Tradition Magazine Winter 2018

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TRADITION T H E M A G A Z I N E O F B I S H O P E U S T A C E P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O L • W I N T E R I S S U E 2 0 18

Richard P. Miller ’70

Retired CEO of Virtua

EUSTACE SHAPING A LIFE A C A D E M I C E X C E L L E N C E S I N C E 19 5 4

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SOCIAL MEDIA MASHUP

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL EUSTACE SHAPING A LIFE CRUSADER PROFILE PERSPECTIVES CAMPUS NEWS A CALL TO SERVICE

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THE EUSTACE TRADITION CONTINUES AT CHOP WHAT’S NEXT? FROM THE LOCKER ROOM TO THE PATIENT ROOM CLASS NOTES

IN THE NEWS Senior Peyton Vostenak ’18 has been getting a lot of media attention since the start of basketball season. Philly.com recently wrote about Peyton and the Eustace boys basketball team’s successes in a story titled “Peyton Vostenak powers Bishop Eustace past Paul VI.”

Our recent Thanksgiving Family-to-Family Food Drive was a great success. Through the kindness of our donors, including current families, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as Murphy’s Fresh Markets and Martin’s Sausage, we were able to help feed over 1,500 individuals a Thanksgiving meal.

6ABC was there to capture the generosity.

Read more on P. 8!

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Our students spent their day off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day volunteering around the community.

NJ.com featured our students who assembled sandwiches that were then distributed in Camden in a story titled “Volunteers assemble sandwiches on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to be given out in Camden.”

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends,

Tradition Volume 29, Number 1 Editors: James Brady, Joseph Marquart ’65, Marylou Williams Writers: Taylor Blineberry '18, James Brady, Grace Carita '14, Luke LaRosa '18, Kristen Leen '12, Abigal Littleton '10, Veronica Lucian '10, Rachel Sobosinski '21, Kathy Spiker Photography: Crusader Yearbook, Exposure Media, LifeTouch Photography Interim Director of Institutional Advancement: Cecilia Biello Publisher: Garrison Printing Company, Inc. Designer: Melissa Bielecki Tradition is the magazine of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. It is written and edited by the students, faculty and alumni of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School for the Bishop Eustace community. The purpose of the magazine is to keep the Eustace family and others aware of all aspects of Bishop Eustace today, to convey news about alumni via the alumni news, and to provide alumni with information about reunions and special campus events.

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Snow greeted our students as they returned to campus to start the second semester. It was truly a special sight, although I am sure they would have gladly traded it in for another snow day. It’s great to be back on campus with our students.

This issue of the Tradition focuses on healthcare, a theme near to me because of my years teaching in the McAuliffe Science Center. Our cover story profiles the legacy of Richard Miller ’70, an Excalibur Award winner, who helped shape Virtua Healthcare. I had the chance to see Mr. Miller share his story with our students at our last Career Day. It was a great experience for our students.

Keeping with the healthcare theme, you will find profiles of sisters Danielle Ponzio ‘03 and Christina Ponzio-Guarino ‘07, who both discovered a love of medicine but followed very different career paths.

You will also read about the special connection between Eustace and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For me in particular, it is truly a humbling experience to know that many of my former science students pursued careers in nursing and medicine, not only at CHOP but around the country.

Finally, in this issue, we bid farewell to Mrs. Kathy Spilker, a fixture at Eustace for 27 years and most recently our Dean of College Placement and Guidance, who retired in December 2017. I often joked with her that I wouldn’t have been able to attend college without her help “talking me up.” While that may be a minor exaggeration, it is just one of many similar examples of Mrs. Spilker going above and beyond for her counselees.

She will be sincerely missed.

With the NCAA March Madness around the corner, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to my classmates from 1995, particularly Matt Mitcho, Roxanne Hughes and Meghan Fay, for leading our class to victory in the first annual March Madness Alumni Giving Challenge. I hope alumni everywhere show their Crusader Pride and join us in support of our alma mater. Your support truly makes a difference, now more than ever!

Thank you for all you do to support the mission of Bishop Eustace Prep!

Angelo M. Milicia ’95 Head of School TRADITION WINTER 2018

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COVER STORY "We can all be that person that inspires others to do good."

EUSTACE SHAPING A LIFE There are experiences in our lives, good and bad, that shape the people we become. Richard P. Miller ’70, recently retired CEO of Virtua, is living proof of this.

Rich grew up in South Philadelphia with his parents and brother Robert ’69, who attended King of Peace School, a Catholic grade school close to their home, with him. When Rich was nine, his family moved to the “wilderness of South Jersey” as his mother called it, to Voorhees, New Jersey. Soon after the move, sister Joanne came along. “My parents were factory workers, but they gave us everything they could. We had great childhoods.” Rich and Robert attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Berlin, New Jersey.

In 1966, Rich followed in Robert’s footsteps to Bishop Eustace Prep.

The two hitchhiked home from school together (this was before Uber).

Rich recalls Eustace as a tight-knit community of which he was proud to be a part. To this day, he has never lost his connections to Eustace and still stays in touch with Tom Fanelle ‘70, Bob Adinolfi ‘70, Pete DiScienzo ’70, Gene Principato ’68 and George Hutchinson ’70, to name a few. Rich and his buddies had a great time watching Jeff Banasz ’69 and Jim Crawford ’69 lead their basketball team to the State Championship.

In the fall of 1970, Rich started college at Mount St. Mary’s College (later University) in Maryland, where he majored in accounting. A few weeks before graduating in the spring of 1974, Rich wrapped up a late shift waiting tables at the Sheraton Hotel near school. Driving his 1962 Volkswagen Beetle, he fell asleep at the wheel and suffered a major car accident. He was helicoptered to the Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Rich suffered kidney failure and many other severe injuries, including one that left his left leg with major nerve damage. He had to learn how to walk and even breathe again on his own. “I believe God spared my life because he knew I still had a lot to do.” Rich missed his college graduation, while he worked toward recovery in the hospital for several more weeks. Through great faith and optimism, knowing he had a bright future ahead and genuinely wanting to make a difference in the world, Rich recovered from his injuries.

That same year, ready to get out of the house and on with his life, Rich began volunteer accounting work at Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children in Longport, New Jersey. Watching

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5 the children struggle each day with many serious conditions, but that he was able to touch people’s lives. “We can all be George always with smiles on their faces, made Rich feel blessed for what Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life. We can all be that person that he had. Not long after getting back on his feet, Rich rekindled a inspires others to do good. The moral of the story is we’re all making relationship with Mary Lee Walraven, a beautician from Trenton, a difference in the world.” Rich believes, “Eustace is the backbone New Jersey. Mary Lee worked of my career as it at one of his uncle’s salons. After instilled discipline, seeing Mary Lee a few times, accountability and Rich worked up the courage to values into my ask her on a date. Their first date everyday life. At was at Mama Ventura’s restauEustace, you’re held rant in Voorhees, New Jersey. to a different standard.

Rich proposed to Mary Lee at There was an the National Shrine Grotto of expectation of success Our Lady of Lourdes at Mount and excellence.”

St. Mary's University. They were Rich’s advice for married on May 28, 1977 in students and young Trenton, New Jersey. “Mary Lee alumni is that there’s is the biggest part of my life. She nothing wrong with is my coach and my mentor.” success, as long as you In 1983, daughter Kristen ’02 give back every day. was born. Three years later, they It’s not all about Heather, Rich ’70, Mary Lee and Kristen ‘02 welcomed another baby girl, money. “It’s important Heather, to their family. Rich and Mary Lee raised their family in to teach the cultural approach to success.”

Marlton, New Jersey, where they lived for 30 years.

Rich’s daughter, Kristen, and her husband, Anthony Lacroce

For several years, Rich was a financial consultant for many ’02, have made Rich and Mary Lee grandparents of three little organizations in South Jersey. This led him to West Jersey Health ones, Natalie (7), Olivia (4) and Anthony (4 mos.). The family lives System (WJHS) in 1986 where, after rising through the ranks within in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Heather married Bobby O’Neill in the organization, he was named president and CEO. In 1997, Rich 2016. They live in Marlton, New Jersey. merged WJHS with Memorial Health Alliance to form Virtua. He

As he moves into retirement, Rich doesn’t want to stop inspiring served as CEO of Virtua until his recent retirement in December people. He hopes to continue to mentor others to become great 2017. “I’ve been privileged to lead one of the region’s greatest leaders. He also tremendously enjoys spending time with his wife. healthcare teams with people who are dedicated to compassionate “If I can say one thing, it’s ‘have fun’. I can assure you that God has healing and outstanding customer service.” Rich is most proud of a sense of humor.” the culture that he helped build at Virtua. He attributes God with his Some of Rich’s accomplishments include: ability to help others and become better people together. “I loved helping people grow in their jobs and supporting our employees in • Human Resources CEO of the Year by HR Department whatever way possible.”

of the Year Awards

In 2016, Rich was asked to become a board member of Mount • CEO IT Achievement Award from Modern Healthcare St. Mary's University, a tremendous honor for him. In April 2017, Dr. magazine Timothy Trainor, president of the school, asked Rich to be the Class • Healthcare CEO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business of 2017 commencement speaker. This honor was that much greater Journal considering that Rich missed his own college graduation from the • Lean Six Sigma National CEO of the Year university because of the accident so many years ago. After • Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Boy Scouts of America discussing the honor with Mary Lee, since graduation fell on • New Jersey Business Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Mother’s Day, Rich very humbly agreed to speak at commencement.

Award from New Jersey Junior Achievement Mary Lee and the entire family were as excited as he was. When • Goodwill honored Rich with the Helms Award for spreading graduation day arrived, Rich remembers being “nervous as a cat” goodwill through leadership and philanthropic involvement in the back of the auditorium before the ceremony began. Seeing the • Named among The 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey huge crowd of people brought tears to his eyes. At that moment, he Business by NJBIZ magazine felt God say to him, “Congratulations, Rich, you made it.” That day, • One of the 50 Most Powerful People in Health Care by Rich received an honorary doctorate. Among the many honors he NJBIZ has received over the years, this accolade makes Rich the proudest.

• "Person to Watch" by Philadelphia Magazine Rich felt as though, with help from the Holy Spirit, his commencement • Recognized nationally on the list of “291 Hospital and Health speech inspired many people in the crowd. He received numerous System Leaders to Know” emails during the weeks following the ceremony and was honored BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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CRUSADER PROFILE DR. JOHN E. GATTI ’70

By Grace Carita ’14

Every Crusader knows that the value of a Eustace education extends far beyond the four years spent on campus, propelling graduates onto unique paths of future success.

Indeed, before John Gatti ’70 was even a Crusader, his parents often assured him that if he could make it at Bishop Eustace, he would be well-equipped to excel at any university of his choosing. These words proved prophetic. After graduating from Eustace, John matriculated to Saint Joseph’s College in Philadelphia where he majored in biology and served a term as president of Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-medical honor society.

He then attended medical school at Georgetown University and even participated in the American Medical Student Association’s Congressional lobby in 1977.

After graduating from Georgetown, John began an internship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. This opportunity paved the way for his two medical residencies, first in general surgery from 1979-84 and then in plastic surgery from 1984-86.

Today, John is a board-certified plastic surgeon with membership in an impressive collection of medical societies, including the American College of Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgery, and the Fellow American College of Surgeons, of which he was chairman from 2000-2012. John has published one book, entitled General Surgery Study Cards, and dozens of scholarly articles in journals including the Annals of Plastic Surgery, Surgical Forum, and the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

John’s talents have taken him far and wide across the globe.

In 1998, he traveled to China to take part in a lecture series on plastic surgery. In 2016 and 2017, John took two mission trips to Guatemala with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to perform crucial cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries on children. John has also received three U.S. patents for his inventions: an operative smoke screen, a smoke aspiration device, and a photography slide duplicator.

Of course, John hasn’t forgotten his Crusader roots. He fondly recalls days spent after school at Parkway Golf on Cuthbert Boulevard, where he and his brother Gene ’73 worked and spent time with friends throughout their high school years.

John was honored with the Excalibur Award for alumni excellence in 2009. John continues to support Eustace because he recognizes that the high school years are paramount to an individual’s personal development. He applauds the stimulating blend of discipline, challenge, and direction provided unwaveringly by Eustace’s faculty and staff over the years.

Hoping for his family to have the same opportunities for growth, John enrolled his daughter Maggie ’01 and son John ’06 at Eustace, both of whom are doctors today. His niece Annamarie ’12 and nephew Phil ’14 are also Crusader alumni. John says “our school is uniquely positive. The environment at Eustace remains healthy: enabling but competitive. Bishop Eustace Prep has benefited me and many members of my family.”

2014 Family Photo - John W. Gatti '06, Gene Gatti '73, Darren Mays, Jack Mays (Future Crusader), Maggie Gatti-Mays '01, John E. Gatti '70 Grace Carita ’14 graduates this May from Bucknell University with a double major in political science and French.

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PERSPECTIVES 27 YEARS AT BISHOP EUSTACE PREP

By Mrs. Kathryn Spilker

When I was completing my Master’s degree at Glassboro State College, I decided that I was ready to make the transition from teaching to guidance. I taught psychology for ten years and spent significant time after school talking to my students about issues and concerns. More often than not, I accompanied them to the guidance office to access the expertise of their guidance counselor. Mr. Bill Lange, a lifelong friend and former teacher, had moved from Overbrook to Bishop Eustace Prep. He told me that there might be an opening in the guidance office, and I was fortunate enough to be hired for the position. I remember being so impressed with the campus and with Father Ralph when I was interviewed. Bishop Eustace is a very special place, and I fell in love with the school, the students, and the faculty.

The school became a second home for me. I valued the work that I was doing and the opportunities that I was given. We have been encouraged to do some pretty innovative projects over the years.

From working on Wellness Day with Ms. Suzy Eyler to developing a program that included a guidance curriculum and a specific parent program for each grade level, my time at Eustace has been very rewarding.

The teachers and counselors are committed to providing the best educational experience available in the area. The administration is focused on the mission of the school as a place where students will grow not only academically but spiritually and personally as well. The Pallottines wholly support our school mission. Some of the greatest people that I know are part of the Bishop Eustace Preparatory School community.

One of my favorite aspects of life at Bishop Eustace is the way that liturgy and faith are woven into the fabric of the school.

As a new member of the community, I was welcomed to assist with the Ministry program.

I remember one time dressing up as BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and bringing gifts to children in Camden with Ms. Mary Jane Silvia and Ms. Mary Ellen Mahon.

I enjoyed going on retreats with students and working on service projects with the school.

Students are encouraged to think about the challenges that so many face in our communities and in the world. I believe that this is one of the most important things that a person can learn during high school.

I loved being a guidance counselor and an administrator. The needs of our students have always been the primary concern at Bishop Eustace. The counseling office has earned the respect of the community by being an excellent resource for the teachers and administration with regard to student aspirations and concerns. Working with the students, listening and advocating for them, guiding them to be the best people possible has been both rewarding and challenging.

I welcomed the growth that accompanied the challenges and the gratitude that came

Kathy with her Office of College Placement and Guidance team

with walking alongside of the students, as they worked through life’s difficulties. I have so many fond memories of the students that I have had the opportunity to teach and advise. I have worked with so many wonderful families and many, many talented and remarkable young people.

When I think about my retirement and what life will be like I will most certainly miss the students and my colleagues in the Office of College Placement and Guidance (formerly known as SPS). It takes a special person to care for adolescents in the way

that has become the standard for our office.

Patience, professionalism, and dedication are hallmarks of the counselors and administrative assistant in College Placement and Guidance. We have become like a family over the years. I will also miss the friends and colleagues that I have been honored to work with including the faculty, the administration, the administrative assistants and the maintenance department.

I am looking forward to watching my grandson, Logan, grow and learn. I am looking forward to time with the whole family and some time for myself. I have so much reading that I want to do. I hope to have the discipline to devote some quiet time for prayer, reflection, and Bible study each morning. My husband, Chris, and I hope to do some traveling and, of course, there’s shopping.

Thank you to everyone who made the years fly by with love, laughter and encouragement. May God richly bless the Bishop Eustace community.

Kathy’s family: Jimmy ’10 and fiancé, Veronica, and husband, Chris

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CHARITY STARTS AT HOME

By Taylor Blinebury ‘18

It is evident that whether you are a current student, faculty member, or alumni, the spirit and philosophy that the charity of Christ urges us on is truly instilled within your core and carries with you long after your days of being a Crusader are completed.

Whether printed on papers, read in prayer, or painted on walls, every day, the Bishop Eustace community is reminded that "the charity of Christ urges us on.” Never has this been more prominent or palpable as the last semester presented phenomenal numbers of donations and the sheer goodwill and generosity of our students, families, faculty, and alumni.

This philanthropy and altruism were especially evident in the Thanksgiving Meal Drive and the Giving Tree Project, both coordinated by Mrs. Jen LaRosa of Pallottine Ministry.

As a second semester senior, I consider myself well-versed in the service realm since I have served in a variety of outreaches.

However, the tradition of the Thanksgiving Meal Drive holds a special place in my heart because I have participated all four years, and I believe that this experience truly unifies the entire school community to begin the holiday season. While this past November was truly awe-inspiring in donation, participation, and efficiency, I cannot help but reflect on this project in the fall of 2014. There I was, a freshman who had just figured out what Crusader Hall was, stumbling into the cafeteria to find my peers

of all ages flitting around to each table sorting the different food categories, counting turkeys, and bagging meals. Father Nolan blessed the meals, then we loaded hundreds of bags and turkeys into the U-Haul vans that would transport the meals to the churches to be prepared for Thanksgiving. Both trucks were almost loaded, and the first van was about to depart-until it wouldn’t start. Eustace spirit emerged as the football team made an assembly line from the broken U-Haul onto the buses originally intended to transport people. All of the food was delivered on time to awaiting families. From this experience, I promised to devote myself to this project, as I witnessed the compassion and dedication inherent of the Eustace community. This is an experience that Mrs. LaRosa recognizes as “a whole picture of students, faculty, and alumni involvement” as over 60 students delivered the 300 donated meals that fed over 1,500 people for Thanksgiving. I believe that this anecdote captures the generosity, spirit, and unity of Bishop Eustace Pallottine Ministry, and in the past four years, specifically this past semester, this legacy has continued.

The Giving Tree Project is unique since it is presented during a prayer service every year and is completely optional to every student. There are a variety of ways to donate, whether you choose a gift card for a teen or a toy for a certain age group.

For Christmas of 2017, 100% of the student body donated at least one gift to Guadalupe Family Services, who received over 500 gifts and $3,000 in gift cards. At Bishop Eustace, giving is not something that is thought to be an inconvenience or obligation, but rather an innate response when told of need.

It is evident that whether you are a current student, faculty member, or alumni, the spirit and philosophy that the charity of Christ urges us on is truly instilled within your core and carries with you long after your days of being a Crusader are completed.

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"We sing. We hear. We play. We feel."

THE MELODY OF EUSTACE

By Veronica Lucian ‘18

There’s a certain irony to performing on stage. The selections we’ve been preparing for months are meant for the audience, but the lights shine so bright that when we look out for familiar faces, all we see is dark. The choruses our voices sing and the sounds our instruments play reverberate off of the walls in a surrounding blanket of melody. We sing. We hear. We play. We feel. And so really, it isn’t a performance. It’s a sharing, our invitation to enter into our magical world of music.

Our last Christmas concert balanced a mix of old and new, ranging from the classics “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” to the modern favorite Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The strangest piece? Straight No Chaser’s rendition of “12 Days of Christmas,” a chaotic medley of “12 Days,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Deck the Halls,” and Toto’s “Africa.” Talk about an interesting combination. Talk about magic!

As the school year draws to a close, we will all share in one more concert. The spring concert is always bittersweet because it BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

marks the seniors’ farewell. There will be relief that, finally, all the practice is over. Music homerooms take no prisoners. But then the senior songs will come, and tears will start to slip. Ms. Weir will be wearing her spring concert uniform: pink sequined blouse and black pencil skirt. Mr. Wessner will be conducting with his baton. We’ll stare out into the black, the lights shining on us, and make music.

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James (14), Chris ‘87, Luke ‘18, Jen, Ryan ‘19, Noah (11)

A CALL TO SERVICE

By Luke LaRosa ‘18

Legacies are not just based on several generations of people who follow in each other's footsteps, but rather they are links started by one individual.

It may be a cliché that we are products of the environment in which we grow but it is true in my life. My parents have always displayed selfless personalities, no matter where they are. They taught my brothers and me what it means to serve others, whether it be going to shovel our neighbor’s sidewalk on a cold, snowy day, or spending hours at Cathedral Kitchen serving hot meals to those in need. Their service-oriented personalities originated back before they entered their respective high schools. My mother, Jennifer LaRosa, a graduate of Camden Catholic, loved helping others in any way she could, from soup kitchens to even helping my uncle in

St. Mary’s rectory. After high school, she and my grandmother helped gut houses after the floods on the Mississippi River in 1993.

My father, Christopher LaRosa ‘87, thrived in service-oriented events during his four years at Bishop Eustace. My dad always told me, “If you do not choose to do something right, then there is no reason for you to do it at all.” This was his mentality throughout high school. His academics were the focal point, but he used his free time in between the notebooks and lab reports helping others and doing what he loves, playing music. He participated in numerous retreats during his four years, aiding our family friend Ms. Mary Jane Sylvia

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11 with all of the youth ministry works and events.

My parents’ love for helping others went from a hobby to a profession. My dad cares for countless individuals in the area who suffer from foot and ankle injuries. He knew he always wanted to help others, and becoming a doctor has allowed him to make a difference in the health of every person he meets. My mom’s work as the Pallottine Ministry Director has been life-changing for not only her but also the rest of the student body and Bishop Eustace community. The countless service opportunities and enthusiasm my mom has for helping others radiates through each and every student, making each person want to lend a hand and make a difference.

These two individuals, whom I am fortunate to call my parents, put the needs of others before their own. As parents, they have instilled these values in me and my three brothers. Whether it be my brothers helping out at their school’s day of service or our family running around picking up flags during a local veteran 5K, the service bug runs in our veins. No matter how big or how small, we try to make an impact on the way people live, and I have my parents to thank for teaching me the skills and life lessons to make a difference in the world around us. To some, it seems like a hassle, but to my family, it is a welcomed experience

Luke ’18 and mom, Jen

Chris ‘87 and Jen BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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COVER STORY

“Eustace’s commitment to community service nurtured a true sense of empathy and fostered my commitment to be of service to others.”

THE EUSTACE TRADITION

CONTINUES AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is the nation's first hospital devoted exclusively to the care of children. CHOP has been the birthplace of countless breakthroughs and dramatic firsts in pediatric medicine. Built on a foundation of delivering safe, high-quality, family-centered care, CHOP has improved pediatric healthcare and saved countless children’s lives. With strong academics and community service in their backgrounds, it is no surprise that so many Bishop Eustace Prep alumni and community members now serve within the CHOP family.

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Below is a list of the Eustace community members of whom we are aware that work at CHOP. • Kathleen (Linck) Monforto ’95 - Education Nurse Specialist • Susan (Benjamin) Phillips ’95 - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Clinical Nurse Expert • Heather (Mason) Kochanski ’99 - Registered Nurse • Gina (Matera) Carabelli ’05 - Emergency Department

Nurse Practitioner • Andrea Fanelli ’09 - PICU Clinical Nurse • Elizabeth Campanella ’10 - Registered Nurse • Sarah Etedali ’10 - PICU Registered Nurse • Jena McGraw ’10 - Cardiac Care Unit Registered Nurse • Ashley Moreton ’10 - Registered Nurse • Ariana Faichtyger ’11 - Registered Nurse • Lauren Mooney ’12 - Registered Nurse on Medical

Hospitalist Team • Corinne Larkin ’13 - Pulmonary Medical Unit

Registered Nurse • Bobbiann Milicia (wife of Mr. Angelo Milicia ’95,

Head of School) - Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Sarah (Leavy) Ardire (Former Eustace school nurse

2012 - 2015) - PICU Clinical Nurse Expert • Denise Gruccio-Paolucci (current parent and Parents’

Association Executive Board member) - Nurse Practitioner,

Diagnostic and Research Growth Center/WINGS Program and Division of Endocrinology/Diabetes.

When talking to our alumni about how Bishop Eustace Prep prepared them for their profession in the medical field, there was a diverse sampling of responses.

Kathleen learned her sense of ambition through playing sports at Eustace. “Being a student-athlete, I learned to stay focused and motivated, set goals for myself, and develop a plan to attain them.”

Susan felt as though the time management skills she developed at Eustace help her tremendously at work. “My job can be extremely fast-paced and demanding. You need to be able to quickly prioritize, delegate and manage multiple demands to help ensure the best possible outcome.”

The community service requirements at Eustace helped guide Gina and Sarah E. to pursue their careers in medicine.

“Eustace’s commitment to community service nurtured a true sense of empathy and fostered my commitment to be of service to others,” says Gina.

Similarly, Sarah E. says, “The large focus on service at Eustace helped me to realize I wanted to pursue a career in nursing and help those in need.”

Eustace’s unique courses, especially Anatomy and Physiology, opened Andrea and Jena’s eyes to a potential career in medicine.

“I will never forget, it was Mr. Milicia’s Anatomy class that sparked my interest in pursuing a career in the medical field,” says Andrea.

“Taking honors level math classes and the ability to choose my science courses, Anatomy in particular, helped me form academic habits to succeed in nursing school and pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse),” BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

says Jena.

Lauren and Corinne thank their teachers at Eustace for the constant support and teaching them that asking questions is the number one way to learn.

“I learned the importance of approaching college for help when I needed it because my teachers at Eustace were always so willing to support me in whatever way they could,” says Lauren.

“While at Eustace, it was always important to reach out to my teachers when I had questions or needed guidance and collaborate with other students. At CHOP, it is integral that I know how and when to ask for help when I need it; I’m a member of a team at my job, and I can’t do everything on my own and need to be comfortable asking questions when there’s something I don’t know,” says Corinne.

If it’s not coincidence enough that so many people from the Eustace community work at CHOP, some of them work and even live in close proximity. Susan, Andrea and Sarah E. work together in the PICU. Susan realized the connection with Sarah reading the last issue of the Tradition! Sarah E. and Jena are best friends and roommates in Philadelphia. They are also friends with Gina through her brother, Nick, who also graduated from Eustace in 2010. Gina and Andrea are very close family friends. Lauren works directly with Bobbiann while Susan and Kathleen recently started working together on a hospital-wide tactic to bring more evidence-based practice to the bedside.

Do you also work at Chop? Let us know your story at @bishopeustace or advancement@eustace.org!

Susan (Benjamin) Phillips ’95, Jena McGraw ’10 and Sarah Etedali ’10 TRADITION WINTER 2018

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COVER STORY

WHAT'S NEXT?

By Rachel Sobocinski ‘21

As a freshman, it is always helpful to get advice and learn from others’ experiences, to help myself and others in the next four years of our lives.

I was able to interview Ryan Ferdinand ’18 and listen to his opinions and advice.

Rachel: From the four years you’ve been here, what are the biggest memories you take from the experience?

Ryan: I am ready and prepared for college, in all aspects of school. In addition to focusing on academics, join clubs and become part of the Eustace community socially and through service.

Rachel: What piece of advice would you give to a freshman to use in their four years?

Ryan: Try to avoid as many distractions as possible, by not getting caught up in the unneeded drama. Focus on your academics while you are here and it will benefit you later in life.

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15 Rachel: What has been the hardest year?

Rachel: What’s the best way to study?

Ryan: The spring of my junior year because it is the point in your high school career where your grades are probably the most important because you will be applying to colleges and you will most likely have just taken your SATs. It is also a time to begin researching and visiting colleges.

Ryan: The best way to study is to take good notes and try to understand the highest level of complexity in the subject and then you will know that you understand it well. Even if a homework assignment is not assigned, it is always good to get extra practice and studying in.

Rachel: How important are extracurricular activities?

Rachel: Which is worse, first semester or final exams?

Ryan: Extracurricular activities are very important. They allow you to experience new people and ideas and you are able to use your experiences in college and even in life. They allow you to be social but also let you do something that benefits yourself and gives you a bigger perspective of school.

Ryan: First semester because they consist of more specific material than finals. Finals cover more material; therefore, the material is more general.

Rachel: What’s the best way to be successful throughout high school? His response is one that is very important because I have heard this multiple times from my teachers.

Ryan: Time management is the best way to success because it is always better to get something done ahead of time than to wait until the last minute, when you cram with so many other assignments and projects. It is also helpful to plan what you are doing and when you are doing it. This helps you to become organized and will help you in your high school career.

Rachel: What has influenced you the most?

Ryan: Faith has influenced me and kept me focused. It also helps that we have school masses, where the whole school can come together and celebrate our faith.

Rachel: If you could redo one thing, what would it be?

Ryan: I wish I had done my college essays earlier; especially with so many different essays, it’s hard to do them all.

“Faith has influenced me and kept me focused."

Receiving these answers and listening to Ryan has already helped me. I will definitely utilize the resources that are available to me, such as teachers, other students, extra help on my work, and learning to manage my time. Interviewing Ryan was a very good, eye-opening experience.

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Dr. Danielle Ponzio ‘03

Christina Ponzio-Guarino M.S.P.A. ‘07

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM

TO THE PATIENT ROOM

By Kristen Leen ‘12

For sisters Dr. Danielle Ponzio ’03 and Christina Ponzio-Guarino M.S.P.A. ’07, their time as Crusader student-athletes played an influential role in their decisions to pursue professions in health care.

Danielle’s participation on the Bishop Eustace soccer, ice hockey and inaugural rowing teams led her to become fascinated by the mechanics of the human body: performance, ecovery, and injury. After graduating from Bishop Eustace, Danielle attended Princeton University, where she was a

molecular biology major and a 4-year varsity lightweight women's rower. During her intensive medical training at Jefferson Medical College, Danielle continued to fulfill her passion for athletics by coaching the Eustace crew team. Danielle went on to complete her residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Rothman Institute at Thomas

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17 Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, and most recently, she completed a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

As the coach of the Bishop Eustace Crew team, it was important to Danielle that she reinforce the values of discipline, tenacity, leadership, and teamwork that were taught to her as a young rower at Eustace. During this time, Danielle “recognized and personally identified with the simple yet powerful impact of mobility on an individual’s physical and mental wellness,” which led her to pursue orthopedics.

As the youngest of the three Ponzio sisters to attend Bishop Eustace, Christina was also a member of the rowing and JV soccer teams. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Masters in Physician Assistant (PA) studies at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). As a PA student, Christina was drawn to dermatology because of the variety of patients and diagnoses and because she could relate to her patients.

Christina says that Bishop Eustace’s high regard for academics, athletics and community service “helped to mold me into the person I am today and directed me toward the line of work that I am in today.” She added, “Through both academics and athletics, I was taught the definition of hard work and resilience and to never give up on a dream you have.”

These days, you can find Christina working as a Physician Assistant at the Pennsylvania Centre for Dermatology in Philadelphia, where she sees patients with general dermatology needs. Danielle works as an orthopedic surgeon with the Rothman Institute in their Egg Harbor Township and Hammonton, New Jersey, offices, where she specializes in hip and knee joint replacements and also treats patients with traumatic injuries. Danielle and Christina stay active by running together and competing in marathons – Christina completed her 12th marathon in New York City in 2016, and Danielle ran her second Boston Marathon in 2017.

Mary ’05, Christina ’07 and Danielle ‘03

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 1977

1970s Reunion: In April 2017, the Class of 1977 held their 40th Class Reunion at The Taproom in Haddon Township, New Jersey.

Patricia Dorris-Crenny, CPA ’78 is an instructor of accounting and information systems at Villanova University's school of business. Her story on tax reform and tuition was recently published on The Hill, a top US political website.

1990s Stacy (Sherlock) Gordon ‘90 moved from Virginia to Fort Myers, Florida, in 2016. She is an Accounts Manager for Erickson's Drying Systems.

Her oldest son, Avery, is a junior at West Virginia University and will be deployed for the US Army in March 2018. Her oldest daughter, Emily, is married and expecting her second little girl. Her youngest daughter, Isabella, is 15 and is a student at the Center for the Arts in Fort Myers.

Luke Christopher Esposito Kate Shindle ’94, who was Miss America in 1998, has joined The Miss America Organization’s board of directors.

Married: Katie Barnhart '95 married Michael Bailleux on Saturday, April 23, 2016. They were married at Garden House at the Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Eustace alumni in attendance were Dan O'Brien '95, Darrah (Ritchie) O'Brien '98, Amanda (Barnhart) Dugan '94, Jillian Golan '95, Paul Barnhart '99, Nicole (Johnson) Pendergrass '95, Lisa Galliera '95, Ryan O'Mara '95, Jamie (Leonardi) Cozens '95 and Kate (Nickels) Boucher '95.

Katie Barnhart '95

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Birth: Kat Burke-Esposito ’99 and husband Chris, a son, Luke Christopher, born October 20, 2017. He entered the world at 8 lbs., 4 ozs. and 21 3/4 in. long. Luke is Kat and Chris’ fourth son!

2000s

Marianna (Perri) Jaffe ’01 Marianna (Perri) Jaffe ’01 and husband Doug recently christened their second child, Michael Joseph. Eustace alumni in attendance were Ashly (Capalbo) Terlizzi ’01, Joanna Nicodemo ’02, Pete Mauro ’88, Maria Elena Nicodemo ’10 and Victoria (Nicodemo) Walsh ’03.

The couple also has a two-year-old daughter, Adrianna Rose.

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Janine Andrayo ’03 & Andrew Fallon ’03

Class of 2002 Reunion: In November 2017, the Class of 2002 held their 15th Class Reunion at Ladder Fifteen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Married: Barbara Angelino ’03 to Shawn Mahoney on Saturday, September 9, 2017. They were married at Saint Augustine Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the reception was held at National Museum of American Jewish History also in Philadelphia. Francesca Spadafora ’03 was in attendance.

Pennsylvania. There were over 40 Eustace alumni in attendance including bridesmaids Lauren Burd '06, Diana Eckert '06, Elena Piperno '06, Ashley Kerr '06, Cara DiBruno '06 and Annie Taft '06, and groomsmen Donnie Browne '92 and Frank Browne '94.

Steven Browne’04 & Eve Vitale ’06

Barbara Angelino ’03 Married: Steven Browne’04 to Eve Vitale ’06 on Friday, October 6, 2017. They were married at the Bishop Eustace Prep Chapel and the reception was held at Vie in Philadelphia, BISHOP EUSTACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Married: Janine Andrayo ’03 to Andrew Fallon ’03 on Saturday, December 30, 2017. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Avalon, New Jersey, and the reception was held at Avalon Yacht Club. Eustace alumni in attendance were John Fallon '89, Eileen Wixted '03, John Nauss '03, Brian Andrayo '96, Tiffany Andrayo '97, Jessica Campbell '03, Courtney Gilham '03, Meghan Schulte '03, Blair Troiano '02, George Papanier '03, Jeff Long '03, Tom Schantz '03 and Dan Faller '03.

Karl Eversmeyer ’04 recently celebrated his company, Karl's Auto Detailing’s, the 13 year anniversary of his company. He also recently established a new firm, The HR Screen.

He and his wife, Krystin, have a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.

Married: Steve Sieracki ’05 to Jackie Reilly on Saturday, December 16, 2017. They were married at Christ the King Church in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and the reception was held at Tavistock Country Club also in Haddonfield. Eustace alumni in attendance were Dan Sieracki ‘08, Bob Hennefer ‘02, Lou Tumolo ‘05, Bob DeLuca ‘05, Danielle DeLuca ‘08, Gina (Matera) Carabelli ‘05, Leah Furey ‘08, Chris DiArenzo ‘08, Dante Oriente ‘08, Anthony Astorga ‘08, Matt Vogel ‘08, Erin Logue ’12, Anthony Maugeri ’05 and Mike O’Keefe ‘05.

Steve Sieracki ’05 TRADITION WINTER 2018

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2000s

cont'd

Married: David Ardire ’06 to Sarah Leavey on Saturday, June 24, 2017. They were married at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and the reception was held at Vie in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Eustace alumni in attendance were Carmela (Rosolia) Ardire '78, Andrew Ardire '09, Julianna Ardire '12, Steven Ardire '16, Michelle Carrie '16, Patricia Giordano '78, Lawrence Giordano '70, Thomas Giordano '75, Janice Panchella '78, Joe Panchella '78, Laura Classick '07, David Moffa '06, Mike Weber ' 06, Chudi Obianwu '06, Anthony Mallamaci ' 06, Henry Kramarski '06, Drew Heinold '06, Joseph DiPace '06, Andrew McKenna ‘06, Jacqueline Sapio '06, Shannon (Allen) Drew '06, Rachael (Tocco) Gruber '06 and Jessica Jamrogowicz '06. Mrs. Sally Leavey, Sarah’s mother, is the current school nurse at Eustace.

Class of 2007 Reunion: In November 2017, the Class of 2007 held their 10th Class Reunion at Paradiso in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Married: Rosemarie Fanelle ’07 to Rob Johnson ’07 on Saturday, October 7, 2017. They were married at Church of the Incarnation in Mantua, New Jersey, and the reception was held at her parents’ house in Sewell, New Jersey. Eustace alumni in attendance were Donato Fanelle '09, Lauren Johnson '05, Rachael (Vizzi) McHugh '07, Meredith (Lowry) Press '07 and Lyn Vizzi '78.

Married: Jen Lance ’07 to Tyler Sikorski on Friday, December 1, 2017.

They were married at Iberostar in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Rosemarie Fanelle ’07 & Rob Johnson ’07 Birth: Rachael (Vizzi) McHugh ‘07 and husband John, twin boys, John George and Paul Anthony, born on December 19, 2017. John entered the world at 5 lbs., 9 ozs and 19 in. long and Paul was born two minutes later at 5 lbs., 12 ozs and 19.24 in. long. Big sister, Amelia, is two-years-old and thrilled to have two new little brothers.

.

David Ardire ’06

Jen Lance ’07

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2010s Birth: Alyssa (Badolato) Bruno ’10 and husband Chris, a son, John Anthony, born on January 18, 2018.

John entered the world at 7 lbs., 15 ozs and 20.5 in. long. The family lives in Moorestown, New Jersey.

McHugh Twins

Married: Erica McCabe ’08 to Gerald Furniss on Saturday, October 14, 2017. They were married at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and the reception was held at Camden County Boathouse in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Jenna (DeMareo) Freeling ’08 was in attendance.

Erica McCabe ’08

Jeff Savio ’08 was recently promoted to Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where he works in the Investment Management Division. Previously, he joined Goldman Sachs in 2012 as an analyst focusing on strategic finance projects with the firm’s Corporate Treasury team. Jeff graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Villanova University School of Business in 2012 and was the recipient of the University's distinguished Bartley Medallion in International Business. He currently resides in Manhattan.

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Dickstein ’10, Rory McTear ’09, Megan Comunale ’10, Melanie Magras ’12, Lieutenant Matthew Bozzi ’10, Hannah Hoag ’12, Dan Magras, ’15 and Officer Ryan Collins ’10.

Kevin Cardillo ’11 currently oversees Corporate Brand Marketing Partnerships for the Philadelphia Flyers.

He plans to begin graduate school towards his MBA this year.

John Anthony Bruno Married: Lindsay Dymowksi ‘10 to Nick Constantino on Saturday, November 4, 2017. They were married at Christ Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the reception was held at Ben Franklin Ballroom, also in Philadelphia. Eustace alumni in attendance were Joe Dymowski ’14, Eddie Magras ’10, Dylan Myers ’10, John Biancaniello ’14, Jessica Germain ’14, Jannah Baroody ’10, Albena Cipolone ’10, Janna

Class of 2012 Reunion: In November 2017, the Class of 2012 held their 5th Class Reunion at Tavern on Broad in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lindsay Dymowksi ‘10 TRADITION WINTER 2018

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Mitchell Larson ’12 & Alexandria Morris ’12

2010s

cont'd

Mitchell Larson ’12 and Alexandria Morris ’12 were engaged in December 2017 on the Bishop Eustace Prep campus where they met and started dating eight years ago.

The couple is planning for a spring 2019 wedding. Mitchell is currently working as a Communications Associate in Admissions at Rutgers University Camden while also working towards his Masters degree there.

Alexandria is currently working as a Behavior Analyst/Therapist and will sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam this winter. Mitchell’s and Alexandra’s moms are both also Eustace alumni, Marie (Christinziano) Larson ‘79 and Judy (Schoeffling) Morris ‘86.

Vince Larson ’12 recently moved to Manhattan and is working as an Assistant Production Coordinator for National Geographic Studios on a new show Chain of Command.

Caitlin Golden ’15 was named NEAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year for her great work at Penn State University Berks.

Reunion: In November 2017, the Class of 2017 got together on the Eustace campus for their senior yearbook signing.

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@bishopeustace

Class of 2017

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23

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bishop Eustace Prep Alumni March Madness Giving Challenge March 1 - April 6, 2018

Visit eustace.org for more info!

Bishop Eustace Prep’s 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament Monday, May 21, 2018

The Crusader Fund

The Charity of Christ Urges Us On!

For Today’s STUDENTS. For Tomorrow’s LEADERS. Help Support the Crusader Fund.

MAKE AN IMPACT. There are 583 outstanding young men and women enrolled at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School.

More than

40% of them receive financial assistance, and every single 1 of them is a reason to give to this year’s Crusader Fund.

Visit www.eustace.org/giveonline to make your impact today. THANK YOU.

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Bishop Eustace Preparatory School Office of Institutional Advancement 5552 Route 70, Pennsauken, NJ 08109 - 4798 www.eustace.org

GUIDED BY TRADITION...

SEEKING NEW PATHS,

DISCOVER YOURS Visit eustace.org/admissions