Presidents Report Spring 2017

PRESIDENT’S REPORT SPRING 2017

BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

FROM THE President

I

want to give you a review of the goings on here at Loughlin. As you read this update we will be approaching the Feast of the Ascension and the end of the Easter season.

At this time of year, I am mindful of a scripture passage that reminds us “if the Lord

doesn’t build the house, the builders labor in vain.” Loughlin continues to build on rock.

We began Lent with the distribution of ashes and ended with the celebration of Easter Liturgies at the end of April.

Our freshmen look forward to their upcoming retreat day. Our recent morning prayer was a novena leading up to the memorial of the death of St. John Baptist De La Salle on April 7. We celebrated the feast with another Lasallian school, St. Joseph Collegiate, Buffalo, whose “swing music” chorus performed at an all-school assembly. These are the elements that support our tradition and buttress our convictions.

The fact that part of our structure is wrapped with scaffolding might suggest an interest in building as well. The work has proven more extensive than planned, but such is the case for an older structure largely untended. When complete it will stand strong for another 86 years! This update will share all the wonderful things that happen under our roof and some that happen beyond our walls. As you read the material, you will sense that this pride of lions has much to roar about. Know that I am grateful for your support of mission. Be proud of what you do to sustain and strengthen it.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Sincerely, Bro. Dennis Cronin, FSC

The Loughlin Report Science and Engineering The first year of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has been an excellent addition to our college prep curriculum. All 140 students PLTW is the largest in the program will be taking recognized STEM the online finals from PLTW. education nonprofit The new Engineering and organization in the U.S. Biomedical Science lab spaces are outstanding, and prospective parents have been impressed after visiting them. We are very proud of this year’s accomplishments.

We now have six teachers trained to teach PLTW courses which will allow the school to expand the program. In the Engineering track, we will offer two additional courses, The Principles of Engineering and Environmental Sustainability. In the Biomedical track, we will add the Human Body Systems course. Grade level assemblies have informed students of our PLTW course offerings. We will also continue to explore ways to implement the “Gateway” program next year—a program is for highly motivated eighth graders to prepare them for the engineering track of PLTW at Loughlin.

Cornell-Weill Youth Scholars Program Shanice Ogaldez ’17, Olive Andries ’18, Jayla Rose ’18, and Destiny Nazaire ’19 (pictured above with Bro. Dennis) successfully completed the challenging Cornell-Weill Youth Scholars Program, an enrichment program for students with an interest in science and medicine. The curriculum included learning sessions and lectures from Cornell faculty on topics in medical ethics, organ systems biology, nutrition, infectious disease, embryology, disease pathogenesis, immunology, and chronic conditions.

2

Community Spirit! We are all in this together! → Each year at Loughlin, our students engage in a Penny Wars battle. A fight won only by generosity. Students, faculty, and staff donate spare change to support our brother school St. Mary’s in Kenya. Through this effort and others throughout the year, the school raised $15,000 last year and are on our way to surpassing $10,000 again this year. Bishop Loughlin is one of St. Mary’s largest financial supporters—making it possible to purchase computers, supplies, and help construct a new “dorm” for the juniors (180 homeless street children living at the school). We are very proud to come together and support our fellow Lasallian school in Kenya.

→ Although our updates are typically upbeat and we naturally highlight some of the wonderful things happening at the school— life is, of course, not always without challenges.

Over the Christmas holidays, a junior and her family had an electrical fire that caused significant damage forcing the family to stay in their car and a hotel for several days over the holidays. Their insurance company offered limited support and they waited weeks for resolution. Eventually they were permitted back into the home with limited electrical service and no kitchen. The living room and bedrooms were also badly damaged.

wonderful role model for our younger students. This family has struggled financially and the fire compounded their challenge. The Loughlin community came together and faculty and staff raised more than four thousand dollars to help the family. This is who we are.

Additionally, nine students and several or our faculty have suffered the loss of a parent this year. The Lasallian community rallied behind them and fellow students have been a pillar of support for one another. In times of tragedy we are always there for one another. This is just one of the less tangible, but no less important, school attributes that separate a Loughlin experience from others.

This junior is one of our best Lasallian Youth members, a member of the volleyball team, the House executive committee, and is on the Principal’s List (the good one). She is also enrolled in the arduous Arthur Ashe Health Science Academy and simply put, a

3

College Acceptances

→ The STEP dance team placed second in the Citywide Coed for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Step Overload competition!

Although a bit early, Bishop Loughlin has every reason to believe that our proud tradition of graduating 100% of our seniors with a Regents diploma and sending at least 97% to college will continue.

A sampling of the scholarships/grants our 2017 graduates have received: University of Connecticut Leadership Scholarship Cornell University Excellence Grant Hampton University Scholarship Hobart and William Smith Colleges Grant Hofstra University Provost Scholarship College of the Holy Cross Scholarship Johnson & Wales University Presidential Academic Scholarship Manhattan College Presidential Scholarship New York Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship New York University Stern Scholarship Quinnipiac University Dean’s Scholarship St. John’s University Catholic High School Scholarship and Hugh Carey Grant SUNY Polytechnic Institute Progressive Achievement Award University of Virginia AccessUVa Scholarship

→ This April, 11 students (a record number) were selected for the highly selective All-City Honors Chorus and Band after a lengthy application process including auditions in front of discerning judges. Congratulations to All-City Band members, seniors Capri Webster, Nicholas Lovell, Matthew Azmitia, and Joshua Jennings; and All-City Chorus members Brittany Mariano ’17, Ariel St. Louis ’18, Rhianna Crawford-Davis ’17, Dante Springer ’17, Faith Guthrie ’17, Kimberly Painson ’17, and Hayden Best ’18.

Enrollment The admissions season never ends. Our admissions team is hard at work bringing in the Class of 2021. We continue to plan and change as we travel down the road to 800 students. At Bishop Loughlin is the fifth largest Catholic High a time when so many schools are struggling with enrollment School in Brooklyn and limited program offerings, and Queens.

Loughlin continues to succeed.

We believe that every student in the area, seeking a college preparatory education with Catholic values, deserves to learn more about Loughlin.

THIS and THAT.... → Two performances of Annie in March were expertly produced and performed.

4

Athletics

relay trials, 300 meter trials, the 300 meter finals, and the 4x4 finals (both with personal bests) at the NY State Meet. D’Andre came in first place with a time of 34.3, and Brian came in second with a time of 34.8.

→ Congratulations to the VARSITY AA BASKETBALL TEAM on winning the nationally recognized Kreul tournament that place in Florida in December. After a season highly ranked (top ten in NY state), the team reached the semifinals in the Brooklyn/Queens championship. University of Cincinnati bound star Keith Williams ’17 passed the 1,000 point mark and was named “All-Brooklyn Player of the Year.” The Freshman Boys won the CHSAA City Championship for the second year in a row.

The varsity boys 4x4 team placed first with a time of 3:26.2 and advanced to the state meet. The boys 4x4 meter relay team finished fifth in the state, reaffirming our place as state championship contenders.

Our freshman girls Sprint Medley Relay Team also achieved great success and finished in first place with a time of 4:48.5. Superstar Adia Palmer ‘20 placed second in the 800 meter at the 43rd Annual Colgate Games final.

→ The GIRLS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM had a successful season.

They defeated Mary Louis Academy in the semifinals of the Brooklyn Queens GCHSAA—which took them to the City Championship game.

Congratulations to Senior Lynette Taitt (pictured here) who scored her 1,000th point against Christ the King.

She joins an elite group of Loughlin women which include, Adeola Olanrewaju ’00, Janele Henderson ’04, and Aliyah Alston ’12. Lynette received a full scholarship to Manhattan College and she will be attending in the fall of 2017.

→ It is official, the Lions RUGBY TEAM has begun its inaugural

season! Kudos to faculty member William Schell (who is also the PLTW Director and STEM Club moderator) for launching the program. Home matches are held at Inlet Field in Bushwick; we invite you to join us for a match.

→ On May 6, Loughlin inducted eight new members into the

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME. Congratulations to Shantile Blackburn ’05 (Track and Field), Olinka Crusoe ’05 (Track), Jeanette Toney ’05 (Volleyball, Track, and Softball), Terrance Watkins ’00 (Basketball), Lance Smith ’87 (Track and Field), William Harris ’64 (Water Polo and Swimming), Martin Mealey ’47 (Track and Field), and Jim Dorney (Administration). Ed Bowes ‘60 was awarded the Lionheart at the event recognizing many decades of excellence.

→ Our TRACK TEAM continues the great Loughlin legacy in the

sport. Juniors D’Andre Barriffe and Brian Strachn ran in the 4x4 5

BISHOP LOUGHLIN HAS A NEW Track and Field On Sunday, April 23, the school dedicated the George J. Cappiello ’62 Track and the Brian Connolly ’73 Field.

Both of these alumni have been instrumental to our recently completed and successful capital George J. Cappiello ’62 and Ed Bowes ’60. campaign, the Three Schools, One Foundation Campaign, and George has been the heartbeat of the Alumni Association for several decades. In fact, he led the first fundraising endeavor in support of a new track in the 1980s. George is also the founder of the Loughlin Foundation which supports Loughlin every year with funds for scholarship and capital projects.

Brian has been an enthusiastic friend and member of the Loughlin Board of Governors. Through the years, Mr. Connolly has supported students via his leadership positions within both Avon Products, Inc. and Advocare International, in addition to his personal support.

Renovating the School Yard has been a long-time passion for Brian and his vision was vital to the finished product.

Both have given generously of their time and treasure and we are extremely grateful for their many contributions to better our proud school.

Brian Connolly ’73 speaks to the crowd at the dedication.

6

Pamela Sloan, Esq. ’73, McD Receives the Lionheart Award

I

providing opportunity to the deserving young women who have earned the Bishop McDonnell Scholarship. Twentythree young women benefit from the scholarship this year which is funded by generous donors who graduated from Bishop’s and support Loughlin during the year.

n April, Bishop Loughlin honored Bishop McDonnell graduate Pamela Sloan, Esq. ’73 with the prestigious Lionheart Award. Pam is rated “AV” (the highest rating for both competence and ethics) and has been listed in the “Best The Justice Academy for Pamela Sloan ’73 (pictured left, and above, center) with (from left to right) Evani Polanco ’17, Arlene Niles Lawyers in America” ’17, Jaysalee Salcedo ’17, Amaris Ramos ’18, Courtney Smith ’18, and Taylor Grinage ’17 (Loughlin students Young Women is a twothat participated in the Justice Academy for Young Women at Fordham Law School last summer). week summer program (Woodward/White) since that introduces high 2003. Further, for more school women, that may not otherwise have a path, to careers in law. than a decade, Pam has been recognized in New York Super Lawyers Judges, law school professors, legal practitioners, and other law-related (Law & Politics) as one of NYC’s top 100 lawyers in all categories and positions donate their time and expertise in this program. The Justice as one of the City’s top 50 female lawyers.

A Board of Governors member since 2012, Pam is passionate about

Academy concludes with a trip to Washington, D.C. with visits to the U.S. Capitol Building and the Supreme Court of the U.S.