Belen Alumni Magazine | Summer 2025

TPRESIDENT’S COLUMN

he vast majority of our students do not remember the election of Pope Francis. In 2013, our seniors were only five years old and lacked the age or interest to follow a papal conclave, much less can be said of our underclassmen. So, when the bells finally tolled on our first Jesuit pope, we realized at Belen it was an opportunity to expose our students to the rich and sacred tradition of electing the next successor of St. Peter.

At around noon on Thursday, May 8, 2025, many of us were gathered in the Sarría Family Dining Hall having lunch. The screens were turned on to EWTN. The volume was low, but that didn’t matter, as the voices of the students drowned out everything else. Half the screen showed three reporters sitting at a desk with St. Peter’s in the background, the other half was focused on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and the world’s most famous seagull.

Then it happened. The kids began screaming because there was white smoke. I didn’t believe it at first since it was only the second day. But there it was… white smoke. Nobody moved. Even though the bell rang signaling the end of lunch and the beginning of class, nobody moved. What choice did we have but to let them stay and witness this incredible moment?

Though it took some time, the doors of the loggia opened, and out walked the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals to make the announcement: ‘Habemus papam.’ Again, cheers from the Belen students rang out. Fortunately, they quieted down enough to hear who the new pope was. Choosing the name Leo XIV, it was announced that the new pope was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

After the initial shock of having the first American Pope in Church history, I ran to the microphone, quieted the kids, and announced that we had an American Pope. It was at this time the students

started cheering: “USA, USA, USA.” It felt like we were at an Olympic hockey match between the United States and the Soviet Union.

All I can say is, do you believe in miracles?

This summer edition of the Belen Alumni magazine is dedicated to our new pope. It is our hope and our prayer that his papacy continues the themes of compassion and mercy of Pope Francis, while strengthening the convictions of Catholics all over the world to remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our hope and our prayer that the papacy of Leo XIV brings the youth of the Church back to the sacraments and to a desire to promote the faith on college campuses and in the workplace.

Belen Jesuit will continue its mission to form young men in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It will continue to strengthen its identity as a Catholic school and continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in every class, on every field, and through every club. Our faculty and staff are committed to progressing a mission that is 170 years old.

Auspice Maria, Fr. Willie ‘87

Roberto Borbolla ‘56 Alumni Content Editor

Ramón Branger ‘92 Alumni Board Member

Carlos Bravo ‘86 Alumni Association Executive Director

Carlos Cristóbal ‘16 Communications Specialist

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

Carlos Hernandez ‘88 - Vice President

Thomas Pla ‘00 - Treasurer

Leo Cosío ‘14 - Secretary

Ramón Branger ‘92

Vicente Cossío ‘72

José “Joey” Gómez ‘08

Alejandro “Alex” Gómez-Pina ‘93

Steven Henriques ‘99

Carlos Hernández ‘88

Eduardo “Eddie” Macias ‘02

Carlos Pérez-Abreu ‘88

Luis Pérez-Codina ‘01

Rogelio Ribas ‘83

Carlos Suárez ‘00

COMMUNITY NEWS

COLLEGE DAY

The classes of 2026 and 2027, along with their parents, participated in their grade-level activity on January 11, officially kicking off the college process. This hands-on experience included a series of admission case studies and informational breakout sessions with representatives from several university admissions offices.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

The spring production, which took place in the Roca Theatre from April 3 to 5, featured our thespians center stage. The stagecraft class built the set, and over 25 Belen students made up the cast and crew. Theater Director Isidora Ulloa directed the show.

8TH GRADE PIN MASS

Congratulations to the class of 2029 who received their 8th Grade Pin at a special Mass on May 8 presided by Fr. Willie ‘87 in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. Winston Eli Burris delivered an excellent speech to his class, which can be read on the Belen Jesuit website.

CONFIRMATION

On March 1, Archbishop Thomas Wenski presided, and Fr. Willie ‘87 concelebrated. Several students were also fully initiated into the Catholic Church (receiving the three sacraments of Christian initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).

SPRING CONCERT

The music program was displayed during the Spring Concert, held on April 10 in the Roca Theatre. At the concert, directed by Marlene Urbay, the students showcased what they learned. Additionally, the Concert Band received a Superior rating and the Bronze Award at Festival Disney and the Jazz Band earned a Superior rating for their performance at OrlandoFest.

6TH GRADE MAY CROWNING

The class of 2031 celebrated a special moment with the Blessed Mother at the May Crowning. Mary was attributed the queen symbol 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.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

The class of 2030 celebrated their grade-level activity on March 15. Grandparents Day was an excellent opportunity for grandparents to bond with their grandsons. Activities ranged from Mass to playing table games to campus tours.

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH CESAR CONDE AND TOM LLAMAS

On May 1, we welcomed César R. Conde ‘91, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, and Tom Llamas ‘97, Anchor and Managing Editor of “NBC Nightly News,” to address the student body. Their former teacher and coach, Patrick Collins, moderated this special conversation. Following the presentation, Mr. Conde and Mr. Llamas visited the Conde Media Center and joined a production of WBLN.

FATHER AND SON DAY

On May 17, the class of 2028 enjoyed their grade-level activity by spending the day bonding with their dads. The day was jam-packed with fun and incredible moments for fathers and sons to enjoy, featuring activities such as playing basketball and football, canoe races in the pool, and sports trivia.

INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Students showcased their ideas and inventions at the Innovation Showcase on March 27. The event celebrates the spirit of making and innovating, showcasing projects and products created by makers, DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, and students.

BACCALAUREATE MASS & BANQUET

The class of 2025 celebrated their Baccalaureate Mass on May 4 at the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Willie ‘87. Congratulations to Jonathan Fuentes, who received the St. Oscar Romero Service Award, and Diego Tejera, who received the St. Peter Faber Peer Ministry Award. Matthew Lombardi received the St. John Berchmans’ Altar Server Award and Gabriel Sintas received the St. Cecilia Music Ministry Award. The Senior Banquet followed the Mass in the Sarría Family Dining Hall.

GRADUATION

The class of 2025 celebrated its graduation on May 23 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Congratulations and best of luck as you go forth and set the world on fire! Special thanks to Sir Andreas Widmer for being the commencement speaker.

WINNING WOLVERINES

By Lázaro Fernández | Athletic Director

The2024–2025 athletic year was one of exceptional achievements and school pride, highlighted by individual excellence, team triumphs, and academic success. As our Wolverines continue to strive for greatness, the total number of state championships now stands at 34. In addition to their athletic achievements, our basketball, football, soccer, track & field, and wrestling teams earned FHSAA Academic State Championships.

A total of 15 student-athletes signed national letters of intent to compete at the collegiate level, representing Belen Jesuit in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, and NAIA programs. These athletes will continue their athletic and academic journeys in sports such as baseball, crew, cross country, football, soccer, lacrosse, and track & field.

The cross country team continued its reign of dominance by capturing its eighth consecutive state championship, its 16th overall. The team also claimed victory at the Nike NXR Southwest Regional and finished 12th nationally at the prestigious Nike Cross Nationals (NXN). Standout runner Marcelo Mantecón ’27 led the way, winning the individual state cross country title. Mantecón also excelled in track & field, securing the state title in the 3200-meter run and contributing to the 4x800-meter relay state championship team alongside Diego Magariño ‘25, Michael Brunet ‘25, and Jack Michalak ‘28. Additionally, Frankie Ruíz ‘96 was named Coach of the Year by the United States Marine Corps.

The track & field program celebrated its first state championship since 2007. Tiago Socarrás delivered outstanding performances, earning two state titles in the 800-meter and 1600-meter events—the latter marking his third consecutive win in the event.

In swimming, Chris de Angulo ’26 earned a state title in the 100-yard breaststroke, while the team overall secured a second-place finish at the regional level. Marcelo Mantecón’s accomplishments were further recognized as he was named the Florida Dairy Farmers State

Runner of the Year, Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year, and the Miami Herald’s Runner of the Year. Tiago Socarrás was named Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year by FLMilesplit.

Belen Jesuit’s other athletic programs also had strong showings throughout the year. The baseball, soccer, and tennis teams advanced to the regional final, while basketball, volleyball, and water polo reached the regional semifinal, and the lacrosse team advanced to the regional quarterfinals. Separately, Jesse Fernández was named Baseball Coach of the Year by the Florida Sports Programming Network, and Jake Cueto ‘27 was named Sophomore Player of the Year for baseball.

The school’s crew team had a banner year, winning both the scholastic sculling and sweep state championships, competing successfully across both club and school categories.

Belen Jesuit proudly celebrates the dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship of its studentathletes. Their accomplishments have not only added to the school’s rich athletic legacy but also set a high standard for future generations to follow.

CLASS OF 2025 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Allegheny College

American University

Anderson University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Ave Maria University

Babson College

Barry University

Boston College

Boston University

Brown University

Bucknell University

Caldwell University

Carroll College

Case Western Reserve University

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Columbia University

Cornell University

Creighton University

Dartmouth College

Drexel University

Duke University

Eastern University

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Emory University

Fairfield University

Flagler College

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

Florida Polytechnic University

Florida State University

Fordham University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Heidelberg University

High Point University

IE University - Madrid

Indiana UniversityBloomington

John Carroll University

Johns Hopkins University

Lehigh University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University New Orleans

Marquette University

Miami Dade College

Michigan State University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

The Ohio State University

Orange Coast College

Pennsylvania State University

Pratt Institute – Brooklyn

Providence College

Purdue University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rollins College

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Saint John‘s University (with College of Saint Benedict)

Saint Joseph‘s University

Saint Leo University

Saint Peter‘s University

Santa Clara University

Santa Fe College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Southern Methodist University

Southern Wesleyan University

Spring Hill College

St. Thomas University

Stetson University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Tallahassee State College

Texas A&M University - College

Station

Texas Christian University

The Catholic University of America

The George Washington University

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

Tufts University

Universidad de Navarra

University of Arizona

University of Central Florida

University of Chicago

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign

University of Maryland-College Park

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Florida

University of Notre Dame

University of Oklahoma

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of South CarolinaColumbia

University of South FloridaTampa

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

University of St Andrews

University of Virginia

University of Washington-Seattle

Campus

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St Louis

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Xavier University

Yale University

*bold is matriculation

Alumnus of the Year

By Teresa Martínez

JoséLuis Toledo, Jr. ‘96, has been named Belen Jesuit’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year. He started at Belen as a sixth grader in 1989 and immediately felt at home. “Belen is more than my alma mater—it is the foundation of my character. It’s a brotherhood that extends beyond the classroom and has taught me to have a lifelong commitment to service,” Toledo says.

José embraced every aspect of Belen’s life—sports, friendships, and detentions. Never one to follow a straight path, he embraced both triumphs and trials, learning invaluable lessons in and out of the classroom. He played football and baseball for four years and even one year of golf, managing to letter three times in that single season. He also learned some hard lessons, including accountability, consequences and dealing with lost opportunities.

Teachers such as Fr. Sardiña helped him take responsibility for his actions, it was coaches like Coach Stuart and Coach Aparicio who helped mold him into a man of discipline, pushing him to do things he never thought possible. Brother Gerry, who ran Gerry’s Farm, showed him that service wasn’t about obligation—it was about giving of oneself for the greater good. While he had many strict teachers, no department challenged him more than Spanish, where he quickly learned that “no excuses” meant precisely that.

Grounded in the principles of Ignatian Spirituality instilled by the Jesuits at Belen, José grasped the profound meaning of life: to praise, revere, and serve the Lord, and made it the cornerstone of his life. “I don’t go a day without offering up all of God’s gifts and giving gratitude,” said Toledo. “Every decision I make, every challenge I face, I reflect on through God and His teachings. My faith has taught me that I am not in control—all I can do is make choices through the lens of God’s wisdom and trust in His plan.”

His connection to Belen deepened in 2007 when his wife, Loli, joined the faculty, giving José new perspectives as both a husband and soon-to-be Belen parent. All three of their children are Jesuit-educated — one Belen alumnus who is now at North Carolina State University, one current Belen student in ninth grade, and one Our Lady of Lourdes Academy alumna currently at St. Louis University.

Over the past 13 years, José has served as the cook for Belen Youth Missions, ensuring each participant is nourished both physically and spiritually. He also coaches football, mentoring student-athletes on and off the field. As a delegate for his class and an active member of the Alumni Professional Section for Accounting, Finance, and Enterprise, he continues to support the growth of the Belen community

“I have known José for many years and can attest to his love and commitment to Belen,” said Fr. Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J., ‘87. “At no point in time did he ever wander too far from Belen Jesuit, but always served his alma mater faithfully. Most outstanding has been his 20 years of service to Belen Youth Missions. During that time, he has fed and cared for thousands of Belen students who have experienced working with and for the poor of the Dominican Republic. While not formally a teacher in the classroom, he has helped educate these young men to be true men for others.”

“When I heard that I had been selected as the 2025 Alumnus of the Year, I was overcome with emotion and brought to tears by the unexpected honor,” said Toledo. “The true giants of Belen are the men who came before me—mentors like Eddie García ‘87 and José González ‘91. These are men I respect deeply for their unwavering values, moral integrity, and commitment to service. To stand among them is an overwhelmingly humbling experience.”

His greatest hope is that the young men he mentors will continue to carry the torch, leading the next generation in the spirit of service and faith. “Be humble, never procrastinate, and take care of the tasks that require no talent. Surround yourself with people who make you better—morally and spiritually. That is what Belen taught me, and that is what I will always carry forward.”

In honor of this recognition, a digital billboard was displayed showcasing José on the Palmetto Expressway & Bird Road from April 14 to May 4, 2025.

BeLegend

Mrs. Carol Vila

By Sujayla Collins | Contributing Writer

Freshout of college and just two weeks after marrying her life and soul mate, Mrs. Carol Vila, upon the advice of a friend, decided to apply for a position at a small Jesuit school located on 8th Street. She had recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Math, when she sat across from then President Fr. Felipe Arroyo, S.J., who at the time was interested in hiring native English speakers for the mostly Hispanic student population. She was hired to teach Algebra 2 to juniors and Physical Science to eighth graders.

At the time, Mrs. Vila knew some things about the school. She knew it was a Jesuit school with a long history in Cuba that reconstituted itself in Miami in 1961. She was very familiar with Jesuit education because St. Joe’s Prep. in Philadelphia was the sister school of her own high school, Ravenhill Academy of the Assumption, a Catholic school for girls. Her original intention was to teach for a couple of years and see where life would take her. That was fifty years ago.

Back then her classroom, a converted garage with wooden doors referred to as the “Wild West” campus, was located near the senior section also known as “the barn.” She recalls one day opening the doors to her classroom, and to her surprise there was an actual Volkswagen Beetle parked inside and crammed with students who jumped out when she entered. “It was really hilarious!” said Mrs. Vila.

In her time at Belen, Mrs. Vila has taught all levels of math and science, including a section of Biology to tenth graders. Within a few years of starting, the principal at the time, Fr. Alberto García, S.J., appointed her as Math Department Chair.

“She committed her life in service to those students who had just recently tried to establish a foothold in Miami. With the zeal of a missionary, Carol was going to make sure the students and teachers at Belen were going to thrive,” said Mr. Patrick Collins.

Another fond memory of her early days at the school was the time she approached her Algebra 2 class in the E section of the current main building, and an unusual yet savory aroma immediately met her. The students had received permission from Fr. Izquierdo, an infamous disciplinarian, to get Pan con Lechon for her birthday, which they were keeping warm in a fleet of toaster ovens inside the class. Anything to get out of class, but it worked like a charm.

Mrs. Vila returned to college to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from F.I.U., and just in time for the next phase of her career. In the mid-80s, with a

sudden rise in technology, she founded the Computer Science Department and continued down this path until 1996, when Fr. Marcelino García, S.J., asked her to bring the school into the 21st century with respect to technology. This was a very tall order, because not only did this mean she would be bringing computers to the school (at the time, there was a small computer lab in the E section for the Computer Science classes), but also technological resources for the teachers to use in their classrooms as well.

Early decisions to get the ball rolling included the establishment of a Computer Resource Center for use during the school day and after school. A small lab was set up in the Faculty Room for the teachers, and Smart Boards were placed in all the classrooms. Over a twoand-a-half-year period, every classroom and every teacher was equipped with the necessary hardware and software to teach.

Beyond the classroom, Fr. Marcelino requested that all school processes such as Student Information Systems, Finance Systems and Fundraising tools be automated. The Business Office went from a paper system, mostly consisting of a very large ledger, to a fully automated software package called Accounting for Nonprofits. Mrs. Vila also spearheaded the automation of employee payroll from a manual system to an ADP system. All the while, she continued to teach a couple of AP Calculus classes until 2005, when it became clear that she needed to devote all her time to continuous learning, maintaining, and growing the school’s technology.

“I was humbled and honored that Fr. Marcelino trusted me with this role, which did not exist when I started my journey at Belen,” said Mrs. Vila.

A team of very knowledgeable alumni, some of whom had been her students, helped her along the way by providing insightful advice and technical assistance. Alumni such as Antolín Cossío ’73, Luis Valladares ’85, Germán Delgado ‘90, Julio Rodríguez ’95, Bryan Lorenzo ‘03, and Augusto Venegas ’85, whom she considers to be her right hand right now, helped the initiative and some became members of the Tech Team.

“All those alumni were very instrumental in helping me to get to where I am today”, said Mrs.Vila.

In 2012, under the leadership of Principal Fr. García-Tuñón, S.J. ‘87, Mrs. Vila put together an ad hoc committee to decide on the best device for a one-to-one program. The committee decided on the newly released iPad, and the Technology Department rolled out this device to all

students at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, in addition to implementing all digital textbooks for all the courses that same year. The roll out was difficult, but it went smoothly under the guidance of the Tech Team, who took care of any rising situations from digital book downloads to faculty training.

Mrs. Vila is the current Executive Director of Technology, managing a team of four people who do an incredible job on a daily basis. It is a monumental task, considering the expansion of the campus, the large number of employees, and the amount of technology for students, faculty and staff. The Tech Department also takes care of the everexpanding fiber optic network in addition to all the Audio Visual equipment.

Fifty years of memories at the school include some funny moments, such as a group of her students talking their way into South Miami Hospital to visit her and her firstborn of four daughters, Katie, who was dubbed “the glow worm” by her students because of a photo she had on her keychain. The nurses thought it was adorable that a bunch of high school juniors (class of 1986) were so thoughtful to visit their teacher while bearing gifts.

Another fond memory is in 1987, when she unexpectedly gave birth to twins, and her colleagues at Belen rallied to make sure she had what she needed for the surprise, such as a double stroller, twice the number of clothing items, another car seat, etc.

“It was amazing and just one example of the community at Belen. A group of them delivered them to our home and my husband and I were overwhelmed with the kindness of my colleagues,” said Mrs. Vila.

Additionally, she earnestly believes that her students and their wonderful and supportive parents have made a tremendous impact on her life. Some of the alumni and their parents have become lifelong friends over the years. She has also made lifelong friends with colleagues who started with her in the original building, and have been working together ever since.

“She’s a rock, dependable and always willing to help. Fifty years is a lifetime and friendships like ours are a blessing,” said Maria Elena Cartaya.

Looking back through all those years, she recognizes that the school has changed tremendously. The obvious change is the physical plant, an amazing evolution from a converted carpet warehouse on 8th Street and 7th Avenue to the modern state-of-the-art facility just a few miles west. However, it was exactly the challenges that each of her superiors put in her path that kept her moving forward. Even when they were difficult, she was reminded of the Magis.

“This miracle in Sweetwater was the vision of the Jesuit who hired me, Fr. Felipe Arroyo, S.J., and carried out by his successors, Fr. Marcelino García, S.J. and Fr. Willie GarcíaTuñón, S.J. It is truly a testimonial to Fr. Arroyo’s foresight and the risks he took to make this happen,” said Mrs. Vila. Despite the increase in size and evolution to a premier preparatory school in South Florida with a unique mission, the school has never lost that sense of community among the alumni, students, faculty, staff, and parents. If anything, the network has become stronger. Along with

her family, Belen has become her life.

“The one fear I have is not coming to this place that I have called home for 50 years. It has become home not only to me, but to my husband and daughters,” said Mrs.Vila.

Today, under the leadership of President Fr. GarcíaTuñón, S.J. ‘87 and Principal José E. Roca ‘84, along with the academic team, the Technology Department is revisiting that decision about the best devices for the students that will help to better prepare them for college and life in general. Mrs. Vila, who is also celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary to her husband Luis, is a proud mother to daughters Katherine, Kristen, Kelly and Elizabeth, and an even prouder grandmother to her four grandchildren Olivia (6 years old), Luke (2 ½ years old), Oscar (2 years old) and Harper (18 months old). The fifth grandchild will arrive sometime around her 50th wedding anniversary.

“She always faced a problem head-on. She’s adaptable and always willing to go the extra mile to find a solution with a positive attitude. Additionally, she’s been a good friend who has been a great source of support and encouragement through my hardest times,” said Teri Elías.

Mrs. Vila’s advice to new faculty and staff at Belen is to learn and embrace the Jesuit mission in education, to ask for advice from a variety of people, and to trust that colleagues and superiors want you to succeed and always have your best interest at heart.

“What a blessing it has been for me personally to have experienced Mrs. Vila as both a math and computer science teacher in the 80s and, now, as a colleague. Today, like it was back then, she is an expert in her field and faithfully committed to Belen Jesuit. She has given her all to our school for 50 years and we have been blessed to have her with us,” said Father Willie García-Tuñón, S.J. ‘87.

It is clearly evident that Mrs. Vila has always strived to live her life, personal and professional, in the spirit of the Magis. Her service and dedication to the school for the past 50 years are a true testament to the Jesuit ideal of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, or as Father Marcelino once told to her during counsel, “to whom much is given, much will be required,” -Luke 12:48.

POPE LEO XIV

(The following is a testimonial written by Fr. Christian A. Sáenz, S.J. ‘95, after experiencing the election on May 8, 2025, in the plaza and following the Pope’s first Mass on May 9th. Fr. Sáenz is a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.)

After The Smoke Settled

Theperiod of interregnum, which concluded with the election of Pope Leo XIV, was lived within the greater context of the Jubilee Year. It was a great coincidence—or rather providential—that these two temporary and intense moments in the life of the Church would be lived at the same time. Because of this coincidence, the theme of the Jubilee Year resounded in my thoughts throughout the days leading up to the conclave: we are pilgrims of hope. Hope is one of the theological virtues, an essential element in the life of a Christian because hope orients our faith; it is with the hope of the Resurrection that we celebrate this Easter season and prayed for Pope Francis, it is with the hope in the forgiveness of our sins that we make our way to the Holy Door during this Jubilee, and it was with hope that over a billion faithful across the world waited for the celebrated words, “habemus papam!” The time to prepare the conclave, which also coincided with a time of mourning for the passing of Pope Francis, and the short couple of days in which the Church around the world waited for the smoke and bells in St. Peter’s Square could be seen as an enormous exercise in Christian hope.

It was in the spirit of hope that Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the faithful of every nationality on earth converging on St. Peter’s Square. As the white smoke billowed out from the Sistine Chapel’s roof and the bells resounded throughout Rome, the whole city and the world found a place to stand at St. Peter’s. They are like pilgrims of hope that went out to see the answer to so many prayers and the renewal of Christ’s own message that we will hear at the end of Eastertide: “I am with you always.” The Lord would not leave his Church too long without her visible head, and the hope of all who waited patiently as the Cardinals did their job was not in vain. The hope of so many faithful was fulfilled when we heard the words “peace be with all of you!”

The Pope’s first words to the city and the world were forceful and confident, speaking of the peace of knowing that Christ will always be with us, even when evil in the world tries to deprive us of that hope of peace. That same confidence was back again the following day at the Pope’s first Mass of Thanksgiving with the Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel, as he sang the Mass and spoke with clarity and conviction. In a subtle way, the Pope has already demonstrated versatility in expression by speaking in Italian, Spanish, Latin, and English. His long experience in Peru, coupled with growing up in Chicago, certainly creates a bridge between northern and southern hemispheres, something which we might well relate to in Florida. In Rome, the question all around town is now “who is he, how is he going to be?” I answer that with the same hope and patience that brought us our new pope, we shall also get to know Pope Leo XIV.

PoPe Leo XIV’s Motto

and Coat of arMs

By Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pontificate, particularly unity and communion within the Church.

The shield is divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily.

The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo” - “You have pierced my heart with your Word.”

The Motto

Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means “In the One, we are one.” The phrase is taken from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 127, where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”

In a 2023 interview with Vatican News’ Tiziana Campisi, then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost spoke about the significance of this motto: “As can be seen from my episcopal motto, unity and communion are truly part of the charism of the Order of Saint Augustine, and also of my way of acting and thinking,” he said. “I believe it is very important to promote communion in the Church, and we know well that communion, participation, and mission are the three key words of the Synod. So, as an Augustinian, for me promoting unity and communion is

fundamental.”

Saint Augustine’s reflection on Psalm 127 highlights the theological foundation of this idea. “Christ - head and body - is one single man. And what is the body of Christ? His Church,” Augustine writes. He then adds, “Although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one. We are many and we are one - because we are united to Him, and if our Head is in heaven, the members will follow.”

The Future is Now Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

By Lisa Metro | Contributing Writer

ArtificialIntelligence, best known as AI, is at the same time complex and simple; threatening and exhilarating; hurtful and helpful.

So, in terms of AI, where does Belen Jesuit Preparatory School go from here?

As always, we move forward. AI is everywhere, in higher education, in businesses of all kinds, as well as in our homes. Introducing students to it now — and teaching them how to use it appropriately and ethically — provides them with a learning advantage, better preparing them for the world.

AI’s presence in the Belen classroom has begun with more teachers incorporating it into their lesson plans.

“Each faculty member decides how and when to use AI,” says Alexis Mabe, Ed.D., Educational Technology Specialist. “Our students take direction from the teacher. We are focused on quality vs. quantity. Many of our faculty use ChatGPT, some use Claude, others Gamma. By bringing AI into the classroom, we can focus on teaching responsible use.”

AI does not divorce our students from humanity. In fact, according to Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, in a

story written for Vatican News, as Catholics, we must ask, “What is it that is good for humanity? What is it that promotes human well-being?” He adds that, “We want to welcome something that has great potential for human beings.”

He believes that AI has great potential, but that its development must be guided by humanity in order to be a blessing for all people. “It’s a reflection on humanity’s capacity to learn, to innovate, to develop, which is a God-given capacity.”

“Belen does not bend on the important values,” says Matthew Jordan, Ed.D. ’08, Director of Faculty Development. “We’re all willing to learn. We make sure to ask our students for their thoughts. And, we continually ask ourselves how to utilize AI without sacrificing our Catholic values.”

He is clear that AI aligns with Jesuit education because its use is based on the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm of context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. He points out that it is never used exclusively as a teaching method. Rather, it is used to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

“The pendulum should never swing only one way,” he says. “Classroom instruction should include all things: lecture, group work, research… AI is not a replacement for instruction.”

While Belen is very proactive in its use of AI, the process of incorporating AI into the classroom was anything but rushed. ChatGPT has become very accessible, and many students already have an account. Teachers were beginning to see the educational possibilities and began bringing ideas to Dr. Mabe and Dr. Jordan.

“We knew we needed to do something, so we formed an AI in Education committee,” says Dr. Mabe. “We wanted all voices represented, so the group was composed of members of faculty and administration, including those who were both eager to use AI and those who were hesitant.”

Committee members relied on prayer, discernment, and professional development, always recognizing that AI is here to stay. There is no official mandate to teachers on how—or even if—to use AI. Each faculty member decides how to use it, and that varies among the different disciplines. According to Dr. Mabe, it is important that teachers view AI as a co-collaborator. Research on its use remains constant.

“There are concerns about its use,” says Dr. Jordan. “But, using it ties directly to our Mission Statement. Belen is a school that embraces change and is always looking at the world our students will walk into. We must ensure they are prepared for that world.”

Of course, there are concerns regarding AI in the classroom. One is that AI may lessen critical thinking. Dr. Jordan shares an example of solving a math problem by telling AI to do the math problem wrong. It is then up to the students to first find where the error occurred and then correct it. This process involves critical thinking.

Another prevalent concern is creating an overreliance on AI among students. There are guardrails in place to help prevent inappropriate use. The committee developed a checklist. For instance, a student can use AI to check grammar, but not to write a paper. They can however, use AI to pull resources, fact find, and gain ideas. In terms of research papers, there are ways to incorporate AI to deepen learning. Students must have the foundational subject knowledge to get the most output from AI. Another use is to choose a topic from current events, but use AI as part of their research and write it from different perspectives. This teaches debate and prepares students for a more expansive world view, seeing beyond the information that is directly

in front of them.

The successful integration of AI is extending beyond the classroom. A new school website is in the works and will lean on AI for a more efficient user experience. Teresa Martínez, Belen’s Director of Communications, is overseeing the project.

“We are looking to use AI to enhance the search process,” she says. “Prospective families will have quicker, better information for their decision making, saving them the time of calling our admissions office. And, in turn, we will know what these parents are most interested in and can better direct them toward it.”

Martínez is excited about the integration of AI at Belen. She admires the way the leadership team has implemented its use and knows very well how important it is to be on the cutting edge and to provide students with the tools they will need for success beyond Belen. As a mother of a current Belen student (Diego ’27), she has the same concerns as any parent who has children searching the internet.

“I want to be sure my kids are using this (AI) as a learning tool,” she says. “Our priority at Belen is to ensure our students are taught to use this correctly. And there is no question AI is part of their future, not just in college, but in the jobs they will step into. As a parent, I want them to be prepared.”

Dr. Mabe echoes these sentiments. “Sixty percent of the jobs today’s middle school students will have don’t even exist yet. How do we prepare students now for this reality? We do that by teaching them to think critically in a world where we don’t know all the answers. We allow them to have a growth mindset.”

The administration and faculty continue to learn and remain open to growth. Dr. Jordan is humbled by the faith they have placed in him and Dr. Mabe. And, he sees the good work Belen teachers bring to the classroom every day, preparing students for the greater world. They look to the future for the good of the students.

“This is an entire technological and pedagogical shift,” he says. “Our faculty live and breathe their vocation. They know that if we shut down the world our students live in, in order to stay in the world we think they live in, we are doing them a disservice.”

50 Years of Close Up

50 Years of Close Up

By Rolando Díaz, Ph. D ‘87

By Rolando Díaz, Ph. D ‘87

In 1975, a young and enthusiastic Belen teacher wanted to supplement the curriculum of his government class for the many students who had left Cuba, or whose parents had left Cuba. In addition to teaching U.S. government, Patrick Collins wanted to make the content tangible. After organizing a trip on his own for 12 students, Mr. Collins was contacted by the newly-formed Close Up Foundation. CU let Mr. Collins know it facilitated the very experience he envisioned for his students. They offered a fellowship for one student to attend, accompanied by a faculty chaperone.

At that time, school trips were not a priority for Belen. According to Mr. Collins, many families at Belen were still establishing themselves financially in the U.S. in 1975 - school trips were for “the future.” However, the administration supported the idea of having a student visit Washington as part of the fellowship. Rather than selecting a student themselves, the administration trusted the government students to vote for the student who would most benefit from the trip, a student who showed “the greatest interest in civic education.” Miguel Ares was selected in a landslide. Mr. Collins recalls that “they picked the right student.” Ares, upon returning from the trip, explained that it was an “extraordinary experience.” His endorsement resulted in students signing up to attend the event in Washington for the next 50 years.

The Close Up Foundation was established by Stephen A. Janger in 1971 to bring high school students and teachers from across the country to experience American democracy “close up.”. Mr. Collins remembers Janger as “someone who makes an indelible impression” and committed to supplement civic education in the classroom with direct engagement with government officials and participants in governance in all three branches of the federal government. Collins added that students also get to see the real places they read about and “experience, for example, being in Arlington

Cemetery.”

Among the most important elements of Close Up, according to both Collins and government teacher Alex Peña ‘06, is the ability of participants to share the experience with students from around the country and see other points of view. Peña noted that it takes the students out of the “Belen bubble” and exposes them to different perspectives.

Since that first trip, members of every Belen class have participated in the high school Close Up program, a total of 2,315 students through 2025. Belen made sure that the class of 2022, whose junior year trip in 2021 was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, were able to attend as seniors in the spring of 2022.

Over the years, students have experienced many historic events as part of Close Up. Students attended both of Ronald Reagan’s inaugurations, visited Congress as Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings were underway, and witnessed the effects of a government shutdown on Washington, D.C. They have also seen Washington’s famous cherry blossoms and at least one group’s return was delayed due to a blizzard.

Close Up expanded its programs to include middle school students, and starting in 2016, Belen eighth graders have participated in the Founding of a Nation (FOAN) program. This program takes participants to various historical sites in the midAtlantic. Students visit Williamsburg to understand colonial governance, the Yorktown battlefield to see the site of the British surrender, Washington, DC as the current seat of government, Philadelphia and the sites associated with the Continental Congress, George Washington’s Mt. Vernon estate, and the Gettysburg battlefield in their week-long trip. Belen has brought 818 students for the FOAN program to date, including six groups of over 100 eighth graders.

According to Close Up, no other faculty member of any school across the country has attended their programs as long as Mr. Collins. During the 2025 Belen Close Up week, the Close Up Foundation honored Mr. Collins and Belen for 50 years of involvement with the program, longer than any other active teacher. Mr. Collins was also the inaugural inductee into the Close Up Hall of Fame. Inducted in 2015, he is one of only seven teachers so honored. His citation reads in part: “No educator in the history of Close Up has partnered with the Foundation for longer or with greater distinction. Pat’s commitment and dedication to civic education is unparalleled and truly inspiring.”

Belen has benefited from its relationship with CU, as students who have learned about government service through the program and through other initiatives in government classes have chosen careers in public service and the military. In 2011, Mr. Collins added a now-annual element to the already robust CU program. He gathered five alumni who had served in various roles in public service to speak to the students about their professional journeys and how Belen and Close Up had affected their decisions and careers. That first panel was extremely well received by the CU students. It was also attended by local Washingtonarea alumni who were eager to find ways to connect with current students and fellow alumni, as well as support the school from afar.

Over the years, Mr. Collins has assembled a panel of participants from across the professional spectrum, serving the public in both the government and private sectors. Panelists have included alumni serving in federal law enforcement, as congressional staff, or as members of executive departments, active-duty military personnel, students at the Naval Academy, heads of non-profit organizations, and two U.S. ambassadors to the Organization of American States. The panel has also been visited by members of Congress, including alumni Rep. Joe García ‘82, Rep. Carlos Curbelo ‘98, then Sen. Marco Rubio P’23, and

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Former Rep. Ros-Lehtinen has been a longtime supporter of the school’s connection with Close Up and currently serves as a Close Up board member.

One of those participants, Dr. Frank Mora ‘82, the most recent ambassador to the OAS, was particularly inspired by Close Up. He had hoped to play baseball and have that be his pathway to college. Dr. Mora “fell in love with the place and it brought to life what we had learned in Pat Collin’s class. I decided, based on that experience, that I wanted to study government in Washington. I just had to find a way of getting here. In that sense, it shaped my life. It defined what I wanted to be and what I wanted to study.”

Mr. Collins noted that the benefit of Close Up is hard to measure, but sometimes it is seen in “impressions and feelings.” He added, “You can see pictures, but when you are standing in Arlington Cemetery or the rotunda of the Capitol, it is different.” Belen has also significantly benefited from Mr. Collins’ initiative fifty years ago. Fr. Willie García-Tuñón ‘87 praised his former teacher. “Mr. Collins exposed Belen to one of the most impactful experiences a student can have during his high school years. When Fr. Baldor hired him 52 years ago to teach the young children of mostly Cuban immigrants, Mr. Collins understood his role was to foster a sincere love for the United States and help motivate a strong sense of civic responsibility. Close Up has been a big part of that.”

--Rolando J. Díaz, Ph.D. ’87 is a clinical psychologist in Arlington, Virginia. He also helps organize and emcees the Close Up Alumni Panel each year.

Taking the Plunge With Fairfield Prep

By Kathy Mabry | Contributing Writer

It was 2021, and the world was still wrestling with COVID. Schools, with their large congregations of students, faced significant challenges. In particular, Jesuit schools — schools known for an education that is not confined to a classroom, but an education that insists that students learn, grow and forge the bonds of brotherhood through community service and retreats — were confronted with unique circumstances.

With many outreach experiences off the table, Teresita González, Belen’s Christian service coordinator, mulled options with colleagues, including Tommy De Quesada, Belen’s Executive Director of Enrollment and Community Outreach and a former principal at Fairfield Prep in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Ultimately, Belen and Fairfield took the plunge on a unique take of the “Urban Plunge,” an Ignatian immersion experience that typically puts students in underserved neighborhoods to spend several days working and living in community with marginalized groups. In fall 2021, this kind of in-person exposure remained out of the question; however, Teresita and her Fairfield counterpart shouldn’t the person be named?jumped in with a proposal for a virtual Urban Plunge. “It was a weird time, even for inperson interactions, so putting together a meaningful virtual experience between the two schools was difficult,” said Mrs. Gonzalez.

That first Belen-Fairfield event, in fall 2021, included virtual large group meetings, small group chats and breakout groups that participated in select service outings. Post service experiences, the groups came together online for reflections and prayers. “Even though it was done virtually, it exceeded our expectations,” said Mrs. González. She continued, “The students learned how to discern their experiences and explore deeper meanings of Catholic Social Teaching. It was really special.” Thus, in spring 2022, with the pandemic waning, Belen welcomed the first Fairfield in-person cohort to campus — this time with a “care for creation” message and the theme “All Who Thirst.” That began an annual exchange which will continue next year when Fairfield young men return to Belen in spring 2026.

Mrs. González reflected on that first in-person experience in 2022, “All Who Thirst,” and how the students, through visiting the Everglades, going on swamp walks, and observing the relationship between environmental

conditions and the sustainability of life, observed climate change up close. She offers an example, “The highest area in Miami is a Haitian mecca. It includes a thriving Haitian migrant community centered around the Notre Dame d’Haiti Parish. But because this area floods the least, it is now being gentrified with condos rising. The residents have lost about 10% of their parish already. This is only one of many things that made climate change visible to our students.” Next year, she said, they will travel to the Florida Keys and confront the issue of affordable housing.

Elliott Gualtiere, Fairfield Prep’s Dean of Mission and Ministry, noted that each school’s group — typically 15-18 students — has the opportunity to immerse themselves in two unique communities. In Florida, students visit the Everglades and consider environmental care and justice. “They become more rooted,” he noted. “They move out of their bubble, they realize, whether they’re from Belen or Fairfield, that they speak the same Ignatian language as they learn firsthand what it means to be Men for Others, and what Ignatian concepts such as cura personalis look like in action.”

He continued, “This past March, Belen students came to Fairfield, which is more of an urban setting. The boys served the inner city of Bridgeport, connecting directly with underserved communities through work at a soup kitchen, helping out in after-school programs and serving at a local church whose pastor is a Fairfield Prep alum. Groups are intentionally intermingled and a distinct camaraderie develops. During the final sharing the morning before they left, you could see the bonds that had formed and sense their gratitude. We watched them exchanging numbers with plans to keep in touch. It’s about the relationships — not just the students but even between the adults involved.”

Mrs. González echoed that sentiment. “The staff’s fraternity gives us the incredible opportunity to collaborate. I’ve learned a lot. The type of kindness they show us…it’s an amazing connection. We became relatives. I can’t appreciate that enough.”

“It’s important that our schools make these connections,” added Mr. Gualtiere. We really see the impact these experiences have on our students. They move out of their comfort zones, but they’re doing it with their Jesuiteducated brothers and that makes a world of difference.”

By Daniel Vilella ‘25

The Brigadier’s Address

(This speech was given by Daniel Enrique Vilella at the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2025 on May 23. Daniel was chosen as the Brigadier because he best embodies the values of a Belen education.)

WhenI began writing what I would say today, my mind immediately tried to think of a really inspiring quote to start things off. When placed in this position, you look to the words of great historical figures or your favorite movie characters, looking for the perfect combination of words that encapsulates the idea you want to get across. It was here where I got stuck. I wanted to say so many things, but couldn’t really find a good way to compress them into a few words. Eventually, I realized that Belen can’t be reduced to the greats of our past. What truly embodies Belen is the years of memories that it brought us.

Looking back at our four years in high school, there were so many things to recall. Freshman year started us off. We were still recovering from a global pandemic. Many of us had to catch up to the pace of high school. Staying up late, taking Kenna Notes, studying for Biology tests. Sophomore year came, and we maintained the tempo. Schooldays were filled with the passionate singing of Dr.D and watching World Cup Games during class. We also experienced Cardoner, our first overnight retreat. Our Junior year was packed with work and important activities. We dedicated long hours to studying for standardized tests and AP exams, and things like CloseUp and Junior Encounter had us growing together outside of the classroom, both in our faith and our academics.Then, finally, our Senior year arrived. We started it off drowning in college applications, research on majors, and uncertainty regarding our future, but the activities within all of it got us all involved. Making props and practicing choreography for Polar Palooza. Yelling at crowded lines of kids while serving in Tombola. Skipping all the long lines at our GradBash.

Now, as the person given the honor to speak on behalf of my classmates tonight, these were key moments that all come together to help define our high school experience. But despite all that, I circled back to the idea of the individual experience. Belen means something different to every single person in this theater. For me, it was early mornings. Showing up to school before the sun was up, walking across the empty campus, with only the maintenance staff to greet me. For another person, it may mean: hot afternoons practicing on the field, long study sessions in the library, or hours of rehearsing in the theater.

With this in mind, the one word that came to me in all of this was: struggle. With 1357 students enrolled in this school and 220 people working as faculty and staff, it’s incredible to recognize how countless memories and experiences have brought us here. Our lives have been filled with great memories, but in all honesty, there have also been lots of memories that weren’t great; rather, they were difficult experiences. At times, it became a real struggle for many of us to stay afloat. So many things surround us, aiming to bring us down.

There’s a certain beauty to this struggle, however. The simple fact that we undergo unending obstacles in life is what defines us. We need to take the good with the bad and understand that doing so is the very thing that makes us human. And in that “good” category, we find Belen.

This institution was built on struggle. Having been forcefully expelled from Cuba by an oppressive dictatorship, a small group of Jesuit priests and young men arrived in Miami ready to rebuild their school from the ground up. Knowing this, It’s no surprise that a place like Belen is made to help us as growing young men look at this struggle face on.

We’ve been given an outstanding education from teachers who are passionate about what they do. We’ve enjoyed a

beautiful campus thanks to the work of the maintenance staff and the dining hall team.

And we’ve developed our skills in athletics, learning from coaches who create champions. The obstacles life presents to us, no matter how impossible they seem, were conquered thanks to Belen.

Because when a young man’s life at home was in disarray and his parents were going through a divorce, it was sitting with his brothers at the lunch table that gave him a semblance of family. Because when loved ones were lost, and the lives of fellow classmates like Anthony Parodi and Lucas Osuna were suddenly taken from us, it was attending mass as a community that helped give us peace. Because when a young man fell into an eating disorder and his time at school was placed in jeopardy, it was with the help of the Belen administration and the simple thought of being able to go back to class that motivated him to turn his life around.

Every person who hears what I’m saying right now can think and point out the difficult moments in their life, where things seemed like nothing but sorrow and pain. But with a community like Belen, you almost begin to appreciate all those difficulties. After all, these moments created Ivy-bound scholars, state-champion athletes, and compassionate young men. The Class of 2025 has seen it all, and whether you endured it in silence or voiced it out to your peers, there was always someone there to help you.

This is why 198 of us sit here today, recognizing everything that has led up to this moment. Belen is more than a brotherhood. Belen is more than a second home. Belen is the place that has given us hope for a better tomorrow.

The significance of this ceremony ultimately traces back to a common denominator. What I’m referring to is, of course, our faith. No matter how many years you spent studying here, God’s influence was continuous. We followed Ignatian ideals of seeing God in all things, and at the end of the day, all these struggles I’ve mentioned have been overcome thanks to Christ and His unending love for us. Simply put, none of us would be sitting here today had it not been for Jesus’ sacrifice to us so many years ago, because Belen probably wouldn’t even exist.

The last, and one of the most important, things to mention is the impact of our parents. They have continually been there, supporting us during our struggles and being proud of us when we succeeded. To my mom and dad, you’re the reason I’m up here speaking. Your love for me has never waivered, and the words I’m saying right now will never express my love for both of you. No matter the struggle, I’ll always be there for you.

A lot of us are excited to go out into the world and see what our future holds for us. But the fact of the matter is that the struggle never ends. Moral indifference, war, and disconnection from others have never been more evident. There will be moments where you may lose hope or find difficulty seeing the good in society. But I urge you all to look at that struggle and face it head-on with faith in Jesus Christ. Achieve your lifelong goals, land your dream job, or buy that car you’ve always wanted. Belen has prepared us perfectly for this type of success.

But at the same time, give back to Belen. And I don’t mean just giving a recurring annual donation of 20 dollars and 25 cents. What I mean is: represent this school with your honor, and be a man for others.

10 Questions 1 Alumnus

Gabe Gutiérrez ‘01 Senior White House Correspondent for NBC News

Q. What was your experience like at Belen?

I started in 7th grade -- a year after many of my classmates. Even if the “all-boys” thing took some getting used to, the education changed my life. I think that’s because it taught me a certain standard that’s helped me throughout my adult life. Yes, we messed around as teenage boys will do. But looking back on the experience, there was a level of expected excellence that wasn’t typical at most schools.

Q. What type of student were you?

A decent one, I guess. Quiet. Certainly not the kind of kid you’d expect to end up doing live TV in front of millions of people for a living. It wasn’t until I started doing speech and drama outside of class that I hit my stride and gained more confidence.

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

There were many. Most are probably not for public consumption and shouldn’t be published in this magazine! However, I’ll always remember Mr. Garland’s geometry class for its irreverent inside jokes. There was a unique analysis of “The Wizard of Oz.” And who could forget his real-world examples of otherwise dry math concepts? (We quickly learned that Ft. Pierce was the midpoint between Miami and Orlando on a road trip – and where everyone stopped to use the restroom.) Then there was TOAH SOH KOAH, an unlikely mnemonic device to remember the trigonometric ratios of right triangles. I’ve never once used this information. But decades later, I still recall Mr. Garland’s impeccable comedic timing. A master class.

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

Actually, what I learned at Belen was that the most influential lessons often happen outside the classroom. I really flourished when I joined the forensics (speech and debate) team and quickly began traveling to tournaments almost every weekend, seeing parts of the country I’d never known. It expanded my horizons and made me leave my comfort zone.

Q. Who made an impact in your life (at Belen)?

Leo Williams, the speech and drama teacher, pushed me to express myself in ways I didn’t think possible. Patrick Collins – with his annual trip to Close Up in Washington, D.C. and his unbridled enthusiasm about government -also made an impression. So did many other teachers. The full list wouldn’t fit in this article.

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

The Jesuits always stress education – and that helped me develop an intense curiosity. That desire to keep learning has fueled my career. Also, my faith has helped me get through difficult times. So have several of my closest friends, whom I met at Belen. The school’s drive to succeed is apparently contagious: I’ve worked at NBC with several prominent Belen grads, including Cesar Conde, the chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group; Tom Llamas, the new NBC Nightly News anchor; and Carlos Curbelo, the political analyst and former Congressman.

Q. Who in the industry has changed your view on fame?

One of my mentors, José Díaz-Balart, is among the kindest guys in the industry. Lester Holt, despite his voice-of-God gravitas, is incredibly down-to-earth and grabbed lunch with me when I first ran into him in an elevator. Oh, and Tom Brokaw may be an iconic news anchor, but even after retiring, he still took time to send complimentary emails if he enjoyed one of your stories. (Also, in his unmistakable baritone, Brokaw once offered me his couch when he was cleaning out his office. True story.)

Q. How has your life changed since becoming a reporter?

My passport has been stamped much more often! I’ve been exposed to different cultures across the world. (For me, getting on a plane can feel like getting in an Uber.) I also empathize with human suffering much more since I often meet people on the worst days of their lives when covering a news story. I try to always remember that – and keep things in perspective.

Q. How do you make your role on the news a representation of who you are?

One of the most touching moments I’ve had professionally in the last few years was when a young college student approached me at a journalism conference and said she’d been watching me for years on the news. Hearing a Latino with my last name on national TV helped inspire her to go into broadcasting. It reminded me of our important role as role models—especially since many of our parents came to this country as refugees. I never take any success for granted.

Q. What advice would you give a student interested in becoming a reporter/ journalist?

Learn how to write. Be curious. If you’re interested in television news, watch as much of it as possible. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Prioritize your health. It’s a marathon, not a sprint – although you’ll need to do plenty of sprinting at times so keep moving!

Announcements Sacrament of Marriage

Natalie Martínez & Gabriel Suárez '04

Carolina Piñeiro & Andrew Guasch '05

Jessica Dehombre & Willy Álvarez '08

Courtney Sousa & Chris Henry '08

Ana Carolina Timiraos & David Capetillo '13

Samantha Minnigan & Alberto Luis Naya ’13

Alyssa Lanzas & Levi Fernández-Rocha '15

Juana Cremaschi & Albert Maury '16

Ali Cabeza & Iñigo Sagarduy '15

Natalia López-Varela & Guillermo Fernández '17

Claudia de Oña & Richard Massa '08

Tara Fajardo & Rudy Villanueva '08

Nicole Bormey & Alberto F. Paradela '11

Ashley Courtney & Daniel Sojo ’12

Nicole Barba & Carlos Díaz '18

Sabrina Sánchez & Daniel Corzo '19

Vocation to Family

1. Jovie Lucía, daughter of Roberto Colón '04

2. Cameron James, son of Chris Henry '08

3. Armando Julio, son of Armando García '09

4. Alejandro José, son of Andrés Daniel Rodríguez '09

5. Luisa María, daughter of Mario Rojas '09

6. Sebastián Manuel, son of Mario Egües ’10

7. Theodore Loret de Mola, son of Gabriel Loret de Mola '11

8. Lucía Gabriela Arazoza, daughter of Eddie Arazoza '12

9. Austin James López-Trigo, son of Mark López-Trigo '12

10. Luca Nicolás, son of Christian Marrero '12

11. Inés Alessandra, daughter of Matthew Marrero '13

12. Layla Rose, daughter of Carlos "CJ" Cristóbal '16

13. Eloise Kristin, daughter of Javier E. Fraga-Vásquez '18

14. Liam, son of Belen Campus Security Guard Erik Inigo

15. Amelia Margarita, daughter of Belen teacher Adriana Salazar

In Memoriam

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

Alumni

Francisco de la Cámara '49

Emilio Montero ‘49

Alfonso Pino-Godínez ‘49

José Joaquín Balerdi '50

Luis Balerdi '53

Ricardo Coronado ‘56

Eduardo Morales ‘56

Antonio Terrada '57

Carlos Navarette Royo '59

Adolfo Rodríguez-Yáñez '59

Ramón Barcia '60

Santiago Muñiz '65

Jorge Padrón ‘75

Alberto Maciá '76

Lucas Osuna ‘27

Family & Friends

• Alida Alemán, wife of Juan Alemán '57

• Josefina Balerdi, wife of Carlos Balerdi '54

• Marta M. Caraballo, mother of Leo Caraballo '93 and Javier Caraballo '07, and grandmother of Sebastián Caraballo '27

• Margarita Roza, mother of Frank '83 and Jorge Roza '86, wife of Francisco Roza '54 †, and a former employee of Belen Jesuit

• Migdalia Flores, mother of José Flores ’96, grandmother of Raúl Gómez-Pina '26 and mother-in-law of Alumni Board Member Alejandro Gómez-Pina '93

• Myriam Balseiro, mother of Nikolas Balseiro '08

• Martha de la Iglesia, mother of Gonzalo de la Iglesia '92

• Gustavo Pérez-Abreu, father of Gustavo '78 and Javi '78, and grandfather of Víctor '13, Albert '17, and Nicolás Pérez-Abreu '21

• María "Chanela" de Lourdes García, mother of Belen employee Gigi García-Chang, and grandmother of Javier Chang '09 and Michael Chang '14

• Pat O'Malley, mother of Belen Jesuit Deacon Robert O'Malley

• Former Belen teacher Roberto Eduardo Hernández, father of Roberto P. Hernández '90, and grandfather of Pablo R. Puga '20

• Former Belen teacher Vicki Minchener

Class notes

1970s

Dr. Arturo Mosquera '71 and his wife in Rome during Easter Sunday Mass.

Carlos Pérez-Heydrich '72 , visiting from North Carolina, with his former teacher and mentor, Fr. Pedro Pablo Cartaya, S.J. '54.

1980s

Local 10’s Louis Aguirre '84 was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle, an honor awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to individuals who have dedicated 25 years or more to the television industry.

Oscar Bustillo ’86 performed works by Mozart, Beethoven and Wagner at an exhibition of Arturo E. Mosquera’s art in Hollywood, FL.

Lou Lozada '86 received the Grand Prize in Capture Coral Gables 2025, the Coral Gables Museum’s annual photography contest and exhibition.

José Cil ’87 , former CEO of RBI, was appointed Chairman of Panera Brands, overseeing Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Fr. Willie García-Tuñón, S.J. ’87 received the 2025 Silver Medallion Humanitarian Award from Mosaic Miami. This prestigious honor recognizes his unwavering dedication to faith, education, and service in building a more inclusive and compassionate Miami.

1990s

José R. Juara '90 at the Cave of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Manresa, where St. Ignatius wrote the Spiritual Exercises.

Ralph Rosado '90 wins special election for Miami's District 4 seat.

Oscar Corral '92 screened his documentary "Interstate" at the 42nd Miami Film Festival.

Fernando Rivas '92 is Wells Fargo's sole Corporate and Investment Bank CEO.

Jorge A. Fernández '93 was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Waterford.org, a national early education

Tony Rivas '96 , owner of Chifles, spoke to the business students about his entrepreneurship story, and details of the manufacturing process and business management.

Tom Llamas '97 was named anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News”. We are very proud of all his accomplishments.

2000s

Jonathan Alfonso '99 was installed as the Miami Association of Realtors Residential President.

Pedro M. Munilla '00 was elected President of the Engineering Contractor’s Association of South Florida.

Alejandro García-Tuñón '01 was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Full Sail University. He is the Senior Director and Head of Co-Development at Ghostpunch’s parent company Side (formerly PTW).

Felice Gorordo '01 was named CEO of Embark, a management and finance consulting company promoting hospitality and innovation. nonprofit.

2010s

Fr. Willie, S.J. '87 and Michael Murgado '10 in the mountains of the Dominican Republic, scouting for this summer’s Belen Youth Mission trip.

Marcello Hernández '15 was featured on Rolling Stone on his new stand-up special.

Br. John Nathaniel of Our Lady and the Mercy of the Cross ( Nathaniel Muñoz '18 ) professed his First Vows with the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He now continues his mission as a Religious Brother, embracing a life of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, and union with Christ.

2020s

Carlos García '20 was named Jackson Mississippi's 16 WAPT Weekend News Anchor.

Fr. Willie, S.J. '87 , visiting with Jesuit novice Luis González '20 in Santiago, DR. Please pray for his vocation!

Sebastian Valencia '22 screened his documentary "Dirt Therapy" at the 42nd Miami Film Festival where he won in the Cinemaslam category.

Fr. Willie, S.J. '87 visited Javi Rosell '23 in Maryville, TN where he plays basketball for Maryville College.

2025s

Adrian Muelle '25 and Marco Prieguez '25, were selected to the Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team.

Prieguez was also named Miami-Dade Boys' Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Miami Herald.

Lucas Osuna '27 † will forever be a Wolverine and his memory will live on with his class.

Class Notes Guidelines:

Class notes are a popular feature of the Alumni Magazine. Here are the guidelines: Submissions from family or friends are not accepted. Submit notes in writing via email to alumni@belenjesuit.org , including your name and phone number.

If your note isn't published right away, it may appear in a future issue. Belen Jesuit reserves the right to edit all submissions.

Alumni Gatherings

Notre Dame Alumni Tour

Chicago Alumni Tour

Alumni Gatherings

’88, Luis Pérez-Codina ’01, Ramón Branger ’92, Carlos

’00, Leo Cosío ’14, Vicente Cossío ’72, Steven Henriques ’99, Eduardo

were

Board

Carlos Pérez-Abreu

Suárez

"Eddie" Macías ’02,

elected

Members of the Belen Alumni Association

The Diversity Advisory Panel hosted its annual dinner at Belen

Criminal Attorney Julio Cesar Torrente '16 and Assistant United States Attorney Andrés Chinchilla '15 supporting the University of Miami’s Cuban American Bar Association

Pedro Freyre '67 and Victor de Zárraga '11 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Basketball alumni at their annual reunion and supported our Wolverines, who beat Miami Jackson at Belen

Juan Zorrilla ’76, Antonio Montadas '15, Crescencio Ruiz '76, Peter Montadas '76 and Rodrigo Díaz '20 at Grand Canyon, Arizona

Alumni Gatherings

Members of the Class of 2013 gathered in Long Island, New York to celebrate the matrimony of Alberto Naya '13

Mike Menéndez '07 and Alec Castillo '16 screened their animated short film “Pollo Punch,” which was awarded Best International Animated Short in the Puerto Rican Film Festival

Dr. Gus Arrieta ’92, Dr. Eddy Hillman ’84, Dr. Orlando Puente ’71, and Dr. Roly Molina ’91 working at a surgical mission at ILAC in Santiago, Dominican Republic

Ben Tyler '10 with Belen friends at his wedding

Belen Alumni Lawyers Section (BALS) Happy Hour at Haber Law in Wynwood with guest speaker Juan Fernández-Barquín ’01, Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller

'99 Alumni Steven Henríques, Tab Verdeja, José Fernández, and Johnny Tellería enjoy a weekend break in Aruba

Alumni Gatherings

A monthly Alumni luncheon in Cosculluela Hall at Belen

A Belen alumni softball team clinched their 3rd straight championship. Representing classes from 2008 to 2014, this brotherhood continues to bring the heat on and off the field

Members from the Class of 1973 got together at Mike Crudele's home to celebrate their 52nd anniversary! Classmates came as far away as Colorado and Tennessee to attend the event

Alumni at the monthly bourbon and bones domino tournament hosted by Alexis González '92

Alumni celebrating Matthew Sierra's '12 birthday at Regatta Grove

Belen Alumni and future alums at a Disney on Wheels event

Alejandro Pena '19, Adrián Pena '24, Alec Acosta '14, José Ortiz '90, Néstor Machado '91, Ferrán Arimón '10, Sergio Fernández Soto '10, and Javi PérezAbreu '78 competing at 2025 Riviera Member Guest Tournament

Alumni at a pig roast at Tulane University, New Orleans

Alumni Gatherings

José López-Varela ’87, Fr. Willie García-Tuñón ’87, Alex Adams ’85 and Carlos Bravo ’86 at the alumni luncheon hosted by Northern Trust Bank on Brickell

Justin Izquierdo '18, Brandon Vila '19, and Luke Swisstack '20 competed alongside Dr. Lawrence Goodall in the US Amateur Team South Championship for Chess

Eddie Arazoza '12 and his father Eddie Arazoza ran into Javi Pérez-Abreu '78 and Victor PérezAbreu '13 in the hospital, where they welcomed new members of their families

Belen alumni at the investiture ceremony of Juan Fernández-Barquín '01 as Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court & Comptroller

Fr. Willie, S.J. '87, and Dr. Thomas de Quesada ‘94 in Bethesda, Maryland, on an Alumni Tour

Belen students with Louis Rojas '03 at the NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals at Amerant Bank Arena. Rojas works for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is a Belen Sports Hall of Famer

PINNED forLife

CLASS OF 2025 JOINS THE BROTHERHOOD

On May 21, the Class of 2025 was officially welcomed into the Belen Alumni Association during the annual Alumni Pin Ceremony in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. This meaningful tradition marks each senior’s transition into a lifelong brotherhood rooted in faith, service, and Jesuit values.

Each student was pinned by an alumnus of their choosing—a powerful gesture that bridges generations and highlights the deep connections formed through the Belen experience. The alumni pin, engraved with the school seal, symbolizes their lasting commitment to being Men for Others.

The ceremony also featured Santiago Martínez-Cid ’25 presenting the class banner to RaÚl Mas ’75 in honor of his 50th reunion.

Eleven Alumni Delegates were introduced to represent the Class of 2025 and serve as liaisons to the Alumni Association: Noah Callejas, Lucas Delgado, David Del Pino, Pedro Díaz-Mercado, Alexander Garrido, Sean Glaccum, Adrián Muelle, Carlos Segrera, Gabriel Sintas, Diego Tejera, and Adrián Vidal.

A highlight of senior year, the Pin Ceremony beautifully celebrates legacy, gratitude, and the lifelong bond shared by all who are Built by Belen.

Brick Laying Ceremony

The Class of 2024 Cementing their legacy

AsLetter from the Alumni Association Director

we bring the 2024–2025 school year to a close, I find myself once again reflecting on the many ways our alumni community has stepped up—not just in numbers, but in spirit, service, and extraordinary generosity. I’ve written this letter many times over the years, and each time, I’m reminded of how Belen’s story continues to evolve because of you. This year, that growth has been unmistakable.

We've seen incredible momentum across the board, but perhaps most inspiring is the expansion of our service initiatives. In alignment with our strategic plan, we’re launching Belen Alumni Missions (BAM) this fall. Our inaugural group of alumni will travel to the Dominican Republic—one more tangible expression of faith, fraternity, and service in action. It's just the beginning of something truly meaningful: a new way for alumni to embody the values instilled at Belen and to model service for future generations.

The ways you give back are as varied as they are impactful. Many of you have returned to campus to share your experiences and expertise. For example, NBC Nightly News Anchor and Managing Editor Tom Llamas ’97, along with Cesar Conde ’91, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, recently spoke with students about responsible journalism in today’s world. Tony Rivas ’96, owner of Chifles, shared his entrepreneurial journey with our business classes. These are just a few examples of the many ways you're making a difference— through mentorship, storytelling, and hands-on involvement in some of our most memorable events.

Your presence is deeply felt across our brotherhood, driving cherished traditions like the Father Sardiña Fishing Tournament, a perfect blend of fundraising and fraternity. We are sincerely grateful for the countless hours you volunteer, the advice you share, the guidance you offer—and the joy with which you do it. And we’re just getting started.

Looking ahead, we can’t wait to welcome you back for the Rick Raimundez Homecoming Tailgate this fall, as well as our Magis events around Thanksgiving and Christmas, which celebrate what it means to be Men for Others. In the new year, we’re adding a pickleball tournament to the mix—proof that the Belen spirit evolves with the times (and the trends!). So paddle up, and let’s keep the rally going.

On behalf of the Alumni Office, thank you for showing up, for giving back, and for reminding us that once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine. We’re truly grateful for your time, your support, and your continued commitment to the Belen community. We can’t wait to see what we’ll build together in the year ahead.

Un Abrazo!

Carlos F. Bravo ‘86

500 Southwest 127th Avenue Miami, FL 33184