Belen Jesuit Alumni Magazine, Winter 2023 Edition

Belen Jesuit

President of the School

When you belong to something as old and weathered as a school like Belen Jesuit, there is a multitude of events throughout its history that warrant celebration. From its humble beginnings in 1854 to various extraordinary milestone events and individuals spattered generously throughout its time, Belen Jesuit has not only survived the test of time, but has thrived. This year we celebrate one of those milestone events, 100 years of the Alumni Association. We celebrate 100 years since the day one of our most prestigious and glorious alumni, Dr. Antonio Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirvén ‘1880, answered the call of his alma mater to create an association of alumni whose very lives were forever changed, for the better, because they received a Jesuit education.

The purpose of this association was not simply an attempt to create a sort of social club that occasionally gathered Belen alumni. The purpose was to organize a network of individuals who could significantly impact the community they lived in and bring about the kind of religious, political, and social change necessary to make the world and their community a better, more just place. Because of the values intrinsic to a Jesuit education and imparted to each of its students, Belen alumni share a common vision that their formation is not simply intended for their own personal gain, but intended especially for the benefit of those most in need.

In 1961, when Fr. Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, S.J. ’40 was missioned to Miami to reignite the fires of the alumni association in exile, the task was not only reaffirmed, but also took on a new meaning. First, Fr. Dorta-Duque, S.J. quickly recognized this association could not simply embrace graduates of el Colegio de Belén, but also had to include all alumni of the Jesuit schools in Cuba, as well as the new batches of graduates from Miami who would sustain the legacy of our great alma mater. What motivated then Jesuit provincial Fr. Daniel Baldor, S.J. ’19 to task Fr. Dorta-Duque, S.J. with this undertaking was a desire to truly minister to those who needed the support of the Jesuits as they settled into the harsh new reality of life outside of Cuba. Before the time of computers, social media, and the internet, the new alumni director started tracking down alumni and gathered their information on small index cards, thus amassing a great database of information.

The Alumni Office was not alone in taking on the task. Various alumni and their families volunteered their time and treasure to help the young Jesuit priest contact alumni around the world. It was truly a labor of love that encouraged and motivated these men who were now struggling to make ends meet and start anew, reminding them that Belen and the Jesuit education they had received in the “pearl of the Antilles” was not finished, but was only beginning. It was through the efforts of these individuals and the association that united them that Belen Jesuit was able to not only survive, but thrive in Miami.

Today, we are the beneficiaries of such giant efforts. We stand on their shoulders and are able to see farther than ever before. It is a testament to living out the motto of being “men for others” and fulfilling a mandate given by Jesus Christ to his disciples, “docente omnes gentes,” “Go and teach all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). A mandate whose very words were chiseled into the façade of the Palace of Education.

This edition of the Belen Jesuit Alumni Magazine is dedicated to all those men and women who made these 100 years of service possible. They are the ones who kept the tradition alive by reminding us always that what was learned in the hallways, classrooms, playing fields, and chapels of our campuses in Havana, Santiago, Cienfuegos, Sagua, and Miami are not limited to a particular city or region, but ingrained in the hearts of the men who were blessed to be on them. This is truly the reason the tradition remains very much alive and well.

Our present task is to confidently walk the beautiful and exciting line between our past and future. We have a responsibility to ensure we do not forget where we came from while remaining focused on where we need to go. Rooted squarely in our Catholic faith and anchored firmly in the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we forge ahead in new and innovative ways to educate the future leaders of Miami and the world. This is no small or easy task, but it is one that Dr. Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirvén, Fr. Dorta-Duque, and so many others expect and we will provide. Belen Jesuit has always risen to the challenge and will continue to do so as we continue to fly high the banner of our great alma mater.

Throughout this year, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and the Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools of Cuba and Miami will host various events to celebrate our Association’s centennial. There is so much to be grateful for, and it behooves us to take full advantage of such a great milestone. Let there be no mistake, our commitment to the formation of young men in the extraordinary pedagogical tradition of the Society of Jesus is as firm today as it was in 1854, when that handful of Spanish Jesuit priests and brothers made their way through the city streets of Havana, Cuba. On that day, 169 years ago, a great force was unleashed that found greater support in 1923 with the official founding of the Alumni Association. That force is alive and well today.

Auspice Maria, Fr. Willie ‘87

BELEN JESUIT

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

Roberto Borbolla ’56

Alumni Content Editor

Carlos Bravo ’86

Alumni Association Executive Director

Carlos Cristóbal ‘16

Communications Specialist

Felipe "Phil" Fernández ’94

Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Carlos Jiménez ‘15

Alumni Data & Support Administrator

Teresa Martínez Director of Communications

Mirna Menéndez Copy Editor

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

José López-Varela ‘87 - President

Alberto Paradela ‘11 - Vice President

Eduardo “Eddie” Macías ’02 - Secretary

Thomas Pla ’00 - Treasurer

Ramón Branger ’92

Vicente Cossío ’72

Juan Luis Flores ’70

José “Joey” Gómez ‘08

Alejandro Gómez-Pina ‘93

Alberto Gutiérrez ‘88

Carlos Hernández ’88

Xabier Martínez-Cid ‘11

Peter Montadas ‘76

Rogelio E. Ribas, M.D. ‘83

Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ‘73

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

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

BELEN JESUIT ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published biannually.

Circulation: 12,250

Periodicals postage paid in 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

alumni@belenjesuit.org www.belenalumni.org

YEAR LVIII - NO. 2

Table of Contents

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COMMUNITY NEWS

BELEN YOUTH MISSION

Members of the class of 2023 participated in the mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Fr. Wilie, S.J. ‘87 led the 59 students to Yerba Buena where they built an aqueduct for the community.

BEATRIZ JIMÉNEZ IGNATIAN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Mrs. Margarita Guerrero was named by her peers as the first recipient of the Beatriz Jiménez Ignatian Educator of the Year Award. The recipient of this award will be selected annually and will be given to a member of the faculty or staff who exemplifies the profile of an Ignatian Educator.

BENJAMIN MATZA AWARD

Congratulations to the 17 students who received the Benjamin Matza Award at the Middle School Academic Awards Ceremony on September 13. This is the highest Academic Award given in Middle School. This award was presented to students who earned a final grade of A in all their classes in each semester of middle school.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM AWARDS

One hundred and nine students earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

The following students were named semifinalists in the competition: José A. Costa, Andrew N. González, Oscar Miñoso-Rendón, Andrew G. Navarro, Sandro A. Seijo, and Maxton M. Torres.

The class of 2029 took part in the annual Sixth Grade Lock-In on September 18. This event is an exciting and memorable tradition for the youngest Wolverines in the Belen community.

NICHE RANKS BELEN JESUIT #1

The 2023 Niche rankings were released on October 10 and Belen Jesuit once again ranked #1 in Best All-Boys High Schools in Florida! The school was also ranked #2 Best Catholic High School and #5 Best High School for Athletes in the state.

CLASS OF 2023 RING MASS

The senior class received their class ring during the Eucharistic Celebration on October 11 in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87 presided.

NINTH GRADE FATHER AND SON DAY

The class of 2026 enjoyed a special day with their dads on October 15. From athletic to non-athletic events, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

BATTLE LIKE A WOLVERINE

Hundreds of members of the Belen family gathered to participate in the annual Battle Like a Wolverine on October 22. The walk/run event helps to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. Thanks to the over 600 registered participants, we will be able to help fund over 100 mammograms for those who need it most.

FALL PLAY, THE OUTSIDERS

Under the direction of Mr. Carlos Acevedo, our thespians took the stage from November 2-5 and performed The Outsiders. The inspiring story about belonging tells the story of a 14-year-old struggling with growing up without parents, social class structure, and becoming a man.

TENTH GRADE MOTHER AND SON DAY

Mother and Son Day for the class of 2025 was held on November 5th. Students and their moms had a great time and even took dance lessons!

SIXTH GRADE LOCK-IN

ATHLETICS NEWS

The Varsity Football team finished their season 5-6. The Junior Varsity Football team finished their season 5-1.

The Varsity Swimming team finished the season 6-1 and added another Belen Invitational and District Championship. The Middle School Swimming team finished with their second undefeated season in a row.

The Varsity Golf team finished with a team match record of 4-1. Congratulations to our Regional Champion, Lorenzo Rodríguez ‘25, who shot a 67,-5! A new record at Belen Jesuit. The team finished as District Runner-Up, and placed 8th at the State Tournament.

The Varsity Cross Country team captured their sixth consecutive State Title after successfully winning the district and regional championships. Belen’s win marks the 14th team title in school history, also the most of any team in any class in the State of Florida.

The Middle School Cross Country team won the program’s seventh FLYRA State Championship. Armando Cruz ‘27 took first place, setting a meet record with a time of 9:37.70. The Wolverines placed all five scoring runners in the top 10 and eight in the top 25.

The Crew

won a gold medal at the Head of the Charles for the first time in the program’s history. The team was presented with a proclamation by the Miami-Dade County Commissioners for their win.

Basketball team finished the season with a record of 13-1 with their only loss being by 1 point. The team finished first in the Catholic Athletic League.

The 6th

The Middle School Volleyball team finished with a strong record of 10-1. Being a team composed mostly of 8th graders, this team was always ready to play against the best the ACC had to offer. The team was able to run orchestrated offensive plays which is not usual for a team of such young players.

The Varsity Bowling team finished their season 3-3 with an 8th place finish in the Youth Fair tournament and as District Runner-Up in Class 1A.

The Middle School Football team finished with a record of 3-4.

The Middle School Golf team finished with a record of 4-1

team

Grade

Aidan Hevia ‘23 committed to playing lacrosse at Loyola University Maryland.

A Place to Call Home

Phil Fernández ‘94

By Eduardo López-Seda ‘24

Upon transferring from Epiphany Catholic School, Felipe “Phil” Fernández became a part of the 7th-grade class at Belen Jesuit. Phil made it a priority to get involved in extracurricular activities and set out to make lasting memories.

Throughout his years as a Belen student, Fernández made many friends, each with a special place in his heart. He made memories with those same people, driving around in a car he was able to purchase in the 10th grade. At the time, the number of students per grade was much smaller than it is now. This, in turn, allowed Fernández to forge relationships and create a bond with all his classmates.

Those friendships were further strengthened through the sports he participated in - track and field, soccer, cross country in middle school, and football. Despite his commitments as an athlete, he still had time to complete his schoolwork and succeeded in all his classes.

One of his fondest memories from his time at Belen was preparing for his end-of-the-year Chemistry test. Just having completed one of his final exams, Fernández, along with his friends from the football team, went to the home of Mario Díaz. They spent the rest of the morning and afternoon in the pool relaxing. When Mario’s mom returned home from work and found the boys lounging around the pool, she quickly ended the shenanigans and got them back to work. While they had a great time

blowing off steam, and although they should have been studying for the next exam, they all still managed to get a good grade.

Upon graduation, Fernández attended FIU, where he studied Managing Information Systems and Marketing. He chose this area of study because he knew computers were the future, so when he graduated college, he’d be able to secure a job. Following the goal he set for himself, after graduating from FIU, he began working in the information technology sector at Pan-American Hospital. He was there from 1998 until 2000. He then moved to Baptist Health, where he worked for 16 years.

Reflecting on his experience, Fernández says the best advice is to remember, “your word is your bond.” What he means by this is that one shouldn’t say, or promise something if the intention isn’t to follow through. “It’s important to be professional at work,” said Fernández. “That’s true no matter what career you pick. Remembering to have timely follow-up and standing by your word is key to success.”

While Fernández was happy at Baptist Health, he felt that a change of pace was necessary. After searching for

new opportunities, he returned to his alma mater and has been Belen’s Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations since 2016. This particular job is extremely personal to Fernández, “I was able to stay at Belen after my father was laid off from Eastern when the airline went bankrupt. Knowing that the generosity of others is what gave the school a mechanism to support a family in need is what fuels my passion for this job. For me, it is not just sharing an anecdote, it is my story, and now I have the chance to promote the program that gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

In 2003 he married Susana, who is the sister of two Belen alumni, and together they have three children, Javier ‘24, Juliana, and Sebastian ‘28. Having his boys at Belen has also fulfilled a lifelong dream, as he wants them to have the same Catholic-Jesuit education he was blessed to have.

“Working at Belen has been everything I expected and more,” said Fernández. “My work/life balance has been great, and now I have the same schedule as my children and wife, who’s a teacher. Belen has truly become a place to call home!”

Battling Brothers

Belen Jesuit and Fairfield Prep

Tailgate & Football Game

September 9, 2022

The Rick Raimúndez ‘90 Alumni Tailgate

September 30, 2022

Beyond Belen

One hundred seventy students participated in this year’s Beyond Belen event on December 9 in the Codina Courtyard located adjacent to the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. Hosted by the Office of Career Development and in collaboration with the Alumni Office, students were paired with 90 alumni mentors based on their desired career path.

The Beyond Belen, Mentoring and Networking Program was initiated in 2018 and since then has taken a leap forward in participation from both students and alumni alike. Additionally, this is the second year juniors have been invited to participate, and more of an emphasis is being placed on the understanding that Beyond Belen is a professional networking opportunity and an introduction to what our Alumni Association is all about - the brotherhood.

“The professional networking aspect is incredibly important for these young men. They not only need to hear the phrase often, but they also need to experience and embrace it,” said Claudia Basso, Career Development Coordinator. “Most of these students have never had the opportunity to speak with a person about their educational or career goals, and Beyond Belen takes them there, completely out of their comfort zone.”

In the past, students were told about the importance of the program and how they needed to become involved, but they were not thoroughly educated on how to ask engaging questions and understand the value of leaving a good first impression. Now, students are given a more thorough preparation and clear expectations are laid out.

“For the last four years, Beyond Belen has created a positive

impact on the school’s campus,” said Carlos Bravo, ‘86 Alumni Association Executive Director. “This year’s event involved not only the largest number of student participation in the program, but also the most alumni mentors, each of whom took time out of their workday to meet their mentees personally.”

The behind-the-scenes coordination of the pairing process is intricate and tedious. The team, spearheaded by Claudia Basso, included Carlos Bravo ‘86 and Carlos Jiménez ‘15, Kevin García ‘23, and Daniel Real ‘24 (chairpersons for their respective classes). The meetings were engaging and informative as they sorted and read through student surveys to ensure each student was paired based on career interests, future goals, and sometimes even personalities.

“This aspect of the pairing process goes almost unnoticed but is essential to developing the student-alumnus relationship,” said Kevin García ‘23.

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

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

MAGIS Raúl Rodríguez ‘97

By Joaquín Mestre ‘24

Magis is a Jesuit value that can be translated as “more” or “greater.” It refers to the idea of striving for excellence and continuous improvement in all aspects of one’s life. This value is rooted in the belief that God created each individual with unique talents and abilities, and that our responsibility is to use those gifts to the fullest extent possible in service to others. Magis encourages everyone in a community to push themselves to be their best and to always seek ways to do more, be more, and give more in the pursuit of their goals and service to others. It is a value that inspires individuals to strive for excellence in all that they do. This core Jesuit value is perfectly embodied in Raúl Rodríguez, who serves the community in and outside of Belen in countless ways.

Raúl Rodríguez ‘97, has been guided by the principle of “doing well by doing good” in a community, which he says was his main takeaway from his time at Belen. From an early age, Raúl understood the importance of being hardworking and productive in life but never forgetting where he came from and giving back to the community. This core value of service to others, to provide the underprivileged with the same opportunities he had, ultimately drove him to begin the Li’l Abner Foundation. He created the foundation in 2009, however, the roots of this project extend back to his earliest memories as a child working at the mobile home park his parents ran.

Throughout his childhood, Raúl spent his summers, spring breaks, and winters maintaining the mobile home park. From the tedious tasks of picking up pieces of trash by hand across the 110-acre park, cleaning sewer lines, changing electrical panels, and installing mobile

homes, he gradually grew a resilient spirit of service and outreach to others. After college, he wanted to continue the values his parents had instilled in him of serving those in need and being mindful of his upbringing, thus sparking the creation of the Li’l Abner Foundation.

He had initially started the foundation to help the residents of the mobile home park, but more so the marginalized children of the park. Raúl noticed that most of the children living in the mobile home park had parents working full-time jobs or two part-time jobs,

which caused them to lack role models to emulate. This created a cyclic process of children seeking leadership and guidance from their older peers, who were perhaps not exemplary people to follow. With this problem in mind, Raúl went to Belen and the FIU Honors Program seeking students to tutor the children at the mobile home park. Students began mentoring, tutoring, and serving the children of the park, which opened their eyes to the possibilities and opportunities they had not even known existed. Over the past 13 years, the foundation has evolved into something much more than providing role models for these children, rather, it provides these children with an option to change and choose what path they want for themselves, which Raúl says is the most fulfilling aspect of his service.

Belen students volunteer with the Li’l Abner Foundation not just in the park but amongst the entire district. Among the activities they help with is the Thanksgiving Day Bash, where 3,000 people are fed, the Christmas Toy Drive, where 500 toys are distributed, and the Disney on Wheels Program, which transports terminally ill quadriplegic children every year as their final wish. Raúl hopes that the same core values that he learned as a student at Belen continue to resonate with students today. Among his takeaways from Belen are “doing well by doing good,” work hard, be productive, excel in whatever you do in life, but never forget where you came from and give back to the community, so those people that you give back to can live the same life that you do.

Gradually, the foundation expanded its services provided to children. From initially mentoring and tutoring the children, the foundation has since partnered with Olympic athletes to sponsor and work with the children, provided archery and dance lessons, and granted scholarships to the children—all intending to

provide these children with the option and opportunity to pursue their passions. As Raúl’s parents and his education at Belen taught him, he wishes to impart the same values of discipline and ethics to the children, to make them better people who similarly serve the community. Now, as a father to a Belen alumnus and current student, Raúl hopes that his children have similarly taken away the values of perseverance and service imparted to him from a young age through his education at Belen.

Raúl has made a remarkable impact on the community, from beginning the foundation as a “one-man show” to having a lasting impact on thousands of families across Miami. The resounding message he would like to leave with readers is that each one of us can live out the Magis in all aspects of our lives. The magis is a call to greatness, a challenge to go beyond the norm, to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to never be satisfied with mediocrity.

Belen Alumni Association

100

Years of Brotherhood and Tradition

Zeida Sardiñas and Teresa Martínez

The history of the Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami goes back to 1923 when the Colegio de Belén resided at the Compostela Campus in Havana. The original Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos del Colegio de Belén held its first general assembly on January 31, 1923, followed by a luncheon on February 24, at the Quinta de la Asunción in Luyanó, where 230 alumni participated in the founding of the Alumni Association.

responsible for the ongoing financial support of these two endeavors and carried out fundraising activities such as theatrical and musical events. Of these events, the most notable was La Tómbola de Belén, whose proceeds were earmarked for funding scholarships.

The schools were staffed by Jesuits, the schools’ upperclassmen and Belen alumni. Many of these staff members were also members of the Agrupación Católica Pre-Universitaria (ACPU) and the Congregación de San Luis Gonzaga, who also donated their time for this worthwhile endeavor. At ENOB, students were trained first in basic subjects of study and then offered to pursue technical careers during a seven-month program that included classes in civics, arithmetic, geometry, geography, history, Spanish, English, and religion. The technical schools functioned from 1941 until 1961 at the Colegio de Belén and taught a student body of 140 to 200 students yearly, free of charge.

THE TRANSITION FROM CUBA TO MIAMI

At its inception in 1923, the association enrolled 700 alumni and operated out of an office on Prado Street in Havana, where the International Court of Justice at the Hague Magistrate, Antonio Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirvén, served as its first president. The Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos del Colegio de Belén members participated in many of the Colegio de Belén’s community outreach efforts and established scholarships at the school to fund the education of those that could not otherwise afford to attend the school.

In addition to funding scholarships and obtaining corporate sponsorships, the asociación conducted fundraising activities to support and found some of their most notable community outreach achievements. In 1941 the association founded two vocational colleges - the Escuela Electromecánica de Belén and the Escuela Nocturna Obrera de Belén (ENOB). It remained

The Cuban government shut down the Colegio de Belén in 1961, nationalized its holdings, and expelled the members of the Jesuit religious order. On September 18, 1961, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School reopened without interruption at the Centro Hispano Católico and Gesu School building. At the end of the 108th academic year (1961-1962), with the official induction of twenty-seven new alumni, the Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos de los Padres Jesuitas de Cuba, which later came to be known as the Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami

Antonio Sanchez de Bustamante 1880 | circa 1940

Escuela Electromecanica with Students

(the “Alumni Association”), was also re-established in the United States, by Fr.

Francisco Barbeito, S.J.

In early 1968, Fr. Daniel G. Baldor, S.J. 1919 called on Colegio de Belén and professor, Fr. Juan M. DortaDuque, S.J. ‘40, who had been serving the Jesuit order in Quito, Ecuador, to assist Fr. Barbeito, S.J. in strengthening the Alumni Association. As an initial step, Fr. Dorta-Duque compiled a list of alumni, most of whom were in Miami. Others were scattered throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Europe, and even Asia. Fr. Dorta-Duque also began to compile an archival collection, including the Ecos de Belén yearbooks and photographs from the Colegio de Belén in Havana.

He expanded the Boletín Informativo (alumni newsletter) that Fr. Barbeito, S.J. had begun to publish in 1964 and updated its format to include not only a review of what was taking place at the school, but also documenting the news and gatherings of alumni throughout the world. Most significantly, Fr. DortaDuque, began visiting alumni throughout the world almost immediately after his arrival. He visited alumni and coordinated reunions in Jacksonville, Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Tucson, St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Boston, and Puerto Rico. He also traveled throughout the years as far away as Europe and Latin America in search of establishing vital links with Belen alumni. Fr. Dorta-Duque also held spiritual retreats based on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, Masses, weddings, baptisms, and conferences about religious topics for alumni not only in Miami but also wherever else he traveled to visit them.

Besides class reunions and raising scholarship funds for the school, Fr. Dorta-Duque began coordinating the

Belen Jesuit Tombola at the campus in Little Havana. Ninety-three out of the 240 students enrolled for the upcoming 1968-1969 academic year were on financial aid, and he knew that its success would be instrumental to being able to provide necessary aid to families. The success of the Tombola would endure throughout the decades, making it one of the most important events at the school and the largest fundraiser for the Financial Assistance Program. In 2019 the school named the Tombola in his memory.

In 1997, after the death of beloved teacher, disciplinarian, and administrator Fr. José María Izquierdo, S.J., the Alumni Association launched a new fundraising endeavor for the school. The Fr. Izquierdo, S.J. Memorial Golf Tournament was a success from its inception and has become a key fundraising event that is hosted by the school and Alumni Association annually in the spring.

The role of the Alumni Association was cemented further during the school’s 150th-anniversary celebration when the Cuba and Miami Jesuit Alumni Congress was held. The congress took place May 2829, 2004, at the West Miami-Dade campus. Attended by 535 Belen alumni and over two dozen Antilles Province Jesuits, the congress proved to be a significant event for the development of the Alumni Association. It was during the congress that the professional sections were developed, the focus on serving the community in leadership roles was also emphasized, and perhaps most significantly, the association was reorganized, and a Board of Directors was established.

Another important milestone for the association was the establishment of the Belen Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. The Sports Hall of Fame allowed the association and the school’s athletics program to recognize alumni for their playing ability, sportsmanship, character,

Tombola in Marianao | 1947

Fr. Dorta-Duque, S.J. ‘40 in his office

and exemplary contribution to their teams when they participated in athletics at any of the Jesuit schools in Cuba and Miami.

PRESENT DAY, PAVING THE PATH FORWARD

Most recently, within the last decade, the Alumni Association shifted its framework to support the school’s efforts in a more profound way and to provide various opportunities and services to students. From mentorship to externships and internships to speaking engagements, alumni are now more accessible than ever before.

“Belen Jesuit recognizes that its greatest resource is the alumni,” said Fr. Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J.,‘87, President. “The association has worked tirelessly to launch a mentoring program where older alumni are paired with younger alumni. Helping promulgate these relationships and introducing alumni to each other in places far away from Miami will not only benefit Belen Jesuit in the long run but will also have a more immediate benefit for the alumni themselves.”

A focus on strengthening the brotherhood, reengagement, and philanthropy are ongoing efforts by the Alumni Office to continue to forge tight bonds and foster a stronger association. In 2019, the association took a big leap forward in technology by creating the BConnected platform and reinvigorating its social media presence. The shift has been monumental.

“The recurring theme is staying connected— connected to the school and to each other—and the most effective way of doing that is through a social platform just for Belen where we can stay up-to-date and interact with members of our Belen community,” said Carlos Bravo ‘86, Executive Director of the Alumni Association. “We’ve also centralized communication by creating weekly eNews to alumni and targeted emails for more specific endeavors. Increasing the circulation of the bi-annual Alumni Magazine to reach the entire Belen community. Focused on networking events and social gatherings not exclusive to professional sections but to alumni at large.”

To that end, the Alumni Tour that was developed in the early years of the association in Miami by Fr. DortaDuque was reinstated after Fr. Willie, S.J., began his tenure as Belen President in 2016. The goal remains to connect with alumni (active or inactive) from around

the country and re-engage them by informing them about all the wonderful things happening on campus. The list of cities visited since 2016 continues to grow. From NYC, Atlanta, D.C., to Boston, Houston, L.A. and Gainesville, Tallahassee, Tampa, and more, the Alumni Office hopes to continue to form a bridge between alumni living out of the Miami area and Belen.

Alumni spiritual formation and growth are goals set by Fr. Willie, S.J. for the future betterment of the association. “As men brought up in a faith-filled community, we must continue to offer opportunities to alumni to grow in their relationship with God,” said Fr. Willie, S.J. “By offering the spiritual exercises, reflections and seminars, opportunities to gather for Mass, and by enhancing the relationship with the Agrupación Católica Universitaria (ACU), we can promote not just our faith but improve our overall well-being.”

The future remains bright, and the Alumni Association is only growing stronger. There are now more opportunities to connect with one another, and professional and personal bonds are being nurtured through many events and opportunities. Alumni engagement is high, and participation amongst alumni classes is soaring. Alumni are also coming back home once they have families of their own, whether it be to get married at the Our Lady of Belen Chapel or have a baby baptized there, reminisce on campus during Grand Reunion weekend, or enroll a son at the school. Currently, every grade has at least 15% of students with an alumnus dad. Alumni are paving the way and are showing by their actions that Belen will indeed last forever.

Alumni Pin Mass | May 31, 2016

Grand Reunion Mass | June 5, 2022

Fr. Izquierdo, S.J. Memorial Golf Tournament | 2006 Boston Alumni Tour | September 10, 2022

Grand Reunion | June 5, 2022

Fr. Marcelino, S.J. at the Torch Relay | 2004

Alumni Magazine Editing Alumni Tailgate | 2015

Ten QuesTions for one Alumnus louis Aguirre ’84

Q. What was your experience like at Belen?

A. A nurturing incubator of education and integrity that constantly challenged me to push beyond my perceived boundaries and instilled in me the confidence I needed to thrive in the world, inspiring me to strive to do great things with my life and believe it was possible. The brotherhood that was forged with my fellow classmates is an unbreakable bond that continues now 39 years later.

Q. What type of student were you?

A. I was a very good student if the subject appealed to me, and I had a talent to excel in it. I always enjoyed my English, humanities, and language courses but struggled a bit with Math and sciences. It was the exceptional teaching staff at Belen who pushed me to work that much harder with those subjects I found challenging.

Anchor/Reporter, WPLG-Local 10

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

A. Too many and probably not safe for publication. I do remember how much fun we had producing the Homecoming Senior Skit and seeing my fellow classmates go all out with costumes and props, letting go of their tough guy campus personas, committing to the play 100 percent no matter how far out there the role required them to go. We laughed a lot throughout the entire process, but no one enjoyed it more than our mentor and faculty producer/director, Sigrid Bango.

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

A. All is possible if you believe it and work hard toward achieving it.

Q. Who made an impact in your life?

A. Unfair to name just one. All my teachers greatly impacted me, inspired me, and pushed me to work hard, but I struggled the most during seventh grade,

and I will always be grateful for the kindness and support from Fr. Luis Ripoll, S.J. ‘36. He helped me get through that first year and gave me the encouragement I needed to believe I could fit in and thrive at Belen.

Q. What do you hold most dear?

A. The friendships, the brotherhood, the Wolverine pride.

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

A. I sailed through university. I had the tools, skills, and study habits I needed to succeed not just in college but in life. Belen made me work for it, and it’s a work ethic that has followed me to my present career. I always reminisce about all those late-night study sessions or term paper writing until dawn whenever I find myself working through the night on assignments or producing reports. I was taught at a very young age that you have to put in the work, no matter how long it takes.

Q. What prompted you to go into the news industry?

A. I was always a ham. I loved to make speeches in front of the class, and loved producing mini-movies or newscasts with my dad’s camcorder for class projects. It was a natural progression. I knew I wrote well, and I knew I loved to work with the camera and use images and videos to tell a good story.

Q. How do you make a difference in that industry?

A. The moment I realized that my career was one of service, things really began to change for me. It was a switch that went off one day. I realized that it wasn’t what I could get from my career but how I can use my platform and voice to be of service. That was a true a-ha moment.

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

A. Find your voice, commit to what you’re passionate about, and feel confident that God has your back, always, and that you are being supported in everything you do. Trust that what is showing up in your life is there for a reason and that you are exactly where you need to be in every moment of your life. If you can see it, you can be it. Then ask yourself, how can I use this to serve the greater good?

Announcements Sacrament of Marriage

Yasmín García & Ernie Calderín ’03

Alexandra Beguiristáin & Javier Basnuevo ‘05

Michelle Westman & Mike Rios ’08

Natalia Benedetti & Carlos Basnuevo ‘09

Stephanie Weisson & Pablo Rodríguez ‘11

Francis Pino & Kyle Merino ’12

Maria Andreina Mosello & Juan Ignacio Ruiz ‘13

Kilee Asami & Rey Madiedo ‘14

Christina Fernández & Michael Chang ‘14

Micaela Chang & Joseph Menéndez ’15

Sonia Pérez & Michael Caballero ‘09

Andrea Llano & Brandon Fernández ’09

Christine Sinicrope & Vicente Fernández ‘10

Rachel Serrano & Nicolás Platt ‘10

Gabriela Rose & Manrique Iriarte ’16

Emily Morales & Kevin Valdés ’16

Vocation to Family

In Memoriam

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

Alumni

• Arturo Fernando Vega (Electromecánica)

• Ramón Fernández-Urízar ‘47

• Miguel Angel Garcés de Marcilla y Betancourt ‘47

• Aristeo Seigido ‘49

• José J. Rabassa ‘50

• Dr. Jorge Luis Coronado ‘53

• Pedro Pablo Bermúdez y Parr ‘54

• Orlando Álvarez Escudero ‘55

• Luis Casacuberta ‘55

• Ignacio Blanco Capote ‘56

• Antonio Loza Sardiñas ‘56

• Julio Jané-Argudín ‘58

• Eduardo Menéndez Palacios ‘58

• Alfredo González ‘59

• Nicomedes J. Camacho ‘60

• Jesús José Pernas Trobo ‘60

• Arturo Mosquera, Jr. ‘00

Family & Friends

• Irene Tremols-Sosa, wife of Enrique Sosa ‘57

• Emilia Bardanca, widow of Julio Pastoriza ‘32, mother of Julio Pastoriza ‘65 and aunt of Gilberto Pastoriza ‘65

• Rosa García, mother of Ricardo J. García ‘75 and grandmother of Ricardo González ‘04

• Faith Burtis Doyle, mother of Richard Doyle ‘76

• Annie Lee Swan, widow of Miguel Font ’55 +, mother of Belen Art teacher Ignacio Font and grandmother of Christopher Font ‘16

• Marina Fernández, widow of Manuel Fernández ‘56, mother of Manny ‘81, Miguel ‘82, Mario ‘85, Paco ‘97, and grandmother of Carlos Fernández ‘13.

• Guillermo Garcia, father of Guillermo Garcia-Lay ‘78

• Enrique Sorí, father of Henry Sorí ‘84

• Felix O. Infiesta, father of Robert Infiesta ‘88

• Miguel Carrillo, father of Miguel Carrillo ‘92 and grandfather of Lucas Carrillo ‘27

• Pedro Arturo Raimúndez, father of Rick Raimúndez ‘90 +

• Elena Ruiz, grandmother of Belen Director of Faculty Development Matthew Jordan, and step-mother of Alumni Board Member Francisco “Paco” Ruiz ‘73

• Rosa María Arce, sister of Carlos Arce Otero ‘54

• Armando Luaces, brother of Eduardo Luaces ‘71

• Carmelina Álvarez, aunt of Coach Angel Aparicio

• Luis Enrique Pichardo, father of Cristina Negrón (College Counseling) and grandfather of René Negrón ‘12

• Cámila Suárez, mother of Jesús Suárez ‘02, and former Belen Jesuit Counseling Department Assistant

Cristiano, son of Salvador “Sal” Camaraza ‘06

Mila Jane, daughter of Frankie Damas ‘06

Stella, daughter of Nick Martínez ’08

Sofia Elena, daughter of Mario Egues ‘10

Grace Mia, daughter of Joey Gómez ’08

Jordan Thomas, son of Matthew Hanlon ‘08

Abigail, daughter of Gabriel Loret de Mola ‘11

Zara, daughter of Julio “Tonito” Gálvez ‘15

Class notes

1950s & 1960s

Fr. Pedro Cartaya S.J. ‘54 was honored for his 60 years of service to the school!

Class of 2022. Carlos is the President & CEO of Pacific National Bank.

Members of the class of ’55 get together for lunch with their wives: Cándido and Lily Fernández Pena, Ramón and María Elena Duarte, Ramón and Irela Rodríguez López, Enrique Planas, Gabriel and Alina Durán, and Carol and Cuqui García Santamaría.

Carlos A. Penin, PE ‘73 received the 2022 Gran Caiman of the Year award for his passion, commitment, and leadership beyond engineering by the University of Florida Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment.

1980s

Carlos de la Cruz, Jr. ‘81 was presented with the James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer Award at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Miami Chapter reception.

Members of the classes of ’55-’56 at a monthly luncheon: Carlos Busot, Ramón Rodríguez, Enrique Planas, Roberto Borbolla, José Fernández Planas, Raúl Villaverde, Jorge Dominicis, Mauro Hernández and César Incera.

Robert E. Chisholm ‘68 was inducted into the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hall of Fame.

1970s

Carlos FernándezGuzmán ‘74 was announced as The South Florida Council’s newest Distinguished Citizen for the

Richard De Aguiar ‘85 , Supervisory Attorney for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, spoke to the eighth graders on the federal government’s role in protecting and preserving the dignity of inmates and ensuring equal protection under the law.

at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity for an idea they created for Burger King.

1990s

Belen Jesuit Assistant to the Athletic Director Victor Arrieta ‘95, History Teacher Alex Peña ‘06, Alex Zequeira ‘90 (Headmaster at St. John’s High School in Massachusetts), Principal José E. Roca ‘84, and Executive Director of Advancement Phil Fernández ‘94 at Belen Jesuit.

Phil Fernández ‘94, Carlos Bravo ‘86, and Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87 visited Fr. Patrick Kokorian ’93 , the head abbot at Most Holy Trinity Monastery of the Maronite Monks of Adoration in Petersham, MA.

Javier Herrán ‘94 is the Chief Marketing Officer of Sedano’s Supermarkets, that is celebrating 60 years in Miami.

Raúl Rodríguez ‘97 was profiled in the Miami Herald for his work and commitment to the Li’l Abner Community.

Rafael Prohías ‘85 was promoted to Deputy General Counsel at FIU.

Henry Gómez ‘87 and his colleagues at Zubi Advertising won a Silver Lion

Alex Burgos ‘98 completed the 140.6mile Ironman Maryland triathlon, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon run.

Jeronimo Esteve ‘99 was featured in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for his accomplishments in golf tournaments after beating cancer in 2011.

2000s

José Andión ’00 is the new Dean of Student Life at Belén Jesuit, overseeing the student clubs, honor societies, academic teams, student council and student activities.

Felice Gorordo ‘01 was nominated by President Biden for United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Javier Correoso ‘04 was named to the Florida Power 100, a list of the most influential political players in Florida.

Andres Kaifer ‘06 is now the owner and chef of Customshop, a restaurant located in Charlotte, NC.

Michael H. Cruz ‘07 was promoted to Head of Cargo USA South & Latin America for Swiss WorldCargo.

Edgar Fernández ‘07 completed his fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital. This makes him dual boardcertified, both in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine.

food, travel, lifestyle, and experience content creator.

Alex De Goti ‘12 , was signed by the Miami Marlins for a minor-league deal.

Richard L. Moncada ‘14 graduated from the University of Miami Law School earning his Juris Doctor Degree.

Marcello Hernández ‘15 Joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. His first on-camera appearance was on October 9th.

Chris Domínguez ‘02, Andy Portuondo ‘02, Thomas Pla ‘00, Michael Carreras ‘02, Danny Munilla ‘02, and Bruno de la Fuente ‘02 playing at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, CA.

Former NFL athlete Mike Rios ‘08 watched the JV Football team’s season opener with Athletic Director Carlos Barquín, Assistant Athletic Director Richard Stuart, and School President Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87.

Andrés Rodríguez ‘09 graduated from the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Internal Medicine Residency. He was awarded the Eric Reiss Resident of the Year Award and chosen as Chief Resident for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Orthopedic Surgeon Fernando Arán MD ‘06 , Family Physician Gabriel Suárez MD ‘04 , and Physical Therapist Armando Díaz DPT ‘01 were named Belen’s Sports Medicine Team.

Manuel Romero ’19 was selected “Golfer of the Week” at Hartford University.

Ricky Pérez ’19 and Sebastián Alonso ’20 at the Fordham vs Georgetown game at Fordham’s campus.

2020s

Alex Fox ‘21 and Andrés Ramos ‘22 at the Army vs. University of Texas San Antonio football game at Michie Stadium in West Point NY.

Kris Sedeño ‘03 was named a Managing Director and Partner at Snowden Lane Partners.

Anthony Torrente ‘03 received the title of Man of the Year from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

2010s

George Arango ‘11 aka Mr. Eats 305, spoke to our entrepreneurship class. George is a

Daniel “the Outlaw” Pérez ‘21 won a D3 National Championship as a member of the Eastern Connecticut State Baseball team.

Please email alumni@belenjesuit.org with updates and submissions for upcoming issues.

Alumni Gatherings

Eduardo J. García ’87, Alejandro Bertrán ‘00, Michael Murgado ‘10, José López-Varela ‘87, Fr. Willie, S.J. ‘87, José Toledo ‘96, Carlos Lastre, Javier Canténs ‘20, Brother Hunter D’Armond, S.J., Javier Canténs ‘95, Nicolás Sosa ‘18 and Damien Cuesta ’19 were chaperones for the Belen Youth Mission Trip Yerba Buena 2022 in the Dominican Republic.

Danny de la Fe ‘17, Alfred López-Sotillo ‘16, Oscar Villa ‘14, Alejandro González ‘16, Frankie de la Cámara ‘16, Gabriel Cabrera ‘16, Nick Cambo ‘14, Matthew Bravo ‘17, Danny Brown ‘17, David Hondal ‘14, Danny Hondal ‘16, and Nico Smith ‘18 tailgating at the Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets Game.

Nick Patino, Andrew Vargas, Eric Alexander, José Andión, Thomas Pla, Pedro Munilla, Michael Olivera, Danny León, Daniel Bouza, Carlos Suárez, Luis Martínez, Greg Bell and Michael Albert at Melreese Golf course for a bi-annual outing.

Luis Fernández de Castro ‘54, Ronnie Ramos ‘58, Roberto Borbolla ‘56, and Executive Director Carlos Bravo ‘86 met with Jorge “Yoyi” Betancourt ‘38, our oldest living alumnus.

Los Dolorinos held their annual reunion at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.

Alumni Gatherings

The Belen Alumni Lawyers Section (B.A.L.S.) held their annual Happy Hour Event at Bayshore Club to celebrate Javi Pérez-Abreu

for his 7 years of service as section Executive Chairman.

Class of 1997, Eduardo Cepero, Manuel Chica, Cesar Cajigas, Manuel Menéndez, Aldo Calderín, and Juan P. De Cárdenas at the Miami Dolphins game in Chicago.

‘78

Tony González ‘89, Frankie Guerra ‘89, Diego Feijoo ‘20, Manny Feijoo ‘89, Juan Lucas Álvarez ‘89, Alex Brito ‘89, and Tony Suárez ‘89 at the Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers game at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Ramón Rodríguez ’55 with his granchildren Daniel ‘15, Javier ‘17, and Francisco Hernández ‘12 as well as Carlos Obregón ‘59 with his granchild Alberto Fraga ‘18 at the Thanksgiving Alumni Luncheon.

El Colegio de Sagua la Grande held their reunion at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, celebrating Mass in the Our Lady of Belen Chapel.

The class of 1984 basketball team with Coach Ruben Marrero ‘75 at Casa Cuba for their annual reunion.

Alumni Gatherings

Members of the Class of 1994, Ernesto Cepero, Guillermo Miranda, Tommy de Quesada, and Ricardo Pérez tailgating at Soldier Field.

Cross country alumni celebrate the accomplishments of the 2022 season in the annual Alumni Glory Mile.

Members of the class of 1987 at a Marlins game.

Members of the class of 1959 at their annual reunion.

Belen Alumni got together to support the Belen Financial Assistance Program at Cerveceria La Tropical.

The Belen Alumni Office hosted their Fall Delegate Happy Hour event at The Tank Brewing, Co.

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

Reyes Magis

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Christmas Toy Drive

Jesuit Educated

The #BJesuitEducated campaign highlights prominent alumni on our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to reinforce the Ignatian tradition of excellence in education, leadership, and service. These alumni only represent a small fraction of the thousands of young men educated at Belen in Cuba and in Miami that exemplify the Magis.

President of the Association

influence in ensuring our continued success, probably no one more than Belen Hall of Fame inaugural member Fr. Juan M. Dorta-Duque, S.J. ’40. Thank you, I know you will be celebrating with us from above. The celebration will last the entire year and will have many events to commemorate this special occasion. The main celebration will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, so please save the date!

This year will be very special for our association as we celebrate its 100th anniversary. You may say, wait Pep, Belen was founded in 1854, how can we only be celebrating our centennial anniversary? You are correct, the school was founded 169 years ago, but I am talking about our alumni association which was founded on January 31, 1923. La Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos del Colegio de Belén was founded by Antonio Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirvén class of 1880 in Havana, Cuba. Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirvén was the son of a Belen alumnus and Belen Hall of Fame inaugural member who also served as our first Alumni Association President. I am sure he would be extremely proud of our accomplishments throughout our first century, surviving our exile from Cuba and continuing here in Miami.

It is hard to mention the Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami without recognizing those giants who have had such a great

We will celebrate our diamond anniversary with the school’s new Strategic Plan in mind, a plan that will guide us for the next five years and where we as alumni own one of the key five pillars. Pillar IV Beyond Belen challenges us to continue to develop and foster growth and formation beyond graduation. Alumni engagement and participation are key to the success of this pillar. To that end, we continue to enhance our communications with our delegates and alumni, including a new easy attendance tracking system for events so we can measure participation. Our Magis events in November and December were extremely successful and served a record number of children and elderly in the Gesu community downtown and other groups in South Florida and Cuba. We just celebrated another very successful Beyond Belen mentoring event, where almost 200 juniors and seniors were paired with about 100 alumni in their industry of interest to form long-lasting mentoring relationships. These relationships will continue on our digital platform, “BConnected,” as these students transition to higher education and into the workforce. All of our professional sections just held elections, and existing and new board members are ready to bring you valuable and engaging events during this exciting year.

We are poised to have a great year-long celebration, but it will take hard work from each and every one of us, the class delegates, the Alumni Board, the Section Boards and their members, the Alumni Office, and every single alumnus. We will celebrate as one of the oldest Alumni Associations in the state of Florida, but we will also work hard to deliver on Pillar IV and all of our great Magis initiatives. I would like your help and support. We need the engagement and action of all of our alumni to deliver on this pillar for Belen and ensure its continued success. I know you will support our alma mater and rise to the occasion!

AMDG José “Pep” López-Varela ‘87

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School