The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit by Rick Rivers

THE CHRONICLE OF STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY summer 2011

B U I L D I N G M EN F OR OT HERS F OR 5 0 YEA R S

In 1998, then school President Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ admires the construction of what was originally named the Student Center and, in 2006, was officially dedicated as the Parsley Center.

Table of Contents Features SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY SECTION Fortunate and Blessed The 1990’s

p. 4 Departments President’s Message - 2 News from 8900 - 10-15 Principal’s Perspective - 16 Athletic News - 17-21 Ignatian Spirituality - 22 Alumni News - 23-25 Class Notes - 26-27 Births - 27 In Memoriam - 27 By George - 28

Summer 2011 Vol. 43, No. 4 Editor Rick Rivers, Director of Communications Contributors Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ Richard Nevle Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ Vince Santos ‘83 The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (USPS 024165) Vol. 43, No. 4, Summer Edition, is published quarterly by Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036-4699.

President Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ Principal Richard Nevle Director of Development NJ Santarcangelo ‘67 MISSION STATEMENT To assist young men in their formation as leaders and as Men for Others through a program of rigorous college preparation in the tradition of the Society of Jesus. ON THE COVER - A familiar site on campus in 1995 was Fr. J.B. Leininger, SJ and his Lunchtime Croquet Club. Today, the annual Fr. J.B. Leininger, SJ Memorial Cloverleaf Classic Croquet Tournamnent is held at the end of the school year.

_________________PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As I sit to write this at the end of May, we have just completed our 47th commencement. It was a wonderful weekend with the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday evening followed by Graduation on Sunday morning. Young faces reflected their joy and pride in the moment; broad smiles stretched across their faces as they embraced their Jesuit brothers; and much to the chagrin of some alumni, they recessed from the gym after having just tossed their caps into the air in celebration. Apparently, tossing caps was forbidden under an earlier regime. Parents beamed at the moment too. Their happiness tempered only by the prospect of their son soon moving off to college, on his own for the first time. Someone asked me if it was hard to see the seniors leave each year. There is no doubt that the place isn’t the same after they depart. When the seniors finish exams and the underclassmen remain in class, the campus feels eerily empty as it does right now. I get to know some of the students better than others, and when it seems as if I am just coming to know them as a class, it is time for them to move on. But is it hard to say good bye? Not really. It is part of the natural order of things. I have been here long enough that those who started at Jesuit with me in 2001 are out of college themselves. They return to campus with their stories of working in finance or oil & gas, or with still tired looks that betray their studies in law or medical school, and perhaps with girl friends or even fiancées or wives on their arms. While history proves that it will never be the same for them as when they were here together as students, these newest alumni stand a far better chance of staying in close touch with each other than those of us in an earlier generation. When I went to college the only means of communications available were the payphone in the dorm stairwell, or paper, pen and stamp. Today they have Facebook and Twitter, cell phones and Skype. I predict that this generation will do a far better job of staying in touch with each other than even those alumni just ten years older. The week before graduation, after senior exams were

all finished, nineteen of the candidates for graduation joined Fr. Bravo, our chaplain, and Mr. Eric Olson ’02, retreat and liturgy coordinator, on a three day (occasionally) silent retreat. On day two they drove up to our new Retreat and Leadership Center (RLC), still under construction, and explored the new facilities. The eight cabins are nearing completion, the dining hall is framed out and under roof, the bunkhouse is just now getting framed, the conference center plans are at the engineers, and the chapel is nearing design conclusion and awaits funding. The nineteen students enjoyed the lake, cooked burgers and reflected on God’s gifts in their lives at this important juncture. They hiked under a full moon, and “camped out” in the cabins still in need of electricity and water. I am told that they all had a fabulous time. In addition to all the new technology that they have access to – that older alumni didn’t have when they graduated from Strake Jesuit – these young alumni will also have the RLC to bring them together right away. Plans are already being made to schedule retreats for young alumni at the RLC during vacation time next year. The RLC (story on page xx), in addition to being home to all our student retreats, will be a wonderful way to bring alumni together and offer them the opportunity to renew and deepen their spiritual roots. Last year in this column I announced our plans for a retreat and leadership center and said that we hoped to be able begin construction and then open it for use in the fall of 2011. I am delighted to say that we are right on schedule. Am I sad to see our seniors leave? Maybe a little. But it is so much fun to see them come back. And I look forward to being able to host them at the new campus of Strake Jesuit – our Retreat and Leadership Center. Thank you for all you do to support the school and our students. We wouldn’t be able to provide the quality of education that we do if it were not for the broad support that so many provide. I am confident that our students are well prepared for the next chapter in their lives, and that their lives are forever touched by their Jesuit experience. Be assured of my prayers for you during these warm summer months.

FORTUNATE AND BLESSED

The 1990’s

Excerpts from We are SJ - 50 Years of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory by Robert Cremins

The start of a new decade at Strake Jesuit meant, once again, a change in the school leadership in both the president’s and principal’s offices. New president Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ, and new principal R ichard Nevle would have, generally speaking, less turbulence to deal with, and there were certainly fewer surprises: no Sharpstown crisis, for example. However, the school had not forgotten the lessons of Sharpstown, and in the 1990s there was a determination to put SJ, God willing, beyond the reach of such a misfortune in the future. The school had long since bought itself back, but, in the spirit of the Ignatian ideal of magis, Strake Jesuit’s leaders and friends knew that more could be done. It was time to grow the institution in new ways. Hence, our alumni newsletter the Crusader Chronicle could report, in the spring of 1996, that the Development Off ice had been significantly expanded “during the [$4 million] ‘Old Traditions … New Horizons’ Capital Campaign, placing us in a position for continued success.” Fu nds were needed most u rgent ly for new bu i ld i ng s. T he success of the recruitment drive that had begun in the ’80s meant that we

Students making their way down the familiar walkway.

had become a crowded school again. The fall of 1993 saw the admission

of the largest freshman class to date—190 young men who were, according to the Crusader Chronicle, “as diverse in background, locale, and ethnicity as they are in personalities and abilities!” The class entering in the fall of 1996 was even larger and—to the astonishment of some longt ime facult y members who had grown up with this date sounding

like something out of science fiction—they were the Class of 2000. If any further reminder was needed that the school had to get ready for the 21st century, this was it. A center worthy of—and large enough for—our student body had been a long-cherished dream, and thanks to the success of the capital campaign, on November 26, 1996, we broke ground on a magnif icent new facility. The student center would eventually be named in honor of Bob and Gana Parsley, who were both great benefactors of the school and proud alumni parents (not to mention grandparents). It featured an auditorium that could seat almost a thousand people—perfect for important school events such as the Baccalaureate Mass. Around the time of this dedication ceremony, Fr. Zinnamon commented, “This building will be a sacred gathering space for our community, and in our

Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ and students break ground on the Parsley Center on November buried boxes of soil from a number of holy places,” 26, 1996. desire to build our faith on a sol id foundat ion, we

i nclud i ng “t he g a rden where si x Jesu its a nd t wo women were martyred in El Salvador” plus “soil from

the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola and soil from the Garden of Gethsemane … We would hope the spirits of these holy men and women and their example of giving would guide our prayer and help our community grow as Men for Others.” The students of Strake Jesuit did indeed continue to grow as Men for Others, judging from the wealth of photographs from this decade in our archive documenting com mu n it y ser v ice. One, i n par t icu lar, capt u res t he spi r it of t he t i mes —for Houstonians at least. Look closely at that photo from the Crusader Chronicle of Mike Jasmer ’95, Richard Boyce ’95, and Philip Mears ’95 “enjoy[ing] their mission trip to West Virginia” and you’ll see evidence of the Bayou City’s pride in their worldchampion Houston Rockets basketball team; in the mid-’90s, Houston went from being “Choke Cit y ” to “Clutch City,” and that same sense of momentum and confidence could be felt on Bellaire

Mike Jasmer ’95, Richard Boyce ’95, and Philip Mears ’95 on West Virginia mission trip, summer of 1995. Aest het ic appreciat ion on

Boulevard, too.

campus received another boost in the

form of dozens of works of fine art from the collection of the late Frank R ibelin of Dallas. In fact, Mr. Ribelin’s generosity was the catalyst for the creation of the Strake Jesuit Art Museum in 1996. The arts on campus were certainly f lourishing, but science and technology were also experiencing a boom. The 1996 yearbook also told us that“[o]ver the past few years the pride of the Strake Jesuit science [department] has been the extension of the Advanced Placement program. [It] sets high goals for those students wishing to heighten their scient if ic imaginat ion and, in the process, place out of some college courses. The science department currently offers AP Bio II and AP Chem II on an alternating basis. In the past, students tak ing these courses have done exceptionally well …” Our academically ambitious students would be facilitated not just by the dedicated teachers who had always been a part of SJ life but also by rapid advances in information technology. By the end of the decade, planning had begun for the 800 Building, which would be a showcase for many of these new wonders, but students of the 1990s could already avail themselves of many of these resources in the library, which now boasted of “a computerized card catalogue and other computer programs to access material for research papers” (yearbook ’96). Moreover, something called the “internet” was promising to change students’ lives, so much so that, in 1997, the Chronicle issued a “Net Surfers’ Alert,” which informed the school community that “Strake Jesuit now has its own HOME PAGE, thanks to talented alumnus Tony Muniz ’87, … [with] approximately 60 pages of information linked to the ‘front’ page.” The 1990s also saw famil iar faces reappearing on campus. In the same semester, our first principal, Fr. Edward “Bubba” Coles, SJ, and Michelle Catanese, formerly Miss Lupo, both returned to teach theology. And in the last semester of the decade, an alum from the ’70s dropped in to see us in dramatic fashion. As the Chronicle explained, “The buzz of excitement which accompanies the SJCP annual Career Day was turned up a notch this year with the aerial arrival of Danny Schwarzbach ’75, who landed a police helicopter on the volleyball field. Interest in law enforcement rose to new heights.” That Career Day surely inspired members of the Class of 2000 to go out and do g reat t h ings in t he world. T heir brot hers from t he 1990s were already beginning to do those great things, from Bill Nguyen ’91, who became a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, to Peter Han ’93, author of the book Nobodies to Somebodies; from Bryce Gama ’97, a Princeton graduate with a strong interest in issues of social justice, to Brian Bravo ’99, who would start working in the West Wing, assisting President George W. Bush’s press secretary, at the ripe old age of 20.

What Fr. Zinnamon wrote in the preface to the 1993 annual report—“This past school year has been a wonderful period of growth and expansion for Strake Jesuit. We have been very fortunate and blessed by the generosity of our community”— holds true for the entire decade. In the 1990s, we were indeed fortunate and blessed, whether one is talking about our faculty, our friends, or, of course, our students.

PRESIDENT’S PROFILE Five Jesuits have held the full-time position of President over the school’s first 50 years. Within a year or two, each of their terms spanned an actual decade. This Profile will feature the President associated with the decade featured in this special section.

Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ President from 1990 -2000

Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ arrived at the Jesuit campus in 1986 as a teacher and he left in 2000 after

serving the last ten years as the school’s president. In between he touched the lives of countless members of the Strake Jesuit family - students, alumni, and parents.

Born on Hamilton Air Force Base in California on September 2, 1948, he graduated from Jesuit

High School in Tampa, Florida. He went on to earn a B.A. in Secondary Education from Loyola University New Orleans in 1973 and then a Master of Arts in Teaching History from Tulane University, a Masters of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Chicago, and a Masters of Education in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco. Fr. Zinnamon entered the Jesuits in 1970 and was ordained in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, on December 29, 1979. As a member of the New Orleans Province he was a Jesuit for 36 years and a priest for 26 years.

Fr. Zinnamon ser ved at Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas as principal from 1979 -1985 before

coming to Strake Jesuit in 1986 as a teacher. While at Jesuit, aside from his over-sight of the day-to-day operations of the school, Fr. Zinnamon was a leader in the construction of the Parsley Center and the 800 Building as well as the establishment of the Strake Jesuit Ar t Museum. Under his leadership, the Art Museum was founded and incorporated in1996.

After leaving Jesuit, he was pastoral assistant of St. Francis Xavier Church in New York from 2001-

2004 and then was assigned to the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau in 2004. In the summer of 2006 he celebrated his 25th Jubilee as a priest with many of his friends in New Orleans. After his departure, he maintained close ties to many of the friends and families he had grown close to during his time at Jesuit.

On Tuesday, May 16, 2006, Fr. Zinnamon died of a heart attack and in that passing the school lost

a dear friend.

TRADITIONS TRADITION OF HELPING OTHERS CONTINUES WITH ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE For more than 25 years (left photo - 1983), Strake Jesuit students, faculty, staff, and parents have been rolling up their sleeves once a year to give the Gift of Life. This year (right photo) was no exception for the Annual Blood Drive held on Tuesday, April 26. According to the 2011 Drive Coordinator Elizabeth Jamerlan, more than 148 pints of blood helping at least 440 people were donated. In all over 182 students, faculty, staff, and parents took part in the drive.

AUCTION CELEBRATES SCHOOL’S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY YEAR From its early years, such as 1983 (top left) in the Smith Gym (now the Moran Dining Hall) in 1983 with auctioneer Don Mudd (top right), the Strake Jesuit Fantasy Auction has blossomed into the school’s most elegant and largest fund-raising event on the calendar. This year’s festivities (read more on page 12), tagged Hearts of Gold in recognition of the school’s 50th Anniversary, was held at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square (bottom left) where auctioneer Mark “Bouncer” Schiro ‘82 worked the room for another great night for Strake Jesuit.

The Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Class of 2011 includes 36 students who were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Collectively, the class earned over 629 scholarships and grants totaling over $23 million. Additionally, in the continuing Jesuit tradition of being Men for Others, the members of this class performed over 27,000 hours of community service across Houston, the United States and the world.

AWARDS & HONORS

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES American University 3 Arizona State University 4 Auburn University 9 Austin College 5 Austin Community College 1 Babson College 2 Baylor University 43 Blinn College 2 Boston College 6 Boston University 6 Brown University 1 California Polytechnic State University 1 Carleton College 1 Carnegie Mellon University 1 Carthage College 1 Case Western Reserve University 5 Centre College 1 Citadel 1 Clemson University 8 Colgate University 1 Colorado School of Mines 6 Columbia University 1 Cornell University 2 Creighton University 8 Dartmouth College 2 DePaul University 1 Drexel University 3 Duke University 1 Eckerd College 1 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 1 Emerson College 1 Emory & Henry College 1 Emory University 6 Fordham University 9 Franklin College Switzerland 1 George Washington University 1 Georgetown University 2 Georgia Institute of Technology 5 Hendrix College 1 Hofstra University 2 Houston Baptist University 5 Howard University 2 Indiana University 2 Iowa State University 2 John Carroll University 2 Keele University 1 Knox College 1 Lafayette College 1 Lehigh University 1 LeTourneau University 1 Louisiana State University 51 Loyola Marymount University 3 Loyola University Chicago 4 Loyola University Maryland 1

Loyola University New Orleans 13 Lur College 1 Marquette University 2 McGill University 1 Miami University, Oxford 1 Michigan State University 2 Milligan College 1 Millsaps College 1 Mississippi State University 1 Missouri University of Science and Technology 1 Morehouse College 2 New York University 1 Norastern University 1 North Carolina State University 1 Northwestern University 2 Ohio State University 3 Oklahoma State University 3 Oxford College of Emory University 1 Pennsylvania State University 2 Pepperdine University 3 Pitzer College 1 Purdue University 8 Queens College of CUNY 1 Regis University 2 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1 Rhodes College 1 Rice University 12 Rider University 1 Rutgers 1 Saint Joseph’s University 2 Saint Louis University 24 Saint Peter’s College 1 Samford University 1 Santa Clara University 9 Savannah College of Art and Design 1 Seton Hall University 2 Sewanee: University of South 1 Sourn Methodist University 19 Southwestern University 4 Spring Hill College 8 St. Edwards University 23 St. John’s University 3 St. Mary’s University of San Antonio 1 Syracuse University 3 Temple University 1 Texas A&M University 86 Texas A&M University, Galveston 3 Texas Christian University 22 Texas State University 1 Texas Tech University 17 Trinity University 15 Tulane University 7

United States Military Academy 1 United States Naval Academy 1 University of Alabama 23 University of Arizona 1 University of Arkansas 1 University of California at Berkeley 1 University of California at Los Angeles 1 University of California at San Diego 2 University of Chicago 3 University of Colorado 5 University of Dallas 4 University of Dayton 1 University of Georgia 3 University of Houston 29 University of Illinois 3 University of Iowa 1 University of Kansas 4 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 1 University of Miami 6 University of Michigan 3 University of Mississippi 7 University of Nebraska 1 University of Notre Dame 16 University of Oklahoma 13 University of Pittsburgh 1 University of Richmond 1 University of Rochester 1 University of San Francisco 1 University of Sourn California 9 University of South Carolina 2 University of St. Thomas 8 University of Tampa 1 University of Tennessee 1 University of Texas, Austin 47 University of Texas, Dallas 11 University of Texas, San Antonio 9 University of Tulsa 7 University of Virginia 5 University of Western Australia 1 Utah State University 1 Vanderbilt University 8 Villanova University 4 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 1 Wake Forest University 1 Washington University in St. Louis 3 Wesleyan University 1 Wichita State University 1 Willamette University 1 Williams College 2 Xavier University 4 Xavier University of Louisiana 1

JSEA Award Conner Joseph Troxclair John F. Kennedy Community Service Award Paolo Joseph Ruiz Steven Brian McConnell ‘78 Award Stanley Graham Chapman IV Charles Alford “Men For Others” Memorial Scholarship Award Paul Joseph Scranton Williams Award Ray Anthony Rao Rev. Michael F. Kennelly, SJ Service Award Trent Minh La Frank Ribelin Award in the Arts Michael Douglas Ehrenkrantz Simon Shinwoo Lee Todd Maddox Memorial Scholarship Award William Patrick Dillon Crusader Award Corbett Ward Ekonomou Highest GPA Andrew James Best, Austin Taylor George, Regie Jesus Viacrucis Mauricio, Phillip Russel Posway, Michael Jon Scott Second Highest GPA Award Alan Raymond Albrecht Valedictorian Ryan Joseph Lord Salutatorian Phillip Russel Posway Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program - 36 National Merit Finalists - 9 National Merit Commended Students 31 National Hispanic Scholars - 15 Eagle Scouts - 22

the senior class gift

A First Step Toward Giving Back

When a student graduates from Strake Jesuit, he has logged many number of hours of community service. He has certainly done at least 100 hours during his senior year, which is the requirement for graduation. He has probably also spent additional hours doing community service work with a sports team or on a retreat. Through the Senior Class Gift, which began in 2002, he has an opportunity to give back again - this time to his alma mater. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to recognize the gift of the education they have received here and begin the process of giving back,” said Fr. Daniel Lahart, SJ. “ I often tell them that stewardship is about leaving a place better than you found it, and this is an opportunity for them to do that.” One of the key elements of the Class Gift effort is leadership. The idea for the gift needs to be something that both excites the class and is important to the school as well. The Class of 2011 was blessed with both this year as they chose to honor deceased classmate, Charles Alford. They did so in two ways - by beginning a financial aid endowment and a capital gift for the Retreat and Leadership Center and Two Senior Class gifts, composite class photos (top) and a new wall the main campus. The result was a record response as they at the Gessner entrance (bottom) were completed and installed this equalled the largest participation (89%) and pledged the spring. greatest amount of money ($25,430). will, to the best of their given situations, support causes and The spring semester was a big one for the Senior Class institutions that are important to them. As I say often, to Gift project. While the current class was completing their whom much is given, much is expected.” efforts, three previous class gifts were completed. The gift of the Class of 2005, a statue of the Crusader arrived on campus and, at this writing, is awaiting installation. The gift HISTORY OF THE STRAKE JESUIT SENIOR CLASS GIFT of the Class of 2007, composite class photos of each senior 2002 – Hall of Fame Display class, was completed with installation in the Parsley Center. 2003 - Fr. J.B. Leininger, S.J. Teaching Fellowship Endowment And the gift of the Class of 2010, a new entrance wall and 2004 - Kenneth McGregor Financial Aid Endowment 2005 – Crusader Statue Fund sign at the Gessner entrance, was completed. 2006 – Banners for Competition Gym “We hope that the Class Gift is an opportunity for 2007 – Composite Class Photos of all Classes them to get in a habit of giving back,” noted Fr. Lahart. 2008 – Carlos Senosiain ’08 Memorial Scholarship 2009 – “WE ARE SJ” Gessner Driveway Display “While we always hope to be a recipient of our alumni’s 2010 – New Entry Sign at Gessner Driveway generosity, it is about more than that. We hope that they 2011 – Charles Alford ’11 Scholarship and Charles Alford ’11 Capital Fund

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NEWS FROM

FLEMING TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS PRESENTED AT AWARDS DAY Since 2005, at the annual Awards Day held each spring, the

school has announced the recipients of the annual Fleming Award for Teaching Excellence. The Fleming Award winners are selected for both excellence in the classroom and also for cura personalis of our students. At the 2011 event held on Thursday, April 28, once again those awards were presented. This year’s recipients are Linda Ream and Br. Casey Ferlita, SJ. Ms. Ream, currently the Department Chair for Mathematics at Jesuit, has been a member of the faculty since 2001 and is this year’s recipient among teachers who have been at the school for 15 years or less. Br. Casey has served at Jesuit since 1973 and is the recipient of the award for teachers who have been at the school for more than 15 years. In his remarks prior to the announcement of the recipients, George Fleming, the son of Dr. George Fleming who the awards honor, said, “My father believed that the intersection between the student With the 2011 Fleming Award for Teaching Excellence recipients Linda Ream and Br. and teacher in the classroom was a Casey Ferlita are (left to right) Fr. Daniel Lahart, SJ, George Fleming, and Principal very important place. It is a pleasure Richard Nevle. to be here to honor these two teachers for their dedication, their work, and their service to others - those ‘others’ primarily being you, the student body.” “It’s hard for me to put into words how honored I am to have been selected for this Fleming Award,” commented Ms. Ream. “When I look around the faculty, it’s obvious to me how many others excel at their jobs. Consequently, I feel very lucky to have been chosen. I truly appreciate the continuing generosity of the Fleming family and all that they do to support our faculty.” Br. Casey was equally moved as he said, “I am totally surprised and honored. I am also deeply grateful to the Fleming family for their support of Strake Jesuit. A part of me cannot help but think how proud my parents would be.” Dr. Fleming had a lifelong interest in education. After college graduation, he taught the children of migrant workers and American Indians in Arizona. He never forgot this teaching experience. He earned a Doctorate in Education. Dr. Fleming then went on to a successful career as a hospital administrator, which included being an administrator of the Methodist Hospital in Houston and the Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio. He was elected President of the Texas Hospital Association and was awarded their highest honor, the Earl Collier Award. Dr. Fleming was married to Mary K. Fleming. They had two sons, George and Scott. Scott was a member of the Strake Jesuit class of 1969.

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NEWS FROM PAST PRESIDENTS KENNELLY AND ZINNAMON HONORED

School President Fr. Daniel Lahart, SJ announced at the school’s 50th Anniversary Mass held on Saturday, May 7 that two past school presidents, Fr. Michael Kennelly, SJ and Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ, would be forever remembered by placing their names on two of the school’s most noted features. “From this day forward the Quad will be known as the Kennelly Green and the 800 Building will be known as Zinnamon Hall,” he declared. Fr. Kennelly was the school’s founding president, serving from its opening in 1961 until 1970. When he arrived in Houston in 1959, a Jesuit high school was little more than a dream; when he left in 1970, nine permanent buildings stood on campus. He passed away on Monday, January 3, 2011 in New Orleans. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Province. For many years the open area bordered by Moran Hall to the west, the 400 and 800 (now Zinnamon Hall) buildings to the north, the Moody Memorial Library to the south and the Parsley Center and Gessner fields was simply referred to as The Quad. It has been the most popular outdoor spot on the Jesuit campus for decades and home to intramurals, pep rallies, and pick-up games. Fr. Zinnamon arrived at the Jesuit campus in 1986 as a teacher and he left in 2000 after serving the last ten years as the school’s president. In between he touched the lives of countless members of the Strake Jesuit family students, alumni, and parents. In the fall of 1997 he was on hand for The Quad (top in 1967) will now be known as Kennelly Green in honor of Fr. Michael Kennelly, SJ and the 800 Building (middle) will now be named Zinnamon the groundbreaking of the Student Center, Hall (bottom) in honor of Fr. Brian Zinnamon, SJ. now known as the Parsley Center. In his final years as president he planned and raised funds for the 800 Building. Then, in December 2000, construction began on the facility that, at the time, was virtually unequalled as a high school classroom building in the city of Houston.

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NEWS FROM

FANTASY AUCTION A ‘GOLDEN’ SUCCESS

The 31st annual Fantasy Auction was truly a ‘golden’ moment! Auction chairs Mary Anne and Ed Capo spearheaded a beautiful and memorable evening commemorating Strake Jesuit’s 50th Anniversary. Mark “Bouncer” Schiro, class of ’82, took the stage as auctioneer of the live auction and engaged the audience with his quick wit and enthusiasm. Highlighting each auction item was the very entertaining accompaniment of our Strake Jesuit boys, faculty and staff in costume…. complete with creative props. Each year, proceeds from the Strake Jesuit Fantasy Auction play a vital role in supporting the Strake Jesuit mission of building Men for Others. During the live auction a special opportunity was provided for guests to make donations as part of the Last Crusader Standing. This year the funds were for the purchase of sacred items and furnishings for the Chapel at the new Strake Jesuit Retreat & Leadership Center which is currently under construction. Recognized for her 25 years of successful Fantasy Auctions, Sharon Venables, Auction Coordinator, was presented with a gift in appreciation for her years of dedication. Previous Fantasy Auction chairpersons from the past 30 years were also recognized. Fr. Daniel Lahart, SJ with 2011 Hearts of Gold The Capos thank the over 150 volunteers who worked diligently Auction Chairs Ed & Mary Anne Capo. all year, the many benefactors who helped to underwrite portions of the auction and the entire Strake Jesuit community for their support of this important event. It’s not too early to think about how you would like to be a part of next year’s Fantasy Auction – and for those of you who will be alumni parents we welcome your participation. Our 32nd annual Fantasy Auction will be under the leadership of Jean and Rick Jenner and, for the first time in decades, will return to the Jesuit campus. Jean can be contacted at jeanjenner@comcast.net or Sharon Venables, svenables@strakejesuit.org.

Many of the past Auction Chairs were in attendance for the special celebration of the school’s 50th Anniversary. They included (left to right ) Leigh and Bill Stubbs - 2010, Jill and Phil Ribbeck - 2009, Lou and Charlie Braun - 2006, Mark Ann and David Burke - 1982 & 1983, Eleanor Scalzitti - 1989 & 1990, Lora Kowalski - 1987, Richard and Diane Montague - 1986, Sharon & John Lynch 1990, Karen & Howard Chapman - 1993, and Strake Jesuit Auction Coordinator Sharon Venables.

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NEWS FROM CABINS & DINING HALL NEAR COMPLETION AT RETREAT & LEADERSHIP CENTER Progress is rapid at the Strake Jesuit Retreat & Leadership Center (RLC) currently under construction in Leona, Texas, less than 2 hours from campus north of Houston. Construction of the eight individual cabins should be complete by the time this issue is published. On the other side of the lake, the Dining Hall should also be complete by the time this is read. That will make the facility ready to use beginning with the fall 2011 semester. All school retreats are scheduled for the RLC in the coming school year. In addition, some new retreats are being developed including a Dads’ Club Men’s Retreat and a retreat for alumni. Work is also well underway on the Bunkhouse, which will be able to accommodate larger groups and teams. Construction on the Conference Center is also ongoing. Both of these structures should be complete sometime early in the fall semester. Construction on the Chapel, which will be situated on a hill overlooking the entire facility, should begin soon. If fund-raising and construction progress as expected, the entire facility will be complete by the summer of 2012.

Top: Sign at entrance announces Jesuit’s presence. Middle: Two of the eight cabins near completion built among the trees. Bottom: View of the Dining Hall near completion from across the lake,.

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NEWS FROM

THREE ALUMNI JOIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Strake Jesuit Board of Directors will welcome three new members next year, all of them Jesuit alumni. David Beathard ‘77, received his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M in 1982 and is the Vice President of Business Development for Linn Energy. David, who’s son Jack graduated this past spring, has served the school as Annual Fund Chair for both the Alumni and Parent drives from 2008 until 2011. David and his wife, Cathy also have a daughter, Audrey SAA ‘12. Jim Loughlin ‘74 received his MBA from University of Texas and his BBA David Beathard ‘77 from Southern Methodist University. He is a Certified Turnaround Professional and former director of both the Turnaround Management Association and the Association of Certified Turnaround Professionals. He is the founding partner of Loughlin Meghji+Co. Jim and his wife, Yvette, live in Huntington, New York and have three sons, Andrew, Connor and Adam. Jim Loughlin ‘74

Every student benefits from support

The Strake Jesuit Annual Fund truly benefits EVERY student through the financial and tuition. If you chose to support the Strake Jesuit Annual Fund in 2010-2011, on be you. We also ask for all parents - both past and present - and all of our alumni to sup 14

Robert Smith ‘82 received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and his MBA from Texas A&M. Robert is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and member of the CFA Institute, the Houston Society of Financial Analysts, and the Houston Family Office Association. Robert has been a member of the Strake Jesuit Foundation Board since January 2010. He joined Friedkin Companies, Inc. in 1996 and is the Director of Investments. Robert and his wife, Alice, have two children, Robert and Michelle. Robert Smith ‘82

STUDENT GROUPS KEEP ART PIECES ON CAMPUS Two of the favorites pieces in the Strake Jesuit Art Museum are The Moose (Frederick Prescott, 2000) and Three Little Pigs (David Miner, 1989). The pieces, which have been on loan from the collection of Frank Ribelin, were in danger of being sold by Mr. Ribelin’s estate after his passing. The Strake Jesuit Student Council and the Key Club stepped in to ensure that these two pieces would remain on campus by purchasing the items with money raised through various fundraisers.

rt of the Strake Jesuit Annual Fund.

ial aid program as well as by bridging the gap between the cost of a Jesuit education n behalf of every student as well as the administration, faculty, and staff, we thank support the Strake Jesuit Annual Fund when asked in 2011-2012. 15

PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE

There’s a special pleasure that comes with talking to seniors who have just strolled out of their last exam. Often they seem to move without direction; there are no papers due, no lab reports to write, no problem sets to keep them up half the night. It’s a great feeling, but only for an instant is there a feeling of something having been completed. Many have already mentally moved on to university; in spite of having just finished up their classes they are anxious to begin anew. They are ready for the coming graduation ceremonies, but not quite certain they want to waste time with all the fanfare that goes with getting out and on with their lives. We call them Commencement exercises, which is to say “beginning” exercises, even though they are about what happens at the end of the year. The Commencement tradition began with the first western universities in Europe. In those medieval schools commencement exercises did in fact take place at the beginning of the academic year–new students arrived to see their fellow students celebrating the acquisition of their degrees, the installation of new teachers and the elevation (graduation– stepping up) of the more experienced ones. Medieval “commencements” generally took place on Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael in late September. By this time the crops were in, and young men returned from the harvested fields of Europe, to school to finish one term and start another. There were theses to defend, and courses to sign up for. New students had to be put on the matrix–the “mother list”and thus today we say “they matriculated.” It was a time of coming together, and like today, only after all of the ceremonies were done, a time for leaving. Academic processions were hardly restricted to the university–the whole town was part of the parade. The sense of newness about even end of year commencements is palatable–outright visible–there are a lot of fresh haircuts the week after finals. These tonsorial adjustments are in part to honor visiting grandparents, in part because Brother Casey told them to get a haircut for graduation, but for many that haircut is their first step in getting a really good summer job. Unlike their medieval counterparts they don’t have to bring in the harvest, but most of them do have to work and they are well aware that the thick admissions packet they just got from college, even when there is a generous scholarship to go with it, seldom comes close to paying the cost of their new beginnings. For some graduation is almost an escape–not only will

they be leaving their old school, they will be leaving their homes and their hometown–the world as they know it. They ought to be afraid, but they seldom are anything more than anxious. There is nature to thank for that–that some place in the genetic code there is a series of responses, or in the culture a set of reflexes that says it is time to move on. It is because graduates are so focused on the next step that they often find it difficult to appreciate what they have accomplished or what it is that their parents are so proud of. The fact of the matter is that our graduates do have a great deal to celebrate. Finishing the four years at Jesuit is a significant accomplishment. Some of the graduates who skirted academic disaster on their way to graduation have an idea of how challenging the academic program is at Jesuit. They are glad to have survived and more glad to have graduated. Many of them will come to realize how challenging the program was only when they begin their careers in colleges and universities across the country. While we may find ending the year with a commencement ceremony–a celebration for beginning out of place–the graduates better understand that what happens at Graduation is far more about beginning than it is about ending; it is not about finishing up, but about moving forward, it is about being open to growth and that kind of openness is one of the things we have been teaching them since they began their careers at Jesuit as freshmen. But that beginning comes in August–when the freshmen arrive. While those freshmen may appear to have that same air of not knowing exactly what to do next, their gait is far more anxious than that of the strolling seniors who have only recently departed. Some of them can barely disguise the fact that inside they are downright terrified. There is no way to tell them that in a very short four years, this will be completely behind them; there is no way to convince them that they will not be terrified, but only a little anxious about their new beginning, but they will be very good in giving the appearance of complete confidence and ease.

NEWS

ATHLETIC FOUR SELECTED TO ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR

The Selection Committee for the Strake Jesuit Athletic Hall of Honor met in late May and selected the fourth class which is set for induction next fall. The year’s class includes Individual Athletes Nelson Akwari ‘00 (soccer), Bret Broussard ‘76 (football), and Jake Voskuhl ‘96 (basketball) and head coach Dick Janse (baseball and basketball). These new members will be inducted at the annual Night of Honor dinner to be held this coming fall. They will share the spotlight that evening when Mark Davidson ‘71 receives the Ignatian Award as the Alumnus of the Year (see page 23 for more). Nelson Akwari ‘00 was arguably the best soccer player in Jesuit’s history. As a junior he had seven goals and seven assists in just 12 games. He was a captain of the National U-17 team which played in the U-17 World Cup in Australia. That year he was also selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association All-America Team as well as the Parade Magazine AAII All-America Team. As a senior, he scored seven goals in 5 games and again was selected as an All-American. Akwari signed with UCLA where he started every game as a freshman and was named to the 2nd Team All-Pac 10 team as a sophomore. He left UCLA after two years to play in Europe and begin his pro career which included stints with teams in the Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer Leagues (USL). Bret Broussard ‘76 was the Crusaders starting Make plans to join quarterback all four years he was at Jesuit. In 1974 he us this fall at our annual passed for over 900 yards and was selected All-District. Night of Honor As a senior in 1975 he threw for 20 touchdowns, was when these four selected All-District, All-State, as the team MVP and led men will be inducted into the Jesuit to a 9-1 record. Broussard went on to play at Rice Strake Jesuit University. Athletics Hall of Jake Voskuhl ‘96 played varsity basketball for Honor. three years at Jesuit, each team winning the State Watch for details. Championship. He was selected All-State as a junior and senior and, as a senior, was selected among the Top 100 players in the nation. He went on play at the University of Connecticut where he was a member of the 1999 NCAA Championship team for which he was the starting center. Voskuhl was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and went on to play nine seasons in the NBA. Dick Janse served as the head basketball and baseball coach from 1965 to 1967. His 1965 his basketball team was the first to defeat St. Thomas in any sport and his 1966-67 team posted a 22-7 record. His 1967 baseball The Strake Jesuit Athletic Hall of Honor Class of team was the first to beat St. Thomas in that sport. He was inducted 2011 includes (top to bottom) Nelson Akwari ‘00, Bret into the Texas High School Baseball Coach’s Hall of Fame in 1992. Broussard ‘76, Jake Voskuhl ‘96, and Head Coach Dick Janse.

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athletic TENNIS

The Crusaders Tennis team earned a medal in every tournament they entered this year and finished a successful Spring season garnering medals at the District 19-5A Tournament. The duo of sophomore Alex Bain and freshmen Aaron Elder won the JV doubles championship while freshmen Owens Hawkins IV placed 3rd in freshmen singles. The team traveled to California and played #4 ranked Bellarmine (CA) to 4-4 tie. The team also hosted the Jesuit Varsity Invitational in March with Belen (Miami), New Orleans, and Dallas Jesuit traveling to Houston for the event. Off the courts, the team maintained their community service tradition by donating their time at Loaves and Fishes, a Houston soup kitchen. “I am very proud of our competitive level of play this year and the way the guys bonded together to become positive teammates for each other,” noted head coach Chuck Kenny. “The trip to California and hosting our Jesuit Abe Hsu ‘11 brothers for the Jesuit Invitational were unbelievable experiences that they will remember for a long time. The team will lose four valuable seniors to graduation – Abe Hsu, Andrew Lee, John Marymont and Michael Lyn – but will look to their returning lettermen to pick up the slack.

LACROSSE The Jesuit Lacrosse team entered the 2011 season with high expectations, returning a senior class that was eager to fill in some roles created by graduation. A 2-0 start, including a win over district foe St. Thomas, would be the only time all season the Crusaders would win back to back

games. The next month would find the Crusaders on the wrong side of many games with difficult opponents from all over the State. Spring break would break a tradition of traveling to Maryland. Instead Strake Jesuit hosted the annual Jesuit Lacrosse Classic. Jesuit Schools from coast to coast and many places in between descended on the campus for three days of lacrosse and beautiful weather. After spring break Ian Margot ‘11 the Crusaders would return to district play to finish what they had started. With a 4-3 district record and three to play, the playoffs were well in reach. But ultimately they fell one game short. Even though the season ended not as it was planned two Crusaders received postseason awards. Ian Margot was selected All-District Honorable Mention and Coach Craig Reeves was named Texas High School Lacrosse League Assistant Coach of the Year.

TRACK & FIELD The Track and Field team faired well in the 2011 season. A stunning new crop of Freshman showed the future is going to be bright for track with some great performances in several events. The Varsity, outmanned most of the year, scored where they could and kept Jesuit in most meets. They placed 2nd in six different relay meets and also broke four school records. Those include Karl Schearer in the Discus with a toss of 166’9”, Chance Griffin in the Triple Jump with a leap of 47’ 1½”, the 4x1600 team of Mike Wakeland, Weston Novelli, Nick Gibson and Chris Schiller with a time of 17:59.50 (twenty two seconds better than the previous record) and the 4x200 relay team of Parker Brant, Justin Wilson, Jalan Dixon and Chance Griffin ran a 1:30.70.

NEWS

ATHLETIC The biggest moment of the year came in April when the team was crowned District Champions. They won the district meet by scoring 145 points, 47 more than second place Cinco Ranch. Jesuit had individual district champions in Chance Griffin in the Triple Jump, Karl Schearer in the Discus, Paul Scranton in the Pole Vault, Nick Pielech in the Shot Put, Foster Carmichael in the 300m Hurdles, Mike Wakeland in the 1600 meters and Carmichael, Griffin, Wilson and Alex Moorer in the 4x400 relay. The team scored in all but four events and sent twelve athletes in eleven events to the Region III meet. There Weston Novelli placed 3rd in the 3200 meters and 5th in the 1600 meters, Pielech 4th in shot put, Scranton 4th in pole vault and Grffin 3rd in the triple jump while the team finished 10th. “If we can bring up some of the talented young athletes we should be looking for more district titles and top ten regional finishes in the future,” said head coach Mike Kerley.

District Champs

SOCCER Coming off an appearance in the state championship game last year, the 2011 Soccer season started a little different than last year, when the team went through predistrict and district schedule without a loss. They would not earn a win until their fourth game, and were 1-3-3 in their first seven games. After a win and a tie in their first two district games, Jesuit won a big game at Seven Lakes. That game seemed to help the team turn the corner. Playing solid defense became the hallmark of this year’s team. Goalkeeper Jason Taffet had a tremendous year. He started all twenty-eight games, and gave up just twenty goals, recording eleven shutouts.

Jesuit won the District 19-5A championship by going through all fourteen games without a loss. Many of those games were one goals victories, and the team seemed to use that momentum and carry it into the UIL playoffs. At the Region III Tournament, the Crusaders beat Deer Park and Dobie, the latter in a shoot out to win their second consecutive Region III championship and advance to UIL State Tournament. Senior Chris Seitz and Junior Will Gifford converted their shoot out attempts, and GK Jason Taffet stopped three attempts by the Longhorns for the win. In Georgetown at the UIL State Tournament, Jesuit faced an undefeated team in South Lake Carroll. The Crusaders surrendered a first half goal, and then battled the rest of the game for the tying goal. Unfortunately, that goal eluded the Crusaders and their dream season would end. Several Jesuit players received post season honors. Beck DeSpain, C o n n o r D i G r e g o r i o, and Tarek Darouiche were selected as District 195A All-District honorable Mention. Tito Daboval and Kenny Lahart were selected to All District second team, and Timmy Garcia-Prats, Chris Seitz, Jason Taffet ‘11 Kyle Ruck, and Jason Taffett were selected to All-District first team. Tito Daboval and Jason Taffett were selected to the UIL All-State Tournament team. Chris Seitz, Kyle Ruck, Jason Taffet, and Taylor Fletcher were picked for the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Region team, and Taffet and Fletcher were named All-State.

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athletic BASEBALL

Despite some ups and downs, the Jesuit baseball team battled throughout the 2011 season. Their 12-17 overall record, the team’s first losing record since 2004, is one they will look to turn around next year. “This team played hard the entire season and played together as one,” said head coach Raul GarciaRameau. Senior Clay Martin led the team in hits with 40 and in stolen bases with 19 which ranks 5th on the school’s all-time steals list. Junior Bill Munson led the team in hitting with a .400 Clay Martin ‘11 average and in runs batted in with 27. Martin (outfield) was joined by juniors Bryce Pederson (3rd base) and Brent Diaz (pitcher) as Second Team AllDistrict selections. Seniors Munson, Evan Fichter, and Andrew Lopez each earned Honorable Mention All-District honors.

GOLF The Jesuit golf team entered the year very young and inexperienced in 2011, but came on strong at the end, which bodes well for 2012 and beyond. Though they struggled most of the year to gain any traction, as the year went on there were signs of improvement. In early March at their own tournament, the Strake Jesuit Invitational at Sugar Creek, they posted a 2nd place finish in a 24 team field. Just a month later at the District 19-5A tournament at River Ridge, they placed 6th in a tough field of 13.

Top individual performances were turned in by sophomore Nolan Aparicio, who placed 2nd in a field of 119 at the Strake Jesuit Invitational and Zack Rodriguez who placed 7th at the same tournament. “Our top eight golfers are returning next year and they include juniors Bobby Heston, Alex Trevino, and Jack Hawkins, sophomores Zach Rodriguez, Guillermo Tame, Nolan Aparicio, and freshmen Matt Digoy, Daniel Platt,” noted head coach Larry Finke. Nolan Aparicio ‘13

WATER POLO The Strake Jesuit Water Polo team saw their schedule change slightly as their season was moved back into the spring in 2011. Despite the change, they had a strong season which included a North Houston Regional Championship and a run at the state title. Bolstered by a trip to Chicago where they won two of three games, including a win over the 5th ranked team in Illinois, the Crusaders marched to the state tournament where they claimed third place. “This was a very special water polo season for Strake Jesuit,” noted head coach Tom Walker. “We won our first tournaments in quite some time, including the regional tournament. We came up a little short in the state semi-final game, but Liam Jennis ‘12 we came back strong to win the consolation game. I am

NEWS

ATHLETIC very proud of these boys and fortunate to have coached them.” There any many individual honors garnered including Liam Jennis, 1st Team All-Region and All-State, 2nd Team All-American; Nate Zuiker 1st Team All-Region and AllState, 3rd Team All-American; Chris Balhoff, 2nd Team AllState, 5th Team All-American; Gabe Puccini, Honorable Mention All-State, Honorable Mention All-American; Jack Beathard, Honorable Mention All-Region, 2nd Team AllState; and Alex Hansen, 2nd Team All-Region and AllState. As a team, Jesuit had the most athletes on the All-State Team and the All-American Team of any Texas teams.

RUGBY The Crusader Rugby team erased the memory of a tough 2010 campaign by completing its 2011 season in the State Championships for the third time in the four year existence of the program. Beginning the season at Alamo Heights and, after starting shakily, they managed to secure a 17-12 victory. As the season progressed, the Crusaders found a way to win each week save one, resulting in a 7-1 record heading into the annual battle with St. Thomas. The only blemish on the record to that point came from a loss (43-24) to a strong Dallas Jesuit side, ranked in the top ten in the nation at the

time. The season ended for Jesuit with a loss to Westlake in the State Third Place Match at the State Tournament, resulting in a final record of 7-4 and a fourth place finish at State. The four losses came against teams ranked in the top fifteen in the nation. This year’s Captain, senior Jose Linardi, was voted Player of the Year – Backs in the Texas High School Rugby Conference and Second Team All-State. Senior Jose Linardi ‘11 Bradley Akers was voted First Team All-State while seniors Connell Crawford, Niles Luckenbach, Andy Nguyen and Ahsan Khan joined Jose on the All-State Second Team.

FIVE MORE TO PLAY COLLEGE ATHLETICS This spring, Abe Matamoros (soccer - University of Tulsa), Michael Felton (basketball - West Point), Garrison Jones (football University of Chicago), Jason Taffet (soccer - St. Thomas Universsity), and Alex Quoyesyer (football, Brown Univesity) joined MJ Sam (football - Rice University) and Weston Novelli (track - Rice University) who penned their letters in the fall, to play college athletics.

Abe Matamoros

Michael Felton

Garrison Jones

Jason Taffett

Alex Quoyeser

IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY____

The knock at the door. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

by Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ

During my first year Novitiate, as part of my initiation and formation in the Society of Jesus, I made my first thirty day silent retreat. As you may know, all Jesuit Priests and Brothers make the full Spiritual Exercises, the thirty day silent retreat, twice during their formation as Jesuits. For me, being able to make the Spiritual Exercises provided the time and structure to deepen my relationship with God. Preparing for the retreat, I remember being anxious and fearful. I went and talked to my novice master and said that I may not be in the right place and that I may need more coaching in prayer. This whole concept of praying and becoming friends with the Lord in prayer sounded more suited for less selfish people than I was. “Clearly,” he said to me, “you think this is just about you. Flavio, have you thought about God wanting to be your friend? What if you were to believe that God is truly waiting at your door, what would happen if you open the door?” “Well,” I said, not knowing what to say, “perhaps, I am called to trust the process.” Thirty days will be enough, I thought, to figure out what Jesus is doing at my door. And ever since that moment in my early Jesuit life, I continue walking towards the door. Without over spiritualizing the moment, I find myself keeping the image my novice director shared with me that day. I keep going to the door and quite often, I place my hand on the door knob hoping that I am not too late to accept God’s

invitation to become His friend and companion. Everyday, I am invited to open the door and to let Jesus speak to me about what he knows of his Father and about what is in His heart. God never grows tired of waiting. To my surprise and delight, God continues to receive me with a smile. Over the years, I have come to know that my fear to open the door is because I keep focusing on myself and keep thinking that God may not like me. The fact is God keeps coming in through the door each day I pray regardless of who I am. The initiative is always God’s and I am free to accept His gift of friendship or not. God continues to smile and graciously sends me a friend request, a la Facebook request, and I can choose to ignore it or accept it. The only difference is that when I open the door, he usually comes in – looks me in the eyes – and calls me to greater generosity and deeper relationships with Him and with His creatures. When I open the door, I am accepted, forgiven and loved beyond all telling! Thirty days and nineteen years later, after opening and closing doors so many times, I am being led to a deeper trust. I pray and invite you to pray that some day; we will all have the courage to leave the door wide open. Fr. Bravo makes his second 30-day Retreat this summer as part of his tertianship.

NEWS

ALUMNI MARK DAVIDSON ‘71 TO RECEIVE IGNATIAN AWARD AS ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Mark Davidson ‘71 has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Ignatian Award, which is presented each year to the Alumnus of the Year. The award is annually bestowed upon a Strake Jesuit Alumnus who meets the following criteria: his life exemplifies the academic, religious, and social values of the Jesuit tradition; outstanding generosity to the community; professional achievement contributing to the advancement of his area of expertise, and he exemplifies a Man for Others. “I am doubly honored to receive the Ignatian Award,” said Davidson. “The award recognizes service in the tradition of Strake Jesuit, and it reflects well on my education at the school, as well as the values given to me by my parents, to be so recognized. Given the high level of accomplishment by Strake Jesuit alumni, I am moved to join the list of recipients.” After graduating from Jesuit in 1971, he obtained a Mark Davidson ‘71 degree in Mathematics from the University of Texas in two and a half years of study while working at the Texas Capitol. He then obtained his law degree from the University of Houston in 1977. Davidson served as Judge of the 11th District Court from 1988 until his retirement in 2009. He is now serving as the Multi-District Litigation Judge for all asbestos cases in the State of Texas, being named to that position by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and the Multidistrict Litigation Panel of the Texas Supreme Court. In that role, he has judicial PAST IGNATIAN AWARD RECIPIENTS Make plans to join duties over the 85,000 asbestos cases pending 1984 - Larry A. Mason ‘66 us this fall at throughout the state. 1985 - Marcel R. Frey ‘74 our annual Night of Honor when While serving as a district judge, he tried 1986 - C. Jim Stewart III ‘67 Mark Davidson ‘71 over 450 jury trials and cut the backlog in the 1987 - Charles S. Atchison ‘72 will be presented 11th District Court by 70 percent. In 1993, he 1988 - Raymond P. Albrecht ‘72 the Ignatian Award. was named “Trial Judge of the Year” by the 1989 - Patrick J. Moran ‘66 Watch for details. Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate 1999 - Thomas H. Adolph ‘75 Specialists. From 2002 through 2007, he served 2000 - N.J. Santarcangelo ‘67 as Administrative Judge of Harris County. 2001 - Michael J. Koch ‘75 Judge Davidson is married to Sarah Duckers, and has two sons, 2002 - The Honorable Frank B. Rynd ‘70 William, age eleven, and Thomas, age nine. In his spare time, Judge and Stephen F. LePore ‘75 Davidson is Cubmaster of a Cub Scout Pack dedicated to the needs of 2003 - Msgr. James B. Anderson ‘70 autistic boys. In 2003, he was awarded the Arbor Day award by Trees for 2004 - Dr. Julius A. DeBroeck ‘73 Houston for his role in saving a 93 year old tree on the Harris County 2006 - Dr. Brian S. Parsley ‘74 Courthouse lawn. He also is a regular blood donor, and was recently 2008 - Dr. Joe Mike Piazza ‘72 awarded a 40 Gallon Mug, recognizing his donations of 320 pints of 2009 - Steve Kamel ‘74 blood. 2010 - Dr. Garcia - Prats ‘94

NEWS

ALuMni

ANNUAL BR. CASEY SATURDAY PH PROJECT

The 9th Annual Br. Casey Saturday PH Service Project was on held on Saturday, May 14. Another great turnout of alumni, many of their children as well as some faculty and staff reported to Cristo Rey Jesuit bright and early that morning to begin work. In all, 25 volunteers spent a good part of the day doing a variety of projects. They unboxed and un-packed 250 new student desks and moved them from the gym downstairs into 10 classrooms on the newly renovated second floor. They also moved the biology and chemistry labs, as well as the IT office in preparation for summer renovations. Keeping a special eye on that last move was Mark Bazin ‘98 who serves as Cristo Rey’s Director of Technology. This marks the third year that the Saturday PH Project has devoted the group efforts to assist Cristo Rey Jesuit. Previous projects have been held for the benefit of Our Jesuit alums, their children, and members of the school’s faculty and staff (top) Lady of the Guadalupe School, St. Christopher’s gathered at Cristo Rey Jesuit for the annual Project. Unpacking desks (bottom) Day School, Holy Ghost, and Magnificat House.

are (left to right) Chris Garcia ‘80, his father Hector and his son Noah.

TEN GRADS JOIN DADS AS ALUMNI

Ten Jesuit seniors who graduated this year have now joined their Jesuit alumni fathers in those ranks. The are (left to right) Front row: Dan ‘74 and Weston Novelli, Steven ‘79 and Brandon Krus, George ‘76 and Robert Diaz-Arrastia, Ray ‘72 and Alan Albrecht, and Daniel ‘78 and Daniel Whitty. Back row: Hal ‘76 and Chris Condara, Dan Crowley ‘81 uncle of Trey Brassseaux (son of Brian Brasseaux ‘81 who passed away in 2007), David ‘77 and Jack Beathard, Thomas ‘78 and Michael Connell, and Robert ‘72 and Eric Heisler.

NEWS

ALuMNI ALUMNI PROFILE:

Bryan Solar ‘04 and Owen Zidar ‘04 by Vince Santos ‘83 areas of expertise we are able to offer a degree of Each year young graduates credibility for our clients who need to procure loans dream of making a difference in and obtain additional financing.” the world that is waiting for them. The city of Boston Bryan Solar ‘04 and Owen Zidar recognized their hard work and ‘04 are already well on their way. efforts by approving further use In these tough economic times, of Main Street Partners in two small businesses - which account upcoming pilot programs. for approximately 2 out of 3 new Solar and Zidar actually jobs in America - are crying out for met in their sophomore year, help. when Owen transferred in from Solar, who graduated from Dallas Jesuit. The two sat next to Colby College in Maine and works one another in chemistry class, a for the Brookeside Group in Boston, fact that Bryan jokes could not sensed this and came up with Main have come at a better time for him, Street Partners. This nonprofit “It’s an understatement to suggest organization has assembled a that chemistry was not one of collective of business professionals adept in areas such as finance, Bryan Solar ‘04 (left) and Owen Zidar ‘04 (right) my strengths, but Owen quickly became a great study partner and market strategy and consultation really helped me get through it.” to serve as a powerful asset to the Looking back on their days at Strake Jesuit, both men struggling small businesses that would otherwise not have can attest to shared sense of community. Owen admits, such access. “Being the new kid, I was amazed and overwhelmed by the “Individuals who start up their own business bring support and acceptance that I felt from the very beginning.” passion and specialized knowledge about the product or Bryan and Owen also credit their days on campus with service they want to provide,” he noted. “They do not laying their foundation and drive to making a difference necessarily also possess the skill set required to make it work in the world today. In forming Main Street Partners, both long term, so when tough times arise like they have now, graduates instilled the Man for Others philosophy into the they get hit hard and the repercussions to our commerce foundation of their venture. “Jesuit burned it into our hearts and communities is significantly impacted.” that when you have been blessed with education, knowledge Owen graduated from Dartmouth College and is and experience, it’s not enough to keep it to yourself, you currently working at the White House as a Staff Economist must share it with others,” said Bryan. with the Council of Economic Advisors. “When I saw that These two graduates from the class of 2004 came Bryan was spearheading this initiative,” he said, “I knew that up with a winning formula, and truly nobody should be Main Street Partners could work and that because of my surprised. After all, these guys had chemistry from the very background, I was in a unique position of helping,” beginning. Owen, who serves as one of Main Street Partners For more information about Main Street Partners, please go to their volunteer professionals, points out that Main Street website: www.mainstreetpartners.org. Partners plays another key role. “Thanks to our combined

Notes

CLASS

70’s

80’s

Dion McInnis, ’74 recently published a book titled, “Daddin: The Verb of Being a Dad.” As luck would have it, he was able to present his first author’s copy to his son 48 hours later as they waited for the arrival of Lillian Ann McInnis, his first grandchild. The book’s chapters illustrate the verbs of fatherhood.

Jeb Bashaw ‘80 was named the #1 Wealth Advisor in the State of Texas by Barrons magazine and was named a finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Brian Parsley ‘74 was awarded the Service Philanthropy Award by the Houston Business Journal’s Healthcare Heroes and was recognized at an awards ceremony on May 18. Richard Leonardon ‘79 has moved from northern Virginia to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is in his dream house and plans on plenty of outdoor activities in northern New Mexico. Otey White ‘79 has been named one of the LSU 100. White serves as the president and owner of Otey White & Associates, an advertising and marketing firm. The LSU 100 award recognizes the 100 fastest growing businesses run by Louisiana State University Graduates.

Will Knecht ’98 is engaged to Carissa Barnes with the wedding planned for January 21, 2012. His is currently a Subsea Structural Design Specialist at Technip USA.

00’s

Tim Szafran ‘01 and his wife, Sandy, were married on July 30, 2010 at Tuscany Villa in Katy, Texas They are both teachers in Cypress, Texas and are both are graduates of Texas A&M

Tom Reilly ’80 and his family enjoyed watching his son Garrett and his Nolan Vikings win the TAAPS division 1 state championship in San Antonio. He is currently coordinating with other Jesuit ’80 alums on a St. Thomas Moore 8th grade class 35th reunion this summer. John Harris ‘84 recently joined Location3 Media, a digital marketing agency specializing in search engine marketing, social media and mobile marketing, as Chief Strategy Officer. John lives in Denver with his wife Betsy, sons Fischer and Cope, and daughter Rhett. Joe Naples ’87 and his family have relocated from Chevron Upstream and Gas, San Ramon, California to Chevron Australia in Perth. Joe, his wife Elaine, and children Elyse (12) and Seth (8) are excited about the move as well. Joe is on a three-year assignment working as Senior Counsel on the Wheatstone Liquefied Natural Gas Project.

90’s

Justin Boeker ’98 was married on March 18, 2011 to Sarah Smith in Dripping Springs, Texas. He is currently enrolled in the Texas A&M MBA program with expected graduation in December.

Paul Bilnoski ‘99 and his wife, Crystal, welcomed the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Ann Bilnoski on April 3, 2011. Elizabeth’s grandfather is Jim Bilnoski ‘71 and her uncle is Jim Bilnoski III ‘95.

Jimmy McLean ‘06 recently went to Asmara Eritrea in Africa to volunteer his engineering skills as part of a preservation program for the famous Italian art deco buildings of the region. He worked with community engineers on how to keep buildings built by Italian colonist in the 20’s and 30’s from falling into the clutches of time. He did all before starting his PhD program in Wisconsin this fall. Phillip Eukel ‘10, a former Jesuit AllState Water Polo player and freshman at Santa Clara recently participated in the Tri-California Alcatraz Challenge. Held on May 22, the challenge is a 1.5 mile swim from the island of Alcatraz to the Crissy Field in the Presidio. Eukel completed the swim in 34:28, just 3 minutes behind the 1st place swimmer for 3rd in his age group of 16-19.

It is a small world.

Dan Joyce ‘79 (left) and Mark Bergrren ‘81 (right) flank their Singapore basketball team.

Dan Joyce ‘79 moved to Singapore in 2005 with his wife, Debra, and their three kids (Kat, 17; Rebecca, 14; and David, 10). They enjoy the Singapore American School, where Debra is a teacher and their kids are students. Dan works for McDermott International as the Asia-Pacific regional manager of project controls on marine engineering and construction projects. Mark Berggren ’81 and his 11-year old twins (Nils and Claire) have been living in Singapore since their move in 1998. His kids will start 7th grade this August after spending time at summer camp in Texas. Mark manages his own petrochemical consultancy, MMSA, which serves the global methanol and derivatives industries. Several months ago, Dan volunteered to help coach his son’s 5th / 6th grade basketball team that plays in a recreational league at the Singapore American School. His son was assigned to a team coached by Mark. They did not know each other at Jesuit as Mark transferred in as a junior the fall after Dan graduated. They discovered the coincidence of our high school connection while meeting at the first basketball practice. Singapore is about 10,000 miles away from Houston. It is a small world.

Notes

CLASS

~ IN MEMORIAM ~

Four Members of the Class of 2007 Graduate from Service Academies

Matthew Ainsworth ‘08

William Burke ‘84

Patrick Mercier ‘83

Mary Louise Braden Mother of Albert ‘76 and Dennis ‘69 Mary Caruso Mother of Charles ‘75 Albert Garcia ‘07 graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in Spanish and will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He will be stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio where he will begin pilot training for Remotely Piloted Aircraft.

Aubrey Cherry Father of Aubrey ‘10 and Elijah ‘13

Sean Margot ’07 graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Arabic. He was commissioned as a Naval Intelligence Officer and will be temporarily assigned at the Naval Academy before attending Navy Intel school in Dam Neck, Virginia.

Robert Doerfler, Sr. Father of Andy ‘70 Mary Hairston Mother of John ‘75 and Mark ‘77 Jeffrey Horner Father of Alec ‘10 James Hyland Father of Jimmy ‘93 and Faculty Member 1977-82 Daniel Longwell Father of Dan ‘77 and Clark ‘80 Elizabeth Magner Mother of John ‘74 and Richard ‘80 Michael Malekie Father of Brandon ‘13 and Andrew ‘15 John McKenna Father of Bob ‘82 and Matt ‘85 Charles Pitner Father of George ‘69 and Tommy ‘82

Todd Miller ‘07 graduated from West Point with a major in management and was on the Dean’s List his entire time. He will move on to Infantry Officer’s Training, Airbourne School and then Ranger School. All his training will be in Fort Benning, Georgia. He will then be posted at Fort Hood, Texas with the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade which deploys and conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

Will Rose ‘07 graduated with distinction (Top 100) from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He was commissioned into the Marines and will report to TBS on July 5 for six months after which he will receive his permanent assignment.

Valma Reed Mother of Ted ‘76 and Grandmother of Mark ‘08 Carl Triola Father of Michael ‘92 Jane West Mother of Daniel ‘76 and David ‘78

~ BIRTHS ~ Elizabeth Ann Bilnoski on April 3, 2011 Paul ‘79 and Crystal

Coach Charlie, a Strake Jesuit Original Charles Zielinski was the first Athletic Director of the then new Jesuit Prep School in Houston. His mission was a tough one but as a graduate of Boston College and a Marine, he arrived on campus a man well prepared for the job. The early years were difficult. Ours was a small school with humble beginnings. That first year, there were only freshmen. The facilities were modest. The football field was little more than a muddy rice paddy. True, the great old gymnasium was constructed soon thereafter, but Coach remembers that, “in the beginning we had no gymnasium. We practiced basketball wherever we could find a place. We used to practice in parking lots and without any baskets. We played a number of small schools. One basketball game that I remember very well was against St. Nicholas on the East side. I believe that we played at the YMCA. The boys from St. Nick’s were individually talented but our teamwork was much stronger and we prevailed. “The football program also began with baby steps. Zielinski pointed out that, “Our first Varsity Charles football victory was 7 – 0 over Sacred Heart in Halletsville. If my memory is correct, the winning play was a pass from George Everhart ‘65 to Ed Van Pelt ‘66. Ronnie Janda ‘66 kicked the extra point. In those days, we played a number of small schools.” A grateful coach recalls that, “Kinkaid, St. John’s and the Lutheran schools were a great help in getting our sports program started. We were limited in who we could play because of being a new school with ninety one boys, all freshmen. We were very competitive with them from the outset. Their coaches and administration went out of their way to accept us and make special provisions for us since we had no facilities. In those days, St. John’s was the one school that we really had trouble beating in sports.” This Olde Crusader remembers that it was Coach Zielinski who selected the Crusader as our team mascot. “I always liked that name,” he admitted. As for the colors, “We considered maroon and white but Father Kennelly said no. We toyed with maroon and gold but again the founding father said no.” In the end, the color preferred by the old Irishman was (would you believe it) green. After leaving Jesuit, Coach Zielinski stayed in Houston for a couple of years working in the oil patch servicing wells. Eventually, he joined the Gillette Company and in a year was transferred to Atlanta for a couple years. He then left Gillette,

became a manufacturer’s representative and moved to Knoxville for a year. Then it was on to Cincinnati for what was to be only a “temporary stay.” That was 41 years ago. There, he and his wife Marie just celebrated their 51st anniversary. They met at Boston College and continue to have association with the Jesuits. Their two boys graduated from St. Xavier and their grandson from St. Ignatius in Cleveland. “The boys and I and still compete in sports,” says Zielinski. The boys excelled in hockey and the youngest who is 40 years old still plays in an Industrial league in Detroit. Their daughter is their oldest and is proficient in tennis, golf and is a ranked runner in the Cleveland area. Coach Zielinski was a ranked runner for a number of years but finally he succumbed to what he calls, “the family curse” of bad knees which unfortunately ended his running days. The Zielinskis have five grandchildren. “We do not get to see them very often because one is in Cleveland, two are in Detroit and two more are in Philadelphia. We usually have a family get together each Thanksgiving as we rotate at a different Zielinski location each year.” After leaving Houston, Charles Zielinski continued to serve the Marine Corps Reserves and retired in 1985 with the rank of colonel. He has had many interesting assignments and considers himself very fortunate. Proud of his military service and of his Jesuit education, Coach Zielinski continued his education in Cincinnati and received an MBA from Xavier University. He and wife Marie have been traveling quite a bit. In their travels, they consider some of the more interesting places they have been to be China, Egypt, Russian, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Turkey. Coach Zielinski has confided that he tries not to dwell in the past. He has his memories but prefers to “look around the corner and over the next horizon,” as he says, “to see what I may have missed.” By George, I do wish him an interesting future. But as your Olde Crusader, my job is to chronicle our Strake Jesuit past. With this writing, once again I pass on another story of those early days. Let’s just say it is my way of thanking Coach Charles Zielinski for all his efforts on behalf Strake Jesuit at its beginning. To Strake Jesuit, to Coach Charlie, and to memories of the past, I pledge my shield and my sword.

George

are you ready for

THE WEEKEND?

If this is YOUR Weekend, mark your calendars now for

September 16-18, 2011 and watch for emails and watch your mailbox.

PARENTS, if you are still receiving your son’s Chronicle although he no longer lives with you, let us know so we can change our records and send the magazine directly to him. If you enjoy reading the publication but do not receive a copy of your own, let us know that too. We would be glad to send a copy to your son’s new address and continue to send you one.

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory 8900 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, Texas 77036

Contact the Alumni Office at tscalzitti@strakejesuit.org or at 713.490.8153

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Get one before they are gone!

August 10

New Family Cookout

Mothers’ Club Welcome Brunch

11-12 New Student Orientation 13

Vow Day

Classes Begin

Orientation Dance

Follow Your Son’s Schedule

September 2

Mass of the Holy Spirit

President’s Dinner

16-18 Reunion Weekend 21

Parent-Teacher Meetings

October 4

Catholic Schools College Night

Homecoming Game vs Seven Lakes

Homecoming Dance

Career Day

Grandparents Day

North American Martyrs Mass

For up to date event information, go to www.strakejesuit.org

Get your copy of the award-winning book that chronicles Strake Jesuit’s first 50 years before they are gone. A VERY limited number of copies remain. You can purchase online at www.strakejesuit.org or in the school’s Spirit Store in the Clay Center.