Belen Jesuit Alumni
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As an institution . . . as a community, Belen is rich in traditions and legacies. We boast alumni of multiple generations; we enjoy gifts and bequeaths left by alumni, parents of alumni or others whose lives have been touched by alumni or the Jesuit Fathers; we are blessed by the indelible impressions and distinctions left by the Jesuits and professors that came before us; we have, on more than one occasion, experienced what it is like to “start over”; we have excelled in academics, sports, civic involvement and community service; we have been honored by brothers who have sacrificed and given their lives for the cause of liberty, religion, personal beliefs, scientific advancement and other causes important for humanity; we have lived and practiced the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola for more than 150 years; and we have and will always be men for others.
During this very special Jubilee Year in which we commemorate many of those traditions, we should all reflect on the individual or collective legacy we want to leave to our beloved alma mater.
The school and its students are and will always be in need of financial support and that particular type of legacy is always encouraged from those who have the capacity and opportunity to be generous. However, the legacy of service to others and the gifts of alumni talent, time and dedication have always been the core traditions of Belen and constitute the cornerstone of our Jesuit upbringing.
Many of us are fortunate enough to have experienced and witnessed such gifts through the teachings and lives of previous generations of exemplary Jesuit Fathers such as Fathers Baldor, Ripoll, Sardiñas, Izquierdo , Azcoitia, and Arroyo to name a few. We see their examples live on today through the selfless works and dedication of Fathers Dorta-Duque, Cartaya, Garcia and Perez-Llerena, as well as those of the Fathers Suarez, Garcia-Tuñon and FernandezTravieso, who represent the current Jesuit leadership of the School. The individual and collective works, deeds and dedication of these men are nothing short of inspirational. The miracle of Belen on this Jubilee Year is very much the product of their individual and collective sacrifice.
Permit me to please invite you to consider what your legacy to Belen can be. Consider what you may do on an individual basis or what you may do collectively with members of your class or others with whom you share affinity. Beyond the financial support which is always appreciated and for a few Alumni even convenient, consider how your individual and collective talents, time and dedication can be of service to the School and the Belen community. Reflect, discuss it with your family, friends and fellow Alumni and let the School, the Alumni Association or the Development Office or all of them know what it is you want your legacy to Belen to be. Your gift or commitment, regardless of size or scope, will be a treasure to the School and an inspiration to others.
A.M.D.G.
Jorge L. Hernandez-Toraño ‘75
belen jesuit
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fr. Ernesto Fernandez-Travieso,
Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon, S.J. ‘87
Mariano Loret de Mola ‘58 Alumni Association Director
Roberto Borbolla ’56 Alumni Content Editor
Teresa Martinez Belen Jesuit Director of Communications
Sujayla Collins
Belen Jesuit Multimedia Department Chairperson
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jorge Hernandez-Toraño ’75 – President
Carlos Battle ’80 – Vice President L.J. Rodriguez ’93 – Treasurer
Julio C. Bertemati ’99 – Secretary
Antonio Abella ‘59
Raul Cardona ‘85
Antonio Castro ‘86
Alvaro Cosculluela ‘61
Hector Formoso-Murias ‘82
Jose A. Garrido ‘46
Jose A. Garrido Jr. ‘72
Jose A. Garrido III ’99
Jordi Guso ‘83
Crescencio Ruiz ‘76
Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ‘73
BELEN JESUIT ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published biannually.
Circulation: 6,000
Please address all correspondence to the Alumni Office. Periodicals’ postage paid at Miami, Fl and additional mailing points.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Belen Alumni Office
500 Southwest 127 Avenue Miami, Fl 33184
Phone: 786.621.4674 Fax: 786.621.4662 E-mail: alumni@belenjesuit.org
YEAR XLVII - No. 2
community
■ The school has become more internet friendly over the years and has also diminished its dependence on paper. The same can be said about the school’s student publication. The Vincam is now digital and can be accessed by alumni and students online. The September issue was the first electronic edition posted on the school website. Future and archived issues can be found on the homepage of the school website under recent news.
■ On September 9th the school celebrated mass and we were witnesses to the
profession of vows taken by alumnus Julio Minsal-Ruiz, ‘05. Minsal-Ruiz had an influential role in the school and was a member of the Christian Life Community.
■ On September 19th, the school ceremoniously
opened the front gates of the school at 6:00 a.m. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belen in Miami. This was then followed by a mass in the newly renovated Garrido Family Plaza and a reception in the school cafeteria. Close to 200 people attended this event including members of the very first graduating class of the school in Miami.
■ On September 17th the seventh grade class came to school to celebrate Grandparent’s Day. The day started with a mass and was followed by activities such as dominoes and
Vincam Editor-in-Chief Nestor Montoya ‘12 works on the November issue of the newspaper in the news room.
Deacon Christian Saenz , SJ ‘95, Father Pedro Cartaya, SJ ‘54, Father Ernesto Fernandez-Travieso, SJ, Father Willie Garcia-Tuñon, SJ ‘87, Father Marcelino Garcia, SJ (Sagua), and Father Nelson Garcia, SJ.
NEWS
bingo. This event allowed students the opportunity to bond with their grandparents.
■ The sixth grade Mini Olympics took place on September 24th. The event included a fun filled day in which members of the sixth grade class competed by their homerooms in various games and obstacles.
Their parents and teachers participated with the students in all events.
■ The sixth grade class began their tradition in the highly anticipated sixth grade Lock-In, held October 28th. During this event, seniors and sixth grade students spent the night in the school and participated in many activities including laser tag, presentations by guest speakers, and a movie.
■ On October 8th the first event to launch the Inaugural Season of the Cultural Series was held. The event featured a
concert in the Roca Theater by renowned Cuban singer Lucrecia featuring some of the members of the Belen Jazz Band. The event was a huge success and proceeds went directly to the school’s scholarship fund.
English teacher Mrs. Ana Maria Menocal parades with her sixth grade homeroom during the Sixth Grade Mini Olympics.
Sixth graders prepare to sleep in the gym during the Lock In. Select members of the senior class helped out in this event.
community
■ On September 20th, the student body was pleasantly surprised when they received a visit from no other than Pat Riley. Mr. Riley addressed the students in a special presentation about leadership and being a man for others. His speech was highly motivational for everyone who attended the event that was held in the school gym.
■ The eighth grade class enjoyed spending the day with their fathers at the annual Father and Son Day, held on October 8th on the school grounds. The day included activities such as football, basketball, and a
delicious lunch. The eighth grade teachers also attended this event.
■ The Humanities Department presented its fall production of The Lord of the Flies. The play was performed by members of the student body on the stage of the Roca Theater from November 15 through
November 19th.
■ On Friday, October 7th, the school unveiled the painting titled “Ecos de un Belen Lejano” by Humberto Calzada. The painting was commissioned by the GarciaChacon and Pita family for our school. It depicts a room in the Colegio Belen building in Cuba. The mural like painting is currently on display in the lobby of the administration building. Other paintings by Mr. Calzada are currently on display in the Saladrigas Art Gallery. To see these paintings please contact Clara Kline to schedule an appointment.
Pat Riley addresses the student body in a motivational speech in the school gym.
Eighth grader Jaime Lopez, freshman Rafael Cariello, and senior Gabriel Pertierra act in a scene from the play Lord of the Flies.
Humberto Calzada oversees the hanging of the painting in the administration building.
By: Nestor Montoya, ‘12 Vincam Editor in Chief
Time to Celebrate
On Saturday, November 5th, the school celebrated the 50th Anniversary Gala. That night members of the faculty, alumni, parents, and friends shared an evening of wonderful music, delicious food, and great company. The Gala was held at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by the Belen Jazz Band who welcomed guests with a wonderful performance. This was then followed by professional portraits and a kick
: Alberto Romeu
off performance by the Belen Drumline.
H ighlights of the event included a special performance from Latin Grammy winner, Willy Chirino, who sang the night away with some of his biggest hits, as well as presentations by two students who spoke about the Outreach Scholarship Fund.
The gala was a major success and could not have been possible if it were not for the help of more than fifty Belen moms who helped to set up for the event. All the proceeds of that night were donated to the Belen Scholarship Fund.
Photo by : Alberto Romeu
Photo by
Musician and entertainer Willy Chirino gets the crowd going at the Jubilee Gala.
Gala attendees were on their feet dancing the minute that the music began to play.
ACADEMICS
Seniors Samuel Wallace Perdomo and Adam Incera were recognized as National Merit Semifinalists for the Class of 2012.
Seniors Jonathan Calles, Daniel Dockerty, Daniel Fuenmayor, Fernando Guardazzi, Adrian Moya and Gregory Santos were recognized as National Merit Commended Students for the Class of 2012.
Sophomores Daniel Neptune and Carlos Acevedo and Juniors Walford Campbell and Steven Tyler were nominated to represent Belen in the annual Youth Leadership Conference at the University of Florida.
In Addi ion +
Seniors Tomas Cacicedo, Jonathan Calles, Jonas Egusquiza, Daniel Fuenmayor, Fernando Guardazzi, Adam Incera, Adrian Moya, Nicholas Munarriz, Peter Ramon, Angel Saavedra, Gregory Santos, and Samuel Wallace Perdomo were named National Hispanic Recognition Program Award Recipients for the Class of 2012.
NEWS Working Together For One Common Goal
By: Nestor Montoya, ‘12 Vincam Editor-in-Chief
Members of the alumni association became specially incorporated in school activities during the months of October and November.
On October 21st, 46 middle school students visited various professionals for the first ever Wolverine Career Day. The students were given the opportunity to spend the day with alumni in their respected professions. Some of the professions featured that day included surgeons, pediatricians, veterinarians, educators, and political leaders in our community.
Also, on the evening of November 8th, the Science National Honor Society hosted its first SNHS/Alumni mixer held at the Cosculluela Dining Hall.
Approximately 100 high school students from the Science National Honor Society and Future Doctors of America club attended. Topics discussed by the visiting alumni included architecture, medicine, engineering, and research. Both events were a great success and gave the students a personalized learning opportunity.
UM’s Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs Sergio Gonzalez ‘81, eighth grader Otniel Gonzalez, UM President Donna Shalala, and sophomore Ryan Sigler.
Mr. Manuel Vazquez ‘90 from the US Secret Service with eighth graders Kevin Joe Ramos, Kevin Fernandez, Basilio Edel Garcia, Thomas Lopez, Nicholas Arias, Jean Zamora, and Armand del Castillo.
ATHLETICS
■ The MS seventh grade football team had a difficult season, facing older teams. Although, they could not capture a win, they became more resilient and open to the challenge. The final record for the season was 0-6.
■ As far as the MS eighth grade football team, they finished with a solid record of 5-3, and had a lot of promising players. The team played tough opponents all year, and proved that they could play with anyone.
■ The JV football team had another tremendous year led by Coach Mario Pino. They amassed a 6-1 record with big wins over Gulliver, Key West, and the St. Thomas Aquinas freshman team.
■ In varsity football, the Wolverines secured a playoff spot by finishing second in the district behind Miami Central, and were able to post an 8-2 record. The highlight of the regular season was a 36-28 victory over Miami Northwestern which was attended by the 1971 Belen football team, the first football team in the school history.
■ The MS swimming program has become well renowned throughout the country with their
recent success, understanding that the winning formula begins at a young age.
■ In varsity swimming, the quest for a sixth straight state title in swimming came up a little short this year with the Wolverines finishing fourth at the state meet. Although they could not capture another state title, the team had a tremendous year by winning their district and regional competitions.
■ The sixth grade cross country team proved once again that there is no other substitute for hard work. The sixth grade team won the ACC and Tri County Championships.
■ After a weak start, the MS cross country team came back and won the Dade County Championship. They also won the ACC, Tri County, and Catholic State Championships.
■ The JV cross country team maintained its dominance over the state by winning all invitationals in which they participated. Several of the wins included a perfect score of 15.
■ Our nationally ranked varsity cross country team has gotten used to winning titles
throughout the years, and this year is no different. They won the county, district, and regional title, with an unprecedented perfect scores in the county and in districts. The team went on to win the State Championship in Dade City, Florida.
■ The sixth grade basketball team finished the year with a very impressive 6-2 record. Many of the players contributed to the winning effort, and really proved to everyone that the young sixth graders are a talented group.
■ The MS golf team finished the year 3-2, with big wins over Palmer and Riviera Preparatory. The team shows a great deal of potential for the upcoming years.
■ The JV golf team finished the year at 6-0. The team had key wins over Gulliver, Ransom, and Westminster Christian.
■ The varsity Golf team completed the season 3-2-1 with a fourth place finish in the district and fourth place finish at regionals.
■ The MS Volleyball team finished with a 6-0 record with huge wins over St. Timothy and St. Kevin. The team also won the ACC Championship.
The 1971 football team was recognized during the half time of the Belen vs Northwestern game. This was the first football team in the school’s sports history. Their season was the beginning of 40 years of the football program at Belen in Miami.
Varsity Cross Country runners Diego Rojo ‘13, Michael Magoulas ‘14, Avery Lopez ‘13, Elliot Clemente ‘12, Fabian Tomas ‘14, Francisco Tejidor ‘12, Alex Isaac ‘14, Peter Jude ‘12, and coach Frankie Ruiz ‘96 accept the trophy at the FHSAA State Championship.
NEWS
Leaving their marks at the next level
By: Victor Arrieta, ‘95 Assistant to the Athletics Director
For the past few years, the football program has enjoyed a period of great success on the field. The result is a record number of athletes playing in College football. The football program has 21 former players that are currently playing in different levels of Collegiate Football.
“Playing in College has let me keep on doing one of my favorite things in the world. It also reminds me of my times back at home on the Belen team,” said Jose Smith ’11 who attends MIT.
Belen Jesuit also boasts the largest number of alumni in the state of Florida, and second most in the nation playing in Ivy League schools. Alumni players such as Giovanni Christodoulou ’07 and Javier Sosa ‘09 play for Yale, Maxwell Martinez
‘09 and Javier Rodriguez ‘11 play for Cornell, Alexander Diblasi ‘08 and Diego Fernandez-Soto ’08 play for Dartmouth.
“Having all these kids playing at the next level is a tribute to their hard work in the classroom, in the football field and in the weight room,” said coach Richard Stuart, who has been the head coach of the football program for 29 years.
During the fall season it has become common for Alumni to face each other in the college gridiron. Currently playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference are Pablo Alvarez ‘10 for Virginia, Nicholas Menocal ‘11 for Georgia Tech and Nicolas Platt ‘10 for North Carolina.
Making major contributions and winning the University Athletic
Association Championship was Manuel Sicre ‘11 for Case Western Reserve. Playing in that same conference are Vicente Fernandez ’10 and Miguel Maseda ’11 for Chicago, and Nicolas White ’11 for Carnegie-Mellon.
Also winning their conference was Sergio FernandezSoto ’10 for Lehigh University in the Patriot League.
O ther alumni players currently playing in the collegiate level are Max Rich ’10 for Pomona College, Reggie Colas ‘10 and Nick Herrera ‘08 for Rensselaer Polytechnic, Art Martinez ‘10 for Notre Dame, Michael Rios ’08 for Marist, Eric Platt ’11 for Delaware, and Eddie Franca ‘10 for Trinity College.
At the Yale Bowl in October 2011 Anthony Diblasi ‘08, Giovanni Christodoulou ‘07, Diego Fernandez-Soto ‘08, and Javier Sosa ‘09 played against each other during the regular season.
Case Western Reserve runningback Manny Sicre ‘11 poses with the UAA trophy alongside two of his teammates.
MAGIS
heeding the call to public service
By: Ricardo Fonseca, ‘12 Vincam Editor
For the many years that our school has been molding young men for others, there have been influential students that have not only left their mark on the school, but also on our community as a whole. Many graduates of this school have affected the community through law, medicine, business, and public office, to name a few.
Now we find another alumnus who has followed his call to help improve the community through public office. Mr. John Barsa, ‘84, is currently running for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 44th District. He has been serving our country through civil and military service. He credited his formative years to Belen, and the many influential people that he encountered throughout his years at the school.
“Among the people in the school who helped form me into the man I
am today are Patrick Collins, Armando Rodriguez, Father Izquierdo, S.J., and Father Ripoll, S.J., ” said Barsa.
O f all the events in which he participated during his years in the school, the one that stood out most for him was working local campaigns for Mr. Collins’s class. This planted the seed within him that eventually led him to see the impact that public service can have on the community. It also made him realize how a single individual could make a difference in the lives of many.
Barsa attests to the fact that the Jesuit education and formation that he received here at Belen had a tremendous impact on him personally. Some of the main characteristics of the Jesuit philosophy that he has continuously applied to his personal life and career are the intellectual honesty and moral context
Being a part of this school really helped me incorporate certain ideals and values which would later be used throughout my years of service.
Above: John Barsa with his wife Lisa, and daughters Camille and Olivia.
Below: John Barsa’s graduation picture as it appears in the 1984 Echoes.
Barsa is currently on the campaign trail running for delegate of Virginia’s 44th District. More information about his platforms can be found on www.votebarsa.com.
for personal behavior. Although his time at our school was essential to his formation and visible in his daily life today, the years after his graduation included some of his biggest achievements and learning experiences.
Barsa received his B.A. in International Relations from Florida International University, and his Masters Degree from George Washington University. Even though he did receive a quality education from both schools, he claims that his most rewarding learning experience came from his decade serving in the United States Army Reserves.
He spent seven of those years in the Special Forces, and was restricted from becoming a Green Beret due to medical conditions. He credits his attitude while in the Army to the Jesuit education and the Jesuits who instilled in him the desire to work for a cause greater than the self.
“ The Jesuits always emphasized being men for others, and for me military service and public offices were some great ways to use that teaching which was instilled in me at an early age,” said Barsa.
After his time with the Special Forces, Barsa worked for Congressman Lincoln DiazBalart who was a representative from the state of Florida at the time. This experience truly showed him the reality of the legislative process from a closer angle. He also worked on the House Rules Committee and Homeland Security Committee. Here is where Barsa built a reputation for being able to work with both Republicans and Democrats on a variety of issues. The experience allowed him to gain the respect
of his peers for his willingness to reach across the party aisle in the hopes of obtaining a productive solution.
Barsa later joined the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) as a senior lobbyist and Manager for International Relations. This eventually led him to NASA where he worked on re-establishing a permanent, formal industry-liaison function. These positions greatly helped him in working with Congress to pass legislation -a skill that would come in handy down the road.
“My early stints in public office were great for me to truly see how government works and learn the ins-and-outs,” said Barsa.
He would later go on to work with the Department of Homeland Security, and worked closely with Secretary Tom Ridge. While working in this department, he helped lead a team into New Orleans to assist the people of that city during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
H is passion for helping others has carried on to this day, and is a big part of his current campaign. His goals and platforms have to do with changing the tone of government in the hopes of helping the greater good. He is still striving to end the constant mud-slinging between both parties, and focus on public issues, while getting past the deafening and cumbersome rhetoric.
H is ability to bring opposite sides together, and be a leader amongst all types of scenarios has been his motivation
throughout life. He consistently quotes someone who once told him, “A rational man does not expect to change the world; converse to that is that the world is not changed by rational men.” Barsa understands that the best way to be successful in life is through trial and error, and constantly striving for your own goals, no matter how difficult they seem.
Be true to yourselves, live your own life, and don’t let people limit you “ ”
Although Barsa has experienced many successful things throughout his life he does not forget the people who allowed him to reach this point. He credits his wife, parents, and close friends like Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Tom Ridge for supporting him along the way.
He and his Belen classmates remain in contact and still hold very strong ties. With his growing popularity, he tries to keep his focus on one issue at a time.
BuildingLegacies
Over fifty years of generations in the making
By: Joseph Isenberg, ‘12 Vincam Editor-In-Chief
So many things define Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. Academics, theology, formation of men and other images flood the senses at the mere mention of the name.
This school has been in the business of placing young men on the path to being great businessmen, doctors and lawyers as well as stellar pillars of the community. With such profound success, it is no surprise that alumni find themselves coming back in
the form of parents and grandparents to current students.
Legacy in Belen truly ties in all of the school’s formulative aspects. The appearance and location has changed over the years, resources have developed and faculty members have come and gone, but the Men for Others mantra has remained; both as the cornerstone of its foundation as well as its imbuement in its students. It is a powerful bind than links the entire community of current students and alumni. That bind is even more pronounced in what is termed ‘Legacy Families;’ that is, those families that
return generation after generation to receive the Jesuit formation and education.
The ties that link our community are even more apparent when that community literally extends across generational lines. A son of a Belen alumnus is a member of the community, but when that son is also an alumnus or current student himself, that sense is exponentially strengthened.
That strong sense of connection is extremely important for a variety of reasons. One being the obvious that anywhere one goes, there is always someone who went to Belen and will
inevitably recognize the ring. When legacy is added to the equation though, a new link to the chain is added which transcends generation gaps.
Carlos Obregon, ‘59, understands this well. While his grandson may be growing up in a very different time than he did, they have a connection that extends the typical grandfather and grandson bond. They share a link in a chain that has been carried on for 50 years in Miami and nearly 160 years since Belen opened in Cuba.
That connection is the formation Obregon received and his grandson is just beginning to experience as a student
From left to right: Liam‘15, Levy ‘15, Lucas ‘13, Luis III ‘12, Luis Jr. ‘82 and Luis Fernandez-Rocha Sr. ‘56.
Simon
Gabriel de Goti ‘26
at Belen. It is in this constant that they find a marked, mutual similarity.
“I find that having my grandson go to the same school as I did allows me to have a way to communicate with him. It makes both of us very proud to have gone to the same great institution,” said Mr. Obregon.
I t all stems back to the old adage ‘give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for life.’ The school, along with every
Three generations of Belen alumni and other members of the Garrido family pose during the unveiling of the Garrido Family Plaza: Jose Garrido III ‘99 with wife Olga, Jose Garrido Jr. ‘72 and wife Aurora, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Zady and Jose Garrido Sr. ‘46, Justin and George Metcalfe ‘04.
other educational institution, has been teaching men to ‘fish’ for decades. What sets the people who have gone through their personal brand of formation apart, is the Jesuit addition of better lures and a few tricks up the sleeves that make them the tried and tested anglers they have become. It is the belief in this special formation that not only makes graduates themselves successful, but gives them the confidence that their sons will receive that same development.
Photo by : Alberto Romeu
de Goti ‘26
Jose de Goti ‘60
Jose de Goti ‘84
“I t has been an honor to go through Belen after my grandfather and dad and seeing them so successful not only as professionals, but as people truly affirms the values Belen has taught. I am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity,” said Luis Fernandez-Rocha, ‘12.
Chris de Goti ‘08
Alex de Goti ‘12
This close tie, this bridge, is strong and apparent. Principal and Jesuit Father Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon, S.J., ‘87, a legacy man himself, holds this in high esteem.
“Legacy is a powerful bind that adds incredible ties that brings families together within the community as a whole. That ring we all wear defines us as graduates [of the school] and members of that community,” said Father GarciaTuñon, S.J..
Legacy is a powerful link. Families have their own ties to begin with, but when those are extended to include the same formation, the binding ties strengthen and span across generations. To have the same Alma Mater, wear the
same ring and follow the same mantra of Men for Others is a tie that lasts a lifetime.
As generation after generation attends Belen, the sense of belonging, the sense of pride becomes rooted even deeper into the core of an individual and the community at large. The ‘Belen for Life’ t-shirt has become not just a convenient slogan, but the actual truth; one which becomes part of our identity and plants itself in the lives of the fortunate men who have walked through the halls and become true Men for Others, members of the greater Belen community.
For those students who do not have alumni family members, they will learn to create their own legacies and encourage their own children to do the same. They have been given the same opportunity as the children of alumni to learn and make a change in the world for the better, and always for the greater glory of God.
Vocation to Family
Jack Thomas Mauri
Born: October 19, 2011
Weight: 6lbs 15 oz.
Length: 19-1/2”
Michelle and Tommy Mauri ‘92
Daniela Sofia Amorin
Born: April 5th, 2011
Weight: 6lbs 10oz.
Betty and Carlos Amorin ‘92
Andres Javier de la Vega
Born: June 1, 2011
Weight: 7lbs 4oz.
Length: 17 inches
Yvette and Javier de la Vega ‘92
Victoria Alvarez Verdeja granddaughter of Octavio Verdeja ’77
Giulianna Moran born to Rocio and Gabriel Moran ’95
Lucas Ignacio Anderson nephew of Juan Ignacio Flores ’00 and grandson of Juan Luis Flores ‘70
Vocation to Marriage
Xavier Franco ’98 and Victoria Perez
Juan Carlos Alexander ’99 and Kasmira Maldonado
Ignacio Portuondo ’00 and Rebeca Alvarez-Mena
Gabriel Garcia’01 and Sara Jane Holbrooke
In Memoriam
In loving memory of our alumni friends
Carlos Ripoll ‘40
Jorge Raspall ‘47
Jack Guiteras ‘48
Juan Lastra ’52
Francisco Saavedra - Dolores ‘52
Jose A. Tuñon ‘56
Jose Miguel Gonzalez-Llorente ‘57
Alberto Bacallao OrtegaElectromecánica ‘60
In Memoriam
family
and friends of the alumni association
Fr. Tomas Macho, S.J.
Manuel Carbonell
Silvia Padro de Morini, wife of Guillermo Morini ‘42
Flori Achong, wife of Rafael Achong ‘66
Maria Victoria Rodriguez, wife of Julio Rodriguez ‘66
Siria Perez Gonzalez, grandmother of Ed ’82, and John Santamaria ’84, Gilberto ’92, Sam ’97, and Gabriel ’97 Escudero
Celeste Vazquez, grandmother of Balbino ’82, Luis ’86 and Manny ’91 Vazquez
Raquel Miñoso, mother of Adolfo ’91 and Alvaro ’99 Miñoso
Victoria de Diego Vich, grandmother of Roberto ’94 and Ivan ’98 Vich
Eloisa Villasuso, grandmother of Raul Morin ‘99
Alberto Cornejo, grandfather of Mrs. Teresa Martinez, Belen Jesuit Director of Media Communications
Manuel Calas Pons (Belen 1946), passed away October 1st in Veracruz, Mexico. He was the son of Manuel Calas Davila (Dolores 1923); brother of Irma Calas (wife of Tony Abella –Belen 1959) and uncle of Tony Abella Jr. (Belen 1985).
10 QUESTIONS FOR 1 ALUMNUS
By: Nicholas Munarriz, ‘12 Vincam Editor
Raul Davalos ’73 is a man with a passion for putting together movies and television shows. As a film editor, over the years he has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from Gilmore Girls to Dreamcatcher. He currently lives in Hollywood, and has recently worked on Emilio Estevez’s “The Way” and “The Glades” which airs on the A&E network. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing him. Below is a transcript of our conversation.
What is a normal day at work like for you?
Well, I get to work at about 9:30, then my assistant organizes all the clips into scenes and I just look at the script and begin cutting clips and putting them together in a way that tells the story the way I think it should be told. It’s like a big game of Tetris, putting all the pieces in the right places. I get a lot of flexibility. I can usually edit the film or show however I want with little interference from the director. I go through about 3 or 4 hours of film a day, but all of that turns into maybe 6 minutes worth of airtime on the final product.
Did you always know you wanted to go into filmmaking?
Actually, I almost went into pre-med, but there were so many great movies coming out while I was in high school like The Godfather, that I knew I had to work on movies.
How did you get from Belen to where you are today?
I went to a London film school then came back to Miami. In Miami in the late 70s early 80s it was mostly commercials. A lot of people thought Miami would be the new Hollywood, but I knew that wasn’t gonna happen. There was too much money already in Hollywood, and studios weren’t just going to move. They just go to Miami to shoot on location sometimes then come back to Hollywood. In the early 80s I decided to move to L.A. and started working on a commercial, but in the first six months I began working on movies. I started off working on a Western film called Silverado, and before I knew it, it was 2003 and I was working on Dreamcatcher with Morgan Freeman.
What movie has had the greatest effect on you?
I went to see Alien at a theater near Dadeland when it first came out and nobody knew what to expect. By 20 minutes into it there were only two people left: me and my date. Everybody else was too scared to watch the rest of it.
Raul Davalos
‘73
What do you think about the direction the film industry is going with superhero and action films coming out faster than you can watch them?
I really don’t like it to be honest. All the superhero movies follow the same basic plot. I love movies that challenge plot devices – movies like Inception, Black Swan, and Memento. Believe it or not, action movies are actually the easiest to edit. You could cut out 5 minutes from a car chase scene and nobody would care. Comedies are the hardest to edit because if you make one bad move and weaken just one joke, it can have an impact on the entire movie.
What do you think of the new media classes and communications department Belen started last year?
I’m not the expert on most of the media classes, but the film production class looks great. They are using the same software (Avid and some Final Cut Pro) that I use in Hollywood, and I really think it’s a good way for those interested in film production if that is what they want to go into.
What one piece of advice would you give the current students interested in studying film?
I think that anybody interested in filmmaking should try to avoid film school. I am not telling you not to follow what you want to do, but you can learn just as much from analyzing a good movie and figuring out why it’s good, as you can from studying in most film schools. By the time you guys start, this will all be obsolete. Concentrate on story telling.
Do you remember any Belen teachers who made an impact in your life?
One guy who I won’t forget is definitely Father Cartaya. What do you remember most about Belen?
I remember all the guys and teachers the most. They leave an imprint on you that stays with you forever. I was in the old Belen building on 8th street and 7th avenue. Back then, they would have a snack time which was great. The croquetas were so good. You need the nutrients to do well in classes.
What role did Belen play in forming who you are now?
Belen gave me a great group of friends that I am still very close to. Everybody went in different directions after we graduated, but we still communicate. We send pictures back to each other. There were only 44 of us in my graduating class, but I’m still close to a lot of them. You don’t really appreciate the friends you make at Belen until you graduate. I’m always a Wolverine.
Raul Davalos ‘73 highlighted in this picture from the 1973 Echoes. Davalos was a staff member for the Vincam Club at the time.
THE GARRIDO FAMILY A “LEGACY” AT BELEN
For several decades, the Garrido Family has been involved with numerous projects and initiatives of the School and the Alumni Association, always providing guidance, support, and the necessary resources to make dreams a reality. Tony is a Belen Alumnus from the Class of 1946; his son Junior graduated in 1972, and José A. Garrido, III graduated in 1999. Giving back is a family tradition, benefiting not only Belen but a series of organizations in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.
On October 14 the Garrido Family Plaza was blessed by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. The renovation of the Central Patio was generously designed and supervised by alumnus Jorge Hernandez, architect, and is a gift to Belen from the Garrido family.
Three generations of “Belemitas” - Tony, Junior, and José - a great testament to the Jesuit legacy to form men for others.
THE IGNATIAN SOCIETY
The following individuals and institutions have made contributions, or pledged $25,000 or more to Belen Jesuit Preparatory School during the past fifty years. The Ignatian Society of Giving will also give birth to the Ignatian Society of Giving Donor Wall in the School’s Administrative Building to acknowledge the generosity of its members in perpetuity.
Dr. and Mrs. Victor O. Calderín
Mr. and Mrs. Steve M. Calderón
$10,000,000 + Anonymous
$2,500,000 - $4,999,999
Mrs. Luisa Guiteras and Mr. Jack R. Guiteras ‘48 † Gertrude E. Guiteras Foundation
Mrs. Olga C. Goizueta and Mr. Roberto C. Goizueta † The Coca Cola Company and Coca Cola Foundation
$2,000,000 - $2,499,999
Mrs. Nidia Rodríguez and Mr. Raúl Rodríguez, Sr. †
The Rayni Foundation
$1,000,000 - $1,999,999
Mr. and Mrs. José Garrido, Sr. ‘46
Mr. and Mrs. José Garrido, Jr. ‘72
Mr. and Mrs. José Garrido, III ‘99
Mr. and Mrs. Juán J. Roca
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos A. Saladrigas
$500,000 - $999,999
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Mrs. Margarita Barañano and Mr. Carlos Barañano † Injectronics
Mr. Jorge J. Bosch and Mrs. Yvelise M. Bosch †
Mr. and Mrs. Héctor A. Ortiz ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Pepe Sánchez
$250,000 - $499,999
Belen Jesuit Fathers
Mr. and Mrs. Nilo Hernández Kohly Trust
VM Construction
Ocean Bank
The Triana Family ‘60
$100,000 - $249,999
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio B. Abella, Sr.
Ms. Carmen Arango-Giroux Arazoza Brothers ‘78 Costa Farms
Mrs. Barbara Blanck AA Uniforms
Diamonette Party Rentals Class of 1960, “Cadetes de La Reina” Scholarship Class of 1985, “Fr. Luis Ripoll, S.J.” Scholarship
Mrs. Josefina Cosculluela and Mr. Eugenio Cosculluela, Sr. †
Mr. Enrique Cuscó
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos De la Cruz, Jr. ‘81
Mr. and Mrs. José M. De Lasa ‘59 Abbott Laboratories
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar A. Enríquez
Owens-Illinois
Mr. and Mrs. Ramón L. Espino ‘59
Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Estrada ‘50
Mr. Jorge L. Hernández-Toraño, Esq. ‘75
Holland & Knight
Mr. and Mrs. Pedro L. Jiménez
Mr. and Mrs. Aurelio Leyva
Domingo R. Moreira and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Enrique J. Sosa FMC Corporation
$50,000 - $99,999
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio G. Acosta ‘11
A & P Consulting Transportation Engineers Tony Acosta ’11 Memorial Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Fernando S. Arán ‘75
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Argiz
Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC
Dr. and Mrs. José J. Armas
Mrs. Esther V. Capotosta
Mr. and Mrs. Gastón J. Comas, Esq. ‘75
Mr. and Mrs. Eugenio Cosculluela, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto De la Fé
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Echevarría and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Juan E. García Coninvex
Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo E. García ‘60
Familia García-Chacón y Pita ‘52 Marqueses de Salinas
Mr. and Mrs. Armando J. Guerra
Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Jiménez
AXA Foundation and Equitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Klock, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Néstor Machado, Sr., and Dr. Francisco Basterrechea ‘28
Mr. and Mrs. James Morgan
Squire Sanders & Dempsey
Munilla Family Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Jorge Orbay
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Pistorino
Mr. and Mrs. José Riera
Mr. Marco A. Sainz, Sr.
Marco A. Sainz, Jr. ’80 Memorial Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Mario Trueba
Mellon United Bank
The Zumpano Family ‘86, ‘87, ‘92
$25,000 - $49,999
Mrs. Aída Albaisa and Mr. Adolfo Albaisa †
Dr. and Mrs. Alberto J. Arán ‘72
The Bank of Miami
Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Barnola
Belen Jesuit Alumni Association ‘28 - ‘11
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio J. Cabrera, Jr.
Dr. Ronaldo and Dr. Ana Calonje
Class of 1987, “Fr. Willie García-Tuñón, S.J.” Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. José E. de Alvaré
Dr. and Mrs. Juan D. Delgado ‘77
Mrs. Remedios Díaz Oliver
All American Containers
Dr. and Mrs. Oscar A. Echevarría
Mr. Davis Elkins
Davis Elkins Charitable Foundation
Mrs. Lori Ferrell
Mr. and Mrs. José M. García
Mr. Gerard Garey
Grace Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Edelmiro Hernández
Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto Hernández
Mr. and Mrs. Jorge L. Hernández
Jorge L. Hernández Architects, PA
Dr. and Mrs. Rodolfo Hernández PsychCare
The Herrán Family Sedano’s Supermarkets
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Jelke
The Jelke Foundation
Dr. Andrés and Mrs. Lucila Jiménez
Mr. and Mrs. Steve T. Leth
SunTrust Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Giraldo Leyva
Mr. and Mr. Eduardo López
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos López-Cantera
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Lorenzo Eulen America
Mr. Lorenzo Luaces and Mrs. Liliana Estefan
Mr. and Mrs. Mariano Macias
Mr. and Mrs. Sergio J. Masvidal
Mr. and Mrs. Raúl Masvidal
Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Maury
Leon Medical Centers Health Plans and Baxter Health Care
Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo M. Menéndez
Mr. and Mrs. Manuel J. Menéndez Medina
The Miami Herald
Mr. Jorge G. Moscoso and Dr. Janice Moscoso
Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Munilla Padrón Cigars
Mr. and Mrs. Jaime E. Pino
Mr. and Mrs. Ramón E. Poo
Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Prego
Mr. and Mrs. Roberto R. Pupo
Mr. José I. Rasco and Mrs. Estela Rasco † Republic National Bank of Miami
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie A. Robinson
The Jamie A. Robinson Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. René L. Sagebien
St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Borgia
St. Stanilaus Koska
St. Aloysius Gonzaga
St. Peter Canisius
St. Robert Bellarmine
St. John Francis Regis
St. Peter Claver
GALLERY OF REUNIONS
1966
Director of the alumni association Mariano Loret de Mola gives a tour of the alumni office.
Members of the class of 1966: Roberto Piñeyro, Jesus Duran, Marino Ariza, Jorge Leal, Angel Gonzalez-Prendes, Felipe Suarez, Miguel Lasaga, Guillermo Garcia-Tuñon, Luis Gonzalez Rivero, Jose R. Rovira, Alejo Vada y Eduardo Aleman.
Members of the class of 1966 with their wives.
Jorge Leal, Marino Ariza y Eduardo Aleman sitting in the school chapel awaiting mass.
1991
The Class of 1991 at the Loews Hotel in Miami Beach.
2001
Members of the class of 2001 pose in the recently renovated Garrido Family Plaza.
Below: Juan Carlos Daire, Jose Bushdid, Arturo Perez, Jose Sepulveda, Jorge Lopez, Marcos Mestre.
Below: Marcos Mestre, Oscar Echegaray, Domingo Moreira, Jesus Ayo, Julian Bendaña, and Andres de Cardenas.
The Sepulveda Family with Julian Bendaña.
GALLERY OF REUNIONS
Jose Maria Bravo and Nuri Descamps, Carlos and Maria Bravo, Eduardo and Amarillis Guernica, Jorge and Alina Casero.
Juan Aguilar and Ann E. Ballen, Johnny and Angela Leyva, Rigoberto and Mary Nuñez, Pablo Nuñez and Martha Rose, Viani Navarrete and Sue MacDonald.
dolores
Tony Ortiz, Titi Ortiz, Pedro Haber, Father Ernesto Fernandez-Travieso, SJ, and Alberto Espino.
Rafael Odio, Ernesto Gutierrez, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fajardo, Baldomero Casas, Roberto y Zulema Gomez, Daniel Gonzalez, Luis Espino and Laura Hayder.
Julian and Elvia Guilarte, Rafael and Saba Millares, Maria Isabel Casas, Alfredo and Yeri Marrero, Carlos and Rosa Santa Cruz, Tony and Elvira Casal.
Juan and Celia Cañas, Paquito and Vilma Saavedra, Juan and Maura Puerto, Alberto and Alicia Espino.
ClassNotes
‘55
Paul Montesino has published 2 e-books: “Recycling…the novel”, (a sci-fi in English) and “The Sixth Linden Tree”, a fictional story about a former Russian exile in Cuba during the early years of the Castro revolution.
Xavier de Souza Briggs has returned to the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), following three years of service in the White House, where he was Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget. His third and latest book, “Moving to Opportunity: The Story of an American Experiment to Fight Ghetto Poverty” has just received the Brownlow Award.
Carlos Torres de Navarra was promoted to VP, Commercial Port Operations, for Carnival Cruise Lines.
‘85 ‘86 ‘05 ‘04 ‘01 ‘99 ‘97
Joseph Selem has returned to Miami and opened his Ophthalmology and Oculofacial Plastic Surgery office in Coral Gables.
Pedro F. Alvarez was promoted to Captain in the USAF.
Leonardo Felice Gorordo was named a White House Fellow .
Daniel Fernandez graduated this year from the University of Florida School of Law.
David Fernandez was named Associate Editor of the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal.
Calendar of events
January
Jan 3 Classes resume
Jan 13 School Closed
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day: School and office closed
Jan 20 Our Lady of Belen School Mass
Jan 29 Rafael Padron performance in Roca Theater
Jan 31 Belen Jazz Band performance in Roca Theater
February
Feb 20 President’s Day: School and office closed
Feb 22 Ash Wednesday School Mass
Feb 24 Tombola Kick-Off 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Feb 25 Tombola 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Feb 26 Tombola 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Feb 27 Tombola Clean up: School and office closed
March
Mar 1 Benjamin Grosvenor performance in Roca Theater
Mar 3 Flamenco Puro performance in the Roca Theater
Mar 17 Noche Campestre
Mar 21 Sound of Music opening night in the Roca Theater - runs through March 33.
Mar 23 Faculty & Staff Retreat: School and Office Closed
April
Apr 5 Holy Thursday: School and Office Closed
Apr 6 Good Friday: School and Office Closed
Apr 8 Easter Sunday
Apr 16 Classes Resume
Apr 28 Celia the Queen Documentary in Roca Theater
May
May 1 Years of Service School Mass
May 2 40th Anniversary Ramon Guiteras Memorial
May 3 Teacher Appreciation Day
May 6 Alumni Day
May 20 Spanish Extravaganza Concert with Florida Chamber Orchestra in Roca Theater 3:00 PM
May 28 Memorial Day: School and office closed
May 30 Graduation Ceremony
May 31 Study Day: School Closed
June
Jun 18 Summer Camp Begins
* Alumni luncheons take place the last Friday of every month at 12 noon in the Cosculluela Dining Hall.
OF THE SCHOOL PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni,
As I reflect on the past 50 years of Belen in Miami, it is evident that our school today has grown and developed, while retaining the tradition and the flavor of your old school, no matter how long ago you walked away from Belen’s hallways.
Some alumni trace their connection to Belen as far back as three or four generations. For others, they were the first generation to attend Belen. Either way, we all feel the common bond of sharing in the family that is Belen Jesuit.
My 1958 graduating class still meets regularly once a month. I am often invited to similar reunions of classes that graduated 40, 50 or more years at Belen. I am often pleasantly surprised at the sight of a grandfather, father and son who are Belen alumni. Often you can add a sibling, a nephew, an uncle, etc. to your alumni family. Our alumni truly capture the essence of the bond of brotherhood that exists among us and is passed on from generation to generation.
With this issue, you may have noticed a change in the Alumni Magazine. The goal is to provide you, our Alumni, with important information about what is currently going on at Belen and what is yet to come.
For many years, the Alumni magazine
was the brainchild of our beloved Father Juan M. Dorta-Duque, S.J. He took the photographs, wrote the articles, published the magazine and sent it out to all alumni. As the number of alumni grew and technology became more available, the new magazine has turned into a collaborative work among Belen students who are studying a Journalism course, their teachers and the Alumni Association. We hope you will like the new format and that you will find it both beautiful and inspirational.
One final word: the more we look into the past of Belen, both in Cuba for 107 years and the last fifty years in Miami, we realize that we have been truly blessed. Our past is glorious and filled with moments of greatness. I like to say that we are riding on the shoulders of giants, meaning those Jesuits who in the early 1960s, with meager resources, relying mainly on God’s providence, gave all they had to make Belen a reality in exile. We also must not forget about the many lay teachers and friends who together with those incredible men sacrificed so much to maintain a school of high quality in times of great hardship.
We rejoice in our Golden Jubilee and are celebrating a series of events scheduled as part of an Inaugural Cultural Series; I hope you may be able to enjoy with your family as many of these events as possible.
May God bless you, your family, and all your endeavors! Yours in the Lord,
If you’ve suffered a sports injury, all you want is to get back on the field. The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Programs at Coral Gables Hospital can help ensure you’ll be there again. We offer a comprehensive sports medicine program, with advanced diagnostics, surgical expertise and state-of-the-art rehabilitation. You can rest assured that you are being cared for by a dedicated team of highly trained professionals, including some of the most experienced and respected orthopedic surgeons in the area. If you’ve suffered an injury on the field, call on Coral Gables Hospital so you can score the winning goal.
For a physician referral call 305-441-6877 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
a
of
Coral Gables Hospital is proud to be
Corporate Sponsor
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.
Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami Alumni Office
500 Southwest 127 Avenue Miami, Florida 33184
3 p.m.
Guitarist Rafael Padron will perform works by Barrios, Brouwer, Fariñas, Mertz and Tarrega
Ticket Prices: $15, $25 and $35
7 p.m.
Belen Jazz Band Performance, Reception and CD launch
Suggested Donation is $30
8 p.m.
Miami Debut of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor in partnership with the Friends of Chamber Music Performing works by Chopin, Bach, Ravel and Rachmaninoff
Ticket Prices: $15, $25 and $35
8 p.m.
Flamenco Puro directly from Seville, Spain in partnership with La Fundacion de Arte Flamenco Cristina Heeren
Ticket Prices: $25, $35 and $55 VIP Reception to follow