7 minute read
Alumni Q&A
Paying it Forward
Crespi is proud that ten alumni are teaching and serving the next generation of Celts. They can be found in the classroom, on the field, in counseling and administrative offices, and cheering students at extracurricular activities. The alumni share their unique perspective on their Crespi experiences, and why they decided to return to their alma mater.
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Once students, now teachers, 10 ALUMNI SHARE why they came back to Crespi.
Bryan Bennett ’10
l Alumni Relations Officer l Varsity Football, Offensive Coordinator EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Southeastern Louisiana University
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Beating Notre Dame for the Mission League Championship my sophomore year. Why did you return to Crespi? I have always appreciated what Crespi did for me during my time here and beyond. It is fulfilling to be back to help mold today’s young men just as my teachers and coaches did for me. What is most different? The Robinson Family Aquatics Center. What has remained the same? The smell of the locker room.
Brian Bilek ’98
l Director of Athletics l Architecture Teacher EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, University of California Berkeley
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? The moments between ... what I mean by that is while Kairos, the dances, the sporting events, etc. were all incredible, it was the time at lunch, or in the hallway before school, or on the buses to games where my lifelong friendships were made that I hold closest to my heart. Why did you return to Crespi? I wanted to give back to the school that gave me the opportunity to become the man I am today. What is most different? Going from a student to one of the veteran employees. What has remained the same? The culture of the Crespi brotherhood has never changed. As I watch today’s students, I can’t help but be transported back to the mid-90s when my classmates and I interacted the exact same way.
Montana Giffen ’14
l History Teacher l Head JV Lacrosse Coach EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in History, Arizona State University
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Winning the first-ever Mission League title for lacrosse in my junior year. Why did you return to Crespi? I love the environment. Helping to guide these boys to becoming Crespi Men is a beautiful thing. What is most different? Now all of the students have laptops and use eBooks which is amazing, and a lot more innovative. What has remained the same? The brotherhood aspect of attending an all-boys high school.
Mike Glendenning ’94
l Head Baseball Coach
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Playing intramural basketball at lunchtime in what is now the staff parking lot. Why did you return to Crespi? The culture of brotherhood I experienced as a student I now want to pass on to current Celts. What is most different? The dress code. We wore collared shirts daily and only wore Mass attire for the football Mass. What has remained the same? The genuine care each student has for his Crespi brothers.
John Hoyer ’02
l Class of 2024 Academic Counselor EDUCATION: Bachelor of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara. Master of Arts, Antioch University
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Going on Kairos with all my friends and teammates during fall semester of my senior year. It was a life-changing experience! Watching the news in Mr. Louis’ AP Government class on 9/11/2001 and discussing how this incident would change the world. Why did you return to Crespi? I’ve worked with many different populations in a therapeutic setting, but I’ve always enjoyed working with kids the most. I’ve always wanted to work in education, and to be able to give back to the community that gave so much to me is a blessing. What is most different? The athletic facilities here have definitely improved since 2002. When I was a student here we had a dirt track, a dirt field and no pool (except for the one on the roof of the gym).
WHEN STUDENTS BECOME THE TEACHERS
What has remained the same? Mr. Louis, Mr. Thornton, Mrs. Long, and Coach Garner
Justin Ibarra ’10
l Marketing Director
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Economics, California State University, Northridge
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Being a member of the 2009 soccer team with the most wins in Crespi’s history. That record still stands today. Why did you return to Crespi? I love the environment and helping the next generation of Celts have the same experience I had. What is most different? Great campus enhancements. What has remained the same? The student-teacher bond.
Andrew Moore ’01
l Head Varsity Basketball Coach l Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning Teacher
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Winning the 2001 CIF basketball championship. Why did you return to Crespi? To help develop Crespi Men. What is most different? The campus has changed dramatically. What has remained the same? The high quality of the people and the commitment to the mission have stayed constant.
Daniel Parlato ’03
l Grammar/Comp 1 and Honors Grammar/Comp 1 Teacher l Master Gurian Teacher l Assistant Water Polo Coach, Assistant Swim Coach EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, California State University, Northridge
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Beating Loyola in water polo my junior year. Why did you return to Crespi? I want to work in an environment that fostered the very same ideals and values that I believe make education a life-changing experience. What is most different? New buildings and the pool give the campus a very different look from when I was here as a student. What has remained the same? The student culture is still the same. It’s a great place to be.
Nick Santoro ’04
l English, Grammar Composition II Teacher l Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies, California State University, Northridge
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? It is hard to pinpoint just one! However, a few come to mind. First, the Kairos Retreat I attended with my Celt brothers was one of the best experiences I have had in my young adult life. Additionally, winning the 2003 CIF Championship with my teammates is something I will remember and cherish. Regardless, I keep thinking, it was the Friday night football games, dances, intramurals, other school activities, and day-to-day interaction that are some of the most memorable times for me. Why did you return to Crespi? Crespi was always my second home. Being that my dad attended Crespi (’74), I was always around and involved in the Crespi Family as I grew up. As I got older, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and a coach. So, when I went back to school to get my credential, I applied many places; however, I knew Crespi was where I belonged. I got a chance, made the best of it, and the rest is history! What is most different? One of the stark differences is the Fine Arts Building. Furthermore, with the luxury of students acquiring their own laptops at school, there is no rush to and from lockers between classes to get books as a majority of them are viewed electronically! What has remained the same? The same faces that I admired as a student, I now see through the lens of an adult as colleagues. Some of the people at Crespi have been here for decades! It is a true testament to our Crespi Family that those talented people are still around today.
Kevin Vollmer ’04
l Class of 2025 Academic Counselor l Assistant Track & Field Coach EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Physical Education, University of Redlands. Pursuing a Masters in Counseling with PPS Credential at California Lutheran University
What is your best memory as a Crespi student? Going on Kairos as a candidate and then being able to be a Kairos leader. Why did you return to Crespi? I have always wanted to be in education and work with kids. A week before graduating from college, I got a call from Crespi asking if I wanted to teach and coach and the rest is history. I wanted to impact kids’ lives as my mentors did to me while I was at Crespi. What is most different? The buildings are different. I didn’t have the Fine Arts Building, tartan track, Astroturf field, and pool. What has remained the same? The feeling of belonging and knowing you have brothers in your time of need. We take care of our own here and that will never change. The bonds don’t last four years at Crespi, they last a lifetime. Some of my closest friends today were my classmates at Crespi. The Crespi Brotherhood is unique and Celts that have walked this campus know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t matter if you graduated in a different year than another Celt, it only matters that you are a Celt and a fellow Crespi brother. Lastly, Crespi has remained the standard for sending moral and spiritual, lifelong learners, and productive and mature young men into society. .
