Newsbits
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Amy Warren (’03) took six of her middle school students to Costa Rica this summer to study
ecology, marine biology, medicinal plants, and experience a beautiful, diverse foreign culture. Fundraising over $2,000 for their trip, Amy and her students explored the Costa Rican rainforest, (by foot and by zipline!), providing encounters with animals like the poison dart frog, howler monkey, emerald basilisk, toucan, and tarantula – and much more! The group visited the coastline where they studied and participated in the release of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings. Amy and students also visited the village of the indigenous Bribri tribe who taught them how to make chocolate, shoot a bow and arrow, but most importantly, how to be resourceful with the paradise that surrounds them. The group participated in a reforestation service project, planting over 200 trees that will provide shelter for the endangered green macaw. The group tested their spirit of adventure as they rappelled down the Costa Rican waterfalls, snorkeled the coral reefs, enjoyed curative mineral waters of a local hot spring, and watched the Arenal Volcano erupt before their very eyes. It was an amazing experience for all, and a trip that has surely has them forever changed. Amy will be leading another student trip next summer to Spain and Portugal where students will join researchers to study the pilot whale and dolphins. If you would like to donate, please contact Amy at warrena@ces.k12.ct.us. Vanessa Piccuillo ‘02 is working on her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the UConn Health Center and is engaged to be married to Sean Sanchioni on April 30, 2011. Congratulations! Sasha Davila ‘01 is currently teaching as an Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Quincy College in Quincy, MA. Adam Daniels ‘01 recently graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School. He is pursuing a degree in patent law. Congratulations to Kynia Ortiz ’05 and Kyle O’Brien (formerly Niestemski) ’04 on their recent marriage. Kara Daoutis ’04, Kenny ’03 and Kelsey Ortiz ’13, and Trevor Niestemski ’01 were all members of the wedding party. Best wishes to Peter and Megan Tammany Baird ‘01 (guidance counselor here at St Joe’s) on their wedding held July 9, 2010 at St Lawrence Church, Shelton, CT. Father Sam Kachuba ’01 presided, with members of the bridal party including Mother of the Bride Carol Schultz Tammany ’70, Matron of Honor Erin Tammany Passineau ’98, Jim Sota ’00, Lisa Kubik Lopez ’01, Cory-Ann Darmos’01, Loriann Reyher ’04, and Maggie Candler ’12. Congratulations to James Sota ’00 on his marriage to Jill Puciello. James is with Sikorsky Aircraft, and Jill works as an administrative assistant in Westport, CT.
global consciousness Allison Pannozzo ’05 graduated Cum Laude in May 2009 from Fordham University with a BA in Political Science and Psychology, earning in addition a Student Leadership Award, as well as being inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Honor Society for Political Science majors. Currently she is working towards her JD as a Dean’s Scholar at the University of Connecticut School of Law. In addition, she does pro bono work at Hartford Family Court. John Whaley ’00 completed his Masters of Education from Fairfield University in 2010, and is currently a Language Arts teacher in the Fairfield Public Schools. Eric Patenaude ’01 is currently serving in Afghanistan in the Marine Corps. Robert Wolf II ’06 has been appointed by Bishop William Lori to continue his studies as a major seminarian at the Pontifical North American College Vatican City State Rome, Italy. The appointment began in July, 2010. Sandra Bouchard Bevans ’02 currently working as an associate at Horton, Shield & Knox, PC in Hartford, after graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2009. She was also married that same year.
Congratulations to Kimberly Lambert Sadler ‘01 and Chris Sadler ‘01, assistant football coach, on their recent marriage. Included in the wedding party were: Matt Sadler ‘98, Zach Sadler ‘07, Adriana Palella, ‘01, Gene Cassidy ‘01, Paul Giansanti ‘01, Matthew Anderson ‘01, Dan Lundgren ‘01, Cory Darmos ‘01, Lisa Kubik-Lopez ‘01, Megan TammanyBaird ‘01, Peter Baird ‘00, Nino Palella ‘98 and Mark Cody ‘93. Lisa Kubik Lopez ’01 and husband Matias welcomed their daughter Mikaela Lynn Lopez on March 19, 2010 (St Joseph’s Day!). Please send your news in to St Joe’s: contact Alumni Director Michele Gomez Krasznai ’89 via email: mkrasznai@sjcadets.org or by telephone: 203-377-0350 2010 communiqué 11