed on the Class of 2007 Terrace at the Griffith Headmaster’s House and this tight knit crowd stayed until sunset to enjoy one another’s company.
One senior mom remarked, “It was fabulous to be at Bill and Patty’s house with so many parents. This group of people shares a camaraderie like no other I have ever experienced since my children have been in school.”
A Special Celebration for the Class of 2022 Parents
HENRY T. LANE RINK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
A design mock-up of the Arrows Hockey Achievement Wall located in the new warming room, featuring photographs and plaques celebrating the achievements of many teams and players.
The rink will feature new permanent bleachers and viewing platforms. The first row will be level with the height of the boards, ensuring our fans won’t miss any action on the ice.
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He shoots, he scores! We are thrilled to announce that we have not only reached but exceeded the Henry T. Lane Rink Improvement Project goal of $3.128 million! We embarked on the rink project in December 2019, just months prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign slowed as we entered the lockdown; however, design work continued. With the arrival of students back on campus in the fall of 2020 and the Spirit & People Campaign complete, we reignited the rink initiative. In April 2022, with the goal line in sight, a generous donor challenged the Arrows Hockey community to raise $150,000, and match dollar for dollar all new and increased gifts to the project made before June 30 (up to $150,000), that when met would complete the $3.128 million campaign. Our Arrows Hockey community responded enthusiastically to the challenge, surpassing the goal, with over 200 donors committing $3,158,445 in gifts and pledges as of June 30, 2022. The construction of the base project is on schedule to be substantially completed by early September. One piece of the project that will be delayed is the existing upper-level viewing glass replacement, due to design issues and inflated pricing. Alternative solutions and glass vendors are being considered as we work toward completion of this component of theWeproject.lookforward to celebrating the opening of the new facility with the St. Sebastian’s community at the Henry T. Lane Rink Rededication Celebration on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Guests are invited to a memorial Mass for Henry Lane ’49, P’77, longtime teacher, hockey coach, and Athletic Director of St. Sebastian’s, followed by a short program, lunch and tours of the newly enhanced rink. Whether playing for the team or cheering from the stands, Arrows Hockey has always been a source of great pride for St. Sebastian’s. We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Arrows Hockey community and all who supported the rink project. The improvements to the rink will provide the best experience for our players and an elevated experience for the legions of students, alumni, parents, and faculty that pack Henry’s Corner for home games. Go Arrows Hockey!
To
101% The
PROJECT SCOPE
• East wall improvements featuring a new score board, banner display and prominent display of the American flag
• New main level warming room featuring photo graphs and plaques celebrating the achievements of many teams and players; Muraled walls will flank the entrance to the warming room, celebrating the rich heritage and history of Arrows Hockey
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• Photo display of each Arrows varsity hockey team dating back to the inception of the program
• West wall improvements featuring St. Sebastian’s logo, a new scoreboard and banner display
John J. Doherty ’62 P’86 ’87 GP’17 ’25 Timothy P. Doherty ’87 P’17 James L. Elcock ’77 P’08 Michael J. Grier ’93 P‘22 Noah P. Hanifin ‘15 Joseph G. Harney ’92 P’21’24 ’27 Joseph A. Hulbig ’92 P’28 Michael A. & Lori J. Joyce P ’17 ’20 Stephen P. Maskell ’74 P’09 Peter J. McLaughlin ’55 GP’13 ‘19 ‘24 ’24 John A. Murphy P ‘17 ’20 John B. Sullivan, Jr. ’66 P’00 Joseph L. Tansey, Jr. ’69 P’03 Noah P. Welch ’01
• New permanent bleachers and viewing platforms to improve the experience for spectators and fans; The first row of the bleachers will be level with the height of the boards, ensuring our fans won’t miss any action on the ice
• New state-of-the-art boards and glass shielding system with flexible glass to improve player safety
• New pipes and concrete rink floor, replacing the current sand floor. The surface will allow flexibility as a multi-functional space during the off-season
$3,128,976 RinkGoalProject $3,158,445 Total
• New skate-proof interlocking floor tile throughout the rink Gifts & Pledges rink’s new cement subsurface was poured on July 7. learn more about the Henry T. Lane Rink Improvement Project, please visit henrylanerink.org or contact Rich Arms at 781-247-0116 or Lesley Day at 781-247-0120.
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
• Install infrastructure for livestreaming and recording of games
Three Generations of HOOPS
In a team loaded with talent, it was quite a basketball season for the Arrows, including co-captain Trevor Mullin ’23. It was not just the victories that led to an ISL title, but the moments within the season that Trevor and his teammates will remember. Among those in the stands to watch it all unfold were his father, Steve Mullin ’84, captain of the team in 1983-84, and his grandfather, Joe Ferrone ’54, who played for the Arrows from 1952-54.
F or Steve, it’s been incredible to see his son excelling at a sport he’s always loved—and to do it while wearing the “red and black”. From the time he began his days as an Arrow in the 8th grade, Steve played several sports, earning a letter in each of them, including football, cross country and tennis. However, it was basketball where he stood out, starting on the team as a sophomore. During his junior year, the Arrows had a remarkable season, which began in the old St. Sebastian’s gym on Nonantum Hill and ended on Greendale Avenue. The team compiled a 22-2 mark overall, including the New England Class C Championship game against Thayer.
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Those core principles of success have endured as Trevor has followed in his father’s footsteps. When he was younger, Trevor played many sports, but by the time he arrived at St. Sebastian’s in the 7th grade, basketball became his passion, where he focused all his energy. Steve was there to guide him along the way, serving as his town, travel and club team coach. “My dad has been a great mentor,” noted Trevor. “He knows everything about me, everything about my game. He’s my technical guy, the one I look for if I have a bad game.” While Steve is the one who pushes Trevor’s game, his mother, Katherine, serves as the morale booster: “When I’m down, she’s the one who lightens my spirit.” Trevor’s grandfather, Joe, simply loves to watch his grandson play, with the added bonus that it’s for his high school alma mater. One of seven children, Joe attended St. Sebastian’s when the school was still in its infancy, followed by three of his brothers, Dan ’55, Richard ’64 and Michael ’65. Joe was an excellent student, serving as class president three of his four years on Nonantum Hill. He was also quite active in the field of athletics, playing football, basketball and serving as captain of the tennis team. “There were so few students that you could go out for any sport and still be on the team,” quipped Joe. As a member of the basketball team, he recalls being surrounded by great athletes like Jim Brosnahan ’52 and guided by Fr. Gilmartin and Frank Power, both fantastic coaches. Joe recently discovered a chenille letter “S” with a basketball on it from his senior year when sorting through some old stuff and passed this special memento ontoCoincidentally,Trevor. two of Joe’s six children, Katherine and Stephanie, married St. Sebastian’s alumni, and his grandson, Alex Baynes, is also in the Class of 2023. Alex, another outstanding athlete, will be the captain of the varsity soccer team this fall, giving Joe another Arrow to route for from Trevor Mullin ’23 (center) with his father, Steve Mullin ’84 and grandfather, Joe Ferrone ’54.
The following season, with Steve at the helm as captain, the team won a share of the ISL title with BB&N and Nobles and returned to the New England’s as defending champs. Even after missing six weeks of his last season as an Arrow due to a knee injury, Steve, along with his teammate John Bean ’85, was selected to the All-League Team and later honored with a selection to the Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team. Steve credits the leadership of Coach John Borden as a key factor in the Arrows’ success: “He ran all his practices and games with a lot of precision; everything was unbelievably organized. I realized at a young age that hard work and discipline could really make the difference and recognize now how valuable that skillset is.”
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Trevor’s advisor, Ryan Sanderson, notes that what makes him a great student-athlete is his approach: “In the classroom, he thrives on group discussions and learning with his peers. On the court, he leads his teammates through his actions and his words. He wants everyone to be playing their best and that starts with him.” Even during the many challenges presented by COVID-19 during his sophomore season, Trevor’s work ethic carried him through. Playing a limited schedule against a handful of teams and with no fans in the stands was tough, but it didn’t stop him and his teammates from using that time to get better as individuals and as a team. “One of the biggest lessons basketball has taught me is to be patient and let the game come to me.”
“Our team, even to this day, is still a close group of friends. It’s bonding when you’re fortunate enough to win something like an ISL championship.”
—Steve Mullin ’84, P’23
These days, Joe is a retired orthopedic surgeon, who lives vicariously through his nine grandchildren and their various extracurricular pursuits. Trevor has two older sisters that have also excelled in their sport—Maddie is a basketball player at Brown and Kaitlin is on the swim-dive team at Duke. Given his proximity to campus, Joe makes it to every basketball game at St. Sebastian’s and travels with Katherine and Steve to away games as well. “Watching Trevor has been a great aspect of growing into the eighties,” shared Joe. “Even though I’m his grandfather, there’s no question, he is awfullyIndeed,good.”Trevor is a phenomenal player, beginning his career on the varsity team at St. Sebastian’s as an 8th grader. “He’s a very skilled, high IQ player and a lot of fun to watch,” noted Steve. Trevor was elected as a captain in his junior year and will help lead the team again in his senior year before heading to play at Yale, which also happens to be where Joe attended medical school. His talent and passion for the game have certainly played a role in his success, but it’s been crafted through years of hard work and determination. “Trevor is the player he is today because of his work ethic,” observed Coach Dave Hinman. “He is constantly in the gym improving his skills and works out with a purpose to get better every day.”
LEFT: Joe Ferrone ’54 (#12) with his teammates on the 1953-54 varsity basketball team. RIGHT: Captain Steve Mullin ’84 takes a shot for the Arrows during their ISL Championship season in 1984.
the sidelines. “I’m really happy Alex and Trevor have found a place here,” shared Joe. “I live only about a mile away and it’s been incredible to watch the growth of the school, both in terms of the physical plant and the offerings. It’s impressive and getting better all the time.” Joe is glad there’s one thing about the school that hasn’t changed—the role that faith plays in laying a strong foundation. “It wasn’t evident to me at the time, but as I think back on it, I realize faith was an important part of my experience at St. Sebastian’s.”
TOP RIGHT: Trevor poses for a photo with his parents, Steve and Katherine, while holding the ball used to score his 1000th point. BOTTOM: Henry’s Corner goes wild, rushing the courts to congratulate Trevor after he becomes the 13th Arrow to score 1,000 points while playing for St. Sebastian’s.
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TOP LEFT: Joe with his Arrow grandsons, Trevor and Alex, on Grandparents & Special Friends Day.
In the stands at every home and away game were Trevor’s biggest supporters—his parents and of course, his grandfather, Joe. “Even at games that are far away, I always see his face, he’s always there in the corner with my mom and my dad, watching.” It’s not often that three generations of one family attend the same school and even more unusual that they play on the same team. “I know how special it is to have my grandfather and father be at my games,” acknowledged Trevor. “It’s honestly been one of the biggest honors of my life.”
That patience and hard work paid off as the Arrows embarked on the 2021-22 season, determined to win the ISL title. “I remember that first game with fans again felt like the Super Bowl,” recalled Trevor. “Everything had been dead silent and when everyone was back, it seemed like the loudest gym I’ve ever heard.” Every game that followed was exciting, including when Trevor scored his 1000th point in a St. Sebastian’s uniform during the Class A Showcase game against Brunswick on December 17. Trevor became the 13th player in school history to reach the historic mark and the gym, filled with many members of his family and what felt like the whole student body, went wild. “When I looked up and saw all my supporters who have been there, it was a greatAnothermoment.”highlight of the season for Trevor came in the pivotal game against Belmont Hill on January 28 in which the Arrows won 90-88 in two overtimes. With only a second left in the first overtime, Trevor hit two free throws, extending the game for another four minutes, and fought with his teammates to secure the victory. Trevor finished the night with a career high of 39 points. “I remember shaking hands with Bill Burke at the end of the game and he said, ‘this is one for the books,’” shared Joe. After winning the league for the first time since 1984 (the first outright title since 1977), the Arrows made it to the NEPSAC Semifinals and set a new school record with 23 wins—another accomplishment that Trevor and his teammates will always cherish. In recognition of his stellar season, Trevor was named MVP of the ISL and a Class A All-Star. As a member of the last team that won an ISL title, Steve knows that the memories Trevor made will last long beyond this season. “Our team, even to this day, is still a close group of friends. It’s bonding when you’re fortunate enough to win something like an ISL championship.” In fact, many of Steve’s teammates and classmates have been coming to watch Trevor play over the past few years, and thoroughly enjoyed watching Arrows basketball be back on top this season. This strong sense of brotherhood, something for which St. Sebastian’s has always been known, was reflected in the packed stands at every home game. Henry’s Corner came out in full force to support the team. “The fan environment at St. Sebastian’s is pretty special, and so many of the alumni who came back to watch the games were overwhelmed by it,” said Steve. Joe agreed, “The sense of school spirit is very impressive.”
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Many Arrows who become involved in The Memory Project have never painted a portrait before, but with thoughtful planning, patience, and careful attention they create heartfelt and inspiring works of art. Brian Luppy ’22, who has created seven portraits in the past six years, shared, “When I was in 7th grade, Mrs. Annan helped with my painting throughout the entire process. Over the years, I’ve grown more and more independent. This year, I was able to complete the entire portrait by myself.” Overwhelmingly, student artists return the next year to create another portrait, having found the experience to be deeply meaningful. Five of the six seniors who created portraits this year have been involved for multiple years. Aidan McCarthy ’22 noted, “Participating in A Decade Devoted to Creating Portraits of Kindness
BY DEIRDRE RYNNE ANNAN
TOP: Colin ’24, Ryan ’27 and Jack ’22 Sullivan work on their portraits together. BOTTOM: Seniors Aidan McCarthy, Tommy Cronin, Brian Luppy, Jack Sullivan, Paul White and Christian Pichay.
This year, St. Sebastian’s celebrates a decade of participating in The Memory Project, a youth arts organization that spreads kindness through art and promotes intercultural understanding between children across the globe. Each artist is paired with a disenfranchised or orphaned child from another country and creates a portrait of the child that is sent to him or her as a gift of hope. As The Memory Project Founder, Ben Schumaker, noted, “These portraits touch the lives of youth around the world facing many types of challenges, while opening our hearts and minds so they can touch our lives in return.” Indeed, the project has done just that at St. Sebastian’s.
Christian Pichay ’22 recently finished his first portrait of a young girl from Sierra Leone who hopes to become a doctor: “I wanted to brighten her day and make her feel inspired. Through this project, we are now connected though we are from different parts of the world and have different circumstances. I pray she becomes a Arrowsdoctor!”havecreated portraits for children facing heartbreaking circumstances, from Rohingya and Syrian refugee camps to group homes in Afghanistan and orphanages in the Ukraine. The experience of creating a portrait has deepened our students’ personal connection with countries and gives face to those impacted by issues such as climate crisis, political conflict, genocide, systemic generational poverty, drug addiction and illness. Through the partnerships made with The Memory Project, we’ve been able to inquire about the well-being of these children in the aftermath of catastrophic events. Kindness is contagious! Jack Sullivan ’22 inspired his two younger brothers, Colin ’24 and Ryan ’27 to participate this year and the trio recently completed portraits of three children from Sierra Leone. Jack shared, “The Memory Project has brought me immense gratitude, joy and compassion every year I have participated. While it may be challenging at times, the satisfaction of finishing a child’s portrait is heartwarming.” We pray and trust that the 280 portraits created by St. Sebastian’s students over the past ten years serve as a lasting reminder to the children who received them that they are seen, they are valued, and they are a beautiful, unique and vital part of our world. “The diversity of shapes and patterns in fruits and vegetables is spectacular... I came to realize that even in the incredible symmetry and geometry of nature, there are slight imperfec tions in everything, making each object unique. And through this, I came to realize that just like the objects I observed, we as humans are similar in many ways, but our differences make each of us beautifully distinct.”
FINE ARTS
“My photos were inspired by my lifelong curiosity around trying to manipulate light to create images that look unreal and super natural. I first started manipulating light when I was in elemen tary school. I would walk downstairs most nights with a flashlight to grab a glass of water. On my way down, I would wave the flash light around the room and look at the dancing silhouettes on the walls. This helped ignite my curiosity around light. The photo graphs in my project were taken with my camera alone, with the use of varying shutter speeds and camera movement, and with out the use of Photoshop or any software.”
These photographs were taken by AP Photography students as part of their concentrated projects for their final AP portfolios.
Art is not only a wonderful place to process and express one’s feelings, but also to inspire viewers. Recently, some of our artists have incorporated additional elements, choosing to capture their child in a career they aspire to or surround the portrait with affirmational adjectives.
—Ryan Kazmouz ’22
—Alex Maalouf ’23
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 43 this project not only fostered my growing interest in drawing and painting, but has allowed me to use my artistic talents to serve my peers all around the world.”
Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
SPRINGREVUE
44 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE FINE ARTS
The annual Spring Revue on May 10 provided our artists, actors and musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents for parents, peers, faculty, and friends. In Martin Hall, attendees were able to view student photography, ceramics, sculptures and more. Performing arts were highlighted in the West Campus theater. The Slings & Arrows Players presented three comedic skits, written and directed by students. The Jazz Pop Ensemble performed a number of songs, from “Soul Man” to “Power of Love.”
“This Is a Robbery” O n February 18 and 19, the St. Sebastian’s Drama Club performed “This Is a Robbery,” this year’s winter play. Written by seniors of the Drama Club and co-directed by Max Surprenant ’22 and Paul White ’22, the plot follows a group of art thieves and their scheme to steal a valuable painting. When they realize the painting they’ve stolen was meant to be auctioned off to raise money for charity, a sense of morality kicks in and the thieves develop a new plan to return the painting. However, Bruno, the mastermind of the whole operation, has plans of his own—but in the end, his “Conscience” wins. The actors and the crew excelled under the guidance of Mark Rogers, Chair of the Fine Arts Department.
The St. Sebastian’s varsity basketball team completed a historic season that will be remembered for a long time. The Arrows finished with a 23-3 record that included many firsts: the first time the basketball program won 23 games, the first time the team won a Class A playoff game, and the first outright ISL league title since 1977. The team competed with grit from our opening tip against Tabor Academy to our final contest in the NEPSAC Class A tournament. As disappointing as it was to see the season come to an end in the semi-finals of the tournament, this group of 16 young men represented our school valiantly both on and off the court. Success does not just happen. It is earned in the off-season by being dedicated to improving in the weight room, gym, classroom, and halls of the school, and continues as challenges are thrown your way throughout the season. Our team put in that time in the off-season; and when we faced a little adversity during the year, we were able to persevere through hard work and stick together as one. There were many season highlights, but none greater than on the road at Milton Academy in our penultimate game of the regular season. Needing a victory for an outright league championship, the Arrows played brilliantly in front of a packed gymnasium and earned a 68-62 victory. With the win, the Arrows finished the season with a 14-1 ISL league record to finish two games ahead of both Milton Academy and Belmont Hill. The championship run was in large part due to a thrilling 90-88 (2OT) defeat of rival Belmont Hill. A packed West Campus Center gym and an electric “Henry’s Corner” witnessed Trevor Mullin ’23 hit two free throws with a second left in OT to extend the game and eventually win it in the second extra session. Mullin finished the night with a career-high 39 points and would go on to be named MVP of the ISL and a Class A All-Star. In addition, AJ Dybantsa ’26 and Jaylen Harrell ’25, who combined to average 31 points a game, were also selected to the ISL All-League team. Two-way forward Cooper Wright ’23, lock-down defender Zion Simmons ’23, and sharp-shooting guard Sam Hinman ’23 rounded out the rotational players who will all be returning for the 2022-23 season.
WINTER SPORTS ISL CHAMPIONS
BasketballVarsity
BY COACH DAVID HINMAN
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OPPOSITE: Cooper Wright ’23 lays up a shot over a Trinity Pawling player in the Class A Quarterfinals on March 2, 2022. LEFT: Co-Captain Mark Newell ’22 dominates the offensive boards. MIDDLE: Zion Simmons ’23 with the finger roll. RIGHT: Gary McCall ’22 takes a free throw during the annual Silent Night Game against Taft on December 16, 2021. Squash
BY COACH BEN BROWN For the third year in a row, the St. Sebastian’s squash program fielded two high school teams and a middle school team, a testament to the growing interest in the sport at the school. The top 18 players practiced or played every day of the week and as a result, the coaches saw tremendous improvement throughout the season. Facing a more difficult schedule than in previous years, the teams held their own and were very competitive in most of their matches. St. Sebastian’s squash alumnus Paul Keady ’16 joined veteran coaches Ben Brown and Andrew Conway ’06 to coach the team. With more than half of last year’s top 12 players graduating, it looked like the 2021-2022 season was going to be a significant rebuilding year. However, it certainly did not start that way. The team began the season with a 4-1 record, including a sweep of the opening tri-match against Nobles and Phillips Academy—a feat that the team has not accomplished in a decade. After a strong start, the Arrows finished the season by facing some of the perennially toughest competition in the ISL. Although the team did not earn a victory in any of those final three matches, they battled hard in each one, losing several important individual matches that could have been won by either team. Despite the tough ending, it was a very successful season. The team finished .500 and the program and individual players made great strides forward. Senior squash players (L-R) Cormac Gallagher, Dylan Knightly, Richie Wilz, and Tom Scordino.
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 47 WINTER SPORTS As strong as the underclassman were, our senior class embodied who we became as a team. Although this group did not play the same number of minutes as our underclassmen, they set the tone for who we would become. Nobody was more important to setting that tone than captain Mark Newell ’22. Newell was the heart and soul of the team and modeled for our young team a toughness that was key to our success. For all he did for the program, Newell was awarded the Father Gilmartin Award which is given annually to the player who shows the qualities of commitment, teamwork, and dedication to the sport of basketball. The senior class of Newell, Tommy Cronin, Braedan Donovan, Marty Kane, Gary McCall, Christian Pichay, and Alex Purpura will be greatly missed next year, but left their mark on the St. Sebastian’s basketball program and will be remembered as ISL champions!
BOTTOM: Michael Callow ’22 celebrates with teammates.
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Varsity Hockey BY COACH SEAN MCCANN With a full slate of games in front of us and ten seniors on the team, there was a renewed energy and excitement about the ’21-’22 season. Led by captains Will Elias ’22 and Brendan Gorman ’22, this year’s Arrows were not going to waste a single day as they held each other accountable regardless of the situation. To start the year, the team had five games in 14 days. Against an always difficult Rivers squad, Michael Callow ’22 made an immediate impact with a hat trick in the first game of the season enroute to a 5-1 victory. Isaac Mitchell ’24 and Nolan Flynn ’24 contributed to a full team effort to come from behind to defeat Milton 4-2. Gavin Walsh ’22 had a goal and an assist, Owen Lynch ’24 provided great defense and Teddy Mutryn ’25 scored his first goal as an Arrow, as the team put up five in the first period and then cruised to a 7-1 win against Portsmouth Abbey. Finally, a solid Exeter team visited Seb’s but a quick start and a Colin Gorman ’24 third period goal guaranteed a 6-4 victory. The final game was a wellplayed one by both teams as Brooks won 3-1 behind a strong performance from their goaltender. A fantastic group of teams travelled to Needham for the Mutch Cup Tournament and Seb’s started off the schedule with a convincing 7-2 win against Winchendon as Ben Merrill ’25 and Jack Harney ’24 scored in the first period to create a comfortable lead. The next two games were against two of the best prep school teams in North America. Both games were extremely competitive and entertaining. Brunswick scored in overtime to win 3-2, while goaltender Ryan Kazmouz ’22 turned in an outstanding performance to help defeat St. Andrew’s (Ont.) 2-0. After a well-deserved break, the bulk of the ISL schedule remained. In the first of three games this season, Seb’s played Belmont Hill in a classic tilt which resulted in a 3-3 tie. Four straight wins followed as Matt Cataldo ’24 and Aidan Connors ’24 propelled the team to a 5-1 win versus Tabor in the Travis Roy Cup; Nolan Joyce ’23 contributed an amazing 6 points in a wild 7-5 victory against Nobles; Mike Cataldo ’22 and Jayden Grier ’22 each scored 3 versus Andover, and goalie Matthew Choi ’22 stood tall in a 2-1 triumph versus Governor’s. In the next five games, this team would be tested every time it touched the ice as it suffered two overtime losses, two come-from-behind victories and one convincing win. The team played very well, especially winning the Valicenti Cup (6-4) against Thayer by scoring four unanswered goals in the third and by defeating St. Mark’s in a back-and-forth game which saw Michael Callow ’22 score a power play goal with eight seconds left. With only six games remaining, the Arrows continued to exert their will offensively by averaging just under five goals a game. Cooper McCann ’22 provided some outstanding defensive
TOP LEFT: Brendan Gorman ’22 takes a shot during a game against Portsmouth Abbey on December 8, 2021.
TOP RIGHT: Goalie Matthew Choi ’22 blocks a shot during the Mutch Cup Tournament game against Winchendon on December 17, 2021.
Congratulations, Drew! play and a very physical presence in a 5-2 win versus Lawrence while Charles Yang ’22 scored his first of the year and Pelle Russo ’24 made 16 saves. The team killed off four penalties in the third period alone in a convincing game against Hoosac. Against Tabor, Charlie Leverone ’24 provided a defensive spark while Brian Hall ’24 scored late in the second to help Seb’s win 4-3 after being down 3-0. Governor’s halted the streak as they prevailed 5-2, but the team responded with convincing wins versus Lawrence and Thayer to close out the regularWithseason.18wins in 24 games, the Arrows earned a spot in the Elite Eight New England Tournament. Hundreds of supporters turned out for the game as Henry’s Corner was packed to see us play Belmont Hill. An early 3-0 deficit made the game challenging, but this team once again responded by scoring two in the third before running out of time. This group of seniors will be sorely missed, not only because of their sheer volume, but their many accomplishments. Individually, they achieved much, but as a team they had a record of 67-23-2 and helped mentor the younger players to understand why it’s so special to be an Arrow.
Drew Commesso ’20 Makes U.S. Olympic History
A
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t 19 years old, goaltender Drew Commesso ’20 made his Olympic debut in Beijing as the youngest goaltender ever to be a part of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. Commesso was one of three goalies selected to Team USA after the NHL announced that its players wouldn’t participate in the Games, opening the door for less seasoned players. He is the fourth Arrow to represent the U.S. in the Olympics, following Jack Mulhern ’46, Rick DiPietro ’99 and Noah Welch ’01. Commesso, who was in his sophomore season at Boston University when he left for Beijing, did not let his youthfulness deter him as he took the ice on the world stage against more established players. In the tournament opener against China, he stopped all 29 shots fired in his direction to record Team USA’s first shutout in the Olympics since 2010. He earned his second win in the final preliminary game against Germany, staving off 24 of the 26 shots. While the U.S. lost 3-2 to Slovakia in the quarterfinal round, Commesso finished the Olympics with a 2-0 record that reflected his stellar performances in the net. Watching Commesso play at the highest international level possible while representing his country was exciting for everyone at St. Sebastian’s and within the hockey program. “I’m not surprised Drew received this opportunity because of who he is on and off the ice,” shared varsity hockey coach Sean McCann. “When he played for Seb’s, his work ethic, technique and demeanor really stood out.” During his days as an Arrow, Commesso earned a 2.13 GAA and .918 save % as a sophomore following an impressive freshman campaign (1.77, .932). He was the primary goaltender for the 2019-20 U.S. U18 Team and the 2018-19 U.S. U17 Team, during his two years with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Commesso posted the second-best GAA in U18 history (2.05) to go along with a .920 save percentage. He helped Team USA win the U18 Five Nations tournament in November 2019 with wins in all three starts. In 2020, Commesso was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks, making him the 27th Arrow in our school’s history to become a National Hockey League DraftAspick.ayoung player, Commesso already had some amazing accomplishments under his belt, but never expected to be an Olympian this early in his career. “As a kid, I always watched the Olympics and dreamed of skating on the same ice as those huge hockey players on TV,” shared Commesso. “It was a true blessing to have the opportunity to fulfill those dreams and represent the USA at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.”
Varsity Skiing BY COACH DEIRDRE RYNNE ANNAN Olympic medalist skier Picabo Street once said, “To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them.” This season’s senior class is comprised of skiers who worked hard to transition from recreational skiing to racing competitively. Led by co-captains Cotter Walsh ’22 and Tom Proia ’22, the squad of 14 competed in seven races and had a top team finish of 6th place out of nine teams. Kevin Cummings ’22 competed in his first varsity race. Brian Luppy ’22 and Alex Hartman ’22 competed at their first NEPSAC Championships which were held this year at Waterville Valley. Kevin Wakakuwa ’22 continued to practice improving racing the technical and often punishing slalom. This individual growth is a testament to the program’s ability to turn recreational skiers into racers. For some, those challenges and limits were not on the hill. Proia had a non-ski-related injury flare up, which kept him off the race course. Nonetheless, he worked to be supportive to the team at the base with enthusiasm and cheer. Proia ’22 has been with the team since middle school and contributed to the success of our program, putting down strong finishes during his time on the team. Walsh’s top finish this season in the ISL was 19th and he earned 18th place in the Slalom at NEPSACs. He set his goal to improve as an individual athlete and it was never at the expense of teamwork. The team is better for his leadership, devotion and positivity. The season was not without challenges. Local ski areas showed their grit with snowmaking despite staffing shortages, we worked with the now normal roller coaster winter weather patterns, and a COVID resurgence, along with student schedules, impacted our attendance. We continue to rebuild. In a sport that is about shaving hundredths of seconds off time and reacting to ever changing conditions, Coach Uhlman proved again what an asset she is to the school and ski program. You want a scientist on your team in a pandemic, and she helped keep our skiers as safe as we could on and off the hill. The success of our program would not be possible without our parents, who in some cases helped the ski race management and operation at Nashoba Valley. While this season did not end with individual honors or top ranked team standings, no skier was injured on the hill which is a real victory. The growth and improvement of each individual skier’s technical form and timed performance was the highlight of the season. For some of the seniors, the dream or ability to compete at the highest level in our program was not something they might have imagined possible when they began. We were delighted that they were able to reach this achievement. With many skiers graduating, we hope to have increased interest, particularly at the lower school level. Arrows Skiing is a fun opportunity to improve as a skier and bond with classmates of all ages on the hill. Thank you for a great season!
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LEFT: Co-captain Cotter Walsh ’22 races down the mountain. RIGHT: The 2022-23 varsity ski team with coaches Deirdre Rynne Annan and Olivia Uhlman.
Mike Cataldo ’22
This year’s wrestling season was another strong showing from the Arrows. The team went 10-4 overall and placed 4th in the ISL. The boys wrestled hard after taking a season off and the team had many new faces.
The wrestling team cheers on Eddie Zhang ’24 in an exciting match against his Governor’s opponent.
O’Malley Family Award: Given by the coaches to the wrestler who most exemplifies commitment, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for the sport of wrestling. Eddie Ryan ’23
ISLBASKETBALLBasketballMVP:Trevor Mullin ’23
ISLWRESTLINGAll-League:Landon Bailey ’23
ISL Honorable Mention: Mike Cataldo ’22, Jayden Grier ’22, Ryan Kazmouz ’22, Teddy Mutryn ’25 Jack Doherty Award: This award is presented to the member of the St. Sebastian’s varsity hockey team whose commitment to excellence and devotion to the game has repeatedly been evidenced by aggressive and spirited play and selfless contribution to the total team effort.
ISL Honorable Mention: Cooper Wright ’23 Fr. Daniel J. Gilmartin Award: Given by the coaches to the St. Sebastian’s basketball player who possesses the qualities of commitment, teamwork and outstanding attitude. Mark Newell ’22
ISL Honorable Mention: Luis Sosa Espinal ’25, Hans Vigener ’22, Eddie Zhang ’24
Notable wins over Governor’s Academy, St. Mark’s and Brooks proved that this was not a team to take lightly. The Arrows trounced some of the early season competition, including shutting out Tabor and beating Thayer, Milton and BB&N by more than 30 points each. Led by captains Nick Derenzo ’22, Ben Frisoli ’22 and Landon Bailey ’23, the team was competitive in every match. Many of our first-year wrestlers were very young and we had lots of contribution from four 8th graders: Dom Funke, Eamon McCarthy, Andrew Zhang, and Cam Steele. Three of those wrestlers also qualified for the New England tournament, a monumental feat for an experienced wrestler and unheard of for an 8th grader. Every year, the team seems to be setting some new record and this year was no exception. The team qualified 11 wrestlers for the New England Prep School Tournament, the most ever brought by a St. Sebastian’s team. Not only did we have many boys qualify, but we also had three place in the top eight. Luis Sosa-Espinal ’25 placed 8th in all of New England. Hans Vigener ’22 and Eddie Zhang ’24 both placed 5th and qualified for the National Prep Tournament in Washington, D.C. Landing a spot in the national tournament takes some remarkable wrestling. Vigener and Zhang proved to have the skill and incredible efforts to be called some of the best wrestlers in the country. Zhang came back from behind in his final three matches at the New England tournament. He had to compete with boys who were older, stronger, more experienced, and he still came out on top. Vigener had one of the single greatest matches that Seb’s has ever seen. Down by three points, with less than one minute remaining, hope for his season was beginning to fade—this was a “win or go home” scenario. Vigener escaped and took his opponent down with less than five seconds to force an overtime. With both wrestlers bloodied, taped up, and exhausted, Vigener attempted to grapple and throw his opponent. He lifted the wrestler from Lawrence off the mat, slammed him onto his back and pinned him. This proved to be the deciding match to send Vigener to Nationals. The Arrows are already looking forward to next season!
ISLHOCKEYHockeyMVP: Brendan Gorman ’22
Wrestling BY COACH MATT WILLEY
ATHLETICWINTERAWARDS
The following student-athletes were recognized for their performance during the winter season at an Athletic Awards Assembly on March 8.
ISL All-League: AJ Dybantsa ’26, Jaylen Harrell ’25, Trevor Mullin ’23
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ISL All-League: Mike Callow ’22, Will Elias ’22, Brendan Gorman ’22, Nolan Joyce ’23
The varsity lacrosse team had another successful season, highlighted by a spring break trip to Philadelphia and a run to the ISL semi-finals. It was a season of impressive growth. After losing so much time to the pandemic, the trip to Philly was just what we needed to re-build team chemistry. There’s nothing better than piling onto a bus and driving seven hours, breaking bread as a team, and sharing hotel rooms. The boys got to know each other on a different level and learned what they needed to improve. After a lopsided loss to Haverford, we played much better against Malvern Prep. Both teams were nationally ranked and perennial powers. Our next game brought us to Taft, another program ranked in the top ten nationally. We performed even more admirably, mounting a lead in the second half (only to let it slip away at the end). Though we entered the ISL season without a win, we felt prepared. We’d played some of the premiere teams in the country and learned how to compete against the best. Our first game of the ISL season came down to the wire. In a back-and-forth game against Governor’s, they tied the game with just over 20 seconds left. But we got the ball for one last possession in regulation. Precision passing by Tim Browne ’22 (Colorado College) and Matt Swirbalus ’23 (Villanova) led to a huge goal by Aidan Maguire ’22 (Duke) with just four seconds left on the Forclock.the first time ever, the ISL season ended with a tournament, which meant we only played an 11game season. Though we lost three heartbreakers in overtime, we managed to outscore our opponents by over 100 goals. Led by our outstanding captains, Jack Rideout ’22 (Michigan) and PJ McKeigue ’22 (Penn), the team worked tirelessly to get better. We had a young but potent offense and a veteran defensive unit that often looked impenetrable. In addition to McKeigue, our defense featured seniors Cormac Wright (Colorado College) and Ben Frisoli (Tufts) at the shortstick defensive midfield position and Tim Souza (Amherst), Andrew Hahm (Amherst) and Griffin Cusack (Colorado College) at long pole. Any shots that slipped through were gobbled up by Ryan Williamson ’23 (Dartmouth) in the cage. Though we lost another tough one by one goal to Governor’s in the semi-finals, the atmosphere at 1191 Greendale was fantastic. It was a beautiful day with a packed hill full of alums, parents, and students. The boys gave everything they had, and we were proud of every one of them.
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Varsity Lacrosse BY COACH ADAM WHITE
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TOP: Charlie Hoffman ’23 (left) and Brendan Melley ’22 celebrate after a goal.
From left to right: Athletic Director David Hinman, Coach Adam White (with his son), Peter Pickard ’18, and Headmaster Bill Burke.
Adam White Receives National Coaching Award
Adam White, varsity lacrosse coach and faculty member at St. Sebastian’s, is this year’s recipient of USA Lacrosse’s Gerald Carroll Jr. Exemplary Coach Award. The award, established in memory of Gerry Carroll, is given annually to one boys’ high school coach nationwide who reflects the attributes of the award’s namesake. Coach Carroll spent a good part of his brief 46 years playing, watching, and coaching lacrosse. Greater than his love for the sport, however, was his commitment to give back to young people some of the lifetime of lessons he himself took from the game.
BOTTOM: Captains Jack Rideout ’22 and PJ McKeigue’22 present John Eaton’s son, Frankie, with a lacrosse figurine made in the Innovation Lab.
But perhaps the greatest win of the season was the boys’ fundraising effort for the Jimmy Fund. In honor of John Eaton’s son Frankie, who has been battling cancer, the team launched the “Frankie’s Friends” campaign, raising over $22,000 dollars to help support research and treatment. After the season, the varsity team played the alumni in a fun but competitive exhibition game. It was great to see so many Arrows back on campus and suiting up. We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year!
Winners of the Carroll Award demonstrate support and care for players in their growth and development as young adults and leaders on and off the playing field. On May 24, the extended St. Sebastian’s lacrosse family gathered to honor Coach White. Athletic Director David Hinman shared remarks from Mr. Carroll’s son, Brian, who serves on the award committee. Peter Pickard ’18 spoke on behalf of all players expressing his admiration for Coach White’s impact on his own life and the role he has played in so many young athletes’ lives. Headmaster Burke presented Coach White with a USA Lacrosse plaque and highlighted Adam’s role as teacher, coach, and mentor. In addition to winning two ISL championships during Coach White’s time as head coach, the team has consistently been nationally ranked and made the semi-finals of the Geico National Tournament on ESPN. He’s the co-founder of the Gameday Nutrition program, a project designed with the Tufts School of Nutrition that trains St. Sebastian’s seniors to present to Harlem Lacrosse middle schoolers on the benefits of healthy eating. He’s also the architect behind the ISL playoff format. “I’m honored to win the Gerry Carroll award,” shared Coach White. “He sounds like an incredible mentor and to be a part of remembering his legacy is a tremendous honor.”
OPPOSITE: Tim Browne ’22 takes a shot during a playoff game against Lawrence Academy on May 18.
For the first time since 2019, the varsity baseball team competed in a full 15game season with the hopes of securing an ISL Championship Trophy. Among the 20 Varsity Baseball players on this 2022 team, only two had competed for an ISL baseball title before: captains Joe Sylvester ’22 and Jack Toomey ’22. Additionally, Coach Sean McCann was the only familiar face on the coaching staff, now joined by three St. Sebastian’s alumni—Head Coach Mike Calabro ’16, Associate Head Coach Matt Duffy ’07, and Pitching Coach Pat McGowan ’15. Despite the many new faces on this 2022 team, the players were excited to compound upon the success they achieved in their modified 2021 season.
The team ended their season with an 11-5 overall record and a 10-5 ISL record, landing them at a tie for 3rd place in the final league standings. Along the way, the boys learned important lessons about adapting to changing circumstances and the importance of competing at all times.
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RIGHT: Matt Noone ’22 runs safely to 1st base during a game against Belmont Hill on April 27, 2022.
The team’s ISL schedule began with a short journey down the Charles River to take on Nobles in the season opener. In just a few innings, the Arrows found themselves holding a 10-1 lead, thanks to home runs from Toomey, Sylvester, AJ Lysko ’23, and Jeff Valdez ’23. Despite a comeback attempt from Nobles, the boys went on to win this contest 10-6. As the season progressed, the players found themselves consistently competing in exciting battles. Among the early-season highlights were an 8-1 victory over Tabor Academy (propelled by a 7-run 7th inning) and a 2-1 victory over Worcester Academy at Polar Park, the brand-new Worcester Red Sox AAA stadium. The team also met some adversity early on, losing one-run games to Lawrence Academy in walk-off fashion and to Belmont Hill in extra innings. After a few more tightly contested bouts, the Arrows approached the halfway point of the season with a 4-4 record. The bats got hot in the second half of the season as the team rattled off a 9-0 win over Rivers, an 11-6 win over Roxbury Latin, and a 10-4 win over Milton Academy. After a hard-fought loss to Governor’s Academy, the boys bounced back with a tough 4-3 win over Groton, thanks to a few clutch innings pitched by Dylan Knightly ’22. In their penultimate game of the season, the Arrows hosted Brooks for a Senior Day contest in which all seven senior players started for the Arrows. Among the highlights of the game were an early 2-RBI double hit by catcher Max Surprenant ’22, a game tying home run by Toomey, and a 9th inning walk-off home run hit by Arrows first baseman Aiden Barclay ’24, capped off by a celebration with our many supportive fans from Henry’s Corner.
Looking ahead to next season, the team will greatly miss the talent and leadership of the departing senior class. However, the culture that these young men built will remain with the team as they once again strive to compete for an ISL title, led by a large and talented group of budding seniors.
Varsity Baseball BY COACH MICHAEL CALABRO
TOP LEFT: Joe Sylvester ’22 pitches during a game against Worcester Academy at Polar Park in Worcester on May 3, 2022 (Photo: Mary Dowdle P’23). BOTTOM LEFT: Max Surprenant ’22 connects for a double during a game against Brooks on May 20, 2022.
BY COACH TOM HARRINGTON
Returning members Richie Wilz and Tom Scordino both jumped several spots in the lineup this season and played some great golf while serving as the perfect examples of sportsmanship and etiquette. Jack Sullivan ’22 was a newcomer to the team this year. He is the ultimate hype man and is always the first to say “great shot” to his teammates and opponents alike. We wish all of our seniors the best of luck in college and beyond! Joining the seniors were freshman Charlie Hinman, sophomores Matt Sullivan and Ronan Massenburg, and juniors Alex Roth and Jack Heeney. Next spring, captain Ryan Fay will continue to lead this group of talented players to another successful season where we will compete with the highest level of passion and sportsmanship that make St. Sebastian’s golf what it is.
Varsity Golf
LEFT: Tom Scordino ’22 tees off during a match against Dexter Southfield on May 25, 2022. RIGHT: Captain Matt Williams ’22 stripes one down the middle.
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The St. Sebastian’s varsity golf team returned to regular ISL play after what we’ll call a “just for fun” 2021 season. The Arrows were eager to battle it out against the other schools on some of the nicest courses in New England. They competed at the Kittansett Club, Newport Country Club, Pine Brook Country Club, Belmont Country Club, Renaissance Golf Club, and other premier courses. We were back for a second straight year at our home course, Needham Golf Club, for practices and matches. Despite some injuries in our depth, the golf season was a successful one and we finished the season with a winning record of 6-5-3. Arrows at all positions on the roster stepped up at different moments to close out some big victories throughout the season. The 2022 team was led by senior captains Gavin Walsh and Matt Williams. Gavin sustained a torn ACL during the hockey season, which meant we’d be missing him for the entire golf season. It definitely hurt not having him in our lineup. From coming to practices and matches to designing our shirts to make sure we were the most stylish team in the ISL, Gavin was still a huge part of this team. He was also the recipient of the James D. Sullivan Award given to the player who possesses the qualities of commitment, teamwork, and outstanding attitude in the sport of golf. Without Gavin, the team elected junior Ryan Fay as another co-captain. Ryan filled the role wonderfully and had an incredibly successful season playing in our #2 spot against strong competition. Our third captain, Matt Williams is a phenomenal player and is so fun to watch. He had only two losses all season playing in our #1 spot against the league’s best players. He also won the Patty Whitney Award for shooting the individual low 72 at the Kingman Tournament at Renaissance Golf Club and was the recipient of the ISL MVP Award. We wish him the best of luck as he moves on to compete for the Holy Cross golf team. There were three other seniors on the team as well.
The team has elected two reliable players to captain the squad in its 2023 season: John Hayes and Timmy Weiss, two terrific and deserving young men.
Varsity Tennis BY COACH BRIAN RICHTER Varsity Tennis welcomed five new members to the team, the largest rookie class in a long time. Joining veterans Charlie DeMatteo ’22, John Hayes ’23, and Timmy Weiss ’23 were juniors Charles Bacon and Reid McInerney, sophomore Yo-Yo Tian, freshman Colby Nash, and seventh-grader Antonio Martinez. An ankle injury curtailed Ben Scemama’s promising tryout run, but did not block his wish to be part of the team—he volunteered to be team manager. Always dependable, Ben was instrumental in starting the team’s Twitter page. (Are you a follower?) Anchored by the leadership of team captain DeMatteo (#1 singles & doubles) and the experience of Hayes (#2 singles & doubles) and Weiss (#3 singles & doubles), the team compiled a 10-6 overall record and a 9-6 league record, which placed us in a tie at #6 in the highly competitive ISL. ISL matches comprise seven points, the first determined by that team taking two of three doubles pairings. The remaining six points are given to the six singles matches. Starting the singles round with a 1-0 lead is often critical. More often than not, DeMatteo and partner Bacon took their match at #1 doubles, meaning we only needed a victory at #2 (Hayes and Tian) or at #3 (Weiss and McInerney). In only three matches did the Arrows not begin the singles round with the coveted doubles point. Hayes and Weiss tied for most points won during the season, each having twenty-one. An important match against the Rivers School encapsulates our team’s growth and maturity. Earlier in the season, the team suffered two close losses, each of these coming down to two final singles matches, each losing in the final super-tiebreaker third set. As the team hoped to win our final five matches, we knew the toughest of these would be against Rivers, a team with similar scores against the same opponents (and the team that eventually won the New England’s class “C” division). Each team craved the covetous doubles point, and all matches were as close as they could be. At #1, DeMatteo and Bacon won in a closely contested match (8-6), but Hayes and Tian lost an equally close match at #2 (6-8). As these two teams were walking off the courts, Weiss and McInerney were starting a tiebreak to determine the winner at #3. They quickly jumped out with a strong lead and never looked back. In the singles round, DeMatteo and Hayes methodically dispatched with their opponents at #1 and #2 respectively, giving the Arrows a 3-0 lead and needing just one more point for the “W”. The remaining four matches were all close, and three players—Weiss (#3), Tian (#5), and McInerney (#6)—found themselves in the third-set super tiebreaker. Not allowing for a repeat of what happened earlier in the season, all players won their tiebreakers to give the Arrows a 6-1 win in a match that was much closer than the final score suggested.
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RIGHT: Charles DeMatteo ’22 spikes the ball during a doubles match against Worcester Academy on May 11, 2022.
The team graduates just one senior: Charlie DeMatteo. Charlie’s high point may have been on the road against Roxbury Latin (the team that eventually won the New England class “B” division). As he often did, Charlie and his partner were instrumental in the team’s taking the first point of the match. But perhaps more impressive was his win against RL’s #1 player. After dropping the first set 3-6, Charlie dug in and took the second 7-5. And, sure enough, Charlie took the final third set tiebreaker 10-7.
LEFT: Ye Tian ’24 hits a forehand shot during a match against Belmont Hill on April 27, 2022.
ISL Honorable Mention: Tim Browne ’22, Cormac Wright ’22, Ryan Williamson ’23 USA Lacrosse All-Academic: Andrew Hahm ’22
ISL Award of Excellence: Ben Frisoli ’22 Letterman Award Presented to members of the Senior Class who have earned a Varsity Letter in each season from their sophomore through senior years. Ben Frisoli ’22 Athletic Commitment Award Presented to members of the senior class who have participated in interscholastic athletics each season from their sophomore through senior year.
Henry T. Lane Award Given by the Coaches to the St. Sebastian’s tennis player whose love for tennis, commit ment to sportsmanship, and dedication to team best contributes to the success of the Varsity Tennis Program.
Ultimate BY COACH BEN BROWN
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TOP: Captain Kevin Wakakuwa ’22 throws around an East Greenwich player. BOTTOM: Paul White ’22 reaches out for a catch during the game on May 24, 2022.
ATHLETICSPRINGAWARDS
Ryan Albertson ’22, Ryan Gallant ’22, Cooper McCann ’22, Matthew Noone ’22, Thomas Scordino ’22
ISLLACROSSEAll-League:Aidan Maguire ’22, Jack Rideout ’22, Ben Frisoli ’22, PJ McKeigue ’22, Andrew Hahm ’22
ISLGOLFAll-League and MVP: Matt Williams ’22 James D. Sullivan Award Presented to a golfer who exemplifies sacrifice for the good of the team, team spirit, and a most positive attitude in the face of disappointment. Gavin Walsh ’22
The Arrows suffered their first loss of the year in the Natick Tournament, but bounced back in the final match to take third place overall. The regular season finished with two more wins and with a tough loss to a talented team from East Greenwich, RI. We thus closed the season with a 12-2 record overall—by far the strongest and most victorious record in Sebs ultimate history. After the regular season, the team traveled to Northampton, MA, to play in the Division II Massachusetts State Championship Tournament where they placed 7th overall. We are graduating seven seniors this year: Captain Colin Boland, Nick Derenzo, Captain Kristian Nordby, Cole Szeman, Captain Kevin Wakakuwa, Paul White, and Charles Yang. These guys were truly the heart and soul of the team, and we will sorely miss their presence on and off the field next year, not only for their playing skills, but also for their character and integrity. Captains-elect Peter Hunt ’23 and Brett Porter ’23 will lead the team next year along with a strong core of rising juniors and seniors. Go Arrows!
The following student-athletes were recognized for their performance during the spring season at an Athletic Awards Assembly on May 31.
Charlie DeMatteo ’22
ISLTENNISAll-League: Charlie DeMatteo ’22
This year’s ultimate season was a huge success. For the first time since the inception of the Sebs ultimate program, the team entered this season having not graduated any seniors from last season. Therefore, the majority of the 2022 squad had experience playing competitive ultimate, which made a big difference. Regardless of previous experience, each and every one of the 23 players on the roster made significant improvements to his individual skills. Thank you to all the players for their dedication to the team and for being great examples of how hard work pays off. The team started off the year 6-0 with some convincing wins over some long-established ultimate programs.
ISLBASEBALLAll-League:Joe Sylvester ’22, Hagan Ward ’23 ISL Honorable Mention: Aidan Barclay ’24, Jack Toomey ’22, Jack Volo ’23, Jeff Valdez ’23 Paul Lepley Award Presented by the coaches to the players who show the qualities of commitment, teamwork, and dedication to the sport of baseball at St. Sebastian’s School. Matt Noone ’22, Joe Sylvester ’22
Alumni from the classes of 2’s and 7’s came back to campus to relive their days as students and reminisce with their Arrow brothers.
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Headmaster Burke recognized the outstanding efforts of the Class of 1992 who, in honor of their 30th Reunion, made extraordinary commitments to both the Alumni Fund and the Endowment, with the establishment of the Class of 1992 Fund. Over 70% of the class have contributed in support of financial aid for today’s Arrows! Alumni who travelled from afar were recognized for their efforts to get back to campus from across the USA and the world. It was great to see so many alumni back on campus. Once in, never out. Arrows forever!
Over 200 alumni, their spouses, faculty, and friends celebrated Reunion 2022 over the weekend of May 20 and 21. On Friday evening, the Class of 1972 gathered with their spouses in Ward Hall to mark their 50th Reunion. Led by the Reunion Committee of Joe Boschetto, Kevin Driscoll, Dave Frawley, Brendan O’Connell, Mike Owens, Jeff Quinn, Mark Sullivan, and Michael Viano, 25 members of the class enjoyed a delicious dinner and took a trip down memory lane, watching a video capturing their days on Nonantum Hill. The Classes of 1948 through 1972 began the Saturday festivities at the Golden Arrow Luncheon (see pg. 60).
2022REUNION
Reunion events continued with the Alumni Memorial Mass, followed by the Cocktail Reception and Clambake on Saturday night. Alumni, friends, and family gathered on the Class of 2017 Courtyard for a reception and then enjoyed catching up over a dinner of clam chowder, lobster and steak tips in the West Campus Center’s wrestling room.
The program included remarks from Headmaster Burke welcoming alumni back to campus and a video presentation featuring photos from the Reunion classes.
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Cocktail Reception &
Sebastian’sCocktailopportunityCloseCLAMBAKEto200alumni,familyandfriendshadthetoreconnectandreminisceattheReception&ClambakewhileenjoyingSt.newestfacility,theWestCampusCenter.
Doug McGregor ’97 and Mark Holbrook ’97 dig in at the Clambake. n Members of the Class of 2007 reunite at the Cocktail Reception. Hard to believe commencement was 15 years ago! n Joe Stivaletta ’67 and Mark Sullivan ’72 reminisce about their days on Nonantum Hill. n Ryan Fitzpatrick ’92 and Dave Cuzzi ’92 greet each other with a celebratory hug! n Members of the Class of 1962 and their spouses took over two tables at the Clambake. n Patrick Reed ’17, Thaddeus Kennedy ’17, and Will Allen ’17 were just a few of the nearly 40 Arrows from the Class of 2017 to return for their first Reunion.
Beginning a new tradition, Fred Corcoran ’62 was honored as the first recipient of the “Order of the Day Award” (see sidebar on opposite page). Alumni also had the opportunity to hear from five members of the Class of 2022: Matt Choi, Nicholas Grover, Cooper McCann, Max Surprenant, and Paul White. The seniors shared their experiences at St. Sebastian’s as well as their plans for the future and mingled with our alumni, highlighting the timeless Brotherhood that prevails at St. Sebastian’s.
Golden
LUNCHEON
60 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE REUNION 2022 Alumni from the Classes of 1948 through 1972 gathered for the Golden Arrow Luncheon on May 21. This annual tradition includes all Arrows who graduated from St. Sebastian’s 50 years ago or more. The luncheon was held on the Class of 2007 Terrace at the Griffith Headmaster’s House. During his remarks, Headmaster Burke recognized the “giants whose shoulders we stand on” and Golden Arrow Society lapel pins were distributed to the newest members to be welcomed into this group of esteemed alumni. We were delighted to host one of our longest tenured Arrows, Jack Boyle ’48 GP’23, celebrating his 74th Reunion!
TOP: 1950’s Arrows, Front Row: John McKinney ’53, Peter Volante ’54, and Ed Pendergast ’52; Back Row: Ed O’Donaghue ’57, Bill Duserick ’57, John Sullivan ’62, and Headmaster Bill Burke. n Headmaster Burke highlights Jack Boyle ’48 as the senior most alumnus to attend this year’s Golden Arrow Luncheon. n Nicholas Grover ’22 addresses the Golden Arrow Society members, sharing his St. Sebastian’s experience with alumni. n Gavin Viano ’68 (left) and Col. Paul Viano ’62 (right) welcome younger brother, Michael ’72 (middle), into the Golden Arrow Society on the occasion of his 50th Reunion. Arrow
Alumni from the 1960’s reunite: Jim Dunn ’68, Paul Cusick ’62, Fred Corcoran ’62, Mike DeCenzo ’62, Ron Rich ’68, Gavin Viano ’68, Joe Stivaletta ’67, Kevin Duggan ’69, Jim Freedman ’67, Dan Daly ’61, Headmaster Bill Burke, Col. Paul Viano ’62, Paul Baratta ’69, Tom Casey ’69, and Joe Tansey ’69.
Fred Corcoran ’62 was honored at the Golden Arrow Luncheon as the first recipient of the Order of the Day Award. Launching a new tradition, the award will be given to a member of the Golden Arrow Society who has exhibited a lifetime of dedication to the service of his fellow man.
Fred Corcoran ’62 Receives the Order of the Day Award
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Corcoran’s selfless commitment to others is the fulfillment of the St. Sebastian’s Order of the Day: “Love God, work hard, and take good care of one another.” As Executive Director and co-founder of Golf For All, he has played an instrumental role in transforming the lives of people with disabilities or who are experiencing hardships by providing free accessibility to the game of golf. The non-profit provides and hosts free clinics throughout New England six months each year. Over the years, St. Sebastian’s faculty and students have volunteered, helping to facilitate the activities on the driving range and putting green, and found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. An outstanding and accomplished tournament player, Fred has a rich personal and family history in golf. His uncle and namesake, Fred Corcoran, is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, having been the Tournament Director of the PGA and cofounder of the LPGA. Fred’s father, John, and his uncle, Bill Corcoran, both succeeded Fred as Executive Secretary of the Massachusetts Golf Association. The Corcoran family tenure extended over four decades at the MGA (now Mass Golf), among the first and most influential state golf associations in the nation. When not hosting a clinic or donating his time and energy, you can find Fred on the range in search of the perfect swing.
Steve Theal, Mike DeCenzo, Charlie Cremens, Paul Cusick, Fred Corcoran, Paul Viano, Charlie Tangerini, Jack Doherty
Front Row: Brendan O’Connell, Mark Sullivan, Michael Viano, Nick Fulham, David Frawley, Scott Feely, Jim Coogan, David Bardelli, Michael Owens; Back Row: Richard Scimone, Joe Boschetto, Steve Hill, Bob McHugh, Steve McManama, Jackson Walsh, Steven Campbell, John May, Mark O’Malley, Jeff Quinn, Gary Eichorn, Chip Burke, Peter Turck, Bill Shue, Ned Stanton, Ted Cronin
Peter Levis (holding Lyford), Charles Cleary, Jim Frawley, John MacFarland, Chris Kennedy Tom Flannery and John Delmonte
Reunion CLASS PHOTOS Members
Tim Doherty, Joe DeVellis, Jay Downes, Mike Doherty of each Reunion class
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in attendance gathered for an official class photo. 50th REUNION
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25th REUNION Left to right, front to back: Jackson McKeigue, Cam Mulvey, Parker Joyce, Ryan Martin, Mike Connolly, Cam Cain, Austin Huffman, Eric Jeremiah, Chris Joyce, Chris Vallace, Jimmy McCabe, Pete Rowe, Kevin Moore, Patrick Reed, Vito Palombella, Tyler Goldman, Brendan Goostray, Thaddeus Kennedy, Jack Frisoli, Tim DiFiore, Will Roche, Jake O’Neil, Joe Duffy, Will Evans, Will Allen, Blake Hailer, Bryan Doe, Alex Zafonte, Bryan O’Donnell, Michael Ragnoni, Trevor Yandow, Henry Birmingham, Joe O’Malley, JD Dietrich, James Orscheln
Front Row: Eric Drumm, Alex Healy, Jeff London, Jess Davis, Brian Nickel, Tom Dunlay, Josh Heller; Back Row: Dan Burke, Doug McGregor, Trevor Hamilton, Mark Holbrook, Brendan Mansfield, Mike Atwood
Joe Clark, Sean Coffey, Nick Kelly, Connor Smith, Tucker Elcock, Nicholas Harney, Tim Smith, Brendan Murphy
Front Row: Austin Franchi, Benjamin Thai, Curtis Yandow, Kendall Dardy-Jones, Anthony D’Amato, Conor Reenstierna, Tommy Allen, Sam Washburne; Back Row: Parker Hentz, John Gordon, Kevin Wolfe, Kevin Dillon, Peter Cimini, Michael Muldowney, Brendan Dunphy, Patrick McLaughlin, Stephen Brown, Conor Haughey, Chris Nadeau, Patrick Ciapciak Jimmy Viano, James Keefe, Greg Kelly, Brett Maloley, Patrick O’Neil, Kevin Cullinan, Nick Morteo, Patrick Chipman, Fred Arens, Mike Ragusa
Front Row: Brian Compagnone, Mike Heffernan, Chris Brinkhaus, Dave Cuzzi, Luke Sweeney; Back Row: Joe Hulbig, Charles Haley, Brian Flaherty, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mark Daly
On May 24, alumni competed in the annual Alumni-Varsity Scrimmage following an awards ceremony to honor Coach Adam White, recipient of USA Lacrosse’s Gerald Carroll Jr. Exemplary Coach Award. In true St. Sebastian’s family spirit, the group included seven combinations of brothers who have all played St. Sebastian’s lacrosse: Tommy ’21 and Paul ’25 Armstrong; Jake ’21 and Griffin ’22 Cusack; John ’19 and Ryan ’25 Farley; Will ’19, Jack ’17, Sam ’21, Ben ’22, and Tedy ’26 Frisoli; Craig ’00 and David ’00 Healy; Nick ’21 and Chris ’24 Merageas; and Mike ’19 and Matt ’23 Swirbalus.
On February 26, alumni from across the generations came out to cheer on the Arrows varsity basketball team on Senior Night as they capped off their ISL Championship season with a resounding victory over Saint Paul’s School. Following the game, nearly 25 alumni gathered in Arrows Hall to meet the team and hear from Coach Dave Hinman. St. Sebastian’s all-time leading scorer, John Bean ’85, was present for the game and reception. Bean’s 1,769 career points predated the three-point era and present a formidable challenge for any future Arrows basketball players.
Florida Receptions
Summer Kickoff Social Arrows from the Classes of 2004-2018 were invited to Castle Island Brewery in South Boston on June 21 for the Summer Kickoff Social. They were joined by alumni from BB&N, Brooks, Governor’s Academy, St. Mark’s, and Thayer Academy in what is hoped to be an annual event. The social provided a great chance for alumni to reconnect with Seb’s classmates and relive the glory days with ISL rivals, many of whom have become college friends and professional colleagues.
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Following a two year hiatus, the Alumni & Advancement Office headed out on the road again for our annual Florida receptions in Jupiter and Naples over the March break. Bill and Patty Burke, Rich Arms and Mike Melley had the opportunity to spend time with nearly 100 Arrows alumni, parents, grandparents and friends of the extended St. Sebastian’s family. Lori & Ron Peters P’11 graciously hosted the Jupiter Reception at the Loxahatchee Club on March 11 and Trustee Randy and Janet Seidl P’17,’19 welcomed the St. Sebastian’s family to their home in Naples on March 14 (pictured above).
ARROWS GATHERINGS
Basketball Reception
Alumni Lacrosse Game
On Friday, May 20, the Alumni Golf Outing was held at South Shore Country Club in Hingham, MA. 130 alumni, representing every decade from the 1960’s through the 2010’s, participated in the event. The team of Rick ’02 and Andrew ’04 Baker and Tucker ’08 and Robbie ’10 Donahoe successfully defended their title. They have already let it be known they will be back next year looking for the “three-peat.” During the luncheon following golf, Headmaster Bill Burke addressed the group and spoke of the important role the alumni play in the success of the School. It was a beautiful spring day and Arrows in attendance had a great time!
Save the date and line up your foursomes for next year’s Alumni
Alumni Reunite on the Links Golf Outing, May 12, 2023.
Jim took great pride in the truth that ours was a School community in which the sheet metal worker and the venture capitalist stood side by side as equals when watching their sons perform on the ice, the courts, the fields, and the stage. Our faith teaches and our daily practice reaffirms that rich or poor, black or white, no person is any better or any worse than another. Rather, we’re all made in the image and likeness of God and called by God to be the best people we can be in body, mind, and spirit, to love God and to love one another.
Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Trustee Emeritus Jim Cotter ’57
On Saturday, May 20, the Cotter family and St. Sebastian’s alumni gathered at the Griffith Headmaster’s House to memorialize former longstanding trustee and member of the Board of Visitors, Jim Cotter ’57, who passed away in April of 2020. The memorial service coincided with what would have been Jim’s 65th Reunion and drew several alumni including Jack Doherty ’62, and Jim’s 1957 classmates Ed O’Donaghue, John Sullivan, and Charlie Monahan. The Cotter family was well represented by Jim’s brothers Bobby and Bill, Bill’s wife Suzy, as well as their three children, Mike Cotter, Chris Cotter, and LindsayHeadmasterSullivan.Burke opened the service with a prayer and offered a powerful eulogy befitting a man who impacted his beloved alma mater so much. Having met Jim in the search process that brought him to St. Sebastian’s, Headmaster Burke recalled those early days fondly: Jim was one of six eminent members of our Arrows family on the St. Sebastian’s Headmaster Search Committee in 1989-1990. So, you see, I was blessed to come to know and love Jim Cotter even before the beginning. And what a great introduction! Clearly an intelligent, energetic, passionate, and inspirational leader totally devoted to his School, Jim drew me in immediately. Here, I believed, was a man from whom I could learn much and with whom I could have an awful lot of fun along the way.
Headmaster Burke went on: The game plan was well established and abundantly clear from well before I showed up: Jim knew who we were, from whence we had come, and where we hoped to go. He understood the finances, clearly, but he also understood a whole lot more. He understood the greatness and importance of St. Sebastian’s spiritual and educational mission. Ours was, had been, and forever must be a Catholic School grounded in the truth gained through faith and reason, a place where every student and every family regardless of financial means could feel comfortable and at home.
In conclusion, Headmaster Burke shared this farewell to one of St. Sebastian’s greatest sons: St. John of the Cross asserts: “In the twilight of our lives all that will matter is how we have loved.” By that measure, by any measure, what a success was and is the life of Jim Cotter!
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CLASS NOTES Arrows in the Photography Lab on Nonantum Hill in 1953.
1964 On March 24, 2022, Dr. Jerome Delli Priscoli was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa degree by the National University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary. He was recognized for his incredibly rich contributions as a world leader in conflict management, water resources policy and governance, and water security. During his career, he served on the Board of Governors of the World Water Council, the Inter American Water Resources Network and works with, and has helped found several other world associations such as the International Association for Public Participation, the World Water Council and the Global Water Partnership. He has been advisor to the World Bank on water policy and to all of the UN water related agencies on water policy issues. He is the author of many articles and books, including that on Water and Civilization, and is the founding Editor-in Chief of the International Journal on Water Policy.
Dr. Delli Priscoli served as Senior Advisor at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources for more than forty years where he proved on many occasions to be a skilled mediator and facilitator. Congratulations, Jerry, on this welldeserved honor!
NEW?WHAT’S Keep your classmates up to date on your accomplishments, family members, travels, or anything else new in your life. Send us photos, too! Submit class notes and photos online at: stsebs.org/classnotes Deadline for next issue: DECEMBER 1,
68 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE CLASS NOTES
Photos will be published based on quality and available space. Please be sure to send the highest quality image possible and identify everyone in the photo.
LEFT: Mike Cataldo ’22 and Jack Sullivan ’22 join Fred Corcoran ’62 (center), Executive Director and co-founder of Golf for All, at a Special Needs Clinic while working on their Senior Service Project on April 29. n RIGHT: Dr. Jerome Delli Priscoli '64 is awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa degree by the National University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary. ’64 ’62
1968 Congratulations to Steve Dowling and his wife Cathy, as they celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary this August. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Steve and Cathy have lived in North Conway since 1980. Steve retired from his teaching position nine years ago. One of his many achievements includes being the founder of the White Mountain Milers running club in 1985. The club has provided over $132,000 in scholarship money to local athletes. Steve is looking forward to seeing many of his ’68 classmates at their 55th Reunion in May, 2023. 2022
1971 Tom Whalen shares: “Lucy Catherine Sim joined our family on June 3rd (our commencement anniversary) weighing in at 8 lbs., 10.8 oz., and 19.8 ins. long. Lucy is the 3rd child born to my oldest daughter, Claire, joining brother Thomas and sister Harper Anne. She is my 7th grandchild.” (see photo) 1977 John Deroche writes: “I will be married to my bride for 40 years on July 24th. Several Arrows attended our wedding in 1982 at Notre Dame in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Mary and I have five adult children—three in Chicagoland and two in Arizona. I have been successful in business and started my own company seven years ago—Crossroads Building Supply. We have grown rapidly and are excited about its growth and prosperity. Boston sports put Chicago sports to shame—so I continue to go to BoSox games when they are in Chicago; Bruins and Celtics as well. Go Arrows.” Catherine Sim, grandchild Tom
7th
Whalen ’71. ’69 ALUMNI EVENTS October8Homecoming 13 Alumni Reception 18 Tech NetworkingIndustryEvent 1November Faculty Zoom Seminar 14 Washington, D.C. Reception 15 New York Reception 22 Boston BreakfastBusiness 23 Class of Yearbook2022Reception 23 Thanksgiving Eve Social 26 Alumni Sports Day For more information, visit: stsebs.org/alumnievents ’71
’70 LEFT: Kevin Duggan ’69 with his wife, Cindy, and 13 grandchildren. n RIGHT: Lucy
1969 Kevin Duggan reports: “It was good to see classmates Paul Baratta, Tom Casey, and Joe Tansey at the recent alumni luncheon at the Headmaster’s house. Life is great here in Scituate, MA. Cindy and I have five sons who all married and have given us 13 beautiful grandchildren— Maddie 13, Samantha 12, Ryan 10, Brendan 9, Matthew 9, Gregory 7, Kylie 7, Emma 6, Chase 6, Jake 5, Andrew 5, Mia 2, and Tyler Joseph 2. ‘Heaven On Earth.’” (see photo) Kevin shares an Arrows memory and coincidence: “I entered St. Seb’s in freshman year and will always remember one day that fall, I was walking from the lower school to the main campus, when I was approached by an upperclassman whom I did not know at the time. He asked me how I was doing and offered me some kind, supportive words. That upperclassman was David Leahy, Class of 1968, and coincidently, as of about 10 years ago David lives three doors down from me on the same street.”
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Looking for an internship, industry contacts, first job, next job, or career advice?
The Arrows Connect net work is the place to start. Arrows Connect is our own net working directory connecting members of the St. Sebastian’s community to each other. Your profile has already been set up by the Alumni Office. Just upload your LinkedIn profile to the site, answer a few short questions and your profile will be complete. As a member of Arrows Connect, you can access an extensive directory of professionals, find qualified candidates to hire, post job offerings, volunteer to be a mentor, and more. Register today to make the most of your St. Sebastian’s network! arrowsconnect.org
Mike Grier ’93, P’22 Becomes General Manager of the San Jose Sharks
Mike Grier ’93, P’22 with his wife, Anne, daughter Brooklyn, and sons Tristan and Jayden ’22, at a news conference introducing Grier as the Shark’s new GM. (Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks)
Most recently, Grier served as a hockey operations advisor for the New York Rangers. Prior to joining the Rangers, he was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils (2018-20) and served as a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks (2014-18). He also worked as an assistant coach for St. Sebastian’s varsity hockey team from 2013-17, helping players to build individual skills and passing on “tricks of the trade” during practices and games. The past several years, Grier has been involved as the parent of an Arrow, watching his son, Jayden ’22, lace up his skates for St. Sebastian’s. Grier grew up in a household centered around professional sports. His father, Bobby, is currently a consultant of the Miami Dolphins, with previous stints in scouting, player personnel and as an advisor with the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. His older brother, Chris, was a scout for the Patriots and then the Dolphins, becoming general manager of the team in 2016. No doubt, Grier will bring his leadership qualities and passion for hockey to his new role as general manager of the Sharks.
CLASS NOTES
ARROWSCONNECT
O n July 5, 2022, Mike Grier ’93, P’22 was named the San Jose Sharks new general manager. Grier, who has spent a lifetime in the game of hockey, has the distinguished honor of becoming the first Black general manager in the history of the National Hockey League. He brings both breadth and depth to the leadership role given his experience in the NHL as a player, scout, coach and executive. Since his playing days at St. Sebastian’s, during which the Arrows won back-to-back ISL Championships, Grier has indeed had a remarkable career on the ice. Originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 1993 Entry Draft, the powerful right wing was traded to the Edmonton Oilers while attending Boston University, and went on to play for the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres. Grier was the first African-American player, both born and trained in the United States, to make it to the NHL. He played 1,060 NHL games over the course of 14 seasons before retiring in 2011. His teams appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 11 of those 14 seasons.
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1986 Jim Wilson writes: “We moved from Boston to the San Francisco Bay Area about six years ago, and man, do we love California, especially when family and former classmates visit. (Bill O’Hearn ’86, a man almost completely impervious to jet lag, is current record-holder for most visits.) I am currently global managing director of Accenture, the management consulting and technology services company, where I do a lot of work for clients in California and around the world. In particular, I focus on the emerging area of artificial intelligence and have co-authored two books on the topic in the past few years: Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and, more recently this spring, Radically Human: How New Technology is Transforming Business and Shaping Our Future (both with Harvard Business Press). On this note: I am forever grateful to St. Seb’s for sparking my passion for ideas, writing, and leading others with conscience as a guide.”
1996 Ned Cleary reports: “I got married in April 2020 to my wife Courtney. Our son, Benjamin, was born in December 2021.” 2004 Mike Buckley and his wife, Jenna welcomed twin sons, Christopher and Ryan, on October 15, 2021! Mike shares: “Both boys are busy crawling, exploring new foods, and laughing up a storm. We are excited to visit campus in the fall!” (see photo) ’71 1971 classmates, along with a couple of their wives, gathered in Naples, FL, in March 2022. From the left: Mark Bergin, Bob Maloney, Jeanne Noonan, Rich Hoy, Mary Gallagher, John Noonan and Gleason Gallagher. n Christopher (left) and Ryan (right), twin sons of Mike Buckley ’04 and his wife, Jenna, enjoyed their first St. Patrick’s Day in March 2022. n At a ceremony in April 2022, Geoff Wade ’15, a former intern teacher at St. Sebastian’s, became an awardwinning 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. n Mark Flaherty ’05 married Alexandra Morin on June 24, 2022. Arrows classmates in attendance gathered for a photo with the groom and other friends (from the left): Patrick Chambers ’05, friend Brian Sullivan, Jon Consalvo ’05, Marc Federico ’05, Andrew Tuckett ’05, Mark’s college roommate Greg Thornton, the groom himself, George O’Toole ’05, Tyler Fallon ’05, and Conor Joyce ’05. ’15 ’04 ’05
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’15 (far right), assistant coach of St. Sebastian’s varsity baseball, with the team holding a Vs. Cancer banner. n Former Arrows teammates Brian Craven ’18 and Billy Seidl ’19 catch up after playing against each other in a Davidson vs. Duke baseball game. n Current and incoming students at Harvard—Alessandro Barbiellini ’21, Cooper McCann ’22, Max Surprenant ’22, Jeff Serowik ’20, Jack Flynn ’22 and Pat McDonald ’20—meet up during Visitas, the official admitted students weekend for the Harvard Class of 2026. (Missing from photo is Charles DeMatteo ’22 who will also be matriculating at Harvard in the fall).
PatNOTESMcGowan
2015 Pat McGowan came back to St. Sebastian’s this spring as an assistant coach for the varsity baseball team, which finished third in the ISL. The baseball team partnered with Vs. Cancer, a nonprofit which raises awareness for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Pat started working as an Ambassador with Vs. Cancer in October 2021 after teaming up with the foundation for four years with the Holy Cross Baseball team. (see photo)
10.8.22HOMECOMING Bring the entire family to cheer on the Arrows varsity football and soccer teams! stsebs.org/homecoming Share your IDEAS for Alumni Profiles Do you know an alumnus you would like to see profiled in an issue of St. Sebastian’s Magazine? Tell us about it! Send an email with your suggestions to our Communications Office communications@stsebs.org.at
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 73 CLASS NOTES If you are a member of a St. Sebastian’s class ending in 3 or 8, mark your calendar for Reunion weekend. 202REUNION3 MAY 12 & 13
jackets,
Wear your
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wherever you go! Check out our
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JORDAN BARROS ’15 is making a name for himself in the art world. A full-time multimedia artist based in Massachusetts, Jordan’s body of work and creative energy is inspired by Black American culture and the Black experience. Through painting, illustration, and graphic design, he documents pivotal chapters of his story. Jordan started his artwork when he was a student at Bos ton College and after graduating in 2019 has continued to pursue his passion as a profession. The son of Celtics alum Dana Barros, Jordan was recently selected to be a part of the Black Creators Network, a collaboration between the Celtics and New Balance to highlight local Black creators from the Boston community and its surrounding areas. Jordan shared this statement about a painting in which he combined Black history and his own family’s history: “Basketball molded me as a Black man. Growing up, my first word was ‘ball.’ I still have a basketball on my bedroom floor. Hooping also transformed the lives of my grandfather and my father. They changed my life, too, by introducing me to the game. I learned valuable lessons on the court. Basketball is attention to detail. It’s flow, freedom and instinct. It’s meditation.” Arrows pride online campus men’s and women’s sweatshirts, sweat
74 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE CLASS NOTES Follow us on Instagram @StSebastiansSchool Like us on Facebook /Stsebs Follow us on Twitter @StSebsNeedham Connect with us on LinkedIn St. Sebastian’s School Alumni, connect with us by joining our Facebook Group! Search “St. Sebastian’s School Alumni” or use the url www.facebook.com/groups/stsebastiansschoolalumni STAY CONNECTED
Brandon Peck ’07 and Bill McCarthy ‘15 Bring Material Alive for AP Gov Class
Bill McCarthy ’15 (top) and Brandon Peck ’07 (bottom) speak to AP Government students.
Wesley Mateo ’03 Presents to the AI Club
On March 3, the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Club welcomed Wesley Mateo ’03 as its first guest speaker. Wesley studied cognitive science at Stanford (Human-Computer Interaction), and is now a Senior Manager at IBM, where he works on healthcare solutions using predictive analysis. Wesley brought his knowledge of the healthcare industry to the AI Club, explaining how different hospitals communicate patient information to one another. He then walked the students through the huge task of collecting data from several different healthcare networks, providers, and locations while figuring out the best way to organize all the data and convert it into a uniform format. Wesley’s fascinating presentation achieved one of the new club’s goals, demonstrating how the use of AI impacts various fields. Brian Faherty ’92 Shares His Acting Journey with the Drama Club Back on campus for his 30th Reunion, Brian Faherty ’92 spoke to members of the Drama Club on May 20 about his journey as an actor. Brian most recently appeared in “Don’t Look Up” and worked on the upcoming “Boston Strangler” film. He has over 15 television credits, including Blue Bloods, Billions, Jessica Jones, Ray Donovan, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and FBI: Most Wanted. He credits St. Sebastian’s with providing an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and try out theatre!
Jed Doherty’s AP Government class invited two alumni back to the classroom as guest lecturers in April. Brandon Peck ’07, in the Video Classroom, and Bill McCarthy ‘15, via Zoom, shared insights on their real-world experience working in Washington, DC. Brandon is a Vice President at Flywheel Government Solutions, a Duke,collegeinBrandonbypoliticalaBillmarketsgovernmentmultidisciplinaryrelations/governmentadvisoryandstrategyfirm.isastaffwriterforPolitiFact,non-profitwebsitedevotedtofactchecking,unaffectedagendaorbiases.Inbothcases,andBillbecameinterestedthepoliticalarenaduringtheiryearsatHolyCrossandrespectively.
ALUMNI IN THE CLASSROOM
John passed away on February 14, 2022. While at St. Sebastian’s, he was the captain of the football team, leading the Arrows to an undefeated season in the fall of 1969, and also played basketball and golf. In his senior year, he contributed to the Arrow yearbook as well as Dramatics. After his retirement, Jack, always a free spirit, took to the road. To quote his sister, Carol Sheehan, “his love of the outdoors was stronger than his suburban ties.” In addition to Carol, Jack is also survived by his sisters, Ellen and Nancy, and brothers Jim and Steve, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John J. Sheehan ’70
SPRING / SUMMER 2022 | 75 IN MEMORIAM
Honorable Paul D. Lewis ’58 Paul passed away on March 29, 2022. While at St. Sebastian’s, he played football, hockey and baseball, serving as captain of the baseball team his senior year. He was also a member of the Walrus staff, Debate Club and Science Club. Following St. Sebastian’s, he attended the College of the Holy Cross and Suffolk University Law School. Paul was a Professor at Bunker Hill Community College and Boston College. He was instrumental in setting up the Bail Project at the Suffolk County Jail and was an instructor at the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Southboro and lecturer at the National Institute of Corrections. He was appointed as a Justice of the Boston Juvenile Court by the late Governor Edward J. King in 1982, a position he held until his retirement in 2011. Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anne Marie; children Peter ’89 and Timothy (predeceased by the late Paul D. Lewis Jr.); grandchildren Logan, Nolan and Bridget; and his brother, Arthur.
Peter McCue ’70 Peter passed away on February 1, 2022. During his days as an Arrow, Peter was an outstanding tennis player and was known for his courage, determination, and love of life. After graduation from Boston College in 1975, Peter had a distinguished professional career with the Xerox Corporation and rose through the ranks of Xerox into senior management, specializing in global accounts. Peter suffered from liver disease from the time he was very young and had a successful liver transplant in 1992. He went on to cofound the New England Chapter of the American Liver Foundation in 1997 that today continues to educate and impact those with liver disease. Peter was predeceased by wife Annie Casey in 2011. He leaves his daughter, Melissa Monahan, and beloved granddaughters, Charlie and Willow. Additionally, he is survived by siblings Mark ’71, Katie, Chuck and Maureen; many nieces and nephews, including Andrew ’07; his former wife, Amy Golov; and stepmother Margaret McCue. This listing contains deaths reported before July 7, 2022. To see a complete listing of alumni who have passed away within the past 12 months please go to Towww.stsebs.org/inmemoriam.reportadeathofaSt.Sebastian’s
alumnus or relative to the Advancement Office, please contact Kelsey Kane at kelsey_kane@stsebs.org.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the graduates and friends of St. Sebastian’s School whose deaths are reported with sorrow. Joseph A. Santarpio ’73
Joe passed away on February 17, 2021. He was an active athlete on Nonantum Hill, playing football and running track all four years. He also participated in Dramatics and served as a sacristan. Joe is survived by his wife, Amanda (Hogan); son Joseph; granddaughter Lilliana; and siblings Sheri and Edward ’80. He also leaves behind his devoted Aunt Ida Toro and many nieces and nephews.
Ronald V. Sylvester February 14, 2022 Grandfather of Joseph ’22 Rose Mary Walsh May 28, 2022 Mother of John ’72 ALUMNI RELATIVES & FRIENDS
Joan Kilcoyne February 17, 2022 Mother of Brendon ’99 Claire McAuliffe April 3, 2022 Wife of Andy ’48; mother of Andrew ’75, John ’78, the late Lawrence ’79, Ted ’81, Paul ’86 and Joanmarie Lee P’15,’21; grandmother of Andrew ’09, Paul ‘16, and Tommy ’23 McAuliffe, and Justin ‘15 and Michael ’21 Lee
John V. McManmon February 26, 2022 Grandfather of John McManmon ’16, and Harrison ’18 and Neal ’24
76 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE IN MEMORIAM Patricia J. Colton
Former Faculty Member Pat passed away on January 27, 2022, at home and surrounded by her family, after a long illness. She worked at St. Sebastian’s from 1993 until her illness compelled her to retire in 2017. Pat was a beloved science teacher, as well as Director of the Middle School for many years. “An intelligent, talented, erudite, grounded, confident, faith-filled, gifted educator, Pat truly loved her students, their families, her colleagues, and all things science,” shared Headmaster Bill Burke. Pat was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and remained close to her parents’ roots while growing up in Toronto and Peterborough, Ontario. She met her husband, Tim, when they were both studying at Saint Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. She worked as a science teacher and administrator in Toronto before arriving at St. Sebastian’s. Pat had many close friends in Wellesley as well as in Canada and spent many happy summers on Manitoulin Island in Ontario with the Colton family. Her many interests included travel, bridge, gardening, cooking, reading and community work, particularly with the Saint John the Evangelist Parish. Pat was a role model to many for the courage and optimism she brought to everything she did, including her lengthy illness. Pat is survived by Tim, her devoted husband of 53 years; two daughters, Patricia and Katharine Rose; four grandchildren, Robert, Laura, Sylvie and Everett; her sister, Maryelaine Welbourn; and nieces Candace and Tara. Marjorie A. Bianchi September 24, 2021 Mother of Robert ’67 Karen Callini June 6, 2022 Mother of faculty member Carla Callini and aunt of Josef and Stefan Cressotti Kevin Callanan July 7, 2022 Son of Neil ’94 and nephew of Ean ’88 Richard Carolan June 1, 2022 Father of Cathy Daniel, Trustee, and grandfather of Matthew ’15, Billy ’18, and Teddy ’20 Daniel Thelma DeLeo May 28, 2022 Mother of Michael ’72 Margaret Dray March 24, 2022 Mother of Richard Jr. ’82 Ann M. Fish March 16, 2022 Grandmother of Nicholas Price ’19 and Connor Crane ’25 and sister of the late John P. O’Hearn ’57
Kathryn Grande January 27, 2022 Mother of Michael ’83 and Steve ’84 and grandmother of Steve’s son, Brian ’23 Carlton “Carl” Jones, Jr. March 25, 2022 Father of Michael ’91 Ken Kelly May 13, 2022 Father of George ’26 Helen Kennedy February 09, 2022 Mother of Peter ’79, Chris ’82 and Justin ’84
Carlson Joan Melaragno October 13, 2021 Grandmother of Connor ’13 and Matthew ’08 Chabot Regina Najarian June 11, 2022 Mother of Sebu ’24 and Avi ’25 Elsie Stevens Norton February 22, 2022 Wife of Dave Norton ’57 Elinor O’Neil December 25, 2022 Grandmother of Ethan Merithew ’23 Barbara Shine May 28, 2022 Grandmother of Peter Cimini ‘12 Rosemary Sortor March 14, 2022 Grandmother of Sean ’09, Jake ’10, and Brian ‘13 O’Malley
Monsignor Charles D. McInnis Society
For more information about gift planning and including St. Sebastian’s in your estate plans, contact Rich Arms, Director of Advancement, at 781.247.0116 or richard_arms@stsebs.org or visit plannedgiving.stsebs.org.
St. Sebastian’s planned giving society was founded in the late 1990s and named in honor of the School’s first headmaster, Monsignor Charles D. McInnis, a devoted and beloved leader. The purpose of the Society is to recognize and honor the individuals and families who support St. Sebastian’s by making a gift by will (bequest) or other legacy gift to support the School.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
There are many reasons members of our community choose to remember St. Sebastian’s in their estate plans. Some remember our School to say thank you for the education, athletics, and friendships they experienced here, while others are touched by the inclusive, nurturing community that strives to empower students for success in college and in life. Please consider joining a growing number of alumni, parents and friends who haven chosen to remember St. Sebastian’s with a legacy gift, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of our students, teachers, and alumni community.
1191 Greendale Avenue Needham, Massachusetts 02492 Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 19943 The ISL Championship varsity basketball team celebrates with Henry’s Corner after winning the NEPSAC Class A Quarterfinals against Trinity Pawling on March 2.
