Prep Magazine, Winter 2022-23

Embodying the Spirit

A bright September 16th morning. Beautiful day to be outdoors, over a thousand of us joyously gathered together again, in person, in the fresh air, to kick off the new school year, finally leaving behind the hardships endured since March 2020 quarantine. At this peak moment in the 18 months of celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Saint Peter’s Prep’s founding, at the Mass of the Holy Spirit, it was a perfect time to greet a wonderful new part of our home at Prep. And so, during Mass, we dedicated our statue of the young Saint Peter on Warren Plaza.

Embodiment of spirit is not easy. And of course Saint Peter did not seek to be a monument or idol. But reading the living words on his inscription shows what makes us Prep. He has not even been named Peter yet; he is a humble, imperfect young fisherman. Our young Peter is not a remote idol, not an ideal object of perfection or awe—his strong arms are from working hard every day. This beautiful work of art is familiar, like our young men, and it was an honor reading that dedication at Mass as the statue was unveiled:

A flawed young fisherman—the man who will come to be known as Peter—Looks to the Horizon,unaware that the best of what he will become lies ahead.Let us see beyond our on imperfections and look to the future with courage and conviction,knowing we are always Sub Umbra Petri—Under the shadow of Peter.

Our young Peter reminds our students, and each of us, that in all our imperfection, we can still look ahead to become not perfect, but ever closer to God: ever trying to share the love of neighbor that Jesus taught, ever open to grace, forgiveness, and the Spirit.

After arriving as a freshman more than 45 years ago, I have witnessed how our students so often embody this great care for everyone in the Prep community, even amidst great difficulty or loss. So it remains a gift to visit the young fisherman, to read the inscription again, as on that day – And to watch our students and the whole Prep family drawn into friendly daily connection with the young Peter, just as if he were a classmate! If you have not visited yet, come by and say hello soon!

Another truly monumental achievement is the 150-year chronicle of Saint Peter’s Prep. This broad-ranging history has been the “baby” of Jim Horan, ’70, a celebrated Prep long-distance runner, and the effort was no sprint for a greyhound. Researching, interviewing, writing, and image collecting began in early 2019. The resulting product, involving many Prep staff & alumni, is wonderful, a magnum opus and grateful appreciation of Prep’s long tradition though generations of hardships and triumphs.

Speaking of continued spirit, Chris Caulfield, ’03 has embodied Prep spirit for years as a student, athlete, alumnus, faculty member and coach, and now Prep’s Principal. He has diligently prepared for stewardship of mission since his studies at Boston College, and understands our students, athletes, teachers and staff.

In these pages, you will also discover some highlights from the year thus far. There was the great fun of the return of Prep’s Walkathon after 11 years (without the memorably arduous 12- and 18- mile distances of the 1970s and 1980s!). We saw the biggest Prep Career Day in memory bring back alumni from a wide variety of fields, and from literally around the globe—who generously shared not just tips, but real wisdom and spirit. And we celebrated a magnificent Legends of Prep dinner of epic scope. The honorees, including Tony Azzarto S.J., Jim Dondero, ’66,P’00 and John Irvine, ’83, P’11, represented well over a century of love and service to the young men—and alumni!—of Prep.

As we have taken stock at the 150-year mark, our young Peter embodies our look to the future: imperfect, yes, but persevering, resilient, and strong in faith!

Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10 History & Social Sciences Department

Prep

Volume 33 | Number 1

Winter 2022-23

Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 President

Chris Caulfield, ’03 Principal

Mike Jiran, ’03 Editor

John Irvine, ’83, P’11 Sports Editor

Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 Mike Murcia, ’08

Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10 Jennifer Nilsen, P’23 Dalma Santana

Susan Woolever, D.A. Contributors

Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18 Select Photography

Mace Duncan Ohleyer | Hotplate Original Design Concept

Mike Jiran, ’03 Layouts and Additional Photography

CONTENTS

Cover Story

12

Sub Umbra Petri

Walking under the shadow of Peter has taken on a new, literal meaning on Warren Street. The new statue by sculptor Brian Hanlon is a commemoration of Prep’s first 150 years, and aims to set the tone for the next 150.

Features

8

Faster, Higher, Stronger Prep’s new principal is hardly new to Prep. And given his academic and athletic background, his commitment to striving for continuous growth comes as no surprise.

16

15 Years in 352 Pages

Then. Now.Always. is a richly illustrated journey through Prep history, with Prep Legend Jim Horan, ’70 as your guide.

Departments

Prep Magazine is a publication of the Office of Communications of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School. It is distributed in print, free of charge, to Prep alumni, faculty, staff and parents, and online at spprep.org/prepmag

Copyright © 2023, Saint Peter’s Prep. All publication rights reserved.

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ON THE COVER: Visitors to Warren Street are now greeted by Saint Peter the young fisherman, as sculpted by New Jersey artist Brian Hanlon (son of Rocky Hanlon, ’53). The statue was dedicated at the Mass of the Holy Spirit (see page 12).

Photo by Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18

8

16

2 11 18

2

144 Grand Remembering Debbie Peko-Lillis, P’10; Walkathon takes to the streets again; Emmaus back on the road.

11

To Whom Much is Given

Prep’s records of alumni giving go back to 1982. Fred Stevens, ’70 has never missed a single year!

18

Sports

Cross Country takes first Jesuit title since 1944; Four all-conference selections for Football; Crew sets a new benchmark at Head of the Charles.

20

Alumni

Celebrating Prep’s newest Legends; Alumni flock to Career Day.

27

Photo File

Statues of Saint Peter more often depict him as pope than as a fisherman. But while Simon Peter and his nets are uncommon in sculpture, they are not unprecedented on Prep’s campus.

An Old Tradition Walks Anew

Twelve years is a long time in general, but in the context of the life of a high school, where four years is enough for the entire student body to turn over, twelve years is an eternity. Yet despite the challenge of a 12-year hiatus, the return of the Prep Walkathon this October was a runaway success!

From 1979 to 2010, the Walkathon stood as a rite of fall, sending students and teachers forth from Grand & Warren to display Prep Pride in the broader community and to raise money for Prep’s financial aid program. The routes changed—from a ramble throughout much of Hudson County in the early days, to a march to the far end of Liberty State Park in the ’90s, to a lap around Jersey City’s resurgent downtown in the 2000s—but the spirit of fun, love for Prep, and support for fellow Prep families remained the same.

Recapturing that spirit was the goal in reviving the Walkathon this fall. But success was far from guaranteed, as every student who had experienced a Prep Walkathon firsthand had long since graduated, and many faculty and staff members with Walkathon memories had also retired or moved on. In effect, reviving this old tradition virtually amounted to building a new one from scratch, which required the enthusiastic support of students, administrators, teachers, parents, and the entire Prep community.

Coordinating the effort was Prep’s Dean of Student Life, Catie Eppler. “It was truly an honor being part in resurrecting a Prep tradition that is loved by so many,” she said. “Hearing alumni stories of Walkathons past built excitement about not only the fun-filled day, but also helping each other. For me, there is nothing better than seeing the whole Prep community come together, support each other, and show our Prep Pride around Jersey City.”

This revived Walkathon sent homerooms on one of two routes along the downtown waterfront, and students returning to campus enjoyed the return of the Walkathon carnival (first introduced in 2000) as Keenan Field was filled with games, a rock-climbing wall, and plenty of space for pickup soccer and football. The 2022 Walkathon raised a total of $49,750 in donations, and all profits will support Prep’s financial aid program.

McCarthy Earns NROTC Scholarship

In December, representatives of the U.S. Navy presented senior Teddy McCarthy, ’23 with a ceremonial check, representing a Naval ROTC Scholarship offer. NROTC scholars are selected via a competitive application process, designed to identify students with the personal qualities and academic background to succeed in the Naval ROTC program and ultimately as commissioned officers in the United States Navy. The scholarship is applicable at any one of 63 colleges and universities that host a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Teddy plans to attend Villanova University. t

A Marauder with the Heart of a Giant

Not much gets past Prep senior London Robinson, ’23, whether on the Marauders’ defensive line, or in the classroom where he is a straight-A student. But Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (along with London’s teammates and a gym full of students, faculty, and staff members) managed to surprise him in a big way as he received the USA Football Heart of a Giant Award during a ceremony in the gym.

The award celebrates “a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game,” commitment, character, teamwork, dedication, and will. London knew he was one of 11 finalists, and thought that was the reason for the ceremony. The first sign he was the winner was the sight of Sterling Shepard, trophy in hand!

The Princeton commit also earned a $10,000 grant as well as two tickets to Super Bowl 57. The latter came courtesy of Prep trustee Roman Oben, P’19,’22, Vice President of Football Development for the NFL.

In Memoriam: Debbie Peko-Lillis, P’10

The Prep community was stunned in January by the sudden passing of longtime staff member Debbie Peko-Lillis, P’10. The mother of Kyle Lillis, ’10, sister of James Peko, ’85, and aunt of current freshman Matthew Peko, ’26, had been a fixture at Grand & Warren, serving as the database manager for the advancement office since 2010. Former Prep President Bob Reiser, S.J. often described Prep students as aggressively friendly, and few members of the faculty and staff have ever embodied that quality better. Her quick wit, her hearty laugh, her enthusiastic pride in the sometimes unglamorous work of processing donations and event registrations, and above all her unmistakable love for her family, for her friends, and for Saint Peter’s Prep will be sorely missed. Members of Prep’s faculty and staff gathered for a memorial service in the library, joined by members of Debbie’s family. Colleagues shared fond memories of the generous spirit that made her so quick to befriend newcomers to Prep, so welcoming to anyone in search of some lunchtime conversation, so eager to share her encyclopedic knowledge of all things Secaucus.

“The entire Saint Peter’s Prep community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague Debbie Peko-Lillis,” said Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91. “Debbie was a proud Prep mom–her son Kyle graduated in 2010, but she was a Prep mom forever–and a dedicated member of our advancement office staff for more than a decade. With a tremendous and generous heart, she left her mark on all of us, forming an unforgettable part of the Prep family she loved so much.”

Dr. Gomez added, “Our love and prayers are with Debbie’s family in this difficult time.”

A World of Welcome

Prep’s global education programs were in full swing during the fall semester, as exchange groups from four schools on two continents visited Grand & Warren. Pictured clockwise from top left:

• Colégio Santo Inácio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Colegio de la Inmaculada, Lima, Peru

• Le Caousou, Toulouse, France

• Sant Ignasi, Barcelona, Spain

This spring, groups from Japan and Germany will arrive at Prep, and during Easter break, Prep students will head out to France and Spain, as the cycle of outbound exchange trips begins.

Shakespeare Returns to the Prep Stage

For the first time in more than a decade—and the first time in O’Keefe Commons—Prep Dramatics brought Shakespeare to life last November. Marc Wright, ’15, a veteran of numerous Prep productions as well as Prep Vox, returned to Grand & Warren to direct Macbeth. With Louis Correro, ’23 in the title role, the starkly-staged production earned rave reviews from audiences, proving the Bard still has a place on Prep’s stage...today and tomorrow (and tomorrow and tomorrow).

Mr. Galano Becomes Fr. Galano

2022 was a pivotal year for longtime faculty member and Director of Financial Aid Fred Galano, P’22. In June, he was ordained to the diaconate in the Episcopal Church, and then on December 17, he was ordained to the priesthood in the presence of parishioners, family, and many Prep colleagues. As Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 explained at Prep’s Christmas liturgy, “Fred Galano…has been and continues to be a gift to Saint Peter’s Prep, working with and serving many families for over 17 years. He is a difference maker.” A special stole was presented to Father Galano at the Mass in appreciation of his many contributions to Saint Peter’s Prep.

In addition to his duties at Prep, The Rev. Fred Galano is now serving as an associate pastor in the Episcopal parishes of Christ Church South Amboy and Trinity Matawan.

Ebony Club Looks Forward to a Milestone

As Prep’s Ebony Club looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in the 2023-24 school year, one of Prep’s longest-running student organizations has had a busy 2022-23, including taking the lead on a successful Black History Month celebration. To kick off the 2023 Black History Month, the club hosted a panel titled The World of Art Through the Lens of Black Artists. This panel featured the following speakers: Rashad Davis, 09 an illustrator, animator, and writer; Eric Pryor, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Tiana Webb Evans, P’18, Founder of ESP Group LLC; and Heather Williams, recipient of the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement in MFA Art Practice. This event was designed to bring awareness of the uniqueness of both Black art and artists, celebrate art as a whole, and help students gain a more explicit understanding of what it means to be a Black artist in the art world.

As the month continued, the club hosted additional events. A “For the Culture” dress down day raised over $1,000 for the Ignatian Solidarity Network. Several alumni of the Ebony Club visited Prep and toured the campus with current club members, cheered on our Prep basketball team, and spoke with current students. A Black Diaspora Breakfast where students sampled an array of dishes that represent the culture of AfricanAmericans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos, and Africans. Lastly, we brought back the Ebony Club Dance, a long-standing tradition that saw many students enjoying the company of others.

The Ebony Club’s annual Washington D.C. Trip will return in March. Highlights will include visits to Howard University, Georgetown University, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, plus an opportunity to meet and network with the Prep Ebony Club Alumni who live and work in the DC area.

On the Road Again

by Susan Woolever, D.A., Director of Campus Ministry

The fall and winter seasons have been busy for the Campus Ministry Department. We are an entirely new team with a deep passion for serving the students of Prep. While we each have a different story for what brought us to Grand and Warren this year, our commitment to nurture Ignatian spirituality in the Prep community is united. Most weekends have been filled with freshman days of service, sophomore Koinonia retreats, junior Kairos retreats, and the revived senior Emmaus retreat! As all have experienced, the pandemic took a toll on our whole beings. Specifically, the shifted schedule interfered with our Class of 2023’s Prep retreat experience. It has been really important to help as many of our graduating seniors encounter the Ignatian values of reflection and discernment and Prep magic through retreats as possible. Eighteen seniors attended Kairos (which is ordinarily offered to juniors) and nearly 70 have attended or will be attending Emmaus.

Emmaus is such a special retreat and thank God it has been revived! Alums of all ages hold their Emmaus experience as one of their most prized Prep memories. It offers graduating seniors the opportunity to be together–away from the daily grind and with peers from different clubs and athletic teams. It would be an understatement to say that it is an honor to witness young men get to know someone they have passed in the hall for four years but never spoken to, or get to know a childhood friend in a deeper way. Journeying with the Class of 2023 and creating a space where they can honestly reflect about who they are, who is on their journey with them, and who will be beside them into the future is a profound experience.

The Emmaus retreats are held on the Delbarton campus at St. Mary’s Abbey. So, freetime on the Delbarton field is also pretty fun!! There are a lot of things at Prep for our community to be proud of, but helping the seniors claim and reclaim the values of cura personalis, finding God in all things, being open to growth, being loving, and seeking justice in the retreat setting ignites a great deal of pride for these gentlemen.

AMDG.

Emmaus CCCIII in January (top) and CCCIV in February marked the revival of Prep’s longest-running retreat program. Offered to juniors beginning in 1977, Emmaus became a senior retreat in 2012 after switching places with Kairos (introduced at Prep in 2007).

Woman for Others: Grace Gualario

by Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16

With the brief exception of her birth in Jersey City, Grace Gualario has lived her entire life in the mile-square city of Hoboken. She and her two sisters attended Our Lady of Grace elementary school, and then she went on to Hoboken High, where she was an enthusiastic cheerleader for both PAL and Hoboken Redwings football. It was during this time that Grace met the love of her life, Joe Gualario. They soon discovered that their grandparents had known each other in their hometown of Molfetta, Italy. “I was really hoping we weren’t going to find out we were related!” joked Grace. Fortunately, they were not, and a very happy marriage of 42 years followed, as did daughters Lea and Christina, and now four grandchildren. Following high school and secretarial school, Grace began her professional career with a paper company. After about a year, she sought something “more interesting,” and found it at Eastern Air Lines, joining the financial planning division at the company’s 10 Rockefeller Plaza headquarters. When Eastern’s new management moved the corporate office moved to Miami—just six weeks before Grace and Joe’s wedding!—the couple chose not to relocate. Grace was able to transfer to Eastern’s aircraft maintenance division at Newark Airport, where she would spend the next ten years. She took a leave of absence at home with her two young daughters in the latter half of the ’80s. When she was ready to return, the once-thriving airline was in turmoil amidst the bankruptcy that would ultimately lead to its closure.

It was a casual conversation between Grace’s sister and Prep guidance counselor Jim Dondero, ’66, P’00 that set Grace on a path that, in her words, “saved my sanity and brought me to the kindest and most compassionate place,” at Grand & Warren. Jim mentioned that Helen Argyelan, P’68,’71,’76, was preparing to retire after 19 years as the assistant to five Prep principals, and Prep was seeking her successor. A journey of 33 years and counting was about to begin—and as of this year, Grace, too, has been the assistant to five different principals.

After a few years working with then-principal Tom Denny, S.J., a long tenure with Jack Raslowsky, ’79 began. It was a time characterized by a great deal of fun and a steep learning curve, as technology was modernizing at Prep and the principal’s office was no exception. The team, including Vice Principal Pat Reidy, was a hard-working one, and Grace solidified and deepened her relationships with her colleagues, and especially with the Jesuit community. During this time, her longtime counterpart in the president’s office, Maryphyllis Locricchio, P’95,’96, joined Prep. Grace joked that the two assistants kept track of their bosses’ movements, for instance with a quick phone call to state, “The eagle is on the move,” when Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J. would shuttle between Shalloe and Mulry Halls. Recalling Prep’s most consequential day of that era, she noted: “Jack and Fr. Keenan never faltered on 9/11 or in the days after. They kept the school together.”

Kevin Cuddihy followed Jack Raslowsky as principal, and while his tenure was relatively brief, his enthusiasm for life at Prep was unmistakable. “Kevin’s heart was with the students. He loved them and he loved Jesuit education.”

Another long stint with Prep’s next principal, Jim DeAngelo, ’85 followed. Jim says of Grace: “She maintained the utmost professional standards in how she operated the principal’s office. She has the gift of the long view—often working weeks or months in advance of deadlines—as well as the ability to respond to needs and requests in the moment. She understands deeply the mission of the school and how her work, which is often unseen, allows so much of what makes Prep tick to happen.”

The last 33 years have brought many innovations, but the overarching goal—care of the students—has never wavered. Grace particularly sees this in Prep’s newest principal, Chris Caulfield, ’03: “He and I share the same values and want the best for the students.”

As Joe’s illness worsened in the summer of 2018, he often told Grace: “Stay at Prep; they will take care of you.” The woman who many call “the glue that holds Prep together” is an example of the care that makes Prep feel like home. She is particularly grateful for Prep students, who “make the world a better place with their hope and love.” Fittingly, so many who have walked the halls of Prep can say the same about Grace Gualario.

An Honorable Panel of Alumni

As a follow-up to February’s Career Day (see page 22), a panel of seven alumni serving as judges in Hudson County met with freshmen and seniors in the gym for a panel discussion. Topics included their paths from Prep to the legal profession and ultimately to the bench, as well as significant influences and lessons from their Prep years. Some common themes emerged from the judges’ stories: an interest in public service and commitment to good citizenship that took shape in the Prep classroom; a desire to act as a man for others seeking justice and the common good; and the Prep brotherhood that has shaped their relationships with mentors and colleagues throughout their careers. Special thanks to and in particular to Judge Jablonski along with Eli Jablonski, ’23 for their assistance in planning the assembly.

All for the Greater Glory

All for the Greater Glory

It might not be as prominent as the Saint Peter statue (see page 12), but another recent addition to the scenery of the Warren Street Plaza is another celebration of Prep’s legacy and mission. Above the entrance to the Moriarty Science Center, the large letters AMDG (ad majorem Dei gloriam) have been installed as a reminder that everything that everything we do at Grand & Warren, we do for the greater glory of God.

It might not be as prominent as the Saint Peter statue (see page 12), but another recent addition to the scenery of the Warren Street Plaza is another celebration of Prep’s legacy and mission. Above the entrance to the Moriarty Science Center, the large letters AMDG (ad majorem Dei gloriam) have been installed as a reminder that everything that everything we do at Grand & Warren, we do for the greater glory of God.

Prepsters Adopt a Park

This simple motto, attributed to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, adopted by the Society of Jesus, and echoed in Jesuit education through the centuries and around the world, is also acknowledged at the iconic corner of Grand & Warren, where it is inscribed on the cornerstone of Mulry Hall.

This simple motto, attributed to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, adopted by the Society of Jesus, and echoed in Jesuit education through the centuries and around the world, is also acknowledged at the iconic corner of Grand & Warren, where it is inscribed on the cornerstone of Mulry Hall.

In an effort organized by Jack Nilsen, ’23, as part of an Eagle Scout Project, eighteen Prep students were among more than 60 volunteers who spent a cold January Saturday cleaning up Hoboken’s Gateway Park. The team collected more than 100 bags of garbage from the small park alongside the Hoboken Terminal viaduct, while installing a picnic table and two benches.

“AMDG is a familiar statement in a Jesuit school, but it’s also an invitation and a challenge,” said Prep president Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91. “Whatever we set out to do, it reminds us that our efforts are a form of prayer, and that by striving for our best we give glory to God.”

“AMDG is a familiar statement in a Jesuit school, but it’s also an invitation and a challenge,” said Prep president Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91. “Whatever we set out to do, it reminds us that our efforts are a form of prayer, and that by striving for our best we give glory to God.”

The cleanup was conducted as part of NJ Transit’s new Adpot a Station program, and Jack was responsible for coordinating with NJ Transit, fundraising, assembling volunteers, and managing the project.

In the decades since the Warren Street Plaza opened, and particularly since the old Burke Hall became the Moriarty Science Center in 2011, foot traffic on Prep’s campus has shifted toward mid-block and away from the Mulry entrance, so the new installation ensures it remains highly visible to students in their daily travels

In the decades since the Warren Street Plaza opened, and particularly since the old Burke Hall became the Moriarty Science Center in 2011, foot traffic on Prep’s campus has shifted toward mid-block and away from the Mulry entrance, so the new installation ensures it remains highly visible to students in their daily travels

“I have always been so proud that this cornerstone of our Jesuit identity is literally engraved at the iconic corner of Grand & Warren,” Dr. Gomez added, “and I am so proud to display it at what is now the main entrance to our campus for all to see and know the work we do here, together, makes this space sacred.”

“I have always been so proud that this cornerstone of our Jesuit identity is literally engraved at the iconic corner of Grand & Warren,” Dr. Gomez added, “and I am so proud to display it at what is now the main entrance to our campus for all to see and know the work we do here, together, makes this space sacred.”

Standing: Carter Touzalin, Peter McLaughlin, Liam Richardson, Mason Fischer (with Thomas DeLoy on his shoulders), Faustino Quiles, Zack Fischer, and Eli Jablonski. Seated: Simon Newhouse, Logan Dunkel, Jack Nilsen, Eli Anderson, and Antoine Hurtado-Barzac. Not pictured: Ori Pinn, Jones Swift, Henry Craft, Arjun Puri, Zachary Schienmen and Noah Schienmen.

ABOVE: Eli Jablonski, ’23, introduced the panel: (left to right) Hon. Jeffrey R. Jablonski, A.J.S.C., ’88, P’23; Hon. Daniel D’Alessandro, J.S.C., ’67; Hon. Paul M. DePascale, J.S.C., ’67, Hon. Cataldo Fazio, J.M.C., ’77, Hon. Kevin G. Callahan, J.S.C., ’65, Hon. Jose Vilarino, J.S.C., ’96, and Hon. Vincent Militello, J.S.C., ’96.

FEATURE

Fifteen years after joining Prep’s faculty, 20 years after his own graduation, 90 years after his grandfather arrived at Grand & Warren as a freshman, and with considerable success as a department chair and track coach to his credit, Prep’s new principal is hardly new to Prep. And given his academic and athletic background, his commitment to striving for continuous growth comes as no surprise.

One semester into this new chapter, Chris Caulfield, ’03 sat down with Prep Magazine’s editor (and his classmate) to talk about his Prep journey so far, and his vision for the road ahead.

Faster, Higher, Stronger

Mike Jiran: Prep has been a part of your life more or less from the start. What has that meant to you?

Chris Caulfield: It definitely started long before I was ever a student here! I can remember trips with my grandfather [Edmund Caulfield, ’37] when he would take my brother [Edmund, ’01] and me down to Exchange Place and let us walk around the pier. And then we would always stop at Prep to see where it was and how it was going. Another great memory is going to the 1994 state football championship game with my dad [Jack Caulfield, ’71]. So I think in a lot of ways Prep has just been in the fabric of my life for all of it. My grandfather and my father were so intrinsically linked to the school that it just spilled over for us. But I think the true testament was when I came back to work at Prep. As I was finishing my time at Boston College I remember thinking about staying in Boston and teaching in a public school there. But it was as if there was a tractor beam pulling me back here. I just felt this was where I should be. So Prep has been a central part of my life that has influenced all the other parts.

Thinking back 20 years to when we graduated, what are some of the ways Prep has grown in that time?

Not to say we weren’t strong back then, but academically, Prep has grown very significantly as we’ve kept pace with the evolution of education. Today, we rely strongly on formative assessment, the idea of students working through failures—not just getting a zero on a quiz and moving on, but learning from the experience, fixing it, and then when they get to that summative piece, being prepared to succeed in it. That’s a change even from when I started working here 15 years ago, but certainly from when I was a student here 20 years ago.

Obviously technology is another difference-maker. But again, I think we have adapted well as a school community to continue to do something every Jesuit school is tasked with: meeting students and caring for them where they are. We know that in this world that they’re in, students have cell phones, and students have social media accounts. So how do we respond to that in a caring, nurturing way? That’s a goal Prep had back

then, but it looked very different because that context didn’t exist. Who are some people who defined Prep for you as a student?

I’ve always thought of Tony Azzarto, S.J. as one side of Prep: the person who would always pick you up and dust you off after you’d failed, and not judge you. People like Tony represent a sort of unconditional love. Another example would be Mike Burgess as a track coach. Even after a failure I always knew could lean on him. And then the other side of it was high expectations, high standards, which is just a hallmark of Prep. I think of John Irvine, ’83, P’11, both as a coach and a teacher, always pushing us. John used to take off points if you didn’t have a creative title for your essay. But even with something just as simple as the title of your essay, he pushed you to really make the effort and think outside the box, which I really appreciated. I think of Marie Curry in AP History and Jim DeAngelo, ’85 in German, always pushing us to think critically. Tom Murphy, ’85, in my World Civ class was a fun and engaging teacher, but also had really high standards. John Irvine’s infamous “Joe Average” note next to the title haunts me even now. But it does remind me to aim high.

Oh, If I saw that on my paper it was like, “Oh my God, I’ve failed!”

You mentioned succeeding Mike Burgess as track coach. What did you learn from that experience?

One of the things I wanted to focus on when I took over from Mike was to keep that tone of unconditional love, and mix that with John Irvine’s influence to create an unconditional love that would really breed high standards from my athletes, and from my students. I also admired Mike’s dedication to sticking with the program as long as he did, when he easily could have been doing it at a public school that might have been easier. I’d like to think I learned a lot from Mike in that respect.

I wanted to continually grow the program and build the program. I think we went from a roster of maybe 30 or 40 to more like 60. That gave me a lot of face time with a lot of kids, which I loved. But it also created a

interview by Mike Jiran, ’03

team environment where every day, guys were pushing each other to be the best version of themselves. The winning didn’t happen right away, and I learned from Rich Hansen and others that that might be the case. But when the winning started to happen I was just so grateful for all the lessons I had learned in those initial years to get us to where we were succeeding at a high level.

One of the key lessons, and I think I said this to the track team even this year when I talked to them: it was always about

great

that would guide them. Working hard and being together as a team are really important for winning, but they’re also really important for life in general.

Thinking about your time teaching English at Prep, and now as principal, who are some key influences along that road?

When I first started, Rich Peters, ’85, who had taught me as a senior, was also my department chair. That’s always an interesting dynamic, but maybe not so unusual since he was my boss at that point and that felt pretty normal. But I remember Rich really holding me to high standards as a new teacher. He challenged me to think: “What am I doing here, how do I approach the class, how do I approach assessment, how do I approach my relationship with students?” Rich did a great job of making it clear what I was doing here. I wasn’t just coming back to a place that was familiar and chatting with kids in a classroom; I needed to do so much more than that. I really took that to heart as an influence early on.

Later on when I was chair, it wasn’t necessarily one person in the department who stood out. It really was everyone. I had the privilege, and I really think it was a privilege, of observing everyone, either for full periods or even drop-ins. I constantly remember going into someone’s classroom and getting a great idea that I could use in my classroom. They say teachers are the best thieves, and I think that’s true in a lot of ways. I always found observing classes, I would get great ideas from colleagues that I could use effectively with students. I really appreciated that when I was in the chair role.

A special thing about Prep in general, as a young teacher or as a more veteran teacher, is the willingness for everyone to be a team, and to stop and have a chat and ask how it’s going in the classroom, or what a colleauge might need. Benefiting from that as a young teacher, and then giving it back when I became more established, and the relationships that helped me build—that’s something I will absolutely cherish for the rest of my career.

Where do you see Prep’s strengths right now?

As Jesuit institution, we obviously think a lot about the Grad at Grad, and the one piece that always stands out to me as our strength is

“open to growth.” I have never felt that Saint Peter’s is a school stuck in its ways in any facet. Every year, every meeting, in any role that I’ve been in, the conversation always gravitates to, “How can we do this better?” That’s a really great strength of the school, knowing that we can’t just rest on our laurels or assume that if something was successful three years ago it will be successful today. That constant evolution is a true strength of the community and everyone seems to be on board.

And then this year I’ve been reminded that our community itself is a huge strength, particularly our alumni network. Our Career Day this year is just one example. So then looking to next year with that evolution piece, how can we do this better next year, using the alumni network to help students who are currently in our building? Again and again, it’s just an excellent resource and we hardly even need to ask for support, because the alumni are so dedicated to us.

Beyond alumni, you think about parents, and how dedicated our parents are to our programming. We relied on parents recently for the incoming parent orientation. There are just so many people willing to come in and help Prep at every turn. I’m sure other schools have that, but I know we have it in such a robust way and I’m grateful for that.

What are some growth areas?

We need to continue to be open to growth, as we consistently look at how we do things and adapt constantly. The world changes so quickly. I think of how areas like enrollment are influenced by changing landscapes. Our challenge is to be cognizant of all that and make decisions in a way that both maintains our dedication to a mission we have always followed, while also adapting and responding to change. From a curricular standpoint, I also really focus on that combination of tradition and adaptation. With the differing landscapes at the collegiate level now, we’re starting to look at partnerships with outside groups that we might not have entertained before, that might help us put forth more curricular options. When students are looking for more course offerings, a school will always deal with staffing and feasibility issues. But we can get creative in finding ways to offer a more robust curriculum in a more competitive environment than it’s probably ever been. For instance, we currently offer our students computer science courses online through Arrupe Virtual Learning Institute. Could AVLI enable us to offer, say, an introduction to engineering, which we haven’t offered before? Practically speaking, it probably could. But obviously any change presents its own set of issues, so it’s something we continue to examine.

What have been some of proudest moments in the new role?

Just as an example from this year, the Walkathon was a great moment. I have to be honest: I was worried the carnival afterward wouldn’t be well

creating

men that would leave Prep with standards

ABOVE: Caulfield cites his former teacher and coach John Irvine, ’83, P’11 as a major Prep influence. RIGHT: Prep students have become accustomed to the sight of their principal greeting them at the door each morning, undeterred even by bitter weather.

attended. Compared to when we were students and the carnival might be the only fun thing we had to do, these kids have so much more at their fingertips. So that spirit of staying and experiencing this together was really a great community moment that I appreciated. I feel especially proud because community was part of what I guess you could call my “platform” coming in. It was really something I gathered from students. Every student group I met with told me they wanted to see the community aspect of Prep life continue to grow, to improve, to be worked on so it could be even better than it was already—especially coming out of the pandemic where it might have lost a bit of luster. So utilizing the whole team, Catie Eppler, Michael Gomez, ’91, everybody who really planned the Walkathon and then seeing it come to fruition made me very proud. Career day was another one that we had planned over the summer with Loual Puliafito, Mike Murcia, ’08, Joe Giglio, ’87 and Catie Eppler. These all-hands-on-deck sort of moments that then produce feedback from students that this was an awesome day that they really appreciated— those have been really proud moments.

And then there’s the small moments I see. On Thursdays I go into the Commons and spend lunch with the boys once a week. As I go around to the tables and chime in and talk to the guys, I always come away feeling very proud that that fabric of community among the student body is very much alive. Students sitting together, enjoying each other’s company, happy to have a break and maybe just talk with their friends. And the constant dedication to a positive environment. No one is looking to cross boundaries; they just enjoy the time and head to class when the bell rings.

After all this time, does anything at Prep still surprise you?

I would say it still surprises me how close the student body can be. There’s that area right outside my office where sometimes, during community period, I’ll walk out there and there will be 20 or 30 kids loudly talking about something or debating something. As funny as it might sound, it surprises me specifically because I remember doing that when I was a teenager, right in this same building but in a very different time. It has only been 20 years, and I suppose other alumni might say that’s not such a long time. But in the world, that is a long time, and

to know so many of the same types of things are happening is often surprising to me.

One other pleasant surprise to me—and sometimes you can get goosebumps just observing it or thinking about it—is how willing the adults in the Prep community are to, at the drop of a hat, give up their time for this place. It’s just remarkable to see it and experience it. Whether it’s retreats, open houses, games, plays, musical performances, just supporting students, people give up their weekends and their free time to support our students and support each other. Maybe it shouldn’t surprise me, but nevertheless it’s awe-inspiring.

How do you see Prep changing in, say, the next ten years?

I would like to see a consistent dedication to looking at the data that we gather in the classroom, and utilizing that to improve our instruction. I’m not saying we don’t do a good job of that now, but there’s plenty of room for growth to happen there. And I think that will improve, overall, our instruction and our student learning outcomes. We’ve been moving in that direction as a team; it’s not necessarily a singular vision of mine. Our department chairs, our principal leadership team, our president leadership team—at all those levels, we are looking at how we can use our data to really improve the work we do here. So that’s something I hope to see develop further in the next 5-10 years.

And then this is something I’ve thought about recently, and that I talked about in interviewing for the principal role: Whether it’s our global programming, or things like the career day we just had, I think about this concept of experiential learning. How do we—and this is very Jesuit; it taps into the newest version of the Ignatian pedagogical paradigm—how do we get our students to experience real-world issues in the classroom or elsewhere in the academic program, to have those experiences, and learn from those experiences, that will ultimately prepare them to go out into the world?

So I’ve thought, is there a chance, when we expand on Career Day, to talk about case studies our alumni could give our students and say, “these are issues I deal with in my professional life and this is how I deal with them, or how my team deals with them.” Or even taking it a step further and presenting the boys with the issue and asking them to work through it and compare notes. I think that type of experiential learning where students are going out into a field. It might not be going to an office building, but it might be getting the field to come to them in the classroom. Students applying their knowledge to real-world situations is something I would really like to see happen more in the coming years. Any final thoughts?

I can honestly say that many people told me many things about the principal role, and I find that many of them have been true in a lot of good ways. Something I love about education, and something I love about this job, is there truly is something new to tackle every day, something where I might really have to think on my toes, and also rely on others in a lot of ways. Those are two ways I feel I’m really blessed to be in the role and experience that. It’s helping me to grow as a professional but also as a person in general. I’d like to think that every time I turn my attention to a new issue, it’s an opportunity to affect this place in a positive way.

Caulfield offered a reflection during the Ash Wednesday prayer service.

To Whom Much is Given: Frederick Stevens, ’70

Finding Prep donors to spotlight in each issue can take some wrangling. Many supporters do not want the public recognition for something they consider so ordinary. And when one cites the Bible as the reason for not wanting any acknowledgement, then you know it’s going to be a tough sell: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing.”(Matthew 6:3)

And so it was the case with Frederick Stevens, ’70, who was less than thrilled when asked to share some thoughts on his steadfast philanthropy to Prep. His reluctance stemmed from his humility, but when informed of how his sharing might be helpful to Prep combined with a writer in a bind due to a short deadline, Fred humbly acquiesced to help someone he never met. What’s really remarkable about Fred’s philanthropy is not the amount that Fred has given over the years—although that, too, is generous. Rather, it’s the fact that Fred has not missed one single year of donating to Prep since the school began keeping digital records back in 1982! Four straight decades of giving requires more than a generous spirit; it takes consistency, good organization, and a reliable mail system!

Fred’s reasons for supporting his alma mater include not only the academic education, but also the overall lessons learned in daily school life. “We learned just by witnessing the way teachers like Mr. Charles Rooney and Mr. Robert Mulivhill conducted themselves,” Fred remembers. “They commanded so much respect.”

Fred added, “The Prefect of Discipline was Father Edward Lynch, S.J., and he gave me some sound advice on several tense occasions which I happily remember to this day.” Years later, Fred visited Fr. Lynch in his retirement home at Fordham to thank him for providing “the gutsy, simple direction that stuck with me all these years.”

Other mentors Fred appreciated included Tennis Coach Tom Podesta, ’67. “Tom was an excellent player when he was at Prep, and he taught us how to analyze the game and play percentage shots,” Fred stated. “Tom coached my senior year and we won the Hudson County Championship! Tom was a good guy and later became a good friend.”

Fred’s relationship with Prep began in the mid-1960s while he was living in Jersey City’s Sacred Heart parish, when his dad took him to a Prep football game at Roosevelt Stadium. “Timmy Hawkes, ’65—another Greenville boy—ran all over the field scoring touchdowns left and right,” Fred remembers. “That performance sealed the deal for me.” And Fred has been a stellar Prep supporter ever since, believing wholeheartedly in Prep’s mission statement of “forming young men of competence, conscience and compassion…Prep is a community of learners seeking to find God in all things.”

“Saint Peter’s Prep had—and I believe, has—a Christian value system,” Fred stated. “It’s really aspirational, but the traditions make good sense when applied and interpreted correctly. I’ve been impressed by the competence and professionalism of the administration and faculty I have met. In

We at Prep believe Fred has been beyond good to us, too. We are so grateful for his unbroken legacy of support all these years.

LEFT: Fred and Marijean Stevens, in a photo Fred describes as “taken a long way from Journal Square.” ABOVE: Fred’s 1970 graduation photo

short,God has been beyond good to me in my life and all the young fellows at Prep should have their opportunities to fulfill their potential.”

Sub Umbra Petri

by Mike Jiran, ’03

On the cloudless afternoon of September 9, a flatbed crane truck carrying precious cargo rumbled onto the Warren Street Plaza. For the members of Prep’s 150th anniversary committee, the new arrival was the culmination of two years’ planning, discussion, and anticipation. For the Prep community as a whole, it was a closely guarded surprise—wrapped in fabric drapes within minutes of its installation— to be unveiled at the Mass of the Holy Spirit a few days later. For all who enter the campus, and for generations to come, it will stand as an enduring symbol of Prep’s mission, and all we hope for each student who passes “under the shadow of Peter.”

Strictly speaking, the larger-than-life-size figure that now adorns the corner of York and Warren Streets is not Peter at all—at least not yet, not at the moment where he stands frozen in bronze. Simon, a young fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, gazes beyond the waves as he pulls up his nets, balancing against the surging tide. On the port bow of the boat, a subtle pair of keys hints at what Simon’s future holds in store. But for now, it’s all in the future, all beyond the horizon he will scan forever. One day, he will meet Jesus on the shore. One day, he will accept the invitation to walk with Jesus as a disciple and a friend. One day, Jesus will believe in him so deeply that he will say, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” One day—in fact, on more than one day—Peter will demonstrate in the Gospel accounts that even with his new name and new mission, he is still impulsive, still fallible, still learning. And one day, he will be the first pope, the elder statesman of the Church more commonly depicted in art, holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. But the Saint Peter who greets visitors to Saint Peter’s Prep is (and always will be) still just Simon, still a young man whose story is yet to be written, still so much like the young men who pass under his shadow each morning, growing day by day toward their boundless potential.

In preparing to dedicate the statue at the Mass of the Holy Spirit on September 16, Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, addressed the

significance of the choice to depict the young fisherman. “It is essential to our story and the story of every Prep student who has ever walked and will walk down Warren Street to enter our doors,” he said. “In short, he represents us: imperfect and imperfectible, but someone with the entire world in front of him, someone who is loved by God, who has vast potential to change the world, and who is a masterpiece and a work in progress all at the same time. He is us. And he is a reminder that we are always SUB UMBRA PETRI—under the shadow of Peter.”

From the earliest conversations about a potential statue of Saint Peter, the desire of the 150th Anniversary Committee was to capture this oftenoverlooked chapter of his story, creating a monumental addition to the campus that could hopefully inspire the young men of Grand & Warren to see themselves as capable of striving for greatness. The idea immediately resonated with the vision of sculptor Brian Hanlon, who turned those early thoughts into a powerful work of art.

Hanlon is a New Jersey native, the founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in Toms River, and a critically acclaimed artist whose statues of historical, political, athletic, and religious figures have been celebrated all over the country. His diverse range of past subjects includes Harriet Tubman, Shaquille O’Neil, Yogi Berra, Charles Barkley, Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and even a more conventional depiction of Saint Peter across town at Saint Peter’s University. He was eager to take on the challenge of creating this distinctive version of Peter. “We must

he said. “Making a

The artist also has a personal connection to this project, as he is the son of Rocky Hanlon, ’53 (a member of Prep’s Athletic Hall of Fame) and a relative of numerous other alumni. That added a personal dimension to the commission. “I love my family, and I love the history of my family, especially its connection with the Jesuits,”Hanlon said. It was another connection in Hanlon’s background that first set the

challenge some of the images we have and breathe new air into them,”

sculpture of a young Saint Peter very much does that.”

LEFT: The statue was hoisted into position on September 9. The painstaking installation took several hours, after which the statue was covered until the surprise unveiling.

RIGHT: One week later, Student Council President Rishi Bhandari, ’23 and Vice President Teddy McCarthy, ’23 unveiled the statue during the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

LEFT: Brian Hanlon posed with his creation. His statues of legendary athletes have prompted the New York Times to dub him a “sports Rodin.” BELOW: Members of the 150th Anniversary Committee took their turn. From left: Jim Horan, ’70, Rocky Hanlon, ’53 (father of Brian Hanlon), John Irvine, ’83, P’11, Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16, Mike Jiran, ’03, and Brian Hanlon.

statue project in motion. Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16, Prep’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations and a member of the 150th Anniversary Committee, first crossed paths with the sculptor at the very beginning of his career. Referring to her husband, she recalled, “Bill was organizing a track meet for the Shore Athletic Club in memory of Bob Roggy, a javelin thrower from Holmdel who had been killed in a car accident while holding both the national record and the #1 ranking in the world. As part of the big memorial effort in Holmdel there was this young local artist who had created a sculpture of him.” Hanlon’s sculpture of his childhood friend Bob Roggy was, in fact, his first-ever public piece, and he has cited the response to it as inspiring him to pursue a professional career in the arts. The Fitzpatricks would keep in touch with Hanlon through the Shore Athletic Club over the years, and in the 1990s Trish recommended him for a commission at her children’s grammar school, Holy Trinity in Westfield. So as Prep’s sesquicentennial plans began to take shape in 2019-20, the possibility of an artistic commemoration to be displayed Prep’s campus took root in her mind.

“Aside from the video and book projects, we were mostly talking about events and temporary displays,” Fitzpatrick recalled. “It struck me that nothing would be permanent.” Once the committee agreed a statue should be part of the celebration, she added, “in my mind Brian was the only sculptor for the job.”

Hanlon would spend two days on campus, observing students in an effort to create a figure that would reflect the many faces of the Prep community, meeting with the 150th anniversary committee, and even sitting in on Pat McCoy’s upperclassman sculpture elective. Over the months that followed, the committee would receive photos of work in progress as the clay model took shape in Hanlon’s Toms River studio, renderings of how the statue would look in situ, and updates about the forecast timeline for casting the final piece. The give-and-take process produced a sense of ongoing collaboration between the master sculptor and his contacts back at Grand & Warren. Even Saint Peter was not insulated from the supply-chain issues that affected so many projects in so many places during the course of 2022. The decision to introduce the statue with a surprise unveiling was made early on, but the date of that unveiling remained fluid as questions about the

Three Alumni, Two Hours, 57 Words

The plaque that accompanies the Saint Peter statue took shape on a late summer afternoon in the president’s office in Shalloe Hall. Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, Admissions Director John Irvine, ’83, P’11, and Communications Director Mike Jiran, ’03 worked together to craft an inscription they hoped would complement and enhance the striking work of Brian Hanlon.

“We wanted to provide some context for why it matters that our statue of Peter looks like this. He contains the potential for what he will become, but what he will become is yet to be determined,” Jiran said. “It was a labor of love, striving to get it right. Hopefully it resonates with our fellow alumni, with our current students, and with the next generation that this is some essential piece of what Prep means: seeing beyond our imperfections and growing into the best versions of ourselves.”

Two hours for three Prep grads to compose an average of 19 words per person might or might not constitute a record, but each would agree the afternoon’s work was time well spent.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Brian Hanlon conducted an impromptu Q&A with students following the unveiling; Rocky Hanlon, ’53, a Prep Hall of Fame running back, with two of his successors (Jalen Cline, ’25 and Isaiah Giles, ’23); Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 first proposed the idea of commissioning a statue in 2020, and provided the introduction to the perfect artist for the task; Brian Hanlon chatted with John Mullin, S.J. prior to the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

availability of materials arose and were then settled. By the spring of 2022, the Mass of the Holy Spirit in September had come into focus as the ideal moment—a “grand opening” to the new school year as Prep entered the final leg of the 150th anniversary celebration. As the summer rolled on, delivery day was set for September 9.

August is traditionally a time for work on Prep’s physical plant after HAP and other summer programs have concluded, and August 2022 would be no exception. A small garden occupied the statue’s future home southeast corner of Warren and York Streets. It would have to be dug up, and the hole filled with reinforced concrete to keep Peter’s bronze boat from encountering the very real water table that runs so close to the surface on the campus’ northern side. The statue would be raised just slightly above street level to enhance its presence, while still inviting passersby to pose for photos, touch the keys for good luck, or even climb into the boat. The concrete plinth was finished just a few days before the big arrival. Once the statue was installed and hidden under drapes, the finishing touches were added: the dedication plaque on the adjacent wall, and the inscription of Prep’s motto along the front of the plinth: SUB UMBRA PETRI.

The days between the statue’s arrival and the Mass of the Holy Spirit were the first days of classes for the school year, and speculating as to what was under the drapes on Warren Street quickly became a popular, if ad hoc, co-curricular activity. But the day arrived with the surprise intact, lending extra gravity to the proceedings. Following Dr. Gomez’ introduction, 150th Anniversary Committee member Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10 read the dedication plaque, and Student Council President Rishi Bhandari, ’23 and Vice President Teddy McCarthy, ’23 unveiled the statue. The Prep community, gathered in the courtyard for Mass, watched intently as a video feed revealed the proceedings on the other side of the fence. A noticeable hush fell over the crowd, followed by raucous applause.

Tony Azzarto, S.J. was stationed on the Warren Street Plaza, ready to give a blessing:

“We bless this statue of Saint Peter and remind ourselves, our alumni and the community of Jersey City that he had faults as we all do but he accepted an invitation to walk as a friend of Jesus,” he said. “He took a risk…and that made all the difference. May we and all who look at the statue be inspired to take a risk to make a difference in our world.”

Fr. Azzarto built upon that theme in his homily during the Mass, quoting Robert Ellsberg, author of All Saints, who wrote, “A saint is a genuine human being.” Reflecting on some of Peter’s shortcomings as told in the Gospels, Fr. Azzarto added that Peter “took a lifetime learning to be human”—learning to treat others with compassion, learning to adapt to challenges, to grow, to take risks. “Peter, our patron, took a risk. He asks Jesus, ‘Where are you staying?’ and Jesus says ‘Come and see.’ Take a risk. Try it out. His life changed. He is excited, energetic, and taking that risk made all the difference in his life.”

It’s a message from the life of Peter that resonates strongly with the message Prep seeks to impress upon each student. And it resonates with one alumnus in particular, even 70 years after graduation. “The statue is wonderful, and is a great contrast to the one Brian did at Saint Peter’s University,” said Rocky Hanlon, ’53. “The young Saint Peter really shows the boys the strength they have, and the hard work they put into their academics and sports. I was so impressed watching the students at the Mass.”

As Prep moves into its second 150 years, the young Simon Peter leads the way—a permanent commemoration of a proud history and the joyful celebrations surrounding this milestone, but also a permanent reminder to keep looking to the horizon, always open to growth, and always believing that the best of what each of us will become still lies ahead. In other words, the statue is yet another echo of the theme for Prep’s sesquicentennial: “Pride and Glory. Then. Now. Always.”

BELOW: Peter quickly became a fixture of Prep life, and a rallying point for group photos. Here, the water polo team gathered before a match. RIGHT: Students arriving on campus on sunny mornings now pass, literally, under the shadow of Peter as they walk along Warren Street.

ONE

Jesuit Diaries Capture the Spirit of Prep’s Early Days 1872-1899

During the first decades of Prep’s existence,it was commonplace for an administrator (virtually all of whom were Jesuit priests in those days) to produce an informal,contemporaneous daily record of each day’s campus life.They provide us with valuable insights—the most significant of which may be that “the more things change,the more they stay the same.”

SEPT. 2, 1878 Monday - St.Peter’s College opened today at nine o’clock.Students who had not previously presented themselvesforexaminationwereexamined& classified.At eleven o’clock ranks were formed in the Halldownstairs.Seventyone(71)studentsbeing present.They were assigned to classes as follows.To theIntroductoryClass(Fr.O’Conner)15;toThird Grammar (Fr.Reuand) 31;to 3rd Commercial class(Mr.Fennelly,Secular)8;toPreparatory(Mr. Smith) 17.Schola brevis in which book lists were distributed…The students were dismissed at 11:45.

SEPT. 3, 1878 Tuesday - Five new boys received.Four absent.Morning chiefly occupied with distribution of books…Being the first day of class, students were dismissed at 2:30.

SEPT. 4, 1878 Wednesday-Massof theHolyGhost&Sermonat 9:00 in the church at which all the students were present occupying the first pews in the center aisle. The children of the Parish school were also present, &agoodnumberof parents&others.AfterMass, class.Two boys arrived.Learned that three who were present on Monday will not return… OCTOBER 24, 1885 Dismissal at 12 p.m.to give students the opportunity to go to Barnum’s Circus.

ONE Museum S. Horace Presidential suffrage: Woodhull is candidate while Anthony is voting in state law

CONTEXT & PERSPECTIVE Saint Peter’s Receives Its Charter As the small

150 Years in 352 Pages

Upon this rock known as Paulus Hook, Prep has lived a 150-year project of molding characters, sharpening intellects, and strengthening principles of young men. This mission continues, vital and virbant as ever—a “story of gladness” composed of thousands of personal narratives that have unfolded at the corner of Grand & Warren. And now, many of those personal narratives are collected in the highly anticipated book celebrating Prep’s first 150 years!

Then. Now.Always. is a richly illustrated journey through Prep history, as seen through the eyes of more than 100 alumni, teachers, administrators, and coaches who have experienced those days of Pride & Glory firsthand. The hardcover book’s 352 pages are a beautiful, full-color exploration of all things Prep, from the arrival of the first Jesuits by boat more than 150 years ago to the arrival of the Saint Peter statue on Warren Street in the fall of 2022.

Few could tell Prep’s story more eloquently than Prep’s Vice President for Planning and Principal Giving, Jim Horan, ’70. Over the course of 49 years of service as a faculty member and administrator, plus his own four years as a student, Horan has personally witnessed more than a third of Prep’s history, beginning in the fall of 1966 when he arrived as a freshman. With the support of numerous Prep colleagues, he has steered the book from initial concept—and the suggestion in 2017 by then-Prep President Ken Boller, S.J. that a book should be part of Prep’s sesquicentennial plans— through numerous reimaginings in 2019 and 2020 and two-plus years of interviewing, writing, and editing, to a truly impressive reality.

Readers will gain new insight into Prep’s beginnings thanks in part to rarely-seen official diaries—which Horan likens to a nautical “captain’s log”— kept by the Jesuits who secured the school’s charter, developed the initial curriculum, opened the first buildings, and steered the school through its first few decades. But as the years roll by, the diaries give way to glimpses of life at Grand & Warren year by year, as recalled by alumni from each class from 1940-2022. These “Witness Profiles” are supplemented by personal reflections from some of Prep’s “boldface names,” sidebars on Prep culture, perspectives on the broader historical context and, of course, hundreds of stunning photos that capture 150 years of Prep Pride. In all, the book includes more than 550 illustrations, primarily from Prep’s archives. Then. Now.Always. will hold a special place in the heart—and on the bookshelf—of anyone who loves Saint Peter’s Prep. The book is on the printing presses as of this writing, and is expected to arrive in the Prep Campus Shop as April turns to May. The book is now available for presale via the Campus Shop at spprep.org/150book. In addition, a launch party is planned for May 31, on campus. Further details will be available at spprep.org and on Prep’s social media channels.

65

Soccer

With a 2-1 victory over Oratory on opening day, Coach Josh Jantas, ’95 reached the 200-win plateau. In his 15th season, Jantas is closing in on the career record of 217, held by his former coach, John Irvine, ’83, P’11.

The team went on to finish 13-6-2, including a 1-1 tie with #3 Westfield. The Marauders played some of their best matches during their run in the State Tournament. A 2-1 victory over St. Joe’s Metuchen and 1-0 overtime result against Paul VI propelled Prep into the Sectional Final. Prep came out on the short side of a 1-0 decision in an evenly played contest against CBA. Coach Jantas commented on his team’s performance, “Our run to the Sectional Final was special. Hopefully, the experience of playing in the Final this year will springboard us to a State Championship in the coming years.”

Leading scorer, Matt Sobreiro, ’25 (12g, 16a) was a First Team Private/Parochial All State selection. Forward, Andy Mayorga, ’24 and goalkeeper Simon Yanez, ’24 also received All State honors.

Cross Country

Prep continued to stake its claim as not only the dominant program in the Hudson County, but also as one of the best in the state. The runners began the fall with a sweep (freshmen, JV, varsity) at the St. Dominic Academy Invitational and never looked back, finishing the season ranked #8 in New Jersey. Along the way, the Marauders took first in all three levels at the Jersey City, South Hudson, and Hudson County Championship meets. The varsity went on to capture gold at the Battle at Ocean County Park, the Catholic Track Conference Meet and the Jesuit Invitational. It was Prep’s first championship at the Jesuit Meet since 1944.

Senior captain Jon Dereka breaks free before scoring one of Prep’s seven goals in a rout over North Arlington.

Football

The Marauders experienced the mixed results that come with competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country. Add high-caliber independent games and the schedule becomes a proverbial gauntlet. It was the first time in school history Prep did not play a public school opponent. The team opened the season in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City by dismantling St. Augustine 41-7. The following week, Prep suffered a 55-20 loss to St. Joe’s (Philadelphia), played at Rutgers University. St. Joe’s went on to finish as the #1 team in PA. The final record of 7-4 included wins over St. Joe’s (Montvale), Seton Hall and Notre Dame. The team’s run to a state title ended with a semi-final loss to Delbarton.

Offensive lineman Eric King, defensive lineman London Robinson, linebacker Jayden Bonsu and skill position Zion Fowler were first team All-Conference selections.

Water Polo

Prep finished the fall season with an impressive 8-3 record, including solid wins over St. Benedict’s and Trinity Hall. The squad was led by leading scorer Sebastian Arteaga, ’23 (60 goals), defenseman Evan Briggs, ’23 (40 goals) and goalie Evan Merkov, ’24 (65 saves).

Crew

Prep’s rowers had another successful fall season, bringing home medals from each regatta in which they competed. At the King’s Head in Bridgeport, PA the team earned one silver (2V8) and two bronze (1V8 and 2V4). At the Head of the Passaic, Prep took one gold (freshman boat), three silvers (2V8, 1V4, 2V4) and one bronze (1V8).

At the season’s most prestigious event, Head of the Charles in Boston, Prep’s First Varsity boat (pictured) faced opponents from all over the world and finished a very respectable 27th overall, improving on the previous Prep benchmark of 44th. The result was fourth among Jesuit schools and first among New Jersey scholastic teams.

Sebastian Arteaga surpassed his breakout junior year, leading the team in scoring as a senior.

Robert “Champ” Long set a school record with seven total touchdowns (4 passing, 3 rushing) in a 70-41 victory over Paramus Catholic. Long has committed to play at the University of Maryland.

Absolutely Legendary

The list of Legends of Prep honorees dating back to the award’s inception in 1993 reads almost as an outline of Prep’s history. The bar is already set quite high when the Legends selection committee attempts to assemble a new class of Legends that will do justice to the honor and to Prep. When it came time to select the Legends XIII honorees, amidst Prep’s sesquicentennial celebration, the stakes felt just that little bit higher. Suffice it to say that the Legends Class of 2022 did not disappoint, bringing together five current and former members of Prep’s faculty and administration—two of whom are both alumni and the fathers of alumni—whose stories have become inextricable from the story of Saint Peter’s Prep.

More than 500 guests flocked to the Venetian in Garfield to celebrate Tony Azzarto, S.J., Jim Dondero, ’66, P’00, John Irvine, ’83, P’11, John Mullin, S.J., and the late Pat Reidy. Not only was this the first class of Legends inductees since 1993 who had all served as teachers or administrators at Prep, but as Director of Alumni Relations Mike Murcia, ’08, pointed out, “Their careers overlapped, marking a significant and special time for Saint Peter’s Prep in the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. In fact, their last year together on our faculty was in 2008, my senior year...It’s certainly fitting to see these gentlemen inducted together the year our school celebrates its 150th anniversary. You simply could not paint a better picture.”

This year’s induction ceremony introduced a new format. In recent years, the host would introduce each inductee with a brief biography. This year each Legend’s introduction came in the form of a video, featuring tributes from friends, colleagues, students, and family members. These tributes added a new dimension of the festivities, and are likely to become a fixture of future ceremonies. Combined with these heartfelt introductions, the new Legends’ acceptance speeches captured the spirit of the event—and the spirit of Prep at 150—with virtual perfection. As the end of an 18-month celebration of all things Prep drew near, a room brimming with Prep Pride was clearly filled with love and appreciation for the Legends and for all they represent.

“Their presence, their words, their smiles, their idiosyncrasies…and their day-to-day, unwavering commitment have transformatively enriched this 150-year project of sharpening minds, strengthening character, and moving hearts,” said Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 as he introduced the event. He added, “The gifts they have given, we shall never forget.”

A Night to Remember!

Don’t miss extensive video from the Legends dinner—including the tribute montages, introductions and acceptance speeches. You’ll also find the event journal, featuring an appreciation of each Legend’s impact at Prep and more! Visit sppprep.org/LegendsXIII or scan the code at right.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Dennis Egen accepted the award for his brother, the late Pat Reidy. He recalled with pride the “gifted, caring, responsible, resilient, and creative” man who gave so tirelessly to those around him and to the Prep community. John Mullin, S.J. recalled with joy the colleagues, students, and friends who have defined his two lengthy stints on the Prep faculty—certainly a step up from getting lost on his first visit to Jersey City to join Prep’s Jesuit community! A vocal tremor prompted Jim Dondero, ’66, P’00, to invite his son, Mark Dondero, ’00, to deliver his acceptance speech on his behalf. Jim joined more than 500 guests in listening intently to his words of gratitude. John Irvine, ’83, P’11 brought his trademark wit to the podium, but scattered amid the laughter were moments of raw emotion. “I am indeed a lifer,” he reflected. “Prep has been good for me, and good to me.” Tony Azzarto, S.J., his ubiquitous camera in hand, couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture a unique perspective on the proceedings, and invited everyone to take the moment in. “Look around,” he said. “I ask you to take 20 seconds to look around at the people here...each of you, a sacrament of God’s presence for all of us, a gift from God.”

Career Day Returns, and So Do Alumni

Thirty-three alumni came home to Grand and Warren to participate in a revival of Career Day this February. The Offices of Alumni Relations, Student Life, and Guidance & College Counseling coordinated to relaunch this annual tradition. “Since the start of my career at Prep, I’d often hear stories about successful Career Day fairs from the ’80s and ’90s,” said Mike Murcia, ’08, Prep’s Director of Alumni Relations. “My hope is that the success of this year’s fair can be the start of a wonderful tradition for our alumni and students.”

The presenters represented a variety of careers and fields, including law, aviation, marketing, finance, public service, education, entertainment, technology, engineering, and government. They gathered for lunch with Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, Vice President for Planning and Principal Giving Jim Horan, ’70, and members of the advancement staff, then it was off to the gym for the keynote presentation. Former Prep trustee Brian Archer, ’86 addressed the full student body, as he shared stories of his time as a Prep student, the relationships he formed (and continues to strengthen) with his classmates, and the ways they impacted his growth as a professional. The roaring applause from the students made it clear that Archer made a memorable mark, putting the juniors and seniors in the right mindset for their Career Fair sessions.

Participating alumni hosted their own workshops, filling up every available classroom in Hogan, Shalloe, and Mulry Halls and the Moriarty Science Center. Each 30-minute workshop provided an opportunity for students to hear how the alumni found a career path following graduation from Prep, the highs and lows of their careers, and ways our students can network and grow in their respective fields. Each session concluded with a Q&A between the students and the presenter. The dialogue proved meaningful and helpful on both sides of the proverbial desk.

Mike Kowalski, DPM, ’79 reflected on the impact made on the alumni: “It was so satisfying to interact with the students and see how the times and student life have changed […] Yet each and every one of them was a true gentleman, showing interest and respect for the time we gave up to be with them. Every student in the hallways and classrooms represented themselves and The Prep in the best way possible.”

Rich Dwyer, ’77, P’14 remarked, “Though my workshop partner, Greg McLain, ’77, and I have a combined 70+ years in the utility industry [ConEd and PSE&G, respectively], we are still enthusiastic about our chosen paths because of the compassionate counsel we were blessed to receive at Prep.”

“Our favorite question in each session was, ‘What message did you learn at Prep that helped you in your career?’” he added. “There was one prevailing reply from us: ‘Learn how to learn.’ In support of this premise, it was appropriate for the alumni photo to be at the new statue of Saint Peter as a young man ‘whose future is yet to be written.’ Even though we left Prep decades ago, the ‘Learn how to learn’ theme is a guide for each of the alumni to continue on a journey whose future is still yet to be written.”

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Brian Archer, ’86, keynote speaker and retired managing director and global head of credit trading, Citigroup; Anthony Romano, ’73, P’96, Hudson County Commissioner; Pat Bocco, ’87, director of fundraising, Child Rights & You America; Nick Lalumia, ’07, first officer, Delta Air Lines

John Halligan, S.J.: A Legacy of Service

John Halligan, S.J., who passed away in December at age 92, taught English and Latin at Prep from 1954 to 1959. But he spent most of his life building an incredible legacy of humanitarian service in Quito, Ecuador, where he founded the Centro del Muchacho Trabajador (Working Boys Center) in 1964. Along the way, this truly outstanding Jesuit provided inspiration to many—including Prep men separated by decades, generations, and a few thousand miles.

The then-Mr. Halligan came to Grand & Warren in 1954 as a Jesuit scholastic. Bob Goger, ’59 recalled a favorite Halligan expression from the classroom: “‘Excelsior’…With his insistence to advance ever upward, he introduced us early on to the notion of excellence in leadership.” And for those who learned those lessons at Prep from Mr. Halligan, S.J., seeing what Fr. Halligan, S.J. achieved away from Prep only added to the impact. “Halligan was an authentic and unique mensch who consistently emulated Christian principles, and in his humble way turned his Working Boys Center into a practical, successful institution,” wrote John Cozzi, ’59. “There are precious few people I have encountered in my 81+ years on the planet who could qualify for the title of ‘Saint,’” he added.

In 1964, Fr. Halligan established the Working Boys’ Center at La Compania Church in Quito, aiming to provide both spiritual and practical support to some of the thousands of shoeshine boys who worked in the streets of the Ecuadorian capital. From a few dozen boys in those early days, the center grew to offer services not only to the working boys, but to the families the boys worked to support. Today more than 300 families a year rely on the center, which offers services ranging from meals, showers, and daily Mass to education and technical training, medical and dental care, and savings programs. Over the decades, the center has helped more than 6,000 of the city’s most vulnerable families acquire the tools to leave the cycle of generational poverty. The center has evolved into a “family of families” defined by the institutional values of love, teamwork, loyalty, honesty, solidarity, spirituality, justice, and dignity.

More recently, a new generation of Prep men were introduced to Fr. Halligan and his work. This time the setting was not Jersey City, but Quito. In the 2010s, the Working Boys’ Center became a fixture on the annual calendar of upperclassman service trips. Prep’s director of alumni relations, Mike Murcia, ’08, recalled two service experiences in Quito, one as a student at Saint Peter’s University and the second while chaperoning a Prep service experience. “I met Fr. Halligan both times I visited and was so blown away by his work and commitment to serving the people of Quito,” he said. Although his time on the Prep faculty was relatively short, Fr. Halligan has certainly modeled life as a “man for others” to Prep students and alumni. “John [Cozzi] and I met this man when we were boys,” Bob Goger wrote. “He galvanized us back then and has continued that effect on us over the years and from thousands of miles away. Even to this moment and into our old age.”

An Alumni Veterans’ Panel

Three alumni who are also military veterans visisted Prep for a Veterans’ Day panel discussion hosted by the History and Social Science Department. Len Mrozak, ’63, George Smith, ’66, and Adam Supple, ’96 shared their perspectives and experiences with the junior and senior classes during an assembly in the gym.

John Halligan, S.J. began his Jesuit ministry as a member of the Prep faculty in the 1950s. He later established the Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador. Decades later, this portrait of Fr. Halligan was photographed by Prep students during a service trip to Quito.

8 Share your photos, class notes and other news with us...Email info@spprep.org!

Brian Blake, Ph.D., ’60, shared this remembrance of his classmate, Robert J. (“Bob”) Biondi, Ph.D., ’60, who passed away last summer:

CLASS NOTES

The ’50s

Ed Purcell, ’52 reports he is “fully retired now, except for math tutoring in the Hispanic community.” He adds, “It’s hard to believe I graduated 70 years ago. The math classes with Rocco Campagna got me into MIT, and I graduated in 1956. Then I went over to Boston College for a master’s in math in 1969.”

Ray Aumack, ’55 proudly reports that The Sermon I Wish I Heard, “a ministry of the class of 1955” that distributes weekly reflections via email, now reaches 65,000 inboxes every week. (For reference, that’s roughly triple the circulation of Prep Magazine! –Ed.)

Vince Grillo, ’58 had extra cause for gratitude this Thanksgiving, as it also marked the first birthday of the newest member of the Grillo/ Butler clan—Rylee Jaxson Butler. Vince writes, “Rylee is our first great grandchild, the son of my granddaughter, Kortney, and the grandson of my daughter Laura. He weighed in at 9lb. 11oz. at birth and has been growing like a weed ever since.”

A true polymath, Bob was academically accomplished, earning a BS, MS, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Professionally, he launched a variety of very successfulbusinesses, initially with his wife Tina in apartment rental, later in partnership with others in apartment rehabilitation and rental, still later with his daughter Amy in commercial construction.

He led a rich and varied life. An avid outdoorsman and adventurer, as an adolescent he earned Eagle Scout rank and as an adult he covered six continents as he travelled the world with his wife, family and friends. He died in July 2022 doing what he loved best, mountain climbing in Glacier National Park.

The ’60s

Barry La Forgia, ’63 “finally” retired in June 2022 after 34 years as founder and CEO of International Relief Teams.

Stephen Gorbos, ’66 was ordained a deacon in April 2015. He is currently assigned to St. Anne’s in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He and wife Rita have five grandchildren.

Greg Riley, ’67 has retired after 47 years from the private practice of law. He writes: “I started my own practice with a part time secretary and a borrowed IBM Selectric typewriter (for those of you who know what that is), and went on to represent myriad clients in the courts in northern and central Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. But the courts have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, particularly as a result of Covid, and it was time to leave those changes to a new generation. I intend to dabble more in my photography hobby, and attend to some long delayed home improvement projects, and who knows what opportunities may arise.”

The ’70s

Stephen Fletcher, ’59 marked 50 years of surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston this past October. He continues to work as a physician advisor and surgical resident teacher.

Bill McGovern, ’70, a lifelong resident of Sussex County, recently retired after 18 years of service to the judiciary and citizens of New Jersey as a Superior Court trial judge in Morris and Sussex counties. He has been approved to return to part time judicial service as a recall judge in 2023.

Class of ’67 classmates Tom Kessler, Hank Hamilton, Mike Rinaldi, and Greg Riley celebrated 55 years as Prep alumni during the 2022 Milestone Reunion, receiving a hearty round of applause from the younger classes on hand.

This year, the Milestone Reunion has been expanded into Marauder Jubilee Weekend, May 19-22. Learn more at spprep.org/Jubilee.

Sig Grudzinski, ’73 and his wife, Ela, drove cross-country last summer to visit their daughter, Victoria, who is stationed at NAS Fallon in Nevada, home of the legendary TOPGUN school. In addition to their two-week visit, other highlights included a classic car museum in Reno, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky, and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

The ’80s

Alan Quinn, ’80 was already working professionally in high school, and went on to start his own music agency. The Alan Quinn Orchestra provides bands for concerts, shows and live events. Alan himself has played trumpet and piano with acts including Natalie Cole, The Big Apple Circus, Beatlemania, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Lou Christie, The New York Voices, Jake (Raging Bull) LaMotta, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Phoebe Snow, The Regents, Connie Francis, the Coasters, The Happenings, Gene Chandler, The Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, Don Cornell, Marshall Crenshaw, and Gary US Bonds.

Alan is also the Director of Music Ministry for St. Anne’s RC Church and performs with singing partner Jeannine Vena in The AJDuo (pictured above). The AJDuo also works in outdoor concert settings, corporate events, and local restaurants.

The ’90s

Daniel Beck, ’91 had a busy 2022. He welcomed his first grandson, Jace, in August, and in October he retired from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office with the rank of Lieutenant.

Bill Dwyer, ’91 was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and invested as the Chief Prosecutor, United States Coast Guard, during a ceremony in March.

Brian McCabe, ’92 transitioned to a new role as Director of Engagement and Planned Giving at Xavier High School in July. The former Prep history teacher and assistant soccer coach has served in a number of roles in his 17 years on 16th Street, including Dean of Students and Dean of Faculty.

After attending Mass together at Saint Michael’s College on the Feast of Christ the King, Jack Russell, ’66, Jack Raslowsky, ’79, and Brian Cummings, ’82 gathered for dinner at Pauline’s in South Burlington, Vermont. Jack Raslowsky reports there were “plenty of great stories of Fr. Murray, Mr. Parisi and other Prep greats. “

The ’00s

Daniel Condo, ’02 recently finished his 16th year with the NYPD, where he currently serves as a lieutenant at Police Headquarters in Lower Manhattan. He and his wife Erica have “two beautiful children,” age 7 and 18 months.

Lance Aligo, ’08 was recently promoted from accounting manager to partner at KRS CPAs, an accounting firm based in Paramus. Lance specializes in 1040 tax services for highnet-worth individuals as well as real estate taxation. He also provides tax expertise to a cross-section of clients, ranging from manufacturing and trucking companies to professional services. He will continue to assist clients with business growth, tax planning, and business succession strategies. In addition, he leads the firm’s staff development, including recruitment and a successful internship program.

Before a game at Caven Point this fall, the ever-present camera of Tony Azzarto, S.J. captured a history-making Prep father-son duo. Mike Fromfield, ’91 and Kevin Fromfield, ’23 are Prep Soccer’s first ever father and son captains.

Last summer, members of the class of 2002 and their families gathered for a barbecue in Long Branch. The photo comes courtesy of former student council president John Mahoney, ’02

ALUMNI

The ’10s

CLASS NOTES

Will Ryan, ’11 is the author of a weekly column, “Understanding Nonsense,” on Cystic Fibrosis News Today, an online community for people living with CF. Will’s essays have included “What Jesuit Education Taught Me While I Was Hospitalized,” a reflection on a hospital visit from Fr. Tony Azzarto, S.J. when Will was a freshman at Prep.

Stephen Makino, ’19, currently attending Villanova University, was one of 20 students nationwide awarded a Visiones Scholarship by the nonprofit organization INROADS last October. Stephen was recognized for the way “he demonstrated his leadership, how he was able to pivot during the pandemic, and showed his plans to address the diversity issues in his community.”

Jack Raslowsky, ’79, Mario Duque, ’87, Jose Fajardo, ’87, and Paul Lagermasini, ’87 gathered for dinner in December when Mario was back in New York. Mario currently lives in Colombia, where he practices as a chiropractor. We’ll forgive Jack’s Xavier vest; he is, after all, their president.

Former Prep faculty member Greg Morrisey, ’08 led a Prep group— Ryan Byington ’23, Ryan Cotter ’22, Patrick Groo ’22, Patrick Rooney ’21, Will Byington ’21, Lucas Coleman ’17, and Andrew Alfonso ’17—to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro last summer. Greg credited Billy Bludgus, ’01 and his “wealth of knowledge of Tanzania” for helping “to get this trip afloat.”

Jim Sweeney, ’71, a former trustee, and Bob Urbanovich, ’78 were on hand in Dubai for the wedding of Kyle Lupo, ’13 and Aneesha Kulkarni in January. Kyle and Aneesha met at Purdue University while pursuing their Ph.D.s in Pharmacology. If you’re wondering how this alumni gathering took shape a mere 6,800 miles from Grand & Warren, Bob is a friend of the Lupo family, and Jim is the father-in-law of Kyle’s brother (and best man), Bill Lupo.

Before Edgar Santa Cruz, ’98 passed away suddenly in December, he had been working as Community Farm Manager at Foodlink, a nonprofit fighting hunger in Rochester, NY. He had previously served the Rochester community as a social worker. A colleague from Foodlink wrote, “his work was ultimately about building relationships, and supporting and advocating for others. He did this so very well, and his loss will undoubtedly be felt by the community that he has served for many years.” Cameron Community Ministries—where Edgar had previously worked, and continued to serve as a volunteer—plans to rename its Peace Garden in his memory. It’s clear from the response to his passing among the Rochester community that Edgar was a true Prep man for others.

Ben Sobsey, ’14, Dan Sobsey, ’09, Bao Ngo, ’09, and James Blauvelt, ’09 ran the NYC Marathon in November, in support of the JDJ Foundation’s efforts to raise over $50,000 for cancer research.

The new Saint Peter statue dedicated on Warren Street in September (page 12) is a rarity among art depicting Prep’s patron, in that it captures Peter (at this point in his life, still known as Simon) in his younger days as a fisherman, rather than as the elder statesman of the early Church. But this depiction, while uncommon, is not unprecedented in the history of Prep’s campus. The final iteration of Saint Peter’s Church, Jersey City’s oldest parish and the direct namesake of Saint Peter’s Prep and Saint Peter’s University, opened at Grand and Van Vorst Streets in 1960. The low-slung brick building was designed to be relatively lightweight, as the high water table at this location had quite literally sunk the previous church, built in 1867, forcing its demolition for safety reasons. While somewhat nondescript from the outside, the 1960 church featured its share of distinctive modern liturgical art inside, from the colorful stained glass windows that contrasted with the moody interior lighting, to a backlit glass altarpiece of the risen Christ, to the stained glass Stations of the Cross that adorned the side walls. And in the lobby off Van Vorst Street, a high-relief metal sculpture depicted Simon Peter the fisherman, accompanied by the legend “HENCEFORTH YOU SHALL CATCH MEN,” recalling Jesus’ words to his first apostle on the lakeshore.

The Archdiocese of Newark closed Saint Peter’s Church in 2009 along with several other Jersey City parishes. Prep, which had purchased the church building from the Archdiocese in 2006, converted the now-deconsecrated space into O’Keefe Commons in 2010, allowing the former Burke Hall cafeteria to become the main lobby and first-floor labs of the Moriarty Science Center in 2011. The sculpture of Peter was placed in storage, but flooding from Hurricane Sandy damaged it beyond repair in 2012. It is immortalized in these photos by Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11, and, through the work of Brian Hanlon in creating the new statue at York and Warren Streets, its legacy lives on, more prominently than ever.

PHOTO FILE: Fisher of Men

ALUMNI

Alumni

Rev. Joseph F. Coda, ’36

William F. Wraga, ’43

John G. Aslanian, ’46

Father of John G. Aslanian, ’92

Rev. Msgr. John B. Wehrlen, ’51

Robert J. Robertory, ’54

Michael J. Sherlock, ’54

Carmine Basile, Jr., ’55

Michael J. Burke, ’55

Kenneth R. Fay, ’55

Brother of James Fay, ’52 and John Fay, ’63

John E. Squeo, ’56

Raymond A. Troiano, M.D., ’56

N. Thomas Brescia, ’58

Rev. Michael S. Joyce, O.F.M., ’58

Stephen A. Tuttle, ’58

Brother of James E. Tuttle, ’57

John D. Dow, Ph.D., ’59

Athletic Hall of Fame inductee

David Kirkland, ’59

Robert J. Biondi, Ph.D., ’60

Thomas J. Cammarata, ’62

John C. Elliott, ’62

Brother of T.J. Elliott, ’69

Richard J. Dunne, ’63

Son of Richard Dunne, 1926†; brother of James Dunne, ’60† and John Dunne, ’70

John Ward, ’63

Former Prep trustee

Robert P. Ward, ’63

Brother of Mark Ward, ’65†and Martin Ward, ’66; cousin of James Egan, ’64

Edward F. BonGiovanni, ’65

James F. Dronzek, ’67

James “Jay” McCaffery, ’67

Joseph K. Cooney, ’68

Former trustee; son of Legends of Prep inductee Joseph Cooney, ’45†; brother of Kevin Cooney, ’76; uncle of Daniel Cooney, ’15†

William Foran, ’69

William M. Lisa, ’69

Brother of Thomas P. Lisa, ’68

Ralph Citarella, ’70

Father of Ralph Citarella Jr., ’95

John J. Wolozen, D.O., ’70

Thomas K. Hynes, ’71

Brother of Edward Hynes, ’64

VITA MUTATUR NON TOLLITUR (LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED)

Through February 28, 2023

David J. McCarthy, ’71

Michael J. Collins, ’75

Daniel J. Leary III, ’76

Brother of David Leary, ’79 and Donald Leary, ’83

James DiDomenico, ’80

Rev. Thomas E. Pendrick, ’82

Bryan J. Granelli, ’85

Brother of Michael Granelli, ’84, Kevin Granelli, ’87, and Dennis Granelli, ’91; uncle of Joseph Mastandrea, ’20 and Andrew Mastandrea, ’22

James Schmittler, ’86

Edgar Santa Cruz, ’98

Paul A. Martino, ’09

Family of Alumni

John Alston Sr.

Father of John Alston, Jr., ’78

Allison Berry Wagner

Daughter of Bernard Berry Jr., ’63

Maryellen Blaney

Wife of George Blaney, ’57; sister-inlaw of James Blaney, ’66 and Michael Blaney, ’71

Joan Hearn Calianese

Mother of Daniel Calianese, ’77 and David Calianese, ’79

Frank Catanio

Father of Frank A. Catanio, ’77

Ann C. Chiara

Mother of William O’Day, ’62†, Gerard Chiara, ’71, and Paul Chiara, ’78

MaryAnne K. DeFuccio

Wife of Charles DeFuccio, ’56; sister-inlaw of Jerry DeFuccio, ’43†

William T. Donoghue

Father-in-law of Legends of Prep inductee John Irvine, ’83 (Prep admissions director); grandfather of John Irvine, ’11

Gabriel F. Doria Sr.

Father of Gabriel Doria Jr., D.D.S., ’81 and Christopher Doria, ’85; grandfather of Gabriel Doria, ’21

Barry J. Dugan

Father of Sean Dugan, ’82 and Barry Dugan, ’84

Ruth E. Duncan

Mother of William Duncan Jr., ’72, John Duncan, ’75, and Robert Duncan, ’78

Thomas A. Egar

Father of John Egar, ’87

Jo-Ann M. Feeney

Wife of Robert Feeney, ’74; sister-inlaw of Terence Feeney, ’76, James Feeney, ’78, and John Feeney, ’80; aunt of Matthew Feeney, ’10 and Michael Feeney, ’14

Justine Fletcher

Wife of Stephen Fletcher, ’59

Georgeann Gallagher

Mother of Michael Gallagher, ’87

Annette Griffin

Mother of Lonnie Griffin, ’95

Barbara Hanlon

Sister of Fr. John Baldovin, S.J., ’65

Mary Beth Haviland

Wife of Joseph Haviland, ’55

Mary Hussey

Mother of Richard Hussey, ’06 and Joseph Hussey, ’08; aunt of Sean Healy, ’97, Brian Healy, ’99 (former Prep faculty member) and Daniel Healy, ’01 (former Prep faculty member)

Henry J. Kegelman V

son of Harry Kegelman, ’69; grandson Harry Kegelman, ’42†; nephew of Sean Kegelman, ’89.

Wanda Kurasz

Mother of Alexander Kurasz, ’76 and Anthony Kurasz, ’78†; grandmother of Michael Kurasz, ’10

James T. Lenahan

Brother of Eugene Lenahan, ’73

Robert P. Lillis

Father of Ryan Lillis, ’14; brother of John Lillis, ’77, Bill Lillis, ’80 (former Prep Religion and History teacher), and Kate Lillis-Magnus (Director of Engagement); brother-in-law of Mark DeMarco, ’79; uncle of Nicholas DeMarco, ’19; cousin of Michael Holt, ’74, P’04, ’09, Nicholas Mina, ’74, and Richard Mina, ’74

Deborah Peko-Lillis

Advancement database manager; mother of Kyle Lillis, ’10; sister of James Peko, ’85; aunt of Matthew Peko, ’26

Joan LoBello

Mother of Charles LoBello Jr., ’78 and David LoBello, ’84

Laurinda Pereira Luis

Mother of Jesse Luis, ’03

Rory McGovern

Brother of Edward McGovern, ’11

Eileen McKeever

Wife of James McKeever, ’56

Virginia Moriarty

Former Prep trustee; wife of Edmond Moriarty, ’46 (former trustee); sister-inlaw of Donald Moriarty, ’48† (former trustee and board chair); aunt of Robert Moriarty (current trustee)

Charlene North

Mother of Bart Erbach, ’74

Edward T. Paradine

Father of Landon Paradine, ’21

Francis A. Preite

Father of Matthew Preite, ’19 and Michael Preite, ’23

Edward A. Sellmeyer

Father of Edward Sellmeyer Jr., ’04

Alice J. Sista

Mother of Joseph W. Sista, ’95, Lorenzo T. Sista, ’96, and Allen V. Sista, ’00

Grace Scutellaro

Mother of Joseph Scutellaro, ’78 and John Scutellaro, ’83.

Rosemary Berkowitz Sekel

Wife of Stephen Sekel, ’66; mother of Erich Sekel, ’98 (former Prep faculty member); sister of Michael Berkowitz, ’61† (former assistant principal and prefect of discipline); daughter of Milton Berkowitz† (former athletic director); cousin of Wallace Berkowitz, ’60†; sister-in-law of Brian Sekel, ’76 and Terrence Sekel, ’80

Elizabeth Snyder

sister of the Very Rev. John Fencik, ’70 (Prep tennis coach); aunt of Jonathan Fencik, ’98 and Emily Fencik (Prep faculty member and tennis coach)

Ellen Visone

Mother of Peter Visone, ’00 and Michael Visone, ’05

Stephen R. Wilson

Father of Stephen Wilson, ’04

James Wisely

Father of Brian Wisely, ’02

John H. Wood

Father of Chris Wood, ’84, Nicholas Wood, ’86, and Emmett Wood, ’89

Family of Current Students

Wynter Mack

Sister of Xavier Mack, ’24

Former Faculty & Staff

Rev. John Halligan, S.J. English & Latin teacher, 1954-59

Rev. William A. McKenna, S.J. English & Latin teacher, 1961-64

mutatur, non tollitur. Life is changed, not ended.

Weddings

Andrew Colaneri, ’09 and Emily Freer

September 2, 2022

Kevin Chester, ’05 and Ashley Wells

September 10, 2022

Will Fong, ’09 and Nicole Scarpa

November 3, 2022

Kyle Lupo, ’13 and Aneesha Kulkarni

January 27, 2023

Ahmed Sourour, ’03 and Rebecca Ernst

February 4, 2023

Births

Maura Toomb Estevez (trustee and former director of campus ministry) and Xavier Estevez

Daughter Lucy Juliana, born May 24, 2022

Sara and Paul DeGeorge, ’94 Daughter Alex, born June 26, 2022

Carmela and Michael Scott, ’07 Daughter Victoria Madison, born July 3, 2022

Julie and Benjamin Yun, ’04 Son Christopher, born July 21, 2022

Caitlin and Dan Urbanovich, ’06 Daughter Jillian Mae, born August 8, 2022

Stephanie and John Mahoney, ’02

Daughter Mille June, born August 20, 2022

Mary and Dylan McMahon, ’08

Daughter Catherine and son Connor, born August 19, 2022

Emily and Raphael Ortiz, ’10

Son Archer Cole, born September 11, 2022

Jane Pilanski and James Forker, ’10

Son Max Thomas born October 6, 2022

Amber and Colin Hanley, ’03

Son Declan Francis, born October 4, 2022

Justyna and Mark Inocencio, ’02

Son Maximilian Michal, born November 18, 2022

Lucy Estevez, born May 24, 2022

Emily and Andrew Colaneri, married September 2, 2022

Seven members of the Class of 2009 posed at the Maplewood Country Club during the wedding of Emily and Andrew Colaneri. From left: Anthony Medina, Joe Maini, Christian Sanchez, Andrew Colaneri, Justin Restrepo, Patrick Albers, and Matthew Cutola.

LEFT: Maximilian Michal Inocencio, born November 18, 2022. His dad, Mark Inocencio, ’02, hopes he will be Class of 2040.

RIGHT: Dylan McMahon, ’08 had his hands full after the birth of Catherine and Connor last August.

Jillian Urbanovich, born August 8, 2022, is also the granddaughter of Rick Baker, ’71 and Robert Urbanovich, ’78, and the great granddaughter of the late Prep Legend Ernie Baker, ’38.

Tony Azzarto, S.J. baptized Archer Cole Ortiz (“Hopefully class of 2041”) in the Prep chapel. They are pictured with Archer’s parents Raphael Ortiz, ’10 and Emily Ortiz.

Pictured at the November wedding of Nicole and Will Fong were, left to right: Daniel Fong, ’77, P’09, Amlan Gangopadhyay, ’07, Nick Mangone, ’10, Nick Suarez, ’09, Nicole and Will Fong, ’09, Erich Sekel, ’98, Dave Kearney, ’09, Pat Nestor, ’90, Prep Alumni Director Mike Murcia, ’08, and Armando Roman, ’08.