Summer 2012
The Official Magazine of Alumni, Family, and Friends of
Roman Catholic High School
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Roman Catholic High School
Catholic High Alumni Fostering Faith...Expanding Knowledge
President/Rector Rev. John B. Flanagan Principal Mr. Robert P. O’Neill
Alumni Association President Mr. Lawrence J. Elliott ’66 Executive Director of Insitutional Advancement Ms. Denise LePera
Table of Contents
Roman Track Sensation Commits to Philly U.............................pg. 4 Sports Hall of Fame................................pg. 5 The Difference .......................................pg. 8 Alum’s Book Teaches Others to Invest.....................................pg. 8 The Impact of the Roman Family..........pg. 9 Big Brothers Program.............................pg. 9 Graduation..............................................pg. 10
Director of Development and Communications Mr. Steven M. Ziegler ’04
Supporting Planned Giving....................pg. 11
Coordinator of Development Services Mrs. Terri Evans
Cahill Club..............................................pg. 14
Bookkeeper Mrs. Kathleen Kelly
Contributors
Kevin Budianto ’12 Bob Dawson ’57 Lawrence Elliott ’66 Rev. John B. Flanagan Chris Gibons ’79 Steve Johnston ’10 Tom Kearney ’58 Denise LePera John Livewell ’91
Editor: Steve Ziegler ’04 Thank you to all Alums who send in their class notes each issue!
On the Cover
Thomas E. Cahill mosaic compiled of the faces of the Roman Family.
On the Back
Cahillite helmet assembled from the words that describe Catholic High. Both works by Kevin Budianto ’12
In-Retrospect..........................................pg. 11
Purple and Gold in the White House.....pg. 15 In Search of Roman's ‘lost boys’ of World War I......................................pg. 18
The Usuals
From the Desk of the Rector................pg. 3 A Message from the Alumni President.................................pg. 4 Athletics...............................................pg. 6 Event Calendar.....................................pg. 7 Around Roman.....................................pg. 12 Class Notes..........................................pg. 16 In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in the name of your loved one to Roman Catholic High School Roman Catholic High School 301 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 For more information, contact Alumni@RomanCatholicHS.com To have your intentions included at daily Mass at Catholic High, contact Pray@RomanCatholicHS.com Please contact Terri Evans regarding omissions or additional deceased alumni, family and friends at
tevans@romancatholichs.com or 215-627-5487, ext. 310.
Necrology
Alumni
James P. Fitzgerald ’36 James A. Moffit ’36 John J. Kane ’36 Edward J. McMenamin ’39 George J. Bentz ’40 William F. Binnig ’41 William V. Kays ’42 James A. Quinn ’42 Joseph F. Wrigley ’42 Bernard T. Loftus ’42 Charles McErlain, Sr. ’44 James M. Murphy ’44 Eugene P. Murray, Sr. ’46 James C. Keller ’46 Harry J. Cunningham ’47 William L. Santry ’47 Louis C. Cappiella ’47 Walter S. Myers ’47 Edward D. Smith ’48 Thomas J. Finnegan ’48 Thomas J. Walsh ’48 Frank Dabrowski ’48 James Agnew ’48 Louis Cohen ’49 Robert J. Schaefer ’50 Joseph Medvedik ’50 Lewis E. Woodland ’51 Thomas J. Lederer ’52 William Stanton ’53 John Fritz ’54 James B. McBride Sr. ’55 William S. Knopf ’55 Frank A. Mugnier, Jr. ’55 Dan Coll ’57 John A. Fitzpatrick ’57 Robert J. Mulligan ’57 Joseph C. Mangano ’57 Charles P. McCarrick ’57 Gerald Dunn ’58 Robert Lees ’58 E-9 Heyward Samuel, Jr. USAF(R) ’59 SMSgt Richard D. Gordon, USAF(Ret.) ’59 Thomas H. Warrender ’60 Thomas R. Powers ’61 John J. Montgomery ’62 Thomas Davis ’64 Dennis Brogan ’67 Dennis O'Donnell ’68 William Moore ’68 John Blough ’70 John P. Burns ’77 Shawn Davis ’87 Doughlas A. Wade ’90 Anthony J. Hiller ’97 Atanasio Bailey ’99
Deceased Family & Friends
Phyllis Carr sister of George Mecherly, (RCHS faculty) Michael Carr son of Edward ’47 Joseph DiPrinzio father-in-law of Robert Angeline ’73, grandfather of Robert ’09 and Patrick ’10, father of Lisa Angeline (RCHS staff) Betty Driscoll wife of Joseph ’47 Inez Fairfax mother-in-law of Norm Bing ’62 Rita Johnston wife of James J. ’36, mother of James ’67, Robert ’69, Thomas ’72 and grandmother of Steven ’10 and Matthew ’10 Stanley D. Konopka father of Stanley ’90 Henry R. Marek father of Henry ’78 Arlene O’Connor wife of Francis ’60 Stephen J. Olszewski father of Stephen ’98 Elizabeth Palmer grandmother of Mary Fitzgerald (RCHS staff) Angeline Pandaleno mother of Antonette Gulielmelli (RCHS staff) Gregory Pettus husband of Pearl Pettus, (RCHS staff) Patricia Pliszka mother of Edward ’14 Mary Rynkewitz wife of Stephen ’46, mother of Stephen ’69 and Michael ’78 Kate Shields mother-in-law of Brian Shields ’81 Loreena Tinneny wife of Paul ’63 Helen Whitaker aunt of Joseph Cunningham ’70 Kenneth Winterbottom father of Robert ’12 Joseph Wolfington grandfather of Joseph ’10 and Justin ’12
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The Empire
From the Desk of the Rector
The 119th Commencement Exercises took place at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 7pm with Bishop Daniel Thomas ’77 presiding as the Principal Celebrant of the Baccalaureate Mass. Two hundred sixty-two young men walked down the main aisle with a sense of distinct joy and pride. The sense of family and the band of brothers that Roman exemplifies could be felt as alumni were able to watch on the internet. The Class of 2012 had its share of victories and achievements, yet the boys had some overwhelming crosses to bear over their Roman career. This class experienced the loss of three classmates, and saw those diplomas awarded to the families of their former classmates. The families of Amier Grant, Shawn Murray and Sean McCloskey stood on the altar in front of 1400 people and received posthumous Roman Catholic diplomas amidst tears and applause. Those families experienced God’s love and consolation through the recognition and goodness of their Roman Family. Here is a small sampling of the many shining moments and accomplishments of the class of 2012. Rev. John B. Flanagan From small success like the smiles on the faces of seniors at the annual Faculty/Senior softball game 13th Rector of to the Crew team capturing its third Catholic League title in less than a decade, there has been much Roman Catholic to be proud about at Catholic High. Jim McShane ’12 will be attending Philadelphia University on a scholarship for track after breaking nearly every record on Roman’s books. Five Roman students were crowned the Hocker Cup Champions for the second consecutive year, earning even more dollars for academic initiatives. The incoming freshmen are looking forward to being the first class to experience the 1:1 iPad initiative as we work toward outfitting our historic building with fully digital classrooms. We are proud of our students and their success, and we realize every good gift comes from God above. As the homilist for the Baccalaureate Mass, it was my distinct honor to impart final words of wisdom; reminding the graduates that the night was a moment of great magnitude when God looks down upon them and calls them to something higher and greater. As Sons of Cahill, they have been educated to respect their brothers and sisters and to pray for all people. Just as you are, these graduates must be dedicated by Christ himself to be his light to your worlds. Roman expects all who have passed through its doors to fulfill the dream of Thomas E. Cahill to be the light of Christ to the average man, woman and child walking through the city and suburbs. Being a graduate of Roman Catholic...that is a noble honor. Jesus commands: ‘Rise and do not be afraid’...and now as a graduate the expectation is to continue to impress the world with all the values and traditions of a Roman graduate, educated with the richness of the Catholic Faith…continue to impress your world and to make your mark as noble and enthusiastic Sons of Cahill. You are loved by God, by your Family and by your Roman Family. We truly thank God for you and ask Mary, the Mother of God, to always protect you, and to keep you close to her son Jesus. Pope Benedict’s homily at Yankee Stadium in 2008 invited us to “look at the future with hope, permitting Jesus to enter your lives. He is the only path that leads to the happiness that never ends; to the truth that satisfies the most noble human expectations and to a life full of joy for the good of the Church and the world...May God Bless YOU!” Thank you Roman Catholic alumni, family and friends for your continued prayers and generous support. Enjoy a safe and blessed time for you and your family in these summer months. God bless you and God bless the Roman Family! Fr. John B. Flanagan, Rector jflanagan@RomanCatholicHS.com, 215.627.1270 ext. 110
The World War I Memorial Plaque Project
As many of you are aware, hanging on one of the first-floor walls of our school are commemorative plaques with the names of those Roman alumni who gave their lives in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf Wars. Surprisingly, there is no commemorative plaque for those alums who died in World War I. Many assumed that this was because there were no Roman alumni who died during that war. However, recent research has revealed that at least 14 former students of Catholic High gave their lives during The Great War (as stated in the 1919 yearbook), and we’ve also been able to determine the names of the first two who were killed: E.J. Kelly and W. Kimmel. The RCHS Board of Trustees is planning to dedicate a new plaque to honor these 14 alums and is asking for your help in finding the names of the remaining unknown 12 who gave their lives during World War I. If you can provide any information at all as to how or where we might be able to find these remaining names please contact: Chris Gibbons, ’79, gibbonscg@aol.com, 610-724-6779.
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Roman Catholic High School
A Message from the Alumni President
Dear Fellow Alums, We have reached yet another landmark in the history of Catholic High as another great class of Cahillites leaves us to make way for even more young men seeking to follow Cahill’s Dream. As the Class of 2012 moves in the right direction, so does the Roman Catholic community as a whole. For the past two years, our Board of Advisors and Board of Trustees have been working diligently to garner support for our next campus expansion. During the academic year, consultants frequented Broad and Vine to understand the culture so specific to Roman. In the end, the firm Changing Our World was chosen and they will be joining us on this journey. Moving forward is the key to remaining successful and as you have seen, it takes a great number of people to make such an impact in education. For nearly thirty years, the resiliency of our alumni association has been the stuff of legend in Philadelphia. Now, the time has come to show not only our resiliency, but our drive. The days of Roman’s near closure are behind us. Fortunately, our brother and sister schools were saved from their potential demise, so progress is necessary, with no turning back. The future of Roman starts with our past, with you, the dedicated Alums of Catholic High. Earlier this year, I attended the Donor Scholarship Reception. It was edifying to see how much support alums and friends of Roman provide our students. 90% of Roman students are able to complete four years here because of a combination of academic scholarships and financial assistance. What these young men achieve in high school is outstanding and their ability to do so often rests on our shoulders. In this issue of The Empire, flip ahead to the Around Roman or Academic Excellence sections to see exactly what Roman has done for these young men of Philadelphia, and more importantly what they have done for us. Alums like Shakir Canon-Moye ’06 and Stefan Johnson ’10 (page 15) who have been interning at the White House are just two examples of how the Roman name is revered everywhere. I’ve often said that I was a kid from Fairmount with two left feet. When I got here, the guidance I got from good men helped me learn how to be a man. I knew what I had to know to go to college. In fact, I was so well prepared that I found my first year at Drexel easier than Roman. I can only hope that this is the case for our recent graduates. From what I have seen in this class, it appears to be so. We all have our own memories of the role Catholic High played in our lives. Therefore, I am calling on you, the great alums of Roman Catholic, to spread the word about the extraordinary things happening at our alma mater. Enjoy a much deserved respite this summer. I look forward to hearing from you in the Fall and hopefully seeing you at a Trustee’s meeting. Sincerely,
Lawrence J. Elliott ’66 President Roman Catholic High School Alumni Association
Roman Track Sensation Commits to Philly U
East Falls native Jim McShane is on the run. In fact, he has been since his freshman year at Roman Catholic High School four years ago. “I started indoor track as a freshman, and when I started listening to my coaches, I improved,” McShane says. Improved is an understatement, but Jim McShane is a humble athlete. During his sophomore year at Roman, he joined the Cross Country team and the Outdoor Track team, running year-round and earning a scholarship to Philadelphia University. McShane holds the all-time cross country record in the 3.1 Mile at Belmont Plateau with a time of 16:31. He also holds the PA State Record in the 3.1 Mile, set this year in Hershey, clocking in at 16:57.
“The things that he has accomplished are in a word, unbelievable,” said Coach Kevin Verbrugghe, a 1980 Roman grad and the school’s Cross Country coach for the past 13 seasons. “He is first team All-Catholic, first team All-District 12 and ranked 56th in the state of Pennsylvania. He is the best I ever coached in 13 years.” The young runner’s accomplishments earned him a spot as one of four senior captains on Roman Cross Country. “It was weird transitioning to the role of captain, because I never looked at myself as a leader,” McShane says. “But, it was different because there’s a lot more to think about when you’re worried about everyone else and not just yourself.”
During his time at Roman, McShane has looked up to co-captain and classmate Stephen Monaghan as a role model and a leader. “Jim’s a good captain because he leads by example. He’s going to do well in college,” Monaghan says. Recently, McShane’s commitment to Philadelphia University, where he is thinking about studying business, came with a $21,000 scholarship for running cross country and track. He plans to apply the same work ethic he has at Roman Catholic. “I hope to live up to the expectations of the coaches, and do what they need me to do to be successful,” McShane says.
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Roman Catholic High School
Sports Hall of Fame
Front Row l-r: Keith Coady ’68, John Spino ’90 (for his dad John Spino ’64), Ray Dovell ’54, Joe Smith ’48 (for ’47 Swim Team), Larry Larthey, III ’68 (for his dad Larry Larthey ’37). Back Row l-r: Coach Jim Murphy (for Scott Paxson ’01), Joe McCourt ’01, Bill Mower ’94, Joel Rivers ’93, Frank Sykes ’72.
The 22nd class to enter the prestigious Sports Hall of Fame enjoyed their day in the sunshine on Friday, April 13, 2012. A late morning luncheon and induction ceremony in the auditorium - again ably MCd by John Livewell ’91 - was the beginning of their day. Later that evening the Roman community gathered for the 22nd annual Awards Banquet at Williamson's Restaurant on Blair Mill Road in Horsham PA. Four hundred guests witnessed the Class of 2012 induction acceptances along with our five Special Awards recipients and Stephen Paul ’12 accepting his Patty Ward ’66 Scholar Athlete Award. Dan Hoban ’92 was our Toastmaster. Class of 2012 Larry Larthey ’37 Football & Track Posthumously 1947 Swim Team Ray Dovell ’54 Basketball John Spino ’64 Football & Track Posthumously Keith Coady ’68 Basketball & Baseball Frank Sykes ’72 Basketball & Baseball Joel Rivers ’93 Football Bill Mower ’94 Football Joe McCourt ’01 Football, Basketball, Baseball Scott Paxson ’01 Football, Basketball, Baseball Special Awards Markward Award Dr. Richard Vassallo ’59 Gillen ’33 Award Kevin Clancy Arch Carroll ’67 Graham ’33 Award Ed Palmer ’51 Posthumously Hoban ’35 Award Tom DeFelice West Catholic ’64 Morris ’60 Award Tom Shirley Philadelphia University Ward ’66 Award Stephen Paul ’12 Swimming/Golf
Day at the Bay
Sunday, August 5, 2012 $30 Per Person (Includes Buffet, Soda, Beer and Wine)
Keenan’s Irish Pub North Wildwood, NJ 2:00-7:00 pm www.RCHSalumni.org/DayattheBay
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Roman Catholic High School
ATHLETIC Highlights Dennis DiGiovanni ’02 Athletic Director River Field, 23rd and The Benjamin Franklin Parkway
RCHS Crew, a Legacy in Cahillite Athletics
RCHS Crew – Three Time Catholic League Champions Congratulations to the Crew team on winning its 3rd Catholic League Championship in the past 7 years. Roman won five of the nine varsity races on Saturday April 28th to upset defending champion St. Joe’s Prep. Special recognition goes to the 13 first-team All-Catholics: (Varsity Quad) Matt Weaver, Mario DiCarlo, Joe Horn, and Gary Wielgus; (Varsity Lightweight Quad) Nick Wnek ’13, John Walker ’14, Nick Olimpo ’14, and Troy Madden ’14); (Varsity Double) Mike Wellock ’12 and Bill Arch ’12; (Varsity LightweightDouble) Kevin Leyland ’13 and Casey Howshall ’13; (Varsity Single) Sean Kosma ’12. Before the match, faculty member and Assistant Athletic Director John W. Pensabene christened the newest quad dedicated to him. The boat was placed in the water and was rowed to victory by the Cahillites. To show the unparalleled legacy of RCHS Crew, Aloysius Lawn, Class of 1944, stopped by before the regatta to watch the team he once rowed for capture their 3rd Title. In recent years, the Roman Catholic High School Crew team has become one of the most popular sports at the school thanks to the dedication of the Athletic Department, Crew team members, and Coaches Thomas Gilroy ’99, Chris Bratton ’05, and Roger Ross ’98. Top left: Jim McShane ’12 displays his records with teammates Stephen Monaghan ’12 (left) and Tim Storino ’13 (right). Top right: Alumni Basketball Game: Cahillites of all generations gathered to play an Alumni Basketball game in our historic gymnasium. Bottom left: Alumni Crew: Aloysius Lawn ’44 with Athletic Director Dennis DiGiovanni ’02 and John Pensabene. Bottom right: Crew Boat Christening: Assistant Athletic Director and longtime faculty member John Pensabene christened the boat dedicated to him.
7 The
Alumni Calendar
August 5, 2012 Day at the Bay Remember: If you purchase your ticket prior to the event, Roman gets 100% of those proceeds. Proceeds from tickets sold at the door are split with Hallahan! September 2012 John Gibbons ’72 Memorial Beef and Beer September 2012 Frank Lally ’72 Golf Outing TBD September 28, 2012 Class of 2007 Reunion RCHS Cafeteria 7:00-11:00 p.m. September 29, 2012 John Gibbons beef and beer Fireman's Memorial Hall, Conshohocken 6:00-11:00 p.m. October 2012 George Boyle ’49 Scholarship Golf Outing TBD October 18, 2012 Greater Philadelphia Leadership Award Union League of Philadelphia 5:45 p.m. October 20, 2012 Class of 1957 and 1972 Reunion RCHS Cafeteria 7:00-11:00 p.m. October 27, 2012 Class of 1962 Reunion RCHS Cafeteria 7:00-11:00 p.m.
Empire
November 11, 2012 Roman Run Kelly Drive 7:00 a.m. November 18, 2012 Communion Breakfast Mass at 9:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica SS Peter & Paul Communion Breakfast held at the Sheraton Hotel Alumni Reception in the RCHS cafeteria at l:00 p.m.
A tile mosaic in Renaissance Hall is completed by RCHS students as part of the Philadelphia Art Museum's Art Futures Project.
RCHS Hibernian Digest
This year the AOH has awarded the Hibernian Achievement Award to a graduating senior, one of the most amazing young men I have ever met. Chuck Taylor has been a member of Roman’s Junior AOH for four years. To list his contributions to the AOH (not to mention the school) would take up this entire edition of The Empire. In a nutshell, from his first meeting Freshman year, Chuck volunteered and participated in every charitable endeavor the club ran, including cleaning St. John the Evangelist Church, preparing and serving meals at St. John’s Hospice, and delivering Easter meals to shut-in parish members at St. Francis Xavier. He took on a leadership role, organizing and running fundraisers, designing ad books, and generally keeping the organization functioning. He took it upon himself to train his fellow AOH officers and had the leadership capabilities to rally the general membership. But the AOH is only one of the many school clubs and teams in which Chuck is either a member or an officer. Academically, he is at the top of his class. But, what really defines Chuck is his character – his kindness and consideration for others is limitless and selfless. He never said that he was too busy (although he strived to and accomplished more than any high school student I have ever met.) Over the last nine years, the Kerr AOH Division has been blessed to have many great members in leadership roles. These past four years were extra special because of Chuck’s dedicated participation. I am glad to have had the opportunity to know him, proud to call him a fellow Cahillite and honored to call him a friend. John Riley ’85 RCHS Kerr AOH Division Moderator
Marc Jackson ’93
Inducted in Big 5 Hall of Fame
Marc Jackson ’93 joined the elite ranks of the Big Five Hall of Fame. Jackson, who was named the 1997 A10 Player of the Year, was a two-time all-A10 and all-Big 5 first team honoree (1995-96, 1996-97). Also a two-time NABC first team allDistrict performer, he scored 1,059 career points and grabbed 567 rebounds in his three-year collegiate career, including 1,001 points (15.9 ppg.) in his two seasons (1995-96, ’96-97) at Temple. The Owls center led the team in scoring and rebounding his final two seasons with his best season coming as a junior in 1996-97 when he averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. His Temple teams posted a 40-14 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both seasons. Jackson decided to forego his senior season and was selected in the second round of the 1997 NBA Draft by Golden State. After playing overseas to start his professional career, he joined Golden State for the 2000-01 season where he was named to the NBA all-Rookie team. In all, he played seven seasons in the NBA, compiling 3,238 points and 1,655 rebounds. He now serves as a studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia.
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Roman Catholic High School
The Difference By: Robert J. Dawson ’57
As a writer and graduate of Roman Catholic High School, many people asked me how come we are so loyal to our alma mater. Here’s my read on the answer. Identity. Our school is not just a school. It’s a mood, a feeling, a belonging. “Brothers” is the correct term. Every Roman guy is the same in a certain way – tough, practical and adaptable. As I always say, you get what you see, not some phony imitation. I worked with a girl from Hallahan, our sister school, who remembered a debate with our brethren. She said that we are not full of ourselves. We listen, analyze and respond in a concise, clear and simplified manner. That’s why we excel in mathematics. We’re not the greatest spellers, but that’s why you have dictionaries. As a writer, if I didn’t have a dictionary and spell check on my computer, I would be in trouble. There has been talk that the success of Roman could allow us to become a prep school in the future. That will never work. That’s not us. We are basically neighborhood guys with brains, drive and initiative based on real life experiences. Our teachers were from the same mold. They taught us not just the subject, but about life. Father Fitzpatrick from the late 1950s used to say. “You’ll never find out about your abilities unless you try.” A final note. Last year, I was a guest of my friend, Tom Forkin, an attorney and member of the Board of Directors at Holy Family University at a banquet. One of the speakers was a Msgr. Charles E. McGroarty, the Pastor from St. Matthew’s Parish on Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, who was speaking about high school students’ discipline. He mentioned that the one who taught him how to handle kids was Father Michael Maloney, our former disciplinarian in the fifties, sixties and seventies. Mike told him that you have to be firm, but fair. Not their friends, but their guides. As the only Roman guy at our table, my friends acknowledged me. I felt very proud and honored by the gesture. I know Mike was looking down on me and the rest of our party. Remember, we are brothers, Cahillites to the core. The late Bob Evans, one of our greatest foot players from our greatest team – the 1947 City Champions (blowing out Frankford 40 to 12) always said he was a Cahillite first and a Penn Quaker second. As one of my associates mentioned, you guys must bleed “Purple and Gold.” Maybe not bleed, but pretty close.
Alum’s Book Teaches Others to Invest Mkemo London ’91 urges his readers to have faith in the American Company. His readers are those who purchased Building Wealth with $50: The 50 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy without a Broker. London’s interest in finance harkens back to his days at Roman Catholic. Black Monday happened in 1987 when London was a freshman. “We were all asking ‘What does it mean when the stock market crashes and people lose money,’” he says. “And we didn’t have Google, so we read the paper to find out about it.” London, a native of Southwest Philadelphia attended St. Jacobus Lutheran School before attending Catholic High. Upon graduation, he spent five years in the United States Navy and earned his Associates Degree in Business from Excelsior College. This year, he hopes to earn his Bachelors Degree in Management from Thomas Edison State College. Even before joining the Navy, London was beginning to invest in the stock market. He bought his first share of an unexpected organization with Charles Schwab in 1992. “Imagine me, a Philly guy, buying a share of the Boston Celtics,” he laughs.
With his share of the Celtics came a phone number that he called every day to check on his account. “From that day I learned that membership has it privileges,” London says. When he decided to write his book, London started it as a project for his nieces. “I’m of the generation that knows if you don’t save your money, you won’t have it later in life,” he says. Building Wealth with $50: The 50 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy without a Broker is a short book, half of which explains how investing works and the other half that explains the best companies that offer direct stock stock plans. “It’s a great tool for someone who wants to invest and doesn’t have much money to do so,” he says. London explains that while many people are rightfully nervous about investing in the stock market because there are no guarantees, believing in the American company is more important than finding the next Google. “Invest in what you know, and more importantly, invest in things that are stable,” is the advice London has for young investors or those looking to start. To purchase Mkemo London’s extremely helpful book, visit www.Amazon.com.
9 The
Empire
The Impact of the Roman Family Xu Zhang is a 2011 graduate and is currently studying at the University of Chicago
Dear Roman Faculty, I am extremely excited and delighted to inform you that I just became a U.S. citizen! More importantly, I want to thank you for all that you’ve done for me. I will never forget the first day when I stepped on Broad and Vine. Back then, I was still new to this country and didn’t know anything. I could barely speak English, a strange language to me at the time. I was nervous and terrified, but the friendly community at Roman immediately made me feel at home. The four years I spent there were definitely the best time in my life. I appreciate all that you've done for me and all that you’ve taught me. You didn’t only teach me knowledge, but you’ve also taught me how to be a good person and live a good life. Without you, I would have never come this far. Thank you, all of you. I often miss Roman when I’m in Chicago. The great time and experience I had is now an inseparable part from my life. Therefore, I will continue live the spirit of Roman and Thomas E. Cahill as I move on to a new stage in life. Also, I have changed my name from Xu Zhang to Joseph Huang. Huang is my mom’s last name. Growing up in a single family, I want to honor my mom by taking her last name, since she has raised me and has been taking care of me for my whole life, all by herself. I am also happy to be called “Xu,” because it has become an inherent and inerasable part in my life and memory. It is a symbol of my past. After all, there is no business like “Xu” business. Again, thank you very much, all of you, for what you've done. Best, Joe Huang (Xu Zhang) ’11
Big Brothers Program
First and foremost, we would like to send a warm welcome to the newest members of the Roman Catholic community: the members of the Class of 2016 and their families! Secondly, we would like to inform you about the RCHS Big Brothers Program. The Big Brothers’ Program pairs up members of the senior class with each freshmen homeroom so that their transition to high school goes as smoothly as possible. The seniors will be present during homeroom every morning to answer any questions your sons might have as well as promote school activities, athletics, and functions.
Academic Excellence
Paul Clark ’12 was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, Duke, and Johns Hopkins Justin Wolfington ’12 was accepted to Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, and Notre Dame. He will be attending Notre Dame. Eight of eleven students who applied to the University of Pennsylvania were accepted. Michael Leitner ’12 and Andrew Turner ’12 were recipients of the John McKee Scholarship Kevin Budianto ’12 was awarded the Liberty Scholarship from Drexel University.
The 2012-2013 Big Brothers are:
Andrew Bowers Timothy Burns Kenny Cheng John Coffey Patrick Cohen Andy Ly Christopher Dailey Michael Davis Alexander Denner Craig Diviny
Aaron Farmbry Matthew Foster Teron Griffith Nicholas Guth Anthony Hillanbrand Casey Howshall Matthew Huntowski Christopher Jones Kurran Keown Anthony Koltonuk
Diocesan Scholars
Francis Markocki Kyle McHugh Patrick Prendergast Nicholas Porretta Robert Rowan Christopher Smith Ryan Spivey Marc Stezzi Shu Su Alexander Von Hofen
Honored by the Mayor
The following students have been accepted to the Diocesan Scholarship program and will be earning college credits during their senior year:
The Mayor’s Office of Education honored sophomore students who were chosen by their school as the most improved sophomores in their class.
Albert Le ’13 Jonathan Grecco ’13 Kevin Leyland ’13 Brendan White ’13 Matthew Litchfield ’13
This year, Roman had two recipients of the Mayor’s Very Impressive Performers Award (VIP):
Do You Have Class Notes and Pictures? Share them with the Roman Family! Please send all Class Notes to Steven Ziegler ’04 sziegler@RomanCatholicHS.com or by mail to Roman Catholic High School, 301 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
John Pershing Walker IV ’14 John Dinh ’14 Walk the Halls of Catholic High Again! Schedule Your Next Reunion or a Visit to Roman Contact Steve Ziegler ’04, Director of Development & Communications 215.627.5487 ext. 311 or sziegler@RomanCatholicHS.com
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Roman Catholic High School
GRADUATION
Class of 2012 – The 119th Graduating Class from Catholic High The Class of 2012 has seen some very exciting things in their past four years – the Thomas E. Cahill marker dedication, two crew championships, the inception of the Rugby team, millions of dollars in scholarships, and three bequests from dedicated alums, to name a few. However, the countless memories these young men made on a daily basis culminated with what is sure to be their greatest memory of Catholic High, their baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony, carrying on the tradition of the 118 classes that came before them. This year, they broke tradition by achieving the highest number of scholarship dollars in school history by earning $19,807,722 with an additional $1,806,092 in Federal and State grants for a total of $21,607,864. The Class of 2012 was made up of 262 graduates who were offered a total of 508 scholarships and will matriculate to colleges around the country at a rate of 93%. Five percent of the graduates will enter the workforce and four of their classmates will enter the military. Salutorian, Joe McCloskey ’12, spoke about the good as well as the not-so-good times he and his classmates have had over their four years saying, “All we will have left is our memories; memories of the times we shared as a class and of the people we have met along the way.” The Class of 2012 saw the deaths of three peers, each of whom were inducted as posthumous graduates with their families in attendance amidst tears and applause. They were also the second class to graduate with students who had transferred to Ro- Left: Darryl Mintz ’12 stoically listens to the words man as a result of the closures of North Catholic and Cardinal Dougherty. Entering of his classmates. Darryl gave his all for RCHS Football and track during his four years. Roman as juniors, these transfer students split their high school years between both schools, understanding fully what it means to be a Catholic school student. “We are a band of brothers. When North Catholic closed, I had to make a decision, Right: Christopher Quigley ’12 and Dan Matour ’12 and I chose Roman,” says graduate John Kradzinksi, President of the National Honors carry the gifts in the offertory procession. Society. “You are not a number here, you have a face. We were accepted into this community and treated as one of their own. They made sure our class rings and t-shirts had North’s falcon and Dougherty’s cardinal. That is the kind of place it is.” Roman is undoubtedly the kind of place where people want to be and to which they remain loyal. This year’s Loyalty Award winners were Father John Cusack ’33, revered faculty member Mike DiBenedetto, supervisor of the anatomy class at Hahnemann Dr. Alan Haroian, Assistant Principal for Student Affairs Terry Kane, dedicated alum Ray Verbrugghe ’66, and past Fathers’ Club President Joe Wolfington. Valedictorian Michael Dubinski said, “Days will come and go, but each of you will always have a piece of Roman Catholic with you. The brotherhood that we all share is what separates our school from the others.” Fides et Scientia is the very basis of the Roman experience, and for the Class of 2012, the faith they developed and the knowledge they gained were evident as they Left: Valedictorian Michael Dubinski ’12 smiles left the Cathedral following graduation. Congratulations and good luck to the proudly as Bishop Thomas ’77 congratulates him. Class of 2012! Left: The 2012 Loyalty Award Winners. Right: Dave Thomas ’12 leads the procession with his banner of Purple and Gold.
Right: Salutatorian Joe McCloskey ’12 receives his diploma and a handshake from Bishop Thomas ’77.
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The Empire
Are You Earning at Least 5.1% On Your Investment? You Can By Supporting Planned Giving The passion that you have for Roman Catholic can live on through your legacy and participation in planned giving. Planned giving is an important part of any non-profit organization because it helps to ensure future success by securing future funds. “Planned giving benefits the organization that is getting the money, even if that is years away,” says Bill Boyle ’87, Registered Financial Advisor and head of the Finance Committee for the RCHS Board of Trustees. “Planned giving helps to promote the mission of the charity and if you fill up the pipeline of giving, it can be built into future budgets.” Over the past five years, Roman Catholic has seen three planned gifts total over 1.2 million dollars dedicated to keeping Thomas E. Cahill’s dream alive in the future. Jim McSherry ’40, Joe Maksin ’46, and William Connolly ’38 named Roman in their wills and the Cahillites will continue to benefit from their estates for quite some time.
In return for your gift of cash or securities, one of our Charitable Gift Annuities will make fixed payments to you, plus a spouse or other individual, for your lifetimes. The annuity rate, based on your age, will often be higher than the yield on the securities you used to create your gift annuity. Your annual payments are taxed favorably. And, you will receive a charitable income tax deduction when you make your gift, based on the full fair market value of the assets you contributed, minus the present value of the income interest you retained. When the annuity terminates, we will apply its remaining balance to the project you designated when you made your gift. At the age of 70, charitable gift annuity rates begin at 5.1% and increase with age until 90 when they reach 9.0%.
“You are never wealthier than the day you die,” says Jeff
McFadden, GM of the Union League of Philadelphia and member of the RCHS Board of Advisors. “With all the unknowns
of healthcare, living longer, and a tougher economy, most folks are willing to make a much larger contribution upon their death than they are willing to give today. However most fundraising professionals and the folks they serve (i.e. executives and boards) need the funds today over tomorrow. Though if we just start today with effective planned giving, tomorrow will be here before you know it.” The Fides Et Scientia Society at Roman Catholic consists of Roman alumni, family, and friends who have named Roman in their wills through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, or other planned gift opportunities. These are resources that the young men of Roman Catholic High School depend on every single day while they are completing their education at Broad and Vine. Plan your gift today. Let your legacy roam the halls of Catholic High forever.
IN RETROSPECT: The Rise and Fall of the Annex System* By: Steve Johnston ’10
As the first Archdiocesan high school in the entire country, The Roman Catholic High School of Philadelphia did not have much of a model to work from in the area of secondary education. The school started giving vocational, secondary, and collegiate diplomas to its students and had a professional and extremely educated faculty of laity. A state regulation required that young people attend school up until the age of fourteen; this had students entering Roman but not necessarily graduating. In 1923 that changed and the age requirement was raised to sixteen. More students than ever before had to go to secondary school and many chose Roman. A lack of jobs and industrial depression after World War I also contributed to the number of pupils who wished to continue their education. It was at this point that Roman sought to expand in order to accommodate the new demand. As we find today, students in the early 20th century were coming from every section of the city and Catholic High found it hard to fulfill its mission completely. In
order to provide for large incoming classes, Roman founded “The Annex System.” Its inception and initial development started in 1919 and would continue to grow. With annexes all over the city, Roman was the largest secondary education system in the country. The following are a list of most of the Annexes that could be found in South, North, and even Central Philadelphia: St. Bonaventure, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Elizabeth, St. Gabriel, La Salle at 16th and Girard, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Paul, St. Teresa, St. Thomas, St. Columbus, Cathedral School, Nativity, and Visitation. “At the beginning of the 1921 term, six schools in various locations in the city were chosen as ‘centers’ with one or more rooms given to R.C.H.S.” Freshmen classes, at their largest, could reach up to 600 students. The Annex system had its own sporting league and teachers, and these “Freshies” would eventually work their way up to the “Main building” at Broad and Vine as either sophomores or juniors.
The annex system would thrive for years to come. The founding of West Philadelphia High School in 1916, taken over by the Christian Brothers in 1926, had taken the brunt of students from West Philadelphia and it was after this that the Catholic school system would develop into what we know today. Yet, the expansion of Roman was also highlighted by the construction of another building in North Philadelphia which became Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in 1939. The development of the school in the last two decades with the addition of Renaissance Hall in 1997 and the McSherry Annex in 2006 shows Roman’s continuous dedication to advancement and change. If we are to continue to thrive we must continue to grow and provide for our students–a need that we still face today. * All quotes and historic information obtained from The Purple and Gold (1923 and 1933).
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Roman Catholic High School
AROUND
Students Receive White House Tour from Two Roman Alums On Tuesday, May 1st, a group of Roman students and teachers traveled to Washington, D.C. for a field trip that was anything but ordinary. Roman alums Shakir Cannon-Moye ’06 and Stefan Johnson ’10 (featured on page 15) provided a White House tour and inspired the members of Student Council, Big Brothers and the World Affairs Club to continue their interest in politics.
Seniors from South Philly Receive Youth Appreciation Award
Seniors Michael Leitner ’12 (Saint Monica), Dave Thomas ’12 (Epiphany), and Ed Borrelli ’12 (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) represented Roman and their parishes well as they received outstanding write-ups and Youth Appreciation Awards for Commitment to Community from the South Philadelphia Review. Their profiles are available throughout the summer on www.SouthPhillyReview.com.
Pacifico Ford Scholarships
Four Roman students were awarded scholarships from Pacifico Ford to put toward some of their college expenditures. We wish Michael Leitner ’12 (Scranton), Andrew Turner (Penn State), Brandon Ortiz (Temple) and Alex Roman (Stevens Institute of Technology) the best of luck next year.
Students Win the Hocker Cup for the 2nd Consecutive Year
Pictured above: Father Flanagan with the Hocker Cup winners (from left): Kevin Leyland ’13, Alex Roman ’12, Pat Prendergast ’13, and Nick Presel ’12 display their prize in the first floor corridor.
Last year, the Ethel Mae Hocker Foundation awarded the inaugural Hocker Cup to Roman for the academic excellence of the recipients of the Ethel Mae Hocker Scholarship. This year, the Cahillites took the crown again, maintaining the highest GPA in the program and excelling above fellow Hocker-sponsored scholars from Valley Forge Military Academy, Camden Catholic, and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. Their performance allows Roman to remain in this program which will provide at least five deserving students with $5,000 scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.
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The Empire
2012 National Latin Exam
Congratulations to the students who took the 2012 National Latin Exam. Their teachers, Mr. Pensabene and Mr. Cunningham ’70, are also to be commended on the wonderful job they do for our students each year! Less than 1% of the students who take this exam worldwide earn a perfect score. At Roman, 17% of the students who took the exam earned this honor. Students who earned a perfect score on the National Latin Exam (Left to Right): Leo Manning ’14, Alec Barton ’14, Andrew Dehel ’14, William Pilny ’14, Phillip Forrence ’14, Frederick Licsauer ’14, Joseph Dembik ’14, Sean McCloskey ’14, David Schwab ’14, George Zindel ’14.
Roman Represented at Financial Jeopardy Ray Wilson ’12 recently represented Roman’s Business Department by competing in a Financial Jeopardy Contest sponsored by Trumark Financial Credit Union. Recent graduates, Stephen Picciotti ’10 and Ed Ross ’11 had competed in 2010 and 2011 and both won scholarship money with a 3rd and 1st place finish, respectively.
We Mean Business
On Friday May 4th, the Roman Entrepreneurship classes took an informative stroll from Roman to the Comcast Tower, to the Convention Center, and ending at the Reading Terminal Market. At the Market, the GM, Paul Stienke greeted the students and spoke to them about the small businesses and history of this Philadelphia treasure. Two successful young Roman graduates also addressed the students. Bob Fisher ’00 and James Iovine ’07 who work at Molly Malloy’s in the Reading Terminal Market gave helpful advice to our students. The students finished this informative walking trip by enjoying a lunch at the Market. The Honorable Kevin Dougherty of Philadelphia Family Court was a guest speaker in both Roman Business Law classes on May 3rd. Judge Dougherty is a childhood friend and classmate of Business Department Chair, Mr. Patrick Shanahan. The students greatly enjoyed and learned from the discussion.
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Roman Catholic High School
Cahill Club On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, the Cahill Club held its annual banquet at Keenan’s Valley View Inn in Roxborough. The room was filled with generations of Roman alums there to honor their peers as well as the 2012 Student and Teacher of the Year. The night’s honorees were names easily recognized by members of the Roman family. Chuck Taylor, Class of 2012, received the Student of the Year Award. His grades in the honors program, involvement in virtually every service club in Roman, and participation on the Varsity Cross Country team made him a deserving recipient for the award. The 2012 Teacher of the Year, Bill Dunas, is a 45 year faculty member of Roman Catholic High School. During his acceptance speech, he regaled the audience with tales of the good times and the dark times at Roman before the Renaissance. His stories of Father Murphy, Mr. Bell and Mr. Grecco brought applause and laughter from the audience. He also explained the very funny story of how he suspended fellow award winner, Rev. Joseph W. Bongard ’77 after a “physical altercation” with another student. “I learned that you can mess with Joe Bongard, but you can’t mess with his ties,” Dunas said with a laugh as he presented Father with a tie. Over 45 years, Dunas had many memories to share, but at the core of his
Top from left: Dan DiLella ’69, Rev. Joseph Bongard ’77, Bill Dunas, Larry Elliott ’66, Chuck Taylor ’12, Cahill Club President Mike Finnegan ’75 and President/Rector Rev. John Flanagan.
message was how proud he was to have touched the lives of so many young people and to be a member of the Roman family. Current Alumni Association President Larry Elliott ’66 received the James G. McSherry ’40 Appreciation Award for Service. For nearly 30 years, Elliott has worked with the Alumni Association building Catholic High into the success that it has become. He was part of “the group that rebelled” in the 1980s when the school was facing closure and the rest is history. Elliott paid homage to those that came before him like Jules Jungers, Ed Graham, and of course, Jim McSherry, the man for whom his award was named. The Distinguished Alumni Award went to former President/Rector Rev. Joseph W. Bongard ’77. In his acceptance, Father Bongard made a point of explaining what it means to be a Roman gentleman. “Young men who come to Roman do not feel they are entitled to anything,” Bongard said. “They are humbled by the fact that they have the privilege to attend such a prestigious school.” During Bongard’s time at Roman as Rector, he ensured the classic style and of course the tradition of Cahill remain intact as he set the foundation for future development of Catholic High by being an ever present figure at both school and alumni functions. Many students over the past six years have
recognized Father Bongard as a primary reason for their attending Roman. Roman’s President of the Board, Dan DiLella ’69, was the recipient of the night’s final award, the Thomas E. Cahill Award. DiLella is the CEO of BPG, Ltd. and one of Philadelphia’s most notable philanthropists. In the spirit of Thomas E. Cahill, he has worked diligently to ensure that deserving students are able to attend Roman Catholic through his support of the Adopt-a-Student program. Accepting his award, DiLella spoke about traveling from Manayunk to Center City during his freshman year to experience a whole new world, a world he has been a part of ever since. To the young men in the audience, DiLella said, “We won’t be around forever. Eventually you’ll be up here doing this and you’ll be responsible for ensuring Roman’s success.” DiLella also made a point of sharing his award with his brother, Frank DiLella ’68 – the man who first got Dan involved with Roman and has acted as his “PR” man regarding Roman ever since. Overall, Thomas E. Cahill would have been extremely proud to witness this event held in his honor and would be happy to know that something he started will never have an end.
Above: Mr. Dunas presents Father Bongard ’77 with a symbolic tie. Left: Dan DiLella ’69 shares the Thomas E. Cahill Award with his brother, Frank DiLella ’68.
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Empire
Purple and Gold in the White House Shakir Cannon-Moye ’06 and Stefan Johnson ’10 are currently interning in the communication office at the most famous home in America. RCHS: How old were you when you realized a political career could be in your future? SJ: For as long as I can remember, back to my days in elementary school, I have always had a desire to serve the public. I believe this is something that has grown with me over time. Public service is something that was certainly fostered during my time at Roman. RCHS: What in your past can be attributed to inspiring your current path? SCM: My commitment to public service has been engrained in me since early childhood. As the grandson of sharecroppers and the son of parents who both served in our nation’s armed forces, I am humbled by the sacrifices made by my predecessors. I can recall my grandfather sharing stories about how he grew crops not only for his own family, but to feed the underprivileged families in his neighborhood as well. Their community was bound together not only by familial ties but also by a sense of obligation to provide for others in their community. In the same vein, my father joined the Air Force because he wanted to provide his family with access to higher education in the future. My background coupled with these experiences laid a firm foundation for my interest in becoming an effective public servant— not just someone who does community service, but someone who serves their community daily. I know that no matter what I accomplish it will never be enough to demonstrate my gratitude for those past struggles; therefore, I feel an obligation to ‘pay it forward’ to future generations by working diligently to improve our community’s future. SJ: While in high school I felt blessed to have had the many opportunities to serve others. There were opportunities outside of school with groups such as A.S.S.I.S.T and CSC. While in school I had the privi-
lege to serve my peers as a homeroom rep as well as student council president during my senior year. Both inside and outside of the school I was given great opportunities at Roman which helped to foster my desire for political life. RCHS: What do you believe will be the greatest benefit of the White House internship program? SCM: The White House internship is an incredible opportunity. I appreciate the chance to engage in work that truly makes a difference. I am most excited to have the opportunity to learn from a dynamic group of fellow interns who are equally committed to public service. The chance to learn from and work towards a common goal with the most talented young leaders of tomorrow has left an indelible mark on how I view the world. SJ: There are no words to properly illustrate the thrill of being a White House intern. I feel fortunate to work in an administration that genuinely cares about all people. While at the White House I have worked alongside staff who care about helping the American public.
SCM: In her formal capacity Ms. Hillerman served as my Spanish teacher, but I would argue more importantly she served as a mentor and role model. As a teacher, she was an exemplary public servant; she would repeatedly go above beyond to help her students. In addition to the long hours she logged in the classroom she still remained active in serving her community and her church. Ms. Hillerman never explicitly shared with me the significance of public service, but more significantly her actions were a daily reminder that instilled that regardless of what career I pursue in the future, it would be tied to public service. SJ: There were several activities at Roman which helped to influence me politically. Those activities include Student Government, Mock Trial, World Affairs and Ambassadors. I was also very fortunate to have learned many things about government from the teachers who taught me including Mr. Corrigan, Mr. Dunas, Mr. Bryson, and Mr. Shanahan. To read the complete interview, visit www.RCHSAlumni.org.
RCHS: What is the most important lesson you have learned so far? SCM: One of the my favorite perks of being in the White House Internship Program is the ability to meet with staff members in small settings and learn about their respective paths to working at the White House. The one commonality amongst all speakers is to pursue your passion. As I prepare to begin my career that is something that will always resonate with me. SJ: I have learned many important lessons while in Washington. Probably the most tangible lesson has been seeing the many ways that the government helps people on a daily basis. RCHS: Is there a particular person or activity at Roman that influenced you politically?
Stefan Johnson ’10 and Shakir CannonMoye ’06 outside the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Roman Catholic High School
Class Notes…And So Much More! 1935
Stan Nanczuk, President of the Class of 1935, recently attended the Spring 2012 Brewerytown Fairmount Cathedral & Schuylkill Navy All Timers and Friends luncheon at Cannstatters. His good friend Ed Keenan ’54 also attended and drove Stan to and from the luncheon. Two stalwart Sons of Cahill. 1942 Bernard T. Loftus (Bud Loftus) always said he was the product of Roman Catholic High School. He gave RCHS school credit for providing him with a rigorous education and value system. He said it was this rock solid foundation and code of ethics that shaped him and influenced him throughout his entire life. His alma mater is mentioned 13 times in his book, Bud Loftus: An IrishAmerican’s Journey. He loved Roman Catholic High School, and used to come to all the reunions until he was physically unable to do so. Bud’s wish was to get his memoirs published before he died. His daughter, Cecilia, was able to provide him with a publisher, Lulu Press and a marketing campaign that continues today. He was featured in The Washington Post on Veteran’s Day 2009, and was also mentioned in The Irish Times and other international papers. Lulu Press deemed Bud’s book a success story and includes the book in its online marketing and advertising campaigns. Before Bud passed away, he asked Cecilia to make sure his Roman family knew about his book.
1958 Tom and Valerie Fidler went on their first cruise from May 6th to May 13th. They went to Bermuda on Celebrity Cruises and were home all of 4 days and were off again to Milwaukee to see their oldest granddaughter graduate from Marquette University. The entire month of May was party city here in the “Wilds of Warrington.”
1968 Al Price–As we approach our 45th year out of Roman, we should think about our reunion. Please email me at APRICE0325@ comcast.net. 1992 Gary Miller is currently an Assistant Director at Penn State University where he meets on a regular basis with students to have meaningful conversations about their behavior and the impact it has on not only themselves, but the larger community as well. Prior to coming to Penn State, Gary worked at Drexel University, Vassar College, and Kutztown University and considers the opportunity to work with college students to be rewarding and at times fun work. 1993
At a recent fund raiser for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, three classmates got together for a photo. L to R: Frank Daly - a freelance musician and Marketing Director for The Dave Magrogan Group; Jamie O’Connellan Operating Engineer out of Local Union 542; Matt Kearney - Safety Director at Wm. J. Donovan Sheet Metal Contractor.
1995 Mike Gondos has accepted the challenging position of Director of Institutional Advancement at Conwell - Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, PA. Mike's e-mail: gondos31@yahoo.com 2002
Dennis DiGiovanni and wife Jennifer welcomed beautiful baby Rocco into their family on May 4th, 2012.
2003 Stephen Krenzel worked at Google and then co-founded Thinkfuse, a software company in Seattle that was recently featured on CBS MoneyWatch. 2004 Glenn Ochal, a member of the RCHS crew team and the Princeton University placed eighth in the quadruple sculls at the World Rowing Championships, securing the U.S. berth at the London 2012 Olympic Games. 2005 David Lally was in Roman’s art program, graduated and went on to Drexel University. He is now working as a technical director at Pixar Animation Studios in California. He has worked on the movies Cars 2 and Brave which will be released in June. 2008 John Prendergast received the Top Student Award in History at a special brunch prior to graduation at La Salle University. The majority of the winners were also in the Honor’s Program. The Dean stated that this group of students was the top 5% of the graduating class. Currently, two graduates from the class of 2010, Paul Dunne and Steve Johnston, are also doing well in the honors program at La Salle.
Attention Alums
Brewerytown Fairmount Cathedral & Schuylkill Navy Sports All Timers & Friends
Summer Picnic @ Cannstatter - Sunday July 22, 2012 1:00PM to 6:00 PM Call Joe Hanlon '54 @ 609 859 8838 for reservations. BFC&SN Fall Luncheon @ Cannstatter - Noon, Wednesday, October 17, 2012 The BFC&SN is a group of men and women who meet twice a year and enjoy reliving growing up in their old neighborhoods. The Schuylkill Navy is anyone associated with Boat House Row and the various Rowing Clubs there.
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Below: An incoming freshman proudly shows his first purchase at the Roman school store during Class of 2016 Night.
Above: President/Rector Father John Flanagan with the Zakrezewski Family at the 3rd Annual Henry W. Zakrezewski Golf Outing. Right: Incoming freshman and President’s Scholarship recipient David Dinh ’16 of Maternity BVM Parish stands proudly with his family at the Class of 2016 Scholarship Reception.
Above: Principal Robert O’Neill and President/ Rector Father John Flanagan with Nate Thomas ’13, winner of the Speak Up! Jimmy Award for courage.
Above: RCHS Alumni President Larry Elliott ’66 and former Alumni President/current Cahill Club President Mike Finnegan ’75 pose for a shot in Renaissance Hall during the Donor Scholarship Reception. These two men have played instrumental roles in shaping Roman into the success it is today.
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Roman Catholic High School
In search of Roman’s ‘lost boys’ of World War I By: Chris Gibbons ’79
(As published in the May 28th issue of The Philadelphia Inquirer) “I resolved to find what remained of Company D for (my grandfather), and for (his fellow soldiers), and for myself, as well, and complete a story begun on a hot July day so long ago, when young men raced across open fields toward machine guns and disappeared into history.” — From The Remains of Company D: A Story of the Great War by James Carl Nelson As I recently walked down the firstfloor hallway of my old high school, located at Broad and Vine, my footsteps sharply echoed off the walls, a stark reminder that it was late afternoon and that I was alone in the normally bustling, but now deserted, corridors. Before that day, I had been poring over old yearbook photos, and I immediately noticed that the interior, with its beautiful early 20th century architecture, looked strikingly similar to the way it had looked in 1917. Sunbeams escaped through open classroom doors, and their ribbons of light streamed across the hallway. Dust motes hung motionless within their illumination, but then suddenly swirled into motion. Just an errant draft? Or do the spirits of the boys I had been searching for still walk these halls? I stopped at the end of the hall and looked up at the plaques that display the names of Roman Catholic High School alumni who had lost their lives in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf wars. As I stared at the long list of names, well over a hundred of them, I knew that the young men who had been eluding me would not be found there. However, I hoped that my visit would serve as motivation to not give up on what had now become a very difficult task. I touched the raised metal letters of the names on the plaques and could only shake my head in frustration. “Who were the boys from World War I?” I softly
whispered. I futilely hoped that the ghosts of the past would somehow miraculously answer my question, but the deserted hallway remained silent. Roman was founded by Irish immigrant Thomas Cahill in 1890, and was the first free Catholic high school in the country. By the time the United States had entered World War I in 1917, the school was already more than a quarter-century old. Yet many alumni, myself included, had long assumed that there was no commemorative plaque for World War I because no Roman alumni had died in that war. However, as my interest and knowledge of the Great War deepened over the years, I began to doubt this assumption. After I read James Nelson’s brilliant book The Remains of Company D, I resolved to finally learn the truth regarding World War I and the lost boys from Roman. I began my search by talking to my father (Class of 1948) and other older alumni, hoping that they might remember a World War I commemorative plaque from their time as students. None did. My hopes were briefly raised when I learned that a group of students attempted to find an answer in 2008, but the project was never completed. I contacted Roman’s resident historian, Ed Keenan (Class of 1954), and we soon found ourselves behind a chain-link fence in the dusty basement of Roman’s Alumni Annex building, sorting through some of the school’s voluminous records and documents. Ed and I looked over old trophies, certificates, flags, banners, and plaques that had been collected over the years, but came up empty. However, during a review of the 1919 yearbook, our first clue finally emerged. A passage in the Alumni section read: “Some fourteen of our Alumni have made the supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives on the fields of France for their country.” We now knew the number, but still no names.
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It was during a second review of the 1918 yearbook that the names of the first two alums who gave their lives were finally revealed. A short passage stated that on Nov. 28, 1917, Roman alumni formally presented to the school a “sad Memorial Flag...the first of its kind in Philadelphia, [with] two gold stars on a purple background…[to] commemorate the deaths of E.J. Kelly…and W. Kimmel.” As I read the passage, I was momentarily shaken. Purple and gold holds special meaning for Roman grads. In addition to being our school’s colors, they are also the title of our alma mater, which opens with the line: “When day mounts the East, what flag does he hold? He flings out his banner of Purple and Gold.” That line kept repeating in my mind as I envisioned this solemn memorial flag and stared at the names. Last month, I presented my findings to Roman’s board of trustees. Their enthusiastic response was overwhelming, as numerous board members volunteered to help find the remaining 12 names. Many of us now believe that there once was a commemorative plaque, but it was probably lost during the school’s numerous renovations or possibly destroyed in a 1959 fire. A new plaque to commemorate the 14 is now being designed, with a formal unveiling planned during the school’s annual Veterans Day ceremonies. The remaining 12 will be listed as “Unknown Cahillite” until we can find their names. Thomas Cahill never had any children of his own, so Roman alums often refer to themselves as “sons of Cahill,” and we are now more determined than ever to find our lost brothers from World War I. These boys have somehow disappeared into history, but we will find them. They’ll soon take their rightful place of honor on the wall of the legendary school at Broad and Vine.
Annual Giving
One Gift Made History What Will Your Gift Do?
The young men of the Delaware Valley are able to attend Roman Catholic High School because of your commitment. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do through your Annual Giving gift. Your generosity assists in providing an education that is second to none. Make your gift today by visiting www.RCHSAlumni.org
Expanding Knowledge
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