The magazine for alumni, parents, and friends of Xavier High School
Summer 2016
TO LEAD WITH
INTEGRITY
SUMMER 2016
Xavier High School Jack Raslowsky President Michael LiVigni Headmaster Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51 Assistant to the President Daniel Dougherty Executive Vice President Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR Director of Communications Editor, Xavier Magazine Contributors Dan Bassini Nick Byrne ’11 Dario Cantatore College of the Holy Cross Harisch Studios Andrew Kiarie Mumbi ’16 Michael LiVigni Stephanie Massaro Mark Mongelluzzo Thomas Nugent ’09 Tom O’Hara ’69 P’04 ’06 Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51 Helene Strong P’99 ’04 Lead Photographer Michael Marmora Contributing Photographer Mark Wyville Design Erbach Communications Group How to Reach Us Xavier Magazine Xavier High School 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011 Email: editor@xavierhs.org Class Notes: classnotes@xavierhs.org
Xavier’s Mission
Founded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.
On the Cover
Student leaders discuss a crucial aspect of Xavier’s mission— teaching students to lead with integrity—during a roundtable in the Arrupe Library in May. MIX Paper from responsible sources
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Graduation 2016
Departments 2. 3. 30. 34. 44.
From the President News from 16th Street Maroon and Blue Class Notes Back Story
Featured in This Issue 8. STUDENTS TO WATCH: TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY How does Xavier inspire principled leadership in generations of her Sons? Director of Campus Ministry Kaija DeWitt speaks with six student leaders. 16. MISSION MATTERS: TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE On the 100th anniversary of JROTC in America, the Xavier Regiment remains a fertile training ground for disciplined, patriotic leaders. Two current cadets speak to Xavier Magazine about their extraordinary education. 18. HALL OF FAME: ONWARD TO GLORY In October, 10 outstanding alumni and one legendary teacher will be permanently enshrined in the Xavier Hall of Fame. Friends, colleagues, and students pay them tribute. 24. XAVIER IN THE WORLD: WHEREVER GREEN IS WORN Nine students embarked on the trip of a lifetime in March, marking the centenary of Ireland’s Easter Rising with ceremonies, meetings with world leaders, and legendary Irish hospitality.
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A Year to Remember
Dear Sons and Friends of Xavier, Another school year, our 169th, has drawn to a close. And what a year it has been. Pope Francis visiting New York, and Xavier and her Sons with him at Kennedy Airport, Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Madison Square Garden; our students present with the first Jesuit pope and students from more than 40 Jesuit high schools at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia; our first international alumni gathering in London at the Rugby World Cup where Peter Seccia ’85, Mike Tolkin ’85, Mike Petri ’02, and Seamus Kelly ’09 made Xavier and the USA proud. Record-breaking years in football and cross country. Record-breaking numbers on CFX, including a third Tennessee trip and new opportunities for solidarity in the Dominican Republic. Joe McGrane’s 25 years as head coach, Pat Dormer’s induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame, the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia ’53. It has been a year to remember. And it has been a year of particular blessing for the Raslowskys as Christian, our second child, graduated on June 9, a proud member of the Class of 2016 and the
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first son of a Xavier president to receive a Xavier diploma. The past four years have been a blessing beyond measure as I have been able to delight in Xavier as both president and parent. I have come to see Christian grow in wonderful ways—as a student, an athlete, a leader, and a person of faith. I have witnessed him growing in relationship with the faculty in disciplines he loved and in those he did not. He was consistently challenged—and he worked very hard to consistently deliver—in the classrooms of Kane and Lynch, on the hills of Van Cortlandt Park, on the basketball courts of New York City, and in the Loyola Retreat House in Morristown. And I got to see all this firsthand. With Christian in the class, I came to know the Class of 2016 in deeper ways than I otherwise would. It is a class that will always have a special place in my heart for its intelligence, its grit, and its goodness. The memories are countless. Zach Cilmi having no fear in the paint throughout freshman basketball. Marty Steffens, the son of a New York City police officer, always a model of balance, insight, and loyalty when discussing the work of the police and their relationship to the community. The political passion of Justin WestbrookLowery. The humor of Stephanos Cocoves. The loyalty of Ben Karam and Dom Ronan. The integrity of Terrence Lubin. The ability of Marc Bisogno to respond to his seasonending injury and Tommy John surgery with all-too-rare decency and goodness. Francesco D’Angelo serving at Dan Berrigan’s funeral Mass. Peter Thomann’s insightful preparation for our class. West Point-bound Andrew Rivera’s thirst for knowledge. Liam Goldfarb and friends with consistent warm greetings in the Campus
Ministry office. Xander Berg arriving to school on many a day on his scooter. Mike Schaefer’s show-stopping performance in the freshman drama production, A Night of Skits and a One Act. My senior conversation with Anthony Obas. Justin Pastilha accompanied by his dad at the Acoustic Coffeehouse. The seemingly omnipresent picture of Bo Kendrick-Holmes in Xavier publications. Hopkins’ words made real as Christ played in 10,000 places, and I was privileged to be part of it all. Every June, graduation is a time of deep pride for me as president and a time of abundant grace. On graduation night, I watch our seniors, faculty, and trustees process into the church. I then take my place last in line. It is a time for seeing gifts and goodness, and for celebrating growth: a time for giving thanks to God for the hundreds of lives learning, teaching, and leading at Xavier. It is always a time—in the words of Coach Jimmy Valvano—to laugh, to love, and to cry. This year, a bit more than usual. Enjoy this Xavier Magazine as we mark the end of our 169th year, a year made possible by the generosity and dedication of thousands of alumni, parents, faculty, friends, and students of Xavier. As president and parent, I am grateful for it all. Sons of Xavier, keep marching, on to victory. My prayers and God’s blessings, Jack Raslowsky President
St. Francis Xavier, Pray for Us Throughout a student’s four years on 16th Street, the Church of St. Francis Xavier serves as a second home—a breathtaking place of worship, prayer, and reflection. So it is at each year’s Baccalaureate Mass, which marks the dawn of Commencement Week for a new graduating class contemplating life’s next steps. On June 4, Xavier chaplain Ralph Rivera, S.J. presided over the annual Mass as 254 seniors and their families prepared to say farewell to 16th Street. For the first time, both Baccalaureate and graduation were live streamed, allowing faraway friends and loved ones to participate in the spectacular celebrations.
Compiled by Shawna Gallagher Vega
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Xavier Names New Admissions Director A familiar face took the helm of Xavier’s Admissions Office when Steven Noga, a 14-year veteran of the faculty, began his tenure as Director of Admissions on July 1. Noga, who most recently served as religion department chair, is thrilled about his new role. “I’m really excited about this new opportunity, especially at a time when the opening of Fernandez-Duminuco Hall is presenting us an opportunity to renew and re-envision how and why we teach,” he said. Noga is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and Xavier University. He earned graduate degrees in theology at Boston College and private school leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. He brings a thorough knowledge of Jesuit and independent schools— Steven Noga not to mention Xavier—to his new role. In recent years, Noga has served on several accreditation and sponsorship review committees for other schools, led Xavier’s own accreditation self-study, completed the Jesuit Schools Network’s Seminars in Ignatian Leadership, and immersed himself in Xavier student life, serving as a coach, retreat leader, and service trip chaperone. “When I told my students that I was taking this opportunity, I let them know that the job thrilled me because I’m trading the physical classroom space in the Lynch building for classrooms across the metro NYC region,” Noga said. “I’m passionate about sharing the good news of what is happening on 16th Street and making sure that prospective students and families can be part of that good news.”
Celebrating 20 Years of Service boys can experience Christ in their studies and in their conversation Xavier’s Bene Merenti Medal honors members of the faculty and with one another.” staff who have reached a major milestone—20 years of service on For Reinhart, the husband of Maureen Reinhart (a 2015 Bene 16th Street. Merenti medalist) and father of Robert Reinhart ’94 and Kevin At this year’s Commencement at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Reinhart ’99, returning to Xavier had community paused to honor two long been on his mind. “I had a vague members of the religion department, notion of someday giving back ever since Chris Napolitano and Robert I graduated,” he said. Reinhart ’69 P’94 ’99, as they Since he left his banking career concluded their second decade of to teach at Xavier in 1996, Reinhart teaching. Both were drawn to Xavier has certainly done that, serving as by a desire to share their faith with religion department chair, member young people, and according to their and chair of the Faculty Development colleagues, both have made God’s love Committee, chair of the Middle States manifest to a generation of Sons of Accreditation Steering Committee, Xavier. chair of the Province Sponsorship “I see God most clearly in young Review Committee, and coordinator people,” said Napolitano, who came to of the Magis retreat program. As Xavier shortly after graduating from Headmaster Michael LiVigni said at college. “Their joy, sense of humor, Commencement, “Bob Reinhart has generosity, and even messiness allows already given his alma mater a lifetime me to continually believe that God of service, and he continues to serve exists—and that he loves them, so I Robert Reinhart '69 P'94 '99 and Chris Napolitano his students, his colleagues, and this must as well.” community with his whole heart every day.” “For Chris, teaching religion at Xavier is not simply a job. It is “My work as a bureaucrat was giving me no life, but working with a vocation of service and love for his students,” said Fordham Prep teenagers has helped keep me young,” Reinhart said. “It’s awesome principal Dr. Joseph Petriello, Napolitano’s former colleague. “He work, and I thank God for it daily.” treats the classroom as a place where grace is encountered and the 4 XAVIER MAGAZINE
Bellarmine Medals Awarded Three veteran faculty members—Christopher Kennedy ’62, Jerome McKinney P’92 ’94, and Sheryle Neuffer-McCann—retired at the end of the 2015-16 academic year, bringing a combined 75 years of service to Xavier to a close. Kennedy, a longtime member of the guidance department, served his alma mater for 32 years, most recently as a college counselor. “Mr. Kennedy worked tirelessly to be adept in the ever-changing world of college admissions and was always a wealth of knowledge in the field,” said Joseph Korfmacher, Coordinator of College Counseling. “He loved helping his students navigate the college process, and his expertise and dedication to counseling will surely be missed.” Affectionately known as Constable McKinney, history teacher Jerome McKinney bled maroon and blue during his 27 years on 16th Street. “Jerry is passionate about everything Xavier, and Christopher Kennedy '62 this passion is infectious. Every year at Maroon and Blue Day, you could always count on Mr. McKinney to be the kid having the most fun,” recalled Pat Dormer P’17. “His love for Xavier, for history, and most importantly for students is evident in all that he does.” Throughout her 16 years at Xavier, science teacher Sheryle Neuffer-McCann defined herself through “simple acts of kindness,” in the words of Headmaster Michael LiVigni. “If gratitude and kindness could be personified at Xavier,” he said at Commencement, “the clear candidate would be Ms. Sheryle NeufferMcCann.” Added her friend and colleague, Jerome McKinney P'92 '94 Dee Kittany: “She cares deeply about her students, taking time to know them and their unique stories while being a source of understanding and encouragement whenever needed.” In honor of their service to Xavier, Kennedy, McKinney, and Neuffer-McCann were given the honor of leading the Commencement procession into St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 9. Each was awarded the St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J. Medal, which honors distinguished members of the faculty and staff upon their retirement. Recipients must embody Bellarmine’s qualities: commitment to service of the church, deep intellectual curiosity, and love of students.
Now Trending
Social media at Xavier is integral to the way we communicate with our proud, close-knit network of alumni, students, parents, and friends. Stay informed about 16th Street happenings and connect with #SonsofXavier around the world on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, and LinkedIn.
#SonsofXavier
Sheryle Neuffer-McCann
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1. Pat Dormer P’17, flanked by Xavier cross country and track alumni, at his induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame. 2. Matt Baker ’16 at the CHSAA Intersectionals. 3. Xavier Science Fiction Club members recording an installment of the X-Squadron podcast.
News & Notes On May 5, friends, colleagues, and Sons of Xavier spanning more than two decades gathered to honor longtime Xavier track and cross country coach Pat Dormer P’17 as he was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Hall of Fame. Dormer joined Xavier legends Leo Paquin, Jim Scott, Frank McGuire, George Febles P’83 ’88 ’90, George Febles, Jr. ’83, and 2015 inductee Joe McGrane in the distinguished club. LTC Roy Campbell, USA (Ret.), Xavier’s Senior Army Instructor, commissioned three Sons of Xavier after their graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on May 21. Randy Valencia ’12, John Noh ’11, and Kieran McMahon ’11 are now Army Second Lieutenants. Campbell will commission Jared Jerrick ’12 on August 5. At April’s Centennial Joint Service Olympiad, a national invitational tournament in Orlando, Florida, to which 30 schools were invited, the Raiders—competing as Xavier’s academic team—won the academic competition. Xavier also placed third in the rifle competition. Xavier’s varsity rugby team won its fourth consecutive New York State rugby title on June 5, defeating Pelham Memorial High School, 35-21, on the campus of SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica. 6 XAVIER MAGAZINE
With a school-record 47’8”, Matt Baker ’16 won the triple jump at the CHSAA Intersectionals (the Catholic high school state championships) on May 28. Baker will attend Binghamton University on a track scholarship this fall.
the Mars Science Lab. Another team led by Kasper Grispino ’16 and Chris Noble ’16 took home third place overall and a Judges’ Choice award for engineering for their counterweight system, designed by Matt Ingenito ’16.
Running in a torrential downpour, Christian Raslowsky ’16 won the 2000m steeplechase at the Eastern States Invitational on June 5, qualifying for nationals with the top time in New York. He placed 4th in the same event at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Track Championships on June 18, earning All-American honors.
Dean of Academics Luciano Lovallo earned a Master of Science in Education degree in administration and supervision from Fordham University in May. He previously earned a Master of Science in Teaching degree from Fordham.
Xavier Science Fiction Club members William Corsi ’16, Matt DiMartino ’17, Brandon Sapienza ’17, John Pagano ’17, Matt Pegno ’19, and their moderator, science teacher Steven Iannuccilli, created the free X-Squadron podcast—now available on iTunes and Soundcloud—this spring. The group welcomes listener questions and suggestions at xsquadpod@gmail.com. Michael Chiafulio, the new chair of the computer science and technology department, designed a new coding and robotics class for all freshmen. At this year’s New York/New Jersey Botball Tournament, a team led by Shane Crockett ’16, Marc Suda ’16, and Anthony Cirelli ’16 won the top Judges’ Choice award and second place overall for a drive system built to mirror the rocker-bogie system on
Steven Iannuccilli received his Master of Science in Education degree from St. John’s University in May. Headmaster Michael LiVigni served as the graduation speaker at St. Augustine School in Union City in June. 3 James Cappabianca ’05, Xavier’s Special Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President, was named to the Board of Trustees at St. Anselm Catholic Academy in May. He served as the school’s graduation speaker in June.
In June, Director of Communications Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR, was named to the Public Relations Society of America’s list of New York City’s top 15 PR professionals under 35. She joined PRSA New York’s Young Professionals Advisory Committee, a unit of the Board of Directors, in July.
Art in Bloom New York City is central to the Xavier experience—and even to Xavier student artwork. Robert Ciupinski ’18 created this original piece based on the style of Vincent Van Gogh. “Robert seemed to blend the Van Gogh technique with the style of Surrealism, which we covered in a prior assignment,” said art teacher Renzo Ventrella ’92.
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Students TO WATCH
TO LEAD WITH ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS (from L–R): Isaiah Blake ’17, Ray Park ’16, moderator Kaija DeWitt, Justin Westbrook-Lowery ’16, Bo Kendrick-Holmes ’16 (facing away from camera), Connor Mulvena ’16, and Zachery Cilmi ’16
To lead with integrity is a goal enshrined in Xavier’s mission and ever-present in daily life on 16th Street. But what does it mean? How and why do Sons of Xavier grow into disciplined, moral men? Six student leaders share their thoughts. Kaija DeWitt: Today we’re exploring one of the core goals in our mission statement, which is teaching students to lead with integrity. As juniors and seniors at Xavier, and specifically as student leaders, what does leading with integrity mean to you? Bo Kendrick-Holmes: Justin [Westbrook-Lowery] and I were just talking about this. I would say honesty relates to integrity—being honest with those you are leading, being able to have open dialogue, and being able to speak with them honestly about what they think you can improve. Ray Park: Leading with integrity is not just being honest with other people, but being honest with yourself. When you make a decision, sometimes you take the easier route. Instead of taking that route, you can take the honest route with an extra, harder step toward your goal. Isaiah Blake: I think leading with integrity is that sacrifice you have to make. After you do all your homework, you have to take that extra step. It’s part of doing honest work. Justin Westbrook-Lowery: Being honest with the people that you’re working with is very important. Being able to truly be comfortable in your convictions as a leader is also important. When you have a decision to make, you have to be confident in that decision. Sometimes that’s where I get caught up in leadership. You make a decision, and you want to make sure you’ve thought everything out and that you’re doing the best that you can and that you have your values at your core. Ultimately, the follow-through is where leadership can truly be shown.
Integrity Connor Mulvena: I think it’s also integral—especially at a high school level where you’re surrounded by young adults and you’re maturing yourself—to have the ability and charisma to motivate students while you’re still trying to motivate yourself.
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Students TO WATCH Bo Kendrick-Holmes ’16 Home Borough: The Bronx College Attending: U.S. Naval Academy Senior Courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP European History, Arabic, World Religions, Paradise Lost, What is Poetry? Activities: Varsity Football, Varsity Rugby, National Honor Society Favorite Xavier Memory: “Winning the CHSFL AA championship for football.” A Memory of Bo: “Bo did not make the decision to attend Annapolis lightly, even though it is his father’s alma mater, but I am glad he did. It is the perfect place for a guy with his sense of duty, honor, and commitment, and my entire family will be safer having Bo Kendrick-Holmes as an officer patrolling the seas, leading a ship protecting the United States.” – Chris Stevens ’83, History Teacher and Head Football Coach
Kendrick-Holmes: We’ve talked about being honest with ourselves and honest with others. Those relate to one another. If you hold these values and you’re trying to instill them in the people you’re leading, and you’re trying to be honest with them and stay true to those values, it’s going to be hard. You have to continue to work on yourself and have integrity—making sure you’re making yourself better so that you can continue to instill values in other people. That’s one of the hallmarks of leadership— instilling your ideals in the people you’re leading so you can all come together for that cause. DeWitt: How have you been taught to lead with integrity during your time here at Xavier? Are there students you saw working in a particular way? Was there a coach, a faculty member? How did you come to understand what it meant to lead with integrity? Mulvena: In a classroom setting, we’ve developed a good understanding of what integrity is and what it involves, but I don’t know that you can teach leadership in a classroom setting. One thing that’s unique about Xavier is that it gives you independence and puts you in situations where leaders will naturally arise. It forces students to react to real-life situations and become real leaders instead of just taking notes on leadership.
Zachery Cilmi: Our freshman year, when Hurricane Sandy hit, all the teachers and administrators got together and made sure everyone was doing their fair share. I went to the home of [late Athletic Director] Rod Walker†* in Rockaway. Xavier organized a bunch of kids and faculty members to go there and help his wife, because she needed all the help in the world. They needed to renovate the whole basement. Through that experience, I feel like I really grew and learned how to lead. Westbrook-Lowery: This is the capital of leadership. There is home-grown leadership here, let me tell you. People like Malik Horton ’13. People like Pat Bylis ’13. People like Tim Kelly ’13. Seeing those folks at a young age, as a freshman—it’s a very sensitive time. You’re absorbing things like a sponge. Being able to be with these folks, talk with them, listen to them, watch them do and grow as they were here, that was truly an amazing experience for me. There are faculty leaders as well—Mr. [Alexander] Lavy, Mr. [Paul] Wendel, a whole host of leaders I truly look up to. Blake: I was captivated by Mr. [Jack] Raslowsky when I first came to Xavier. I was new to the Catholic world, coming from a Protestant church and public school. The first thing I heard from Mr. Raslowsky when I came to Xavier was, “Be uncomfortable.” What does this mean? People’s comfort here at Xavier, oddly * Walker died of cancer a month before Hurricane Sandy hit.
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enough, is being uncomfortable. It’s a great sign of leadership. Our ability to say, “No, we’re going to have to talk about these issues.” For me, that is leadership.
and discussion. That’s what makes it a place where you can have those developmental experiences that influence you and build you up as a person.
Kendrick-Holmes: Xavier is a real catalyst for leadership because it gives students a lot of opportunities to take their own initiative. Whether it’s starting a club or participating in sports or just starting conversations about different issues, Xavier really allows us to be leaders if that’s what we want to do.
Mulvena: The faculty and administration clearly take unequivocal positions on certain issues. At the same time, they don’t force any certain beliefs upon you. They give you information, they let you look at different points of view, and they let you develop your point of view, which I think is really important.
Park: When you come here, everyone tells you to be uncomfortable. I think the reason for that is so you can find yourself in that discomfort. Eventually, when you become a senior, you’re comfortable in your place. You find your niche in the school, and then you become the leader that you are—not what someone else is.
Blake: We were watching Dead Man Walking today in class and having a conversation about the death penalty. My thought was, what are other students thinking right now? What is everyone else saying and feeling? Those conversations mold us into who we are as student leaders.
Westbrook-Lowery: You become comfortable in your convictions. There are two things that happen whenever you’re uncomfortable. One, either you become more firm in your convictions, or what happened was so uncomfortable that it shapes and molds you, and it can change your position. Either way, it’s a very developmental experience. Xavier has always been a place that is open to discourse
Park: Another thing that Xavier does really well is discipline, and the influence that the faculty gives us as students. If we’re on the right track, they will give us support and say, “If this is what you like doing, and if you are enjoying this, go for it.” But if you’re not enjoying yourself and something’s troubling you about that, and you don’t really have the courage to go out there and change, they will help you.
Isaiah Blake ’17 Home Borough: Brooklyn Junior Courses: AP Language and Composition, AP U.S. History, Algebra 2-Trigonometry Honors, Chemistry, Religion 11, Spanish 3, Web Programming and Design Activities: Founder of The Spectrum, Arrupe Society, Chorus, Entrepreneurial Society, National Honor Society, Yearbook, CFX Camden, selected as a 2016-17 Kairos Leader Favorite Xavier Memory: “My first Spectrum meeting, or every meeting. Seeing all of the people interested in the club and in racial justice was amazing.” A Memory of Isaiah: “Isaiah Blake is committed to doing all that he can to improve student life here at Xavier. His dedication to causes that promote equality and justice allows all of us—students and teachers alike—to see our faith in action.” – James Cappabianca ’05, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President
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Students TO WATCH
Kendrick-Holmes: I’ve seen a lot of this development that we’re talking about in myself as well, so I find myself seeking information so I can form my own view on a topic whereas the younger me would have just accepted an adult’s viewpoint. That’s something that’s really changed me, and it’s a skill that Xavier helps all of its students develop.
and responsibility. You’re responsible for whatever decision you make. That’s important, and that’s what Xavier teaches us.
Mulvena: I think it’s good that we learn to develop those viewpoints, but at the same time, Xavier teaches us that our opinion matters and that we can use our opinion to make a difference. We’re not just looking at things for the sake of argument. We look at the importance of having a dialogue.
Mulvena: I take very clear positions on things, and I’m passionate about what I believe in. Because I see the value of having faith in your convictions, I have encouraged those around me to have faith in their convictions as well. It’s so important to be passionate about what you believe in and to always speak your mind.
Park: What the faculty loves to do is put you on the spot and tell you it’s your decision, not ours. Since we were kids, our parents would tell us what to do. They say, “This is wrong, and this is right.” But what Xavier does instead is challenge you. Now you make the decision. If this is right, then you keep going with it, but if it’s wrong, then it’s up to you to change it yourself. We will help you with whatever decision you make, but it’s up to you.
Cilmi: As I grew up, I was always told, “Don’t speak with your words; speak with your actions.” I learned that on the field, and off the field during practice. I also learned that through community service. I’m not really the guy who can go into the middle of the huddle and get everybody hyped up, but I know how to get everybody to follow my lead, and just be able to take the first step and have the courage inside of me to do something different— something that makes us uncomfortable, like we said before.
Westbrook-Lowery: And there’s a degree of accountability there—the idea that ultimately you’re the authority who has to make the decision. Accountability is another aspect of leadership
Mulvena: We really learn that we are the decisions we make. DeWitt: How do you feel you have demonstrated leadership during your time here at Xavier?
Kendrick-Holmes: I can speak similarly to Zach in that we both play football and rugby, and that’s the main thing we’ve done as
Connor Mulvena ’16 Home Borough: Queens College Attending: University of Notre Dame Senior Courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Comparative Government and Politics, Arabic, Christian Ethics on War and Peace, John Steinbeck and the American Voice, New York Literature Activities: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Bowling, Speech and Debate, Irish-American Society, Student Leadership Council, Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, CFX Mexico, CFX Tennessee Favorite Xavier Memory: “Either CFX Tennessee or the freshman baseball trip to Cooperstown.” A Memory of Connor: “When I think of Connor Mulvena, his quiet confidence immediately comes to mind. It is a confidence that imbues those around him and ultimately leads those inspired to their better selves. Is that not the mark of greater leadership—a presence that calls others to their greater self?” – Luciano Lovallo, Dean of Academics
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Zachery Cilmi ’16 Home Borough: Staten Island College Attending: Villanova University Senior Courses: AP Biology, Calculus, Ignatian Perspectives, Irish Literature and Culture, Modern U.S. History, Photoshop, Shakespeare: The Man and His World Activities: Varsity Football, Varsity Rugby, CFX Maryland, CFX Tennessee, CFX Mexico, National Honor Society Favorite Xavier Memory: “Winning the 2015 CHSFL AA championship.” A Memory of Zachery: “Whether it’s on a rugby pitch, a football field, or a worksite in Tijuana, his peers always look to Zach for leadership and direction. His maturity, intelligence, and integrity make him a natural leader.” – Joseph Sweeney ’85, History Teacher and Director of Rugby
leaders here. My specific brand of leadership has been being friends with a lot of different kinds of people. That helps me speak from different viewpoints, and a lot of leadership is specific to different people you lead. There are different types of personalities, and as a leader you have to be able to cater to those different personalities. Park: I’m the vice president of the Xavier Dramatics Society, and one challenge for me this year was chemistry between everybody. You need to be able to talk to each other. My greatest challenge developing my leadership was inspiring everyone to motivate each other and get to know each other better—creating a community. Westbrook-Lowery: As Student Leadership Council president, my accomplishments required a lot of negotiation, a lot of compromise, and a lot of work. There are some people who are very grateful for what you’ve done, who feel like you’ve helped their lives in some way. But I’ve learned that whenever it comes to the needs of a constituent, some things you have to take like sand. The things that really resonate, you keep in the palm of your hand, but some of the other things that aren’t as valuable, you have to let fall through. I love the idea that government can be responsible and responsive to the people, and that leaders can be responsive to people. Blake: I show leadership mostly with The Spectrum, the club that I started here in response to the idea that we are a Jesuit school. The
Spectrum has involved late nights, planning meetings, and really trying to build a sense of community. I think that’s what we’re doing and will continue to do. If we are Sons of Xavier, we are brothers in Xavier. Westbrook-Lowery: As president of the [Gay-Straight Alliance], one of the biggest conversations we’ve had was about how to proceed with regard to having the LGBT flag in the hall of flags at Xavier. Many of the flags in the hall are representative of people who come from a certain place. The flag says a lot about our identity, and it’s a little disappointing that the answer we received wasn’t the answer we had hoped. Being part of that discussion with stakeholders in the administration and with members of the GSA leadership truly was a test of courage under pressure. We got to a compromise of sorts, and I think that’s the best we could do. Mulvena: With regard to those controversial issues, I think that’s something that’s so unique about the Jesuits as opposed to other orders—they are never complacent. They know it’s okay to question and to challenge. Kendrick-Holmes: Justin, you’ve referenced leading under pressure and making decisions under pressure multiple times, and I think Zach and I can bring a unique perspective to that because we’re leaders in sports. In sports, you have to make a lot of splitsecond decisions, because you don’t necessarily have time to invite
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Students TO WATCH Justin Westbrook-Lowery ’16 Home Borough: The Bronx College Attending: Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus Senior Courses: AP Comparative Government and Politics, Christian Ethics on War and Peace, College Algebra, Fathers and Sons in Literature, Journalism, New York: An Exploration, Social Justice, Soldiers’ Stories Activities: Student Leadership Council President, Model United Nations Co-Head Delegate, Gay-Straight Alliance Co-President, Big Brother Program, CFX Ecuador, CFX Dominican Republic Favorite Xavier Memory: “Winning the presidency of Xavier High School’s student body.” A Memory of Justin: “Ever since freshman year, Justin has been an active member of the Student Leadership Council, voicing the concerns of his constituents. That only grew when he became president. He wanted to best serve his peers, and he did a very good job.” – Alicia Psillos, Math Teacher and Student Leadership Council Moderator
people to the conversation or have dialogue. There’s obviously time for that in practice or in preparation, but in a game-time situation you don’t always have that. You have to be confident in your decision and be able to convey it to your teammates. That’s something unique about leading in sports that you don’t get in other areas a lot of times. Cilmi: The only way that you’re able to be confident with your decisions is if your guys have trust in you. And that’s a big thing at Xavier, in sports, and in anything—you have to have trust. And Xavier has trust in all of us, especially those of us sitting around this table. They want students to succeed. They have faith and trust in you. In sports, if your buddies are in shambles because they don’t know what to do, and you come in and pick them up, they’ll be there to respond with you. And I feel all of us have done that in our own way.
Mulvena: It’s definitely easy to be blinded by your viewpoints on certain issues, especially when you have two kids from different backgrounds at a high school in the middle of New York City. It’s hard to stay composed at times, so you have to learn to slow things down and realize the larger scope of the discussion you are having. Park: One of my biggest challenges as a leader is taking responsibility for my peers. In clubs and certain activities, if you are in a leadership position, it’s your job to manage everybody. On top of that, you have to make sure that you are holding your ground and thinking about other people.
DeWitt: What kind of challenges have you faced during your time at Xavier?
Blake: One of my challenges is dealing with people who are my polar opposite. It’s been great to be able to say, “You’re a human being. I respect your beliefs.” Because you deal with so many people at so many different points in their lives, you have to pause for a second. You’re going to get frustrated, but how you deal with that is going to be one of the most important things you leave here with.
Westbrook-Lowery: The biggest challenge I have ever faced is the idea that there are just people who do not agree with you. You are bound to have that issue because people come to their convictions through different experiences. But you still have to understand that there is a common goal. We are all trying to make the world a better place.
Kendrick-Holmes: Something that’s been hard for me is overcoming my own inhibitions when it comes to new situations. It’s something that I’ve worked to overcome, but something that I’m still working on because sometimes it’s hard for me to look within myself and see what my shortcomings are. But as we talked about, leadership is all about personal development.
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DeWitt: What does it mean to be a servant leader? Kendrick-Holmes: Looking at the Gospels of Luke and John, you know that Jesus helped people. He healed people, he gave blind people sight, he was there for people in their hardest times. One specific thing that reminds me of that is our senior Christian service project. It’s a long process, and it’s something that helps you grow a lot. Xavier has given us a way, through that project, to imitate Jesus, so we can help others who are less fortunate than us. My specific project was working with older people. I know some people worked with the homeless. Jesus worked with a lot of groups, and it’s helped me see that there is a value in helping others as a leader, just as Jesus did. Blake: I want to give a quick shout-out to my guy Mr. [Michael] Mulé ’04, my freshman religion teacher, who reaffirmed my faith—especially when learning about Jesus. He challenged me to see Christ in all things. And Christ’s ability to look past our weaknesses is one of the greatest things about Jesus’ work. Mulvena: I think the reason we learn about Jesus, besides him being central to the Catholic faith, is that he is the ultimate leader. He embodies all of the different aspects of leadership. If
you look at leaders throughout history, they embody the same characteristics. Charismatic leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or servant leaders like Dorothy Day or Mother Teresa—Jesus is a combination of all of those different leaders, and if we figure out what niche we need to fulfill in life, then we can become a community of ultimate leadership. Westbrook-Lowery: Being a servant leader is embodied by how Jesus is able to bring people together. I think it is truly one of the most admirable of his qualities. Cilmi: Jesus made people believe in him. That is how I would like to express my leadership—by making people believe in me, and have faith in me. Kendrick-Holmes: I feel that the ultimate example of Jesus’ servant leadership is that in his hardest time, in his suffering, in his passion, he was there for others. He did not think about himself for the slightest moment. As we can see in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is telling his disciples, “Stay alert, stay awake with me, don’t fall asleep.” And then when the women are weeping next to the cross, he says, “Don’t cry.” He comforts them. That quality of selflessness in the hardest times is the ultimate example of servant leadership.
Ray Park ’16 Home Borough: Queens College Attending: New York University Senior Courses: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, Arabic, Modern History, Irish Fiction, Ignatian Perspectives, Moviemaking and Editing with FinalCut Pro Activities: Xavier Dramatics Society Favorite Xavier Memory: “Lip-syncing ‘Gangnam Style’ on Maroon and Blue Day.” A Memory of Ray: “Whatever Ray touched this year at Xavier turned to gold. His personality is magnetic, and his talent is enormous. Because of his generosity, he’s the type of guy who makes everyone else around him better. Ray makes things happen.” – Michael Chiafulio, Computer Science and Technology Teacher
XAVIER MAGAZINE 15
TO LEAD
Justin Pastilha ’16 and William Shelton ’19
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BY EXAMPLE By Nick Byrne ’11 At its core, Xavier is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. The overriding objective is to form men who, by the time of graduation, are intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving, and committed to justice—using their God-given gifts and talents in the service of others. Being a successful student at Xavier requires a high level of commitment and self-discipline. That is especially true for members of the Regiment, who enhance esprit de corps and promote the highest levels of proficiency in drill ceremonies, basic leadership, and military bearing among the Xavier community. “The mission of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is to motivate young people to become better citizens,” said Cadet Captain Justin Pastilha ’16. “The JROTC taught me to care for others, to lead by example, and take responsibility for my actions.” The Westchester native, who will attend Loyola University Maryland in the fall, defines leadership as “a process of social influence which maximizes the efforts of others.” During his time on 16th Street, Pastilha was actively involved in the Regiment, track and field, campus ministry, and Eucharistic celebrations. He also served as a company commander and was responsible for the training, discipline, and appearance of his company. As captain of the track team, he displayed an undeniable passion for the sport, for competing, and for his teammates. In addition to his roles in the Regiment and on the track team, Pastilha served the Xavier community as cantor, leading the student body in song and prayer. “Xavier motivated me to pursue excellence in all endeavors,” Pastilha said. “Over the last four years, I’ve worked hard to excel as a student, as a cadet, and as a man for others. My teachers, coaches, and commanding officers led by example and taught me how to be a
leader. As I look forward to college, and back on the mark I’m leaving, I am proud of the fact that I paid it forward by emulating the people who taught me how to be a leader, and for having promoted Jesuit and military values.” Since 1847, Xavier has been a sanctuary for students to grow from boys into men. Year after year, graduating seniors like Pastilha are sent forth to set the world on fire—inviting their successors to follow in their footsteps. Cadet Sergeant William Shelton ’19 is up to the challenge. The Union City, New Jersey native devoted his freshman year to his studies, the Regiment, the Blue Knight Band, and the Xavier Dramatics Society. “I didn’t plan on joining the Regiment, but it was a great decision,” Shelton said. “Music is my passion. I started playing the piano in first grade and taking guitar lessons in fifth grade. Those interests played a major role in my decision to come to Xavier. But the Regiment is teaching me the importance of personal responsibility. It’s also provided me with a sense of patriotism.” Patriotism has always been part of a Xavier education. Since the Civil War, Xavier men have demonstrated that patriotism as cadets and as distinguished soldiers, officers, and chaplains. “This year, I tried to get involved in a lot of different things,” Shelton said. “I knew I wanted to join the band, but I never thought I would be on the rifle team. It’s been amazing. But I think what I’ve enjoyed the most about the Regiment is the history—especially at Xavier. It’s inspiring to learn about the men who came before me. There is a lot to learn from them, especially about leadership.” Nick Byrne ’11, a former Xavier alumni volunteer, is now a marketing coordinator at 451 Marketing in Boston. He attended the University of Alabama.
XAVIER MAGAZINE 17
Hall of FAME
ONWARD TO
GLORY
As Xavier celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1972, school leaders created the Hall of Fame to recognize those “who have been truly outstanding in the service of God, their fellow men, their country, or civic community.” To date, inductees have included teachers, doctors, bishops, congressmen, a Supreme Court Justice, two Pulitzer Prize winners, and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. On October 28, Xavier will welcome six living and five posthumous inductees to its newest Hall of Fame class. In the words of their friends, colleagues, and loved ones, here are their accomplishments.
Dr. Michael LaQuaglia ’68 Chief, Pediatric Surgical Service and Joseph H. Burchenal Chair in Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
By Dr. Raja Flores ’84 I worked with Mike for 10 years when I was at Sloan Kettering, on many complicated cases. He’s an incredible surgeon, an incredible human being, and a great teacher. I learned from his
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demeanor, the way he comports himself. He has the ability to do anything in the operating room, but his main goal is just to cure his kids. His most impressive quality, in addition to his unique surgical skills, is his humility.
They don’t teach you that in medical school, but they do teach that at Xavier. God plays a huge part in Mike’s life. I see a lot of life and death, too, but I see them in adults. He sees them in kids,
and I think that has a profound effect on his work. He has his hands blessed every morning at the church across the street, and then he comes to Sloan. Mike is a warrior. I can’t think of anyone more worthy of the Hall of Fame.
Gerald FitzGerald ’58 † By Dan Rodriguez ’58 I am so very proud to have been both a friend and a Xavier Class of 1958 brother to Jerry FitzGerald, a 2016 Hall of Fame inductee. Knowing and working with Jerry for a number of years on various Xavier infrastructure projects, I cannot think of anyone more deserving to have Hall of Fame status. Through the years, Jerry was always centrally focused on just one thing—the wellbeing and the betterment of
his beloved Xavier High School. As members of the Board of Trustees and Plant Committee, most of our time together was spent discussing Xavier’s future and its ensured stability. To that end, Jerry was instrumental in all the internal school projects of recent years. Jerry exemplifies what it means to be a member of the Hall of Fame, and Xavier will be extremely well-served having Jerry permanently enshrined within its campus.
Aviation Executive; Co-Chair, 15th Street Task Force
Mike Fernandez ’72
Chairman, MBF Healthcare Partners; Lead Donor, Fernandez-Duminuco Hall
By Earvin “Magic” Johnson Mike Fernandez is one of the greatest men I’ve ever met. His belief in his fellow man, his commitment to his family, and his astute understanding of how to make a profit while leaving people and communities better off are rare traits found in few men. I see in him those qualities that I respect and admire. We have a kindred connection. Mike has become a brother and mentor to me, and I am eternally grateful for being able to call him not only my business partner but my friend. Congratulations, Mike, for being inducted into the Xavier High School Hall of Fame. It’s well-deserved.
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Hall of FAME
Bob Robotti ’71
Founder and President, Robotti and Company
By Sr. Margaret Ormond, OFP It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Bob Robotti in my role as president of Dominican Academy, and not only on account of his superb financial acumen or his creative and innovative mind. While I admire these qualities tremendously, it is the example he sets as a brother that makes the deepest impression on me. I guess that having two brothers—one of whom graduated from Xavier in 1958—has prepared me not only to recognize a brother but also to appreciate one.
Bob Robotti is a brother in the best sense of the word. He cared for his sister in life and after her untimely death by channeling his own energy and giftedness into ensuring that his relationship with her would last a lifetime and beyond. Her memory and life are celebrated each time our students use the Barbara Robotti Murray Science Lab at Dominican Academy. Bob Robotti lives his brotherly love with his continued dedication to his sister’s memory and her alma mater’s continued success.
George McMahon, S.J. ’40 † By Robert Grimes, S.J. ’70 George McMahon loved Xavier, loved Fordham, loved basketball, but most of all, loved people. In his years as a vice president at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, he would come to the cafeteria, buy his lunch, and sit down with someone sitting alone and make a new friend.
He spent 40 years working at Fordham as both a dean (during the turbulence of the late 1960s) and a vice president, but he was most at home playing a pick-up game of basketball in the Rose Hill gym. In his heart of hearts, he was a Jesuit and a priest, working joyfully from morning until night for the good of all those around him.
Longtime Fordham University administrator known to all as “Father Fordham”
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Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
Frank Comerford ’73 By Al Roker ’72 If anyone embodies the spirit of Xavier, it’s Frank Comerford. Inducting him into the Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor. We overlapped during our years at Xavier, but I didn’t really know Frank until he became general manager at WNBC. The spirit he was imbued with at Xavier informed his work there—he was very communityoriented and focused a lot more on local programming and community activism. He believes very strongly in his community, and he learned that at Xavier.
MSG James Jones, USA (Ret.) † By CPT David del CuadroZimmerman, USA ’03 MSG James Jones embodied Xavier’s mission of developing men for others. He was a man with a giant personality and an even larger heart. During his over 20-year tenure at Xavier, MSG Jones became part of the fabric of Xavier and its culture of selflessness. Dedicating his entire life to both military service and teaching, he helped prepare countless young men for the future by always treating his students like adults, instilling values such as responsibility and accountability, and
setting a positive example. In addition, he served as the sole moderator for the X-Squad, making the long commute from the outskirts of New Jersey in the early mornings and late evenings, despite his declining health, without hesitation. He did this because nothing made him prouder than the individuals he instructed and mentored on a daily basis. His impact on the Xavier community will forever be remembered by his pupils, but his admission into the Hall of Fame reaffirms the virtues he personified for generations to come.
Xavier Military Science Instructor, Moderator of the X-Squad
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Hall of FAME
LTC Desmond Flanigan, USA (Ret.) ’56
Army Veteran Awarded the Silver Star
By Nelson Deusebio ’56 LTC Desmond Flanigan did not begin his storied U.S. Army career when he received his regular commission in December 1960. His career actually began in September 1952 while wearing his newly purchased Xavier military uniform, when he walked up the famous front steps on 16th Street. He would do so for the next four disciplined years. Any architect will tell you that lasting structures all have one thing in common—a very strong foundation upon which all else that follows depends. And the four challenging years that followed at Xavier gave
Des and his fellow cadets that strong foundation of being a gentleman—and, in Des’ case, a military hero who was awarded the first Silver Star in the Vietnam conflict, a husband, father, grandfather, proud and unabashed patriot, and loyal friend. He is most remembered by his 1956 classmates for the “Flanigan Toast,” given at our 2005 Christmas party: “Here’s to cheating, stealing, fighting, and drinking. If you cheat, may you cheat death. If you steal, may you steal your lover’s heart. If you fight, may you fight for your brother. If you drink, may you drink with me!”
Statesman, U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea
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By Shawna Gallagher Vega Scholar, statesman, and humanitarian, Francis Ruddy was born in Queens and became a man of the world. A Marine Corps veteran and human rights advocate, he earned a Ph.D. in international law at England’s Cambridge University. Throughout his storied career, he worked as a university professor, writer and editor, counsel for the Exxon Corporation, and general counsel for the Department of Energy. He also made time to volunteer teaching English to recent immigrants.
In 1984, Ronald Reagan nominated Ruddy to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. He later oversaw the UN referendum in the Western Sahara and became an unwavering advocate for the rights of the Sahrawi people. Through his work in the State Department and USAID, Ruddy directed American aid efforts throughout Africa, a continent he called “the most exciting place that there ever was.” For his service to the United States as well as the people of Africa, he is most deserving of a lasting place in the Hall of Fame.
Photo by College of the Holy Cross
Hon. Francis Ruddy ’55 †
Augustus Vincent Tack 1890 †
Acclaimed Artist
Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51 By Jack Raslowsky Soon after I was named president, the provincial asked me if I would like Jack Replogle, S.J. assigned to Xavier once again. I thought to myself, “If only all my decisions are this easy!” Jack arrived at Xavier as a freshman in 1947 and entered the Society of Jesus upon his graduation in 1951. Jack’s life in the Society brought him back to Xavier over the years as rector, teacher, faculty chaplain, and assistant to the
president. In each of these roles, Jack proved himself to be a great Jesuit and a great priest, and Xavier has been better for it. Quite simply, he knows what is important. Love and forgiveness are at the heart of the Gospels. So love and forgive. If you can say it in three minutes, don’t take 10. Show up. Care for people. Have fun. The story doesn’t end in the tomb; Christ rose from the dead. Live as if you believe it. Not a bad way to live your life.
By Mark Mongelluzzo Augustus Vincent Tack, one of Xavier’s most accomplished artists, was an early modernist abstract painter also known for his conventional portraits and classic murals. Born in Pittsburgh, Tack moved to New York as a youth, graduating from the College of St. Francis Xavier in 1890 and studying art in France soon thereafter. He briefly taught at both the Art Students League of New York and Yale University in the early part of the 20th century and maintained studios for years in both New York and Washington, D.C.
Ever the patriot, in 1918 Tack was a founding member of the Committee on Arts and Decoration, which organized artists committed to the war effort and the production of cartoons, patriotic placards, and memorials; later in life, Tack painted a portrait of President Harry Truman which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. With his work to this day a part of the public collections at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other galleries, Augustus Vincent Tack is most worthy of induction into the Xavier Hall of Fame.
Alumni Chaplain, Longtime Xavier Faculty Member
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Xavier inand the BLUE WORLD Maroon
Wherever GREEN Xavier Students Mark Easter Rising Centenary in Ireland XAVIER’S IRISH ITINERARY Friday, March 4: Arrive in Dublin, Drive to Waterford Visit the Arboretum Garden and Café and Waterford Crystal Factory • Visit Thomas F. Meagher Statue at 33 The Mall • Visit City Hall, where Frederick Douglass Once Spoke • Climb Reginald’s Tower • See the Play Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye
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By Shawna Gallagher Vega
“We explored so many themes during the trip: heroic self-sacrifice, justice and freedom, immigration, current and historical politics, sport and art in culture, hospitality and shared heritage. I hope the experience will encourage the students to explore more of the world, and draw them back to Ireland someday.” — Dan Dougherty Executive Vice President
is Worn
This March, as nine Xavier students departed John F. Kennedy International Airport on a Dublin-bound plane, they carried with them the proud, interwoven traditions of the Irish-American story. Paul Gargiulo ’16, Matthew O’Malley ’16, Liam Fitzgibbon ’17, Peter McNally ’17, Liam Mellon ’17, Jake Mirto ’17, Thomas Rogers ’17, Jack McGee ’18, and Declan Coles ’19 traveled to the Emerald Isle to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising, the insurrection against British rule that became a watershed moment in the fight for Irish independence. During the Rising, the rebels flew a green, white, and orange tricolor flag over their headquarters, Dublin’s General Post Office—the first time the flag had been used publicly since 1848, when Thomas Francis Meagher, a leader of the revolutionary Young Irelanders movement, first raised it at 33 The Mall in County Waterford. As the 100th anniversary of the Rising approached, Irish leaders became determined that the tricolor should play an integral role in 1916 celebrations—and that its true meaning be embraced. “The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between orange and green,” Meagher said in 1848, “and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.” Irish Senator Mark Daly, a member of the Fianna Fáil party founded by American-born 1916 rebel (and future Irish President and Prime Minister) Éamon de Valera, made honoring the flag his mission, partnering with the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation to establish flag protocols and educate a new generation about the flag’s history. An Easter Rising commemoration—at which thousands of students representing every high school in Ireland would receive Irish flags and copies of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic—was scheduled for March 7, 2016, at Dublin’s Croke Park. Irish President Michael Higgins was slated to attend. Enter Joe Tully ’96, an attorney and active supporter of the
Saturday, March 5: Waterford, Wexford Walk Through New Ross (John F. Kennedy’s Ancestral Home) • Visit JFK Statue at the Quay • Board the Dunbrody Famine Ship • Walk the Beach at Tramore • Visit Bishop’s Palace Museum • Watch Easter Rising Reenactment • Explore Waterford • Attend Waterford vs. Wexford Gaelic Football Match in Dungarvan
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Xavier inand the BLUE WORLD Maroon
American Ireland Fund, the major nonprofit that raises funds for worthwhile, innovative causes in Ireland and the U.S. After he met Daly, who also serves as chairman of the Ireland America Association, and learned about plans for the 1916 student commemoration in Ireland, Tully helped orchestrate the Senator’s September 2015 visit to Xavier. It involved a bit of research. Aware of Thomas Francis Meagher’s connection to 16th Street, Tully hit the history books (including a memoir about Meagher’s life) for facts to share with Daly. After emigrating to the United States, the Jesuit-educated Meagher volunteered to fight for the Union during the Civil War, eventually serving as brigadier general of the famed Fighting 69th. Joseph McCoy, an early Xavier alumnus, saved Meagher’s life at the First Battle of Bull Run—and after serving as governor of the Montana Territory, Meagher’s funeral was held at the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Impressed by Xavier’s immigrant history and interconnectedness with the Meagher story, Daly extended an invitation to Xavier students to attend the national flag presentation ceremony. Tully’s persistence had paid off. “I wanted to make sure Xavier students had access to a great experience that would introduce Irish cultural and political history to them,” Tully said. And so it did. During a whirlwind six-day tour chaperoned by Executive Vice President Dan Dougherty and Director of Annual Giving Shane Lavin ’03, Xavier’s student delegation traversed Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford, visiting sites integral to the country’s history and meeting the power players writing Ireland’s story now. Mark Daly hosted the Xavier delegation at Leinster House, the seat of Ireland’s Parliament, Dáil Éireann, and Kevin O’Malley, the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, met with students in Waterford. Members of Xavier’s student delegation were quick to
recall their favorite moments of the trip, including their visit to two of Ireland’s Jesuit schools, Belvedere College and Clongowes Wood College (Meagher’s alma mater). “At both schools, we were able to sit with students and administrators to discuss the commonalities between us, such as the religious service programs and the common brand of education that all Jesuit schools share,” said Paul Gargiulo ’16. “This trip not only allowed us to explore and learn about Irish culture, but it also allowed us to see the commonalities between our two nationalities.” Those commonalities were experienced powerfully at Croke Park on March 7, when Xavier students attended the long-awaited flag ceremony alongside their counterparts from Ireland and around the world. Liam Fitzgibbon ’17, who accepted the Irish flag on Xavier’s behalf, was especially moved. “There was one statement made that day that stayed with me: ‘This celebration is not a tourist attraction and should be not treated as such. It is the celebration of our proud history,’” he recalled. “This made me think about my actions on this trip and my attitude towards the celebration of Irish history.” “Throughout my entire trip to Ireland, I was amazed at the amount of culture and tradition that is contained in the natives’ everyday lives. The singing and dancing, the heritage sites, the antiques, the Gaelic football matches, and many more activities and sites made this a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me,” added Peter McNally ’17. “It made me realize that Ireland and Irish culture is part of who I am, and I truly thank Xavier and my parents for providing me with a lifechanging experience that I will never forget.” Shawna Gallagher Vega is Xavier’s Director of Communications. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Boston College.
XAVIER’S IRISH ITINERARY Sunday, March 6: Waterford, Dublin Attend Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity •
Monday, March 7: Dublin Tour Dublin City by Bus • Attend
Walk Along the Harbor and Beach at Dunmore
National Flag Presentation
East • Attend Flag-raising Ceremony in Waterford •
Ceremony • Tour Dublin Castle •
Meet Kevin O’Malley, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland
Enjoy Traditional Music at The
• Meet Members of New York’s 69th Infantry
Merry Ploughboy Pub
Regiment (Formed by Meagher) 26 XAVIER MAGAZINE
2
2
3
4
1
1. Students visit Dublin Castle. 2. Irish Senator Mark Daly in front of Leinster House with Xavier’s delegation. 3. Students at Belvedere College, a Jesuit high school in Dublin. 4. A memorable stop at the Waterford Crystal Factory.
Tuesday, March 8: Dublin
Wednesday, March 8: Dublin, Kildare
Visit Kilmainham Gaol • Continue Bus Tour of Dublin City • Tour
Visit Belvedere College • Visit Trinity College and the Book of
Dublin in Viking Splash Amphibious Vehicle • Tour Leinster
Kells • Stop at Sweny’s Pharmacy (Featured in James Joyce’s
House and Meet with Senator Mark Daly • Shop on Grafton
Ulysses) • See Thoroughbred Horses and Japanese Garden at
Street • Tour Dublin Sites on Foot
National Stud • Meet Students at Clongowes Wood College Thursday, March 9: Travel Home
XAVIER MAGAZINE 27
A Real Miracle
At each year’s Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala, a graduating senior thanks the donors in attendance for their commitment to 16th Street. On April 8, Georgetown-bound Andrew Kiarie Mumbi ’16 addressed gala attendees at Gotham Hall, recalling his arduous journey from Kenya to Xavier—and expressing his deep gratitude for the full scholarship that changed his life.
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Here is a jarring statistic: The World Health Organization estimates there are 2.3 million orphans and vulnerable children living in the streets of Nairobi. Here is my own jarring fact: Until a few years ago, I was one of them. I was born in one of the most impoverished and notorious of Nairobi’s slums, Dagoretti. Like many in the slums, mine was a single-parent family. My mother did the best she could to provide for my siblings and me, but she had little education and was gripped by alcoholism. Amazingly, on most days, she was able to provide us with two meals. On those days when she couldn’t, my brother and I begged for food from relatives. Because survival was our goal, we had little time and money for education. At age 7, with my mother barely able to provide us with one meal a day, my brother and I set out to live on the streets because it seemed that our chances of feeding ourselves would be better. Life in the slums is difficult, especially for children without parents. The streets can be violent and unsafe. People lack basic medical care and sanitation. Many children fall prey to sex trafficking. Some use drugs to ease the hunger. But by working odd jobs like washing cars, selling newspapers, and collecting scrap metal, we managed to feed ourselves on most days. That could have been it for me, but I never lost hope for an education. Even as a small child, I understood that getting an education was the best way out of extreme poverty. Every day after work, my brother and I would sit in one of the abandoned cars and read newspapers written in Swahili or English. Our favorite section of the newspaper was the soccer section. I loved soccer, and it helped quench our thirst for knowledge. Life changed dramatically for the better when I met an aid worker on the streets. He helped me get into a program, Harambee Youth Kenya, where they provided food, housing, and education. After a year under their care, my brother and I moved into a home with our mother and sister and lived as a family. Sadly, this situation did not last long, as my mother died as a result of an unsafe medical procedure. Back in the care of Harambee, I was able to complete primary education with the support of Mark Orrs, who has been there for me since I was 8. After primary school, there were insufficient educational opportunities left for me in Kenya. It was then that a real miracle happened: Harambee arranged a host family and a full scholarship at one of the best boys’ schools in New York—Xavier. My foster parents, Joe and Laurie, welcomed me to their family and have treated me like their own child. Coming to Xavier from Kenya was exciting, but also frightening. I didn’t know anyone at the school. I felt homesick
and overwhelmed. No matter how nice my new parents were, I knew I needed to make friends outside home and nowhere had I done this better in the past than on the playing field. I joined the soccer team at Xavier and later that year, the track team. Through participation in soccer and track, Xavier and America started to feel familiar to me. I began to make friends and feel less ill at ease. Sports have been a key part of my assimilation to American life. I learned how the boys relate to each other, how to be less stoic and more communicative. I learned about taking direction. Coaching is rare in orphanages or street sports. When I first joined track and soccer, I was not able to get along with my coaches well. I have been making decisions for myself since I was 8, and having someone tell me what to do or not to do did not feel good at first. Under the leadership of Coaches Patrick Dormer and Aidan Byrne, I learned the critical importance of teamwork, common goals, and united effort toward those goals. Being on a team has helped me mature and learn to do what is best for the team rather than what might be best for me. Sports have taught me how to win with grace and lose with dignity and understand that what is important is the effort put forth in the process. My journey from the slums of Nairobi to America has been a great adventure, filled with successes and setbacks, but the challenges are nothing compared to the struggle for survival of a Nairobi street kid. On the surface, my involvement in sports may seem superficial—just a high school team—but to me, it has changed everything. Soccer and track have been my portal into my new life, my new friends, my ability to grow as a student and as a person. In Nairobi, my education could have ended after primary school. Thanks to Xavier teachers, I have been able to challenge myself academically by taking AP classes and joining the National Honor Society. Currently, I am volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at a pre-school on the Lower East Side. And I’m not finished yet. I’m ready to go to college at Georgetown. Eventually, I want to use my education and good fortune to help other children break out of poverty. I want to become what the Jesuits refer to as “a man for others” because I would not be where I am without what others have done for me. Five years ago, I never would have imagined going to high school in Kenya, let alone college in America. Thank you, Joe and Laurie, for making all this possible. You gave me the opportunity to grow up like any other normal teenager. Also, I would like to thank everyone who is here tonight for your continued support for Xavier. Your generosity makes a Xavier education possible for young men like me who would have never imagined attending such a prestigious school. You have changed my life forever. You have changed the lives of thousands of Xavier students for good. Thank you everyone, and have a blessed night!
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Maroon and BLUE
Xavier Rugby at
40
Tom O’Hara ’69 P’04 ’06 reflects on the nation’s oldest continuous high school rugby program
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Historians of the game tell us that American football originated from the English sports of soccer and rugby in the mid-19th century, evolving into its modern form thanks to a set of rule changes drawn up from 1880 onward by Walter Camp. But at Xavier High School, which played its first football game in 1882, it’s all come full circle. When Xavier reopened after a long Christmas break on Monday, January 5, 1976, head football coach and athletic director Jack Galbraith ’61 got straight down to business. He was shepherding the Xavier Bruins into New York’s ferociously competitive Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL), and there was much work to be done. Coach Galbraith’s plan was to remodel Xavier football after gridiron powerhouse St. Francis Prep. The Prep, which was still an all-boys school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, regularly sent players to the nation’s top Division I collegiate programs. Whatever they were doing across the East River on North Sixth Street, Jack would replicate here on West 16th. Prep coaching legend Vinny O’Connor had his players lift weights in the offseason? Galbraith and assistant coach Tommy Carpenter built “The Cage”—a claustrophobic sweat box of a 30 XAVIER MAGAZINE
weight room in Xavier’s basement—and instituted the football team’s first offseason weight training program. But Galbraith had also learned that Coach O’Connor required his boys to play rugby unless they were competing in another spring sport. In only a decade, St. Francis Prep rugby, founded in 1966, had achieved an international reputation as a top high school side, regularly beating the best schoolboy teams on both sides of the Atlantic—and colleges and men’s clubs, too. Galbraith knew nothing about rugby, but his JV coach did, which is how I came to find myself in his office on this frigid first Monday of 1976. I had taken up the sport in my plebe year at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and was still playing for the New York Rugby Football Club. (For those who believe in fate: I was literally press-ganged onto Kings Point’s first rugby team by its founder, senior gridironman Bill Rung. Rung had started playing in high school...at St. Francis Prep.) There was no room in the budget for a new sport, Galbraith told me, but rugby would help our kids compete in the CHSFL. Would I take on this challenge? No money for coaches, uniforms, equipment, transportation, fields, or officials? “Sure,” I replied. What was not to like?
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1. The 1985 national championship rugby team. 2. The 2010 national championship rugby team. 3. A rugby alumnus snaps a photo of the memory wall at Xavier rugby’s 40th anniversary celebration on March 11. 4. A lively crowd gathers at the anniversary celebration, held in the Xavier gym. 5. Four out of five of Xavier rugby’s historic head coaches—Greg Norris, Nigel Milton, Mike Tolkin ’85, and Tom O’Hara ’69 P’04 ’06. 4
One week later, on January 12, I held a meeting for prospective players. There was no rugby on television then. No Internet, either. And cable television and VCR technology were in their infancy. Few of the boys had ever even heard of rugby, much less seen it played, so it was with great interest that they watched a (reel-toreel) film on rugby that I had borrowed from the New Zealand Consulate. Afterward, I answered their questions and signed up those adventurous souls who remained. The era of Xavier rugby was officially underway. In those days, each Xavier team was allowed to nickname itself. There were the football Bruins, the Warriors (basketball), and the Dolphins (guess). Xavier’s new ruggers voted to call themselves the Outlaws after their favorite rock group. Or so they told their new coach, who chose to believe them. Wins were few and far between in those early days. Indeed, Xavier rugby’s first victory did not come until the very last day of that first season, May 23, when the Outlaws defeated Long Island’s St. Anthony’s High School, 22–4. (A try was worth 4 points then.) My players were all rookies under the command of a rookie coach whose full-time job was with a shipping company in Port Newark. My “staff” was whoever among my friends turned up at practice in Central
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Park on any given day. And an eclectic collection of rugby missionaries they were—actors and bartenders, businessmen and professionals, even a future Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) of Ireland. Oh, and most of Xavier’s opponents back then were college teams and men’s sides. But with each passing year our roster grew, and with it, the experience, skill, and confidence of the players (and their coaches). Not surprisingly, the victories began to come. The next year, 1977, we joined forces with Fordham Prep, chartered a bus and invaded Canada, where we played the top Toronto schools. Thus began the great Xavier rugby tradition of touring, which made us better and, not incidentally, attracted more athletes to our banner. That expedition was followed by two epic journeys, the now-legendary Iron Horse I and Iron Horse II Transcontinental Railroad Tours of 1978 and 1979, which saw Xavier play matches in Cincinnati, Southern California, the Bay Area of Northern California, and Salt Lake City. The Outlaws returned to Southern California in 1980—this time by plane! Both forays into Southern California included appearances at the Santa Barbara Rugby Tournament, then the world’s largest. Xavier
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Maroon and BLUE
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“ Ours is a proud history. Long may Shawna pick it continue.” was the only high school among more than 100 collegiate and club teams competing on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara, and our matches were popular, attracting hundreds of spectators. By 1978, I was on the Xavier faculty, allowing me to be at 16th Street year-round. Most importantly, I had found assistant coaches so dedicated that they failed to notice that, not only were they not being paid, they had to pay their own way on tour: men like Greg Daly ’69, Larry Fox, and Iron Horse I chaperone Dr. Franklin Caesar ’72. In 1979, a talented 19-year-old Englishman named Ian Hawkins became Xavier’s first full-time assistant coach. He left after the season to accept a rugby scholarship to Long Beach State, but was replaced before the 1980 season by two full-time assistants: his older, more experienced countryman, Nigel Milton, and Larry Feher, who had begun his rugby career as Billy Rung’s teammate at St. Francis Prep and was now a member of Xavier’s football staff. Xavier rugby’s budget still being $0, Ian, Nigel, and Larry were as generously paid as their predecessors. With three full-time coaches for the first time ever, not to mention our most experienced player cadre yet, it is small wonder that the 1980 Outlaws compiled the best of Xavier’s first five seasons: a 12-7 record; the Metropolitan New York RFU High School Championship, with wins over St. Francis Prep, Fordham Prep, and Stepinac (yes, Stepinac) and an appearance in the semifinals of the East Coast Championships. In my last-ever game as head coach, Milton and I 32 XAVIER MAGAZINE
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played alongside our kids in a thrilling upset victory over the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on the Mariners’ home pitch. Nigel Milton succeeded me as head coach and, over the next five seasons, transformed the Outlaws into a regional and national powerhouse. In 1984, Xavier won its first East Coast title and made it to the semifinals in the first-ever High School Rugby National Championships. The 1985 season was an epic campaign that saw the Outlaws compile a 13-1-1 record (losing only to a visiting British side), tour to Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Utah, repeat as East Coast champions, and go on to win the first of Xavier’s four national titles. The hero of that thrilling championship final, played on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, was the Outlaws’ skinny flyhalf and captain, Mike Tolkin ’85. Besides Tolkin, who would go on to coach the USA Eagles, that first national championship team included this future American rugby Who’s Who: Xavier Director of Rugby Joe Sweeney ’85; Iona College head coach and RuggaMatrix podcast host Bruce McLane ’85; former Xavier coach Tim Walsh ’85; USA Rugby director Pete Seccia ’85; Rockaway Youth Rugby co-founder Andrew Israel ’85; Gonzaga High School assistant coach Jimmy Cuddihy ’85; and Fordham Prep assistant coach Paul Burke ’87. The 1985 Outlaws were the first Xavier rugby team to wear maroon and blue instead of whatever colors caught their fancy. And they were the last to call themselves the Outlaws. His mission completed, Nigel Milton returned home to England to begin his career with IBM. It was the end of an era.
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Nigel’s successor as head coach was Jim Borland ’81, the first Outlaw to hold that position. Despite losing nearly all the 1985 starters to graduation, Jimmy led the 1986 Knights to Xavier’s third straight East Coast crown. (For the first time since the days of the Kaydets, all Xavier teams now shared the same nickname.) When the demands of his job forced him to step down before the 1987 season, Jimmy was succeeded by his assistant coach, Mike Tolkin. Xavier rugby’s new head coach was just 19 years old. Mike’s former teammate Pat Cusanelli ’84 signed on as assistant coach—a position he would hold for eight seasons. Future Athletic Director Tony Paolozzi came aboard as rugby manager in 1988, just in time for Xavier’s first overseas tour, a 3–0 conquest of England. Two more firsts were achieved in the summer of 1990 when the Knights undertook a month-long, five-match quest to New Zealand and Australia. It was Xavier’s first out-of-season tour and first expedition to the southern hemisphere. Joe Sweeney returned to 16th Street as forwards coach in 1993, the same season the Knights won Xavier’s second national title in Seattle. By the turn of the 21st century, Xavier had assumed the mantle of the oldest continuous high school rugby program in the United States and was firmly established among the nation’s elite, but we refused to become complacent. Despite winning another national championship in 2007, Xavier rugby more than doubled in size, from two teams, A and B, with 45 players, to four full sides—
1. Ifeanyichukwu Emeh ’17 at Rugby Family Day on Randall’s Island. 2. Rugby alumni at the 40th anniversary celebration. 3. Alumni enjoy a slide show spanning four decades of memories. 4. Varsity rugby players compete in April. 5. Director of Rugby Joe Sweeney '85 welcomes guests to the 40th anniversary celebration.
Varsity A, Varsity B, Junior Varsity, and Freshmen—and 120 ruggers. And 16 coaches, many of whom are also members of the faculty or administration. When, after 30 years as a player and coach, Iron Mike Tolkin left 16th Street in 2012 to lead the USA Eagles in the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, Greg Norris succeeded him as just the fifth head coach in Xavier rugby’s 40-year history. In a nod to the program’s growth in size and complexity, assistant head coach Joe Sweeney assumed the additional post of Director of Rugby. When Xavier rugby paused (briefly) to mark its 40th anniversary in March, hundreds of current and former players, coaches, parents, and friends gathered in the gym to celebrate the program’s success: four national championships, 21 regional crowns, and the last four New York State titles. Dozens of Xavier ruggers have been named to high school or collegiate All-American teams or represented the United States at the U20, U19, and U17 levels. Two of Xavier’s Sons have played for the Eagles in the Rugby World Cup, and three have played at the professional level. And true to Jesuit education’s goal of forming “men for others,” Xavier alumni have taken our game far beyond 16th Street to become an integral part of rugby’s remarkable growth, coaching and administering (and often founding) programs at every level, from youth up through the USA Eagles. Ours is a proud history. Long may it continue. Tom O’Hara ’69 P’04 ’06 is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He was inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame in 2012.
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ofXavier
Sons
Compiled by Shawna Gallagher Vega
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1940 Jack Moynahan just turned 94. He lives outside of Chicago and has four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He welcomes emails from old classmates at jacklob22@att.net. 1947 Peter Smith is now in his 10th year in the Chicago area, watching his three grandchildren grow. His youngest son is on the East Coast celebrating Villanova’s great year in basketball. Smith travels back to the Jersey Shore during most summers. 1948 Raymond Strakosch enjoyed participating in the Hudson Valley Honor Flight program, which took him to Washington, D.C. in April 2016.
celebrated Irish poet William Butler Yeats. 1954 Thomas Clarke recently retired after 50 years on Wall Street. He lives in Oradell, New Jersey. After five decades, George (Bill) Gibson and Dr. Anthony Gabriele are back in touch by email, catching up on each other’s lives and sharing tales and remembrances of Xavier. George lives in Sedona, Arizona, and Tony lives in Carmichael, California. 1955 Thomas S. Nicholson is doing well and divides his time between Palm Beach, Florida, from November through May and Stratham, New Hampshire, from May through November.
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Jim Burns sends the following update from Colorado: “In the year 1969, my employer decided to transfer the engineering department from Holmdel, New Jersey, to Denver, Colorado. This state has been home to our family ever since. Nancy, my wife of 60 years, and I have four daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The first three daughters live close by in Colorado, and the fourth lives in Bergen, Norway. Presently, a few of my activities include exercise at the local YMCA three times per week, yard work, reading, centering prayer, and an occasional vacation outside the United States.”
Dr. Frank Heelan has been elected president of the Edison School Board in Edison, New Jersey, where he cares for the learning needs of 15,600 students. Frank and his wife, Ann, are planning for their 50th anniversary celebration in 2017. They met at City Center and the Carnegie Deli on Cinco de Mayo, 1965. Frank and Ann write that they have been blessed in their “sunset years” with four children and 10 grandchildren living nearby.
Daniel Gorman and his wife, Joan, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. “I was teaching at Xavier the year we got married, ran an award-winning marketing company for many years, and am now an obsessed golfer and member of the board of a great, Catholic liberal arts college, Christendom,” he writes. “Life has been good.” 1952 In the past year, Frank McGinity published a travel book titled Get Off Your Street and produced two DVDs for several film festivals. One was about Nicolas Den, an Irish pioneer, and the other was about the
1957 Alan Nasser was cited in Congressional Quarterly’s recent research issue on the future of the American middle class. An article he wrote about the subject also appears in the publication. 1959 Dr. John Hackett writes that he and his wife, Carol, spent time with Dan Cronin while visiting San Diego. Robert Keating is Senior Advisor to the President at Pace University. Previously, he served as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Pace and head of the New York State Judicial Institute, the first judicial training and research facility in the nation built by and for a state court system. An active member of a number of civic and nonprofit
Paul Gannon '75
Alumni Profile PAUL GANNON ’75 When Paul Gannon retired from The Baupost Group as chief operating officer in July 2014, he envisioned the coming years as ones with a balance of nonprofit service and a healthy dose of freedom and flexibility. Little did he know that the public radio station that once relieved the tedium of his daily commute would become such a meaningful component of his retired life. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Gannon arrived at Baupost—a Boston-based hedge fund focused on investment management for foundations, endowments, and high net worth families—in 1991. “It’s a company with an incredible culture and pursuit of excellence in everything it does,” Gannon said. “And a core aspect of its culture is focused on giving back.” Each year, the company sets aside a percentage of its profits to support charitable organizations and lets a committee of its employees decide where the funds should be directed. “Having spent my formative years at Xavier, where there was always a focus on giving back to those less fortunate, Baupost was a wonderful fit,” he said. In retirement, Gannon knew he wanted to devote meaningful time to the causes most important to him. In addition to his seat on The Baupost Group’s Board of Advisors, he continues to support Xavier and the University of Virginia and serves on the Board of Directors of Opportunity Solutions International, Tenacity, and the Boston Foundation. Just months after his retirement, he became chair of the Board of Overseers for WBUR, Boston’s NPR News station—the one he listened to religiously throughout his 35-year career. Gannon now partners with the CEO of WBUR to ensure it stays relevant to a new generation of audio and digital “listeners,” not to mention develop new revenue streams in an industry historically dependent on membership pledge drives. In April, WBUR raised $1 million in a 26.2-hour marathon sprint that replaced the typical week-long on-air fundraiser, and interactive ads for the station are now grabbing the attention of commuters at bus kiosks throughout Boston. Next up—continuing to develop the station’s multi-platform engagement with its audience by attempting to create a facility akin to WNYC’s Greene Space, the multimedia performance venue on the ground floor of New York Public Radio’s headquarters. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Gannon said of his time as WBUR’s chair. “The extraordinary in-depth journalism of public radio serves such an important function in a democratic society.”
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organizations, Robert was recently honored with Networking Magazine’s David Award. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned his law degree at Duke. 1960
Jim Burns ’50
George Dean ’62 and Bill Grubb ’62 with their wives
Rocco Iacovone ’62
Members of the 1966 track team with Jim Tierney ’68 and Jim Mantle ’68
The popular blog and social media juggernaut Humans of New York featured Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s efforts to fight pediatric cancer, led by Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Xavier Hall of Famer Dr. Richard O’Reilly, during a two-week series of photographs and interviews in May. The powerful series, which also featured 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Michael LaQuaglia ’68, featured a corresponding fundraising campaign that garnered $3.9 million for pediatric cancer research from readers around the world. Robert Weierman writes that his mother, Dorothy, celebrated her 100th birthday on March 21. She marked the milestone at the Spring Lake Golf and Country Club in Spring Lake, New Jersey, on April 22. Mrs. Weierman is a beloved figure in the area, where she continues to work two jobs—as a crossing guard during the school year and as a checker at the Pier Beach Pavilion during the summer. Attendees at her birthday celebration included Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton, Superintendent of Schools Raymond Boccuti, Police Chief Edward Kerr, Councilman Robert Drasheff, and Assemblyman David Rible. Robert says his mother’s energy has been a lifelong attribute: “She used to take me to the train every morning to catch the 5:53 a.m. train to Penn Station in New York to get to Xavier!” 1962
Patrick Sullivan ’71
Philip Ambrosini writes that members of the Class of 1962 met for their 17th annual dinner in November 2015. There were 20 members of the class in attendance. Bill Grubb and his wife, Eileen, recently visited with George Dean and his wife, Joyce. “George and I now go back 58 years, and we get together at least once a year,” Grubb said. Rocco Iacovone released a new album, Embrace the Change, on May
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6. He and the Rocco John Quartet celebrated the event with an album release party at New York City’s Caffé Vivaldi on May 13. To learn more about Iacovone’s work, visit roccojohnmusic.com. 1963 Robustiano Fernandez has retired after more than 35 years working as an engineer, followed by seven years as a high school and junior college math teacher. Peter Schwimer and his wife, Pat, recently traveled to Clearwater, Florida, to attend the baptism of the fourth child of their son, Matthew Schwimer ’94. Matt and his wife, Jeri, also celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary on May 28. Greg Scime writes that his lifelong love of music continues to fill his days. Although he considered studying music as an undergraduate, he majored in business at Boston College and later enlisted in the Army Officer Candidate School. “Through a series of events, I ended up in the Army/Navy Music School in Little Creek, Virginia,” he recalled. “When I was assigned to Fort Hood’s Second Armored Division, I was quickly recruited to be the organist for all religious services—Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and others. When I was discharged from the Army, I entered the Manhattan School of Music.” For the last 40 years, Scime has been a full-time organist/music director. He currently works at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maplewood, New Jersey, and teaches jazz and classical piano at Seton Hall University. He founded a sacred music study program in Assisi, Italy, in 2001. 1964 Tom Swift is an associate broker with Premiere Plus Realty in Naples, Florida, and recently became certified as a Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) by the National Association of Realtors. 1966 Andrew Mihalick thanks his co-chair, members of the 50th Reunion Committee, and his class-
mates for making their Xavier reunion “a truly wonderful event.” 1967 Edmund Bergan has retired from his 40-year Wall Street law practice and moved to Davidson, North Carolina. MAJ Frank Dong, USA (Ret.) writes that he and Paolo Recagno “met for an aperitivo in Milan in 2014, more than 47 years after graduation in 1967. Nothing like seeing an old classmate in a foreign country.” Joseph Maher tells Xavier Magazine that 12 members of the Class of 1967 recently traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for their fourth annual golf outing. 1968 Carl Ferdenzi writes that he is enjoying his seven grandchildren and is back to watching T-ball, soccer, and lacrosse. On April 30, Jim Tierney and Jim Mantle joined Mantle’s brother, Dan Mantle ’66, and a group of his classmates at a Xavier track minireunion. Members of the Class of 1966 were in town for their 50th Xavier Reunion. The group met for lunch at Tracks Restaurant, owned by Bruce Caulfield ’73, in Penn Station. “There were many stories told about their legendary track coach, Jim Scott,” Jim Tierney said. Dr. Ronald Sollitto recently earned a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University. 1969 Rafael Martinez joined Boy Scout Troop 306 from South Florida for summer camp week at Camp Shands, near Jacksonville, Florida, this July. They will later cross the Grand Canyon, R2R2R (Rim to Rim to Rim, a 48.3-mile trek), before heading to Sedona, Arizona’s Coconino National Forest for more backpacking. Will Yozaites retired this year and now enjoys spending his time on the golf course. He and his wife, Terry, celebrated the wedding of their third daughter, Christine, to Eric Lorello on March 18. All three of the Yozaites daughters are now married, and Will and Terry have three
Class NOTES
grandchildren: Madison Grace, age 41/2, Jackson William, 2, and Taylor Rae, 11/2. 1970 Stephen Jones lives and works in New York City. For more than 13 years, he was the senior litigation paralegal at a prestigious law firm, and before that, he was a teacher, an assistant publicist at 20th Century Fox, and a freelance copywriter for HarperCollins. After the recession and downsizing “blindsided” him, he found a silver lining—and he now works as a contract copywriter, editor, and proofreader for American Express, several large law firms, and in the field of academics. The New York Times has published five of his poems, and his work has appeared in various other publications. His professional email address is shjwrites@gmail.com. 1971 Bill Cook recently published a new college textbook, Religion and Criminal Justice. Brian O’Connell, AICP, retired in July 2015 after more than 15 years with the city of Racine, Wisconsin, as its director of city development and more than 24 years with the city of Milwaukee. He stays busy with volunteer activities and two granddaughters. On May 18, Patrick Sullivan testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on misconduct issues within the Environmental Protection Agency. Sullivan is the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at the EPA. 1972 Charles DuPont has retired from the city of San Diego after 23 years. He now travels back and forth across the U.S. to New York, New Jersey, Texas, and California. He has been living in the desert of San Diego’s East County for 16 years. 1973 Dr. Victor Vallo, Jr. just completed 24 years of college teaching as a music professor and department chair. He also just retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant
Colonel. Vallo recently relocated to New York to be with his wife and family in Manlius, outside of Syracuse. 1974 Chaplain (COL) Tom Brouillard, USA (Ret.) retired from the United States Army in February 2015 after 31 years of service. His last tour of duty was as a director in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. He resides in central New Jersey and spends his time volunteering as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and enjoying occasional dinners with old Xavier classmates. Bruce Giaimo sends greetings from New Orleans. In March 2016, his son, Joe, and Joe’s fiancée Marisa both matched for five-year medical residencies in the Crescent City. Joe is a general surgeon, and Marisa will pursue anesthesia. They will be married this October. Joe Giaimo attended Xavier for one month during Hurricane Katrina. Deacon Frank Morano and his wife, Rita, attended the Jubilee of Deacons that took place in Rome, Italy, from May 27–29 as part of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy called by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Pope Francis invited all deacons to Rome for prayer, solidarity, and reflection on their unique call to service through ordained ministry. The weekend culminated with a Papal Mass offered by Pope Francis for all deacons. “It was an extraordinary and humbling experience to not only attend the weekend with my brother deacons from around the world, but to also vest as a deacon and to process into Saint Peter’s Square with Pope Francis and other members of the world’s Catholic clergy,” Morano said. Michael Nardolilli is the executive director of the Montgomery Parks Foundation, where he supports the 418 parks in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Richard Balagtas ’12
Alumni Profile RICHARD BALAGTAS ’12 When he arrived at Boston College in the fall of 2012, Richard Balagtas had his sights set on a career in medicine. He declared biochemistry as his major, but something didn’t feel right. “I just wasn’t passionate about it,” the Staten Island native recalled. “I realized that I should be studying something I really enjoyed.” With the help of his former guidance counselor, Thomas Gibbons, and the personal reflection that remains a hallmark of Jesuit education, Balagtas changed course. He declared majors in philosophy and political science and discovered his strong interest in bioethics. Success came quickly. In December 2014, Balagtas secured a position as a research intern for the Global Bioethics Initiative, a United Nationsaffiliated nonprofit dedicated to fostering awareness and understanding of bioethical issues. He planned the group’s summer 2015 International Bioethics Summer School in Manhattan. And earlier this year, he was awarded a Fulbright grant to study the Filipino government’s policy on transplant tourism, a continuation of his senior thesis. “There’s no comprehensive study about this,” he said. “I want to provide some sort of example for other countries facing this issue.” Balagtas is already looking forward to the next step in his academic career—namely, applying to Georgetown Law, which offers a dual JD/MPH program with Johns Hopkins University. But for now, he’s relishing his unique achievement, which landed him on The Boston Globe’s list of “8 Boston-area students with super-cool plans after graduation.” “The Fulbright program embodies what BC and Xavier push— interreligious dialogue, working together to make things better, and taking learning outside of the classroom,” Balagtas said. “It’s the perfect gap year.”
On February 22, 2016, John Schneider was appointed an administrative patent judge at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Schneider works at the Texas Regional Office in Dallas. COL Tom Brouillard, USA (Ret.) ’74
Michael Nardolilli ’74
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1975
Rev. Elliot S. Robinson ’87
Joe Fama, president of Empire Commercial Services, recently expanded his fleet management company to include a new consumer product, an iPhone and Android app called WinIt that defends New York City parking violations. In less than a year, WinIt has gained 100,000 users, leading to $1 million in dismissed parking tickets. 1976
Pete McCarthy ’93 and Salvatore Vitale ’96
Upcoming Events Quogue Reception August 25, 2016 Westport, MA Reception August 26, 2016 Cape Cod Reception August 27, 2016 Summer Sunset at Xavier August 31, 2016 Hall of Fame Dinner October 28, 2016 Young Alumni Luncheon November 23, 2016 For the latest event updates, visit xavierhs.org/events.
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Ed Kowalski sent in the following reflection about his uncle John McLoughlin: “Last night, I found myself trying to organize all those things that one keeps labeled under the heading of ‘family stuff.’ There’s something intriguing about poring over old photographs. Whether the photos are black and whites from the old country or yellow-stained images from the days of our own youth, looking at them is like peeking through a window at another world. There were other things as well. Since my uncle’s passing in 1976, I kept his ‘stuff.’ Now, this includes not only photographs, but mementos from his life. His eighth grade class autograph book, where salutations from fellow classmates read along the lines of ‘2 good 2 be 4 gotten’ and other similar notations that harken back to how kids spoke to each other in the 1920s. Then I revisited every report card that he received while attending Xavier High School in the 1930s—and painstakingly saved. Since I attended the same high school as my uncle, there was a deep bond between us. There were letters that several Jesuits sent to my uncle as a young man that he kept. In particular, there were letters from one Jesuit named Gerry Cuddy, S.J.†. While my uncle was alive, he spoke of this Jesuit as being one of the best teachers he had. The report cards bear this out. He received second honors during the year that Mr. Cuddy, then a Jesuit scholastic, was his homeroom teacher. The report cards then take an ominous turn when, in the following year, he found himself in academic trouble. “Your son is in danger of failing the following subjects: Latin Composition, Latin Literature, Mathematics. He will need to take remedial exam-
inations in the above checked subjects in order to continue at Xavier,” another saved letter stated. The Jesuits charged $5 for each examination, and my uncle kept the receipt for these tests as well. Like a detective, I tried to understand what happened. As I reviewed each card, I saw him standing in front of his parents asking them to sign these report cards, and they did. My grandparents’ signatures are on each card under the red circled grades. The shame must have been overwhelming. John McLoughlin was asked to leave Xavier going into his senior year, yet he kept those cards and letters from Gerry Cuddy. Last night, I decided to find out more about who this Jesuit was and, because of the Internet, I found myself corresponding with a present-day Jesuit, Francis X. Hezel, S.J., who worked with Fr. Cuddy in Micronesia. Fr. Hezel thanked me for reaching out and promised to share some insight into who Gerry Cuddy was with me. I hope he does. What kind of man was he that made my uncle save every small piece of correspondence sent from him? When I think of the Jesuits I had at Xavier, I can recite a number of them who had profound impact on my life. Vincent Duminuco, S.J.†, Anthony Aracich, S.J.†, Jim Keenan, S.J., Vin Biagi, S.J. ’67, Charles Hoeffner, S.J.† (at St. Ignatius Loyola), and William Wood, S.J.† are Jesuits who helped me in my own life. 14, 15, 16, 17, let me tell you—those are big years. Everybody always thinks of it as a time of adolescence, just getting through to the real part of your life, but it’s more than that. Sometimes your whole life happens in those years, and the rest of your life is just the same story playing out with different characters. I’m eternally grateful for going through those years with these Jesuits, and I’m grateful that my uncle had, even for a brief time, Gerry Cuddy. A teacher, wrote Henry Adams, attains a kind of immortality because one never knows where a teacher’s influence ends. I hope that Fr. Hezel shares with me some stories of who Gerry Cuddy was. His influence on my uncle’s life was unquestionable and I thank him for that.
So, as I closed the box on the items I have kept, I will miss my uncle no more or no less than I did yesterday. In a strange way, I found myself missing Gerry Cuddy although I never knew him. There’s no magic wand that has filled the void of my uncle’s absence. I’ll never get rid of those report cards or Gerry Cuddy’s letters.” Ben Massa and his wife, Anna, live in Atlanta, Georgia. Ben is the commercial director/assistant vice president for UASC, an international shipping line. CPT Peter Sciabarra, USN (Ret.) earned a Ph.D. in leadership studies from the University of San Diego in September 2014. 1979 Mark Reeth was recently appointed to the board of Biofrontera AG, a publicly traded German pharmaceutical company. 1980 A book written by Dr. Michael Corso, Student Voice: The Instrument of Change, has become a bestseller for the educational publisher Corwin. His next book, Aspire Higher: Imagining Tomorrow’s School Today, is in production. Stephen G. McAllister is married with five children and one grandson. He lives and works in Floral Park on Long Island, where he serves as police commissioner. He has worked in law enforcement for 32 years, including 26 years with the New York Police Department, one year with the Newark Police Department, and five years in Floral Park. He is also an adjunct professor at Molloy College and a security consultant. 1981 Paul Chiu and his wife, Layan, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. Their son, William, will start at Columbia College this fall. 1983 After being nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate, Ricardo Aguilera is now serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Air
Class NOTES
Force (financial management and comptroller). 1984 Internationally-renowned concert pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz performed a benefit concert at the Church of St. Francis Xavier on May 31. Edward Dai has taken his passion for painting on the road. Traveling the East Coast, Dai has exhibited in several shows from New York to Miami. He also donates paintings to raise money for charitable events. Charles Mulham retired from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives after 27 years. He is now director of security for Project Renewal, a large nonprofit in New York City. 1986 Anthony Gonzalez lives in Northern Virginia and works in the FBI Lab at Quantico. His son, Alex, graduated from college in May, and his daughter, Julianna, is a college freshman. Jason T. Ramsden has been appointed as an executive member of the Board for the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS). The mission of ATLIS is to empower its members to develop strategies, build relationships, and share best practices in technology and innovation for independent schools. 1987 Dr. Gajendra Bafna earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2015. On May 9, Rev. Elliott S. Robinson received his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. His course concentration was church leadership and administration as well as race and religion. Robinson, who also holds a law degree, is on track for ordination in 2017 as an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1988 After reconnecting at the Beefsteak Dinner in January, Gary Aviles and Andrew Pearson collaborated on a business project. Aviles created a web-based online emotional
assessment called The BitterSweet Score with his wife, Monica, and Pearson handled web development for the project through his company, Grafixwerks. “He jumped in and got the work required done ASAP, coding the pages and stringing them together while providing valuable feedback and ideas,” Aviles said. “The BitterSweet Score is planned for release at the end of the summer.” The emotional assessment will be available at www.thebittersweetscore.com. To learn more about Grafixwerks, email Pearson at andy@grafixwerks.com.
Create Your Legacy at Xavier. Members of the Larkin Legacy Society make lasting, critical contributions to 16th Street. To learn more or discuss making a planned gift, contact Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo at mongelluzzom@xavierhs.org or 212-901-5151.
1990 COL Doug LeVien, USA was inducted into the 2016 inaugural class of the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame on June 10. Hall of Fame induction is awarded to alumni whose character and distinguished service epitomizes the qualities Army ROTC embodies. 1996 Jason Almonte is a senior attorney with the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, in midtown Manhattan. Almonte lives in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. CMDR Tim Sommella, USCG completed two years at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince as a Coast Guard Liaison Officer working with the Haitian Coast Guard, Port Authority, and Drug Enforcement Administration. He was recently promoted to Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard and will be assigned to the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., for a one-year assignment. J.P. Stathis recently completed the Airbnb Brooklyn Half along with Jimmy Brady and Brian O’Grady ’92. Salvatore Vitale ’96, a sergeant in the New York Police Department, writes that he is keeping New York City safe in the Brooklyn South Gang Unit along with Detective Pete McCarthy ’93.
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1997 Michael Rybicki was recently accepted to Harvard University and awarded a fellowship to attend the Kennedy School of Government, where he will pursue his MPA. Rybicki was also appointed Senior Advisor for MassIT, the information technology division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He will continue as Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue along with his new role. 2000 Mike Benigno continues serving the Jesuits as communication director for the USA Northeast Province. This fall, he will begin studies at Columbia University, working toward a Master’s in Strategic Communications degree. Benigno has also maintained an active photography business for the last six years and serves as house photographer at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Tell Us what’s new...
published a book went back to school found my calling saw the world started a business got married had a baby started my first job finished my last job
Whatever you’ve been up to, we’d like to hear about it. Email classnotes@xavierhs.org or mail updates to Editor, Xavier Magazine Xavier High School 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6302 Our space is limited, so class notes are edited to include as many as possible.
2003 P.J. Brennan recently released his first single, “Confidence Man,” available on iTunes and Spotify. CPT David del Cuadro-Zimmerman, USA is attending graduate school at Columbia University on a West Point scholarship.
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Christopher Silvestri took part in singing John Rutter’s Magnificat with his wife, Stephanie, and members of a New Jersey community choir, The Celebration Singers. He has been a member of the choir for the past six years. 2005 The Xavier Surf Club with Mike Petri ’02 and Mike Reinhardt ’07
Chris Riso recently earned his MBA at the Yale School of Management. He will be joining Deloitte in New York as a senior consultant in the strategy and operations practice. 2006
Francis Brockway ’09
John Chiaia ’13
Reid Sessa graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an MBA in corporate finance in May 2015. He started working for Bank of America the next month. Peter J. Woods recently graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in real estate. He is a real estate associate at JPMorgan Chase.
2009
2014
Francis “Dom” Brockway recently returned from teaching English in Southern Thailand. Since arriving back in the States, he received his real estate license and is working for a major firm in Manhattan.
James Lavelle writes: “I am currently attending Marist College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history and adolescent education. I am the author of a forthcoming article that will be published by SUNY Plattsburgh on their History Digital Commons website and database. The article is entitled ‘The Role of Propaganda in Destabilizing the Directory and Securing Napoleon’s Power,’ which I recently presented at the Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Society) Upper New York State Regional Conference. I would like to thank Xavier history teachers James Costa ’02 and Patrick Mahon ’04 for continuously encouraging my study and passion for history during my time at Xavier. I would not have been able to achieve such a milestone this early on in my professional career without the skills that I built during my time in their classes.”
Christian Knoch currently works in advertising for Ogilvy & Mather and is a member of the 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard.
2008
Strengthen Xavier for the next generation. xavierhs.org/give
2013
John F. Whelan earned his law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in June 2015. He passed the New York State Bar Examination and was admitted to practice in New York State on February 3. He is an associate at Schlam, Stone & Dolan LLP.
2011
Rev. Nicholas Colalella celebrated his one-year anniversary as a priest in the Brooklyn Diocese on June 27. He has been studying Biblical languages at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, a Jesuit Institute. Colalella hopes to travel to the Holy Land at
Edward F. Wagner, III graduated from Dartmouth College in June. He was captain of the track and field team there and holds all-time number 3 honors in the 400-meter hurdles with 52.07, run at the Penn Relays in April 2014. John Chiaia is attending Mount Saint Mary College and recently completed his third year as a public relations and journalism major. He served as the junior class president this year and will be senior class secretary next year. Chiaia will return to work for his college’s Residence Life Office as a third-year senior resident assistant.
CPT Michael J. Chiaia, USA graduated from the Aviation Maintenance Officer’s Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and is assigned as the CHOPS (Chief of Operations) for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.
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Thomas J. Reilly is an assistant district attorney in Richmond County. He graduated from Fordham University School of Law in May 2015 and was admitted to the New York Bar in January.
2007
Mike Reinhardt owns and runs Locals Surf School in Rockaway. He hosted members of the Xavier Surf Club and their advisor, Mike Petri ’02, in May. Fr. Nicholas Colallela, second from right
the end of the summer to further his studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem while residing at the Jesuits’ Biblicum campus there.
2012 Last year, Domenic DeNiro was awarded the Tauck Scholarship from Lehigh University. As a result, he traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to work with Deloitte in their audit practice for a month. While in South Africa, he also went Great White Shark cage diving, rode an elephant, and paraglided off one of the country’s largest mountains. DeNiro will begin working with Deloitte full-time in their 30 Rockefeller Plaza office starting in September. Joseph Klein graduated from Marquette University, magna cum laude, in May with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He earned a teaching assistantship from Marquette and will begin his master’s coursework in mechanical engineering this fall. Anthony Pucik recently graduated from Fordham University. He is currently working at ABC News Radio as an associate producer.
2015 Matthew Chan recently completed his first year of studies at St. John’s University. “It feels like it was yesterday when I walked down the aisle of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to receive my diploma,” he said. “I am so thankful for everything Xavier has taught me. Although I had to leave after four incredible years at Xavier, I knew I was prepared for college and for life. Xavier prepared me academically, physically, and spiritually.”
Class NOTES
Milestones
Reid Sessa ’06 with his wife, Caitlin, and son, William Reid
Charlie Brown ’70 with his wife, Alison
Anthony Hohmann ’03 with his wife, Kimberly, and daughter, Sienna Rose
Engagements Christopher Grech ’07 became engaged to Stephany Di Gesaro on April 30. The two plan to wed in 2018. Weddings Charlie Brown ’70 married Alison Miller in Delray Beach, Florida, on April 2. Jim Kenney ’75 married Gigi Gomez at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in New York City on Saturday, May 21. Bob Kieffer ’75 served as best man, and the ushers were Bruce Caulfield ’73 and Anton Telesca, son of John Telesca ’75. Loual Puliafito ’00 married Daniela Rocco on June 3, 2016. Pedro Dones ’00 served as the officiant, Mike Benigno ’00 was best man, and Thomas Wierzbowski ’00 was a groomsman. Xavier Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo attended the wedding.
Loual Puliafito ’00 with his bride, Daniela, and their wedding party
Marcin Kurzatkowski ’02 married Jasmine Napolitano at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Ridgewood, Queens, on April 30. His wedding party
included Robert Kurzatkowski ’02, Karol Kurzatkowski ’06, Robert Truszowski ’02, and Matthew Lal ’06. John McGovern ’02 married Christina O’Shea on April 2. Jonathan Dianora ’03 married Kirby Bevis at Riverside on the Potomac in Virginia on April 30. Anthony Hohmann ’03 married Kimberly Benanti at the Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Southampton, New York, on June 6, 2014. Peter Scaturro ’03 served as best man. Anthony Rogone ’03 married Shannon Boland on May 14 at Saint Martha’s Roman Catholic Church in Uniondale, New York. Classmates Salvador Rivas ’03 and Shane Lavin ’03 served as groomsmen, and Patrick Herbert ’03, Anthony Ciaffone ’03, and CPT David del Cuadro-Zimmerman, USA ’03 joined in the celebration. Steven Drennen ’04 married Elizabeth Jalandoni on September 19, 2015, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New York City. Ricardo Velez, Jr. ’04 served as best man. Reid Sessa ’06 married Caitlin Hayes at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on June 12, 2015. Births Philip Ambrosini ’62 welcomed his fourth grandchild, Giuseppe Edward, on October 9, 2015.
Jim Kenney ’75 with his bride, Gigi
Doug Smith ’71 and his wife, Linda, are now proud grandparents. Their son, CPT David R. Smith, USAF, and his wife, Erica, welcomed their daughter, Elsie Pearl Smith, in January 2016. Joe Fama ’75 welcomed his first grandson, Luca Joseph, in December 2015. James Mullen ’87 and his wife, Kim, welcomed a son, Andrew Collins Mullen, on March 3. Andrew’s older brother is John Mullen ’19. Matthew Schwimer ’94 and his wife, Jeri, welcomed a baby girl, Savannah, in January. Andrew Gorski ’97 and his wife, Melissa, welcomed a son, Oscar Xavier, on November 3, 2015. Oscar joins his three 6-year-old siblings, Caroline, Sabrina, and Max, at their home in Billerica, Massachusetts. Anthony Hohmann ’03 and his wife, Kimberly, welcomed their daughter, Sienna Rose, on March 14. Reid Sessa ’06 and his wife, Caitlin, welcomed a son, William Reid, in February.
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2016 Alumni Reunion New York City • April 29 and 30
More than 400 Sons and friends of Xavier celebrated Reunion Weekend 2016, which kicked off in the Arrupe Library on Friday, April 29, at a luncheon honoring the Classes of 1943–51. That evening, class parties filled some of the city’s finest venues, with members of classes ending in 1 and 6 flooding back to 16th Street for the Reunion Gala on April 30. Gratitude to Xavier was a theme woven throughout the weekend, especially for the Classes of 1966 and 1991, who shattered records for 50th and 25th reunion giving. “It was inspiring to witness the generosity of my fellow Sons of Xavier at Reunion,” said Director of Alumni Relations Zane Massey ’96. “Coming together with our brother alumni is a great reminder that we are fortunate to be part of this community.”
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Class NOTES
in memoriam Xavier High School wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the following deceased ALUMNI Edward J. Holland, Jr., Esq. ’30, 9/28/10 Hon. Xavier C. Riccobono ’34, 4/29/16 Dr. Daniel F. Stevens ’40, 8/9/12 Robert Cardone ’41, 2/23/15 Albert A. Eustis ’41, 1/19/13 John J. McKenna ’41, 10/4/15 Michael B. Smith ’42, 7/31/11 Valentine A. Voelker ’42, 1/17/06 Dr. James Glynn ’43, 6/28/15 William J. Moore ’44, 1/29/16 John R. Cookson ’45, 1/16/11 John P. Hetherington ’47, 3/8/16 Franklin M. Boller ’47, 1/1/16 Robert Cleary ’47, 12/8/15 Conrad V. Zarek, Jr., ’47, 2/27/16 Philip A. Congo ’48, 1/2/16 William Hand ’48, 10/24/15 William D. O’Brien, Esq. ’48, 4/2/16 Alan Cuneo ’50, 7/15/11 Donald T. O’Connor, Esq. ’50, 3/31/16 Jack Van de Genachte ’50, 5/18/13 Robert J. Flynn ‘50, 6/15/16 Rev. Joseph M. McCloskey, S.J. ’50, 3/2/16 Raymond J. McQuade ’50, 12/22/15 Alan B. Cuneo ’50, 7/15/11 Jack Van de Genachte ’50, 5/18/13 Rev. Mario Gallipoli, C.P. ’51, 7/7/13 Stephen E. Gaul ’51, 3/27/16 Dr. John Weg ’51, brother of Leonard Weg ’56, 5/3/15
Dominic DiFalco ’52, 6/13/16 Raymond F. Henshaw ’52, 1/30/16 Richard F. Atnally ’53, brother of Edward Atnally ’49, 6/14/16 Dr. Francis W. Favazza ’53, 3/17/16 Dr. William J. Tobin ’53, 5/30/16 John R. VanDoorne ’55, 1/4/14 Ronald S. Sabo ’56, 4/4/12 John R. Foy III ’61, 2/26/16 Thomas B. Moore ’63, 5/30/16 Dr. John Valentino ’69, 6/8/16 Michael P. Parish ’70, brother of Robert Parish ’72, 3/2/16 Francisco J. Villegas ’71, 9/7/10 Dr. Robert Fleming ’73, 6/15/16 David Hallinan ’80, brother of John Hallinan ’71 and Rev. Mark Hallinan, S.J. ’76, 5/11/16 Dr. John Machado ’80, 3/5/07 Laurence B. Orchard ’80, brother of William Orchard ’70 and Michael Orchard ’71, 5/10/16 Thomas A. Moogan ’84, 6/13/16 SPOUSES AND PARENTS Dorothy Russack P’69, mother of Stephen Russack ’69, 4/7/16 Rosemary McGinn P’73 ’75 ’78 ’84, widow of Dr. Joseph McGinn ’41†, mother of Dr. Joseph McGinn ’73, William McGinn ’75, Dr. Thomas McGinn ’78, Bryan McGinn ’84, and grandmother of
John McGinn ’10, Vincent Carrubba ’17 and Joseph Carrubba ’17, 6/5/16 Nora Harrison P’76, mother of David Harrison ’76, 1/29/16 Louise A. Hidar P’77, mother of Paul Hidar ’77, 3/2/16 Adolfo Rodriguez P’86, father of Arnold Rodriguez ’86, 4/2/13 Peter Nikc P’87 ’97, father of Robert Nikc ’87 and Michael Nikc ’97, 4/16/16 Debra Killbrew-Montes P’12, mother of Andrew Abbensett ’12, 3/26/16 Daniel F. Malewich P’12, father of William Malewich ’12, 3/18/16 Dorothy Poniatowski P’16, mother of Konrad Poniatowski ’16 and Julian Poniatowski ’16, 6/25/16 FACULTY AND EXTENDED FAMILY Clare Derby, mother of Br. Christopher Derby, S.J., Xavier faculty member from 1992–2003, 4/5/16 Catherine Dormer, mother of Xavier teacher and coach Patrick Dormer P’17 and grandmother of Patrick Dormer ’17, 6/25/16 Rev. Louis E. Solomon, S.J., math teacher at Xavier from 1972–1975, 12/3/15
REMEMBRANCES David Hallinan ’80 Hollywood director David Hallinan died after a hiking accident in California’s Sequoia National Park on May 11. He was 53. A rugby star at Xavier, Hallinan was a 1984 graduate of Oberlin College. He rose to prominence
over the course of a 27-year career in television and film, with credits including Friends, The X-Files, The Shield, and Sons of Anarchy on TV and Speed, Erin Brockovich, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on the silver screen. He
made his home in Santa Monica, California. Hallinan is survived by his wife, Cindy, their children, Chloe and Owen, and his siblings, Robert, Anthony, John ’71, Mark ’76, and Ginger.
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Reflections on Leadership
By Michael LiVigni stood staring up into the bright California sky. Eight students were 55 feet directly above me on ropes— unbelievably thin ropes from my vantage point. As the sun shone down, I could only make out their silhouettes. The eight were huddled close together on a small platform. Ropes and guidelines connected the platform to another wooden structure almost 30 feet away. This, in turn, was connected to several other structures of different heights and configurations. The eight students, all members of Xavier’s varsity rugby team on a rugby tour in California, had one goal: move from structure to structure over a series of ropes until the end of the course. The only rule they had to follow was to stay in physical contact with each other the entire time they moved across the ropes. I remember staring up at the guys feeling terrified for them. Many of them were fearless enough on the rugby pitch, but now they seemed tentative and frightened, swaying so far above the ground. One or two of the boys initially refused to leave
I
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the platform, and all of them were nervous trying to figure out how they could move across the ropes without falling. Even when harnessed and hooked on to a guideline, a fall meant a significant drop and presented them with a very real fear. After several minutes of discussion, arguments, falls, and frankly a few curses, one brave soul took a few steps out on to the rope alone. Another boy stretched his hand out to grasp his arm and ensure that he remained in contact with the group. In a minute or two, the first young man was fully out on the rope alone. He swayed gently. Keeping his balance on the rope, he turned to his teammates and quietly encouraged them to move out on the rope to him, one slow step at a time, with a simple phrase: “Trust me.” I watched as the strength of this one student slowly transformed the fear of his teammates into determined confidence. One after another, his teammates joined him out on the rope as he continued to give instructions and encouragement to those who followed behind. After a few more minutes, the crew of boys inched across the rope, encouraging and supporting each other until they reached the next structure. I squinted up into the sun and watched team after team of students repeat the exercise, each group finding its own way across the course. Each time, a leader emerged. More often than not, leadership came from someone on the team who was not entirely expected. I remember that day so vividly because it finally gave me an adequate metaphor to describe the kind of leadership I have come to believe in and have witnessed during my time as an educator and administrator. In my experience, leadership is much more about the opportunities that are given to a
person, opportunities that allow leadership to emerge from within, sometimes of necessity. I witness this every day at Xavier among our students and among my colleagues. I often think of Xavier teachers as the ones out on that rope, gently and firmly encouraging their students to join them in the unknown territory where learning happens. There will be falls along the way, missed instructions, slip-ups, and failures, but failure is not only a part of learning, it is a part of leadership. Good leaders are the people who are the first to take a risk, but more importantly, they are the people who convince the rest of us that a risk is worth taking—and that we are stronger when we do it together. One of the best things about my job as headmaster is the opportunity to think about the way teaching and learning happens at Xavier. I do this not just through conferences and workshops with other principals, but more importantly by watching the men and women who teach at Xavier conduct their classes every day. It is through these observations and interactions with the faculty that I try to figure out what makes our best teachers the most successful at their craft and then reach my hand out to other teachers to gently (or sometimes not so gently!) encourage them to experiment with different types of instruction. I believe it is this collaborative work, between administrators and teachers and between teachers and students, that is one of the sources of Xavier’s success. At the end of the day, we trust each other. A graduate of the University at Buffalo and Fordham University, Michael LiVigni arrived at Xavier in 2000. He became Headmaster in 2006.
FROM THE
ARCHIVES As Xavier prepares to dedicate its 31,000-square-foot addition, Fernandez-Duminuco Hall, this September, it’s natural to reflect on our architectural past. In this 1955 photo, cadets march down the 16th Street steps—a core feature of Xavier’s main entrance from 1888 to 1963.
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30 West 16th Street • New York, NY 10011-6302
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