Blakefield Magazine | Winter 2017 by Loyola Blakefield

Winter 2017

THE O’CONOR LEGACY Also in this issue: • Blue & Gold Auction Highlights • Senior Service Reflection • Catching Up With New Football Coach Anthony Zehyoue

Message from the President Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that the 2016–17 school year will soon be winding down. As the temperature rises, an abundant amount of activity arrives to campus. Before we know it, the class of 2017 will march across the Hollow and begin their journeys to various colleges and universities across the country. As you read through this issue of Blakefield Magazine, take note of the many successes that we have been fortunate to celebrate. Winter certainly brought many exciting moments on campus and beyond. Our cyber science program sent a team to the finals of the prestigious CyberPatriot tournament, our robotics teams made it to national and world finals, speech and debate captured numerous titles, and varsity ice hockey claimed their first championship title in 61 years. These are just a few highlights of a very exciting year. We also celebrated the annual Blue & Gold Auction in March. It was great seeing the room filled with so many alumni, parents, and friends of Loyola. I’m always grateful to see the level of support that the Loyola community shows toward our Dons. I recently took part in Kairos Retreat CXII with members of the Class of 2018 as an adult leader. I always look forward to taking part in this special retreat experience. I have spent the vast majority of my career in Jesuit education and among all the rewards that it has brought; taking part in Kairos has undoubtedly been the absolute greatest privilege of my life. Loyola provides a top-notch educational experience, but our mission truly comes to life in how young men are formed spiritually and emotionally. As I meet more of our alumni from across different generations, I see that the clearest connection between them and our current students is the impact that Ignatian ideals have on their lives. This is what distinguishes a Loyola graduate. Thank you for your dedication to Loyola. Roll Dons Roll!

Anthony I. Day P ’15, ‘19 President

“Loyola provides a top-notch educational experience, but our mission truly comes to life in how young men are formed spiritually and emotionally.”

Winter 2017

BLUE & GOLD AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Why I

Give

WHY I GIVE

ANTHONY ZEHYOUE

Contents Campus News 4 Alumni Events

Blue & Gold Auction Highlights 8

Why I Give

Catching Up With New Football Coach Anthony Zehyoue

Senior Service Reflection

The O’Conor Legacy

Class Notes

In Memoriam

Staff Editor Michael J. Nitti Marketing Coordinator

Photography Michael J. Nitti James Berglie Jerry Dzierwinski Design Inkwell Communications, LTD

SENIOR SERVICE REFLECTION

THE O’CONOR LEGACY

CAMPUS NEWS SWIMMING WINS 20TH MIAA CHAMPIONSHIP IN 21 YEARS

LOYOLA BASKETBALL RAISES $2,679 FROM COACHES VS. CANCER NIGHT

ur basketball program raised $2,679 towards MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center’s “We Care Fund” for cancer patients during its 4th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Night on January 6. This is the first year that the funds have gone to MedStar, with the previous three years going to the American Cancer Society. The basketball program has now raised more than $10,500 since the start of this tradition in 2014.

oth varsity and JV swimming captured MIAA titles on February 4 at McDonogh. JV won all but one event in their meet and took the top three places in many of the individual events, while varsity, led by double individual winner Matt Clark ‘19 (200 Free & 500 Free), outscored second place McDonogh and third place Calvert Hall to earn their 20 th MIAA championship in 21 years.

LOYOLA SPEECH & DEBATE CAPTURE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

oyola Speech & Debate are state champions after a strong performance at the Baltimore Catholic Forensics League (BCFL) State Championship at the end of March. The tournament took place over the course of two days. The congressional debate championship was held at Loyola Blakefield on Wednesday, March 22, while the speech championship was held at Catonsville High School on Saturday, March 25. Loyola entered the season and the championship tournament as underdogs, but pulled together a remarkable and historic team effort to take a decisive first place in the speech sweepstakes and first place overall in the tournament. It is the team’s first state championship since 2014.

REYES CROWNED MIAA WRESTLING CHAMPION AS DONS PLACE 5TH OVERALL

he varsity wrestling team traveled to Mount Saint Joseph High School on February 11 & 12 to compete in the 2016-17 MIAA “A” Conference Wrestling Championships. Loyola finished in 5th place overall behind MSJ, McDonogh, St. Paul’s, and Archbishop Spalding. Senior team captain Dominick Reyes was the sole champion for the Dons after defeating Curley’s Josh Laucbach to earn the 152-lb. title.

THREE DONS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

or the second consecutive year, three Dons were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. Congratulations to seniors Drew Barker, Paul Kinkopf, and Jack McErlean. Out of 1.6 million juniors who took the PSAT last year, 16,000 were named semifinalists in September, of which 15,000 were named finalists this February. Loyola is the only boys school in the region to qualify at least three National Merit Scholarship Finalists in the past two years.

Visit loyolablakefield.org/campusnews to view media associated with each of these stories, and stay up to date on all current news at Loyola Blakefield.

KENNY LEWIS ‘17 BREAKS MILLENNIUM MARK

uring his final basketball game, Kenny Lewis ‘17 recorded his 1,040th career point, making him the 12th highest scorer in school history and solidifying his spot as one of only 12 Dons to break the millennium mark. Lewis was most explosive his senior year, averaging 20.6 points per game and scoring 578 of his total career points during his final season. He had four games with at least 30 points including a career game-high of 45 points against Calvert Hall on February 3. He also scored 38 against St. Frances Academy on January 23, with 32 of those points coming in the second half alone. Lewis will attend West Virginia Wesleyan College next year to play DII football.

LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD CYBER SCIENCE INITIATIVE SENDS TEAM TO NATIONAL FINALS OF CYBERPATRIOT

or the second consecutive year, Loyola Blakefield’s nationally recognized Cyber Science Initiative (CSI) qualified a team as a finalist in the national championship round of the Air Force Association’s (AFA) CyberPatriot— The National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The competition began with qualification rounds in October with more than 20,000 students representing 4,404 teams from the U.S. and Canada. Loyola’s Team Cerulean was one of only 12 teams to advance to the finals from a pool of more than 2,200 Open Division teams during the regional round. The championship round took place in Baltimore during the first week of April with teams competing to defend virtual networks and mobile devices from a professional aggressor team, but unfortunately Loyola did not place in the top three which were awarded Additionally, Loyola’s middle school team, Micro Dons, finished first in the state of Maryland and 4th place nationally out of 580 teams. Overall, there were 13 total teams participating from Loyola this year, and all finished in the top 6% in the country.

Winter 2017

FROSH BASKETBALL WINS BALTIMORE CATHOLIC LEAGUE TITLE

ur freshman basketball team defeated Mount Saint Joseph 59–55 on Monday, February 27, for the Baltimore Catholic League (BCL) Championship. The team was recognized after the varsity BCL Championship game on March 5.

LOYOLA ROBOTICS QUALIFIES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

ohn Parks ‘17 and Bobby Wescott ‘18 qualified for the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship after a phenomenal performance at the Maryland State Championship hosted by Dundalk High School on March 4. During qualification rounds, John and Bobby finished in 2nd place out of 57 teams with a 6-0-1 record, which qualified them for the elimination rounds where they came up just short in the finals. Based on their performance, Bobby and John were named the second best team in Maryland. They traveled to Louisville for the World Championship over spring break from April 19–22 where they finished in the middle of the pack out of 94 teams in their division during qualification rounds. This is the second time in four years that the young program has produced a world championship qualifier. In 2014, John McDonald ‘14 and Josh Geronimo ‘14 qualified after winning the state championship.

ICE HOCKEY CLAIMS FIRST MIAA TITLE IN 61 YEARS

n Friday, Feb. 10, the Loyola Blakefield Varsity Ice Hockey Team won the 2016-17 MIAA “B” Conference Championship at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, defeating Gilman 9–1 in a rematch of last year’s championship. In addition to going undefeated this season in conference play (9-0), this is the first ice hockey championship in the last 61 years for the Dons (1956).

Alumni Events @ Blakefield S

MIAMI & NEW YORK CITY ALUMNI RECEPTIONS

everal alumni gathered with President Day and Blakefield faculty and staff for dinner and drinks in New York City and Miami in December and January, respectively. Fernando Bohorquez ‘91, a partner at BakerHostetler, hosted the group in Manhattan in his firm’s offices overlooking Rockefeller Plaza’s famous Christmas Tree. Carlos Somarriba ‘97 hosted the evening in Miami while overlooking the beautiful Biscayne Bay.

ATTIRE 4 HIRE

he LBAA held its 2nd Annual Attire 4 Hire Clothing Drive from February 11–12 to support The Franciscan Center of Baltimore. With help from the Fathers’ Club, the LBAA received, organized, and packed 548 shirts, 333 pairs of pants, 148 sport coats, and 177 full suits, as well as numerous belts, ties, sweaters, and business casual attire. The total donations exceeded 1,500 articles of clothing in all, surpassing last year’s total. Thanks to the Loyola Blakefield community for their outpouring of generosity and to Rob Utz ‘05 and the LBAA for organizing this event.

A TASTE OF BLAKEFIELD

he LBAA hosted its annual food, wine, and beer tasting event on Saturday, February 4, with selections from a variety of top-rated regional vendors. Vendors from all over Baltimore County and Baltimore City took part in the highly rated wine tasting event, with restaurants such as Libs Grille, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, and the Waterfront Hotel. This year’s event saw five new vendor sponsors including Daniela’s, SillsNSope’s BBQ, Better World Beans, The Nickel Taphouse, and The Wicked Sisters, all of which brought extraordinary cuisine to show off to more than 750 guests in attendance. Proceeds from this year’s Taste of Blakefield exceeded $20,000, confirming it another successful year. Thanks to everyone for attending this year and our generous vendor sponsors for participating. We hope to see you next year!

LOYOLA FINANCIAL NETWORKING NIGHT

he Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association (LBAA) presented the first networking event of 2017 for the Loyola financial community on January 18. With over 50 guests in attendance, there were plenty of business cards to be traded and new business to be acquired. From financial advisors to managing directors of local and nation-wide firms, guests congregated in the Blake Parlor of Xavier Hall for drinks provided by Loyola alumni-founded Diamondback Brewing Company.

BLACK ALUMNI & PARENT SOCIAL

n March 9, President Anthony Day and Director of Diversity & Inclusion Bernie Bowers ’78 hosted over 50 black alumni and parents for a night of discussion and socializing. Great ideas were exchanged and more formal programming in support of our Dons of color will be forthcoming. If you would like to get involved in this initiative, please contact Bernie Bowers at bbowers@loyolablakefield.org.

KELLEY MEDAL BREAKFAST

n Wednesday, March 15, Loyola Blakefield alumni, faculty and staff, seniors, and family and friends gathered in Knott Hall to honor the 2017 Joseph M. Kelley, S.J., Medal Recipient Anthony “Skip” Minakowski ‘63 at the annual Kelley Medal Breakfast. The Kelley Medal Award is the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. Skip spent more than four decades as a senior manager/controller with experience in finance, accounting, and auditing. Since his retirement, he has served as an adjunct professor at Loyola University, business manager at St. Joseph Cockeysville, and as a consultant. Additionally, Skip is very active in the life of his parish, dedicated to service work in local ministries, and in organizing members of Loyola’s Class of 1963.

LOYOLA REAL ESTATE NETWORKING EVENT

n April 5, alumni, parents, and friends of the Loyola Blakefield real estate community gathered in the Blake Parlor of Xavier Hall for the inaugural Loyola Real Estate Networking Night. It was an evening filled with professional networking opportunities, drinks, and delicious crab cakes. Be on the lookout for more industry-specific networking nights in the near future hosted by the LBAA.

Miami Alumni Reception

Attire 4 Hire

Black Alumni & Parent Social

New York City Alumni Reception A Taste of Blakefield

LBAA Networking Night

Kelley Medal Breakfast

Upcoming Events Aquatics Bull Roast

May 6, 2017

LBAA Board Meeting

May 10, 2017

Golden Dons Dinner

May 13, 2017

Second Annual Frank Fischer Golf Classic

May 19, 2017

Class of 1967 – 50th Reunion Weekend

June 2–4, 2017

Visit www.loyolablakefield.org/events to stay up-to-date on all Alumni Events.

e were “Off to the Races” at this year’s Blue & Gold Auction on March 25 as we hosted 540 parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Loyola Blakefield for our premier annual fundraising gala. The Four-Court Gym was transformed into Derby Downs to complement the theme of this year’s auction, which paid homage to Maryland horse racing. The event featured an exciting live auction, hundreds of silent auction items, dinner, open bar, live music, and a great time had by all. Revenue from sponsorships, event and raffle ticket sales, and the live and silent auctions resulted in over $380,000 in net proceeds for the school. This included over 100 sponsors contributing nearly $200,000 in support and a live auction that raised $65,000 with bigticket items like a week-long stay in a villa in Sicily and tickets to attend a taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Also, congratulations to our $20,000 raffle winner, Joel Seledee ’83. During the evening, the audience raised their paddles to contribute an additional $56,000 to benefit our campus ministries programs including our Kairos retreats. Bill Cole ’90, Adam Trice ’91, and Cam Commodari ’18 spoke to the audience about their personal Kairos experiences after everyone viewed a very touching video on the role that Kairos has played in the lives of over 4,000 Dons.

Funds raised from the Blue & Gold Auction provide valuable operating revenue and help strengthen our robust academic, co-curricular, and spiritual programs, while also allowing us to keep tuition costs down and provide financial assistance to our families. “This event is a great opportunity to bring our entire community together under one roof to celebrate our mission and our Dons,” said President Anthony Day. “It’s also a vital component to the success of our annual fundraising efforts, and year after year we continue to witness the generosity of this community and the love they share for Loyola.” Special thanks to Charlie and Mary Beth Protzman, P ‘03, ‘05, ‘09, who served as co-chairs and led a dedicated group of volunteers in the planning and execution of the event. Also, Frank and Joanne McShalley, P ’16, served as Masters of Ceremony and Tom Mooney ’76, P ’14, as Auctioneer. This event would not have been possible without their support and commitment throughout the planning process and the energy they brought the night of. “Our volunteers this year were devoted to making this an unforgettable night for our entire community, and I think they definitely succeeded,” said Todd Langenberg, Director of Development and Institutional Advancement. “The long hours and year-long planning paid off and we are all the better for it, especially our Dons.”

SAVE THE DATE: Join us for the 2018 Blue & Gold Auction on March 17, 2018. 8

“Year after year we continue to witness the generosity of this community and the love they share for Loyola.” – President Anthony Day To view additional highlights from the event, visit loyolablakefield.org/blueandgold

Why I

Give

We would like to feature some Loyola parents who not only partner with us in our mission of raising their sons into men for others, but have also chosen to give back to the school. We are hoping more families will join them by way of our Spring Family Annual Fund Giving Campaign. The campaign runs throughout the month of May with families asked to support Loyola by giving an amount equal to their son’s graduation year ($20.17–$20.23). Last year’s annual family participation reached 68 percent. We are hoping to build on that this year with family participation already at 30 percent. Be on the lookout for more information regarding this family giving campaign in the coming weeks.

Steve & Tricia Peck, P ’18

“Shaping men for others is at the foundation of why we give to Loyola Blakefield. Watching our son, Noah ’18, and so many of his friends thrive here and grow from boys to respectful, knowledgeable, and responsible young men has been a joy. Loyola is a unique, safe, and beautiful campus environment where our boys learn to be humble and understand the importance of giving back to the community. Thanks to the Loyola experience, our boys are better prepared for college and life in general. Investing beyond tuition, through both volunteer efforts and financial assistance, is an important element of how each of us can make a difference today and pay it forward for future generations of young boys who will eventually become leaders and role models in our society.” Steve Peck is a senior vice president at SAP, a global software company. Tricia Peck has volunteered a significant amount of her time and expertise for many events at Loyola while working part-time at Medstar Franklin Square Hospital. Their son, Noah, has earned first honors every semester while at Loyola and is a member of the varsity golf and volleyball teams. Their daughter, Morgan, is a graduate from Notre Dame Prep (’16) and is now a freshman at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.

David & Julie Lynn, P ’18 “We give to Loyola Blakefield because we appreciate all that the school has done for our son and his classmates. We are impressed with how the school’s Jesuit identity is a part of all of our son’s activities. Recognizing that critical learning and development happens just as much on the playing field as it does in the classroom, we were pleased to have the opportunity to support Loyola Blakefield’s highly successful rugby program and the school’s innovative Ignatian Mission and Identity programming. Through our gift, we hope that we can help Loyola students learn what it truly means to be men for others.” David Lynn is a lawyer in private practice in Washington, D.C. He serves as President of the Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society and is a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Julie Lynn is Treasurer of the Hampton Elementary School Parent Teacher Association. David and Julie are members of the Parent Leadership Council at Fordham University. Both graduated from Loyola University Maryland, where they have endowed the John Jordan Economics Scholarship Fund.

John & Jessy Halaby, P ’18 “We have been very blessed to see the benefits of a Loyola Blakefield experience through the spiritual, social, and academic growth of our son, John Jr. (JJ), from his entrance in the sixth grade compared to now as a second semester junior. We recognize that in order for Loyola to continue to invest in forward-thinking and competitive programs in the arts, sciences, spiritual, and athletic comes at a cost that is not fully defrayed by tuition. Additionally, we know that in order to open Loyola’s doors to as many qualified young men as possible, providing access to scholarships and financial aid is an ever-increasing necessity for many of Loyola’s students. Our sincere hope is that our contributions will allow more young men at Loyola to experience what we have, and for parents to see the same evolution in their sons as we have in JJ.” John Halaby is the Head of Financial Institutions Group at T. Rowe Price and recently joined Loyola Blakefield’s Board of Trustees. Jessy Halaby is a behavioral therapist for Catholic Charities. The couple loves attending school social events where they get to interact with other Loyola parents. Their son, JJ, is currently a junior and serves as a student ambassador. While he has played baseball and participated in track and field in the past, he is now solely focused on basketball. JJ’s favorite community service experience thus far was serving the homeless at Our Daily Bread.

Matt & Cathy McErlean, P ’17 “Fundamentally, we give to Loyola because the development of our man for others isn’t strictly Loyola Blakefield’s responsibility, it’s ours as well. We see ourselves as collaborative partners with Loyola in that formation process. Our actions as parents and guardians matter and for no one more than our children when we’re modeling Gospel behavior and values. It doesn’t take a CPA or finance degree to see that our tuition payments couldn’t possibly cover the salaries, programs, technology, and physical plant costs required to keep Loyola Blakefield relevant in the conversation about secondary education in Baltimore. Our prayers are that our parental actions are imbued with a burning desire to paint a wordless picture for our children of love, fidelity, and devotion to the original Man for Others. Deeds, over words, in love. That’s why we give to Loyola Blakefield.” Matt McErlean is Deputy Director for Management Operations at the Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Real Estate Assessment Center, with responsibilities for customer service/contact center operations. He volunteers weekly at the Weinberg Housing & Resource Center and visits weekly with the Jesuit Fathers at the St. Claude de la Colombiere House in Roland Park. Cathy McErlean is Executive Counsel with Travelers Insurance, working with insurance coverage and litigation matters on behalf of the company. Outside the office, she works with and supports grassroots organizations dedicated to insuring accountable, responsive representation from elected officials at all levels of government. Shortly before the start of their son Jack’s first year at Loyola Blakefield, the McErleans embraced the Roman Catholic Faith, converting from the Jewish tradition. They are members of St. Ignatius Parish in Baltimore.

Make your gift today at www.loyolablakefield.org/give 11

CATCHING UP WITH NEW FOOTBALL COACH

ANTHONY ZEHYOUE In late January, Anthony Zehyoue was named Loyola Blakefield’s new head football coach. Zehyoue brings plenty of experience to the program after serving as the Dons’ offensive line coach for the past two seasons. Before coming to Loyola in 2015, he worked as an assistant football coach and strength and conditioning coach for all sports at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. He was also a member of the BCS National Championship team at Louisiana State University for the 2007 season. His journey to Loyola is very telling of who he is not only as a teacher and coach, but as a selfless and caring individual.

ust before turning six years old in 1991, Zehyoue, along with his mother and three siblings, moved to the United States from Liberia with help from his father, also named Anthony, who had left the previous year to help his family escape the country’s civil war by pursuing a PhD in chemistry at Louisiana State University as a Fulbright scholar. Zehyoue’s father was quite familiar with the United States having already earned his master’s degree in chemistry at Marquette University. When Zehyoue and his siblings arrived in America, it was difficult at first because the way of life was so much different than to what they were accustomed. Throughout his childhood, Zehyoue’s parents always made sure he and his siblings focused first and foremost on education. “My parents struggled and didn’t have the best jobs, if they had jobs at all,” said Zehyoue in an article published in 2007 by the LSU Athletic Department detailing his journey to the school. “Their selflessness and putting us before them all the time is the reason why we’re so successful. They never gave up on us. None of us have ever struggled. They just cared for us and did whatever they had to do.” Zehyoue’s parents valued education so much—his father was a college professor and his mother was a day-care educator—that he was not allowed to play sports until he got to high school. He started playing football in ninth grade while attending McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. “My dad didn’t really want me to play in high school, but my youth minister and my mom both convinced him to let me play,” said Zehyoue. In the meantime, he watched a lot of football, but because he didn’t know the game as well as others his age, it took him a while to catch up. Zehyoue went on to attend LSU where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history (2007) and a master’s degree in secondary education (2009). He walked onto the football team as a defensive lineman for three years before finally receiving a scholarship the same season the team won the BCS National Championship. Zehyoue mostly worked behind the scenes on the scout team as a defensive end in order to prepare the starters for regular-season games.

It wasn’t until two years ago that the thought of moving up north to Baltimore crossed his mind when his soonto-be wife, Leah, took a position at Loyola University Maryland. “As I was checking out Baltimore for places to work, Loyola Blakefield was one of the first schools that popped up in my search,” said Zehyoue. “I thought to myself, ‘Man, this is a high school?’” Zehyoue, already familiar with working at an all-boys Catholic school, decided to apply for a teaching job in the history department.

Zehyoue has already hit the ground running hoping to change all of that. “The biggest thing on the agenda has been setting up a consistent strength and conditioning program for our guys in the offseason. Some of the best football players I’ve been around at any level are also some of the strongest players or the players that play with the most confidence feel that way because their training has allowed them to do that.”

During his tenure at Loyola so far, he has taught multiple courses of World History, Geography, and Civil Rights, while also serving as the offensive line coach for the varsity football team and leading efforts to create and organize training programs to increase the cohesiveness of the football program across all positions and developmental levels. Zehyoue has also guided the summer strength and conditioning program, with a focus on injury prevention and increased strength and flexibility. “Anthony is the type of teacher and coach Loyola wants molding young men,” said Principal John Marinacci. “By modeling and expecting hard work, care for each other, and accountability, he teaches lessons that go beyond the classroom and field. He brings a high level of passion and care to all aspects of his profession, and I am confident that his new role here will not only benefit our football program, but will also enhance his already measurable impact on our community.”

“This is a community school, and the best programs I’ve ever witnessed are those schools that are community-based, meaning there is a network of alumni, parents, faculty, and staff who believe in what we are doing and ultimately support the players however they can.” Zehyoue follows in the footsteps of Brant Hall ‘98, who spent the past five seasons leading the program before stepping down at the conclusion of the 2016 season. “Brant was great to work with these past two years,” said Zehyoue. “He showed a lot of trust in my coaching abilities and a willingness to try new things together. His faith in my ability empowered me, and that says a lot about his leadership.” The varsity football team has a little catching up to do in the MIAA ‘A’ Conference. They finished 5-6 overall and went 0-6 in the conference last fall, and the team hasn’t had a winning record since 2010—two years after going 11-0 and winning the conference title outright.

Zehyoue has his players and coaches watching film from last season as well, focusing on the good and the bad. “We are being very critical of our performance by looking at what we were and weren’t good at and figuring out why. I think it’s scary for a lot of people to face the truth, but once you do it allows for a greater opportunity to make improvements.” One thing Zehyoue has emphasized in his coaching strategy is using the same teaching methods he uses in the classroom on the football field. “We teach a lot of things on the field the same way teachers in the classroom demonstrate many different concepts. For me, it’s just a matter of making sure we have a consistent method in how we teach. The more a kid learns and knows what he is doing, the more comfortable he feels, the faster he plays, and the more trust he will have in you for instilling that in him.” One of his biggest goals, aside from winning, is to bring a more community-based approach to the program to help support the players. “This is a community school, and the best programs I’ve ever witnessed are those schools that are community-based, meaning there is a network of alumni, parents, faculty, and staff who believe in what we are doing and ultimately support the players however they can. It’s not going to just be me and my coaching staff helping our team get better, it’s going to be the entire Loyola community working together as one.”

SENIOR SERVICE REFLECTION Patrick Norris ‘17 “Service isn’t forced upon students, but many jump at the opportunity because it provides us with a way to get out of our comfort zones and make an immediate impact in our community.”

s an incoming freshman in 2013, I quickly learned how committed Loyola Blakefield is to service. The school offers numerous opportunities including canned food drives, grade-level service work, and summer service trips. Service isn’t forced upon students, but many jump at the opportunity because it provides us with a way to get out of our comfort zones and make an immediate impact in our community. Last summer, I made several trips—often with friends— to the Our Daily Bread Employment Center run by Catholic Charities in downtown Baltimore. As we served breakfast to the folks at the center, I became inspired by the gratitude and the cheerful countenances of those we served. This fueled me to start my own service initiative here at Blakefield during my senior year. The idea to make sandwiches for those who rely heavily on Our Daily Bread for their only meals was inspired by a similar service project from my middle school, St. Joseph Cockeysville. I approached our Director of Ignatian Service Mrs. Szczepaniak with my idea and she was extremely supportive as we planned for the 2016–17 school year. I have received incredible support from the Loyola community. Since the start of this school year, fellow Dons, faculty and staff, and even friends from local schools have taken part in the initiative. Twice a month, we gather before school at 6:45 a.m. in the dining hall

“Twice a month, we gather before school at 6:45 a.m. in the dining hall to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our friends at Our Daily Bread... Together, we have made thousands of sandwiches and will continue to make them until the end of the school year. ” to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our friends at Our Daily Bread. Each week, peanut butter, jelly, bread, and bags are donated by participants, and with the help of Mrs. Szczepaniak and the Mothers’ Club, I arrange for a driver to take the sandwiches we make down to the Employment Center. Together, we have made thousands of sandwiches and will continue to make them until the end of the school year. It has been awesome to see everyone come together to support such a worthy cause. The Loyola community is full of students and teachers who can make a big difference in our community. All it takes is a spark! Unfortunately, I will move on from Loyola next year. However, I hope to find a group of interested students here who feel the same passion to serve that Loyola

has instilled in me and who are willing to keep this initiative going. As I move on to college, I know that my drive to serve will continue. I’m undecided as to where I will attend next year, but I know that I will seek opportunities to help members of the community wherever I decide to go. I’m thankful for every opportunity that Loyola has provided me to explore my interests. I feel like I have truly grown in mind, body, and spirit. I don’t know if there is another school out there that would have supported my passion for service as equally as my passion for playing varsity basketball and lacrosse over the years. I can’t thank my teachers and fellow students enough for my experience and growth here at Loyola.

THE O’CONOR LEGACY at Loyola Blakefield

erbert Romulus O’Conor (1896–1960) proved a very distinguished alumnus of what is now Loyola Blakefield. Moreover, the O’Conor family has developed a remarkable legacy at the school attended by multiple generations.

Herbert R. O’Conor was born in the old Irish Tenth Ward in East Baltimore, east of Greenmount Avenue and west of the Institute of Notre Dame on Aisquith Street. He attended St. Paul’s Parochial School in his early years and graduated from Loyola High School in 1913 and from Loyola College in 1917, when both institutions inhabited the Calvert Street campus in downtown Baltimore just south of St. Ignatius Church. While at Loyola College, Mr. O’Conor served several roles including manager and captain of the basketball team (he also played football and baseball) and president of the Athletic Association, the St. Thomas Philosophical Society, and the Loyola Debating Society,

by Dr. Vincent Fitzpatrick

which is where he seemed to have excelled the most as noted by a brief summary next to his graduation portrait in the 1917 Loyola Annual. “When it comes to oratory, Herb outshines the ethereal lampposts. He made his debut in 1913, when he captured the High School medal for excellence in public debate.” He was an “oratorical specialist” on President Woodrow Wilson and Saint Patrick. A foreshadowing of his career in politics can also be found in that same description in the 1917 Annual, which states, “If Loyola had established a course for politicians, Herb couldn’t be beat, and the College debt would increase by virtue of the innumerable medals he could not help but win. Fortunately, Romulus has chosen a profession well suited to his ability and eccentricities, and some day we hope to find him a prominent lawyer, but still more prominent as a figure in Maryland politics and a rival to the reputation of Sonny Mahon.”

Mr. O’Conor went on to graduate from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1920. During 1921 and 1922, he worked as an assistant state’s attorney for Baltimore. In 1923, he was elected State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, and in 1934, he was elected as the Attorney General of Maryland. In 1938, Mr. O’Conor defeated the incumbent Republican Governor Harry W. Nice and was elected Governor of Maryland. He became the first Roman Catholic of Irish decent to serve in that position. Mr. O’Conor was elected to the United States Senate in 1946, but chose not to run for re-election in 1952 and returned to the private practice of the law. On March 4, 1960, he died of a heart attack at Baltimore’s Mercy Hospital at age 63. After a requiem mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, he was buried at the New Cathedral Cemetery in West Baltimore. Mr. O’Conor had a long and very distinguished career in public service, a career that found him doing so much for so many, a career that found him remaining faithful to what he had learned from the Jesuits about the necessity of helping those who cannot help themselves. “He was never too busy to help the lowly, the forgotten, and unfortunate,” remarks his biographer, Harry W. Kirwin, in The Inevitable Success: A Biography of Herbert R. O’Conor. Mr. O’Conor and his wife, the former M. Eugenia Byrnes of Baltimore, were blessed with one daughter, Mary Patricia O’Conor Farley, and four sons. Herbert R. O’Conor Jr. graduated from Loyola High School in 1939, Eugene Francis graduated in 1942, and James Patrick graduated in 1946. During subsequent generations, a number of O’Conor descendants continued to benefit from a Loyola education and have generously given back to the school.

Currently, three of Mr. O’Conor’s descendants teach at Loyola Blakefield: great-niece Sally Fitzpatrick Waller (English), great-great-niece Bethany Gentry (Modern Language), and greatnephew Vince Fitzpatrick (English). On March 19, a portrait of Mr. O’Conor was installed in the lobby of Knott Hall with friends and family in attendance. Former Loyola Blakefield President Fr. James Salmon, S.J., provided the blessing and Jim O’Conor ‘46 spoke of his father’s humble roots and dedication to his family. “He was always an unassuming man who invested so much of himself in his family,” said O’Conor. “Despite a high profile political career, being at the dinner table each night was always a priority. His humility, love for family, and devotion to God are what we will always remember about him.” Beneath the portrait, the plaque reads: Herbert O’Conor holds the distinction of being the only Maryland citizen to hold the Offices of People’s Counsel, Assistant State’s Attorney, State’s Attorney, Attorney General, Governor, and U.S. Senator. During his illustrious career, he never lost a single election and was the state’s first Roman Catholic governor of Irish descent. As Maryland’s wartime governor, he oversaw innovations in transportation, infrastructure, and sought to strengthen the state healthcare system. His career in public service is illustrated by the words of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson: “It was Herbert O’Conor’s kind of genius to contribute infinitely more to the fibre of the Republic. His votes were responsible. His voice was courageous. His labors were toward unity of the people, not toward their division.” Mr. O’Conor is one of Loyola Blakefield’s most distinguished graduates – a dedicated public servant, devoted family patriarch, and exemplary figure whose legacy at Loyola shall endure for generations to come.

CLASS NOTES 1949

Deacon Joseph Scheurich ‘49 is celebrating 25 years of ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on June 13, 2017, in the Diocese of Beaumont, TX.

1960

Fr. Richard Lawrence ‘60, who has been serving the St. Vincent de Paul Parish community in Baltimore for the last 43 years, celebrated his retirement on February 26.

1967

John Everett ’67 had his second novel, Maseah Mountain, winner of the 2016 Clive Cussler Grandmaster Adventure Writers Award, published through the Braveship Writers Consortium in March 2017.

Winter 2017 1978

David Webbert ’78 of Johnson, Webbert & Young, LLP, recently won a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston in a $10 million classaction lawsuit regarding the grammar of Massachusetts state law about overtime work

for truck drivers. The lawsuit received national attention from The New York Times and The Washington Post. Webbert credited former Loyola Blakefield Latin teacher Leo Behrendt for this victory: “The real credit goes to Leo Behrendt, my one-of-a-kind elementary school English teacher and Latin high school teacher. He came out of retirement to tutor me about the finer points of grammar for this case.”

1981

1962

June 12th - August 11th

ACADEMICS

Algebra II Prep AP Chemistry Prep Geometry us prep class ms prep class sat prep study skills World Religion

all sports Archery Baseball

Joe DeSantis ’82 and his wife, Marie-Eve, welcomed their third son, Charlie, on March 14.

1995

Nate Fick ’95, CEO of Endgame, a cybersecurity

summer camps For boys and girls ages 6-18!

Science

Enrichment

Adventure

Crazy Chemistry CSI Funky Physics Space and Rocketry

Art cooking Photography

Adventure Camp I/II Mountain Biking I/II

Driver’s Driver’s Education Education

1982

Dan Cahill ‘81, P ‘09, 14, was honored on March 16 as the 2017 Hibernian of the Year by The Hibernian Society of Baltimore. A former president of The Hibernian Society of Baltimore from 2011–13, Mr. Cahill has supported

Ed Windfelder ‘62 recently showed his 1948 Figoni & Falaschi Delahaye at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and won second prize trophy in its class.

sports

the society in various capacities over the last 12 years, serving on the Finance and Endowment Committee as well as twice chairing the annual dinner.

Basketball* field hockey Football

Cyber Science/Robotics Cyber Science MS Cyber Science US Programming I/II

Golf Lacrosse* Outdoor Games

soccer Swimming Tennis

loyolablakefield.org/summer ccross@loyolablakefield.org • 443-841-3328

Robotics Stem Lego I/II Lego Jedi I and Master Jedi Volleyball Water Polo

separate boys and girls camps

Share your news with fellow Dons! loyolablakefield.org/classnotes firm based in Virginia and California, was featured on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money on CNBC in March about the current cybersecurity landscape.

2007

Greg & Mike Kenneally ‘07 were recently featured by CNBC as a $UCESS story for their company East Coast Dyes, which manufactures high-end lacrosse products. Greg and Mike supplied our varsity team with some new lacrosse heads, mesh, and balls this season.

2010

Daniel Sampson ‘10 was recently accepted into the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. Daniel, who

has performed in the New Orleans Opera Chorus, will be a vocal performance major in the master’s program.

to qualify for the NCAA championships in track and field.

2013

Michael DeGraffenriedt ‘13 was drafted by New York City FC during the third round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft in January. Sean Hogan ‘13 will graduate this spring as a musical theatre major at St. Joseph’s University and has been accepted into the MFA program at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Conor Reynolds ‘13 has already broken numerous school records during his final year playing baseball at Johns

Hopkins University and is on pace to break more before the end of the season. His ultimate goal, though, is helping his team reach the NCAA Division III College World Series in Appleton, Wisc., at the end of May. He will be attending graduate school at Johns Hopkins next year in the engineering management master’s program.

2014

Steve Jones ‘14 broke the single-game goal

record for St. Mary’s College of Maryland Men’s Lacrosse as they defeated Illinois Wesleyan University 26–18 on March 12. Jones had 8 goals total.

Tanner Selby ‘16 was recently accepted into the bachelor’s program of the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. He will double major in jazz guitar and recording arts starting in the fall.

2016

Kenny Rowe ‘16 qualified for the 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships as part of Georgetown University’s Distance Medley Relay Team. According to Loyola Track Coach Chris Cucuzzella, Kenny is the first Don

I N M EM O R I A M ALUMNI Alexius A. Dyer ‘40 Henry W. Klemkowski Sr. ‘43 John H. Plunkett ‘43 James P. Burke Jr. ‘44 Irwin D. Cromwell ‘44 Charles E. Nolan Jr. ‘45 Col. Carl E. Brust Jr. ‘46 David R. Watson ‘46 Marion C. Restivo, M.D. ‘49 Patrick H. Voyce Sr. ‘50 J. Donald Benedict ‘51 John A. Cooney III ‘51 Salvatore J. DeMarco III, M.D. ‘51 E. Philip Brady Jr. ‘52 Curt M. Russell ‘53 James R. Brown III ‘54 Bernard C. McGinn Jr. ‘55 Ronald J. Dunaway ‘56 James C. Michel ‘56

GRANDPARENTS John G. Bowling ‘58 John J. Lambdin ‘60 Henry A. McKim ‘61 Robert E. Roby Jr., M.D. ‘67 David Lee Bollinger ‘72 David Brian Carroll ‘74 Raymond J. Talabis ‘81 James L. Fassio ‘83

PAST PARENTS William W. Commins Sr. Anthony J. Crivello Robert G. Davidson Robert E. Hecht Sr. Sally B. Jenkins James P. McDonagh Charles H. Mosher Leo E. Otterbein, Ph.D. Louise Tildon

Irvin O. Bauer Salvatore Joseph Ciociola George H. Schreiber Betty K. Taylor M. Susan Welsh

FRIENDS Hon. Alexander Gordon Boone Jr. Eugene C. Cullum Olin C. Hoddinott Jr. Lori Jean Kozlowski Dorothy Streb Donald F. Thrift

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