Celebrating 100 Years and Judge’s Impact

COVER STORY Celebrating 100 Years and Judge’s Impact

Bill Manca ‘51

I began my education at Judge in 1940 in the second grade and graduated in 1951. Judge Memorial and the Holy Cross Sisters were instrumental in my future success. The sisters provided me with a job at Holy Cross Hospital after school. This led to my college and graduation from Notre Dame in 1956.

Overall, my years at Judge Memorial prepared me for a successful business career and a very happy and full Christian life.

Clara Fuoco Brennan ‘52

I graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School 68 years ago, and have maintained a close relationship with Judge through participation, volunteering and donations. My immigrant Italian parents sacrificed to pay mine, and my siblings’ tuition. I have kept that Judge spirit alive and well by marrying my Judge Memorial sweetheart Paul Brennan ‘52, and together we are proud parents of five incredible children and seven of our grandchildren who have all graduated from Judge Memorial.

The gifts Judge gave me are many but there are three that have grounded my life.

Education - the Sisters of the Holy Cross were dedicated to giving all students the best education with discipline and love - to live our best adult lives. After graduating from Judge, I received my RN degree and was a nurse for over 40 years.

Service - Working to help people was always emphasized when I was at Judge. I believe that giving myself to good causes has done as much as anything else, to help me put my own worries into perspective.

My Catholic Faith - Last but not least, those same Sisters instilled in me a profound need to continue to live my Catholic faith, to trust in God and love Him by living my faith every day.

Over the generations, my family has enjoyed and participated in many events, from dances and socials, to watching my children and grandchildren in sports and art events, fundraisers and countless other wonderful moments; my life has been enriched by my Judge community. Judge Memorial gave me a foundation that has grounded my life, in education, service and faith. I will always be proud of my association with Judge and grateful for every moment.

Maureen Baker Gallegos ‘61

My formative years at Judge have given me a lifelong sense of belonging to values and beliefs promoted by teachers and religion.

Being a Judge Memorial alumnus has given me a unique bond through athletics, academia and spiritual structure. As we approach the 100 year anniversary of Judge we reflect “once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.“

Steve Floor ‘73

What I have come to realize is an essential aspect as an alumnus of Judge was simply the uniqueness of being a student at Judge; we stood out in a number of ways. Academically, the atmosphere was collegiate, rather than at a high school level. Being unencumbered by the restrictions of public education, the teachers at Judge could talk

about virtually any subject, and express it anyway they felt to the

students. The kids at public schools were subjected to a more watered-down, safe curriculum and presentation. They dressed in jeans and t-shirts; we wore slacks, button down shirts, neckties and blazers featuring the Judge Memorial logo.

The friendships that we cultivated at Judge carry on right up through today. We have annual gatherings, not just 5 or 10 year class reunions. I communicate and socialize with many of my classmates of 40+ years ago.

Judge Memorial is a community; we stick together to this day because we have that social bond.

Dr. Matthew Jimenez ‘79

I am a proud member of the Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduating class of 1979!

After graduating from Judge I went on to become an orthopaedic surgeon and professor of orthopaedic surgery.

I was set forth on my academic path primarily by my incredible parents, Ruben and MaryAnn Jimenez, both still alive at 89 and 86 years old respectively.

I was next most profoundly influenced by Sister Ellen, a Nun in the Daughters of Charity, as an eighth grader at Cosgriff School, in the Parish of Saint Ambrose. Sister of Judge Memorial brings a wellEllen had a sincerely positive influ- spring of emotions and memories ence on my academic confidence. to me; thirty-nine years after my She will always be remembered, own graduation. After losing my and because of her, I entered Judge father, John F. Welsh ’52 this year, Memorial as a fresh- I am reminded of my man, well equipped Judge Memorial family’s long connecfor the rigors of High School. gave me a tions going back to the founding of Judge foundation that Memorial as a minJudge Memorial Catholic High School was a revelation. Judge cultivated my has grounded my life in education, er’s hospital. John Judge, the school’s namesake at one time worked at the school pride, which service and family store (Welsh, grew over four great years, and remains faith. Driscoll & Buck) in Park City. Over these strong today. The many years, our family and exSalt Lake City of 1976 was insular tended family of cousins (Welsh, and less multicultural and multiLytle, Ivers, McDonough) have seen dimensional than it is today. The dozens of young men and women tight-knit Catholic community of move on from the friendly confines Judge during the latter half of the of Judge Memorial to leave their decade was an island of like-mindmark throughout the United States ed students, faculty, and parents, and the world. What Judge gave all all pulling in the same direction. of us was confidence in ourselves, My identity as a Judge and confidence to think critically student meant a lot to and analytically. It taught us how me. Judge Pride is a real to succeed and perhaps more imthing. portantly how to fail. The academic environment, spiritual enrichment, and life-long friends I found at Judge provided me fertile ground for growth, and sustain me today. I truly feel that I would not have found my calling as a surgeon and academician without the profound influence of Judge Memorial Catholic High School.

TJ Welsh ‘81

We learned that on the athletic fields and classrooms that failure is one of the best learning tools that you can give a young person in their formative years. For failure in all its many forms teaches us to get up, get back in the game, learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not make the same mistakes going forward. Judge taught us how to work with others, from all walks of life, in order to achieve success. I tell peo-

ple that Judge was a prep school in every sense of the word; for it prepared us to face the all too real world that awaited us on the road of life.

Other than my brothers in arms; the friendships I built at Cosgriff and Judge remain my strongest to this day. Having recently retired after a life in the U.S. Navy and the business world; I look forward to speaking with young people at schools and other gatherings and passing on the lessons that were ingrained from my family and Judge Memorial. To use a phrase from Coach Woody Hayes of Ohio State, “I am paying forward.” We as alumni of Judge must pay forward to that next generation of young people who are growing up in an electronic world, that so badly need Judge Memorial to still be that laboratory of life’s essential lessons.

Joan Brand ‘93

My best memories of Judge include the amazing friends I made and the unity I felt being a part of this community. I specifically remember my freshman orientation day. We were all so nervous but we went through the day getting to know our classmates and by the end of the day I was excited to start our new adventure. I made lifelong friends that I will always hold dear to my heart. I loved the school dances and went to as many football and basketball games as I could. Interestingly, though, what I think of most when I think of my time here as a student, are my teachers. Ms. Sawaya was a great dance teacher and encouraged me to “step” outside of my box. Mr. Klonizos had a deep love for reading and for history which showed in everything he did. Mr. John was compassionate and was a guiding spirit for me while I was a student as well as years after graduation. Mrs. Bills always did bingo for holidays and the pencil prizes were the best! I have only listed a few teachers here. Many more had an impact on me. I am forever grateful that I was blessed enough to attend Judge Memorial. Being an active part of the Judge community was so important to me that I worked to get back as soon as I could. I am now in my 20th year of teaching at Judge and absolutely love it!

Emily Strand ‘12

I graduated from Judge Memorial in 2012, and to this day, I still have trouble putting into words how much attending Judge changed me for the better and affected the trajectory of my life.

First and foremost, the community at Judge is unlike any other. Not only is it common for students to make friendships that last a lifetime, but the Judge community is close knit and takes care of its own around the world. At my college, the admissions officer was a Judge alumnus who went out of his way to check in on me during my freshman year. While traveling around the world, I’ve run into Judge alumni who haven’t hesitated to invite me into their lives and their home just because of the connection to Judge.

Second, the education a student receives at Judge is unmatched by any school in Utah. Nearly every one of my teachers at Judge had an advanced degree in their field. Many had Ph.Ds. and could have taught at universities, but instead chose to teach at Judge because they truly cared about their students and the quality of their education.

Finally, Judge instills in its students a discipline that ensures students learn how to study, prepare, and present their best work early on. This makes it much easier for students to transition to college and the workforce. Having gone through law school, I can still say that some of the most challenging assignments I ever completed were some of the ones I was assigned while at Judge. While I may not have appreciated it at the time, I credit the fact that the teachers at Judge had incredibly high standards and pushed me outside my comfort zone as the reason I was able to go on and succeed in areas I never expected.

I am so proud to be a Judge alumnus. I could not be more thankful that my mother sacrificed all that she did to send me to Judge.