Mount issue#24 by Mount Saint Charles Academy

News and Information from Mount Saint Charles Academy • Brothers of the Sacred Heart • Winter 2015/2016 • Issue 24

Mount Saint Charles Academy—Always Growing

M O U N T S A I N T C H A R L E S A C A D E M Y • B R O T H E R S O F T H E S A C R E D H E A RT • M O U N T S A I N T C H A R L E S A C A D E M Y • B R O T H E R S O F T H E S A C R E D H E A RT

Inside this issue of Mount: 4

MSC—Always Growing

A Great Year For Our New 6th Graders

Harnessing Renewable Energy This spring solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Adelard Arena and will begin generating enough electricity annually to power more than 30 homes.

Mount looks towards a greener future as it prepares to install a Growing Dome solar greenhouse. This is the exciting next phase of expanding the Academy’s outdoor classroom and garden which is now in its second year.

President’s Letter 1 Principal’s Letter 2

The introduction of grade six to Mount has been very exciting and successful.

MSC Football Is Coming Back This Fall After more than 50 years, high school football is coming back to Mount through a co-op program with North Smithfield High School.

On the cover: Claire Albright, class of 2016, waters a healthy harvest of vegetables and herbs at Mount’s garden and outdoor classroom which was funded by Parent Council and constructed by MSC’s Earth Crew. Several Mounties have been involved in maintaining the garden and have spent many hours working on site!

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Dear Friends of Mount,

s always, it is with great pleasure that I extend to you the greetings of the Academy. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students, I extend profound gratitude for your friendship, partnership, and support. Mount depends upon your support to make real its mission, and because of your support and generosity, Mount is able to look forward to a future of continued service to young men and women who desire an academically challenging, holistic, faith-based education that will prepare them for their future. And as we look ahead to our future, we share with you within these pages some of the plans and dreams that we are envisioning and some of which will be reality very soon. In the fall of our next school year, we will welcome students into our second 6th grade class. Throughout the 20162017 school year, we will have prospective students testing into 6th grade for the 2017-2018 school year. This third group of young, lively, and eager 6th grade students will comprise the first members of our class of 2024, Mount’s 100th graduating class! Their commencement will be a time of great celebration for our entire school family and I hope all of you will be here to celebrate with us. As the members of the Class of 2024 step off the stage

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with their diplomas, the Class of 1974, of which I am a proud member, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary reunion. What an honor it will be for me to present golden diplomas to my classmates. How our world has changed since the time I and my classmates stepped off of the graduation stage with our diplomas. The Class of 2024 will step off into a vastly different world. Our responsibility is to ensure that we have prepared them to be responsible citizens of that world. Indeed, the Philosophy Statement of Mount Saint Charles Academy emphasizes that responsibility. “Curriculum, programs, and structures challenge the student to face the crucial issues of the day such as the plight of the socially disadvantaged, consumerism, economic injustice, global interdependence, environmental preservation, and bio-ethical decisions.” This past summer we introduced our outdoor classroom and school garden. This coming summer we will enhance our outdoor garden with a beautiful greenhouse and composting system. These additions will enhance the studies of our science classes, especially our environmental studies classes. Pope Francis has consistently sought to bring all Catholics back to our roots by reminding us daily of the fundamental values to which Catholics are called. Time and

again he has reminded us of our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and its resources. For Pope Francis, stewardship is a matter of justice for all creatures with whom we share this earth. He calls us to “care for the earth so that it may continue, as God intended, to be a source of life for the entire human family.” In addition to our outdoor classroom, a new solar panel array to be installed on the roof of Adelard Arena will be instrumental in supporting an educational experience that will challenge our students to respond to the challenges posed by Pope Francis. Education is always about the future. In our classrooms today sit the leaders of tomorrow. It is our responsibility to prepare them to be responsible Christian citizens of the society in which they will live their lives and raise their families. Thank you for continuing to support the work that we do. Together we can make the future better for generations to come. Excelsior! Herve Richer ’74 President Images by Bob DiCaprio

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Dear Friends of Mount,

ith great pleasure and pride I extend to you the greetings of all of us in the Mount Saint Charles school community and offer you our heartfelt appreciation for your continued encouragement and support. We are so fortunate to be a people of faith who know through the truth of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resurrection that this world is not the end, but only a short stop on the road to eternity. The message and promise of Easter brings so much hope to us in the midst of the daily trials and challenges of the present age. Always focusing on the future, we are responding in so many ways to meet the needs of our students and families in a spirit of joy and celebration for all that Mount Saint Charles is able to accomplish through the grace of God and the good work of our benefactors. In this edition you will read about a few of the ways by which we continue to build for the future with the vision of sustainability and progress. As stewards of the Earth, we have sought and must continue to seek reasonable ways to reduce the impact that our facility has on the planet. Also, we seek to educate our students about ways by which we can live the corporal works of mercy by feeding the hungry, and learning about plant life at the same time. This past year, our outdoor garden, through the great efforts of a member of our science depart2

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ment, Mrs. Janice Ferry, donated hundreds of pounds of food to local food pantries to feed those who did not have access to fresh produce. In a small way, we have shown our students the reward that comes from hard labor and cultivating the soil. This example of combining instruction with service is one way by which Mount Saint Charles has attempted to move outside the classroom space into the outdoor classroom. Mrs. Ferry has been the main force for many years behind this endeavor. The addition of a greenhouse extends the opportunity to expand on this program and effort by increasing our growing season. In a similar way, the arenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solar project affords the school the chance to combine instruction with a project on sustainability. Not only are we the beneficiaries of energy produced by the panels on the roof of the arena, but a curricular connection can be made which includes the impact of such projects with regards to energy production and consumption. There are applications across the program of study which we offer. The school that Mount Saint Charles was in the past remains the same at its core, but we make daily efforts to look to the future of education and facilities to ensure that we are good stewards of the Earth and offer the relevant and rigorous curriculum that benefits our students well beyond the time they spend with us. Adding a sixth grade has been one further example of this

mindset. Happily I report to you that the members of this class are challenged in their studies, have access to programs that offer great opportunities, and have come to appreciate and enjoy the time they spend in the building. There is great enthusiasm and energy on the part of the faculty and the students in this grade. These efforts are made possible through the hard work of our Office of Institutional Advancement and through the generosity of our benefactors. The students of today reap the rewards of the efforts of the past, just as the students of the past had the experience of new facilities and programs due to the efforts of those who went before them. This continuity of vision and progress is a testament to the foundation of the school and the mission to meet the needs of the students entrusted to us. On behalf of the present students, faculty and staff I extend my thanks to all involved in these efforts. Loved be the Heart of Jesus.

Edwin Burke Principal Images by Bob DiCaprio

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Mount Saint Charles Leads the Way in Educating Sustainability Mount Saint Charles Academy is preparing for the future with an exciting project launching this spring. With the ink just drying on the recent Paris Climate Accord, which was adopted by 195 nations, Mount Saint Charles Academy is already slated to support the addition of new renewable energy resources to enable a cleaner world. Beginning this spring, Mount will host a 206 kilowatt solar array on the roof of Adelard Arena. The solar array will generate approximately 232,000 kilowatt-hours

annually of clean, renewable electricity – enough power to supply 34 Rhode Island homes! Mount has teamed with Nexamp, New England’s largest local provider of solar services, to develop, build and operate the project. In the summer of 2014, Mount replaced the roof on Adelard Arena with the necessary structure to support a rooftop solar project. After considerable evaluation and study, Nexamp offered the best solutions for Mount’s renewable energy objectives.

The school then plans to integrate the solar project into the science and physics curriculum in order to better prepare its students to succeed in a sustainable energy world. Combine the promotion of sustainable energy with the school’s highly successful garden, recycling, and composting programs, Mount will establish a leadership position from which to educate its students on the social justice of a sustainable lifestyle. Mount is planning a major event for the school community to celebrate the solar array going on-line later in the spring. Please join us for this exciting event. Details will be forthcoming.

Concept rendering of solar panels on Arena roof.

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN RENOVATING THE ARENA! The solar project is the first phase of a complete renovation and overhaul of Mount’s Br. Adelard Arena which has been a part of Mount’s history and the city of Woonsocket since 1963. For 53 years, thousands of players and hockey fans have passed through the doors of this storied building to take part in a great tradition. We are asking the Mount community to partner with us as we seek to restore and renovate a facility that is an integral part of the Academy’s legacy.

See Issue 17 pages 7 and 8 of the Mount Magazine for a complete history of the arena.

For more information, contact Donald Demers, Director of Institutional Advancement: 401-769-0310 x111 or demersd@staff.mountsaintcharles.org.

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Mount Saint Charles Academy—Always Growing Mount looks towards a greener future

Over the past several years, Mount has been embarking on a project to create and integrate an outdoor classroom and garden into the Academy’s curriculum. What was once just a conversation and a vision has now become a reality! “We had talked about putting a garden over there for quite a few years,” Janice Ferry, a Science

year pledge of $32,157 from Parent Council, Mount’s Earth Crew was finally able to begin construction of the Mount’s first outdoor classroom. Several alumni, who were former leaders of Earth Crew, helped Mrs. Ferry with the initial plan and design of the garden while they were attending MSC - Spencer Darveau ’14, Marissa Lahousse ’14,

work was completed, the students transplanted a variety of vegetables and herbs they grew in the class room as well as planted seeds for several other vegetables and flowers. These devoted students worked through December and finished filling the beds in the spring of 2015. “It was a lot of work,” Mrs. Ferry said. “Site preparation had to

teacher at the Academy and the Earth Crew moderator said. “Actually, probably about six years ago, I took my AP Environmental class out there. We measured it out and started designing a garden, but the logistics of it were a bit overwhelming. There were many things to consider - the labor, the equipment, the material, the time, and the money to fund it. At that point we were beginning to prepare for the AP Environmental Science exam so we weren’t able to continue. Mr. Richer [president of Mount Saint Charles Academy] and I spoke about the possibility of putting a garden there on a number of occasions. It wasn’t until three years ago when a proposal for funding was submitted by the Office of Institutional Advancement to Mount’s Parent Council that we were actually able to start because we now had the money to do it.” Thanks to the generous three

and Sarah Gardella ’14. There were no outside gardeners or engineers involved. “I wanted it to be their garden, the students’ garden, and so we used their ideas,” Mrs. Ferry recalled. “It didn’t really end up exactly as it was originally planned, but it was close. When we designed the garden we decided to do raised beds. Once the lumber, composted cow manure, and soil were acquired we worked on actually constructing it in the fall of 2014 with the leadership of Peter Soucy ’15 and Erin Mastaj ’15.” Located on the Academy’s campus, at the corner of Monroe Street and Welles Street (near Mount’s gym entrance), a number of students devoted their time to working on site. They designed and constructed 19 raised beds, filled the beds with soil, planted seeds, and “critter proofed” the garden fence. Once the fence

be done because of the underlying rock. Once that was done, crushed stone was brought in. The kids and I spread the stone and then we started building. We had a lot of help and guidance from Mr. Dave Lizotte [from Mount’s maintenance department] in this process.” Also in the spring of 2015, Mrs. Ferry applied to participate in the Catherine Desourdy School Garden Mentor Program, offered by the University of Rhode Island Master Gardener program. As a part of this program, the garden soil was tested for its nutrient content and recommendations were given to achieve the appropriate nutrient concentrations. In addition, Master Gardener Mary McNulty, former MSC teacher, visited the garden to offer guidance, planting help, and gardening resources. During the summer and fall of 2015, the garden was maintained

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by Mrs. Ferry and student volunteers (even though the garden is an Earth Crew initiative, all Mount students are invited to participate). Three times a week they’d go to the garden to water and weed as well as to collect rocks to create the borders for the flower beds that now line the inside of the garden fence. The variety of food the students grew during the garden’s first year was quite impressive and included tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, lima beans, peas, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, parsnips, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn, carrots, onions, acorn squash, summer squash, and butternut squash. URI has already given MSC the seeds for this year’s harvest and includes an assortment of flowers and the following vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, spaghetti squash, summer and butternut squash, peas, beans, cabbage, Swiss chard, lettuce, carrots and more! URI will also be giving MSC living plants to add later in the spring. The harvest from the garden will be donated to local soup kitchens and food pantries. In the garden’s inaugural year, over 400lbs of food was donated! “The garden gives the kids a connection to the earth,” Mrs. Ferry said. “A lot of them don’t really give a second thought as to where their food comes from. At least here they can see it from start to finish - from planting the seeds in my classroom to transplanting them into the garden and then tending to them and harvesting them. They see the plants actually grow and change from week to week and that it’s really cool.” Mount’s garden will also serve as an outdoor classroom and will be integrated into the junior high and high school curriculums at

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the teacher’s discretion. “Not only are the students learning about the work that goes into raising the

food,” Mrs. Ferry said, “but they are also learning about organic gardening because there are no chemical pesticides and no chemical fertilizers out there. That’s a topic for my AP class because we learn about pesticides. The great thing is that the garden is interdisciplinary and can be taught across a wide variety of subjects - Biology, Environmental Science, Math, Art, and English at the very least. Most certainly, raising food that will be given to others in need hits home with the students. There are just so many ways the students will benefit.” The next phase of the outdoor classroom project is plans for a 22 ft Growing Dome solar greenhouse

and cold frames (structures that are similar to miniature greenhouses). Some special features of the greenhouse include windy weather protection, metal glazing strips to seal the seams of the greenhouse, and drip edge flashing to protect the wood on the side from moisture and long term degradation. This was made possible through a $5,000 grant from the John Clarke Trust and a $17,225 grant from the Champlin Foundations. Both were acquired through the Academy’s Office of Institutional Advancement. Another $10,250 was also raised for the outdoorclassroom during the fund-an-item portion of Mount’s annual auction which was held on April 2, 2016. Construction of the greenhouse is expected to be finished by the beginning of this summer and will be placed adjacent to the garden on Mount’s campus. This upcoming project combined with that of the arena’s solar panel initiative, will truly make Mount a leader in sustainable energy. Not only are we looking towards a greener future, but we are becoming active contributors as we make that greener future happen now.

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It’s Been a Great First Year for Our New 6th Graders! The introduction of grade 6 to Mount has been very exciting and successful! We are looking forward to welcoming our second group of 6th graders in the fall of 2016. During the 2016-2017 school year, we will have prospective students testing into 6th grade. This third group of 6th graders will be the first members of the Academy’s class of 2024 graduating the same year Mount will celebrate its 100th anniversary. During this school year, Mount’s inaugural 6th grade class successfully and seamlessly transitioned from their elementary schools into the Academy’s college prep curriculum which was met with much enthusiasm from parents and students. Charlie Mandeville ’68 “My son, Jason, came from a very small school. In his fifth grade class he only had three kids. So when he came to Mount, the

The Mandeville Family experience of having so many new friends was so enlightening because he is very outgoing. Having all these friends and getting involved with so many different people and activities was a real plus for him. Coming into a situation like that, he just flourished. He just took off. He would go to soccer games so he could work the lines and be part of it even though he wasn’t part of the team. That’s the thing that’s great about Mount - the family atmosphere. It always has been. Even when I went there, that’s the way it was. You instantly became part of the Mount family. I have to bring him to school early, for 7am, so he can hang out with his buddies. When I’m late picking him up after school gets excited because it’s more time he can spend at Mount. That’s the thing— for him he is a part of something 6

that is so special and that’s why it’s been so positive. Jason’s busier than he’s ever been, and his grades are the best they’ve ever been. For him it was a perfect fit.” Jason Mandeville ’22 “Mount has been such a good experience and so much fun. Teachers give you the freedom to make your own decisions. My old school was a very small school, so at Mount it’s a new experience. The seniors always help out. If you fall, they’re not the seniors who make fun of you. They’re the seniors who pick you back up. Mount follows its mission that ‘every student is known, valued and treasured.’ That sums it all up.”

The Mongeon Family Melanie Loiselle-Mongeon ’94 and Geoff Mongeon ’94 “Geoff and I both graduated from Mount, so we were already a little biased about the school and how

great it is. We were really excited for our daughter, Mallory, to be a part of the first 6th grade class and figured it would be wonderful. But to be honest, the 6th grade program has exceeded our expectations in almost every way. Since September, Mallory has truly blossomed into a confident, happy young lady who LOVES going to school. The teachers go above and beyond to pay individual attention to the students and make them feel valued and respected. There seems to be just the right combination of supervision of the junior high students while also letting them experience independence with appropriate expectations. We just can’t say enough good things about it and are so happy that Mallory is part of the first 6th grade class at Mount!” Mallory Mongeon ’22 “The things I like most about Mount Saint Charles Academy are the sports and the teachers. I like the sports because it’s no-cut. So, if you’ve never played before, you can still learn, play, and be respected by your teammates. I like the teachers because they help you if you don’t understand something, they help you achieve your goals, and they always listen to you. Also, at Mount, it is easy to make friends because there are a lot of people and they are all nice!”

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I can stay current without much effort through my customized portal settings, but I can also drill down to an exact test grade if needed. I love that community service is Frangis ’22 required for students and that our sons will participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities over the years. At these ages, junior high students are self-sufficient, so the role of a parent-volunteer is different than in the elementary school setting. In time, I’ll figure out my spot and contribute where I can best add value. There has been no pressure or urgency to engage in volunteerism, but the experiences I have had to date have been rewarding and fun.” Nick Frangis “Any time a child transitions to a new school, as parents, we hope for the best with a smooth and Images by Bob DiCaprio

Martina Frangis “Following a fantastic foundational Catholic elementary education, we were interested in making the transition to junior high at the school where our sons would ultimately complete high school. While we may have had some initial reservations about placing an 11 yearold in a settling with much older students, Peter our concerns were unwarranted. There is a network of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the junior high experience and community special for both the students and their families. While there are new freedoms afforded to a 6th grader at Mount that might not be available to a student in more of an elementary school setting, I feel the timing is perfect – Peter is rising to the occasion. I am impressed with the teachers and their ability to connect with their students and inspire critical thinking. Homework has been reasonable and the enrichment experiences have been superb. Edline and the MSC portal are two great tools.

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positive outcome. I could not be happier with Peter’s transition to Mount Saint Charles. From the very beginning, he made friends and found himself right at home at MSC. I credit his teachers and the administration with meeting this incoming 6th Grade class with such enthusiasm and support. To see Peter bound out of bed each morning and look forward to school is a wonderful and welcome experience. Mount Pride has spilled over to our younger children too. Our son Lex cannot wait to begin his 6th Grade journey at MSC this fall. Great job Mount Saint Charles! Peter Frangis ’22 “I am proud to be a Mountie and I have made many new friends in my short time here. I am excited about the 2016 JV baseball season.” Lex Frangis ’23 (Incoming 6th grader in the fall of 2016) “I am excited to become a Mountie this fall because of the new opportunities I will have to choose electives, activities and competitive sports.”

Browse The MSC Online School Store! You can now buy your favorite MSC merchandise through Mount’s website! To shop and place your orders, please visit www.mountsaintcharles.org!

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Military Mounties Are Invited Back to MSC for a Special Tribute During Pops on the Green! The Mount Saint Charles Academy family would like to honor our sons and daughters as we invite our military alumni back to school on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 21, 2016 for a special recognition You’re ceremony. Pops on Invited ! the Green will take place during our 51st annual pops concert which is happening outside on the Academy’s lower field. During

the concert, the wind ensemble and chorus will perform “Armed Forces The Pride of America” as we honor all of our military Mounties. Doors will open at 4:30pm for activities and food with the concert beginning at 6:30pm. At approximately 8:15pm, Mount will perform the 1812 Overture complete with cannons and a fireworks display. Audience members are

encouraged to bring coolers and blankets along with their lawn chairs. Food booths will also be available before and during the concert. All Mount military alumni who are being honored will be given a free ticket to the event. Additional tickets may be purchased for $10 each. Contact the Alumni Office for ticket inquiries and for more information: alumni@staff. mountsaintcharles.org

From Mount’s last Pops on the Green concert which was held in 2012:

SUMBIT YOUR VETERAN’S INFORMATION ON THE MOUNT WEBSITE Veterans’ Hall is an ongoing project of the Academy with names being added periodically. Veteran Mount alumni (or their family members if the veteran is deceased) are encouraged to submit their information on www.mountsaintcharles.org/ alumnievents or by contacting Gail Bryson via email (alumni@ staff.mountsaintcharles.org) or phone (401-769-0310 x115).

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A SPECIAL GIFT FROM CHRISTOPHER VAN PELT, CLASS OF 1982 Recently, Chris visited Mount to present the Academy with a flag that was flown at the site of the Taliban’s Last Stand in Afghanistan. The flag, in its entirety, is encased in a frame and is accompanied with a certificate that says the following: International Security Assistance Force This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown in the face of the enemy on 6 October 2014 at the site of the Taliban’s Last Stand (TLS). The TLS was the last defensive position the Taliban held, now COMKAF’s HQ. This flag bears witness to the strength of the Coalition Forces and Afghan people in rebuilding Afghanistan and denying a safe haven for terrorists. It further serves as a remembrance for those that have given their lives, and those who remain embroiled in the valorous and enduring fight for freedom. OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM — AFGHANISTAN This flag was flown for MOUNT SAINT CHARLES ACADEMY WOONSOCKET, RI From LT Christopher R. Van Pelt, USN, NC, Class of 1982 By COMKAF HQ with sincere gratitude for your patriotism, sacrifice, and support.

Christopher Van Pelt, ’82

The certificate was signed by Kandahar Airfield Brigadier General Commander, Michael A. Fantini, which is very rare and makes this gift even more special. The frame proudly hangs in Mount’s newly dedicated Veterans’ Hall. From August 2014 to April 2015, Chris served in Kandahar, Afghanistan as a Navy trauma nurse for the infamous NATO Role 3 combat support hospital (the same hospital that was often seen on the NATGEO Series, “Inside Combat Rescue” from a few years ago). Currently, Chris lives in Chepachet, RI and is a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the Navy Reserves and is looking forward to another deployment in the near future. He also serves as a registered nurse at the Milford Regional Medical Center in addition to working as a paramedic.

Robert Robitaille, Class of 1966, Volunteers His Time to Help Find Veteran Alumni from the Beginning of the Academy’s History It all started when Bob Robitaille began helping the Alumni Office plan the upcoming 50th Reunion weekend for his graduating class of 1966. Upon taking a tour of Mount and seeing the veterans’ tribute in the newly dedicated Veterans’ Hall, he realized his father Lucien Robitaille ’42, a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and a few of his father’s Mountie friends who also served, were not listed on the plaques. It was then that Bob decided to volunteer his time to help the Alumni Office in its ongoing effort of identifying Mount veterans not yet recognized in Veterans’ Hall. As a result, Bob has been spending his days doing research in the library at the American French

Genealogical Society at 78 Earle Street in Woonsocket looking at 21 years (1928-1949) of Woonsocket Call newspapers (around 125,000 pages!). He is going through each edition to see if he can find any news articles or references to Mounties in the military. As he identifies various military alumni, he will check his list against Mount’s database to see if they should be included on the veterans’ plaques. He is also hoping to connect with family and friends of Mount veterans who served in later years.

This is a massive undertaking and Mount is so grateful for Bob’s help as we strive to recognize and pay tribute to all our Military Mounties!

Photo: Joseph B. Nadeau/The Woonsocket Call

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Mounties Spend Their February Break on Service Trips!

SAINT ANNE MISSION—ARIZONA Participants: Meagan Dubois ’17, Monique Larivee ’16, Nick Dash ’16, Caila MacNeil ’17, Cindy Hu ’17, Linda Zi ’17, Kate Jerrier ’16, Shannon McDonald ’16, Jillian Fluette ’17, Julia Kaplan ’17, Niamh O’Sullivan ’17, Bridget Kilburn ’17, Joe Griffiths ’17 Chaperones: Marc Monahan, Erika Monahan, Joyce Morisseau

Thirteen juniors and seniors along with three faculty and staff spent February vacation in Klagetoh, AZ, located

in the Navajo Nation. The group was lodged at Saint Anne Mission, which is operated by the Brothers of the

Sacred Heart. Their purpose was to work together and aid in meeting the dire needs of the reservation residents.

BR. ROBERT LAVOIE HELPS MAKE UPDATES TO THE ST. ANNE MISSION HOUSE he served as Hockey Moderator and driver of the Mount’s bus. In 1978, Brother Robert was appointed Assistant-Principal, a responsibility that lasted for eight years. In 1986, he was relieved of his Assistant-Principal ship to put his building maintenance talents to good use. As building manager Brother Robert was in charge of many renovations at the Academy. One of his early responsiBr. Robert Lavoie, SC can be Brother Robert Lavoie, SC bilities was the repointing of the bricks of seen hard at work preparing a window opening for framing! (Religious name Br. Theophane) the building due to the loss of the cement After spending nine years in holding them in place. Brother on a daily Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada, Brother basis climbed on the scaffolding with his home-made Robert joined the Mount teaching staff in August 1972. cement quantity verifier to check that the masons used During those years, in addition to his teaching load, the proper amount of cement to seal the bricks. New energy efficient windows were recently installed at St. Anne Mission. First, the original 1956 aluminum windows, which were mortared into the brickwork of the house’s outer walls, were removed. Next, wooden frames had to be built before the replacement windows could be installed. Caulking and sealing followed with the final phase being the installation of interior moldings.

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When Mount became a co-ed school in 1974, several facilities had to be improved.Brother Robert saw to the construction of the new gym, with proper facilities for a co-ed school. Also, he was given the task to see to the major renovations for the science department where a new chemistry lab as well as a biology lab were built on the second and third floors. If one tours the building, a few plagues where these improvements were made have his name engraved. On a personal note concerning Brother Robert is that he was enrolled at Mount as a boarding student since his family lived in Fall River, MA. He left the Academy in 1951 to enter the Brothers of the Sacred Heart 65 years ago. After leaving Mount, Brother Robert was assigned to Bloomfield, CT. The Brothers attended Mass at Sacred Heart Parish. Brother Robert’s talents were made known to the Pastor who took

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Brother Robert on as his maintenance man and building overseer. The Bloomfield residence was closed in June, 2015. From there, Brother Robert was assigned to St. Anne’s Residence in Klagetoh, AZ. No sooner that Brother Robert settled in with Brother Charles Schilling, the two some began major repairs to the residence like installing all new windows, painting the rooms, installing new tile floors, and updating all electrical entities. Brother Robert enjoys the Mount students who go to Klagetoh to help improve the homes, buildings and grounds of the local Indians in residence. Since there is a great deal of improvement needed in that area, Brother Robert will gladly pass on his talents to the high schoolers who are experiencing what their week long service to the less fortunate folks in Klagetoh. Most students return to Mount with a greater appreciation of what they have and enjoy in life.

BLOWING ROCKS PRESERVE—FLORIDA Participants: Jacob Lawrence ’18, Matthew Medeiros ’16, Brigid Murphy ’16, Madeline Charbonneau ’16, Claire Albright ’16, Ellen Johnson ’16, Kayla Kanakry ’16, Sean Boddy ’16, Julia Rein ’16, Caroline Cardosa ’16, Matthew Ciullo ’16, Christian McDermott ’16 Chaperones: Richard Lawrence, Donald Hogue

For the 14th consecutive year, Mount’s athletic director, Mr. Lawrence, has led a group of Mount students to the Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island in Florida to work

alongside The Nature Conservancy. This restoration project involves working with the habitat of the endangered giant sea turtles who nest there every spring. The students who

participated gave up their February vacation and spent their time planting, mulching, removing exotic plants, and building irrigation systems as part of this project!

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MOUNT STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR OUR SISTER SCHOOL IN AFRICA!

The Mount community enjoyed a night of ice-skating, music, and fun on Saturday, March 19th at our very own Adelard Arena. The money raised that evening was donated to the Mission Drive!

Every year during Lent, current Mount students participate in the Lenten Mission Drive where they raise money, through a variety of activities, to help our sister school in Africa, the Shitima School.

The Shitima School is located in the very poor city called Kabwe, Zambia. For the most part, people here are surviving on only one meal per day.

This year, students raised $6,300.40 which will provide clothes and shoes, food, education, care-givers, counseling, home security as well as school classrooms and buildings.

Two Freshmen Create a New Crucifix for the Gym Which was Inspired by the Brothers

(L-R) Bridget Lewis and Olivia Charbonneau

In the chapel in the Brothers’ residence on the fourth floor of the Academy, a beautiful crucifix hangs which was designed and created by the late Brother artist, Richard Roy, SC. 12

The Brothers’ Crucifix

Since the crucifix that hung in Mount’s gym fell off the wall and broke, it was decided that a replica of the crucifix in the Brothers’ residence would be made to hang in its

The Students’ Replica

place. Another Brother artist who currently teaches at Mount, Brother Marty, SC, chose two freshmen, Olivia Charbonneau and Bridget Lewis, to recreate the original piece.

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National Junior Honor Society

Congratulations to all our 8th and 9th grade students who were recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society!

In order to be nominated, students must be at MSC for a minimum of two semesters and must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 as well as a current Honor Roll status. To retain membership, students must maintain a 3.3 GPA and Honor Roll status for the rest of his/her grade 8 and 9 years in addition to demonstrating leadership, service and character. Grade 9 Inductees: Carson Albright, Tyler Bourque, Katherine Champagne, Isabella Coppolino, Maggie Kinnear, Morgan Watson Grade 8 Inductees: Tira AlbergoMcGovern, Stephanie Azar, Christina Berry, Tanvi Bhatia, Trey Bourque, Jordyn Brown, Thomas Burke, Emma Charbonneau, Anya Chowdhry, Caroline Corrigan, Alex Durand, Alexander Dumas, Robert Fitzgerald, Delaney Green, Kristina Hagerman, Jake Henschel, Jake MacKinnon, Jillian Mahon, Fiona McDonagh, Benjamin Morse, Sasha Mundy, Katherine O’Brien, Alyssa Olbrys, Ciara O’Sullivan, Mikki Pisani, Benjamin Poirier, Emily Regan, Rick Ethan Salley, Justin Smith, Nicholas Tvaroha, Sophia Trenouth, Megan Vanelli, Jenna Winiker, Brian Zhang

Images by Bob DiCaprio

MONIQUE LARIVEE, CLASS OF 2016, RECEIVED A NATIONAL AWARD PRESENTED BY BISHOP TOBIN!

Senior Monique Larivee received the 2016 St. Timothy Award which is a national award

from the Diocese of Providence’s Office of Catholic Youth Ministry. Presented by Bishop Tobin, Monique accepted this award at the Catholic Youth Ministry and Scout Awards Celebration held at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence on Sunday, March 13th at 1:00 pm Monique’s twin brother, Jacob, was also a 2016 recipient of this prestigious honor. The St. Timothy Award is a National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry award and is given to chosen students for displaying Catholic morals and integrity; exhibiting leadership; setting a positive example for others; and for demonstrating service to others. It is the highest

honor a diocese may present to Catholic youths who are junior or seniors in high school or are in their early college years. The Office of Catholic Youth Ministry helps parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Providence in their ministry with youth. They are involved with Catholic scouting and hold events and retreats for adolescents in middle school and high school. To be eligible for a Catholic Youth Ministry award, a person’s nomination is first accepted by the Nomination Review Committee. Then based on the information provided by the nominator, the committee selects the deserving recipients. Congratulations!

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Our Friends From Ireland Were Back at Mount! From Thursday, March 17th (St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day!) to Wednesday, March 23rd, we hosted our friends from the FCJ Secondary School in Bunclody, Ireland. They traveled here to celebrate 21 years of musical friendship with our band and chorus. During April vacation of 2015, our Mounties went to Ireland and then our Irish friends had the opportunity to visit us here. While in the United States, our Irish friends visited

Boston, New York City, Wrentham, MA and Mystic, CT in addition to performing a concert at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield, CT. At MSC, they celebrated Mass with the Mount community, performed a concert with members of the Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s band and chorus, and enjoyed a farewell dinner dance with our Mounties. It was a wonderful experience and must bring back so many memories for so many of our alumni!

3rd Annual Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting! The Office of Institutional Advancement hosted a Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting on Friday, March 4th in Chapel Hall. Members of the Mount community were able to celebrate MSC by sampling a variety of wines, craft beers, and spirits. The money raised will go towards facility upkeep!

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Madeline Charbonneau ’16 was Named a Candidate in the US Presidential Scholars Program Madeline Charbonneau, a graduating senior at Mount, has been named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2016 US Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.3 million students expected to graduate high school this year. Inclusion in the US Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 52nd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in community and school activities. The US Presidential Scholars Program was established in

1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to their school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 US Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing

Images by Bob DiCaprio

aving attended Mount from grades 7-12, Madeline has a cumulative GPA of 4.16 and has been listed on the Excelsior Honor roll from grades 9-12 (a minimum GPA of 4.0 and no grade below a C). She was also a member of the National Honor Society in grades 10, 11, and 12 and has received several academic awards during her career at the Academy. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Madeline has served in several

excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. All Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities, culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House sponsored ceremony. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 800 semifinalists in April. The Commission of Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the US Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

leadership roles. She was captain of her varsity cross country team and track team, was the founder of the running club and, during her sophomore year, held the position of Class of 2016 vice president. Madeline is also a musician in the Academy’s Fine Arts department in addition to spending much of her time volunteering at various community service opportunities such as at the Ronald McDonald House and at Trinity Nursing Home in Woonsocket, RI.

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MSC Announces the 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Class! Spirit of Sport Award Marc E. Staelen ’71 Class of 2016 Inductees Julien Pierre Ayotte ’59 Bryan Berard ’94 Robert Berard ’74

Marc Laurence Beaubien ’59 Brian Boucher ’95 Dave Capuano ’86 Garrett (Gary) J. Coyne ’47 Jessica Lynn Fede ’00 Brian Gaudreau ’87 Henry Hanley ’91

Jeff Jillson ’98 Charlie Mandeville ’68 Anthony Russo ’97 Mia So Young Shaffer ’01 Bryan Supple ’01 1978 Hockey Team

The purpose of the Mount Saint Charles Academy Athletic Hall of Fame is to publicly recognize and celebrate individuals or teams who best exemplify the spirit of Mount Saint Charles Academy through their athletic involvement; positively and unselfishly contributed to the mission of the school and its athletic program; achieved higher than average athletic statistical results; and continue to be sources of pride and contribution to themselves, Mount Saint Charles, and the community. Induction — The MSC Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Mount Saint Charles Academy Gymnasium.

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FOOTBALL IS COMING BACK TO MOUNT! In the fall of 2016, high school football is coming back to Mount Saint Charles through a co-op program with North Smithfield High School. It’s been more than 50 years since the last time MSC played a football game and we’re very excited to bring back this great tradition to our athletic program!

The team that played in the fall of 1926 was MSC’s first interscholastic varsity football team and claimed the 1926 Class B State Championship! The team that played in the fall of 1963 was the last team to play football at the Academy. Their final game was played on November 11, 1963.

MSC Football Team — Fall 1926

MSC Football Team — Fall 1963 TEAM MEMBERS — Seniors (Class of ’64): Rowland Beaulieu, Robert Cyr, Richard Desjardins, Normand Fleury, Joseph Freitas, Richard Lafleur, Norman Langelier, Dennis Martin, John Polny, Leonard St. Germain, Larry Tremblay — Juniors (Class of ’65): Richard Mandeville, Richard Marchand, Richard Marini, Paul Monahan, Jean-Paul Parmentier, Emile Riendeau, Andy Sanders, Maurice Tetreault, Albert Valliere, Thomas Vereker — Sophomores (Class of ’66): Pierre Allaire, Roger Cayer, Gerald Champagne, Armand DeVaudreuil, Richard Ethier, Leo Fleury, “Whitey” Girard, Paul Houle, Ron Labarre, William Montanari, Roger Pincince, Ronald Sutherland, Julien Vachon — Trainers: Raymond Hunt ’64, Robert Marchand ’64, Richard Minot ’65 — Managers: Chuck Friedrichs ’67, Dennis Goryl ’67 — Moderators: Br. Odillon (Roger Argencourt), Br. Raynald (Marcel Tardiff), Br. Richard Paul — Coaches: Mike Lovett, Ray Rabidoux. 17

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C L A S S Dennis Beaudoin, Class of 1966—Dennis served in the US Navy with two tours to Vietnam from 1966-1969. He then went to work for Verizon as an outside splice technician from 1969-1998. Beginning in 2008, Dennis became a member of the American Legion Honor Guard. He currently lives in Smithville, Missouri and has been a UCSynegetic senior planner for the past 16 years. Ronald Armstrong, Class of 1968—After 45 years of service as a customs officer in Customs and Border Protection, Ronald retired in January of 2016. His last duty station was at Logan Airport in Boston, MA. Currently, Ronald is working at Dean College Public Safety. Christopher Perron, Class of 1993—Christopher was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) as of October 15, 2015 in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He is currently the Brigade S3 for the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade located in Natick, MA. Jessica (Frechette) Roberts, Class of 1998 and Christopher Roberts, Class of 2000—Jessica and Christopher welcomed

N O T E S Lt. Bruce Merrill, Class of 2010—Bruce and his wife Jennifer were married on August 1st, 2015 at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel at West Point. Fellow Mountie, Scott Potter ’10, served as the best man. Bruce received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military. Currently, the Merrills live in Fort Riley, Kansas. Bruce is stationed with the 1st

with love their daughter, Sophie Violet Roberts on January 29, 2016. The Roberts reside in Rhode Island. Michael Paz, Class of 1998—Michael recently graduated with a PhD in Accounting from Drexel University and has since accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Cornell University. Amy Borges, Class of 2002—Amy is currently the Project Lead The Way teacher at Hopkinton Middle School. She teaches technology and engineering courses to students in grades 6-8. Amy also taught science and technology at a charter school in Worcester, Massachusetts for six years. She completed her undergraduate degree in engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and Biology at Worcester State University. She continues her post-graduate education by completing graduate coursework at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University. She took a brief hiatus from teaching when she welcomed her first child, Elijah, in 2013. She enjoys cooking, gardening and reading. Benjamin Fraley, Class of 2002—Ben was hooded with a Doctor of Music degree (percussion) in December 2015 at Florida State

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University in Tallahassee, Florida. While at Mount, he studied under the direction of Marc Blanchette ’76, MSC’s music director, in the junior and senior bands, jazz band, bell choirs and wind ensemble. Ben is pictured with his fiancée, Jennifer Tinberg, also hooded with a Doctor of Music degree (clarinet). They will be married in July 2016. Ashley Recore, Class of 2010—Ashley and her fiancé, Evan Aubrey, welcomed

Engineer’s Battalion and Jennifer is a program coordinator at Kansas State University. Darin St. Sauveur, Class of 2014—Darin was recently promoted to Band Company Corporal within the Virginia Military

their first born son Arete Omer Aubrey on October 11, 2015. Ashley hopes for Arete to follow in the Recore footsteps as a fourth generation Mountie!

Contact Gail at alumni@staff.mountsaintcharles.org OR www.mountsaintcharles.org/alumni

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Institute (VMI) Corps of Cadets. He is a member of the Air Force R.O.T.C. Program, and is pursuing a commission in the U.S. Air Force. In addition to studying Civil Engineering, Darin is in the VMI Regimental Band and VMI Commanders Jazz Band. Darin and his Company proudly represented VMI by marching in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

CLASS OF 2005 REUNION— The Class of 2005 celebrated its 10 year reunion at Ciro’s Tavern on Wednesday, December 23rd!

CORRECTION Editor’s Note: Two of Mount’s most illustrious alumni were not recognized in the Royal Mounties picture of issue 23 of the Mount Magazine, Bill Belisle, Class of 1948 and Gene Peloquin, Class of 1950. We offer our sincerest apologies for the mistake! Bill Belisle ’48

Gene Peloquin ’50

Save the Date: Royal Mountie Mass & Reunion on October 23, 2016. We’d love to see our alumni who graduated 50+ years ago! If your class is due for a 55th, 60th, 65th or 70th reunion. Why not get together with your friends at the Royal Mountie Mass & Reunion on October 23. Contact Gail Bryson at 401-769-0310 x 115 for ideas.

SAVE THE DATE

Class of 1966—50th Reunion June 3, 4 and 5, 2016 June 3: Museum of Work & Culture tour and light supper. June 4: Tours of the Stadium Theatre and St. Ann’s Art and Cultural Center, followed by a tour of Mount and dinner. June 5: Mass, brunch, and commencement with gold diplomas, followed by a reception in Chapel Hall. For More Information and to register: www.mountsaintcharles.org/50th

HELP PLAN YOUR CLASS REUNION Got Ideas? If you’re interested in helping plan your class reunion, contact Gail Bryson in the Alumni Office: 401-769-0310 x115, or alumni@ staff.mountsaintcharles.org 2016 is the year for the following reunions: 1966*, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986*, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 & 2011. Take part in the planning—contact the Alumni Office: alumni@staff.mountsaintcharles.org *reunion plans in the works

SAVE THE DATE Class of 1986—30th Reunion November 12, 2016 Join our Facebook page—MSC Class of 1986 Visit our website for details: www.mountsaintcharles.org 19

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VISIT OUR ONLINE MEDIA GALLERY to see pictures and video taken at various school and alumni events throughout the year! www.mountsaintcharles.org/alumni www.mountsaintcharles.org/mediagallery

ALUMNI CAN NOW UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION ONLINE! Visit www.mountsaintcharles.org/alumni to give us your most current contact information so we can keep you informed on alumni happenings!

FACEBOOK:

Official Mount Saint Charles Academy The Official Mount Saint Charles Academy Alumni Page

YOU TUBE:

http://bit.ly/MSCYOUTUBE

LINKED IN:

TWITTER:

VISIT US ONLINE WWW.MOUNTSAINTCHARLES.ORG

http://bit.ly/ MSCLINKEDINNN

@MtStCharles

For ways to give and to make a donation online, please visit www.mountsaintcharles.org/giving. You can also contact Donald Demers, Director of Institutional Advancement at 401-769-0310 or at demersd@staff.mountsaintcharles.org

q I Want to Make a Tax-deductible

Gift to Mount St. Charles Academy

q My check for $__________________ payable to Mount Saint

Charles Academy is enclosed.

q My pledge of $__________________ can be deducted from my Name ______________________________________________________________

checking account (voided check enclosed).

q Please charge my gift of $_______________ to my: Address _____________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ________________________________________________________

Card#_____________________________________Exp. date ___________

E-mail _______________________________________________________________

Name on card ______________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________________

Signature__________________________________________________

q My company _____________________________ will match my gift. 20

m VISA

m MasterCard

m Discover

q I would like my total gift amount broken up in payments over time:

m Monthly

m Quarterly

m Semi-Annually

Mail to: Office of Advancement • Mount Saint Charles Academy • 800 Logee Street • Woonsocket, RI 02895-5599 Stock gifts or transfers can be made by contacting Donald Demers at 401-769-0310 x111 or demersd @ staff.mountsaintcharles.org. Online contributions are also accepted at www.mountsaintcharles.org, click Giving at the top then Give Now.

Mounties Present Little Women Mount Saint Charles Academy’s senior drama group brought Little Women–the Broadway Musical to the stage of Woonsocket’s historic Stadium Theatre on February 25th and 26th.

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #712

800 Logee Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895-5599 www.mountsaintcharles.org

DEAR PARENTS: Please notify the Alumni Office if your son or daughter has a new address that needs to be entered into our Alumni database. Contact: Gail Bryson, alumni@staff.mountsaintcharles.org

UPCOMING EVENTS • • • •

May 14: Excelsior Dinner May 20: Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony June 3,4,5: Class of 1966 50th Reunion June 5: Class of 2016 Commencement

ENTRANCE EXAM Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 8:15am Please visit www.mountsaintcharles.org/admissions for more information.

President Mr. Herve E. Richer ’74 Principal Mr. Edwin Burke Board of Trustees Br. Ronald Hingle, SC, Chairperson Br. Robert R. Croteau, SC Br. Clifford King, SC Br. Michael Migacz, SC Board of Directors Christopher Keyes, Chairperson Gerald R. Piette ’76, Vice Chair Dennis Darveau Scott DiChristofero ’84 Br. Robert G. Gagne, SC Kevin Goffe James Hanley, ’96 Matthew Jarret, ’95 Br. Roy Pinette, SC William Ryan, ’73 Frank Simonelli, ’92 David Soucy Thomas Ward, ’71 Admissions Mr. Joseph O’Neill, Director 401-769-0310 x137 admissions@staff.mountsaintcharles.org Advancement Mr. Donald M. Demers, PhD, CFRE, Director 401-769-0310 x111 demersd@staff.mountsaintcharles.org Alumni Mrs. Gail Bryson, Director 401-769-0310 x115 alumni@staff.mountsaintcharles.org Marketing/Communications Ms. Penny C. Federici, Director 401-769-0310 x177 federicip@staff.mountsaintcharles.org