St. John's Prep Magazine

Page 1

DRAMA FEST  BEANTOWN BLANKETS  CLIMATE CHANGE  COMMENCEMENT & REUNION  SUMMER 2017

prep The Magazine of St. John’s Prep


Truly

Original

Nolan Spencer ’17 (left), who played the role of Child in “The Quest of Queen Thomas,” with Frank Sullivan ’17 as Bartholomew and Matt Green ’20 as Mud.


Winning Drama Fest is great. Winning at both the High School and the Middle School levels? Amazing. Winning with plays written by the same talented Prep teacher? Incredible!

T

hat was the fairytale ending for St. John’s this year at the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild’s drama festivals. And Ms. Brit Christopher, the author of both plays and the Middle School drama teacher, couldn’t have written it better herself!

Theater teachers Brit Christopher (left) and Alicia Greenwood.

“The Quest of Queen Thomas,” put on by the High School, and “When The Children Have Been Good,” put on by the Middle School, received accolades for their strong performances, creativity in set design, and for taking on stories that challenged audiences to think. Both plays celebrated the powerful good that comes from being yourself and overcoming your fears. “It’s been a fantastic year, not just for the Drama Guild, but for the arts as a whole at St. John’s. We’ve seen a lot of growth and many exciting events,” said Fine Arts Department Chair Alicia Greenwood. “Then, for both of our drama groups to win top honors with pieces written by our very own faculty was truly the icing on the cake!” Alicia added, “We had a stupendous group of seniors who really mentored the younger artists. Mentoring is key in all of the arts. Find a person who can help you so you can help yourself. That’s something we’ve done across the board with the arts.”

PHOTO: MR & MRS DREW PHOTOGRAPHY, AMANDA CORREIA

Fun Fact: The St. John’s Prep High School Drama Guild holds the state record for most wins at Drama Fest — 19 times!

A scene from “When the Children Have Been Good” with Hunter DiVirgilio ’21 as Two, Cam LaPierre ’21 as Three, Jack Laffy ’22 as Cruel Frederick, and Ridge Tache ’21 as Four.

PREP SUMMER 2017

1


prep The Magazine of St. John’s Prep

A Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School for young men in grades 6 through 12 Established 1907 Headmaster

Edward P. Hardiman, Ph.D. Principal/Associate Head of School

Keith A. Crowley, Ph.D. Chief Advancement Officer

Kevin A. Collins Editorial Staff

Elizabeth Forbes Director of Marketing and Communications Sandra “Sam” Trapani Assistant Director of Communications Design

Caruso Graphic Design Printing

Flagship Press, Inc. Direct Comments, Contributions and Address Updates to:

Office for Institutional Advancement St. John’s Preparatory School 72 Spring Street Danvers, MA 01923 978.774.6727

www.stjohnsprep.org

Taken at Coronado Beach in San Diego, California, this photo earned Sam Dellicker ’18 honorable mention in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program. He also won Best of School in the 2017 Congressional Awards Art Contest for his photo entitled “Metro.”

C O M PA S S I O N  H U M I L I T Y  S I M PL I C I T Y  T RU S HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y  T RUS T& ZE A L  C OM PA SSIO KEEP UP WITH THE PREP! T R U S T & Z E A L   C O M P A S S I O N   H U M I L I T Y   S I M stjohnsprep.smugmug.com C O M P A S S I O N   H U M I L I T Y   S I M P L I C I T Y   T R U S HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y  T RUS T& ZE A L  C OM PA SSIO instagram.com/stjohnsprep T RU S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N  H U M I L I T Y  S I M twitter.com/stjohnsprep C O M PA S S I O N  H U M I L I T Y  S I M PL I C I T Y  T RU S HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y  T RUS T& ZE A L  C OM PA SSIO facebook.com/stjohnspreparatoryschool T RU S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N  H U M I L I T Y  S I M C O M PA S S I O N  H U M I L I T Y  S I M PL I C I T Y  T RU S H U M I L I T Y  S I M PL I C I T Y  T RU S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S 2

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N ON  HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y M PL I C I T Y  T RU S T & Z E A L S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N ON  HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y M PL I C I T Y  T RU S T & Z E A L S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N ON  HU MIL I T Y  SI M PL ICI T Y M PL I C I T Y  T RU S T & Z E A L S T & Z E A L  C O M PA S S I O N S I O N  T H E  X AV E R I A N  WA Y

INSIDE SUMMER 2017 4 Headmaster’s Message 5 SOUNDBites 6 The Business of Sharing Warmth: Maxwell Perry ’15

8 This is Your Pilot Speaking: Brother Tim Paul, C.F.X. Brings Aviation to the Prep

10 Middle Schoolers Tackle Real Science 12 The Ticker: News from the Prep 14 Harvard University Internship Provides Real World Experience

15 Walking the Walk: St. John’s Honored Three Women This Year

16 Sports 18 Commencement 24 Reunion Weekend 29 Athletic Hall of Fame 30 PrepVentures 32 We Are St. John’s: Gala 2017 33 Field Notes 45 Since You Asked: Dan Milaschewski ’13

ON THE COVER Senior Brett McNiff was pure exuberance after Commencement for the Class of 2017 on May 21. For their first official act as St. John’s Prep alumni, classmates circled around one another and tossed their hats in the air. Brett is the fourth of four McNiff brothers to graduate from St. John’s, following in the footsteps of Luke ’09, Shawn ’12 and Alec ’14. Congrats to all!

PREP SUMMER 2017

3


Young men … are graduating with a sense of gratitude for the doors St. John’s has opened for them and a feeling of responsibility to do the same for future students.

Headmaster’s Message Dear Prep Community Members, Before Commencement weekend in May, one of our graduating seniors asked to sit down with me. This young man took the time, during the busy closing weeks of his Prep journey, to express deep gratitude for the people and experiences of the past four years. With maturity and poise, he admitted that St. John’s had not always been easy but that he was thankful for the mentorship and support he received from so many. He also recognized that there were others who played a key role in his success, many of whom he knew he would never have the chance to thank in person. He was referring to the wider Prep community of donors who made his education possible through tuition assistance. With pride, he told me that one day he would pay back this generosity in full by giving the gift he had received to future generations of St. John’s students. As a school community, we are proud of our focus on access and affordability, and we aim to ensure that all qualified young men can attend St. John’s, regardless of their family’s financial situation. While we have made leaps and bounds in the past decade in our ability to provide tuition assistance for our families, we have not yet reached a point where we fund 100 percent of our families’ demonstrated tuition assistance needs.

At the heart of a Xaverian education is this commitment to our students — that tuition does not become a barrier to their ability to learn, grow and bring good into the world. At St. John’s, we are addressing this challenge head-on with a focused drive to raise funds for tuition assistance through annual giving and significant growth of our endowment. All of this adds up to an exceptional experience for our students. Young men such as the one I told you about are graduating with a sense of gratitude for the doors St. John’s has opened for them and a feeling of responsibility to do the same for future students. Maybe you’ve noticed that our magazine looks different. We’ve given St. John’s Prep Today a new name and a new, more vibrant look to better tell the stories that make our community unique in extraordinary ways, on campus and wherever our alumni and their families live and work. Read your way through the feature stories, Commencement and Reunion pictures, and news highlights in SOUNDbites and the Ticker. Check PrepVentures for alumni resources, programs, and events. And whether you read it first or save it for last, check out Field Notes, the section formerly known as Class Notes! Enjoy and if you have ideas for stories we should be covering, email Beth Forbes, Director of Communications, at eforbes@stjohnsprep.org.

Peace and Prayers, Ed Hardiman

4

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


SOUNDbites  Empty Bowls is Back! After a three-year

hiatus, St. John’s hosted an Empty Bowls Dinner Party on campus, this time in May. Ceramics teacher Dale Bryant and Middle School teachers Tim McAuliffe’ 07 and Brooke Boncher fired up the pottery wheels and worked with students in grades 8 through 12 to create handmade bowls for the popular event. All proceeds went to Bread and Roses in Lawrence. “Every time you take that bowl down from your cupboard, you are reminded that somewhere, close to home, there are people who don’t have enough to eat,” said Ms. Bryant.

Bringing Their “A” Game! Breaking a

three-year faculty-staff winning streak, students won the annual Afternoon Anarchy basketball game in an exciting, March madness matchup with a final score of 25-19. Sponsored by Student Council, it was a great game and a fun time for spectators and players alike!

Students Launch Online Journal

Prepositions made its debut in March as a new online literary journal featuring student prose, digital design, fiction, poetry, photography and video. It follows in the tradition of Mental Blocks and Piece of Mind in providing a forum for student creativity. DIGITAL DESIGN BY EVAN YAO ’18

A Way With Words! Writer Kevin

How Do You Spell Brother? Last year

Good Thinking! James Packard ’18

Going the Distance for Others Among

Carey ’75 was on campus to visit Jay Pawlyk’s English classes this spring. He read some of his work, including poetry from “The One Fifteen to Penn Station,” and inspired students to pen verses of their own. Carey teaches at Salem State University and Endicott College. Garrison Keillor read some of the Revere native’s poetry on “The Writers’ Almanac” podcast. created an interactive graphing tool that allows Prep students to track their grades and assignments online in real time. He spent a few weeks programming the tool and then showed it to friends. After they gave it a thumbs-up, he approached school administrators, who supported his efforts to make the program available to all students.

Swimming with the Sharks For the

second year in a row, St. John’s survived the shark tank at the Babson Boston Cup, a highly competitive events for student entrepreneurs. This year, Sam Meurer ’18, JP Collins ’19, Aidan McCool ’18 and Dan Taylor ’18 won seed money and third place for their easy-to-use, technologically advanced outdoor tent. The four honed their skills through the Ryan Shaw ’15 Entrepreneurial Education Program at St. John’s.

Mitchell Robson ’20 placed seventh in the Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. Too old to compete in this year’s bee, he mentored other aspiring spellers, including younger brother Will Robson ’22. After four years of competing in spelling bees, Mitchell shared this tip with local spellers to help calm their nerves: “Think before you spell, don’t panic.”

the many runners in this year’s Boston Marathon were members of the Prep community, including Bobby Carpenter ’81, who ran with Denna Laing to benefit Journey Forward; Jordan Edgett ’08 who ran on the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation team; and Andrew Frates ’06, who raced for his brother Pete ’03 and his amazing, worldwide efforts to raise awareness about ALS. St. John’s was with you every mile of the way!

Prepping for China A group of the Prep’s

international students from China shared insights with Headmaster Hardiman in preparation for a trip he made to China in March. Tom Lynch ’71, who lives in Hong Kong, was on campus at the time, and joined in the conversation, too. Dr. Hardiman was able to meet many of the student’s families, as well as alumni living in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Prep Power! In just their third year, the SJP Powerlifting Team took second place at the USA Powerlifting New England States Open High School Championship in March. Talk about raising the bar! True Blues Not to toot our own horn, but when Prep jazz students joined forces with saxophonist Dr. Alphonso Sanders they sounded like true blues professionals! Dr. Sanders visited for two days in April, performing and talking to students about jazz and the blues. A singer, songwriter, composer, and the chair of Fine Arts and Director of the BB King Recording Studio at Mississippi Valley State University, he is also a friend of Spanish teacher Pat Henaghan, who was instrumental in bringing him to campus! PREP SUMMER 2017

5


The Business of

S

Sharing Warmth

Beantown Blankets partners with the Pine Street Inn, but Maxwell says he is always looking for opportunities to distribute blankets wherever they’re needed. In February, he teamed up with a group distributing food in South Boston and added blankets to packages.

ince the start of 2016, Maxwell Perry ’15 by Carolyn Barrett has donated more than 1,000 weatherproof blankets to Boston area homeless shelters through his one-for-one charitable organization, He co-founded the Future Entrepreneurs Club with classmate Beantown Blankets. Partnering with the Pine Street Inn, they are Kyle Schiff, where they invited guest speakers like former trustee ensuring that for every blanket bought, another blanket is given and past parent Elliot Katzman to speak to the group. Future to someone who needs it. Beantown Blankets was born out of Entrepreneurs created a space for students to discuss ideas and a Babson College class project, but Maxwell says St. John’s Prep projects and to compete with each other. It was through Future provided the foundation to make it all possible. Entrepreneurs, and the conversations they had with club advisor “St. John’s encouraged innovation,” says Maxwell. And he smiles, Tim Broderick ’05 and the speakers they heard, that Maxwell “but not in a way that made you afraid to fail.” He’s wistful when honed his belief that being truly successful is not about just about he describes how much that stayed with him — how the Prep’s having a great career, but giving back as well. encouragement to simply try things made all of his work with Beantown Blankets possible. It all started with an entrepreneurship program during his junior year at the Prep. The program, modeled after Babson’s Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course, is now called the Ryan Shaw ’15 Entrepreneurial Education Program. It invigorated a deep passion for creation and entrepreneurship within Maxwell. From that point on, he set his sights on Babson College and ensuring that his application would stand out among his peers.

6

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

“I wouldn’t be in this situation without going to St. John’s,” he says, looking around Babson’s Student Center late on a dreary morning. He talks about the opportunities he was given and the interests he was able to cultivate, but what impacted him most, he says, were the people at St. John’s. Maxwell credits the faculty and staff, and the opportunities they presented him with, for encouraging him to uncover his passions. “I took Chinese,” he says, speaking about how a trip to Taiwan opened his eyes to an interest in Chinese. “It’s a popular market,”


Beantown Blankets was born out of a Babson College class project, but Maxwell says St. John’s Prep provided the foundation to make it all possible. Partnering with the Pine Street Inn, they are ensuring that for every blanket bought, another blanket is given to someone who needs it.

he explains. “And I knew it was something I wanted to cultivate. I think that set me apart” [in the Babson application process]. It’s what he wrote his college essay on and hopes to pursue in the future. He says that his exposure to the Chinese markets, in addition to his Advanced Placement Human Geography class with Pamela Bronder-Giroux, opened his mind to different ways of doing things. “She taught me that just being open minded is so important.” It wasn’t only the faculty and staff at St. John’s who had an impact, Maxwell says. He is firm in his belief that the friends he made at St. John’s were crucial to his success. “They taught me humility and zeal and trust,” he says, referring to three of the five Xaverian values. “There’s a certain type of friend I was surrounded with,” he explains. These friends were ambitious, they were focused, and they inspired him to be the same. “I wouldn’t have had that without St. John’s.” Before starting college, Maxwell spent time working, reflecting and preparing. The entrepreneurship program through St. John’s had given him a window into what his first semester at Babson would be like. He would need to create a company as one of his first assignments, and so he began laying the groundwork for Beantown Blankets. He says he couldn’t help but think about his senior year English teacher, Maryanne Muhilly. “She really instilled in me a lot about how I want to treat people.” Perry says her lessons weighed heavily on his mind as he looked for a business model that would be both successful and socially conscious.

Maxwell personally delivered the blankets ordered by the Boston office of Yahoo! as gifts for employees.

North Shore Magazine featured Beantown Blankets in December 2016.

Six months later, at the end of his first semester, Maxwell and 11 classmates had given almost 200 blankets to people in need. Their class required that they learn not only how to begin and maintain a business, but successfully close one as well. And so much to his dismay, Beantown Blankets shut down and the team tied off all of its loose ends. “I knew it had so much potential, though,” Maxwell says. “I knew we would open again.” Last fall, Maxwell re-launched Beantown Blankets on his own. He’s partnered with a supplier in Fall River and the blankets are available online at the Beantown Blankets website. Maxwell has big plans for the venture. He’s working with Yahoo, Subaru and other corporate clients. “We’ve found that embroidered with a company logo, the blankets make a perfect gift for employees. It has several uses and a social aspect, too.” He’s also exploring a partnership with the NFL so that Beantown Blankets are sold in each of the team’s merchandise stores. It would be a big step toward his goal of expanding into a wider geographic market. He knows there’s so much potential. And he’s excited about making it happen — and making a difference. Maxwell walks me out and I ask if he’s headed to the library. He’s not. It’s almost noon and he’s done with classes for the day so he’s driving to his home in North Andover to fold blankets with his mother. They are preparing for a donation on Friday. Carolyn Barrett shared her talents with St. John’s as an intern in the communications office. A 2016 graduate of Boston College, she now works full-time at the Boston Bar Association.

PREP SUMMER 2017

7


THIS IS YOUR PILOT SPEAKING

Aviation Club members Justin Beers ’20 and Jared Jenkins ’20 at the controls of one of the flight simulators in the Brother Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center.

Brother Tim Paul, C.F.X. Brings Aviation to the Prep by Carolyn Barrett

I

t started with a promise from a student in 2002. “All you will have to do is show-up, I’ll do everything else” Kostas Speridakos ’05 told the then Principal Brother Tim Paul, C.F.X. A sophomore, Kostas was in need of a new moderator for his one-year-old Aviation Club. And so Brother Tim agreed. True to his word, Kostas took care of everything that year. All Brother Tim had to do was show up, but by the end of the year, he had taken an interest of his own in the club. Fascinated by flying since he was a young boy, Brother Tim was able to train for his own license. “A few years later, I had my private pilot’s license,” he says. Brother Tim had another important co-pilot in getting the Aviation Club off the ground. Tom Haas ’74, an avid pilot, flight instructor and the Prep’s 2008 Distinguished Alumnus, provided the resources for Brother Tim to get his pilot’s license. He continues to make it possible for club members to take flight training at Beverly Airport every year. It’s a rare opportunity for high school students, according to Brother Tim, and a way for Tom to share his love of aviation with the next generation. “It’s a dream come true to have young aviators in the sky,” Tom said during a visit to the Aviation Club. Once the club took off, Brother Tim began strategizing about how he could incorporate aviation into the curriculum in a formal way. He formed the idea of providing students with a basic ground school experience in the form of a semester class. That required Brother Tim to become a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground instructor, which was made easier by the fact that he was already a certified teacher in Massachusetts. “Not every

8

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

pilot can handle teaching,” Brother Tim explains. Then, he built the class around the official FAA ground school course, allowing students to prepare for, take, and pass the private pilot FAA exam once they complete the course. Introduced in the fall of 2012, the Principles of Aviation and Aeronautics course, offered through the Science Department, covers the basic structure and functions of airplanes and airports, aircraft performance and navigation, weather, radio communications, biological factors in aviation, and mechanical troubleshooting. By its very nature the course is based on a STEM — science technology, engineering and mathematics — curriculum. The class meets in the Brother Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center in a classroom equipped with computers, flight simulators and the same yokes and pedals you would find in a cockpit. The students create flight plans and learn how to navigate. Each student enrolled in the class receives at least one introductory flight at Beverly Municipal Airport through the Beverly Flight Center (BFC). Brother Tim smiles when he describes the unique nature of the Prep’s program. “Some high schools have an affiliation with a local airport or flying school, but I can’t find any that have established the kind of relationship we have with the BFC. Our students get to fly real airplanes!” he says. And it’s been hugely successful. Brother Tim speaks with pride when he says that nearly every year, a few students graduate with their private pilot certificate in their pockets. “Most kids take the course with the intention of piloting,” he says. Some have gone on to have careers in aviation, as pilots, flight instructors, or air traffic controllers.


Brother Tim speaks with pride when he says that nearly every year, a few students graduate with their private pilot certificate in their pockets. Some have gone on to have careers in aviation, as pilots, flight instructors, or air traffic controllers.

Taylor Balletto ’13 is one of the students who graduated with his pilot’s license. He says he met Brother Tim for the first time when he visited the Prep as an eighth grade student. It was then that he heard about the Aviation Club. “I wanted to try something new,” he explains, “and then once I started going … it just stuck with me.”

learned in the classroom. “There’s nothing that requires more safety and more responsibility than flying. You can’t afford to make a mistake.” Brother Tim stresses that the course forces students to analyze their strengths and weakness and to know their limitations. Something he knows will help them in the future.

Taylor speaks with fondness when he recalls everything he and his classmates were introduced to through the class and Aviation Club. There were several trips to visit the National Aeronautics and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as guest speakers and a visit from U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot Scott Sanborn ’95, who landed his Coast Guard helicopter in Cronin Memorial Stadium at St. John’s. Student pilot Eric Sletterhaugh ’10 did the same during his helicopter training when he was a senior.

When asked what he hopes for the future of the course, Brother Tim explains that he would like to see the class do more community outreach. This past year, he, his class, and the Aviation Club students established a partnership with LiveATC. net, which live-streams air traffic control audio from Beverly Airport (KBVY) to the public and now has an antenna installed on the roof of the Ryken Center for the Arts. Brother Tim hopes it not only gives students a window into the cockpit, but also reminds them of the importance of serving their community whenever and however they can. “It ties into our Xaverian values,” he says.

“He really opened our eyes to all of the opportunities out there,” Taylor says, acknowledging that Brother Tim and the experience of getting his license was a defining aspect of his time at the Prep. With the emphasis being put on STEM, Brother Tim believes the aviation course has never been more relevant. “Not only do we incorporate all aspects of STEM,” he says, “But we include biology and communication, as well. We ask questions like ’What happens to the body when you fly?’ and ’How does the pilot adequately communicate with the control tower and co-pilot at all times?’” Aside from the rigorous academics the program provides, Brother Tim believes that the course is unique in providing life lessons not typically

What’s next for Brother Tim? He hopes to expand the course and garner more interest among the next generation of student pilots. His goal is to help more students obtain their license and explore the career opportunities available to them. Taylor Balletto has no doubt that Brother Tim will succeed. “Dedication should be his middle name,” he says.

Logan McGrath ’20, Adam Rutledge ’10, Pat McEleney, Jack Carlson ’17, Sean Bates ’18 at Beverly Airport in September for the Wings of Freedom Tour.

PREP SUMMER 2017

9


Middle Schoolers

P

icture this scene in the normally sedate A.E. Studzinski Library one day earlier this year.

Tackle Real

Science

A small fleet of solar-powered cars zips and zooms across a tabletop. An ordinary house fan, repurposed as a battery charger, spins away to the fascination of students gathered nearby. A detailed, 3-D map of the Eastern Seaboard traces what will happen to coastal cities as sea levels rise. And catchy public service announcements show how simple changes at home can mean big savings in energy. Other projects fill the library, and at each table, eighth graders confidently answer questions from a steady stream of teachers and students who stop by to learn more. The projects, all focused on climate change, were the culmination of a project-based-learning unit led by Middle Schools science teachers Josh Davendonis, Nicole Prince and Carolyn Tay. The beauty of the project-based approach, they say, is that as students learn about a topic like solar power, they also develop skills they will need in college and careers. Chief among these essential skills is learning to collaborate over an extended period of time to find solutions to complex problems. “Using real-world quality standards elevates a school project to a higher level. Students are working on something that feels very real to them. It’s building skills for the 21st century,” says Mr. Davendonis, who took students to talk with scientists and engineers at some of the start-ups based at Greentown Labs in Somerville. “We want students to look beyond the walls of the classroom to engage with experts outside.”

10

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Charlie Danis ’21 and Brett Butler ’21 demonstrate their windmill for Mitch Carpenter ’17 and Chris Burke ’17.

That’s a Good Question!

A good project begins with a good question, says Mr. Davendonis. It has to capture students’ imaginations and propel their work forward. He and his colleagues came up with a winner in this: “Why should I care about climate change?” Within the topic of climate change, students could choose to focus on one of four different research “strands” — alternative energy, community action, data trends, and history. With project-based learning, students take the lead in deciding what to do and how to do it. They form groups based on a shared interest in one of the research strands. “Someone who likes to fish might choose alternative energy so that they could look into offshore wind farms, for example,” says Mr. Davendonis. After they zone in on an area of interest, students work together to frame the specific question they will try to answer. Next, they dive deep into a process of sustained inquiry. “These are complex questions that you can’t just Google to find an answer,” says Mr. Davendonis. “The goal is to synthesize something new while learning about science, technology, research skills, and seeing what is happening in the real world.” Jacob Garland is interested in the environment, so he teamed up with a group that looked into the feasibility of using alternative energy sources in Danvers. They found a real-world example right on campus in the solar panel array that will power the Wellness Center. Steve Cunningham, Assistant Head of School for Facilities and an architect, led Jacob’s group on a tour of the installation, which is adjacent to the Wellness Center.


Left: Eighth graders Jacob Garland and Neil Isaac field questions about their solar energy project. Below: Greg Pykett ’21 (left) explains wind-assisted car technology to Hunter DiVirgilio ’21 and Nathan DeLorenzo ’18.

“Big topics can feel overwhelming. But when we narrowed it down and zeroed in specifically on alternative energy, suddenly it didn’t seem so daunting anymore. I realized that there is something we can actually do about it.” —JACOB GARLAND ’21

“For me, the best part of the project was actually seeing how the solar panels work,” says Jacob. “The hands-on part was engaging. We were all excited about it.” Working together to tackle something as complex as climate change was personally empowering, says Jacob. “Big topics can feel overwhelming. But when we narrowed it down and zeroed in specifically on alternative energy, suddenly it didn’t seem so daunting anymore. I realized that there is something we can actually do about it.”

Going Off Script Seeing where students went with their projects was exhilarating, says Ms. Prince. Take the WASA, or wind assisted solar automobile, for example. One group set out to turn a toy remote control car into a WASA. They replaced the standard batteries with rechargeable batteries they boosted with a windmill. “From a science perspective, teachers often feel like they need to stick to a script, but this did not follow a script! The unknown was scary, but the things our students figured out on their own is really what science classes should be. The WASA prototype was brilliant. I was impressed with how invested the students were in the process. They were getting together on weekends to tinker with their dads in the garage,” she says. The Middle School science team plans to take the project-basedlearning model to another level next year by making connections with teachers in other disciplines. “We’ve already started working with the social studies curriculum coordinator to see how we can look at the social aspects of climate change. How do we deal with the fact that it is disproportionately affecting poor countries? We can develop a

research strand along that topic to cross over between the two departments,” says Ms. Prince.

Peer Review Process Critique and feedback is a key part of the project-based approach. In this case, the science teachers used a protocol developed by the Buck Institute for Education to help students learn how to give and take constructive feedback. “The Buck protocol gives students specific language to use in providing feedback. The emphasis is on saying ‘I like’ and ‘I wonder,’ which is not as harsh. It’s a tool to help students hear how to make their projects better. We did it about halfway through and students made adjustments based on what they heard,” says Ms. Prince. That all-important review process continued when High School students and faculty came to the library to see all of the projects. “The High School students asked very substantive questions, and our students were ready with answers. They really rose to the occasion. It was nice to see that bridge across the grades,” said Mr. Davendonis. The young scientists did an excellent job, according to senior Alex Richards. “I am so impressed with these kids. They were all well spoken and well prepared. I learned so much from them!” As students packed up their gear at the end of the day, Ms. Tay surveyed the scene in the library with a feeling of satisfaction about the work her students had done, and gratitude for the support of the school community. “This was so engaging for our students. The turnout was bigger than we expected and we had such great support from the High School.”

PREP SUMMER 2017

11


THE

Ticker NEWS FROM THE PREP

National Merit Scholarship finalists Cole Sawyer ’17 (center left) and Mikhail Strelnikov ’17 flanked by Headmaster Ed Hardiman (left) and Principal/Associate Head of School Keith Crowley.

C

ongratulations to 2017 National Merit Scholarship Finalists Cole Sawyer ’17 and Mikhail Strelnikov ’17. Only 15,000 students across the country earned this prestigious honor from among the 1.6 million who participated in the program. “To be named a National Merit Scholarship finalist is a singular achievement, and we couldn’t be more proud of Cole and Mikhail,” said Principal Keith Crowley. Cole will attend Vanderbilt University in the fall, and Mikhail is headed to the University of Indiana at Bloomington.

Joe Emilius ’18, Cam Keezer ’18, Tad Niewiadomski ’19 and Christopher Jerrett ’18.

T

wo Prep blue time capsules were sealed in the new Wellness Center during a traditional datestone ceremony on May 20. Inside the steel capsules are artifacts representing the six dimensions of wellness at St. John’s: spiritual, social, emotional, aesthetic, athletic, intellectual. These six dimensions are carved into the datestone on the front of the building, which was unveiled and blessed during the ceremony. The time capsules also included notes written by students at the school’s 2017 Wellness Fair.

“S

CELEBR8ING

o each day I must ask myself — how can I be an upstander?” This simple question became a powerful force for good at St. John’s this year. In September, the school community kicked off the campaign with a video produced by Ben Cormier ’15. “How Can I Be An Upstander” asks how each of us can make a difference and stand up for good on a daily basis. “Embrace the opportunity to build others up, by your language, attitudes and actions you choose,” Dr. Hardiman said. “And confront negative comments, slurs or tearing people down. See each challenge you encounter as an opportunity to grow, learn, and see the world in a different way! Begin to see each other as created in the image and likeness of God, empower each other to be a unique expression of God’s love, and embrace a habit of excellence.” This mantra of “being an upstander” cascaded into all areas of Prep life, from daily prayer and classroom discussions, to speakers who reinforced the importance of the message. See the video at www.stjohnsprep/standupforgood

12

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Peter Kane ’21 was among the students who took part in the video.

S

t. John’s held a special ceremony for the eighth graders on June 1. Every student received a certificate and awards were presented for academic excellence and leadership. And hot off the presses, every student received a copy of the official Middle School yearbook! Headmaster Hardiman told the gathering, “You have just finished the stage of education between elementary school and high school. Some could argue that you have spent three of the last three year in between. However, that misses the point. During this time of being ‘in between,’ you have formed new friendships, developed new understandings of the world, and discovered new skills and talents. As you prepare for the next phase of your journey, don’t focus on the next big destination — graduation — embrace the time in between. I can’t wait to see what you will achieve and who you will become.”

Moving Up! With excitement building about becoming high schoolers, this group of eighth graders celebrated a successful year in the Middle School: (front) Nick DeMarco and Blake Buonopane; (standing) Cam LaPierre, Matteo Zirpolo, Will Boemer, Owen Atkinson, and Matt Hardiman with his dad, Headmaster Hardiman.


This group of grade 8 science students toured the solar array earlier in the year: William Hammond, science teacher Josh Davendonis, Neil Isaac, Jacob Garland, Jed Sweeney, Cameron Cummings, Sam Belliveau, Jaret Farhat and Dallon Archibald.

A

TALK ABOUT CREATIVE!

fter a rainy spring, the clouds departed right on cue when the new solar array went online! On the first afternoon, the array generated 987-kilowatt hours — the equivalent of 1 ton of CO2 emissions avoided, 87 gallons of gasoline offset, or 41 electric cars charged! It’s a bright start to a greener SJP. Thanks to our partners at IRC Solar, Windover Construction and Danvers Electric for helping us make it happen. Physics teacher and Science Department Chair Gary Smith said, “Investing in the environment IS investing in the future.”

HERE COMES THE SUN!

Kudos to the students whose work was recognized by the Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program: • Jacob Garland ’21 — Silver Medal in acrylic paint • Sam Dellicker ’18 — Honorable Mention in photography • Cam Howell ’17 — Honorable Mention in digital illustration • Camden Ludwig ’18 — Honorable Mention in ceramics Art teachers Harriet Malone, Dale Bryant and Brooke Boncher are inspired by the art their students create. “It’s a joy to be in the studio every day, seeing this extraordinary talent emerge as each student develops his own creative style. The work chosen for the Scholastic Art Awards program represents the passion, creativity and technical expertise of our students as they explore and experiment with different mediums and techniques. We are very proud of all of our young artists,” said Ms. Malone.

Painting by Jacob Garland ’21

Ceramics by Camden Ludwig ’18

Right: Digital illustration by Cam Howell ’17 Photograph by Sam Dellicker appears on page 2.

PREP SUMMER 2017

13


It’s not what occurs in the brain when things are functioning properly that fascinates Liam Kane ’17. It’s what happens when things go awry that captures his imagination.

Harvard University Internship Provides Real World Experience by Carolyn Barrett

“I

’ve always been fascinated by the how and why of things. I’m especially fascinated by what happens when the brain doesn’t work right,” says Liam, who graduated from St. John’s in May.

brain. Their findings were later published in Cell Stem Cell, one of the most well known peer-reviewed scientific journals in the world. Liam is listed as a co-author of their article.

It’s this fascination that led him to an internship at the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University during the summer between his junior and senior years.

The neuroscience class Liam took junior year was easily his favorite during his time at the Prep. Now he hopes to study neuroscience in college and maybe even pursue a doctorate. “With a Ph.D. I can explore anything that I can think of,” he says.

As the lab’s only high school student, Liam worked under postdoctoral fellow Joseph Klim, who focuses much of his work on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the Zika virus. “People always assumed I was a college student,” Liam says with a smile. “And then I’d explain that I’m in high school at St. John’s.” The opportunity to work in Dr. Klim’s lab was a perfect fit for Liam, who developed an interest in ALS research after hearing Pete Frates ’03 talk to the Prep football team. Pete, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2013, helped make the Ice Bucket Challenge a viral sensation and has raised funds and awareness worldwide. In the course of assisting with Dr. Klim’s ALS research, Liam became an expert in the Western blot protocol, which examines the genetic makeup of a cell. Liam describes the Western blot as a tedious but foundational aspect of research, one that is translatable across many different subject areas. He says he was happy to be able to help in such a concrete way. Liam’s work ethic and mastery of lab protocols made him a key member of the team and led to his being put in charge of monitoring all of the underlying genetics of the samples that come into the lab. One of those projects, led by Harvard’s Michael Wells, Ph.D. and Max Salick, Ph.D. of Novartis, focused on the protein that allows the Zika virus to penetrate the fetal

14

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Liam learned about the internship opportunity through Maura Charlton, the lab’s research and consortium manager and a Prep parent. She saw a connection between the Frates family’s advocacy for ALS and the ground-breaking research being done in her lab. “Liam is super hard-working and just so interested in neuroscience,” she said in an interview with the Boston Herald. “I think we lose a lot of kids who’d potentially move into science because they don’t have hands-on experience. This gives them real world experience.” Science Department Chair Gary Smith is on the same page. He leads the Prep’s growing Science and Technology Club, which uses the resources in the new Brother Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center to provide space and support for students interested in conducting their own research. The group also visits professional research labs at companies like Novartis, Abiomed, and Histogenics. “Seeing how research is done at that level allows students to picture themselves, and their skills, in the world of professional science. They can see how their high school and college education might connect to professional research. This type of experience is priceless,” says Mr. Smith.


Leslie Tremblay, Cindy Fanikos and Heather Angell may play different roles in the Prep community, but they are all on the same page when it comes to making a tangible, positive difference in the daily lives of other people.

Walking the Walk

S

t. John’s honored three women this year — a teacher, a financial administrator, and an advocate — who believe in the unlimited potential of young people, strive to create opportunities for students, and model the essence of what it means to stand up for others. Spanish teacher Leslie Tremblay received the Ryken Award during the Founder’s Day liturgy in January. “With a gentle spirit, an open heart and a fierce dedication to students, she has helped to provide a foundation for students at St. John’s since 1986,” Headmaster Hardiman told the students, faculty and staff who filled Memorial Gymnasium for the Mass. A supportive teacher and generous colleague, she helps to nurture an inclusive culture with her involvement with everything from Campus Ministry programs to SwingTown!.” The occasion was all the more special because the Prep’s 2017 Distinguished Alumnus, Bishop Robert Reed ’77, celebrated the Mass. The Ryken is the highest honor given by each of the Xaverian Brothers sponsored schools in the United States. Later in January at the Prep’s annual Martin Luther King Dinner, Cindy Fanikos received the Equity and Justice Award for her efforts on behalf of students and families through the tuition

Cindy Fanikos (left) received the Equity and Justice Award and Heather Angell was recognized with the No One Walks Alone Award.

assistance program. During her five years as Assistant Head of School for Finance/CEO, Fanikos has worked with others across the school community to make a Prep education accessible for all students and their families. “She has the kind of ‘dangerous unselfishness’ Dr. King urged others to embrace,” Principal Keith Crowley, Ph.D. said. “The impact of her leadership, commitment to equity and justice, modeling of integrity, and boundless empathy is experienced by all of us each day, whether we know it or not. Her positive influence in all that she does for others makes her a true model of servant leadership on our campus.” “The Prep community is a special place in my heart. You inspire me with your enthusiasm. It’s like a wave, and I want to get on that wave and see where it goes,” Fanikos said to the gathering, which included her family, colleagues, parents and students. The same evening, Heather Angell received the No One Walks Alone Award in recognition of her work to provide economically disadvantaged young people with access to educational opportunity. Social studies teacher Joel Boutin introduced Angel by saying that she “walks the walk in a way that challenges all of us to follow her lead.” Angell, who served St. John’s as a campus minister for eight years, is now tutor director and chaplain at EVkids in Boston, which matches inner city students with tutors from area colleges, including Harvard, Tufts, and others. The work of social change can seem overwhelming, she said at the dinner, but simply showing up is important. “We can’t do everything, but we can show up. We can bridge the distance from Dorchester to Harvard.” Ryken Award recipient Leslie Tremblay flanked by Headmaster Ed Hardiman (left) and Principal/Associate Head of School Keith Crowley.

PREP SUMMER 2017

15


ON THE RIGHT TRACK We caught up with head coach Zack Lankow ’07 about what has been a big year for track and field at St. John’s. Not only did the Eagles see two national caliber athletes on the same roster in high jumper Nik Reardon ’17 and distance runner Tristan Shelgren ’18, but longtime coach John Klein was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The team trained off campus and traveled for all of its meets this year while Cronin Memorial Stadium was being renovated as part of the Wellness Center project. It promises to be exciting next year with the opening of a new outdoor track and field venue and a new indoor training facility in the Wellness Center.

ON COACHING TRACK & FIELD There are so many different elements in track and field — the gracefulness of the high jumpers, the explosive power of the shot putters, the efficiency of the hurdlers, the technical mastery of the sprinters, and the raw physical determination of the distance runners. It involves a spectrum of athleticism unlike anything else. Track and field athletes have to set their sights on long-term goals. It’s why so many of them are good students. You can’t just go out there today and expect a payoff. You have to do it again tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. More than anything, it’s about the beauty of the struggle.

16

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


Prep Sports Winter ’16 BASKETBALL:

The basketball team finished the season with a 15-5 record, which included a IAABO Tournament Championship and an MIAA DI playoff victory over Revere. Head Coach: John Dullea Captains: Brett McNiff ’17, Tommy O’Neil ’18

FENCING: The fencing team finished

the regular season with an 11-1 record, including wins over Concord-Carlisle and Lexington. They finished as runner-up in the State Tournament Head Coach: Jim Carter Captains: Jack Ligh ’17 (Team), Ben Poleretzky ’17 (Epee), Cole Sawyer ’17 (Foil), Kevin Ge ’17 (Sabre)

ICE HOCKEY: The hockey team

concluded their season with an 11-7-2 record, including a season sweep of Xaverian. They enjoyed a 3-1 postseason win over Belmont before falling to Austin Prep. Head Coach: Kristian Hanson ’94 Captains: Kyle Hentosh ’17, Christian Kukas ’17, Tim Usalis

SKIING:

The ski team finished the season as conference champions and DI State runner-up. They finished the regular season with a perfect 12-0 record. Head Coach: Tim Broderick ’05 Captains: Jake Connolly ’17, Nolan Cavallaro ’17

SWIMMING & DIVING:

The swimming and diving team concluded the regular season with a 6-2 record, including a perfect 4-0 Catholic Conference record. The swim team captured the Division I State Title for the 11th time in 12 years. Head Coach: Tony Padvaiskas Captains: Connor Delaney ’17, Michael Xenakis ’17

TRACK & FIELD:

The track and field team concluded their season with a 4-2 record, including wins over Xaverian and CM. Head Coach: Zack Lankow ’07 Captains: Nik Reardon ’17, Josh Turk ’17, Tim DeGan ’17

WRESTLING: The wrestling team

won the Catholic Conference for the 19th straight season, which includes 80 consecutive conference victories. They finished the season with a 29-5 record. Head Coach: Manny Costa Captains: Malcom Mitchell ’17, Ryan Garlitz ’19, Zach Alexander ’18, John McNaught ’17

Spring ’17 BASEBALL: For the third consecutive

year, the baseball team finished the season as MIAA Division IA ‘Super 8’ Tournament state runner-up. The playoff run included wins over BC High, Newton North, and Central Catholic. Head Coach: Dan Letarte ’86 Captains: Andrew Selima ’17, Chris Fancoeur ’17, Casey Bussone ’17, Frank Di’Orio ’17

CREW: In their first varsity season, the

crew team practiced on the Merrimack River out of Kazmiera Marina, where they competed against Haverhill and Phillips Academy. They also competed on the Charles River and at the Amber Zapatka Memorial Regatta. Head Coach: Tim Broderick ’05 Captains: Doug Keyes ’17, Greg Miglis ’18, Boston Perry ’18

LACROSSE: In Coach Pynchon’s

inaugural season, the lacrosse team came one goal short from reaching the MIAA Division I playoffs. An 8-10 record included a Creator’s Crosse Championship game appearance. Head Coach: John Pynchon ’01 Captains: Zach Harde ’17, John Churchwell ’17, Kevin Casey ’17

MOUNTAIN BIKING:

In their inaugural varsity season, the Prep’s mountain biking team won the 2017 New England High School Cycling Association team championship. They competed in races in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Head Coach: Parker Heath Captains: Jackson Heath ’17, Alex Soper ’18

RUGBY:

The rugby team concluded the spring as the MIAA Division I runners-up. The 6-2 record included a regular season victory over Xaverian, and a State SemiFinal win over Belmont. Head Coach: Seelan Manickam Captains: Brian Barrett ’17, Zach Ahlin ’17, Connor Robinson ’17

SAILING:

The sailing team went into states with a 5-9 record in the Mass Bay League. St. John’s ended the season strong, finishing 8th out of 24 teams in the State Championship Regatta on the Charles River. Head Coach: Bill Mackinson Captains: Joe Agresti ’17, Rowan Byrne ’17

TENNIS:

The tennis team fell to Lowell in the Division I MIAA tournament. A 14-6 record included two wins each over Catholic Conference rivals Xaverian, Catholic Memorial, and Malden Catholic. Head Coach: Mark Metropolis Captains: David Cunningham ’17, Nicholas Silacci ’17, Mike Prokopis ’18, Amol Raisingani ’18

TRACK & FIELD: The track and field

team finished with a 2-1 record on the season, including wins over Xaverian and Catholic Memorial. Head Coach: Zach Lankow ’07 Captains: Nik Reardon ’17, Tim DeGan ’17, Robby Delisle ’17, Jeffrey Dai ’17

ULTIMATE DISC:

The Ultimate Disc team overcame a 7-1 deficit to defeat rival Xaverian to earn the Division II State Championship. The State Tournament run included wins over Easton, Scituate, Medway, and Xaverian. Head Coach: Jeff Cann Captains: Mike Driscoll ’17, Colton Webster ’17

VOLLEYBALL: The volleyball team

finished with a 14-5 record, which included a 7-game winning streak. A defeat to Chelmsford 3-1 in the MIAA Division I tournament concluded the season. Head Coach: Scott Celli ’86 Captains: Jordan Hoey ’17, Jack Fraser ’17

PREP SUMMER 2017

17


Commencement

An elated Quinn Williams practically danced through the Commencement procession.

Congratulations, Class of 2017!

“Z

eal. Zeal is this moment right here. High school has been difficult at times, but all that hard work, and also all the fun, has created an unbreakable community — the Class of Two Thousand and Seventeen. We shifted from anxiously trying to decide our futures, to now, sitting together, under this tent, once more on the verge of starting something new. It’s exciting to be moving forward, to encounter fresh opportunities and challenges. We don’t know what the next playlist holds, but we’ve prepared each other to find beauty and meaning in its music. As we head out to tackle the world and push ourselves forward once again, we leave knowing there is always a safe haven at the corner of Spring and Summer.” — JACK FRASER, SENIOR CLASS SPEAKER

18

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

CLASS OF 2017

The Superpower of an Open Mind Chosen by the senior class to deliver remarks at Commencement, Susan Bavaro — social studies teacher, lawyer and multicultural advocate — told students that an open mind is a superpower that will lead to a more meaningful life. “Stay awake and in the game. My hope is not that you find all the answers. You do not need them. Nor do you want a life that has all the answers. How is that fun? Where is the adventure? My hope is that you ask questions! You need to ask questions … and listen. Then, you need to push yourself to use your superpower of an open mind. Make this process a part of who you are, and your superpowers will take you on a path that will be richer and vastly more fulfilling.”

Susan Bavaro with Devin Sullivan and fellow social studies teacher Joel Boutin.


Xaverian Award His classmates burst into enthusiastic applause when Headmaster Hardiman announced that Estarlyn Hiraldo had received the Xaverian Award, the highest honor given by St. John’s to a graduating senior. “Estarlyn is an intelligent, perceptive, articulate, and passionate young gentleman, who has earned the respect of his peers,” said Dr. Hardiman. “With his deep humility, commitment to learning, and participation in the life of the school, he is a model of excellence in all endeavors.” Surrounded with love, Estarlyn Hiraldo cradles his diploma and Xaverian Award.

Salutatorian Andrew Selima (left) and Valedictorian Blake Hekmatpour.

Well Done!

Left: Senior Class President AJ Polcari wore a big smile and held the official St. John’s Prep mace just before the graduating class joined him to toss their hats in the air following Commencement.  Center: Benny Klaiman and his parents couldn’t have looked any happier on Commencement Day!  Right: With his mother proudly at his side, Shawn Bresnahan gave a tip of the mortarboard to his sister!

Congratulations to Valedictorian Blake Hekmatpour and Salutatorian Andrew Selima! Both excelled in academics and both contributed to the fabric of the school community in important ways. “St. John’s has given us a global education and with this background, we have the capabilities not only to take advantage of future opportunities, but construct them as well. With this power, we can take these investments in ourselves and do something even more profound and more in line with the mission of St. John’s Prep: to invest ourselves in creating a better world,” Blake said in his remarks at Commencement.

Left: Dr. Hardiman and Dr. Crowley join John Churchwell and his parents in a celebratory moment.  Right: There’s awesome talent in this picture with senior class members of the award-winning Drama Guild! Pictured with Nolan Spencer in front are (l to r): Paul St. Cyr, Michael O’Malley, William Tuttle, Frank Sullivan, Fine Arts Department Chair Ms. Alicia Greenwood, Middle School theater teacher Ms. Brit Christopher, Devin Sullivan, Harrison Hosker, Joe Santoro and Jason Ing.

PREP SUMMER 2017

19


College Bound

The Class of 2017 will spread their wings for colleges and universities, far and wide. American University Amherst College Babson College Barry University Bates College Bentley University Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Bryant University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University The Catholic University of America Champlain College Clemson University College of Charleston The College of the Holy Cross The College of William and Mary Colorado College Dartmouth College Denison University Drexel University Duke University Duquesne University Elon University Emmanuel College Emory University Endicott College Fairfield University Fordham University George Washington University Georgetown University Gettysburg College Gordon College Hamilton College Haverford College Hofstra University Indiana University at Bloomington Ithaca College John Carroll University Labouré College Lafayette College Lehigh University Loyola University Maryland Ludvig Maximilians Universitat, München Marist College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Maritime Academy Merrimack College Miami University, Oxford Middlebury College Muhlenberg College New York University Northeastern University North Shore Community College Norwich University Pace University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University continues 20

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

International students were thrilled to have their parents arrive from China to watch them receive their diplomas: Jason Xu, Sparrow Tian, Brandon Li, Jeffrey Dai and Isaac Zhu.

Left: Before Commencement, Timothy Degan was honored to receive an ROTC scholarship during a special ceremony with Dr. Crowley and Dr. Hardiman.  Right: Spanish teacher Pat Henaghan, who retired in June after 34 years at St. John’s, carried the ceremonial mace during the Commencement procession. We will miss you, Pat!

Left: Bryan Nju-Ghong was surrounded by his proud extended family after Commencement.  Above: Michael Ippolito and Harrison Hosker give Commencement a big thumbs up!

Above: Mattheus Carpenter’s mother beams with pride on Commencement morning.  Right: Caleb Mazow was feeling the love of his family at Commencement.


College Bound continued

Left: Ryan Carney, Daniel Roderman, and Michael Walsh’s spirits soar after receiving their diplomas.  Right: There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after senior Frank Sullivan and the Baccalaureate Choir sang “I’ll Hear Your Voice” in honor of all Prep moms.

Left: Jake Connolly feeling in-spired with his parents at the Baccalaureate.  Right: John Olds with his parents in front of the spire ice sculpture at the True Blue celebration.

Above, left: St. John’s was blessed to have Reverend Leo Shea, MM ’56 celebrate Baccalaureate Mass for graduating seniors and their families, and for members of the Class of 1957, back on campus for Reunion Weekend.  Above right: Feeling grateful to have his grandparents with him at graduation is Matt O’Leary.  Left: David Kobrosky received the Sonia Schreiber Weitz Human Rights Award at Baccalaureate Mass from religious studies teacher Mary Kiley and Dr. Hardiman.

Providence College Purdue University Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Saint Anselm College Saint Joseph’s College St. John’s University Salve Regina University Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Seton Hall University Stonehill College Stony Brook University Suffolk University Syracuse University Temple University Texas Christian University The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina The New School The University of Arizona The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Tampa Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University Union College University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Colorado at Boulder University of Colorado at Colorado Springs University of Illinois at Chicago University of Maine University of Massachusetts Dartmouth University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Massachusetts Lowell University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of New Hampshire University of New Haven University of Notre Dame University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of St Andrews University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Wentworth Institute of Technology Western New England University Wheeling Jesuit University Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute

PREP SUMMER 2017

21


Servant Leaders

A Family Tradition

Every year, St. John’s recognizes members of the graduating class for their contributions to the life of the school through leadership, service and athletics.

For many families, attending St. John’s is a legacy that continues from generation to generation. We were proud to recognize 32 of these families with sons in the Class of 2017.

Campus Ministry Award Shawn M. Bresnahan Ryan D. Carney Samuel B. Gause Brian J. Mullen Jr. Bryan F. Nju-Ghong Daniel L. Roderman Michael J. Walsh Jr. C. Quinn Williams Sean J. Williams

Paul “Buster” DiVincenzo ’50 Athletic Director’s Award

Thomas Arsenault Robert Arsenault ’82 Thomas Flynn ’53* William Flynn ’24* Frederick Blaeser Bart Blaeser D.M.D.   M.D. ’86 Rowan Byrne Samuel Byrne ’83 Ryan Carney Richard McCarthy ’61 Sean Collins Arthur Wilson, M.D. ’13*

Kevin P. Casey John A. Churchwell Bryan F. Nju-Ghong Connor B. Robinson

Timothy DeGan John Kelley ’37*

Student Athlete Award

Joseph Dever Joseph Dever ’85

Best Athlete Award

Max DiBiase Elio DiBiase ’83

Andrew W. Selima

Christopher M. Francoeur

Recognizing Loyalty and Service: Below, Dr. Hardiman and Dr. Crowley flanking the Loyalty and Service Award recipients: Frank Sullivan, Kevin Casey, Nolan Spencer, Jackson Heath, AJ Polcari, Quinn Williams, Bryan Nju-Ghong, and Andrew Selima.

22

Trevor Armand Brian Armand ’85

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Connor Delaney Thomas Delaney ’80

William Grady David Grady ’83 Jackson Hutt Kevin Cochrane ’61 Alexander Karras Michael Karras ’89 Douglas Keyes Joseph Keyes ’86 Ryan Letarte Daniel Letarte ’86

Legacy Award recipients Thomas ’80 and Conor ’17 Delaney with Headmaster Hardiman and Chair of the Board of Trustees David Ives ’75 P’07.

Peter Lombara John Lombara Jr. ’86

Cameron Smith Michael Smith ’89

Tyler Martin Glenn Martin ’81

Nolan Spencer Neil Spencer ’78

Ryan McNeil Arthur Wilson, M.D. ’13*

Timothy Sullivan Scott Sullivan ’86

Michael O’Connor John O’Connor ’52

Devin Sullivan Timothy Sullivan ’86

Matthew O’Leary Richard O’Leary ’51

Stephen Teague Jr. Richard Joseph ’52

Kenneth Sarni Jr. Kenneth Sarni ’86

Cameron Trueira Glenn Trueira ’82

Samuel Sillay John Downey ’47

William Tuttle Paul Tuttle Jr. ’81

Timothy Tyrrell John F. Kirby ’55* John C. Kirby ’22* Tristan Wallace Kevin Wallace ’69 Quinn Williams Paul McGinley ’56 * Deceased


WHAT A SEND OFF!

T

he week before Commencement was filled with traditions like ringing the spire bell and pancakes with the Headmaster and Principal, as well as gatherings for students and parents!

Left: Andrew Erskine takes his turn at the traditional senior moment of ringing the spire bell.  Above: The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of seniors on the last day of classes as Dr. Hardiman wished them luck on their exams. L to r: Christian Murray, Ryan Frauenholz, Ian Halpin, Liam Carpenter, Cole Sawyer, Nick Smith, Kevin Ge, Hugh Gaffney, Lenny Litvak.

Mother-Son Brunch at the Danversport Yacht Club  Left: Khiel Mantilla and his proud mother.  Center left: Alex Richards, Joe DeBlasio and their moms.  Center right: Frank DiOrio and his mom share a special moment.  Right: Griffin (left) and Will Tubridy celebrate with their mom.

Left: Proud papa Peter Arsenault dons matching Hawaiian shirts with sons Matthew (left) and Kyle.  Center: Parker Heath and his dad loving the lively luau theme at the Father-Son Barbecue.  Right: Zach Begin and his date enjoy the sunshine before promenade begins.

Left: Sparrow Tian escorts his date at the promenade on the Prep campus.  Center: Garvey Johnson, Nate Tedford, Jonathan Danis, Liam Kane and Jared Mosley bond over breakfast.  Right: It was service with a smile when Dr. Crowley and Dr. Hardiman served up pancakes during a Senior Sendoff event.

PREP SUMMER 2017

23


Reunion Weekend

S

t. John’s Prep celebrated class reunions during Commencement weekend for the fourth straight year, and classes ending in 2 and 7 came home to the Prep to see the campus, to see old friends and to reminisce about their high school years where “it all happened” not that long ago! For some this was the first time they had been back on campus in quite a while, but their memories proved strong and they were able to re‑connect with classmates, and in some cases with faculty members as well from their Prep days. And as is the case most often, returning alumni certainly gave the graduating Class of 2017 an example of what it means to be Prep brothers for the rest of their lives!

Above, left: Headmaster Ed Hardiman and Hugh Williams ’67.  Above, right: John Tombarello and Heidi Kathryn Sylvanowicz enjoying Friday night Prep Reunion party.  Far left: Susan ’73 and Jane ’77 Mason excited to be back for Reunion Weekend at the Prep!  Left: Wills ’07 and Kendall Fallon.

Left: Classmates from 1972! L to r: Clete Kijek, Wally Lang, Bernie Caniff and John Beard.  Center: 2002 Classmates Mike Orlando, Steve Zolotas and Bill Keefe together for their 15th Reunion.  Right: Ian Walsh ’92 and Br. Tim Paul.

Left: Wayne Eisenhauer. Joe Malay and Gene Nuccio share a laugh at the 50th Reunion cocktail party Friday night.  Center: Dan Fabrizio ’92 checks out the yearbook with classmate Matt Soep (right).  Right: 1977 classmates Thom Murray, Chris Gallagher and Matt Donahue touring campus during their 40th Reunion weekend. Alumni from classes ending in 2 and 7 enjoy a sunny and warm 18 holes at Far Corner.

24

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


CLASS OF ’67 GOLD EAGLES The Class of 1967 returned for the weekend from near and far, with a number of outof-staters making the journey back for their 50th Reunion. Smiling faces were seen all around at Friday night’s cocktail party, Saturday’s class dinner and especially at the Gold Eagle breakfast Sunday with the traditional wearing of the uniform-of-the-day as the ’67 grads became Gold Eagles. 50th Reunion classmates Jim Flood, Jack Kareckas, Hugh Williams, Wayne Eisenhauer and Gene Nuccio await the arrival of the Class of 2017 on the way to Commencement.

Kathleen Mudge, Ray Carey ’67 and Dan Mudge ’67, happy to be back for the 50th Reunion!

Wayne Eisenhauer ’67 and Hugh Williams ’67 in new Gold Eagle attire!

Dianne Carey with Bob ’67 and Elaine Mielcarz at Reunion Headquarters on Friday.

Herb Bellucci ’67 with Ken ’67 and Marilyn Cloud.

PREP SUMMER 2017

25


CLASS OF ’77

Left: Headmaster Ed Hardiman and Principal Keith Crowley bookend six of the proud St. John’s Prep women graduates from the Class of ’77: Cindy TerzakisGakos, Maureen Nestor Chesley, Marybeth Bettencourt Gillespie, Marilyn Schlein Kramer, Angie Anastas Sullivan and Jane Mason.  Below, left: A great year, even in cupcakes!  Below, center: John Brennan ’77 toasts classmates, guests and fellow 40th Reunion committee members Joe O’Connor, Jim Belli, Maureen Chesney, Matt Donahue, Jane Mason, Thom Murray and Joe Timmins.  Below, right: Glenn and Maureen Chesley ’77 enjoying the 40th Reunion celebration.

CLASS OF ’82

More than fifty members of the Class of ’77 and their guests met for a memorable 40th Reunion class dinner at Ferncroft Country Club.

35th Reunion Classmates Mike Davis, Kevin Rourke, Douglas Keene, Jon Martin, Chris McIntire and Mike Cronin.

26

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

1982 Classmates Kevin Rourke, Chris McIntire and his wife Marcia, Jon Martin and Mike Cronin.


Bishop Robert Reed ’77 A Distinguished Alumnus

“I

can feel the spirit I remember so well here. I have always revered this place. I was founded here,” Bishop Robert Reed ’77 told the Prep community when he was on campus to celebrate Founder’s Day Mass on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier in January. Bishop Reed, who serves as president/CEO of the CatholicTV Network and pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland, was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Boston in August 2016. St. John’s 2017 Distinguished Alumnus, Bishop Reed, took part in a variety of events on campus this year. His visits were part of the Distinguished Alumnus program, which recognizes a graduate, whose life personifies the spirit and values St. John’s seeks to instill in all students. The annual program includes a day on campus to talk with students and sit in on classes, an evening reception and award presentation, and the opportunity to talk to the graduating class during Commencement weekend.

During an informal lunch with students, he described what it was like to be a boarding student, as well as part of the class that included the last of the Prep’s 77 female graduates. Students had the chance to ask him questions, too. “It was great to be able to sit and talk with such a distinguished alumnus,” senior Kevin Casey said. “His pride in the Prep makes me glad about being part of this community.” At the Distinguished Alumnus reception, Headmaster Hardiman said that Bishop Reed’s life of service to others is a powerful example of what it means to be an upstander, a challenge students were asked to embrace this year. Before presenting Bishop Reed with the Distinguished Alumnus award, Headmaster Hardiman shared a surprise video message from Cardinal Sean O’Malley, congratulating Bishop Reed on this welldeserved honor. The Bishop then spoke to the friends, faculty and classmates who had gathered in the Brother Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center to celebrate the occasion, telling them how much his day with the students had meant to him. “I had a chance to see the Prep inside

Above: Bishop Robert Reed ’77 with Principal Keith Crowley, Ph.D. and Headmaster Ed Hardiman, Ph.D.  Left: Bishop Reed shows his St. John’s diploma to sixth grader Matthew Finnegan.

out today, and I am very impressed with what’s going on here,” he said. “I passed through this place pretty quietly. I never expected to come back in this way, but I am tremendously honored. But this is not about me. It’s about sustaining this school in the Xaverian spirit to continue to support students and their parents.” Many of his classmates were in the audience as the Bishop talked about the great Class of 1977, which includes two other recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award: Jude Curtis and Rich Iorio. It was a great celebratory event. On Commencement weekend, Bishop Reed sent a video message to the Class of 2017 at their True Blue event. He asked the graduating class to band together with all Prep alumni across the globe. Take their experience and influence to do what they can to ensure that the Prep experience continues to open hearts and minds, so that young men can set out on a healthy and clear course for their lives. St. John’s is proud to honor the Most Reverend Robert Reed ’77, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, as our 2017 Distinguished Alumnus.

Bishop Reed with students during his daylong visit to campus in March. Front row, l to r: John Butera ’23, Matthew Bernstein ’23, Matthew Morrow ’23, Bishop Reed ’77, Christopher Nsier ’21, Benjamin House ’18, Headmaster Ed Hardiman, Ph.D.  Middle row, l to r: Michael Ott ’20, Jean Paul Maldonado ’18, Brett Smith ’21, Owen Gaffney ’20, Bryan Penney ’18.  Back row, l to r: Conor O’Holleran ’20, Kevin Casey ’17, Conor Beswick ’22, Principal Keith Crowley, Ph.D., Assistant Principal Steve Ruemenapp, Edward Amodeo ’19, Director of Campus Ministry Lawrence Molloy.

PREP SUMMER 2017

27


CLASS OF ’92 The 25th Reunion Class of 1992 had plenty of opportunities to catch up with one another during reunion events, which included golf, the Prep Reunion Party, and a social at the Clink Restaurant in Boston. Many classmates hadn’t seen each other in 25 years and had a lot of fun catching up!

Front row, l to r: Danny Fabrizio, Ian Walsh, Jeff Holbrook, Mike Reardon and Gus Serino.  Back row, l to r: Mike Zenga, Curt Dalton, John Sullivan and Matt Soep.

Classmates Scott Balboni, Tony DeLucia and John Kuchinski.

Alicia D’Annolfo, Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian, Andrew Yakoobian and Michael D’Annolfo.

Ryan Siden, John Sullivan, Chrissy Sullivan, Maurice Henderson, Mary Clare Sarff and Stephanie Siden

28

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

John Sullivan and his two sons viewing John’s yearbook from 1992!


2017 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME The St. John’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed in 14 new members on Saturday, May 20 during a ceremony that took place under the Commencement tent as part of Reunion Weekend. Pictured above, left to right:

Proud mentor and fellow Hall of Famer Ray Carey ’67 (center) with two former protégés, 2017 inductees Tom Gianturco ’99 (left) and Joe Covino ’97 (right.)

 Sean Galaris ’86 — Basketball  Joe Malay ’67 — Football and Track  Mike Andrews ’84 — Baseball, Football and Basketball  Nick Borseti ’03 — Football and Track  Chris Zardas ’05 — Football and Lacrosse  Coach Peter Mathison — Soccer and Baseball  Jeffrey Begin ’06 — Lacrosse and Soccer  Peter O’Toole ’06 — Baseball and Hockey  Coach John Klein — Indoor and Outdoor Track  Tom Gianturco ’99 — Track  Joe Covino ’97 — Track and Soccer  Benjamin Slingerland ’07 — Soccer and Tennis  Chris Murtagh ’07 — Football, Hockey and Track  Craig Harvey ’07 — Soccer and Volleyball

Class of ’06 members on hand for Hall of Fame inductions of two classmates. L to r: Devin Barry, Andrew Frates, inductee Jeffrey Begin, inductee Peter O’Toole, Jason Clucas, Joe Jasinski and Chris McNamara.

PREP SUMMER 2017

29


PrepVentures Making a fresh start in a new city? Interested in working at an innovative startup in Silicon Valley? Wondering if law school is actually a good idea? There are alumni out there who will happily answer your questions and share their experiences.

We’re Here to Help Investing in Resources for Our Alumni For the more than 14,500 St. John’s alumni living around the world, the network of Prep professionals is a remarkable resource. Graduates of every age benefit when they are able to connect across industries, meet rising talents, find mentors, ask for advice from someone who has been there and done that — and more. In short, there is nothing more powerful than the sense of community that comes from being a St. John’s Prep graduate.

Nibal Awad, Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving, flanked by Alumni Engagement Coordinators Kristen Stella and Paul McNamara ’69.

To facilitate these professional connections — and to bring people together for events across the country and around the world — the Prep has made a significant investment in programs and online tools to support all of our graduates’ needs and interests. From career development to family fun to lifelong learning, the St. John’s alumni team is working hard to ensure that we are growing alongside our graduates from the day they receive their diplomas to their first jobs, reunions and beyond.

Here are some of the alumni resources coming up, starting with summer 2017!

SJP GO-TO

 Prep Alumni Office Internships  Career Development, Internship Placements and Professional Mentoring  Thought Leadership and Entrepreneurial Programs  Industry-Specific Networking  Alumni Speakers Bureau  Reunions from 5th through Gold Eagles  Prep on the Road Visits  College Campus Visits (pizza’s on us!)  Remote Learning: Webinars, Live, Online  Campus Events: Homecoming, Thanksgiving Football, Spring Gala and more

To find out more about SJP Go-To resources, contact Nibal Awad at nawad@stjohnsprep.org.

30

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Bernie Caniff ’72

John Cushing ’85

Taidgh McClory ’93

Brian Shultz ’75

The Alumni Office is led by Nibal Awad, our new Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving, together with Alumni Engagement Coordinators Kristen Stella and Paul McNamara ’69. With the support of a newly restructured Alumni Board and its four co-chairs — Bernie Caniff ’72, John Cushing ’85, Taidgh McClory ’93, and Brian Shultz ’75 — the Alumni Office’s top priority is to be a resource for all of our graduates.

There is nothing more powerful than the sense of community that comes from being a St. John’s Prep graduate.


Making a Bigger Impact

in building relationships. St. John’s taught Tyler how to treat people well and he learned the importance of giving back. Tyler says, “I owe my success to St. John’s. It is that simple. I have a real passion for the School. It gives me a sense of purpose.”

T

yler DeStefano ’03 is a recognizable face on the St. John’s Prep campus. As an active alumni volunteer, class representative, and member of the St. John’s Prep Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Tyler has sought out ways to give back to St. John’s since graduating 14 years ago. Most recently, he has found a way to give back even more than he thought was possible. Tyler grew up in Danvers and returned to his hometown after graduating from Saint Michael’s College. He and his wife, Rachael, moved to Ipswich when they started their family, first welcoming Harrison, age four, and most recently, baby Ella. Between Tyler’s role as Vice President of Business Development at Living Legacy Financial Group, and spending time with his family, he has his hands full, but he always finds time to think about St. John’s and the impact the school has had on him. Hard work and perseverance is what helped Tyler succeed at St. John’s. He shared that he had to work hard for his grades in Mr. Henaghan’s Spanish class and Ms. Talbot’s math class but that he learned so much more than Spanish and math. He learned how to focus, how to really dig deep and work hard and also the value

Tyler DeStefano is making an impact with his gift of life insurance. Here are some things to consider when thinking about how you can make a gift to St. John’s using life insurance.

Tyler contacted the Advancement Office in the fall to talk about his plan to purchase a life insurance policy to give to St. John’s. He will pay the annual premiums, but he has named St. John’s as the owner and 100% beneficiary of the $25,000 life insurance policy. Tyler is the first to say that as much as he would like to, he is not currently in the position to write a $25,000 check to St. John’s. By funding his gift through a life insurance policy he can write a check for $400 a year and ultimately make a gift of $25,000. He also has the option of increasing the policy over time. The annual commitment associated with the life insurance policy, leaves room in his budget to support The Fund for St. John’s, the Prep’s annual giving program, as well. “St. John’s taught me the importance of working hard and building relationships. It taught me to treat people well and to give back. I give credit to St. John’s for where I am today,” says Tyler.

 Transfer an existing policy so St. John’s becomes the owner and beneficiary. You receive an immediate charitable deduction. If you pay the premiums each year, you also receive an annual charitable deduction.  Name St. John’s Prep as the beneficiary of an existing policy. This is a quick and easy step that will benefit St. John’s.

 Purchase a new policy and name St. John’s the owner and beneficiary. You will receive an immediate charitable deduction.  A ssign dividends from an existing policy to St. John’s Prep. The dividends directly benefit the Prep.  Make a gift of life insurance of any kind and become a member of the 1907 Society, the Prep’s planned giving recognition society.

Ensuring the Best Education Possible

“I

support St. John’s because I want to make sure my son, Liam ’23, and all Prep students receive the best education possible. Making a gift of a life insurance policy is easy. It can be done by transferring an existing policy to St. John’s or purchasing a new policy and naming the Prep as a beneficiary. It addition to other planned gifts and The Fund for St. John’s, it is another way to help ensure the great mission of the school can continue for years to come.” Gerry Donovan ’86 P’23 is a member of the Prep’s Headmaster’s Council Committee and Planned Giving Advisory Committee. As a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual, he understands the ins and outs of making a charitable planned gift. Gerry is a member of the Board of Trustees at Montserrat College of Art and he resides in Wenham with his wife, Lyndie, and their children — Liam ’23, Beau and Willow.

PREP SUMMER 2017

31


WE ARE ST. JOHN’S GALA 2017

T

he We Are St. John’s Gala brought more than 500 alumni, parents, faculty and friends together on April 8 to celebrate the Prep’s unique spirit of community. We honored outstanding people who have made a difference in the lives of Prep students, and we heard from Eric Dunn ’06 about the community support that made his Prep education possible. It was a great evening!

Brother Tim Paul, C.F.X., flanked by honorees Tim and Amy Dittrich and their sons, Tyler ’06 and Dylan ’09.

Honorees Dale Bryant and Harriet Malone with Fine Arts Department Chair Alicia Greenwood.

Thank you to our leadership sponsors for their support! SPIRE CIRCLE Windover Construction

TRUSTEE CIRCLE Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Debbie and Bernie Caniff ’72 P’98 ’00 & Donna and Elliot Katzman P’01 ’05 Leslie and Matt Cushing ’88 Vicki and Jonathan DeSimone ’88 P’16 ’18 Eastern Bank Sharon and Dennis Hanson P’05 ’07 Karen and Carmen Monks ’83 Heidi and John O’Connor P’20

David ’83 and Paul ’52 Hennessey (center) with Headmaster Ed Hardiman, Chair of the Board of Trustees Chair David Ives ’72 P’07, Trustee Paul Nasser P’13, and Principal/Associate Head of School Keith Crowley.

Left: Eric Dunn ’06 with his sister, Sarah.  Center: Pam and Dean Newport, whose son is coming to St. John’s in the fall, took advantage of the We Are St. John’s photo booth!  Right: Eileen and Jim O’Holleran P’20 ’22 with their son, Conor ’20, one of the evening’s tuxedo-clad student volunteers. 32

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


Field Notes Far left: Ed Coffey ’65 and Pat Connaughton ’11 at the Notre Dame Club of San Antonio’s event in March, 2017.  Left: John Lohmann ’65 conquering the last of the 4,000 foot peaks in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

’50

After 57 years of running his own insurance business in Swampscott, Jim Hughes retired in May, telling the Daily Item of Lynn, “We had a good run. The hardest part for any of us is to decide it is time…. Who knows? I hope I’m right.” Jim, who played football at the Prep and at Holy Cross, told the paper that he and his wife of 55 years, Nancy, look forward to more time for attending daily Mass and walking the local beaches.

’54

Tom Kwei is feeling very fortunate that his health is stable enabling him to enjoy volunteering at the Museum of Science and the Boston Symphony and to enjoy his grandchildren, family and friends. He spent time last winter skiing in Aspen.

’59

George “Bud” Rickus reports, “In February of this year my wife and I went to a dinner to kick off the sail boat race from The St. Petersburg Yacht club to the Hemingway Marina in Cuba. We were also on a friend’s boat when the 80 plus yachts entered in the race began. This 284 nautical mile race was first held in 1930 and continued until 1959 when it was discontinued. At the dinner we listened to speakers from the St. Pete Yacht Club and Cuba talk about the history of the race and the hope that the race will again be an annual event. This was special for us as we went to Cuba just after President Obama lifted travel restrictions to Cuba. And yes, we bought the maximum number of cigars you can bring back. Well like any good husband you have to keep your wife in cigars. You mean yours doesn’t smoke cigars! The Cuban people are very

friendly, like Americans very much from our perspective and their country has an amazing history. We highly recommend going there. As for the Rickus clan all is well as we have been blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. All are in good health and doing well in life. Regards to all, GO PREP! Ray Gouin celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his becoming an attorney on November 17, 2016. So it’s likely time to now disclose that he placed first among the 597 who took the Massachusetts bar exam in June of 1966 and that he did so with the then highest known score in the history of the exam. The qualification was due to the fact that knowledge about the scores only went back to the early 1920s and, as the Chairman of the Board of Bar Overseers noted at the time, “There may have been someone who in 1887 or 1866 had a higher score than you did, but we will never know.” Earlier in 2016 he and his wife Marie celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary as well as their 44th anniversary in owning their home in Melrose. Paul Mawn recently sold the assets, technology and client relationships of Concord Consulting Group LLC which for the last 3 decades has assisted major oil companies around the world in improving their profitability though logistics productivity. He will assist the buyer in a 3 year transition period to both retain and grow this business. After 28 years of both active duty and active Naval Reserve commissioned service, Captain Mawn retired from the Navy on the deck of the USS Constitution after briefly serving on active duty during Desert Storm. Three years later, he

personally commissioned his Dartmouth graduate son into the US Marine Corps. Paul has continued his military-related activities as chairman of the Advocates for Harvard ROTC as well as serving as the Vice Commander of the Military Order of the World Wars and his membership in the Wardroom Club, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. After many moves, Paul now lives in Sudbury and also has a place in Harwichport on Cape Cod with his wife June. They have three children who are living with their families in Connecticut, Texas and Florida.

’60

William McDonald continues to teach sociology at Georgetown University. He will be chairperson of the department in the coming academic year. He is on sabbatical, writing books and articles about crime and immigration. Bill’s wife Irene has become a collector of folk art pieces which she cleans up and places around their home. He says she’s like Frank and Mike on American Pickers. Bill stays in touch with classmates Jack Hayes, David Mills, David Kobos and Jay White. George Atkins continues to practice law at Ronan, Segal and Harrington in Salem. He is living in Beverly. He tells us that his four children and five grandchildren are located in Long Island, NY, Golden, CO, London UK and in Salem, so Skype, Facetime and travel are regularly required.

’65

Ed Coffey worked with our alumni office to make Pat Connaughton’s ’11 visit to San Antonio feel like home. Pat, who plays for the Portland Trailblazers, was in town for their game against the Spurs. He was

PREP SUMMER 2017

33


IN MEMORIAM Please remember in your prayers these members of the Prep community who have passed away recently.

Brother James M. Boyle, C.F.X. ’48 Brother Labre Dillon, C.F.X. Brother Richard T. Murphy, C.F.X. (Brother Tobias) Brother Cosmas Rubencamp, C.F.X.  Robert W. Morse (1930s) Rev. Richard G. Johnson ’39 Francis X. Mahoney ’39 Daniel J. Placido ’43 Donald A. MacEachern ’46 Donald E. Browning ’48 David V. Williamson ’48 Joseph L. Sirois, M.D. ’49 Frederick F. Dubiel ’50 John E. Murtagh Sr. ’50 John M. Crean ’53 William E. Kelly ’54 P. Brian Flynn ’55 John J. O’Rourke Jr. ’55 Calvin T. McCarthy ’56 John D. Mulville ’57 John D. Keefe ’62 William E. Kraski ’62 Edward J. Gill ’64 Christopher F. Serocke ’69 Reverend Thomas Champigny ’73 James Phillip Rioux ’81 Peter J. Collins ’86 Brian T. Lebrasseur ’86 David J. Crowley ’88 Douglas F. MacLean ’90 Michael S. Snyder ’91 Michael F. Donlin ’99

34

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

welcomed by the Notre Dame Club of San Antonio and presented with a commemorative plaque. Ed reinforced the connections with his past by presenting him with a Prep tee shirt. On hand for the festivities was Matt Chesley ’11 who made the drive from his home in Austin, TX to see his classmate. John Lohmann tells us that in August of last year he completed hiking his 47th and 48th of the 48 4,000 foot mountains in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Starting just before 6:00 a.m. at the Zealand trailhead in the northern Whites, the hike passed over Zealand Mountain, Mount Guyout, West Bond, Mount Bond, and Bondcliff, all 4,000 foot mountains, before finishing at Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway. Overall, the hike covered 19 ½ miles in 14 ½ Ray Carey ’67 at the Los Angeles Women’s March in January with his son Patrick ’92, Patrick’s partner, hours (and one Aleve), completing Diane, Ray’s daughter Michelle, and the grandkids. a quest that began in 2004, when he moved to New Hampshire from for the Arts — tough time for them. My Virginia. He says, “It’s something younger daughter is graduating from for Prep grads to put on their bucket list med school on reunion weekend. My to do before they hit 70, another goal loss. My son is now a Wall Street tool.” I achieved on April 12.” Tom Scanlin David Hornig was unable to attend the tells us, “One of my two daughters has 50th Class Reunion this May but sent his created a product that she is about to best to those who attended. He tell us, launch. It has a business-to-business “I have been working in New York City for application, but its initial offering is to more than 40 years. I have always been the consumer. It is called Lystr and it grateful for the education I received at makes grocery shopping a breeze. Lystr SJP which helped me at college and law is a connected home device that lives in school. I am a founding member of the law your kitchen and creates your grocery firm Nicoletti Hornig & Sweeney. I am in list — swipe a product’s barcode past charge of the litigation department at the its face or say “Hey Lystr, add bananas” firm with 30 lawyers. The firm specializes and the item is added to your companion in admiralty, aviation, transportation and Lystr smartphone grocery list app. Send insurance law. I still enjoy the challenges your list to one of our partners and have of litigation and I have tried several cases your groceries delivered or available to verdict in the past year. Because of the for pick-up. The Lystr grocery list app is nature of my practice I have tried cases shareable among household members in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and accessible on-the-go, so you’ll never Virginia, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, forget anything at the store again. Lystr Texas and even in the US Virgin Islands. I is close to launching! Visit getlystr.com, enjoy mentoring young lawyers who have enter your email address where it says joined us over the years, many of whom “keep me updated”, and we will inform you have become partners at our firm. I reside when we launch our first limited release, in White Plains, New York with my wife. closed production run. You can also follow We also have a home in Sandisfield, MA, us on Facebook and Twitter @lystrtech.” were we spend many weekends. We have John Woodbury recently five children and seven grandchildren. I moved to Annapolis, Maryland still enjoy numerous activities that I share and is largely retired from his position at with other family members. I still play Charles River Associates, a consulting tennis, but I am starting to play more golf. firm in Washington D.C. He reports, “My I enjoy hiking, skiing and biking which I eldest daughter is working for American do on weekends with our children and

’67


F

rom being one of only 77 young women to attend the Prep, to being an FBI agent and private investigator, Jane Mason ’77 has always forged her own path. Her experience at St. John’s prepared her for a career in what was then a mostly male FBI. She became a Special Agent in 1986, and spent most of her career in New York City until retiring in 2014. “At the Prep I treasured that everyone saw each person for who they were and how they treated others,” Jane said. “It also helped me became completely comfortable with being the only female in a crowd of men. In the FBI, I was frequently the only female on arrest teams, search teams, in court testifying, in training sessions, and making presentations.” Now, she and a business partner, who is also a retired Special Agent, run Secure Investigation Inc. “Our focus is complex financial and environmental investigations. All of Mr. Boyle’s chemistry has been put to use during the environmental cases! But, we receive requests of all types. One day I may be helping a client determine if she has been catfished and the next I could be trying to locate someone in Pakistan. The variety is fascinating,” says Jane.

In addition to her PI business, Jane still makes time to come back to the Prep. Each year she speaks in Mr. Bill Britton’s War and Peace class with an FBI Special Agent to talk about terrorism, giving students real-world insights. “Being a student at the Prep was one of the greatest experiences of my life and giving back has been a great honor,” Jane said.

“One day I may be helping a client determine if she has been catfished and the next I could be trying to locate someone in Pakistan. The variety is fascinating.”

grandchildren in the Berkshires. I got my pilots license in 1967 and still fly almost every week just for fun or for trips to see family and occasionally for work. At least once a year I go to the Caribbean where I enjoy SCUBA diving. We also try to go to different European countries every year for vacation. This year we are going to Spain. I plan to stop working in a few years but we have not made any firm retirement plans. The education, ethics and morals I learned at SJP have served me well for over 50 years.” Jim “Rocco” Centorino was the subject of an article in Education Week in May. A physics teacher by trade and a musician by desire, Jim wrote a musical about high school students based on his experiences in the classroom. Jim teaches at Louisville High School, an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school in Woodland Hills, Calif., He spoke with Education Week Teacher about how the countless number of students he taught over the last 40 years at several different schools inspired him to write and compose “Senior Prom: The Musical.” He says that his daily interactions with students shaped the reality of high school that he sought to re-create in his musical, which was performed by his students in November. The memorable remarks from students, that he still recalls to this day, make the musical sentimental, but also charming and amusing. He says, “I wanted every scene to be funny and to reflect what my students have actually said or done — either something odd, interesting, intellectual, or just plain goofy. I have

been saving memorable quotes from my students for many years, often in a coffee mug on my desk.” He has offered to share his work with the SJP Drama Department.

’68

Next May, the class of 1968 will return to campus for their 50th reunion. My, how times flies! A reunion committee is being formed to engage classmates and encourage all to participate in this milestone event. If you would like to be part of the planning committee, please contact Charlie Gianturco, at clgiant@comcast.net. Biff Michaud is living in Marblehead and remains the CEO of The Salem Witch Museum. He has been gearing up for another big tourism season and in the middle of a major project installing a new brick entry plaza in front of the museum. He says he can’t wait for the summer boating season to begin!

’69

Jon Malay has published a new book. “War in our Wake: The Untold Story of the Last American Military Presence of the Vietnam War” is a personal narrative of his first assignment at sea after graduating from the Naval Academy. Early in the morning of April 30, 1975, the last Marine Corps helicopter lifted off from the roof of the Embassy in Saigon, but it was three days later when the guided missile destroyer USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG‑22) made a final pass along the coast off the mouth of the Saigon River and rescued 158 people after being ordered not to. When Jon and his shipmates sailed away on

May 3, they became the last American servicemen to serve in that war. Jon tells this exciting story and more in his new book. Since the ship’s namesake was the first Secretary of the Navy under President John Adams, Jon uses this chance to tell the Marblehead-Beverly rivalry story about the birth of the Navy. He wants all Prep alums and friends to know WIOW is available now on Amazon and hopes you enjoy a great sea story. And Jon continues to pick up more sea stories as he continues his third career as a lecturer on Earth and space science on premier cruise lines.

’70

David Brady tells us that he is enjoying his retirement from the Federal Reserve in Philadelphia. In May, he completed the 10-mile Philadelphia Broad Street Run in 1hr:53min:58sec. His son, Brian, was married in February and his daughter, Kelly, was married on Memorial Day weekend. He is living in Cherry Hill, N.J. Gene Baron returned to his alma mater, The Ohio State University, in October for the first time since receiving his degree. He presented a study, “The Laudatio Turiae and the Real Marcus Aemelius Lepidus” at the Texts and Contexts conference sponsored by the Center of Epigraphical and

PREP SUMMER 2017

35


strabismus cases requiring general anesthesia. ASAPROSAR has a fixed facility in Santa Anna which has operating rooms for our use. The host nation was very gracious and helpful in their support. This was a very educational and gratifying experience. I was very fortunate that my employer, Lahey Health, contributed financially to provide my airfare and accommodations. Michael Howell tells us, Several of the people on this trip “The internecine tussle were colleagues of mine from Lahey. within the Howell family has been My nephew, Anthony Bettencourt Michael Howell ’71 (far left) with his children (l to r) Kirby, Cael, settled with the decision of Cael who is currently a Prep student, and Gibson and wife, Laura. Howell to follow his sister Gibson went to Ecuador with the group from and their alum-Mom, Laura, to St. Johns in February. These trips poor people of El Salvador. As an St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.” are beneficial to those we travel to help anesthesiologist, my contribution was Michael and family live in Newton. Cael as well as being very helpful to us as we to provide anesthesia support for a and Gibson are also the nephew and attempt to keep things in perspective and group of ophthalmologists who traveled niece of Richard Howell ’72. to be thankful for all that we have. from the United States to provide eye care in the area. My primary role was Joseph Bettencourt reports, “On  Justin St. James (nee to administer general anesthesia to March 10, I took a ten day trip to Paul Hagopian) became a primarily pediatric patients who were work with a nongovernmental organization member of the New Hampshire State having strabismus, or eye muscle surgery (NGO) known as ASAPROSAR which Bar in December. He is now licensed for dysconjugate gaze. Our group stands for The Salvadorean Association to practice law in Massachusetts and performed more than 100 eye surgeries For Rural Health. ASAPROSAR works New Hampshire. Don Jalbert is alive during the 10 day trip. Approximately to provide health care, education, and well in Epping, NH. After a staph one quarter of these operations were and economic development to the Palaeographical Studies. He says, “It was a wonderful but poignant homecoming and my hotel was across the street from Ohio Stadium. They have since increased the capacity of the place to try to match their rival in Ann Arbor, but Michigan is still bigger (usually 105,000). My wife keeps her bragging rights: I’m OSU, she is U of M.”

’71

THANK YOU TO OUR HOSTS!

’74

36

’75

We hit the road to visit with members of the Prep community all over this world this year. It was exciting to catch up and see this wide-reaching network of friends and colleagues in action. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our hosts in cities far and wide. California – Ed Marinucci ’68, president of Pacific Hotel Group, and Sean McKillop ’87, project manager at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, co-hosted a networking reception at the Olympic Club in San Francisco on May 2. In Los Angeles, Doug Smith ’83, senior managing director and team leader at First Republic Bank, hosted a reception at First Republic Bank on May 3. And Paul Niehaus ’00, a co-founder of GiveDirectly and Segovia Technology and an associate professor of economics at UC San Diego, was keynote speaker at the alumni San Diego Business Networking Reception at The Lodge at Torrey Pines on May 4. Chicago – John Gilligan ’95, managing director of BDT Capital Partners, Bob Hogan ’71, director of global business development and Asia at Zip-Pak, and Paul Sternlieb ’90, group president at Illinois Tool Works, teamed up to co-host an alumni dinner at Petterino’s in Chicago on April 25. China – Kevin Dwan ’92, director of research (Asia) at MFS Investment Management, hosted Prep alumni and parents for a reception in Hong Kong, when Headmaster Ed Hardiman visited China in March. Eric Nelson ’86, interim CEO at Eriez-China, arranged a gathering in Beijing during Headmaster Ed Hardiman’s visit, which also included a stop in Shanghai.

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Florida – Pat Riley ’66 hosted a golf outing and a reception at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens on March 8. Carol-Ann and Tony Vorias ’61 GP’21 ’22 invited folks for lunch at the Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart on March 9. In Naples, Noreen and John Doyle ’60 P’85 arranged for golf and lunch at the Imperial Golf Club on March 10. And in Fort Myers, past parents Donna and Elliot Katzman P’01 ’05 held an evening reception at Fiddlesticks Country Club. NYC – Nate Richardson ’89, co-founder of Trade It™, was the keynote speaker at the annual alumni NYC Business Networking Reception on April 24. Joe McCarthy ’73, president/chief client officer at Ferrara & Company, hosted a business networking reception at the Princeton Club on April 24. Washington D.C. – John Dunlop ’84, a Prep Distinguished Alumnus and director of the USAID Staff Care Center, spoke at the Prep’s Washington D.C. Business Networking Reception on May 8. Bill McCann ’90, COO of SMI Incorporated, hosted the event on Capitol Hill, and both Conor Cahill ’05 and Jeremy D’Aloisio ’06 from Senator Markey’s office helped organize the event.


“At Amazon, one of our most important leadership principles is earning trust, and I find a direct connection to the values, structure and discipline I learned at St. John’s in my daily work to match professionals’ passions and strengths with key opportunities at the company.”

H

e’s not a technical guy, but Michael Ciulla ’83 spends his days surrounded by some of the most talented engineers in the world. His favorite part of the job? As senior technical recruiter at Amazon Robotics, he is responsible for finding candidates who will thrive in the highly competitive world of artificial intelligence and autonomous machines at one of the most innovative and influential companies in the world. “There is nothing more exciting than matching talented candidates with roles where they can have a major impact on this company,” Ciulla explains. Ciulla’s talents are ideally suited to the work of recruiting, and he traces the foundation for his success at Amazon Robotics back to lessons he learned at St. John’s. “At Amazon, one of our most important leadership principles is earning trust, and I find a direct connection to the values, structure and discipline I learned at St. John’s in my daily work to match professionals’ passions and strengths with key opportunities at the company.”

By his own admission, Ciulla fell into technology after discovering that he had a knack for recruiting. After studying business and economics at Saint Anselm College, he followed in his father’s footsteps to become an underwriter. He spent the first ten years of his career in the insurance industry before switching to the high-energy world of recruiting. As he quickly discovered, it was the right fit professionally. “I focus on the candidate first. We have found that when we get that part of the process right — the right talent and passion matched with the right role — we are placing and delighting applicants who become major contributors to our company’s bottom line, so everyone wins big.”

infection left him partially disabled he works out of his house as an artist. His work has been exhibited in several places including Custom Frame and Color Gallery on Route 1 in Rye and recently at the Parker River Refuge Center and Epping Public Library. You can see his work at www.donjalbertfineart.com. He is a co-leader of two ministries at Bethany Church, The men’s ministry at the Raymond campus and the art ministry at the Greenland campus. Despite his limitations he keeps busy. He lives with his wife of 37 years, Bella, his daughter Danielle, their three grandsons and three dogs. He says, “My grandsons help me feel young again, I just wish I could catch them! God has been very good to me.”

held them back, building bridges of unity within the body of Christ and provoking others to desire this communion with Him. Ordained to the ministry in 1999 in the Assemblies of God, Bishop Robert was consecrated a bishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (the CEEC) on June 10, 2012 at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. The CEEC is a conservative communion of evangelical Christians who embrace all three historic

streams of worship expression in the Church — the sacramental, the evangelical and the Pentecostal.

’77

Ed Turner tells us that he missed his 40th reunion in May because he and his husband were literally on the road heading west to Salt Lake City. After 35 years living and working in Washington, D.C. he is becoming a Utahn and looking forward to some serious ski and hiking time.

’76

Bishop Robert Gosselin serves as the president and CEO of Count to One, a ministry which exists to promote greater unity in the Body of Christ worldwide. He is the author of a new book, “Count to One, God’s Plan for Christian Unity.” In “Count to One,” Bishop Robert lays out the principles every believer in Jesus can use to begin breaking down the walls which have

Rich Iorio ’77 was back on campus to catch up with classmates at their 40th reunion in May. He reports that he and his wife, Mary Ellen, had just attended son Alex ’13’s graduation from NYU, which took place in Radio City Music Hall! Alex is headed to law school in the fall. Rich took this picture of their daughter Elizabeth; Alex and his NYU classmate, Jenny Moroney; and Mary Ellen.

PREP SUMMER 2017

37


T

eacher turned best-selling author Brendan Kiely ’95 doesn’t shy away from discomfort, particularly if it gives him a way to do some good. At St. John’s, he thrived on the thought-provoking discussions in Ray Carey’s course on race and gender, and he helped to start the Association for Social Consciousness. After a stint in marketing and fund raising, he became a teacher, which led to writing for young people. More recently, he and fellow author Jason Reynolds co-wrote “All American Boys,” which tells the story of a black teen who is wrongly accused of stealing and a white schoolmate who witnesses the encounter. “We wrote the book in the alternating voices of the two boys because we wanted to model a conversation that kids across the country could have,” says Brendan. Outgoing and funny, Brendan brings his message about social justice home with empathy and understanding. He has spoken to more than 35,000 students in schools across the country. Brendan was back on campus last fall to talk about why he believes it is important for young people to learn how to talk openly about racism. Standing in a packed Kaneb Theatre, he said that much of what he learned at St. John’s informs his writing today. “The base was right here. You’re sitting in the same place where I sat.”

“We have an obligation to participate in deconstructing the systems that oppress people. Otherwise, we help perpetuate them. It’s something I learned at St. John’s.”

’79

Frank Gorrell is busy in many ways. He recently wrapped up a run in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” as Rev. Frederick Chasuable, DD with the City of Fairfax Theatre Company. Last fall Frank portrayed Chandler Tate in Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious sci-fi play “Comic Potential” at the Alden Theatre in McLean, Virginia. You can also see Frank in the Fios On Demand series “C.E.O. — Criminal Enterprise Organization,” as Police Commander Frank Lynch. (As of this writing, Frank appears at the beginning of episode 3 and he is hopeful of additional work.) The series features Omar Gooding and Antwon Temoney. Meanwhile, Frank works for KPMG LLP Federal Services in McLean where he helps oversee government compliance. As if all this isn’t enough, Frank is the author of a popular fraud prevention continuing education course for fellow CPAs through Surgent McCoy. The course is offered as a day-long 8 credit course, or as two 4 credit courses.

’81

After two years living in Honolulu, Hawaii, Paul Keenan has returned to the Northeast and is now living in midtown Manhattan. He says, “In October, 2016 I started as senior vice president for university development at Columbia University. While I do miss the

38

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

nice weather and living walking distance to a lovely beach, I love living being back in familiar territory and enjoying the entertainment opportunities of NYC. If friends and classmates find themselves in the city, please look me up.” Rick Gill reports that after working for 30 years in Boston in the investment business, he changed careers last year and went to work as an independent agent with AFLAC supplemental insurance. Any alumni who own businesses or work in human resources/benefits may contact him regarding the large suite of overall benefits that can be provided to their employees at no cost to the business.

’82

After two decades building community support for real estate developments in over 30 states and three countries, Paul Devlin is now helping New York City residents realize their dreams of home ownership as a licensed real estate salesperson at Stribling & Associates (www.stribling.com/agents/paul-devlin). He started his career in political campaign management before honing skills in real estate through government relations and public affairs. Paul moved to New York City from Washington, DC after time in Toronto, ON and London, UK. While in Toronto Paul acquired an MBA focused on global issues from the Rotman School of

Management at the University of Toronto in conjunction with St. Gallen University in Switzerland. He’d be happy to reconnect with Prep alum at any time.

’83

Scott Jalbert was recently named vice president of Hancock Survey Associates, Inc. Scott is a professional land surveyor and has been with Hancock for over 20 years. As an owner and surveyor, Scott has joined up his business education from New Hampshire College with his post college certificate in land surveying. Joining his brother in business many years ago has led to rewarding challenges including working on the Prep STEM and Wellness construction projects. Scott lives in Salem with his wife Kim and sons Nick and Matt (who is also a budding land surveyor). Scott looks forward to connecting with classmates.

’86

Five members of Class of ’86 had an “accidental reunion” in NYC in March, after attempting to get together for about two years. Attending the get together were James Delorey, Greg Atkins, Kevin Johnson, Michael Lewis and Chris Fuligni. Michael Lewis tells us, “We threw advanced planning out the window and said let’s meet in two days. Apparently spontaneity still has a place in this world. Either way, we did


not solve any global issues in our short outing at Old Town Bar & Restaurant, but we caught up and talked about a lot of our Class of ’86 brethren. What’s amazing is that the five of us were part of different friend groups during high school. So to be able to reconnect and have so much to discuss speaks volumes about the core and values that SJP gave each of us. Hope we can make it happen again and please drop me a line at mpl1968@yahoo. com if you live in or near NYC and want to join up at our next gathering.

’88

Oh Baby!

There’s a new Nittany Lion! After 21 years at the helm of the Princeton University women’s hockey program, Jeff Kampersal has been tapped as the next head women’s coach at Penn State. A 1992 Princeton grad, Jeff was a captain of the hockey team during his senior year at the Prep, and he was inducted into the SJP Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. Congrats and best of luck to Coach Kampy! Jim Moran is living in Connecticut with his wife and their two children. He works in NYC at his branding business, coopbrand.co. He travels to Boston almost weekly as they opened a Boston office in early 2016. He’s been reconnecting with old Prep friends and welcomes them to drop him an email (jimmoran7@me.com) or find him on LinkedIn. Matt Cushing has a new

Class of ’86 NYC mini-reunion was attended by (L to R) James Delorey, Greg Atkins, Kevin Johnson, Michael Lewis and Chris Fuligni. Credit Greg Atkins for carrying around a Prep yearbook in his briefcase.

position. He is vice president and chief commercial officer and general counsel at Pegasystems in Cambridge. Matt serves on the Prep’s board of trustees. He and his wife Leslie live with their children in Lynnfield.

’89

Scott McCready was the lead landscape architect on an amazing urban development project in Houston, TX: Buffalo Bayou Park. It’s a 160 acre park in the center of Houston that has been completely transformed, complete with over

10,000 new trees. The project won an Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects. They describe the project as follows: “The Buffalo Bayou Promenade connected Houston’s downtown core to the river park to the west under and through a neglected and near impossible mess of freeways and bridges, adding 23 acres of parkland to Houston’s inner city. The landscape architect’s early visioning and then implementation converted a trash-soaked eyesore — intimidating to pedestrians and detrimental to flood

Far left, above: Nola Connors is the new daughter of Jarrod Connors ’99 and his wife Jaime.  Far left, below: Bryan M. Parsons ’93 and husband Carlo Iyog welcomed their daughter Ava Juliana in April.  Left: Brad Pitcher ’98 and his wife Kelly are excited to announce the birth of their first son, David Robert Pitcher. Born on March 15, 2017, David makes the Pitchers a family of five, and his two older sisters couldn’t be more excited to have someone to boss around!

PREP SUMMER 2017

39


Seizing upon a “George Costanza moment,” and as an avid baseball guy, Sartori landed an internship in the Commissioner’s Office of Major League Baseball, taking the first step on an entirely different career path.

A

fter graduation from Boston College, Jay Sartori ’97 started out in investment banking, and spent four years in this world. Everything changed in an instant, however, when a company he had joined closed its doors, and Jay found himself out of work and wondering about his next direction. Seizing upon a “George Costanza moment,” and as an avid baseball guy, Sartori landed an internship in the Commissioner’s Office of Major League Baseball, taking the first step on an entirely different career path. In the labor department at MLB, Jay learned the business from the ground up. Realizing the “Moneyball” new-normal philosophy in MLB, he found himself in an opportune spot. Over four years’ time, he made friends with key people in the game, and gained valuable experience. Knowing his long-term goal was to be at the team level, he networked his way to positions with the Washington Nationals as director of baseball operations for one year, and then as assistant general manager with the Toronto Blue Jays for three years. He took a two-year hiatus from baseball, when Apple offered him a role in their sport and entertainment division. “I had always been an Apple ‘fan boy,’” he says. “It was probably the only company I would consider leaving baseball for. It was a dream come true, but leaving the Blue Jays was the toughest decision of my life!”

His heart still in baseball, Jay says he never lost the desire to go back to work for a major league team. And the Detroit Tigers gave him that opportunity, when they hired him as director of baseball operations prior to the start of the 2016 season, a position he holds proudly today. Go Tigers!

control efforts — into 3,000 linear feet of urban park that provides a prominent gateway to downtown Houston.” Scott has lived in Houston for almost 20 years and is a principal architect for the SWA group, an internationally recognized landscape architecture firm. Scott has done numerous projects in China. While at SJP, he was a nationally ranked fencer and did stage crew. His two nephews, Nicholas Arcari ’16 and Enzo Arcari ’18, have continued the family tradition and were/are also active in stage crew for SJP Drama.

’90

Steve Chaggaris has been named the CBS News Political Director. This appointment acknowledges Steve’s role guiding political and campaign coverage and providing on-and off-air reporting and analysis. Steve has been CBS’s senior political editor, built and managed their political unit for 2016, and served as Washington executive editor for cbsnews.com for the 2012 and 2014 cycles. He began with CBS News in 1999 as an associate producer.

’93

Tim O’Connor and wife Jaclyn welcomed their third child, Weston Joseph O’Connor, on June 18th, 2016. Weston joins older brother Owen (5) and sister Irie (3). Family is doing well and resides in Groveland.

40

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

’94

Danvers based International Cars, Ltd. (ICL), employeeowned auto dealerships located in southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, has named Bryan Laskin the new General Manager of Dover Honda, in Dover, New Hampshire. A Danvers, Massachusetts native, Bryan worked for the past 11 years at ICL’s flagship Honda dealership, Honda North, in Danvers. During his tenure at Honda North, Bryan rose through the sales department’s ranks to the position of general sales manager, where for the last six years, he led Honda North to six consecutive President’s Awards, Honda’s highest honor awarded for sales and service excellence.

’97

Michael Cassetta has been developing his 100th Grease Monkey vegetable oil refinery/retail station for the past few years, after having proven his commitment despite 10 years of government and corporate grant denials and having to sell his car to help clear up some debt. He is enrolling in a certificate class at MIT and fine tuning and prepping the station for mass production and deployment to corporate food institutions that will be supported by Community Rehabilitation Providers and Veterans nationwide. He recently won a court case against an insurance company

to vacate his at-fault charge in a five car pile-up with his Mom’s beloved Mercedes. He not only got his insurance points taken off and his Mom’s money back, he also got invited to that insurance company’s board meeting. He hopes to inspire them to support VO fuel conversions under the Massachusetts Voluntary Biofuel law.

’98

Jeffery Ryan is the CEO of Interscope, Inc. a medical device engineering company located in Worcester. In May the company announced the receipt of marketing clearance in the USA from the FDA for their EndoRotor® System for commercialization in gastroenterology and colorectal surgery. Clinical data shows that incomplete resection of colorectal disease is a challenge and rates of disease persistence are as high as 30 percent, leading to an increase in complications. Interscope innovated the first flexible microdebrider for use by medical specialists in the digestive tract to facilitate complete removal of diseased mucosa. Unlike existing instruments, the EndoRotor® performs tissue dissection, resection and retrieval in a single step enabling endoscopists to facilitate disease removal without thermal energy. Jeff and his wife, Jessica, live in Whitinsville.


Wedding Bells Right: Steve Dutcher ’07 married Caroline Trainor on September 16, 2016 in Boston at the Four Seasons. Prep friends at the wedding included (l to r) Pete Trainor ’11, Mike Gelineau ’07, Nick McPherson ’07, Maxwell Wigglesworth ’07, Tom Culkeen ’07, the groom, Sean Mitchell ’07, the bride, Dylan Kline ’07, Matt Baginksi ’07, Michael Trainor ’09, Doug Patrican ’07, Jake McNeil ’07, and Sean O’Hara ’07.

Right: Tom DiGiano ’01 married Meredith Leo on September 10, 2016 at the Water Witch Club in Highlands, NJ. They are living in Brooklyn, NY.  Above: Classmates celebrating with the couple were (l to r) James Campbell, Andrew Simons, the groom, Sean Carlson, Kevin Benecchi, and Tom’s brother, Peter DiGiano ’03.

Right: Congratulations to Susannah Davis and Matthew Warden ’08, who were married in the chapel at St. John’s on Saturday, April 22, 2017.  Above: Matthew with groomsmen and classmates (l to r) Dionisios Pissios, Jeremy Hynes, the groom, and Jeffery Fiore.

Peter (PJ) Mugford ’07 and Jade Sperlinga were married on November 5, 2016, at St. Mary’s Church in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Father James Ronan ’62 officiated at the ceremony, and the reception followed at the Four Seasons Hotel. Prep alumni in attendance included Joseph Milano ’62, Andrew Frates ’06, Chris McNamara ’06, Peter O’Toole ’06, Pat Ryan ’07, Tom Culkeen ’07, Chris Murtagh ’07, Santo Detorre ’08, Jason Clucas ’06, Ryan Johnson ’07, Eric Doherty ’08, Rob Noe ’07, Matt Rogers ’07 and Kevin O’Toole ’07.

Ryan Lynch ’04 and Maggie Tihanyi were married in October, 2016 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They are now living in Plymouth.

PREP SUMMER 2017

41


F

irst-year medical student Drew Jenkins ’11 spends a full day every month seeing patients at the Boston Health Center for the Homeless. He listens to their stories and learns about the barriers they face in getting treatment. Doctors hope the information Drew and other students gather will help improve care for patients whose medical issues are compounded by homelessness, trauma, mental illness, addiction and poverty. His efforts are part of the Homeless Health Immersion Experience, a clinical service — learning program for first- and second-year medical students at Boston University. “This is a major safety net hospital for the uninsured or under-insured. The vast majority of students here choose BU because of the focus on under-served populations. It’s true of the teachers, as well. The education here is tailored to the population we serve,” Drew says. “We talk a lot about basic things, like transportation. Even for someone who has health insurance and access to the center, if they’re coming from Brockton and rely on public transportation, that can be an obstacle to getting treatment,” he says. “As a physician, being cognizant of factors like that helps you treat patients more holistically.” Drew taught middle school math in Jamaica Plain before applying to medical school. Getting to know his students, many from single-parent families who live below the poverty line, influenced his decision to attend BU. “I couldn’t imagine how the kids I taught would deal with a serious medical issue in their families. It was a wake-up call for me.

“Even for someone who has health insurance and access to the center, if they’re coming from Brockton and rely on public transportation, that can be an obstacle to getting treatment.”

’99

Jarrod Connors and his wife are parents to a new baby girl, Nola Poppy, born in March. They live in Somerville with their son, Nat (2) and dog Buddy. Jarrod is an associate in the tax credit transactions practice group at Holland & Knight LLP. He’s worked there as attorney since 2011 and prior to that as a paralegal. The Connors family lives in Melrose.

back to Massachusetts in April. I am working at National Grid and look forward to connecting with students interested in the energy industry and alumni also working in this industry! Patch Culbertson and Jennifer Smith tied the knot in June during a ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia. Patch is director of artists and repertoire for Republic Records, a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group.

’02

’06

Matthew Pani is an analyst/ program coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Matt is a graduate of Providence College and earned his master’s in criminal justice from Salem State. He had been working as an analyst for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

’03

Mark Hintlian was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy last summer after 10 years of active duty service. Mark is now a student at Boston College Law School, entering his second year. He lives with his wife, Tania, in Brighton and has enjoyed reconnecting with Prep classmates since returning home.

’04

Omar Muneeruddin tells, “After heading to New York City in 2004 for college and remaining there to launch my career and attend graduate school, I am pleased to share that I moved

42

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG

Matt Sullivan and his sister, Kat ran the Boston Marathon in April in memory of his infant daughter, Rosalie. He raised funds for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NICU. Rosalie arrived far in advance of her September due date in June of 2016. Despite the heroic efforts of the NICU and the loving attention of her parents, she lived for only one week. He chose to run as part of the BIDMC marathon team for his daughter, his wife, his family, his friends and all the wonderful people who were part of Rosalie’s life. Donations to his effort may be made even though the race is over by going to www.crowdrise.com/BIDMCBoston2017/ fundraiser/mattsullivan6. Joseph Jasinski worked at the Prep’s middle school this past winter as a long-term substitute teaching English and social studies at the sixth grade level. He has begun graduate studies at the University of Portland’s

Pacific Alliance of Catholic Education and will teach middle school English classes at the St. Francis School in Honolulu, Hawaii, for the next two school years.

’07

Wills Fallon was married in October to Kendall Fishman in Pebble Beach, California. Wills and Kendall met while both were students at Santa Clara University. Wills works for Uber Technologies and Kendall is at Zendesk.

’08

Ben Dulong has been hired at Aston Martin of New England/ Lotus Motorsports in Waltham to handle photography and marketing, along with parts/ inventory management, after four years of part-time photography and marketing for a small exotic car consignment shop, and full-time administrative and detailing work at a small dealership and European car service center in central Massachusetts. He is now living in West Roxbury.

’11

Chris Enos is a researcher developing wind turbine designs that are more environmentally sustainable and cost friendly in a research group at the University of Wisconsin. He is working towards his masters in civil and environmental engineering. Faxon Michaud spent the winter working for The Sugarloaf Corp. and has returned


to Marblehead. He is looking forward to continuing his business Titan Guide Service, catching tuna and bass off the coast. He says that his charter customers love the hunt and catching the big ones.

’12

Graham Billings spent a few weeks as an intern in the alumni office at St. John’s this spring. He used his expertise in social media and digital marketing to help build and implement a social media plan for alumni regional events and reunion weekend. In addition, he had fun engaging with and contacting alumni across the country about regional events. Before accepting a full-time position as a community manager at MullenLowe in New York City, Graham also helped draft a proposal for an official alumni internship program, providing an opportunity for two Prep graduates

to work in the alumni office each year. Graham left a lasting impact during his time in the Office of Alumni Relations! For more about the internship program, check page 30. Tyler Rossi was back on campus this year, working as an intern in the Center for Learning and Academic Success. Come September, he is headed to Macedonia, where he will volunteer with youth in the Community Development Program through the Peace Corps. “I am really grateful to the Prep for a wonderful year of teaching and working with both the Middle and High school students. My next two years in Macedonia will certainly be an adventure and I cannot wait to start! I will continue to work with children as I have for the past few years, with Save the Children in DC and here at the Prep. While I will be on the other side of the world, the Prep will continue to help guide my actions,” he says. Andrew Gauthier and Adam Johnson met up in Europe to celebrate their college graduations. They explored several countries together and had some awesome adventures. The

Adam Johnson (left) and Andrew Gauthier.

adjacent photo shows them atop the Eiger in Switzerland which they reached through a combination of train travel and hiking. Adam is finishing up his master’s degree in London, and is excited to begin his career in the Air Force starting next year. Andres started work at Mars & Co, a small strategy consulting firm in Connecticut

WISE WORDS

We were excited to see members of the Class of 2015 back on campus in January to talk with seniors. The group of college sophomores shared insights about what to expect next year and how lessons learned at the Prep can help make for a successful transition to life away from home. Thank you for the words of wisdom!

Front row, l to r: Matt Madeira, Justin Fortini, Grant Swartz, Henry Gustafson, Tyler Jackowski, Zach Rowell, Ethan Schutzman.  Back row, l to r: Phillip Cross, Zach Freedman, Alex Demokritou, Ian Richardson, Pat Bradley, Ted Silva, Gali Wernsing, Hugh Harrington, Joe Luongo. Not pictured but part of the group were Dan Dewing, Harrison Kurker, Ted Sanford, Kevin Sanford, and Tom Vaccaro.

PREP SUMMER 2017

43


matter how hard I try, I can’t give Tom a fight he can’t handle!” Steve, is now a supervisor in the Technical Accounting Consulting Group at RSM. The eldest brother, Gary, earned his Suffolk BSBA in accounting in 2010, and was a member of the inaugural Sawyer Business School Honors Program. Upon graduating, he immediately took advantage of the recently established 4+1 program to garner a Suffolk MSA one year later. For his own Steve ’08, Tom ’12 and Gary Gaudet ’06 at Tom’s May 2016 professional success, Gary graduation from Suffolk. credits advantages like the 4+1 program and a key last summer and is in the middle of a six internship at Ernst & Young, where he still month project that involved a relocation to works today. the West Coast. Thomas Gaudet and his brothers, Stephen ’08 and Gary ’06 were recently featured in Suffolk University’s alumni magazine. The three brothers have attained six accounting degrees among them. According to the article, Tom Gaudet started his Suffolk career with grand ambitions, namely, to graduate summa cum laude and earn a position at a large public accounting firm. With those undergraduate cum laude honors under his belt, Tom earned his Master of Science in Accounting degree this spring from the Sawyer Business School and has a job waiting for him at the professional services firm Deloitte. He is quick to point out that while he has achieved his goals, he has not done it alone. “A successful life requires a significant amount of help,” Tom says. “My parents have always said, ‘Be kind to others and work as hard as you possibly can to achieve your goals.’ The Suffolk community clearly embodies the lessons from my parents, which makes this school such a wonderful place.” Tom also happens to have an ideal model for success close at hand: his older brother Stephen. Steve earned his BSBA in accounting in 2012, and his MSA in 2013. Steve had set the bar high, graduating first in his undergraduate class, passing the CPA exam with flying colors, and landing a job at Deloitte. Yet it was a bar that Tom still managed to clear, at least in one respect; he earned his BSBA with a perfect 4.0 GPA. (Steve laments, “No

’13

Phil Dytko tells us, “I have had much success since SJP, and I attribute a great portion of it to the excellent education, values, and brotherhood that define St. John’s Prep. I am happy to see how the school and community have grown over the years and where the progress is taking St. John’s. I finished all my graduation requirements early, so I will be enjoying my last term at Dartmouth with my friends and brothers of SAE before beginning to work as an M&A

Phil Dytko, O’Neil Danis and Andrew Gibson got together at Dartmouth this spring where Phil is completing his senior year.

analyst for Sperry, Mitchell & Company in NYC. I recently caught up with two classmates, Andrew Gibson and O’Neil Danis, at Dartmouth and enjoyed two consecutive weekends for the boys. I’d love to connect with all current students and fellow alumni who wish to reach out and catch up!”

’14

Andrew Hall is a junior at M.I.T. He is majoring in mechanical engineering and playing varsity volleyball. He played both volleyball and basketball at the Prep. Ben Sword is studying abroad at the University of Sydney. He says, “I’m getting involved with hydroponic and aeroponic research on campus as well as taking time to build an acoustic tractor beam. Once finished, the tractor beam will be able to levitate small objects using sound. I plan on using this device to experiment with seed germination while the seeds are floating in mid-air.

’16

Phil Tocci launched a new app called AddU. It allows individuals to input all of their social media, phone number, and email addresses into the app, which then creates a proprietary QR Code, allowing other users to gain access to all the user’s social profiles with a simple scan of the code. They currently are partnered with several institutions including Bentley University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Tampa, as well as many other institutions. In addition, Phil currently attends Bentley University. During his discretionary time, he works as a partnership analyst for Slice Capital, a Wharton equity crowdfunding startup, serves as an analyst for the Bentley Venture Capital Fund, serves as a board member at Captains of Capital, and still runs several of his companies he began during his time at the Prep.

Kathie Flatley is Field Notes editor for Prep magazine. Please email her at kflatley@stjohnsprep.org with updates and submissions for upcoming issues.

44

W W W.STJOHNSPREP.ORG


Since You Asked Y

es, that was Dan Milaschewski ’13 you may have seen in the Boston Globe, escorting 2017 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year and two‑time Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer in a raucous, high spirited parade through the streets of Cambridge. As vice president of Harvard’s legendary Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Dan was knee deep in selecting this year’s Woman of the Year and planning the events that come along with it. We caught up with him shortly before he graduated in June with a degree in English and government. The Woman of the Year award, followed a week later by the Man of the Year, is the kick off for a famously irreverent, Vaudeville-style musical that lampoons current events and ends with an allmale kick line high enough to make the Rockettes blush. Women are involved in the show, but all of the actors are men, a tradition that dates back to 1844, when Hasty Pudding Theatricals put on its first show and women weren’t allowed on stage. After the awards, the students take the show on the road for a 40-performance run in Cambridge, New York City and Bermuda. What do you look for when you select the Woman of the year? We try to shoot for someone who is up and coming or has been respected for a long time. This year, we got both in Octavia Spencer. The whole week is kind of a whirlwind, but she was super down to earth, funny, and gracious. She rolled with the punches, pulled some high jinx with us, and stayed up until 3:00 am!

Dan Milaschewski ’13 with Octavia Spencer, 2017 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year.

“The whole week is kind of a whirlwind, but she was super down to earth, funny, and gracious. She rolled with the punches, pulled some high jinx with us, and stayed up until 3:00 am!”

What prompted you to audition for Hasty Pudding? My roommate auditioned, so I decided to do it with him, never imagining that I would land a role. I got the part and thought, well, I’m in this now! But I couldn’t imagine my college experience without the Pudding. The bizarre things I do —  walking down the street in drag with Octavia Spencer — have become commonplace. The whole year is consumed with wacky, fun events.

How much time did you spend on all of the behind-the-scenes work it takes to mount a production of this magnitude? I put in about 30 hours a week. In addition to logistics, I appeared in the show and co-wrote the roast that’s part of the award presentation. It’s got to be funny, but respectful!

Before you got involved with Hasty Pudding, you did a lot of acting at the Prep, in “Macbeth, “Metamorphosis,” and “The Laramie Project.”Where are you headed after graduation? My plan is to move to LA, maybe work as a production assistant to pay my dues, and then get a job producing or writing. It’s scary but I’m hopeful. Acting is something I really love doing, but if you make it big in the acting world, you become a celebrity. I’ve met a lot of actors through the Pudding — Octavia Spencer, Ryan Reynolds, Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Kerry Washington, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt — and talking with them made me think twice about celebrity culture. People care about your life for no reason, and I wouldn’t like that. People treat you differently. I’d worry about friends not being my real friends.


St. John’s Preparatory School 72 Spring Street Danvers, Massachusetts 01923

PAID Permit No. 39 Danvers, MA

REUNION2017

ADD R E S S S E RV I C E R EQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Front row, l to r: Herb Bellucci, Ken Wilson, Bob Mielcarz, Ken Cloud and Jim Flood.  Middle row, l to r: Wayne Eisenhauer, Dan Mudge, Hugh Williams, Gene Nuccio and Ray Carey.  Back row, l to r: Jack Kareckas, Colin Campbell, Pat Yanchus and Joe Malay.

Left: Jeff ’92 and Susan Holbrook.  Center: Jack Kareckas ’67 and Jim Flood ’67 flank teammate, classmate, and Hall of Fame inductee Joe Malay with photo of their undefeated football team.  Right: Janelle Dineen, Chris Murtagh ’07 and Pat Ryan’07 on campus to celebrate the 10th Reunion.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.