Bishop Grimes Magazine: Vision | Spring 2022

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SPRING 2022

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Vision WELCOME HOME

A CLASS ABOVE THE REST

BG Homecoming Weekend draws largest on campus crowd in school history | 2-3

Grimes community gathers for the 52nd annual Commencement Exercises | 7

ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT DONNA DITOTA '79

Player to Pioneer: Ditto named New York Sportswriter of the Year| 14-15

BISHOP GRIMES

CONTENTS 2-3

A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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WELCOME HOME

Bishop Grimes Homecoming draws largest on campus crowd in school history.

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A CLASS ABOVE THE REST: CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATION

The Bishop Grimes community gathered on June 12 at the 52nd Commencement Ceremony, honoring the graduates of the Class of 2021.

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BISHOP JAMES MOYNIHAN PRO-VITA AWARD RECIPIENTS

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NANCY J. TOSCANO LEARNING CENTER The Nancy J. Toscano Learning Center will service Bishop Grimes students, faculty and staff for years to come and will allow for both professional and peer-to-peer tutoring.

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EDUCATOR. COACH. VOLUNTEER.

Cifonelli recognized with Section III Service Award.

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PLAYER TO PIONEER: ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Alumna Donna Ditota '79 named New York Sportswriter of the Year.

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COBRAS WHO COOK CULINARY PROGRAM

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INTRODUCING WHY BG

A video series where we sit down with BG Community members from the last 50+ years to reflect on their time at Bishop Grimes.

8 NANCY J. TOSCANO LEARNING CENTER

Set to open Spring 2022.

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SHREK THE MUSICAL

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COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS

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THE NEW BG APP: TRANSFORMING THE WAY GRIMES COMMUNICATES

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A Class Above the Rest Class of 2021 Graduation GRIMES COMMUNITY GATHERS FOR THE 52ND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

The Bishop Grimes community gathered on June 12 at the 52nd Commencement Ceremony, honoring the graduates of the Class of 2021.

During her first Commencement Ceremony as Principal, Allyson Headd ‘08 addressed the graduates saying, "Through unprecedented circumstances and challenges, the Class of 2021 forged ahead. We, as the BG community, could not be more proud of your accomplishments both in and out of the classroom."

Returning to Bishop Grimes was commencement speaker, and Class of 1980 graduate, Tom Kenny. Kenny is widely known for his 20+ year portrayal of the title character on the hit animated show “SpongeBob SquarePants”. He has worked extensively as a voice actor in commercials, video games, cartoons, including, “Powerpuff Girls”, “Adventure Time”, “Rick and Morty” and “CatDog”. His work has been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including multiple Emmy Awards and a 2018 Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for SpongeBob. Bishop Grimes also recognized the accomplishments of last year's Valedictorian, Noelle Card and Salutatorian, Sarah Falgiatano. Each addressed their classmates with powerful messages of perseverance through unprecedented times, and offered words of encouragement for future endeavors.

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BISHOP GRIMES MAGAZINE

MEET THE VALEDICTORIAN NOELLE CARD

College Decision: University of Toronto Plans to Study: Chemical Engineering Activities/Clubs/Teams: I was a member of the select choir, National Honor Society, International Club, French Honor Society, and Student Council Service & Volunteer: Brewerton Community Food Pantry Describe your Bishop Grimes Experience...

"I enjoyed the personalized Education experience, the small classes, and the one-on-one attention we get from our teachers. That along with the ability to take advanced classes and made this experience memorable."

What message would you give to your 8th grade self looking back?

"Make sure you focus on doing the things that are most important to you."

MEET THE SALUTATORIAN SARAH FALGIATANO

College Decision: Siena College Plans to Study: Political Science & 3+2 Program with Albany Law School Activities/Clubs/Teams: During my time at BG I played basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and golf. I was a member of the National and Junior Honor Society, along with the Spanish, English, Social Studies, Math and Science Honor Societies.

Service and Volunteer: St. Francis House, We Care for Delaware, BG Student Tour Guide Describe your Bishop Grimes experience...

"I loved the small community that Bishop Grimes is. You get to know everyone on a personal level, it's like being a part of a family. I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for the help of my teachers, parents, and family."

What message would you give to your 7th grade class looking back?

"Don't rush your time at Bishop Grimes, before you know it you'll be preparing for graduation. Work hard, dream big, and enjoy every moment."

On the next page you will find a complete list of our graduating seniors, and the College they will be attending next year.

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NAME Julia Avery Matthew Brancato Junjie Cai Noelle Card Sam Chen Olivia Coppola Eleanor DeChick Devon DeSiro-Camber Marin DiTullio Alivia Duchano Jaiden Eallonardo Nader Elturk Alexis Emmi Sarah Falgiatano Kang Fan Deddeh Fasama Isabella Ferrante Robert Finger III Conner Frigon Jacob Fritz Matthew Fuller Joseph Gadway Robert Gilbert 8 |

COLLEGE ATTENDING SUNY Geneseo Oswego State Miami University University of Toronto University of Arizona Nazareth College Fashion Institute of Technology Onondaga Community College Marist College St. John Fisher College SUNY Cortland Le Moyne College St. John Fisher College Siena College Green River College Nazareth College Onondaga Community College SUNY ESF Onondaga Community College SUNY Morrisville Le Moyne College SUNY Polytechnic Institute St. John Fisher College

BISHOP GRIMES MAGAZINE

NAME Jack Gutchess Anisa Holder Zixin Ju Alicia Kelly Isabelle Kinsey Emma Maher Samuel Mathewson Giovanna Miller Alexander Mueller Seth Murphy Leah Perry Andrew Rabbia Isaiah Rosado Reachny San Matthew Santy J’Naia Stepp Abigail Tweedale Zijin Wang Alexander Williams Ruoyuan Wu Jiesen Zhang Junru Zheng

COLLEGE ATTENDING St. John Fisher College Onondaga Community College Gonzaga University University at Albany The New School Le Moyne College Employment BOCES Adult Education (Cosmo.)

Le Moyne College Mohawk Valley Community College Penn State University Clarkson University Le Moyne College Onondaga Community College St. John Fisher College Niagara University University of New Haven New York University SUNY Oswego Santa Monica Community College University of California San Diego Mount Holyoke College

BISHOP JAMES MOYNIHAN Pro-Vita Award Recipients Honored From Bishop Grimes

MASS FOR LIFE WITH BISHOP LUCIA A pair of Bishop Grimes students, senior Abby Docos and senior Herman Von Hassel, were selected as recipients of the Bishop James Moynihan Pro-Vita Award during the annual Mass For Life with Bishop Lucia, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in October.

Bishop Moynihan was dedicated to building a Culture of Life, promoting Vocations, and strengthening Catholic Schools. The Pro-Vita Award seeks to honor his legacy by granting four scholarships to high school seniors in the Syracuse Diocese.

Securing half the awards, Bishop Grimes was the only diocesan high school to have multiple scholarship winners. Recipients were selected based on either a video, essay, music, picture, or art submission. The scholarships are to be applied towards each student's college tuition.

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Nancy J. Toscano LEARNING CENTER SET TO OPEN IN SPRING 2022

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n memoriam of the passing of longtime educator and integral part of the Bishop

Grimes community, Nancy J. Toscano last year, Bishop Grimes announced their plans for a newly dedicated learning and tutoring center in her name. A generous lead gift made by her husband of 43 years, Anthony Toscano, and daughter Kristen Toscano provided Bishop Grimes with the initial funding to begin this project.

Anthony Toscano shared his thoughts on the new Learning Center, “Learning doesn't end when you leave the classroom.

The education students receive is a giant step towards success, and every day thereafter provides opportunity to expand one's knowledge.”

The Nancy J. Toscano Learning Center will service Bishop Grimes students, faculty and staff for years to come and will allow for both professional and peer-to-peer tutoring.

Renovation plans included modern, collaborative furniture, creative learning spaces, signage, and painting of the school's current library and adjacent computer lab. The space will include cutting edge technology, to further accentuate the new 1:1 Apple platform throughout the school, aligning with the Bishop Grimes Vision. In addition, a newly created student lounge has been added to the second floor, adjacent to the BGTV studio.

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Principal Allyson Headd shared, “Mrs. Toscano was a

She retired after 45 years with the Roman Catholic Diocese

favorite teacher of mine, and many other students she

of Syracuse. For many years, she enjoyed her travels to

taught at Bishop Grimes and at the other diocesan schools

Russia, France, Great Britain and Germany with her

she served. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity

husband, relatives, friends and faculty from Bishop Grimes.

to know and learn from a woman like her. She was more than an educator; she was a coach, mentor, administrator,

The final stages of development are underway, as Bishop

and avid supporter of her students outside of her

Grimes is planning a dedication ceremony and opening of

classroom. We are so grateful for her family for making this

the newly created space to students, faculty and staff in

gift to our school. This learning center will only further

the Spring of 2022.

accent her legacy in continued support of the Bishop Grimes students and community she loved so much.”

If you, or anyone you know, would like to make a Nancy dedicated nearly 20+ years of service to the Bishop

contribution in memoriam of Nancy Toscano in support

Grimes community as a Global Studies and AP History

of The Nancy J. Toscano Learning Center, Click Here.

teacher. She was an avid follower of the Bishop Grimes boys and girls basketball teams and the Music and Arts programs.

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“I am very humbled to have been recognized

“Being the Girls Basketball Coach at Bishop

for the Section Three Service Award,”

Grimes has been one of the things I have

Cifonelli says. “ I have viewed all of the

been most proud of and I have always felt

volunteer work that I have done for the

a tremendous responsibility to do all I can

Section and OHSL as something that needs

for our school’s image,” said Cifonelli.

to be done for our student-athletes. To

“Hearing the name ‘Bishop Grimes’

receive this honor is a tremendous reminder

attached to my name in any of the

that it really does matter to a lot of people.”

positions I volunteer for has meant a lot. I know that our school is being represented in a positive light, and I feel I am helping

The Section III Athletics Service Award is presented by the Executive Committee to volunteers whom they believe have contributed the most to the success of our athletic and edu-

my student-athletes realize the importance of community service.”

cational programs during this past school year. “It is truly an honor to be selected for this award; it speaks highly about how well our association perceives contributions and dedication from our volunteers” said Executive Director

During his decorated career, Cifonelli has served on the

John Rathbun.

Section Three Girls Basketball committee for nearly two decades and has been the Section III Assistant Chairman for

After coaching one season with the JV Girls Basketball team,

the past 12 years. He has also been the OHSL Girls Basket-

Cifionelli has been the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach for the

ball Chairman for 12 years and represents Section III as a

past 22 seasons and has recorded exactly 350 wins during

representative Board Member for the Basketball Coaches

that time frame. In addition, Cifonelli has won 11 league

Association of NY and as a Board Member for the More

titles and one sectional title, advancing to the Regional Final

Than A Game Foundation, helping to organize fundraising

in 2009. He also stands alone with the most Sectional

events which raise money for Golisano Children’s Hospital

Championship game appearances with six.

and the Upstate Cancer Center.

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DONNA DITOTA ‘79 PLAYER TO PIONEER; DITOTA ‘79 NAMED NEW YORK SPORTSWRITER OF THE YEAR

ALUMNA DONNA DITOTA ‘79, who has covered sports in Syracuse, NY for more than 36 years, was recently named a co-New York Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

She becomes the first female from New York to win the award since its inception in 1959, and only the third writer to win from Upstate NY.

Ditota began her career in Syracuse working for the Herald-Journal in 1986. Since then she has worked for the CNY Business Review, The Post-Standard, Syracuse University as an adjunct professor of sports reporting, and currently serves as the sports writer for the Syracuse Media Group covering Syracuse University men’s basketball.

Known for her impactful feature stories, and love for basketball, Ditota has spent the majority of her time in Syracuse covering the men’s basketball team but has also covered lacrosse, football and more. In addition to her outstanding coverage of Syracuse sports, Ditota has been an advocate of women's sports both on a national stage and here in CNY. During her time at Bishop Grimes Ditota was a multi-sport athlete who achieved all-league honors for the Girls Basketball team in 1979. She was also a contributing member of the 1978 O.H.S.L. Championship team. Her talent on the court earned her a scholarship to St. Bonaventure University to play basketball.

In 2018, Ditota was welcomed back to BG for her induction into the Bishop Grimes Athletics Hall of Fame.

Other members of the 2018 Class included John Button ‘70, and the 1987 Girls Basketball team.

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Cobras Who Cook Culinary Program During the first semester, Bishop Grimes announced a new opportunity for our high school students interested in exploring a career in the culinary arts. The program, funded by a grant opportunity through Berkshire Bank and the diocesan partnership with the Cabrini Health, affords BG students the oppor-tunity to work side by side with a professional chef.

Through the Berkshire Bank program, Bishop Grimes will become the only private high school in Central New York to offer a professional culinary program to its students.

"We are extremely excited for our students," said Principal Allyson Headd '08. "Providing the opportunity of an exclusive program like this, only expands what we are able to offer Bishop Grimes students both in and out of the classroom."

The program consisted of a fall 2021 and will feature a spring 2022 cohort. Each cohort will include eight students and a professional chef. The sessions span over a month and teach basic culinary skills including proper selection and use of cooking utensils, knife skills, and different cooking methods.

Each participant of the program will be given a scholarship for the Servsafe Food Handler online certification course to complete at the conclusion of the session.

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COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS

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CLICK TO LEARN MORE

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COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS

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CLICK TO LEARN MORE

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