Belen Jesuit Alumni Magazine - Summer 2023

BELEN JESUIT

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2023

BELEGEND

CARLOS BARQUIN

53 YEARS OF MAGIS

President of the School

There are thousands of people who take credit for a line that makes a lot of sense. Maybe because it makes so much sense the internet credits everyone from Benjamin Franklin to Albert Einstein for having said it. “Out of adversity comes opportunity,” says the wise man. That is very true. If we were to look closely and examine our lives with a careful and prayerful eye, we would see the incredible opportunities created by the difficulties, inconveniences, and challenges presented to us. If we truly step back and evaluate, we will also see the times we failed to take advantage.

This is why St. Ignatius was so intent on teaching his disciples the exercise of the examen. He encouraged them to pause three times a day in prayer and examine. In the morning to prepare for what lies ahead, at midday to see what happened in the morning, and in the evening to cover the afternoon. He was convinced, if every person would take the time to do this, they would see not only where God and His grace were clearly present, but also where we failed and could make the necessary amends.

Such has been the experience of one of the most important and influential members of the Belen Jesuit community in Miami. Like the beloved institution he has served for 54 years, Coach Carlos Barquín was stricken by the blow of adversity at a young age. Uprooted from his home in Cuba, he was separated from his parents and sent to Miami through Operation Pedro Pan. This collaboration between the Catholic Church and the U.S. Government allowed for thousands of Cuban children to escape the perils of a communist regime that would rob them of their life and liberty. No one questions how challenging it must have been for parents and for the children themselves, but oftentimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

But it was in this adversity where a great opportunity emerged. Providently, it was the Cuban exiled Jesuits who took the charge and helped care for these children in Miami. While beginning to breathe life into Belen Jesuit in South Florida, they also occupied their time in helping to work with these displaced children. Carlos Barquín was one of them. It was then that he met Fr. Luis Ripoll, S.J. A friendship ensued and the saintly Jesuit took “Barq” under his wing. From this relationship began the extraordinary career of a man who has set the highest possible standard for athletics, not simply at Belen, but in South Florida.

Hired at the age of 18, Barq helped to develop, along with then athletic director Mariano Loret de Mola, a sports program

that would complement the education of students from all over Miami. Its meager beginnings required so much time and dedication. With no fields, courts, or gyms, this dynamic duo set out to build from the ground up. They worked to introduce sports unheard of in the Cuban world to young men who hardly had enough money to afford cleats and uniforms. They practiced in public parks, ran through busy city streets, and fought the dust of a grassless field to build a program that today is the envy of any school in the country.

I am not afforded enough space in this column to list the many accomplishments of Coach Carlos Barquín. From state and academic-sports championships to the construction of new facilities and the invention of a sport (Barq Ball), Barquín has created a legacy that reinforces the truth of the words of Franklin and Einstein and all the other wise men and women throughout history have claimed, adversity does clearly provide opportunity.

But I would be making a grave mistake if I simply reduced the life of Coach Carlos Barquín to the world of athletics. Barq is first and foremost an educator of men. His philosophy that “sports is an extension of the classroom” is the motivation that has fueled his career. The Catholic-Jesuit values of Belen Jesuit have been at the core of what he has done and he has been unwilling to compromise them…ever. Whether sitting on a tractor leveling a field, organizing the state’s largest summer camp, or driving a bus as far south as Key West or as far north as the panhandle, Barquín has been relentless in his pursuit of contributing to the Christian formation of his students.

There is no doubt when Belen examines its unprecedented history to discover the places and times the grace of God was present, the name of Coach Carlos Barquín will rise to the top. Thousands of men are indebted to this man for his extraordinary service. He is proof positive that for as challenging and bleak as any situation may appear, it is simply an opportunity to excel. It is for this reason on the occasion of his retirement from his post as Athletic Director this edition of the alumni magazine is dedicated to him and Coach Carlos Barquín is rightfully crowned with the title of Belegend.

Auspice Maria, Fr. Willie ‘87

BELEN JESUIT

Fr. Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J., Ed.D., ’87 President

Roberto Borbolla ’56 Alumni Content Editor

Carlos Bravo ’86

Alumni Association Executive Director

Carlos Cristóbal ‘16 Communications Specialist

Felipe "Phil" Fernández ’94

Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Carlos Jiménez ‘15

Alumni Data & Support Administrator

Teresa Martínez Director of Communications

Mirna Menéndez Copy Editor

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

José “Pep” López-Varela ‘87 - President

Alberto Paradela ‘11 - Vice President

Eduardo “Eddie” Macías ‘02 - Secretary

Thomas Pla ‘00 - Treasurer

Ramón Branger ‘92

Vicente Cossío ‘72

José “Joey” Gómez ‘08

Alejandro “Alex” Gómez-Pina ‘93

Carlos Hernández ‘88

Derek León ‘00

Xabier Martínez-Cid ‘11

Luis Pérez-Codina ‘01

Rogelio Ribas ‘83

Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ‘73

Carlos Suárez ‘00

Fr. Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, S.J., ’40 + Emeritus Spiritual Director

Fr. Christian Sáenz, S.J., Ph.D., ’95 Alumni Association Chaplain

BELEN JESUIT ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published biannually.

Circulation: 12,250

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Postmaster: Send address changes to:

Belen Alumni Office 500 Southwest 127 Avenue Miami, FL 33184

Phone: 786.621.4674 Fax: 786.621.4662

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www.belenalumni.org

YEAR LXII - NO. 2

Table of Contents

COMMUNITY NEWS

Ken Langone Presentation

On February 15, the senior class and students in the business classes and DECA club attended a very special presentation in the Roca Theater. Moderated by founder and Executive Chairman of Codina Partners, LLC, Armando Codina ‘65, we proudly hosted Ken Langone, co-founder of The Home Depot.

Grandparents Day

The class of 2028 celebrated their grade-level activity on March 4. Grandparents Day was a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to bond with their grandsons. Activities ranged from Mass to playing table games to campus tours.

OrlandoFest Music Festival

Congratulations to the Belen Jesuit Jazz and Concert Bands who each scored straight superiors at the OrlandoFest Music Festival on March 3 & 4. These awards are a testament to the hard work and talent of the students and band faculty.

Confirmation

The Most Rev. Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, was the main celebrant at the Confirmation Mass on March 11. Several students were also fully initiated into the Catholic Church (receiving the three sacraments of Christian initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).

Close Up Program

Members of the class of 2024 participated in the Close Up program from March 12-17. The students not only learned about the intricacies of our government, but they also visited monuments and museums in Washington, D.C..

Maker Faire

Students were able to showcase their ideas and inventions at Belen Jesuit’s first-ever Maker Faire on March 22. A Maker Faire is an event that celebrates the spirit of making and innovating which showcases projects and products created by makers, DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, and students.

Much Ado About Nothing

The spring production featured our thespians center stage in the Roca Theater. The show was held March 23-25, March 30 and April 1. The stagecraft class built the set and over 25 Belen students made up the cast and crew. The show was directed by Theater Director, Carlos Acevedo.

Spring Concerts

The music program was on display during the Spring Concerts held on April 24 and 26 in the Roca Theater. Students were able to perform and showcase what they’ve learned at this end of the year concert.

8th Grade Pin Mass

Congratulations to the class of 2027 who received their 8th Grade Pin at a Mass on May 4 presided over by Fr. Willie ‘87 in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel.

6th Grade May Crowning

The class of 2029 celebrated a special moment with the Blessed Mother at the May Crowning. The queen symbol was attributed to Mary because she was a perfect follower of Christ, who is the absolute “crown” of creation. Each member of the class also presented Mary with a flower in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel.

Baccalaureate Mass

The class of 2023 celebrated their Baccalaureate Mass on May 16 at the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. The Mass was presided by Fr. Willie ‘87. Special congratulations to Víctor Torres ‘23, who was presented with the St. Oscar Romero Service Award, and Luis Eduardo González ‘23 was presented with the St. Peter Faber Peer Ministry Award.

Graduation

The class of 2023 celebrated their graduation on May 18 at the James L. Knight Center. Congratulations, and best of luck as you go forth and set the world on fire! Special thanks to former U.S. representative, Carlos Curbelo ‘98 for being the commencement speaker. The class speech was delivered by this year’s Brigadier, Kevin García.

ATHLETICS NEWS

The Varsity Basketball team finished the season 28-4 and claimed the program’s first State Title

The JV team finished the season 13-5. The Freshman team ended the season 16-2. The Middle School Gold team finished the season 23-0. The Blue team ended the year 9-8.

The Varsity Soccer team ended the season 9-10-2 and made it to the Regional Semi-Final.

The JV Soccer team finished with a record of 8-3-3.

The Varsity Track and Field team finished as State Runner-Up. The team set a new record in the 4x800m.

Middle School Track and Field finished as FLYRA State Champions. The 6th Grade Track and Field team finished 1st in the Respect Life Invitational, All Saints Invitational, and Holy Rosary Invitational.

The Varsity Volleyball team finished the season 25-4, District Champion, and Regional Runner-up.

The JV Volleyball team ended the year with a record of 13-2.

The Varsity Water Polo team finished the year as State Runner-up with a record of 21-2-1.

The Middle School Water Polo Gold team finished 8-0, the blue team finished 6-2, and the white team finished 2-6.

14-8.

The JV team ended the season with a record on 9-2. The Middle School Gold team ended the season 13-0 and the Blue team ended 6-1.

The Varsity Crew team ended the season with 23 gold, 14 silver, and 13 bronze finishes.

JV had 10 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze finishes. Middle School had 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze.

The Varsity Baseball team ended the season as District Runner-up with a record of 16-9.

The JV team ended the year with a record of 12-2-2.

The Varsity Wrestling team ended the season as District Champions. The team also had three wrestlers, Lucas Amaya, Darian Torres, and Henry Amador, qualify for the state tournament and earn mentions in the All-Dade selections.

The Varsity Tennis team finished the year as District Champions and had Seniors, Nicholas Arana and Diego González represent the school at the State Tournament

Congratulations to our StudentAthletes who were recognized during the Varsity Athletic Awards Ceremony.

Alejandro López ‘23 (Carlos Barquín Sportsman of the Year), Roberto León ‘23 (Miami-Herald Scholar-Athlete of the Year), Javier Rosell ’23 (Athlete of the year)

Congratulations to our Wolverines who committed to play at the next level.

Baseball | Frank Fernández - Loyola New Orleans. Basketball | Ryan Cuéllar - Southeastern University, Javier Rosell - Maryville College. Soccer | Mauricio Mejía - Vassar College.

The Varsity Lacrosse team finished the season as District Champions with a record of

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Kevin García BRIGADIER

Oscar Miñoso-Rendón CO-VALEDICTORIAN

Maxton Michael Torres

Anthony Peter Pérez

Nicholas Enrique Arana Ricardo Antonio Yamín Luis Eduardo González

Christopher Clavius, S J Mathematics Award

CO-VALEDICTORIAN Gerard Manley Hopkins, S J English Award

Andrea Pozzo, S J Humanities Award

Francis Xavier, S J Scholar Athlete Award

John Carroll, S J Social Studies Award

José Rubinos, S J World Languages Award

José Manuel María Toledo Robert Bellarmine, S J Theology Award

Matthew Taylor Marcos Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. Science Award

Alejandro José López Athanasius Kircher, S J STEAM Award

Diego Suárez Archbishop's Leadership Award

Sergio Abreu | University of Florida

Nicolas Abril | Brown University

Eduardo Alcaine | Fordham University

Andres Aleman | Florida State University

Jonathan Alonso | Miami Dade College

Sebastian Alonso | The Ohio State University Honors Program

Joseph Alonso | Florida International University Honors College

Daniel Alvarez | The Ohio State University

Julian Alvarez | University of Florida

Lucas Amaya | Florida State University

Brandon Amparo | Florida International University

Brendan Aran | University of Central Florida

Nicholas Arana | Cornell University

Isaac Badell-Riviere | Fordham University

Francisco Baella | Florida International University

Alexander Baldo | University of Michigan

Gavin Baldor | Florida International University

Alfredo Balsera | Indiana University, Bloomington

Andre Baro | Tulane University

Robert Baro | University of Michigan

Eric Barreto | Northeastern University

Matthew Barturen | Florida State University

Lucas Bellido | Indiana University, Bloomington

Aiden Bello | Florida State University

Matthew Beovides | Florida International University

Andrew Berrocal | University of Florida

Daniel Betancourt | University of Florida

Juan Bird Beltran | Florida International University

Jean-LucBlanchard | University of Mississippi

Christian Blasco | Santa Fe College

Lucas Bogardus | Florida International University

Jaime Borja | Universidad de Navarra

Stefan Borrero | IE University - Madrid

Carlos Bustamante | Tallahasee Community College

Gabriel Bustamante | University of Michigan

Ernesto Cabrera | IE University - Madrid

Jonathan Cala | Fordham University

Matthew Calero | Florida State University Honors Program

Victor Camara | Boston College

Jake Camejo | Tallahassee Community College

Cesar Cantos | University of Florida

Emilio Carbonell | Florida State University Honors Program

Juan Castanos | Florida State University

Henry Castellat | Florida State University Honors Program

John Chiappone | University of Florida

Christopher Collings | College of The Holy Cross

David Coro | Florida International Universirty

Gabriel Coro | Florida State University

Carlos Corzo | University of Florida

Dylan Cosgrove | Vanderbilt University

Jose Costa | University of Florida Honors Program

John Costello | Florida State University Honors Program

Nicolas Cotte | Florida International University Honors College

Ryan Cuellar | Southeastern University

Andres Cueto | Santa Fe College

Javier de Cardenas | University of Central Florida

Marco de la Hoz | Florida International University

Diego de la Hoz | Florida International University

Andre de Leon | IE University - Madrid

Marcial De Sautu | University of Michigan

Diegodel Pino | University of Mississippi

Luca Del Risco | Loyola University Chicago

Marco Delamaza | The Ohio State University

Michael Delgado | Florida International University

John Delionado | Bowdoin College

Valerio Di Pietro | Florida International University Honors

College

Dillon Diaz | Tallahassee Community College

Daniel Diaz-Arias | Duke University

Kevin Dominguez | Florida State University

Joseph Duran | United States Air Force Academy

Ricky Echeverria | Florida International University

Daniel Esponda | Johns Hopkins University

Thomas Fanjul | University of Pennsylvania

Andres Fernandez | Florida International University

Frank Fernandez | Loyola University New Orleans

Anthony Fernandez | Tallahassee Community College

Jason Fernandez-Miro | Florida International University

Samuel Flores | American University

Christian Fox | University of Florida

Jose Fraga Arcos | Florida International University

Antonio Franco | Long Island University

Gabriel Garcia | Florida International University

Maximus Garcia | University of Florida

Eduardo Garcia | Tulane University Honors Scholars Program

Kevin Garcia | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Honors

Carolina Program

Jake Garcia-Rivera | University of Florida

Andrew Gonzalez | Florida State University Honors Program

Joseph Gonzalez | University of Florida

Diego Gonzalez | University of Florida

Luis Eduardo Gonzalez | University of Notre Dame

Matheus Guerra | Tallahasee Community College

David Guon | University of Florida

Giuliano Hector | Florida International University

Roberto Henao | Florida International University

Pedro Hermida | Florida Gulf Coast University

Ryan Hernandez | Florida International University

Adrian Hernandez | University of Florida

Andres Hernandez | Tallahasse Community College

Aidan Hevia | Loyola University Maryland

Alberto Ibarra-Posada | Tallahassee Community College

Lucas Jimenez | Saint John Vianney College Seminary

Anthony Lamelas | Northeastern University

Rocco Leon | Northeastern University

Roberto Leon | Cornell University

Brandon Lezcano | Florida International University Honors College

Diego Liu | Florida State University

Ignacio Lizama | Cornell University

Samir Lola | Miami Dade College

Alejandro Lopez | University of Central Florida

Jonathan Lopez | University of Central Florida

Fernando Luna | Florida State University

Andres Luna | Washington University in St. Louis

Gabriel Machado | Boston University

Juan Manrique | Florida State University

Mattias Manzano | Florida International University Honors College

Octavio Marante | University of Florida

Matthew Marcos | Duke University

Luka Markoski | University of Florida

Alexander Marquez | University of Miami

Gabriel Martin | Florida International University

Shawn Martinez | Pomona College

Lucas Martinez | Santa Fe College

Jared Martinez | Broward Fire Academy

Luis Martinez | Savannah College of Art and Design

Ryan Martinez | Florida State University

Andres Mederos | Florida International University Honors College

Marcos Mejia | University of Michigan

Mauricio Mejia | Vassar College

Ryan Mertz | University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College

Hector Meruelo | Florida State University

Oscar Miñoso-Rendon | Yale University

Lucas Monge | Santa Clara University

Matthew Montero | University of Central Florida

Nicholas Montes | Florida State University

Marcelo Morales | Florida State University

Jose Morales | University of Florida Honors Program

Cristian Moreira | Florida State University

Michael Moreno | Loyola Marymount University

Jose Muniz | Florida International University Honors College

Amaar Naeem | Dual Admission Program at Nova Southeastern

University with the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic

Medicine

Andrew Navarro | Vanderbilt University

Luis Olivares | University of Miami

Alfonso Osorio | Southern Methodist University

Lucas Padron | American University

Adrian Paucar | University of Michigan

Amin Pazos | The Ohio State University

Anthony Perez | University of Florida

Joseph Perez | University of Central Florida

Joshue Perez | Northeastern University

Enrique Perezalonso | University of Michigan

Nicolas Portuondo | Tallahassee Community College

Francisco Prieguez | Boston University Kilachand Honors College

William Pulles | Miami Dade Honors College

Antonio Pulvirenti | Miami Dade College

Marco Ramirez | Boston University

Felipe Rivera | Santa Fe College Honors Program

Gabriel Rodriguez | Florida State University

Pablo Rodriguez | Florida State University

Adrian Rodriguez | Florida State University

Martin Rodriguez | University of Miami

Francisco Rojo | Northeastern University

Javier Rosell | Maryville College

Nicholas Rosell | Florida State University

Evan Rothe | Tallahassee Community College

Anthony Rubio | University of Florida

Lucas Ruiz | Boston College

Giulian Sackman | Miami Dade College

Sebastian Saenz | Florida State University

Israel Salabarria | Indiana University, Bloomington

Hector Saldana | Nova Southeastern University

Andres Salvade | Tulane University

Nicolas Sanchez | Indiana University, Bloomington

Alexander Sanchez | New College of Florida

Hely Santeliz | Fordham University Gabelli Honors Program

Gabriel Segurola | Florida State University Honors Program

Mateo Sierra | Florida State University

Gabriel Sixto | Florida International University

Adrian Smith | Santa Fe College Honors Program

Aidan Suarez | Florida State University

Javier Suarez | Indiana University, Blooomington

Diego Suarez | Duke University

Michael Suarez-Sarmiento | University of South Florida

Zachary Sunderland | Purdue University

Pablo Tirado | Miami Dade College

Jose Toledo | North Carolina State University Honors Program

Daniel Torres | Florida State University

Darian Torres | Florida International University Honors College

Victor Torres | Santa Fe College

Maxton Torres | Stanford University

Alec Torricella | University of Miami

Nicolas Vieito | Santa Fe College

Alejandro Vigil | Florida International University

Stephen Villanueva | Florida State University

Bryan Weglarz | Miami Dade College

Ricardo Yamin | University of Pennsylvania

Luis J. Botifoll Manuel Carbonell

Olga Goizueta

José Arrieta, S.J.

Otilio Campuzano Eugenio Cosculluela

Armando Codina

Class of 1925 Journalist & Businessman Belen Coach Cuban Sports Legend

Class of 1979 Businessman & Benefactor Class of 1965 Businessman & Benefactor

Gastón Comas Class of 1975 Businessman & Benefactor

José Garrido Jr. Class of 1972 Businessman & Benefactor

Class of 1936 Sculptor Philanthropist & Benefactor

Eduardo Álvarez, S.J.

Gloria Arazoza Class of 1963 Jesuit Father & Belen Educator Belen Parent '78, '82, '84 Educator & Volunteer

Jesuit Brother Caretaker

Roberto Borbolla Class of 1956 Architect & Alumni Office

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES CLASS OF 2023

Alumnus of the Year

Congratulations to Eduardo

named Alumnus of the Year! Known as Eddie, he served as a Parent Advisor for the class of 2023 for seven years. He has been a member of the Belen Board of Advisors since 2022 and will serve in that capacity for five years. Additionally, he has generously supported the Fund for Belen and various capital projects. Eddie continues to serve his alma mater as a mentor to students and young professionals. Read more on belenjesuit.org.

Carlos & Olga Saladrigas Gerardo Simms

Carlos Prío Socarras

Class of 1967 Philanthropist & Benefactor

Class of 1969 Attorney & Board Member

Class of 1920 Former President of Cuba

Benito Viñes, S.J. Jesuit Father Belen Educator & Pioneer

Jorge Hernández-Toraño José Ignacio Rasco Jorge Padrón Class of 1975 Attorney & Benefactor

Class of 1945 Belen Educator

Class of 1986 Businessman & Benefactor

Ophelia & Juan Js. Roca Philanthropist & Benefactor

J. García '87,

24th Annual Fr. Izquierdo, S.J. Memorial

Golf Tournament

MAGIS

Fr. Pedro Suárez, S.J. ‘58

By Teresa Martínez

Pedro Antonio Suárez González was born on October 30, 1941, in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from El Colegio de Belén in 1958 and studied architecture at the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva (19581961). His devotion to living the magis started when he entered the Society of Jesus at the Instituto Pignatelli in Los Teques, Venezuela, on April 9, 1961. He went on to study philosophy at Fordham University’s Loyola Seminary (19641966), and taught during his regency at the Colegio Loyola in the Dominican Republic (19661967). Always striving to learn, he received a master’s in mathematics from the University of Miami (1969) and a master’s in divinity from Loyola University-Chicago (1973).

Fr. Suárez, S.J. was ordained at Gesu Church in Miami on June 24, 1972. His dedication to education continued when he received a doctorate in mathematics from Northwestern University (1977) and worked in the Dominican

Republic from 1977 until his return to Miami in 1987. Having spent over a decade pursuing his studies, Fr. Suárez shifted to the role of professor at Barry University (1987-2008) and chair of its Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Additionally, he has been a member of the Jesuit-founded Clavius Group of Mathematicians since 1971.

“The fraternity/camaraderie that I’ve experienced at Belen among co-workers and friends, and

as I grew older, my relationship with former students, their families, and other alumni have grown in a significant way,” said Fr. Suárez. “I have always felt that Belen gives you a sense of belonging. For students and young alumni, I hope they know that Belen will always be their home. No matter where you are or how long you have been away, Belen will welcome you.”

Fr. Suárez served as superior to the Miami Jesuits from 1991 to 1997 and from 2010 to 2016. He served as president of Belen Jesuit from 2009 to 2016 and then served as president and chairman of Regis House in Miami and as a spiritual counselor at Belen until 2022. During his tenure as school president, Belen Jesuit celebrated its 50th anniversary in Miami and the dawn of a new technological era with the introduction of a one-to-one program using the Apple iPad device and utilizing all-digital textbooks. Campus improvements, such as the remodeling of the central patio to the Garrido Family Plaza, the football field being converted to artificial turf and renamed Sánchez Field, the development of the Hernández Field and the complete renovation of the dining hall now known as the Sarria Family Dining Hall were completed. Living the magis in all aspects of his leadership, Fr. Suárez eagerly kept one foot in the classroom and taught mathematics whenever possible.

work here, the families that participate in events, and the alumni who stay involved have helped it grow in grace and goodness, not just in size.”

“The Belen community is grateful for the many years of service, leadership and devotion Fr. Suárez has had in his vocation,” said Fr. Wilie, S.J. ‘87. “As he enters retirement, we will pray for his health and be inspired by the lives of the young men he taught so they become great leaders for the benefit of our world and the greater glory of God.”

“Belen Jesuit has grown tremendously over the decades since reopening in Miami in 1961,” said Fr. Suárez. “It has been enriched by the people in the Belen community and that has been a consistent quality that can be traced to the school in Cuba. The people who study and

53 Years of Magis

By Carlos Cristóbal ‘16

“In 1969, Fr. Luis G. Ripoll, S.J. asked me if I would be interested in a position that opened up at Belen as the Physical Education teacher,” said Carlos Barquín. “The rest is history! I had my dream job, but was I doing what God called me to do?”

After half a century of shaping thousands of strong, Catholic young men, it is safe to say that Carlos Barquín has lived his vocation embodying the Jesuit principles Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Magis and Cura Personalis.

Barq, as he is affectionately known, has been a pillar of the Belen community. Beginning in

for sports and physical fitness in the hearts of his students. Recognizing the need for athletic opportunities, he founded the cross country and track teams, which flourished into powerhouse programs. Today, the Belen Jesuit Cross Country program stands as one of the best in the country, boasting 14 state championships. Likewise, the track team has consistently represented the school at the state level, a testament to Barq’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“Coach Barq’s life at Belen Jesuit began in 1969 when, as an 18-year-old Pedro Pan kid, he became very close to Fr. Luis Ripoll S.J. It was this friendship that led him to Belen Jesuit and its physical education department,” said Fr. Willie Garcia-Tuñón, S.J., ‘87in a letter to the community.

the 2023-2024 academic year, he embarks on a new journey, so it is only fitting to reflect on the incredible impact he has made on countless lives throughout his tenure.

Barq began his journey at Belen Jesuit when the school was still in its early stages. His energy and dedication to his vocation ignited a passion

“Fifty-three years later, Barquín has created one of the most successful athletic programs in South Florida. His accolades are numerous and include 30 state championships, numerous academic state championships, founder of the Belen Summer Camp, the development of all athletic facilities, and even the creation of a sport (Barq Ball). But, of all these accomplishments, it has been the character formation of men that has clearly defined him.”

Although it’s easy to get lost in Barq’s five decades of service to Belen athletics, his influence extends far beyond sports. His impact on every student fortunate enough to don the Belen Jesuit uniform is immeasurable. Through tireless dedication and genuine care for each individual, he has instilled the core Jesuit values and the importance of the grad-at-grad (intellectual competence, faith formation, loving service, and a commitment to justice) for every student. Barq’s ability to connect with students on a personal level and inspire them to become well-rounded individuals has been truly remarkable.

One particular initiative that Barq spearheaded, which has become synonymous with his name, is the Belen Summer Camp. This program has been serving the Miami community for over 40 years, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children during the summer months. The camp not only offers recreational activities but also focuses on character development, fostering the same Ignatian values that Barq has championed throughout his career. It is a testament to his enduring commitment to the betterment of the community.

As Barq enters the next phase of his journey, he will assume the role of Special Assistant to the President, Fr. Willie. In this new capacity, he will oversee the completion of the Roberto Suris Athletic Facility, ensuring that future generations of students will benefit from state-of-the-art sports facilities that reflect the spirit of excellence he has cultivated over the years,” said Fr. Willie. “Barq’s passion for Belen Jesuit’s growth and development remains as strong as ever, even as he transitions into this new role.”

Although this marks the end of an era at Belen Jesuit, we are fortunate that he will remain an active member of the school community. In Barq’s final Athletic Awards Ceremony, he left the Belen Community with this message:

“My mission as the school Athletic Director is now complete, and I hope and pray to God that he approves of it,” said Barq. “I thank the Jesuit community, the Jesuit Fathers, for giving me the opportunity to serve the school and the freedom to serve to the best of my ability.

To those that attended Belen Jesuit before 1961, I thank you for the dream. They came over [from Cuba] and 2 months later they were in a classroom in Gesu, downtown. They provided the dream of Belen Jesuit through exile, even though they thought they would be going back to Cuba very quickly. We are still here.

To those who attended Belen on Calle Ocho, you all did so much with so little, and I thank you for inspiring me.

To those of you who attended our school from 1982 to the present, I thank you for the Magis, for all you have been able to do for our school, for how you have represented us, and for all that you have done.

May God continue to bless our school and our community.”

To ensure his legacy is etched in stone, the Sportsman-of-the-Year Award has been named the Carlos Barquín Sportsman-of-the-Year Award. Looking toward the future, the Robert Surís Athletic Center will have a space dedicated to Barq’s incredible legacy at Belen.

Barq, you are a true Belegend!

WELCOME

Lázaro Fernández

Stepping into Barq’s shoes is Lázaro “Laz” Fernández, a highly respected figure in the athletic community, who has served as the Athletic Director at Gulliver Preparatory School for many years. Recognizing the immense responsibility that comes with following in Barq’s footsteps, Lazaro is eager to take on the challenge. Moreover, he is excited to collaborate with his close friend, Richard Stuart, a legendary Belen Jesuit football coach, as they strive to uphold the school’s rich athletic traditions.

Barq himself wholeheartedly believes that Laz is the perfect choice to succeed him as Athletic Director. Knowing Laz to be a good man with a deep understanding of the Belen community, Barq has full confidence in his ability to continue fostering a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and Jesuit values among the students. Lazaro’s appointment ensures a smooth transition and the preservation of the legacy that Barq has meticulously built over the years.

“I am excited to begin this new chapter in my professional career, and I strive to build relationships with Belen Jesuit student-athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, administrators, alumni, and members of the Belen community,” said Fernández. “It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of Belen legend Carlos Barquin who led the Athletics Department with passion and devotion for over five decades. I look forward to working with an immensely talented group of coaches and, in particular, another Belen legend Richard Stuart who will continue to shape and inspire the young men at the school. I am eager to work with him as we set out to develop an already successful program further.”

WINNING WOLVERINES

State Championship Round-Up

The Varsity Basketball team finished the season as FHSAA Class 5A State Champions! This is Belen’s first State Championship in Basketball.

The Varsity Cross Country team claimed another State Championship! This is the program’s 14th State Championship and 6th consecutive title.

The Varsity Crew team finished this season as Scholastic, Sculling, and Sweeping State Champions. This continues the tradition of excellence from Belen Crew.

FRONT OF THE PACK

The Varsity Water Polo team finished as State Runner-Up.

The Varsity Track team’s 3200m relay won Gold at the State Championship.

Seniors, Nicholas Arana and Diego González (Doubles) competed in the State Tournament.

Lucas Amaya, Darian Torres, and Henry Amador, wrestled at the State Meet.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

ALWAYS ALWAYS BELEN BELEN

10 Questions 1 Alumnus

Richard Laviña ‘05 CEO | Taxfyle

Q. What was your experience like at Belen?

I started at Belen in 6th grade and, like many other grads, wouldn’t be the man I am today without the Belen journey. Belen is the only institution I have been a part of where responsibility, accountability, and faith are paramount to success. The students that adhere to those values excelled the most. It was as pure a meritocracy as one could expect. Being faced with the reality and consequences of my actions day in and day out for seven years definitely helped form my character.

Q. What type of student were you?

I was never the most academically talented student. Every B or A I earned, I had to really work for. Balancing the volume of work combined with crew (I rowed from 8th grade through senior year) workouts every weekday was a challenge. A challenge that I now fully appreciate and am grateful for.

Q. Can you describe one funny moment while you were a student?

I’m not sure how pep rallies are held now, but in 2005 we used to hold them in the gym. Back then, Ms. Acosta was the disciplinarian and was in charge of dismissing all the students. The students were organized by grade, and each grade had its respective section on the bleachers. The senior section back then sat between a few different grades. Everyone was required to stay seated until they were called upon. As Ms. Acosta started

dismissing the grades, a few seniors came up with the great idea to simply not stand up and leave the gym. The word got around fast, and everyone got on board. There were about 2 hours left of school, so what would be the worst that could happen?

Ms. Acosta then turns to the senior section and calls on us no one moves. Immediately all the teachers and students remaining in the gym looked at us in confusion. She called on us again, thinking her microphone was broken, and when no one moved for a second time, she said, “fine, vamos a ver how much punishment you would like to tolerate to simply skip two hours of school.” She began by threatening a 30-minute weekday detention for each student, but by the time she upped the ante to not walking at graduation, even the most adamant sit-in student rose up and walked out of that gym.

Q. What is one thing that you will never forget that you learned in school?

I learned my most important life lesson in Pablo Tachaquel’s 11th-grade peer ministry class. Life’s priorities are as follows: “God, wife, children, others,” in that order. The man that orients his life with God above all earthly things shoots towards the heavens. So even if he falls short, he might land on earth. The man that shoots for the earth and falls short, loses everything. God is the Alpha, and the Omega supersedes any problem or death caused on earth, therefore prioritize Him appropriately.

Q. Who (from Belen) impacted your life?

There are too many to list, from Father Willie’s wisdom to Father Sardiña’s empathy and grace to DQ’s leadership. I can honestly say I have tried my best to emulate the best parts of those men in my own life.

Q. What do you hold most dear?

My faith in Christ. Without Him, I would not have been able to get through all the problems one faces in life and do so in a manner that allows me to see the bigger picture. No matter what random hardship is thrown your way, it is nothing compared to what God has planned. Apart from the inevitable problems, God also blesses greatly. He chose my wife Vanessa and children Ricky Ale, Matteo, and Valeria for me, and He entrusts me to care, cherish and lead them to Him. They will always be my greatest accomplishments here on earth.

Q. How has your Jesuit education shaped you and helped you in your life?

The practice of weaving God into daily tasks was formed at Belen. Different from a secular education, a Jesuit education requires you to weave in Ignatian discernment so that your decisions adhere to God’s will and not man’s. The outcomes of these decisions, I have found, usually lead to a more stable and balanced lifestyle, compared to the heavy swaying back and forth resulting from singular focused material goals.

Q. What prompted you to go into the tech/finance industry?

I saw an opportunity within the accounting industry that could only be solved with a mixture of software and the gig economy. The downward trend of accountants staying in public accounting combined with the rise in tax filings meant that the industry needed to find a more efficient way to get through the work. The problem was so clear to me that I decided to leave Pricewaterhouse Coopers and start Taxfyle in 2015. If I didn’t do it, someone else would have.

Q. How many Belen alumni work at the company? What’s it like to work with so many Wolverines?

We currently have 13 Belen alumni working at Taxfyle, and it is simultaneously a gift and a curse. We all know how quiet and meek Belen grads are. All joking aside, there is a reason why my co-founder Michael (whom I met in 7th grade at Belen) and I have gravitated towards Belen alumni for Taxfyle. They are sharp, hard-working, and dependable. We have engineers, customer success, marketing, and legal employees, so their skill-set runs the spectrum. Trust is the basis of all relationships, and although not all Belen employees at Taxfyle have worked out, the vast majority have, and it’s because, in large part, we trust each other.

Q. What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?

Start coding and producing products today. Some of the best engineers I have come across aren’t even formally trained and are in their early 20s. They are simply individuals who have a passion for engineering which has led them to work on projects day and night, learning everything there is to know about the task at hand. Different from a theoretical education, the real-life feedback of products you create and send into a marketplace (like GutHub) has infinitely more learning points and allows you to progress and grow at a faster rate. It’ll be through these projects that you will eventually find the niche you want to specialize in, and that will lead to a company (maybe one of your own creations) requiring your speciality and offering you a well-paying, fulfilling career.

Sacrament of Marriage

Daniela Roversi & Rafael Egües ‘02

Rebecca Mendoza & Michael Montiel ‘02

Katrina Fumagali & Charlie Manrara ‘05

Tamara Guerra & David Otero ‘07

Vida Curbelo & Valentín Arenas ‘10

Carolina Sánchez & Adrián Marques ‘10

Kristy García & Michael Murgado ‘10

Victoria Álvarez Arango & Eduardo “EJ” Ragolta ‘11

Camila Ozores & Stefan de Solo ‘11

Carmen Caldera-Crespo & Luis Fernández-Rocha ‘12

Eugenia Nardi & Andrés J. León ‘09

Nicole Quilichini Bello & Ricardo Herrera ‘09

Frances Celeste Cabrera & Alfonso Yec ‘09

Destiny Goede & Nicholas Alvarez ‘10

Valerie Rodríguez & Danny Guevara ‘12

Kristen Hernández & Cristian Jiménez ‘12

Vocation to Family

In Memoriam

Please remember in your prayers these members of the Belen Jesuit community who have passed away recently.

Alumni

• Daniel González Yáñez (Dolores)

• Alfredo Marrero (Dolores)

• Sabino Fernández (Dolores)

• César Menéndez (Sagua)

• Arturo Fernández Veiga (Electromecánica)

• Benito Valeriano Grandal López (Electromecánica)

• Orlando Fernández ‘54

• Manuel Sánchez Couto ‘56

• Raimundo Torres ‘56

• José Antero González ‘57

• José “Pepe” Ramy ‘57

• Alberto Menéndez ‘58

• Carlos Fernández Freire de Andrade ‘61

• Nelson Lugo Medina ‘61

• Eduardo Soto Tamames ‘61

• Alberto Morales ‘64

• Rafael “Chino” Achong ‘66

• James J. Jacque ‘72

• Néstor Rivero ‘72

• Modesto Abelairas ‘76

• Manuel G. Sánchez ‘77

• Enrique “Kiko” Fernández ‘79

Family & Friends

• Amparo Álvarez, wife of Antonio Álvarez-Cortón ‘56

• Consuelo Corripio, wife of Armando Corripio ‘58

• Tina Hernández, mother of Dr. Rubén Hernández ‘71

• Joan F. Clancey, mother of Michael Clancey ‘76 and Patrick Clancey ‘79

• Camila Suárez, mother of Jesús Suárez ‘02

• María Maza Alfert, mother of Belen teacher Carlos Maza and grandmother of Andrés Maza ‘18

• Lillian Marina, mother of Alex ‘10 and Michael Marina ‘14

• Nidia Rodríguez, mother of Raúl Rodríguez ‘97, and grandmother of Ricardo ‘21 and Rafael Rodríguez ‘29

• Ofelia Sánchez, mother of José Enrique Sánchez ’70, grandmother of Andrés Sánchez ’12 and great-grandmother of Nicolás ’23 and Victor Abril ‘25

• Antonio R. Castro, father of Antonio C. Castro ‘86 and grandfather of Anthony ‘16 and Robert Castro ‘18

• Carlos Pernas, father of Carlos Pernas ‘92 and Juan Carlos Pernas ‘94

• Ernesto Santos, father of Assistant Principal Olivia Zarraluqui and grandfather of José Zarraluqui ‘22.

• Amelio E. Mechoso, father of Luis A. Mechoso ‘80 and grandfather of Michael L. Mechoso ‘10

• José Joaquín Diego, grandfather of Miguel J. Massens ‘04

• Miriam Motola, sister of Bernardo Motola ‘78

• Myrtha Casado-Castellví, sister of Fernando Casado-Aguiar ‘59

We love hearing from you and sharing your news! Please email alumni@belenjesuit.org with pictures and names for upcoming issues.

• Sam Vega, former Belen Jesuit Guidance Counselor

• Dora Haibi, retired Belen teacher

•

Eugene Zoller former Belen Jesuit teacher

Lily Carmona & Angelo Navarro ‘12

Anna Tonarely & Nicholas Arguelles ‘13

1. Alberto Andrés, son of Andrés Javier de Cárdenas ‘91

2. Joaquín Ignacio, son of Oscar López ‘02

3. Luka, son of Daniel Rodríguez ’05

4. Amelia Teresa, daughter of Mario B. Rojas IV ‘09

5. Lucas Antonio, son of Matthew Sierra ‘12

Sofía Prieto & Javier “Kenji” Martínez ‘13

Class notes

1930s - 1970s

José C. Romano ‘88 was appointed President & CEO of Zoo Miami Foundation.

1990s

Jorge “Yoyi” Betancourt ‘38 turned 102 years old.

Ricardo Pau-Llosa ‘71 was the featured poet in the 50th issue of Birmingham Poetry Review (University of Alabama), one of the most prestigious literary journals in the US.

1980s

Francisco “Frank” Mora ‘82 was named Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the Organization of American States (O.A.S), with the rank of Ambassador.

José Mola ‘85 is the vice-president of stadium and campus operations with the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and its properties, including the Miami Open and Formula One Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.

José Cil ‘87 , advisor and former CEO of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), spoke to our business students on a Harvard Business case study about RBI on the transformation of its culture.

Frankie Ruiz ‘96 was picked by the US Track & Field and CrossCountry Coaches Association as the 2022 Boys High School Cross Country Coach of the Year for the State of Florida.

Ariel Fernández ‘99 was elected to the Coral Gables Commission.

2000s

Rigoberto Núñez ‘00 was promoted to VP in Rehabilitation & Electrodiagnostics, PA.

Felice Gorordo ‘01 was confirmed by the Senate to be the United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

2010s

Alejandro Senior ‘13 made his Broadway debut playing Keys in the musical Some Like It Hot.

Antonio Permuy ‘14 and Leo Cosío ‘14 co-wrote an article, “Revisiting 1972: the year that made modern Miami” for the South Florida Media Network.

Thomas Pla ‘00 was named Vice President and Banking Advisor for Northern Trust Corporation.

Sebastián Juncadella ‘08 was named CEO of Fairchild Partners.

Joseph García ‘16 alongside his father was featured as a Rising Star on VoyageMIA for his roofing business JAG Roofing Solutions.

Jayson Repine ‘19 was commissioned into United States Army - Branched Adjutant General.

Jack Sampedro ‘21 (Amherst College) was selected as an All-NESCAC First Team for baseball.

Adrián Fraga ‘22 , Multi-Media Sports Reporter for Marquette TV, visited the WBLN studio to speak to students about what he’s working on and how Marquette TV runs their show.

Shawn Martínez ‘23 was awarded the Silver Knight for Vocational Technical. Diego Suarez ‘23 and José Toledo ‘23 were given an Honorable Mention for Science and Social Science respectively.

Class Notes Guidelines:

Class notes are one of the most popular features of the Alumni Magazine. To prevent misunderstandings, here are our guidelines:

We only publish class notes from alumni. We do not publish Class Notes from family or friends. Submissions must be in writing via email at alumni@belenjesuit.org and include your contact name and telephone number.

If you do not see a Class Note you submitted, please be patient as it may appear in a future issue. Belen Jesuit reserves the right to edit all submissions.

Alumni Pin Mass

Class of 2023 Delegates

Alfredo Balsera

Víctor Cámara

Javier de Cárdenas

John Delionado

Gabriel García

Luis E. González

Andrés Luna

Marcelo Morales

Nicolás Sánchez

José Toledo

Alumni Gatherings

Members from the class of 1987 at their annual Rose Key outing.

Patrick Collins, Andrés Chinchilla ‘15, Matthew Marrero ‘13, Giancarlo Bertaina ‘01, Eddy Acevedo ‘01, John Barsa ‘84, Dr. Rolando Díaz ‘87, Alex Burgos ‘98, and Manuel Hidalgo ‘87 spoke of their high school days at Belen and their professions, at the Close Up/Belen Alumni Day in Washington, D.C.

Alumni at the Multi-Professional Section Happy Hour Toy Drive at John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant hosted by the Belen Alumni Office.

Members from the class of 1960 celebrate a reunion with a paella.

Football Alumni from 1986 to 2001 got together at Cafe Abbracci in Coral Gables.

Alumni Gatherings

Members from the classes of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 celebrated Jorge Conforme’s ‘00 birthday.

Xavier Argamasilla ‘25 and Javier Argamasilla ‘92 visiting Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù in Rome, Italy.

Members from the class of 1999, Erimar von der Osten, Jerry Del Amo, Alex Binelo, Arturo Montealegre, Tab Verdeja, José Fernández, Juan Carlos Tellería and Victor Peláez in Bimini.

Members from the class of 1993 supported the Belen Wolverines at the lacrosse game against Tampa Jesuit.

Class of 2017 at an impromptu 6th-year reunion at Nick Milton’s house.

Danny Hernández ‘15, Ricardo Fonseca ‘12, Frankie Hernández ‘12, and Javi Hernández ‘17 at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Rome.

Alumni Gatherings

Members of the Class of 1986 met in the Gonzaga Pit and the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center to honor their classmates Jorge Padrón and Gian Zumpano as shining examples of what it means to be Men for Others.

Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87 and Carlos Bravo ‘86 presented William Guillermo Muir Celorio ‘62, Humberto Martínez de Llano ‘62 and Alfredo Borrás ‘61, with their graduation diplomas. They were unable to graduate with their class because they were part of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Brigade 2506.

Luis Pérez-Codina ’01, Xavier Martínez-Cid ’11, Carlos Suárez ’00. Derek León ’00, Vicente Cossío ’72, Eduardo “Eddie” Macías ’02, Ramón Branger ’92 and Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ’73 were elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

CBS Miami Luis Zabala ‘89 and UM Men’s Basketball Mike Beovides ‘16 represented Belen Jesuit in Houston for the NCAA Men’s Final 4 Basketball Tournament.

Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87 and 90 pilgrims in Israel for the Belen Holy Land Pilgrimage. The group consisted of various alumni and Belen families.

Alumni Gatherings

Northern Trust hosted an alumni luncheon at their main office in Brickell. Over 100 alumni who work or live in the area were able to come together to have a good time with each other.

Cheering on our Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston were class of 1989 alumni Tony Suárez and Luis Zabala with future Wolverine Tony Suárez, Jr. at TD Garden.

Luis Mejer ‘16, Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87, Andrés Vila ‘21, Stefano Naos ‘22, Kyle Guso ‘21, Tommy de Quesada ‘94, Daniel Caridad ‘06, and William Elias ‘15 in the Dallas TX alumni tour.

Members of the class of 2019 got together during the Christmas break.

Belen ACRES (Architecture, Construction, Real Estate Section) held a happy hour event at Link at Douglas.

Nicolás Valverde ‘02, Javier Pérez-Abreu ‘78, Jorge Saladrigas ‘99, and Bert Moreno ‘96 at a Riviera Country Club Wine Tasting in Coral Gables.

ALUMNI GRAND REUNION 3’s

& 8’s

Beyond Belen

In the fall, the newly named Codina Courtyard was used as the new event space where 170 students were given an opportunity to meet with an alumni mentor with respect to the students’ desired career path. The Beyond Belen, Mentoring and Networking Program, was initiated in 2018 and since then, has taken a leap in both participation from students and alumni alike. For the past two years, juniors have been invited to participate, which has positively impacted the growth of the program. Since then, an emphasis has been placed on the understanding that Beyond Belen is a professional networking opportunity and an introduction to what our Alumni Association is all about - the brotherhood.

with someone who has walked in your shoes, through the same hallways,” said Basso. “This year, we had the largest student participation with the largest number of alumni mentors who took time out of their workday to meet their mentees personally.”

The behind-the-scenes coordination of the pairing process is incredible. The team, this year, which the Career Development Office spearheaded, included Carlos Bravo ‘86 and Carlos Jiménez ‘15 (Alumni Office), Kevin García ‘23 and Daniel Real ‘24 (Chairpersons for their respective classes). Our meetings were engaging and informative as we browsed through student surveys making sure we paired based on career interests, future goals and sometimes even personalities.

“The professional networking aspect is incredibly important for these young men. They not only need to hear the phrase often, but they also need to experience and embrace it,” said Claudia Basso, Career Development Program Coordinator. “Most of these young men have never had the opportunity to speak with a professional about their educational or career goals and Beyond Belen takes them there, completely out of their comfort zone. We make sure students are prepared for what to expect and practice carrying themselves through possibly challenging conversations, yet meaningful ones.”

The Beyond Belen Program is an important event for upperclassmen to become involved. Students are educated on how to ask engaging questions and understand the value of leaving a good first impression. “It’s as if you are practicing for your first job interview

“Working as the Junior Chairperson for Beyond Belen was an incredible experience,” said Daniel Real ‘24. “Being able to assist in pairing my classmates with an alumnus that could potentially become a future career mentor to them was a great feeling. The hours dedicated to ensuring pairings are successful are endless. We may not always get it right at the moment, but students come back months later and finally understand and see the connection. That, for me, equals success.”

Through the Beyond Belen Program, a mentorship relationship is formed. These alumni mentors understand what they are being called to do and will be there to support, advise and guide their mentees throughout their educational and career path. Mentors leave their doors open with the opportunity to contact them when mentees are ready to do so. Beyond Belen is a testament to the Belen brotherhood and a program that will continue to enhance that culture.

For more information on our 2023-2024 Beyond Belen Program or ways to become more involved with our Career Development Office, email Mrs. Claudia Basso at cbasso@belenjesuit.org.

The largest exhibition of art from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Periods to be assembled in Miami from a private art collection is heading to South Florida this fall. Faith, Beauty, and Devotion: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Paintings is being organized by Federico Gandolfi Vannini, a fourth-generation art dealer and owner of Frascione Arte in Florence, Italy, his wife Daisy Diaz (a native South Floridian) as the Cultural Director of the Gallery, and Sylvie Daubar-San Juan, Humanities Department Chairperson and Director of the Olga M. & Carlos A. Saladrigas Art Gallery at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.

“This collection from Italy, now arriving in America for the first time, is the embodiment of our family’s constant and passionate pursuit of representations of beauty and history,” comments Vannini. “Belen Jesuit, with its tradition of faith, is the ideal setting to highlight the intrinsic meaning of the work of art: its Divine message.” The Frascione Fine Art Collection was founded in 1893 by Enrico Frascione, Vannini’s greatgrandfather.

“In a cultural landscape dominated by contemporary art, this historic exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to view works by European masters such as Venetian painter Tintoretto, and Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens,” says Daubar-San Juan, who will oversee the curation of 30 historically significant artworks loaned by Frascione Arte to Belen Jesuit.

Dates and Programming

From mid-September through Art Basel/Miami Art Week 2023, the South Florida community will be invited to encounter works of art tracing the Western canon of art history from the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries. The exhibition will be housed in the Olga M. & Carlos A. Saladrigas Art Gallery at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School at 500 SW 127 Avenue, Miami, FL 33184.

A VIP Opening Reception will be held on September 14, and the public opening will be on September 16. In addition to the exhibition, visitors can anticipate a robust schedule of programming such as lectures, panels, dinners, and both small and large gatherings.

About Frascione Arte (Florence): Frascione Arte is located on Via Maggio (Oltrarno District), in Florence (Firenze) and known historically as the city’s most important commercial artery when the Medici family transferred their court to the Palazzo Pitti in the 16th Century. The gallery is steps away from Piazza Pitti and lavish Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and other key cultural hubs in Florence.

Art lovers will welcome a “glimpse of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods” in Miami. Additionally, Vannini and Diaz offer a wealth of knowledge and insights that expose the hidden mysteries behind meticulously preserved paintings that have selectively transferred hands from the original patrons to private collectors and museums in Europe, East Asia, and the United States.

Faith, Beauty, and Devotion will include both sacred and secular artworks from Italian and Flemish Masters, including among others:

• Umbrian master close to Rinaldo di Ranuccio (c. 1300)

• Tintoretto (full name Jacopo Robusti; 1518 – 1594)

• Circle of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Italian, 15621609)

• Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

• Valerio Castello (1624-1659)

The full list of paintings will be announced in the coming months.

“We are honored to host such an impressive collection of art at Belen Jesuit,” said Fr. Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J., President of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. “From the perspective of an educator, this is an exciting opportunity for our students to see works of art in person. From an art aficionado perspective, I’m incredibly excited to see firsthand not only the religious art that will be part of this exhibition but the other paintings as well. We are fortunate to have the Olga & Carlos Saladrigas Art Gallery on our campus and look forward to welcoming the community to see this fantastic exhibition.”

Many events are being planned for the community to visit the exhibition. Additionally, sponsorship opportunities are available for this historical exhibition. Detailed information is available online, at www.belenjesuit.org/exhibition.

Letter from the Alumni Association Director

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Alumni Association, La Asociación de los Antiguos Alumnos del Colegio de Belén. As its director, I not only feel an immense sense of pride for our growth, but I also have such optimism for its future. Looking back at pictures from our 100 years, I have felt nostalgic and reflective about the time I spent at Belen Jesuit as a student. This year marked the 37th anniversary of my graduation, I can’t believe how fast time flies. When I think about my eighteen-year-old self walking across the stage to receive my diploma, I remember feeling I had just completed something special. However, what I did not know then was how much my experience at Belen would continue to shape me until this day.

Belen gave me an incredible Catholic, Jesuit formation and a well-rounded education. It taught me what it means to be a man for others. Here at Belen, we hear this phrase often, but may not always see it in action. I have always believed it to show up in a multitude of ways, but for me personally, it has meant being there for others, the simple act of showing up when needed.

In my role at the Alumni Office, I have been able to help alumni make life-changing connections and help to reunite old friends. It has been a privilege to connect former students with alumni that can guide them in their studies or professional careers. Similarly, seeing our Jesuit education in action and our core values igniting many different areas of our society has been a great honor. This year, we saw the retirement announcement of three significant Belen professors, but there is one, in particular, who was a key component of my career path. As a student discerning my interests and strengths, I had Dr. Pedro “PA” Hernández as a biology teacher. In his 41 years at Belen, 21 of those as the head of the Science Department, he has taught practically every science class at the school. He inspired me to pursue a career in the sciences and, years later, hired me as a physical science teacher. I am grateful for his confidence in me from such a young age, and for the many years I have been able to enjoy at Belen, first as a teacher, and now as a “broker of Belen brotherhood and connections” through my work as the Director of the Alumni Association.

A great part of the work we do in the Alumni Office involves reconnecting and nurturing relationships for the greater good of our school and God. Each relationship takes work and great care, and whether it be a lunch or a phone call, we make sure to be there for our alumni and invite them to engage in their community and help to reignite their sense of service to others.

In this magazine, we featured many events hosted by our office. Through each event, our brotherhood has grown stronger. It has been a pleasure seeing so many friendships develop through our common Belen experience. The increased participation amongst our younger alumni has also given us hope for the continued growth of the association.

As we close the book on this school year, we look ahead to 2023-2024. In the fall, we will gather for the annual Rick Raimúndez ‘90 Homecoming Tailgate, which will be bigger than ever. Stay tuned for details.

Thank you for your continued support. In particular, thank you to the alumni who stepped up and had a greater engagement with our office and provided mentorship for either students or fellow alums.

AMDG!

Un Abrazo Fuerte!

Carlos Bravo ‘86 Alumni Director