the towers T H E R O A D T O C O N S E C R AT I O N A Journey of Faith and Devotion
2025
The Towers Magazine Fall 2025 BE NE D I CT I N E S CHOOL S O F R I C HMO N D SA IN T GE RT R U DE H E A D O F S C H OOL
Amy Pickral ’95 P RE S I D E N T
Jesse Grapes V I CE - P R E S I D E N T O F M I SS I O N
Del Smith ’01 V I CE - P R E S I D E N T OF O P ER AT I O N S
Ann Michele Sweeney DI RE CTO R O F COM MUN I CAT I O N S
AJ Parson EDI TO R S
Andy Garrigue Katie Greene CONT R I B UT I N G WR I T E R S
Mike Forster Andy Garrigue CONT R I B UT I N G P H OTO GR APHE R S
AJ Parson Kelly Lonergan Finn O’Brien ’25 Wendell Powell Studio
12829 River Road Richmond, VA 23238 (804) 358-9114 saintgertrude.org
the towers 12 S T U D E N T S P O T L I G H T S
Taiamoni Halafihi ’27 from Hawaii, Naomi Cruz ’27 from Mexico, and Emma Souter ’27 from South Africa share how their cultural traditions and backgrounds impact their goals, experiences and friendships at Saint Gertrude.
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16 F A C U L T Y F E A T U R E
SGHS Art Teacher and Department Chair Barbara Tait ’10 challenges, encourages and inspires her students every day. In doing so, she played a special role in the healing and recovery of Lillie Grace Clarke ’25.
22 TJ HO EU RRNOEAYD OTFO FCAOI TNHS EACNRDA TDIEOVNO: TAI O N
The Sullivan Chapel, inspired by the original SGHS Chapel on Stuart Avenue, was thoughtfully and intentionally designed to be the spiritual heart of the school. Newly consecrated, this sacred space offers beauty to deepen one’s faith, a place of peace for prayer and refuge, and hope for the future.
30 C O M M U N I T Y S N A P S H O T S
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Highlights from Academics, Alumnae, Athletics, Homecoming, Song Contest, Spiritual Life, and Student Life
36 A L U M N A E H E A D L I N E R S
TURN TO PAGE
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(Opposite side) TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RESURGENCE OF BENEDICTINE’S DRILL TEAM
Stephanie Toler Ford ’88, Victoria LaCivita ’16, Joya Subudhi ’93, Maria Ambrogi Reardon ’83, Phillis Oeters ’75
42 C L A S S N O T E S
After you read the combined class notes for Saint Gertrude and Benedictine, be sure to flip the magazine and check out the news from Benedictine.
52 M E M O R I A M
Extending our deepest sympathies for BSoR community members who have recently passed away.
54 C I R C L I N G B A C K
Turn to page 42 to learn how you can support students today and shape the leaders of tomorrow.
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A considerable amount of my time as Head of School is spent incorporating beloved traditions into the continued growth of our community. This school year will hold two important milestones for our students and alumnae that beautifully reflect that balance: the opening of our new Chapel and the 75th anniversary of Song Contest. The Sullivan Chapel has already become the heart of campus life. As the final preparations were underway and activity increased, students peeked through contractor paper and doors left ajar to catch their first glimpses. Once properly invited in, they immediately sensed both the reverence and belonging that the beautiful design inspires. Flooded with natural light, every detail thoughtfully invites them to pray and reflect.
head of school
Today, students and faculty are once again able to slip inside for a few quiet moments, just as they did on Stuart Avenue. Watching them embrace this sacred space makes me proud that our Catholic identity is not only part of our history but an active, living presence in the lives of our young women. The students, faculty and staff are deeply grateful to the many benefactors and experts whose generosity, talents and vision made this chapel possible. More than a physical space, it is a sanctuary where the faith formation of our young women will be nurtured for generations to come. We now turn our attention to the spring and to a treasured tradition that has embodied the spirit of sisterhood for the past 75 years: Song Contest. As the tie that binds all SGHS alumnae together, Song Contest is much more than a friendly competition — it is a profound expression of connection. It endures because it weaves classmates together, giving voice to creativity, unity and excitement. It is, by far, the tradition that alumnae recount the most: the victories, the losses, the colors, the risers, the white gloves. All share the memory of lifting their voices with classmates and the time-capsule of lyrics they wrote together. Song Contest is also the cornerstone of our leadership program — serving as a leadership lab where every student gains experience in delegating, resolving conflicts constructively, and working together toward a common goal. There truly is nothing else like it. Together, these two milestones remind us of who we are. The Chapel points us toward the faith at the center of our mission, and Song Contest reminds us of the sisterhood that sustains us long after graduation. Both continue to show current and future Gators what makes Saint Gertrude extraordinary: a place where tradition and growth walk hand in hand with faith and joy.
Amy Roussy Pickral ’95 SAINT GERTRUDE HEAD OF SCHOOL
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Amy Pickral (center) is shown celebrating a Spirit Day at Bobby Ross Stadium with (from left) Olivia Panchyshyn ’26, Mariana Gonzalez ’26, Hannah Deaton ’26, French teacher Virginia Kilbourne, and Chemistry teacher Liz Czaja.
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memorable moments
4 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • SAINT GERTRUDE HIGH SCHOOL
Summer Johnson ’25 (right) and Caroline Hutchins ’25 (left), members of the Saint Gertrude Honors Dance Ensemble, participated in the song “Just Around the Corner” during the Stuart Avenue Players’ performance of the musical “The Addams Family” in March 2025. This memorable scene, featuring Morticia and the dance ensemble, radiated the enthusiasm of this captivating production. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 5
memorable moments
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The Saint Gertrude Class of 2025 proudly showed off their future college choices during Graduation Week in May. The Class of Navy & Gold’s 49 graduates were accepted into 95 different colleges and universities, and they matriculated to 22 of them. Earlier this year, BSoR’s counseling team expanded to include a dedicated college counselor for SGHS in order to support Saint Gertrude students’ college planning needs in a more focused and individualized way. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 7
memorable moments
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SGHS students proudly displayed their Cum Laude Society certificates. Pictured from left to right are SGHS’s first inductees: Charlotte Sykes ’26, Grace Harmeyer ’26, Sarah Nguyen ’26, Sofia Pudner ’26, and Lydia Counts ’26. Both SGHS and BCP were accepted into the Cum Laude Society last year, which replaced the National Honors Society at both schools. This prestigious academic honor society is dedicated to fostering scholarly achievement, excellence, justice and honor — values that align closely with the mission of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 9
memorable moments
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Members of the class of Orange and Pink (2027) performed during the 74th Annual Song Contest at the Altria Theater in Richmond, VA. Class themes this year included: Play Bold with Navy & Gold, Merry and Bright with Red & White, ‘NSync with Orange & Pink, and Party Time with Lilac & Lime. The class of Red & White (2026) won 1st Place, and the class of Navy & Gold (2025) won Second Place. Also shown: images from a Song Contest performance during the 1950s. SGHS will celebrate the 75th Annual Song Contest at the Altria Theater on February 27, 2026. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 11
student spotlight A H O M E A W AY F R O M H O M E AT S A I N T G E R T R U D E
Part of what makes Saint Gertrude special are the unique backgrounds and traditions our students bring. Three current students, whose cultural traditions come from thousands of miles away, offer a glimpse into how girls who may appear different can fit in, pursue their goals, learn to lead, and find their place in the Saint Gertrude sisterhood.
TA I A M O N I HAL AFIHI ’27 is from Oahu, Hawaii — an accomplished hula dancer, her Polynesian heritage is an essential part of who she is.
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NAOMI CRUZ ’27
EMMA SOUTER ’27
is from Los Barriles, Mexico, on the Baja Peninsula. One of her fondest memories is celebrating the Day of the Dead, which her town did every year in a full-day festival.
hails from coastal Cape Town, South Africa. An elite water polo player, she spent most of her free time on the beach and competed in beach lifeguard competitions.
All three are thankful — for the determined young women who are their classmates and for the guidance they have received from teachers, coaches and best friends. Where are you from and what’s important for people to know about you?
Why did you choose to come to Saint Gertrude?
T A I A M O N I : I’m Polynesian, and that’s a big part of who I am. When people ask me about myself, that’s what I say first because my culture has shaped all of my morals, everything I believe in, and the way I act. Respect is also very important to me. I feel that here, people think respect is something you earn, but in my culture, no matter who you are or how old you are, respect is given until you prove you don’t deserve it. I’m from Hawaii, but because my dad is in the military, I’ve gone back and forth between there and here. In Hawaii, everyone looks like you, talks like you, acts like you. Coming here, everyone’s just so different — at first, that can make you feel out of place. But I think it’s a good thing, because that helps makes our sisterhood strong.
T A I A M O N I : I have a cousin at Benedictine, Sam Faniel, and he plays football. I chose Saint Gertrude, not just because Sam is here, but also because I wanted a better education so I can get a better job someday. I want to work hard and earn my place wherever I end up.
N A O M I : I moved here last year to start high school,
and it’s also my first time in a private school. My family is very religious. We’re not Catholic, but we’re Christian, and in Mexican culture it’s very important to always put family first — family and friends are the top priority above everything else. It feels different here than in Mexico. There, most people are the same, but here everyone is different and acts differently. Sometimes when you move to a place that’s so new, you feel pressure to be like everyone else. But I think it’s better to be proud of where you come from. Even though I might not look that Mexican, I am very proud of my roots, and I like letting that show. I don’t want to hide that I’m from Mexico or that my family is still there. Right now, I live with my aunt and uncle, while my mom and grandmother are still in Mexico.
N A O M I : My uncle went to Benedictine, and his father also attended Benedictine. For a long time, my mom wanted me to go to high school in the U.S. Through my uncle’s connections, I had the option of coming here or attending public school. I chose Saint Gertrude because I really want to succeed in life — I don’t want anything to be handed to me. E M M A : Back home, I went to an all-girls Christian private school. When I moved here, I started in public school, but it wasn’t a good fit for me. I wanted an education more like what I had back home. When we found Saint Gertrude and I came for a tour, it felt like home. Walking through the hallways, everyone just seemed so happy and so determined. No one was lollygagging around — they were all walking somewhere — and everyone had a smile on their face. It felt like a place for young women determined to succeed, supporting one another. That’s when I knew I wanted to be here, because everyone wanted to be something.
E M M A : I was born in South Africa, and this summer will be my third year in America. Moving here was a huge culture shock, because the way people act and the way they talk to you is so different from back home. Back home, you could meet someone and instantly connect with them, even becoming best friends the same day. I found it a bit hard at first to find my group, but moving here has given me so many more opportunities for college and jobs. So, I am very grateful to be here now.
Naomi Cruz ’27 performing in a traditional Mexican folk dance. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 13
student spotlight
In her native South Africa, Emma Souter ’27 led a busy and adventurous life, with activities including horseback riding and paragliding.
Have you had a teacher at Saint Gertrude who has had a big impact on you? E M M A : The teachers at Saint Gertrude are amazing because they want to get to know you as a person, and they want to get to know how you learn and what you need to succeed in that class. I really like how they will take time to actually get to know you as a person. T A I A M O N I : The teacher who really stands out to me is my art teacher, Ms. Tait. She’s there for us as a mentor, but she’s not as strict as some other teachers might be, and I think that’s important. Teachers aren’t just there to yell or be hard on you — they’re there to help you learn. If a kid doesn’t respond one way, you have to try something different, and she’s really good at that. She makes you feel comfortable and reminds you that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
What sports are you involved in? E M M A : At school, I play field hockey and swim. I feel like the coaches for those two sports have really driven me to have more of a passion for that sport. They’ve just been so helpful, and they’ve always been there if I had a question about a drill or anything else. They’ve always pushed me to try my hardest. N A O M I : I play softball for the school, and this is my first time ever playing. We have such a beautiful field! I’m grateful the coaches didn’t see me as a burden. Even though I was completely new, they never treated it as a bad thing to teach me the rules, how to throw, or how to run the bases. I’m really thankful they had an open heart to guide me and help me improve. They’ve made me really enjoy the sport, and they always remind me to think “I can” instead of “I can’t.” T A I A M O N I : I play volleyball and softball, and I had the opportunity to serve as team captain for volleyball. With softball, like Naomi said, the coaches never saw the fact that some of us were new or hadn’t played in a long time as a problem. They worked with us step by step and helped us get better.
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What advice would you give an incoming freshman, especially one who is the first in her family to attend the school? N A O M I : To keep an open mind and not exclude yourself
from activities, because even though sometimes people might not look super inviting, you just need to get to know them a little better and just be comfortable. E M M A : I agree with Naomi — keeping an open mind, because you shouldn’t just judge somebody before you actually get to know them. I would also just say, don’t try and blend in. Try to stand out. You’ll find your true friends if you stand out. T A I A M O N I : My grandma told me when I first came here, “Don’t forget where you come from or who you are.” Like Naomi and Emma said, you shouldn’t try to blend in. Every single girl here has a big personality. The fact that everyone knows each other for who they really are is important. Don’t forget who you are when you start, and make sure that you’re not the same when you leave.
What are a few words you would use to describe Saint Gertrude? T A I A M O N I : Bonding, caring, and being determined.
Bonding is a big part of who we are as a sisterhood and caring for one another is really important. Being determined means knowing that everyone here wants to grow into something more than they are right now.
How has Saint Gertrude helped you grow as a leader? T A I A M O N I : Everybody here has really big personalities, and that’s helped me feel more comfortable being myself. When people are confident in who they are, it makes me more confident in who I am. I want to keep finding out what I’m capable of and gaining knowledge about things I don’t know yet. Learning from other people here has really helped me grow into a better leader.
How has Saint Gertrude helped you grow in your faith? E M M A : My faith has grown so much since coming to Saint Gertrude, especially after being in public school last year. Here, I feel surrounded by God. The people around me make Him their top priority, and that reminds me why I’m here and who my top priority should be. It helps me remember to always put God first.
Who has been your biggest supporter here at Saint Gertrude? N A O M I : My best friend Heather. She’s always been there for me, especially when I’ve had troubles at home or at school. Heather isn’t the kind of friend who just tells me what I want to hear — she tells me the truth and what I need to hear to help me. I’m really thankful for that.
N A O M I : Perseverance. People here work hard for what they want — they don’t just expect it to be given to them. E M M A : Encouraging and determined. Everyone here encourages each other to work for what they want — and like Taiamoni said, determination is huge — everyone has something they put their mind to, whether it’s for the year or for their future.
A proud Polynesian, Taiamoni Halafihi ’27, has a great love for the traditions of her culture, including Hula dancing.
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faculty feature
BARBARA TAIT ’10
Ars Gratia Artis While London has its Tate art museums, Saint Gertrude has its own twist: Barbara Tait ’10 In the world of business, the term “bait-and-switch” refers to the act of using a deceptive practice that involves attracting a customer by advertising an item at a tremendous markdown. The customer is then informed that said item is no longer available and is offered something less attractive. 16 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • SAINT GERTRUDE HIGH SCHOOL
“It is a dream come true to teach at my alma mater.” — B A R B A R A TA I T ’10 —
Cadets before things got out of hand. “We were sharing rooms, traffic in the hallways was doubled, everyone was visiting at their lockers,” she recalled. “Plus, the studio was small with no real storage. Stuff was everywhere.”
F A S T- F O R WA R D Compare that first experience to today, where Tait holds court within the Margaret Carreras Visual and Performing Arts Center, found on the third floor of Saint Gertrude’s new building. The third floor includes a 2-D art room, a 3-D art room, a gallery and a dance studio. Tait never wanders far from the Center.
In the case of Barbara Tait, the 2010 graduate experienced a bit of a “reverse bait-and-switch.” Tait’s first year had her teaching following the transition of Saint Gertrude from the Stuart Avenue campus. In that second year of the Gators learning in Goochland, her classes were held in a Benedictine classroom that had been converted into an art studio, though that term may be a bit generous. For those unfamiliar with that school year (2022-23), the halls were packed with students. The classrooms were packed with students. The common areas were packed with students. And Tait’s studio was packed with … students. “It was chaotic,” Tait recalled, of that first year’s introduction, which included breaking up a couple of feisty
Of course, it is one thing to be placed in a nice room — quite another to turn it into a nice studio. Tait has done just that, though it took some elbow grease to do so. With the help of a few allies (including Benedictine art teacher Aimee Staples and Tabitha Pickral ’23 — currently studying interior design at the Savannah College of Art and Design), Tait moved an entire department’s supplies to the school’s third floor in the week leading up to the grand opening celebration in December 2023. Today, everything is organized and labeled by material. For example, all the watercolor supplies (palettes, watercolor paint, watercolor pencils, etc.) are in one place. The room is decorated with art posters and other cheery art-related things, like artwork that Tait or her students have created. It is a warm, welcoming, beautiful studio. Tait is a big fan of the new school building, and her affinity for it extends beyond the art wing. “I’m happy to see more of a relationship between the schools,” she shared. “I didn’t see much of that when I was a student.”
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F U L L- C IR C L E “It is a dream come true to teach at my alma mater,” she enthused. Perhaps it is a dream because Tait so thoroughly enjoyed her time as a student. The SGHS faculty chose Tait for the Marian Character Leadership Award, the highest honor that was bestowed on a member of the graduating class. This award recognized the senior who “best exemplifies the spirit and ideals of the school.” “Barbara was conscientious and fun,” recalled Mary Riley, who taught theology to Tait during her sophomore and senior years. “That was the perfect mix. I enjoyed her sense of humor very much. I still do. She was a dependable student, and she is a dependable teacher. She doesn’t just do the things she is required to do; she lends a hand wherever
“She’s always there to help you.”
— SOPHIA COVINGTON ’25 —
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she sees a need. As her former teacher, I’m really proud of the accomplished and compassionate woman that she has become.” Tait, who went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Longwood University and a Master of Education from the University of Richmond, has proven to be an early inspiration to her students. For example, in addition to Tabitha Pickral, Reyna Torres ’24 is currently studying interior architecture and design at VCU, Callie Vea ’24 is studying art at Marymount, and Camile Peplinski ’25 is studying art at Rochester Institute of Technology. Even those with a more tangential appreciation for art have treasured this time with Tait. “Before taking Ms. Tait’s class, I never had an interest in art,” said Carrington Hannon ’25. “Now I have an appreciation for dimensions and shapes and how difficult it is.” And the benefits exist in a non-tangential fashion as well. “Art is very calming,” added Claire Smith ’25. “I see using it in my future to help relax.”
faculty feature
A longtime (as in three years of classes) student of Tait’s provides a nice perspective. “She’s always there to help you,” shared Sophia Covington ’25. “She’ll even give relationship and friendship advice, if we ask her.”
T H E A R T I S T ’ S WAY One of Tait’s goals is to see an expansion of participation in the Advanced Placement art offerings. She is off to a good start, as there are now two AP Studio Art offerings in addition to AP Art History, with 10 girls now taking AP Art History in 2025-26, up from three last year. Another new addition comes in the form of the “Survey of Arts” program that became both new and mandatory to first-year students during the 2025-2026 school year. The structure of the program means that every new student will spend roughly one-quarter of the school year with Tait in one of her art classes. Similarly, every student will spend a quarter in chorus with teacher Joy Weaver, and dance with teacher Valerie Tellman Henning ’00. (The other quarter of the school year will be focused on Song Contest).
“She’s hardworking and creative.” — CACCI ANDREW ’25 —
Tait has already made some significant and positive changes. For example, she started the AP Art History course, something Saint Gertrude High School has never had before. Benedictine used to have such a course some years ago. Today’s version includes students from both schools. Additionally, Tait kicked off an art-focused field trip. This year, in a repeat of the year before, her students headed to Washington, D.C., where they visited the National Gallery. “I’d really like to hit the Hirshhorn [museum],” she shared, while
also noting that nothing is guaranteed, and any such trips are aspirational until realized. In three years, Tait has already become a positive force in the school. “She’s hard-working and creative,” said Cacci Andrew ’25, who took two Advanced Placement courses with Tait during her senior year. “And she is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.” FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 19
A Healing
HeART
Playing a Part in a student’s recovery
Oftentimes, a teacher can make a difference that extends well beyond the classroom. Barbara Tait has made such an impact on Lillie Grace Clarke ’25, who says of Tait, “She’s my favorite. She connects with all of us on another level.” Lillie Grace attributes her development in art to her teacher. “When I started off, I was drawing like a third grader,” she said. “Now, I’m in Advanced Placement (AP) Drawing because Ms. Tait pushed me.” Indeed, Lillie Grace recently submitted her AP portfolio for grading. A quick review of the portfolio showed that it exclusively featured human form. “I never thought I would draw people,” Lillie Grace stated. “Now my entire portfolio is people.”
TURNING POINT There is more to Lillie Grace’s story than her emergence as a talented artist. In July 2023, she was in an auto accident that left her with a broken femur, a broken hip, a broken arm and a laceration so severe that it nearly removed her scalp. She also suffered a traumatic brain injury, underwent an eight-plus hour surgery and was admitted to the intensive care unit for a week. “I love my students, and I was pretty devastated about her accident,” said Tait. “She did a self-portrait right after [she returned to school], and it broke my heart.” Because of the severity of her injuries and the healing they required, Lillie Grace would not return to the Saint Gertrude building until October, on a half-time basis — not easing into full-time until the start of the second semester. “She was supposed to take Honors
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faculty feature
Portfolio that year, but it wasn’t looking like she’d be able to do full days,” recalled Tait. “I talked with her mom early in the year because we both really wanted her to keep the art class because she was talented and loved art, but, more importantly, because we thought it would be therapeutic.”
C R E AT I V E R E S I L I E N C E “Art was a big part of my therapy,” Lillie Grace shared, noting that it went along with the physical therapy, speech therapy and concussion therapy she undertook. “[Tait’s] room was my safe place,” she said. “It still is.”
“Her personality is everything.”
— L IL L IE GR ACE CL A RK E ’25 — “I paired down the number of projects for the first quarter, so that she was creating something, and I could give her some kind of grade, but so she wasn’t overwhelmed,” said Tait. “Her mom would send me pictures of artwork she was doing at home. When she started coming to school, doing half-days, I just tried to give her grace and let her experiment with mediums. I don’t feel like I went out of my way, just gave her extra love and listened when she wanted to talk to me about anything.”
Tait also did things such as turning down the lights in the studio to make the environment more pleasant for her charge. “I kept an eye on her,” Tait said. “Lillie Grace spent a lot of time in my classroom.” Well, it worked. “Ms. Tait picks up on a student who is the slightest off,” said Lillie Grace, who found working in art to be cathartic as she fully recovered. Her ordeal and recovery from it have helped direct her toward a future goal: Lillie Grace matriculated at Longwood this fall to pursue a nursing degree. The care she received following her accident serves as motivation in that pursuit. And she will continue to pursue her love of art and will stay in touch with the person who helped drive that appreciation. “Her personality is everything,” said Lillie Grace. “She is Mama Bear.”
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cover story
The Road to Consecration: A Journey of Faith and Devotion THE SULLIVAN CHAPEL WILL BE THE SPIRITUAL HEART OF THE SCHOOL, OFFERING BEAUTY TO DEEPEN ONE’S FAITH, A PLACE OF PEACE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
After more than two years of tireless fundraising, intense planning and ambitious envisioning, after dozens of meetings, hundreds of donors stepping forward and thousands of hours of construction and craftsmanship, the day had arrived. It was time. Early in the evening of September 12, the Great Hall at Saint Gertrude filled with just under 200 invited guests, gathered for the consecration of the Sullivan Chapel. As the six o’clock hour approached, administrators beckoned the guests to enter the chapel. It was time — for first impressions of a greatly anticipated sacred space, some elements of which had been installed only days before. Entering the space, one’s eyes took in so many things — the amazing gentle blue of the ceiling, the shining gold leaf behind the statues of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the six murals illustrating the encounter between Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego in 1531. Familiar items from the original Saint Gertrude chapel on Stuart Avenue were also present: the Stations of the Cross beneath the arched windows along either side of the sanctuary, the high altar, crucifix and guardian angels that stood front and center.
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It was uplifting, dramatic, intimate. It was comforting and calming. It was overwhelming — in its exquisite beauty. It left one stunned, breathless, at a loss for the right word to sum it all up. And that was intentional. A primary focus of the Design Committee that steered this audacious project was beauty. Beauty as a pathway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of God. Beauty as an expression of God. Beauty which would lead one to God. Jesse Grapes, President of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond, believes in the transformative power of beauty. “If you take the time to really look at the details, and contemplate them,” Grapes asserts, “the beauty of the space, and its power, just grows and grows and grows. The deeper you look, the more beautiful it becomes, and the more beautiful your faith becomes.”
The beauty of the space just grows and grows and grows. The deeper you look, the more beautiful it becomes, and the more beautiful your faith becomes.” — JESSE GRAPES— BSoR PRESIDENT
The pews filled, the piano traced the first notes of the processional hymn, the congregants rose in unison, singing with full throats. Attention turned to the center aisle, where the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond, was entering the sanctuary. Bishop Knestout would conduct the Dedication Mass, consecrating the chapel as a sacred space for worship and prayer. He was joined by Abbot Placid D. Solari, OSB (Benedictine class of 1970) and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, and Sister
Andrea Westkamp, OSB, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. A look around the chapel revealed many eyes twinkling, and some welling up with tears. Chests swelled, voices grew ever fuller, and faces expressed a mix of reverence, humility and joy. The Dedication of an Altar is a rite that goes back to ancient times and must be conducted by a bishop. After the initial procession and greetings, the Bishop sprinkled the people, walls of the church, and altar with holy water. Following the singing of the Litany of the Saints, led by the angelic voices of three Saint Gertrude students, the Bishop placed the relic of a saint into the Mensa (tabletop) in the altar. The relic was a gift from the Bishop — a fragment of a bone of Saint Maria Goretti, an Italian virgin martyr, one of the youngest Saints to be canonized. Grapes, in thanking the Bishop later that evening, commented on its meaningfulness. “Other than Saint Gertrude herself, it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate saintly relic for a Catholic school for teenage girls,” he reflected. Next came the anointing of the altar with Sacred Chrism, during which the Bishop poured holy oil on the center and four corners of the altar, then spread it over the entire surface. Following that came the incensation of the altar, followed by the covering and lighting of the altar. The Benedictine Sisters came forward to arrange the altar with linens, candles and flowers, signifying that Christ is the light of the world. The dedication was completed by the celebration of the Eucharist on the newly consecrated altar. The church, having been made holy, was now serving its ultimate purpose. Following Communion, Sister Andrea offered concluding remarks. “This chapel is a sacred place where God’s presence can be felt in prayer, in the Eucharist, and in the community gathered here,” said Sister Andrea. “For us in the Benedictine tradition, St. Benedict reminds us that the Divine Presence is everywhere, and that we are called to
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honor it in every moment of our lives. My hope is that this chapel will offer our students, faculty, staff and visitors many opportunities to encounter that presence — and carry it with them into the world.” Saint Gertrude High School Head of School Amy Pickral ’95, a guiding force on the Design Committee, also reflected that evening on what the chapel would mean to the students and her hopes for its impact. “The Sullivan Chapel is definitely the capstone project of our beautiful school building,” she began, and then expressed her belief in “just how critical this chapel is to the mission of our school, the faith formation of our girls, and the continuance of the Catholic faith in Richmond for generations to come.” She cited the chapel’s potential to inspire students to “think beyond themselves, to think beyond today, to think beyond the walls of our campus, and to seek their own path in God’s creation.” Pickral then pivoted, referring to Sister Andrea’s imagery. “The Benedictine sisters are our original torch-bearers,” she said, adding her hopes that the chapel will “inspire generations of young women to go where light is needed, and to take the sisters’ torch there in service.”
the road to consecration
Bishop of Richmond, The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, and The Very Rev. Brian W. Capuano conducting the Consecration Mass with Jane Nies ’27 assisting.
Hope was on Ken Sullivan’s mind as well. Sullivan, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond, and his wife Susanne had provided the lead gift to the campaign and had been devoted members of the Design Committee. Sullivan spoke at the reception after the Mass, framing his remarks in thanksgiving and hope — aspects which were in the faces and hearts of everyone present.
steadfast stewardship of these schools they founded.” Looking around the room, catching the eyes of many, he continued, with emotion, “We’re grateful to all the selfless donors that made this chapel a reality. We’re grateful to the leadership of these schools.”
“The overwhelming feeling we have today is gratitude,” Sullivan began, thanking the bishop, Abbot Placid, Sister Joanna, and all the Benedictine sisters and monks for “over a century of
“It makes us smile to think this chapel will be a place of quiet contemplation and communion with God for generations to come,” he began. “Our hope is that it will be a place where
He then outlined his vision for what the chapel could offer the students — and the world.
young women can take a respite from social media and the constant drumbeat of degradation and negative information, so widely available on the internet.” He then stressed the critical importance of faith formation. “It is our sincere hope this chapel will be a place where young women grow in their faith,” he said. Their impact, he said, would be felt by generations. “If they waver in faith,” he cautioned, “the consequences for humanity are dire. Conversely, if our young women are steeped in faith and propagate in their children a love for the teachings of Jesus Christ, then there is indeed hope for humanity.” FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 25
esign Committee members Amy Pickral ’95, Martin Rambusch, Paige Mahefky D Stransky ’01, Steve Reardon ’80, Susanne Sullivan, and Ken Sullivan.
It is often said, perhaps too often, that “it takes a village” to accomplish great things. In the case of the journey to the consecration of the Sullivan Chapel, it took a committee – a Design Committee. The members of the Design Committee for this project were the drivers behind the scenes: creating the vision, crafting a plan, hashing out the details and aiming for excellence in every aspect. Grapes describes the work of the committee as a joyful collaboration, filled with a give-and-take approach, committed to exceeding all expectations. Each member added his or her unique expertise and passion. Sister Cecilia Dwyer, OSB, former prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, offered the overview that the chapel was essential for Saint Gertrude to have all the elements necessary to build a family, just as a Benedictine monastery does. Grapes understood the critical importance of this part to a Benedictine school, labeling it “the missing ingredient, the last ingredient.”
strong contingent of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia traveled from their A monastery in Bristow, VA to participate in the Consecration Mass. Paige Mahefky Stransky ’01 offered the dual perspectives of an alumna and a liturgical designer who was counted on for expertise on numerous details and strategies, as well as creating some of the art. “As a liturgical designer,” she said, “I see the chapel as the spiritual heart of the school — a place that reveals the Truth of Christ through the beauty of His Church. As an alumna of Saint Gertrude, I know how a Christcentered education forms young women to flourish in both professional and personal life.” Martin Rambusch of Rambusch Company, liturgical designers and
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renowned craftsmen for over a century, described his approach. After establishing the importance of the critical items from the original chapel, he said, “We respect that, honor that, and have that be the ‘tuning fork’ that everything is based off of.” Speaking like a Benedictine, he said, “It’s my job to listen carefully, and then direct, reference, and bring people along. Listening is key.” An expert in lighting, he constructed a flexible lighting system, with “downlight, uplight, accent lights, and glow.” His vision was for “the lighting to be able to be ‘tuned’ for different scenes,” for the ‘scenes’ of vigil, Mass and chapel to be supported
the road to consecration
“ This beautiful chapel is a portal to the other side — where the students of Saint Gertrude, and each of us, can rest, adore, sing, celebrate and give thanks.” — STEVE REARDON ’80— FAT HER OF F OUR S A IN T GER T RUDE GR A DUAT ES
and each of us, can rest, adore, sing, celebrate and give thanks.” Kay Wellhouse White ’73, recalls that “the Chapel for our class and us individually was a place of peace, connectivity, and class cohesion.” For the current generation of students, she hopes it will also be a place of peace. With “all the distractions, phones, computers, stress and rush of life” she feels “these young ladies need a place to go and experience true peace and quiet — surrounded by beautiful and thoughtful reminders of our faith.” Theology Department Chair Mary Riley ’84 has high hopes for the new chapel, saying, “I look forward to seeing a new generation of Saint Gertrude students strengthening and celebrating their faith together in what will become the heart of the school.”
T he Sullivan family poses with religious officials who participated in the Consecration Mass of the Sullivan Chapel. From left to right, Rev. John Mary Lugemwa, OSB, Susanne Sullivan, The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, DD, Katie Sullivan Goldman ’13 holding daughter Lucy Mae Goldman, Abbot Placid Solari, OSB ’70, Ken Sullivan, Henry Sullivan ’15, and Brother Ambrose Okema, OSB. Missing from photo: Erin Sullivan ’19. by the illumination within. Sometimes, as with the specially commissioned Crown of Thorns tester (light fixture) to be installed later this fall, “you want people to walk in and go ‘Wow!’” At other times, “it’s just a little glow, for when a student is just walking by.”
Sister Joanna Burley, OSB, aimed her focus at a feeling she hoped the chapel would provide. “I think the new chapel at SGHS is both warmly welcoming and awe-inspiring,” she said. “There is a distinctly feminine feel to it, appropriate for a girls’ high school.”
Lori Garrett, President of Glavé & Holmes Architecture, offered an experienced architect’s informed perspective, taking into account intent and feasibility, and concentrating on concept, features, details and connecting form to function and purpose. Her architect, Anthony Vercio, brought deep historical research to the mosaic patterns in the floor. His reference? The Cosmati family of Roman craftsmen, active primarily during the 12th and 13th centuries. His goal: for the patterns on the floor to “provide symbolism, that on a surface level looks beautiful, while on another level can point to deeper mysteries of our faith.”
Sister Charlotte Lange, OSB, former SGHS principal, is pleased that the new chapel can offer a heightened experience of the Liturgy of the Hours, a Benedictine tradition, and an important connection to the old chapel on Stuart Avenue. Steve Reardon ’80, father of four Saint Gertrude graduates, emphasized that “much attention was paid to beauty. Beauty, truth, goodness, kindness, compassion, and love are closely related and all point beyond the material world to the transcendent. This beautiful chapel is a portal to the other side — where the students of Saint Gertrude,
Riley’s colleague in the department, Sister Lanh Nguyen, can barely contain her excitement as she envisions the effects of the chapel on her students. Her focus, as with so many others involved, is on the beauty contained in so many details within the chapel. “The beauty acts as a reminder that God is real,” she asserts. “You feel it must be something from God — it can’t be anything else. It’s something glorious. Students will experience that Jesus is here, that God is here.”
Benedictines, throughout the centuries, have fervently believed that the presence of Christ is to be found everywhere. It is certainly to be found everywhere in the Sullivan Chapel — a magnificent sacred space, and nothing less than the crown jewel for the school and community that conceived it, built it and will fill it, for generations to come. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 27
The Sullivan Chapel:
a tour
This chapel, inspired by the original Saint Gertrude High School chapel on Stuart Avenue, was designed as the spiritual heart of the school. Its architecture, art and symbolism reflect the Benedictine tradition of faith, beauty and community. The Sullivan Chapel was created to be a place of peace and devotion — continuing Saint Gertrude’s tradition of forming young women of faith for more than 100 years.
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2 THE FLOOR
3 T H E WA L L S
The soaring arches of the vaulted ceiling are a blend of Romanesque barrel vaults and groin vaults; a traditional design found in Europe’s great churches. The shape lifts the eye upward, symbolizing our journey toward heaven.
The Cosmatesque marble floors were handcrafted by Italian artisans, incorporating symbols of pilgrimage and Marian devotion. This style of inlaid stone is rare in the U.S. and was inspired by medieval Roman churches and Monte Cassino Abbey in Italy, the founding site of the Benedictine order in the 6th century.
The walls are lined with custom fabric-wrapped acoustic panels that incorporate symbolic elements with their pilgrim shell and rose design. • Pilgrim Shell motif: A universal Christian symbol of pilgrimage, recalling tokens given to early pilgrims at holy sites. • Rose motif: A reminder of the miraculous roses of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom this chapel is dedicated.
VA U LT E D CEILING
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4 T H E A L T A R & AMBO
At the front of the chapel is the altar, the center of Catholic worship. During the dedication Mass, it was consecrated with sacred chrism oil — an ancient and solemn ritual performed only when a church or chapel is dedicated. The nearby ambo is where the Word of God is proclaimed. The new altar is paired with the original from the 1922 Saint Gertrude chapel — which is a replica of the altar at Monte Cassino Abbey in Italy — symbolically uniting generations of students.
the road to consecration
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Sacred art is placed throughout the chapel: • Six murals depict the encounter between the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Juan Diego. Paige Mahefky Stransky ’01, Liturgical Designer, notes “they narrate the encounter between Mary and St. Juan Diego in distinct moments — call, reassurance, gift, sign, recognition, and mission — and offer a simple pathway for reflection: listen, trust, offer, receive, and go forth.” • Stations of the Cross line the walls between the windows. • Statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary — each hand-carved in Italy from single pieces of wood — bring color, devotion and beauty to the space.
The ceiling is made of Venetian plaster and gold leaf, and natural light filters through the windows. The light-filled vaulted ceilings and ornamentation were inspired by the Monte Cassino Abbey. The hanging lanterns, customdesigned by Rambusch Lighting, mimic the central barrel vault and include a deconstructed Castilian rose, tying them to the miracle of the roses. A striking crown of thorns tester (light fixture) will soon hang above the altar as a symbol of Christ’s Passion.
ART & S TAT U E S
CEILING & LIGHTING
7 L I T A N Y O F MARY
Navy blue and gold circular plaques above the murals depict six of Mary’s symbolic titles from the Litany of Mary in Latin: Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Morning Star, Mirror of Justice, Seat of Wisdom, and Spiritual Vessel.
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SYMBOLS
The chapel honors Our Lady of Guadalupe in many details: • The blue and gold color palette is taken from her mantle. • Floral plaster designs with 23k gold leaf replicate patterns from her blouse on the tilma. • High on the outside wall of the chapel, a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, illuminated at night, welcomes visitors and reminds us of Mary’s presence and protection. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 29
community snapshots
ACADEMICS
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ALUMNAE
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community snapshots
ATHLETICS
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HOMECOMING
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community snapshots
SONG CONTEST
SPIRITUAL LIFE
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STUDENT LIFE
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alumnae headliners The alumnae featured on the following pages have excelled in diverse fields. One works in the White House and is a rising star in political communications, while another, retired from a distinguished career in public health care, has an extensive legacy of opening doors for women. One paints highly valued landscapes and teaches others to follow that spiritual and fulfilling path, while another has built a global client list and developed a business culture that attracts and retains superior employees. One has combined her extensive knowledge and experience to help companies grow and lead her community forward. All have put the values and self confidence learned at Saint Gertrude to extraordinary use, remaining grounded by their faith, and leading with integrity, boldness and compassion.
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STEPHANIE TOLER FORD ’88 learning, helping and connecting For Stephanie Toler Ford ’88, some of her standout experiences at Saint Gertrude connect directly to skills and strengths she has carried into the business world. As a Director with management consulting firm Warren Whitney, Ford leads their business development and growth strategy, and consults directly with clients on strategic planning, succession planning and board governance. A self-described “shy and studious girl” who took every AP class she could, Ford was elected President of the National Honor Society. That earned her the spot of emcee at Song Contest, which she describes as her “first foray” into public speaking. Her first taste of community advocacy happened the same year when she successfully persuaded the administration to reinstate a senior trip by proposing a lower-budget option — a trip to Hampton Roads. Another favorite memory was an SGHS spring break trip to Europe, where she met her future husband, cadet Brian Ford ’87. Her passion for finance led her to attend James Madison University’s Honors College, where she graduated in 1992 with a B.S. in Business. She later earned an M.B.A. from the University of Richmond in 1999. Years of experience as a Commercial Banker provided a diverse “real world” education, working with “everything from startups to billion-dollar companies and everything in between.” A lifelong learner with a passion for community involvement, additional experiences further honed her leadership abilities. At 26, she was invited to join the Board of Trustees of the Richmond Ballet, the first of many board seats. She further enhanced her leadership skills through programs like Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), Lead Virginia, and as Chair of the Henrico Economic Development Authority Board. From Saint Gertrude, she learned the importance of relationships and staying true to your core values, which spring from your faith. Integrity, she emphasizes, is the cornerstone of her firm’s mission. Summing up her approach to business, she says: “I’m all about learning, helping and connecting. Those things and being a problem solver have fueled my career the whole way through.”
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VICTORIA LACIVITA ’16 in the public eye Politics has always been a passion for Victoria LaCivita ’16, a rising star in political communications. She attended her first campaign rally at the age of four. On her 18th birthday, she attended a presidential debate — in Colorado — and later earned AP U.S. History credit for her presentation about it. Today, LaCivita works in the White House Office of Communications as the Regional Communications Director. Her role is to communicate with local reporters across the country about “all the things the White House is doing and what they mean on a local level.” At Saint Gertrude, three years in Model General Assembly showed her how state government works. A few years later, after graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Political Science and Media Studies, she returned to the real General Assembly, as Attorney General Jason Miyares’ Communications Director, calling it “a very cool full-circle type moment.” Politics suited her competitive nature, which was reflected in her academic success at Saint Gertrude, and the diverse skill set the school helped her develop. “Things move really quickly,” she says of politics. “You have to be very flexible and nimble, quick on your feet and willing to adapt and find solutions. I think those are all things and skills I learned in a small all-girls environment.” She also credits Saint Gertrude for her strength in public speaking, which is paramount in her job. “An all-girls environment lends itself to making sure that everyone in the class is participating,” she says. “It’s essentially forced public speaking! The person I was at 13 would never have imagined that this is what I would do professionally now. Four years at Saint Gertrude were just incredibly transformative for me in a public speaking sense.” The confidence expressed in her public speaking — and so important to her work overall — also comes from her faith. “A great product of Catholic education and Saint Gertrude is the self-confidence you develop,” she says. “Or maybe it’s just recognizing who you are and having confidence and faith that you are where you’re supposed to be, because this is all God’s plan.”
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JOYA SUBUDHI ’93 great expectations The female leadership and academically disciplined environment at Saint Gertrude each played a role in the global entrepreneur Joya Subudhi ’93 has become. “Being in a place where all the leaders were women without question gave me confidence to be a leader and an entrepreneur later in life,” Subudhi asserts. She praises Saint Gertrude’s academic rigor as well: “My senior year at SGHS was harder than my freshman year at Boston University.” She received her B.A. in International Relations from BU in 1997 and immediately joined a public relations firm, which launched her into the PR world where she has become a star. The firm was designed to service the dot-com boom, and Subudhi has remained technology-focused ever since. Armed with the confidence she gained at Saint Gertrude, in 2004 she founded her own PR firm Wireside Communications, based in Richmond. Subudhi worked hard to grow the firm, creating a company culture that ensured employee satisfaction and retention, and building a diverse international book of business. In 2007 she landed the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone account, which Wireside holds to this day. NTT, a Japanese telecommunications holding company, is the fourth largest telecommunications company in the world. Wireside’s client list today includes companies headquartered in the United States, Germany, Israel, Canada, England, France and India. Over time, Wireside’s reputation has grown as well. In 2013, it was named Small Agency of the Year by the Bulldog Reporter — judged by working journalists — the first of many industry awards. In 2020, she took on a partner in the company, a savvy businessman and good friend of 27 years, R.J. Bardsley. Her official title now is Founder and Co-CEO. Subudhi justly takes credit for the business and the team she has built. “I’m just an inspiring person,” she says candidly. “People want to work with me and for me.” She also credits Saint Gertrude for its high expectations. “You sort of rose to the occasion or you didn’t make it,” she says. “I think Saint Gertrude demanded perfection, and that really worked with me.”
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MARIA AMBROGI REARDON ’83 art in the moment For Maria Ambrogi Reardon ’83, some of her fondest Saint Gertrude memories were in the art room on Stuart Avenue. Having loved art since she was a little girl, she remains a passionate artist to this day, traveling last summer to Montana to paint landscapes. She’s also an art teacher, leading others down a path that has given her so much fulfillment and joy. After high school, Reardon enrolled at VCU in Fashion Illustration, which mostly involved working from photographs — a process that left her feeling less than fully satisfied. Years later, after starting a family with her high school sweetheart, Kevin Reardon ’83, she says she “wanted to get back to my fine art self.” She began taking classes at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, “and that opened the door.” One of those classes — a portrait session with a live model — was transformative. “It was so much better than just painting a photograph!” she recalls. That’s when she discovered Plein Air Richmond, a group that painted outdoors at sites such as Maymont and Agecroft. Plein Air painting, creating art outdoors on the spot, was life changing: “It opened a whole new world for me. When you’re out there, your eyes see so many more colors, and you’re experiencing the moment so fully. That influences what goes into your painting. It’s really getting back in touch with nature, and it’s so spiritual. Once I started doing that, I was like, ‘Oh, there’s no turning back now!’” Taking things full circle, Reardon has taught at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for the last five years, including a Plein Air class. Part of what she teaches is to slow down, be still and observe closely. For Reardon, art is not just replication but connection — a way to experience nature more fully and express what’s in her heart. It is, she says, a way to seek God in creation and reflect His beauty, whether in a Montana landscape or her own backyard.
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PHILLIS OETERS ’75 values and tenacity
Looking back, six years after retiring from a distinguished career as a Vice President at Baptist Health South Florida, Phillis Oeters ’75 knows what made her stand out. “Values and tenacity separated me from the others,” she states. “And the values sprang from my time at Saint Gertrude.” Oeters sums up her values as focused on “always doing the right thing,” and serving others, especially “the least, the last and the lost.” She defines tenacity as “not taking ‘no’ for an answer.” Bolstered by her values and tenacity, Oeters started having an impact early. While studying at James Madison University, Oeters was distressed there wasn’t a Catholic ministry on campus. She approached Bishop Sullivan over it, gathered over 2000 signatures, and by graduation there were three Catholic Masses on campus. After earning a Master of Social Work degree at Barry University in Florida, Oeters soon found another glaring omission — in the health care laws. Urgent care wasn’t covered by insurers, forcing patients to go the more expensive route: Emergency Rooms. “I had to change the law,” she recalls, “and that’s how I became a lobbyist.” By her reckoning, she was one of the first female lobbyists in Tallahassee. Over the years, Oeters has broken down many doors previously closed to women. In 1988, she was the first woman to win the J/30 North America Sail Championship presented by the American Yacht Club. Her takeaway from that? “If you can command your own ship, you can do anything.” In 2009, she was the first woman to be named the president and chair of the Orange Bowl Committee. She realizes she has not been alone in the fight for equal opportunity. Of the women of her generation, she says proudly, “We have shattered so many glass ceilings, we still have shards of glass stuck in our teeth.” Looking ahead, Oeters thinks of the Saint Gertrude students of today. “I feel it’s so important for them to use the values they learn at Saint Gertrude and their tenacity. They need to know that, armed with their values and tenacity, they can make a difference in the world.”
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class notes W E WA N T T O H E A R F R O M Y O U! Scan below to submit a class note for the next edition of Towers.
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1970
Michel Reardon ’55 shared that his published book Whistling Down the Halls: The Times and Cartoons of America’s Original Pantomime Comic Strip Artist is available at Walmart, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The book contains several hundred cartoons by his late father Foxo Reardon, who was an internationally syndicated cartoonist with the Chicago Sun-Times.
2 The SGHS class of 1970 joined the BHS class of 1970 in celebrating their 55th reunion this fall with a Mass and luncheon.
1956 Frank Carpin ’56 recently embarked on an incredible journey. He traveled to Puglia with Irish Travelers to visit his mother’s birthplace before continuing to explore the Best of France — including Lourdes, Mont Saint-Michel, Omaha Beach and the French Riviera. His adventure concluded with a Viking Cruise through Amsterdam, Basel and Lake Maggiore. It was a long and memorable trip for the energetic octogenarian!
1958 William H. Fisher Jr. ’58 attended the graduation of his grandson, William H. Fisher IV, from Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville in May 2025.
1962 Jim Savage ’62 and Bonnie Doyle Savage ’62 recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. They are proud parents of two children, grandparents to six and greatgrandparents to two.
1965 The BCP Class of 1965 held a 60th reunion weekend that began with a cocktail party in the new SGHS building on October 24th. SGHS ’65 alums were invited to join the guys!
1967 1 Alfred Pollard ’67 and his wife Linda are thrilled that their grandson, Robbie Cleveland ’26, was named Battalion Commander for the 2025-26 school year. Robbie is the son of Dr. Elizabeth Bortell ’88 and Mr. Robert Cleveland.
42 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREP + SAINT G ERT R U D E H I G H S C H O O L
3 Rick Ranger ’70 shared special greetings to the friends of the Class of 1970 from Mukono, Uganda. Rick and his wife Catherine have served for four years as missionary faculty at Uganda Christian University. Rick is a lecturer in the UCU School of Business, and Catherine works in the administration of UCU’s Honours College. They both mentor students and lead a weekly fellowship of friends, neighbors, students and staff who live on campus. Rick shared that they never dreamed they would serve as missionaries and certainly never sought this as a calling. It was God’s leading, not a result of their plan. God’s plan has led them to the most rewarding jobs of their lives, to a deep immersion in learning the idiosyncrasies of another culture, and to friendships that they never would otherwise have encountered. They have opportunities to contribute to the formation of young people of faith and passion who have a willingness to learn and work for positive change for their country. Living among them is great fun and endlessly stimulating. Rick says their current visa/work permits are good through most of 2027. Joanne Tresnauk McDonald ’70 shared that Mary Jane Massad Hogue ’70 has been selected as the 2025 Richmond Christmas Mother. Mary Jane has been
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6 an active community volunteer and has served on various boards including as President of the SGHS Board. Joanne says that she knows Mary Jane will be successful in her efforts and will have a major impact supporting our community’s families in need.
1975 4 5 6 Class President Catherine Curley Murphy ’75 shared that the SGHS Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion May 29-31, 2025. The festivities began with pickleball and lunch on May 29. That evening the class celebrated with the BHS Class of 1975 at the Willow Oaks Country Club. At the 2025 SGHS Graduation ceremony on Friday, May 30, the 1975 alumnae were honored, and they each received a diploma. Graduation
7 was followed by a lovely luncheon in honor of the Class of 1975. Friday night, the class gathered at the Boiler Room for a wonderful evening of reminiscing and laughter. Saturday evening, May 31, was the culmination celebration in the Great Hall in Saint Gertrude’s new building, where they danced and laughed the night away. Catherine wants to say thank you to all who attended, to all who worked tirelessly on these events, and to the school administration that made our class feel so special. For those who could not attend, you were missed!
1977 7 Sam Dibert, Sr. ’77 retired from “real work” at the end of 2022 and is now focused on A Walk in the Woods Experience, which he founded to provide
leadership retreats for businesses and non-profits. Sam and Susanne are blessed with 12 grandchildren and love spending time with them. They all live nearby, and the grandkids call her “Zannie” and him “Sampa.” Their oldest grandson, Ethan Wirt ’29, is a freshman at Benedictine this year. When Sam is not in Richmond, he spends most of his time at their farm The Land, which is near Pamplin, Virginia. He enjoys fishing, hunting, driving tractors, playing guitar and woodworking.
1979 The BHS Class of 1979 had another successful and fun reunion with their classmates and with the SGHS class of 1979. The Reunion committee was comprised of Ana Goldman Warden ’79, Cheri Powell Peterson ’79 and Greg FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 43
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Holzgrefe ’79. They organized the event at the BSOR Pavilion with music, beverages, food and dancing. 1 Alumni pictured are (left to right): Thomas Romeo ’79, David Everett ’79, Greg Holzgrefe ’79, Joe Nicholson ’79, Mark Weber ’79, Bill Carli ’79 and Tommy Norris ’79. 2 The committee got a lot of support from their spouses and got some labor from Bill Carli ’79 and Fr. Neal Nichols ’79. The Cadets and the Gerties have celebrated their reunions together every five years for the last 45 years. The Reunion Committee (along with some new recruits) is looking forward to a larger and wonderful turnout and celebration for their 50th Reunion. 3 Dr. Alan Toler ’79 has competed in the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for over 30 years. He shared that 2024 was a very good year and that his winnings included the Open Class Winner and Virginia State Champion. During the CMP National matches in Camp Perry, Ohio, he was awarded the Elihu Root Gold Medal for placing in the top four civilian competitors in the National Trophy Pistol
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6 Team Match. Dr. Toler also placed in the top 100 competitors during the President’s Hundred Pistol Trophy Match. At the NRA National matches, Dr. Toler and his teammates placed second in the Two-man Team Pistol Match.
1982 4 Pat Caine ’82 and his wife, Jane, welcomed their second grandchild, Micah Thomas Caine on July 8. Pat is in his 18th year as CIO of Virginia Farm Bureau. Pat and Jane also own and operate their family BBQ sauce business River Rat BBQ. They are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and Pat continues as the drummer for the local band Raizin Caine. 5 Jane Hicks Gabrielle ’82 continues her work in the arts in eco-spirituality. One of her initiatives will be included in the Catholic Climate Covenant’s feast of St. Francis eco-spiritual resource, Spreading Seeds of Peace and Hope for
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Creation. Recently Jane illustrated a children’s book on the endangered fish, the Roanoke Logperch. She is serving her third year as artist in residence with the City of Roanoke. https://www.unitythroughcreativity.org/ team/jane-gabrielle-mccadden Donna Metzger Lantagne ’82 and her husband Tony had a wonderful 2024. Their son, Joseph Lantagne ’12, married Ella Taubenfeld in June. Their daughter, Emma Lantagne ’14, married Josh Landry in October, and Tony and Donna sold their business and retired in September. What a banner year 2024 was for their family! Tony and Donna are enjoying retirement life and spending time on Lake Winnipesaukee. George Lacy ’82 retired in 2024, and he and his wife Cindy are traveling and seeing the world. William Bruce ’82 shared that his son got married last year, and their first grandchild was born this past spring.
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6 Ted Puchalski ’83 and his wife Beth left on May 1 on their boat Wastin’ Away to complete the Great Loop, which is a 6,000-mile plus journey through the U.S. and Canada, with a side trip planned for the Bahamas. They hope to cross their wake back in Urbanna, Virginia, in May 2026.
Kathleen Riopelle Roberts ’88 and her husband, Matt, moved to New York City in the summer of 2023. She is Director of Library Services at The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine in Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
1986 7 Drew Mugford ’86 was honored to present his son, Aidan Mugford ’25, with his diploma at graduation this year. He is excited to be in his sixth year of teaching and coaching at his alma mater. 8 Drew recently participated in the Class of 1986’s 40th annual tube trip down the James River. The tradition has continued uninterrupted every year since August of senior year. This year’s trip was led by Paul Becker ’86 and included Richard Gill ’86, Diet Berling ’86, Charles Plageman ’86, Tim Kiefer ’86 and BCP parent Al Williamson. Fellow classmate, Phil Basset ’86, met the crew to help them load gear at the end of the day.
1997 9 Tim Pudner ’97 and his wife Kristina, daughter, Sofia Pudner ’26, and son, John Pudner ’28, enjoyed a trip to Scotland and England in June. 10 The highlight was Tim’s fellow cadet, Joe Purcell ’97, piloting the outbound flight and introducing Tim to a couple of his favorite Edinburgh pubs. 11 Catherine Thorsen Dameron ’97 lives in Goochland, Virginia, with her husband, Jimmy, and they have five children. Her daughter, Claire Thomas ’26, is active in both track and drama at Saint Gertrude, while her son, Ford Thomas ’28, plays on the Benedictine golf team. Catherine is a proud Saint Gertrude alumna and is thrilled
11 to have a future 2026 Saint Gertrude graduate in the family. She has served as President of the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) at SGHS for the past two years and remains actively involved in the school community. Professionally, Catherine is a top advisor with Mutual of Omaha, where she has built a successful career helping families protect their financial future through personalized insurance and retirement strategies. The Damerons are proud members of the Saint Gertrude and Benedictine communities. Ann Marie Abbott Massie ’97 is in her second year working at the Benedictine Schools of Richmond, currently serving as Director of Alumni. Her daughter, Ella Massie ’26, will graduate from SGHS this year, while her son, Henry Massie ’29, is a freshman at BCP. She and her husband love being part of the BSoR community. Mandy Murphy Rentschler ’97 continues to serve as the Dean of Student Life and Leadership at Saint Gertrude High School. She and her husband, Chris, live in Midlothian with their three daughters. Their oldest, Nora, began her freshman year at Penn State this fall — go Nittany Lions! FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 45
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1 Stephen Pudner ’99 and his family made a pilgrimage in July to visit the tilma and apparition site of Our Lady of Guadalupe and then had a lovely visit to Mexico City (which was shockingly nearly 20 degrees cooler than Virginia that week).
Hayden Morris Davis ’00 began her small residential cleaning business, Luxury House Cleaners, in April 2021. The business has expanded recently and now offers commercial cleaning as well. Discounts are available for SGHS and Benedictine alumni.
2 Jordan Rodericks ’99 is now working as a director, photographer and creative director. He recently had the chance to serve as both creative director and photographer for the Washington Commanders during their 2025 Media Day. He spent the day with the entire team and, most importantly, caught up with fellow Benedictine alumnus Clelin Ferrell ’15. He said that that at one point, he and Clelin even joked about breaking into the Benedictine fight song. Jordan says his own love of football started back at Benedictine, when he played on the junior varsity team and scored an unforgettable 27-yard touchdown as a halfback.
2003 Greg Grubbs ’03 was promoted to Captain in the U.S. Navy. He is married with three sons who are 10, 9 and two months old.
2004 Jon Harman ’04 was recently hired as the new Southeast Regional Sales Manager for Zekelman Industries. His territory is from Virginia to Florida as well as Alabama and
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6 Tennessee. This is truly a dream job for him, and he is greatly looking forward to getting back to Virginia and taking a large new step for his career.
2005 3 Ashley Finestone Moorefield ’05 married Dakota Moorefield on July 18, 2025, in Virginia Beach. They currently reside in Carrollton, Virginia.
2006 Cristin O’Brien Puccinelli ’06 and Nicholas Puccinelli ’07 along with two-year-old big brother Alexander are excited to announce the birth of baby Charles Boehling Puccinelli on December 8, 2024.
class notes
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2007 4 Janel Holmes Akande ’07 graduated with a Masters of Art in English from VCU in 2016 and moved to Northern Virginia in 2018. She married her husband in 2020, and they have two sons, Ayoluwa and Oluwaniyo.
2008 5 Brittany Graves Novak ’08 and her husband, Brian, welcomed daughter Natalie Victoria on April 16, 2024. She joins older sister, Sophia, who has been a great and excited big sister! 6 Christina Raines Morris ’08 and her husband Travis welcomed their second child, Avery Patricia Morris, on June 2. Two-year-old big brother Ridgely couldn’t be more excited. They reside in Columbus, Ohio, where Christina is still in the wine industry, and Travis coaches soccer for Ohio State (Go Bucks!).
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11 Julia Zweifel Lund ’08 shared that after several years away, her family has returned to Richmond and welcomed two boys, Thomas Paul in 2022 and Harrison Rice in 2024.
2009 Cal McFeely ’09 accepted a new job at Eli Lilly in San Diego. He and his wife Eva moved to the West Coast last year. Russell Griffin ‘09 and his wife Gabby welcomed Riggins Healy Griffin on July 14, 2025. Gabby continues to expand Grit Physical Therapy and Performance in Richmond. Russell is still working at ZOLL selling crash cart defibrillators to hospitals. The Griffins are building a home in Moseley, Virginia, and moving this fall. It’s been a busy year for their family! 7 Mike Goldberg ’09 and his wife Kat welcomed Eleanor Rose Goldberg on March 17, 2025. The family is doing well back in Richmond. Aaron Stumpf ’09 accepted a new job as an Engineering Leader at Lutron in
12 Ashland, Virginia, changing the world one shade at a time.
2010 8 Jimmy Fitch ’10 and his wife Ashley welcomed their first child, Whitley Grace Fitch, into the world on May 1, 2025. 9 Eric Meyer ’10 and his wife, Michelle, welcomed their second son, Townes William Meyer, on May 30, 2025. He joins big brother Hayes David Meyer.
2012 10 Hunter Morgan ’12 and his wife Leah welcomed their second child, Thomas. 11 Brich Kiefer ’12 and wife Ali welcomed their first child, Blair. 12 John Mosier ’12 and his wife Elizabeth welcomed their first child, Charlotte. As shown in the photo, John has perfected the “dad walk.” FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 47
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4 1 Victor Shaheen ’12 and his wife Hannah welcomed their first child, Makenna. Sam Slough ’12 and his wife Haley welcomed their first child, Sloan. 2 Ryan Winfree ’12 married his wife Hannah last spring. 3 Murphy Kerner ’12 married his wife Annie last spring. 4 Travis Kerner ’12 is in his second year of owning his own chiropractic office, Streamline Chiropractic and Wellness in Miami, Florida, where he works with athletes and patients of all kinds to help them achieve their fitness and health goals. Thomas McFadden ’12, the class ambassador, shared some small mementoes to bring a laugh to those
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5 reading the class notes to help maintain the strong bond the class of 2012 has cultivated over the years: “Dallas Wood ’12 was deemed “Most Yolked Man” in Lakeside for the second year in a row. Rumor has it the sheriff is making him file a concealed carry permit for his biceps! Ryan Winfree ’12 finally achieved his lifetime goal of dunking on a 10-foot hoop. Most of us doubted him, but he somehow was able to pull it off. There are no pictures to support this claim, but we’ll take his word for it. Michael Logan ’12 and his wife Meghan moved “Down Unduh” (aka Florida) to further perfect their bronzed tans. Last, but certainly not least, Christian Bernard ’12 and his wife, Ginny, were named “Hottest Couple of 2023” by the Greenville Gazette. As always, reach out if you need anything. Class notes like these have helped maintain our bond over the years. Continue to stay in touch!”
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2013 Lanieta “Lani” Budi ’13 married Kawsu Kijera on April 28, 2025. They met when Lani served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa. 5 Gabrielle Zuccaro Dreyer ’13 welcomed daughter, Lily Marie, in August 2024. Luke is the proud big brother. She and her family currently reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2015 6 Jake Nichols ’15 works for Benedictine Schools of Richmond. He and Brynne McMackin were married on June 14, 2025. Alumni pictured at his wedding are Alex Titley ’15, Michael Quinan, Jack
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Gorman ’15, Jake Nichols ’15, Michael Geary ’15, and Noah Autry ’15. 7 Mariah Craddock Atkins ’15 and her husband, Matthew, welcomed their first son, Brooks, on December 17, 2024. 8 Eileen Cunningham Kay ’15 married Bruce Kay in Richmond on May 31, 2025. Hailey Jenkins Coleman ’15 and her husband Tyler welcomed a sweet baby girl, Campbell Rae, on April 22, 2025. Noah Autry ’15 married Bridget Prybyla in early September 2025. 9 Thomas Selman ’15 married Mary Grace Davis Selman on August 24, 2024, in Rome, Georgia. 10 Robert Reidy ’15 married Jenna Morin at St. Bridget Catholic Church, followed by a reception at The Commonwealth Club. Quite a few Benedictine and Saint Gertrude alumni were in attendance.
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2016 11 Omead Zarei ’16 recently started a new role as a Verizon Specialist with Best Buy. He and his girlfriend are heading to the BreyerFest in Kentucky — a large festival celebrating model horses crafted after breeds from around the world.
13 12 Anthony Roberson ’16 graduated with his Master of Fine Arts from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, which is Hollywood Reporters’ top-rated film school in the U.S. He was one of six students selected to write and direct a thesis film. 13 Isabella Iannini ’16 is engaged to marry Conrad Zamperello in April 2026. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 49
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1 Gabriella Johnson ’16 is a Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate from Virginia Tech, where she specialized in land development and hydrology. During her time at Virginia Tech, she conducted undergraduate research examining how urbanization affects existing storm water infrastructure in the town of Blacksburg. Following graduation, she has worked in the engineering industry, including designing energy substations and assisting with the Virginia Offshore Wind project for Dominion Energy. Gabriella has earned several professional credentials including Virginia DEQ Stormwater Plan Reviewer certification, Engineer-in-Training (EIT) license, Registered Land Disturber Certification, and OSHA 10 certification for site safety. Gabriella shared that she is grateful for the opportunities she has had to rebuild her local community.
and fitness testing and assessments to help people with the goal of weight loss, longevity and sports performance.
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2 Christopher Firment ’17 married Sarah Difazio Firment on June 22, 2024.
4 Michael Yelle ’20 is entering his senior year at High Point University, where he plays on the hockey team. Over the past two seasons, the team has won a league championship and made two Final Four appearances. Last year, they reached the College Hockey AAU Division 2 National Championship but came up short, so they are hoping to win it all this year.
John McGiffin ’17 is married, and he and his wife welcomed their first child — a baby boy! He was also promoted in his role as a probation officer. Jacob Gibrall ’17 and Dawn Karns ’19 are engaged to be married.
W E WA N T T O HE A R F ROM YOU! Submitting a class note has never been easier. Scan here to be featured in the next issue of The Towers.
3 Christopher Metzger ’17 began working at a local startup, MetaFitRx, which is a lab specializing in metabolic
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2021 Logan Cohn ’21 is currently working as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Benedictine Schools of Richmond. Alan Crandall ’21 joined the USMC Reserves. Currently, he is training to be an MV-22 Crew Chief in New River, North Carolina. After training he will return to his job at the Shenandoah Vally Battlefield Foundation as a Park Resource Ranger. 5 E’nya Clarke ’21 graduated from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University on May 9, 2025, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. 6 Emilia Iannini ’21 had several Red & Blue classmates visit her in D.C. for her
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birthday weekend! She shared that Katie Pilot ’21 is attending Tufts Dental School in Boston.
2022 7 Mary-Finan Mudd ’22 had the privilege to study abroad in Rome, Italy this past spring. She wasn’t the only Gertie abroad — Anna Christian ’22 was studying in Florence, and Dabney Lang ’22 even made the trip to visit. The three reunited over spritzes at a cozy bar in Trastevere, sharing a special moment that reminded them no matter how far they go, a little Orange and White spirit is never too far behind!
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in memoriam We extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and families of the following members of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond community who have recently passed away.
1940s Mr. Leo A. Massad ’48 7/24/2024 Rev. Msgr. Frank J. Hendrick ’43 8/23/2024 Mrs. Jean Smart Warren ’48 11/22/2024 Mrs. Irene Pierce Miller ’47 2/11/2025 Mrs. Barbara Porter Kalina ’46 3/30/2025 Mr. Luther A. Everett, Jr. ’48 5/23/2025
1950s Mr. Charles E. Fagan, II ’58 7/18/2024 Mr. Lawrence M. Fuccella ’56 7/26/2024 Mr. Warren L. Rose ’57 7/28/2024 Mr. John D. Goode ’55 7/28/2024 Mrs. Helen Nott McKerns ’55 7/28/2024
Mrs. Brenda Campbell Bertozzi ’59 12/7/2024 Mr. Joseph A. Kelly ’54 12/25/2024 Mr. David P. Woods, Jr. ’56 2/19/2025 Mrs. Patricia Schaefer Oliff ’57 3/16/2025 Mr. James B. Birindelli ’57 3/28/2025 Mrs. Suzanne Caravati McCreight ’54 4/24/2025 Dr. John J. Lacy, Jr. ’59 5/13/2025 Mrs. Mary Anne Nott Gardner ’53 5/30/2025 Mrs. Suzanne Miller Gallagher ’53 6/14/2025 Mrs. Susan Midkiff Reid ’55 7/9/2025 Mr. William V. Witty ’52 7/16/2025 Mrs. Sarah Gerwin Matt ’52 8/2/2025 Mr. William L. Sledd, Jr. ’56 8/4/2025
Mr. James F. Daffron ’53 10/13/2024 Mrs. Diane Trexler Vass ’58 10/13/2024
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1960s Mrs. Arlene Kiiffner Mountjoy ’63 10/4/2024 Mr. John W. O’Connell, Jr. ’61 10/6/2024 Mr. James F. News ’68 12/7/2024 Mr. Charles M. Bridges, III ’67 12/29/2024 Ms. Diane A. Bialkowski ’66 1/26/2025 Mr. Edward L. Gomes, Jr. ’66 2/2/2025 Mr. Russell H. Griffin, III ’64 2/4/2025 Mrs. Patricia Wilson Holloway ’61 2/13/2025 Mrs. Andrea Massad Proffit ’62 2/26/2025 Mr. Jack C. Cook, Jr. ’61 2/27/2025 Mr. Richard L. Karnes ’68 3/10/2025 Mr. Thomas A. Hewitt ’69 4/15/2025 Mrs. Barbara Young Summers ’69 5/6/2025 Mrs. Gaylyn Cahen Lloyd ’64 6/11/2025
TO COME
1970s
1980s
2000s
Mr. Christopher Corcoran ’76 7/25/2024
Mr. Charles D. Morehead, Jr. ’83 7/18/2024
Ms. Kathryn Brie Whitmire ’01 6/30/2024
Mr. Keith V. Anderson ’78 10/6/2024
Mrs. Mary Vaughan Bliley Utter ’81 9/9/2024
Mr. Steven G. Gulati ’02 12/31/2024
Mr. Harry W. Tinsley ’70 12/6/2024 Mrs. Therese Irving Stigall ’77 12/19/2024 Mr. Robert F. White ’73 12/23/2024 Mrs. Colleen Huennekens Payne ’76 12/28/2024
Mr. Francis X. Maher, III ’87 10/20/2024
2010s
Mr. Dennis J. Donovan ’80 11/10/2024
Mr. Jacob G. Baldwin ’16 10/16/2024
Mr. Robert L. Fox, III ’89 11/15/2024
Dr. Rebekah A. DeBell ’15 11/14/2024
Ms. Elizabeth A. Lewis ’81 3/14/2025
2020s
Mr. Michael J. Arrighi ’76 1/16/2025
Mrs. Linda McCracken Koebel ’80 7/10/2025
Mrs. Mary Anna Booker Link ’70 3/22/2025
Mr. Patrick K. Wilson ’83 7/24/2025
Mr. J. Bernard Baird ’72 6/5/2025
1990s
Mr. Richard G. Lawrence, II ’79 7/8/2025 Mrs. Michele Roche Rumsey ’70 7/29/2025
Mr. Lee Farinholt ’91 10/26/2024 Ms. Jennifer Reedy Nichols ’94 3/27/2025
Ms. Taylor B. Bernard ’20 7/22/2024
Special Members of the BSoR Community Elise Maloy 11/19/2024 Sister Andrea Verchuck 1/6/2025
These notices were received as of August 15, 2025. Please contact the Advancement Office at advancement@benedictineschools.org if there is any incomplete information or to submit a condolence.
Colette Bernard 1/14/2025 John H. Harris 4/19/2025
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Save the Dates!
l i c n r i g c ba
Each year, the Benedictine Schools of Richmond hosts a variety of special events that support our two schools’ missions while building relationships with our loyal community members. Please join us for an upcoming event!
BCP Graduation and 50th Year Reunion
Capital City Classic and The Gathering
MAY 31
DECEMBER 27
SGHS Graduation and 50th Year Reunion
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
MAY 30
DECEMBER 8
Boxing Smoker
All Saints’ Day Memorial Mass
MAY 4
NOVEMBER 1
Song Contest
Homecoming
MARCH 15
OCTOBER 7
Envision
Hunt and Gather
MARCH 2
OCTOBER 6
Parater Day of Giving
Vino with a View
FEBRUARY 7
SEPTEMBER 21
JANUARY 26
Loyal Donor Appreciation Night
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JUNE 3
Rut’s Classic Golf Tournament
All dates are subject to change. Please visit benedictineschools.org/community for the most up-to-date information.
the towers THE ROAD TO VICTORY Drill Team Re-boot is a Powerhouse
2025
The Towers Magazine Fall 2025 BENE D I CT I N E S CHOOLS OF R I C H MO N D BENE D I CT I N E H EA D O F S C H OOL
Greg Lilly PRESIDENT
Jesse Grapes VI CE - PR E S I D E NT OF M I SS I O N
Del Smith ’01 VI CE - PR E S I D E N T OF OP ER AT I O N S
Ann Michele Sweeney DIRE CTO R O F CO M MUN I CAT I ON S
AJ Parson E DITO R S
Andy Garrigue Katie Greene CO NT R I B UT I N G WR I T E R S
Mike Forster Andy Garrigue CO NT R I B UT I N G P H OTO GR AP HE R S
AJ Parson Kelly Lonergan Finn O'Brien ’25 Wendell Powell Studios Virginia Athletics Agata Schoenborn Andy Garrigue Carter Reed ’26 Zant Wood ’26
12829 River Road Richmond, VA 23238 (804) 708-9500 benedictinecollegeprep.org
the towers 12 S T U D E N T S P O T L I G H T S
National Champion wrestler Lane Foard ’25 and JeJuan Hutchins ’26 share standout moments from their journeys at Benedictine. From athletic triumphs to military leadership and faith formation, both exemplify the brotherhood, discipline and character that define today’s Cadet experience.
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Longtime head coaches Greg Lilly and Sean Ryan step down, ushering in the next era for Benedictine’s state championshipwinning football and baseball programs.
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After a brief hiatus, the Benedictine Drill Team roars back onto the scene, winning back-to-back titles in the Virginia Military School Drill Competition.
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30 C O M M U N I T Y S N A P S H O T S
Highlights from Academics, Alumni, Athletics, Homecoming, Military Life, Spiritual Life, and Student Life
TURN TO PAGE
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(Opposite side) TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OPENING AND CONSECRATION OF THE SULLIVAN CHAPEL AT SAINT GERTRUDE THIS FALL
36 A L U M N I H E A D L I N E R S
Staunton “Si” Cottrell ’67, David Doane ’75, Patrick “PJ” Gallagher ’00, Kobi Onyiuke ’22, Jay Woolfolk ’21.
42 HL EE AL PD EBRUSI LTDO DT AOYM O R R O W ' S
Learn how your gift can make a lasting difference.
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As I begin my 21st year at Benedictine and second year as Head of School, I’m more excited than ever about all that is happening in our community. In classrooms, on the parade deck and on the athletic fields, we’re carrying out the same mission we’ve been committed to for 114 years: forming Christian men of conscience, discipline and achievement.
head of school
The unique and enduring Benedictine brotherhood was celebrated as members of the Class of 1975 were honored at Benedictine’s 113th commencement ceremony in May. The Class of 2025 set the bar high with their outstanding leadership and many achievements. • Forty-six cadets graduated with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. • The Drill Team won back-to-back state titles. • We won six state championships during their four years: three in rugby, two in football, and one in baseball. • We had a National Champion Wrestler, the first National Champion ever at Benedictine. • Four Cadets committed to serving our great country through ROTC scholarships and enlistment. My challenge to the current Corps of Cadets is to meet the standard that the class of 2025 set for you. I feel confident that with our outstanding teachers, coaches and cadre by your side, you will be successful in this endeavor. I want to thank our previous military leadership team — Gray Walker, Randall Finley, and Rich Ramos — whose dedication over the past five years made a lasting impact on our cadets. We are fortunate to have highly experienced and accomplished Catholic men stepping into these roles. This year, we welcomed two new TAC officers: CPT Patrick Gresosky and Lt. Brad LaFontaine. CPT Gresosky brings five years of service in the U.S. Army, both active duty and reserve. Lt. LaFontaine served 20 years as a Navy aviator and later led NROTC at Ohio State University as well as NJROTC programs in Virginia and Florida high schools. There has also been a carefully executed plan for leadership changes in the football and baseball programs led by Athletic Director Fran Pochily. This summer, I passed
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Greg Lilly with students Doug Clevert ’25 and Roddrey McWilliams ’25 during the Individual Drill competition (top) and pictured with James Gasperini ’27 at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony (bottom). the baton of Head Football Coach into the very capable hands of Kurt von Bargen ’04, our former offensive coordinator, and Sean Ryan handed over the responsibility of Head Baseball Coach to longtime assistant coach Brian Toland ’92. Sean Ryan is a great friend of mine, and not only did he develop the best high school baseball program in central Virginia, he also provided a tremendous example of a good Christian man to our Cadets. He’s a great husband, great father and a generous, humble leader in his community. I am confident that Kurt and Brian will carry on the well-established legacies of these successful athletic programs. Kurt led the Cadets to a 10-1 season and won the football team’s third VISAA state championship in a row this fall, and I look forward to seeing the baseball team thrive under Brian’s leadership this spring. It’s an exciting time at Benedictine, and I hope that you will come visit to see all the amazing things that are happening every day on our campus.
Greg Lilly BCP HEAD OF SCHOOL
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memorable moments
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The Class of 2028 crowded around Jake Rothgeb ’28, to celebrate his impressive first-place finish at the Individual Drill competition. Formerly called “The Manual of Arms Competitive Drill,” this tradition began in 1911 and has been a cherished tradition for Benedictine alumni ever since the school was founded. Also shown: a program for the Forty-Sixth Manual of Arms Competitive Drill in 1956. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 5
memorable moments
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Benedictine College Preparatory's Class of 2025 proudly showed off their future college choices during Graduation Week in May. The 76 members of class of 2025 were accepted into 119 different colleges and universities, and they matriculated to 35 of them. Over 20 Cadets committed to play college athletics in a wide variety of sports: basketball, baseball, football, lacrosse, wrestling, tennis and golf. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 7
memorable moments
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A new mascot, Benny the Drill Sergeant, was introduced in the Fall of 2024. Benny adds extra spirit to the student section as they cheer their brothers onto victory. The Cadets have a tradition of sprinting onto the field to congratulate the football team after they win. This unique celebration occurred many times last fall, as the Cadets won the State Championship for the second year in a row. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 9
memorable moments
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The Benedictine Corps of Cadets was invited to march in President Donald J. Trump’s Inaugural Parade in January 2025. They are shown here practicing for the event. Although it was ultimately moved indoors due to freezing temperatures which prevented their participation, it was a significant honor to be invited. Local news stations ABC, CBS and NBC featured stories about BCP’s involvement in the Inaugural Parade, featuring footage of Cadets marching and interviews with Matthew Faraci ’25, JeJuan Hutchins ’26 and Head of School Greg Lilly. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 11
student spotlight
JeJUAN HUTCHINS ’26 Senior JeJuan Hutchins ’26 has excelled as a military, athletic and faith leader ever since arriving at Benedictine. As a freshman, he first tasted military leadership by stepping in for his squad leader, ably taking command. His dedication was recognized last spring when he was named Executive Officer of the Corps of Cadets. A linebacker on the state championship football team his sophomore year, he calls that victory over Trinity his standout memory. This summer he joined the BSoR mission trip to Honduras, further strengthening his faith. Hutchins represents the best that a Cadet can be.
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What is one of your best memories from freshman year? That was when I decided to start taking the military seriously. One day, one of my squad leaders wasn’t there, and I had to fill in. I was inspecting people and making sure their uniforms were right, and it was really cool. I was in Headquarters Company all during my sophomore year, and that’s really big, because they only put their best squad leaders in Headquarters Company. I kept desiring to be higher up in rank and to do something to be valuable to the Corps.
What are your expectations for yourself as Executive Officer of the Corps of Cadets? I really think I have to be a role model for everyone else. I want to be able to inspire the freshmen that they can achieve rank too, and even become the Battalion Commander one day if they work hard enough.
is amazing. There are so many life lessons you can learn from football. Our coaches not only teach us how to be great football players, but also how to be great men, great leaders, and maybe even great husbands one day — all things you need in the future.
How has your faith life grown during your time here? I’ve always wanted to be baptized. My whole thought was that once I came out of the water, everything — all the challenges I was facing — would be gone. I was completely wrong. At Benedictine, I learned that when you’re baptized, you have the Holy Spirit with you at all times. It taught me how to grow my faith. I started experiencing things I never had before. I felt like I could feel God’s presence a lot more. That’s how I decided to start a podcast. It’s called A New Way of Life. Mr. Parson [BCP Photojournalism teacher] was a big help — he suggested the equipment I needed, gave me advice, and taught me how to plan and work everything.
Who have been your biggest supporters at Benedictine? Mr. Broadhurst’s Physics class freshman year was really fun. More than that, that class was where our brotherhood really developed. We all got really close, and we still talk about it today. I also liked Miss Reardon’s History class a lot. She’s one of my favorite teachers. She encouraged me, and I got really into the subject. I think her teaching style helped me retain the content and learn more.
What would you want alumni to know about what the Cadet experience is like today?
JeJuan Hutchins '26 seen in uniform as a member of the State Championship football team and on a mission trip to Honduras during the summer of 2025.
How has Benedictine helped you grow as a leader? It’s given me the confidence I lacked coming in, and it’s taught me traits leaders should have — like knowing when it’s a good time to push the people you’re in charge of, and when you should give them space. I think that’s important as a leader — being disciplined. My time management has also really improved since I’ve been here. Having to prioritize forces me to make sure I’m doing the right thing at all times. I have to stay on top of my schoolwork, my military responsibilities and athletics — all at the same time. This has really helped me stay focused and be the best leader I can be.
What is the benefit of putting sports into that mix? I’ve been playing football since I was five years old, and I want to play at the next level, in college. Football is my outlet. It’s my getaway from everything else, and it’s something I love. To be part of such a high level football program like Benedictine’s
I would want them to know that it’s just as good as the experience they had. We still value our brotherhood. We’re still striving to do really well in academics, and we still rely on them a lot. We want advice from our alumni — we see it like it’s coming from a brother.
What is your standout memory or a favorite memory so far? Winning the State Championship in football my sophomore year against Trinity. We had lost to them in the last regular season game by almost 30 points. To lose like that, and then to keep striving toward our bigger goal and beat them in the State Championship — that really meant a lot.
How did you and the team overcome that big loss? It was definitely the senior leadership. I can remember Luca Puccinelli telling us after that loss, “This is not it! We’re going to see them again in the State Championship. This game doesn’t mean anything. It’s only going to matter when we play them in the State Championship.” And everyone bought into that mentality. It gave me confidence we would learn from the experience. The coaches helped a lot, too. The week before, Coach Lilly said, “We’re going to fix the small things. We’re going to adjust. We’re going to make sure we’re doing the right thing.” Everyone was locked in all week at practice, and I knew right before kickoff of that championship game that we would win — I just had a good feeling! FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 13
student spotlight
L ANE FOARD ’25 Watching National Champion Lane Foard ’25 wrestle is unforgettable. From the first whistle, Foard is a predator — stalking, and then pouncing with ferocity, vanquishing his opponents with a combination of bruising power and studied technique. His singular talent was recognized on July 31, 2025, when the Richmond Times-Dispatch named him Athlete of the Year. Yet many may not know Foard left his family to attend Benedictine. He quickly discovered that within the school’s community and brotherhood, he had found another family of his own.
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What made you decide to wrestle?
I’ve been wrestling since I was about five years old. My Dad went to high school with one of the local club coaches. One day he asked me if I wanted to wrestle, and I thought of the WWE! I said, ‘Yes, I want to wrestle, of course!’
and again — the values of accountability and being a man of conscience. He really is very disciplined when it comes to that. He wants to form good men of virtue, just like Saint Benedict. Coach Yost makes that the main focus when it comes to building a wrestling team.
How did you decide on Benedictine for high school?
How did Coach Yost guide you through mistakes, or difficult times?
As soon as we pulled into the campus, I was all in. I saw the bell towers and the fields, and it really hit me hard. When we went inside everyone just made me feel like I was already part of the culture even though I was just checking it out for the day. I just immediately fell in love with the school.
He would just come to me directly, and we would talk one-on-one. He would dive in on what was wrong — he wouldn’t hold back. That’s what a true coach does. But, more importantly, he tries to do it right. He’s very clear so you know what you did wrong. But the bigger part is building you back up into what you should be doing to make you better.
What accomplishment are you most proud of since you’ve been a Cadet and why?
What was a challenge you faced when you first became a Cadet?
My folks live an hour away, so I had to leave home and live with a host family — my BCP wrestling coach David Yost and his parents welcomed me into their home. It was hard, at first. I came from the middle of nowhere in Madison County, where there are more cows than people. But then a week or so later, I said to myself, this is okay. The whole Benedictine community made it very easy and comfortable for me.
When did you get involved in the Conservation and Hunt Program?
My freshman year. At that point it was kind of just getting started. A spot opened up for me to go on a trip to Delaware with them. I remember Mr. Smith coming to me, saying, ‘Hey, you’re in!’ and I started jumping up and cheering. He said, ‘Now calm down, don’t go crazy,’ and that was my start. The standout memory had to be the Montana trip. We were there for a week fly-fishing and camping — not glamping, not fancy camping. We were in tents under the stars, outdoors for a whole week by the river, and it was just so beautiful.
Who has been one of your biggest supporters at Benedictine?
I love Coach Yost. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and along with all the other assistant coaches at Benedictine, I could not be where I am without them. With Coach Yost, it’s not just technique. He cares about the athletes. He cares about their faith and who they are as people. And he drives into us — again
This year, I wrestled one of my archrivals. I had lost to him four times during my sophomore year and junior year. He had been wrestling in the 175-pound weight class all year, but just before Nationals he bumped up to 190, which meant I would have another chance to go against him. When Coach told me, I just said, ‘Let’s go!’ I wanted that matchup back! That was the fuel I needed to prepare. We ended up meeting in the finals. As predicted, it was close, 0-0 going into the final period. I started taking a lead and then I got up to 1-0, then 2-0 and then 3-0 — and then I took him down, putting him on his back. I got up to 8-0, and I remember just looking back at the coaches, the stands and my teammates, as the clock ticked down. That’s probably my most memorable achievement. One of the best moments of the day was knowing I could say I’m a national champion. But I didn’t just do it for me, I did it for the school, for my teammates and for my coach. Everyone was going crazy yelling, “We did it!” WE won. WE did it together.
What do you think makes an effective leader?
Accountability, I think, is one of the biggest things. When you’re a leader, you’ve got to be accountable. I mean, if someone does something wrong and they’re under you, it’s on you. Leadership is accepting the fault for your actions, knowing when you’re wrong and taking advice. A big thing I learned at Benedictine is, whether you think you’re right or wrong, open your ears. Really be open and just listen. The rule of Saint Benedict starts right there: Listen, listen with your heart.
What would you want alumni to know about what the Cadet experience is like today?
I think everything has grown and gotten better — the discipline, the military program and the brotherhood. If something goes wrong, we can count on our classmates and brothers to lift us up or help fix it. The strength of the brotherhood — that’s remained constant here, and it always will. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 15
leadership profile
GREG LILLY 16 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY
SEAN RYAN
Changing of the Guard Honoring the lasting influence of Coaches Greg Lilly and Sean Ryan Year after year for much of the past two decades, Benedictine’s football and baseball teams were perennial state championship contenders, each guided by the steady hand of one man the entire time. On the gridiron, it was Greg Lilly. On the diamond, Sean Ryan. Last summer both announced their retirements from coaching to focus on other professional pursuits — for Lilly, leaning into his second year as Benedictine Head of School, and for Ryan, advancing beyond his role as Senior Vice President of Media Relations to become a part owner of the Hodges Partnership. This changing of the guard at Benedictine for these two landmark programs is nothing less than a generational shift. These coaches have each coached a generation of cadets, leaving a legacy that extends well beyond championship seasons and graduation. The games of football and baseball are played between the lines, but when we discuss the legacy of Coach Lilly and Coach Ryan, we need to look beyond the lines, because the guidance and mentorship of these two coaches creates an impact well outside of the lines of play. It dictates who their players are and who they will become, involves such foundational things as the work ethic they embrace to achieve goals, the resilience they summon when faced with challenge, and the attitude they adopt to persevere and overcome. While the short term goal for these coaches was to achieve victory on the field, the real victory these coaches wanted their players to achieve was beyond the field. They wanted their players to grow up to be victorious in life — as good, honorable men. For these coaches, success was about developing men of character, men who can be counted on, who
“For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes – not that you won or lost – but how you played the Game.” — G R A N T L A N D R I C E , 1941 —
make the right choices, have the right priorities, and possess the proper humility. It's about developing men who realize that what’s most important is how you play the game — of life. The guidance these coaches provided to our young men is a testament to the foundation that Benedictine can offer. A Benedictine education doesn't just happen in the classroom or in the chapel or on the field. It also comes from the relationships forged — between brothers, between teammates, between players and coaches. And those relationships may be the greatest legacy a student takes from Benedictine. We know the strength of the brotherhood at Benedictine and the love contained within that bond. We must also acknowledge the life impact of the bond between a coach and his players. For that important work, done at such a high level for so many years for so many Benedictine cadets, we salute Sean Ryan and Greg Lilly. FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 17
Saluting Coach Lilly “ Coaching at Benedictine has been one of my life’s great pleasures. I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with the players and coaches who I consider my Cadet Football Family — it’s been an honor to represent the Benedictine community on the football field.” — C O A C H G R E G L I L LY —
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Over Coach Lilly’s 16-year tenure leading the Cadets on the gridiron, he: Guided the team to five VISAA Division I State Championships
BEYOND THE SCOREBOARD RODDREY M C W I L L I A M S ’ 2 5 : From the
first day, he showed me that he believed in me and was going to put his trust in me as a player. That’s why I played my absolute hardest for him. J A C K S O N H A L L ’ 2 5 : He
taught me to do things the right way. He taught me how to commit to excellence. He taught me that you have to be disciplined in football and outside of football. L E O B O E H L I N G ’ 2 4 : I would not be anywhere close to the man I am today without Coach Lilly. Coach Lilly is THE Benedictine standard and always will be. S C O T T B R A C E Y ’ 1 6 : Coach Lilly’s impact on us as
men far surpasses his statistical accomplishments. The life lessons of discipline, accountability, and leadership that I learned playing for Coach Lilly is something I’ll always carry with me. M A R C O O R T I Z ’ 1 8 : Coach Lilly pushed us to be our
Earned VISAA Division I Coach of the Year honors four times
Coached more than 100 student-athletes who went on to play college football
Coached six players who reached the NFL, including Clelin Ferrell now with the San Francisco 49ers
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best not only on the field, but in the classroom and in life as well. He instilled discipline, resilience, and
leadership profile
character in us all that helped prepare us for life after Benedictine. A N T O N I O O R T I Z ’ 1 8 : I will always appreciate the work ethic and character Coach Lilly instilled in us as players and as men. He helped form men who will go out into the world ready to lead with strength, serve with honor, and walk by faith. J A C K H A L L ’ 2 0 : He’s one of the few who have shown
me what it means to be a man. Coach Lilly has always prioritized developing character in his players over just teaching football and he does both extremely well.
L E O N H A U G H T O N ’ 2 2 : Even though he was a coach, it was more than football with him. He was invested in shaping us into men and he has taught me lessons that I will forever carry with me. K O B I O N Y I U K E ’ 2 2 : Everything that he focused on
was on team values, sacrificing for your brother, making sure that you do your job, so that the entire team can benefit. I’ll always hold onto that as being one of the most important things, not only within football here at Notre Dame, but also really in life.
D ’ A N D R E T O B I A S ’ 1 9 : His impact went far beyond the football field. He pushed me as a student, a leader and most importantly, as a man. Through college and now as an Army officer, Coach Lilly has remained by my side, not just as a mentor and role model, but as family. C H R I S C O L L I N S ’ 1 8 : Coach Lilly has been an inspirational figure in my life way beyond football. He has instilled confidence in me that I have carried throughout my college and pro career. A role model that I hope I can be half of when I decide to transition into coaching. Coach Lilly is family. N I G E L W I L L I A M S ’ 1 2 : He always emphasized the
importance of paying attention to the details and taking the extra step. He led by example and pushed us to do the same. In both the high and low moments, he didn’t stay away from his emotions but showed us that these were a part of life and needed to be embraced. C H A R L E Y M E Y E R ’ 1 2 : He will always shoot straight no matter what. Coach not only prepared me for success on the field — he also provided off the field skills that I will carry for life. I’m a better man today because of Coach Lilly. D A V I D G E A R Y ’ 1 2 : Coach Lilly is the best leader I’ve been around. No one else meets his standard. His impact will carry on for lifetimes. The way he coached us, mentored us, pushed us to be our best, we will give those lessons to our kids, and they will give it to their kids.
THE NEXT ERA OF CADET FOOTBALL Kurt von Bargen, a 2004 graduate of Benedictine and the Cadets’ offensive coordinator since 2022, succeeds Lilly as head football coach. “It’s time for me to give someone else the chance to experience the joy of leading this program,” says Lilly. “We have found the right man in Coach von Bargen. It has always been my goal to turn over command of this program to someone who will take it to even greater heights by doing things the right way, and I’m confident Kurt will do just that.”
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Saluting Coach Ryan “ I’ve been truly blessed to lead the Benedictine baseball program all these years. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach hundreds of Cadets and develop lifelong memories and relationships with so many players, families and the Benedictine community. I’m especially grateful to my family, assistant coaches and the school’s leadership for their support in building this program.” — C O A C H S E A N R YA N —
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Over his 22-year tenure leading the program, Coach Ryan: Guided the team to five VISAA Division I State Championships (2010, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024), making 19 playoff appearances in 21 eligible years Reached the state final five times between 2017 and 2024, with an impressive 14-3 playoff record Compiled a 384-180-2 record, a .678 winning percentage and averaged 18 wins per season — 22 per year from 2017 to 2024 Coached 86 student-athletes who went on to play college baseball, including Jay Woolfolk ’21, drafted this year by the Atlanta Braves, Jamari Baylor ’19 drafted in 2019 by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Nick Roth ’15 who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.
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THE MEASURE OF A COACH R Y A N W E S T ’ 0 8 : He made
every player feel like they could be something. He knew how to push players beyond their limits, but you knew he always genuinely cared about them and had their backs through anything. CHRIS D Y E R ’ 1 0 : Sean
Ryan was the best baseball coach I’ve ever had, not just because of his knowledge of the game, but because of the way he mentored and prepared me for life beyond the diamond. M I K E G O L D B E R G ’ 0 9 : Coach Ryan is a hard
person to say something nice about because you immediately start reaching for clichés, like “I wouldn’t be the man I am today. He taught me more about life than baseball — he’s been like a second father to me.” All would apply.
leadership profile
W I L L S W O O P E ’ 0 9 : He has always done things the
right way. He is one of those special coaches that’s an even better person. The guy is truly a legend. J O E W H I T E ’ 0 4 : He has a true gift of being able to see the best in people and being patient and skilled enough to get it out of them. Whatever Hall of Fames there are in this world for high school baseball from now until the game is done being played, they won’t be complete without him in there. J A K E W I S E ’ 2 5 : I wouldn’t be where I am today without Coach Ryan. Coach Ryan took a chance and believed in me and not only pushed me to be the best player I could be, but more importantly shaped me into a better man and person. N I C K R O T H ’ 1 5 : When you hear the words “Benedictine baseball,” you immediately think of Coach Ryan. What stands out most after graduating 10 years ago was the constant support and communication after graduating. J A Y W O O L F O L K ’ 2 1 : His believing in me and putting
me into difficult situations as a freshman showed how much he trusted and cared for me. I’m blessed to have been coached by him. W I L L S I M O N ’ 1 7 : Coach Ryan set the gold standard
for Benedictine baseball. His passion for the game and desire to see his players succeed on and off the field was unmatched. E L I O T T I N G E R ’ 1 7 : Coach Ryan gave me opportuni-
ties I may not have deserved and allowed me to develop into the player I became. I’m forever grateful for Coach Ryan’s impact on me as both a player and a person. H E N R Y D O L A N ’ 2 1 : Whether at practices or a game, he would consistently preach the same things — hard work and dedication to your teammates. That led us to being state champions.
THE NEXT ERA OF BENEDICTINE BASEBALL Assistant Coach Brian Toland, a 1992 graduate of Benedictine and the Cadets’ assistant coach since 2020, succeeds Ryan as head coach. “Brian is a true Cadet,” says Ryan. “As a player, parent and coach, he’s been a major contributor to our success. I’m excited to see him continue developing Cadets who thrive on the diamond, in the community and in their lives.”
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cover story
teamwork, precision
&
DRILL TEAM RE-BOOT IS A
POWERHOUSE
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excellence D R I L L , B A B Y, D R I L L . Arrive well ahead of morning formation, or linger following afternoon formation, and you will see young men executing commands in a crisp and precise fashion. You will also see them spinning, tossing, flipping, catching and shouldering replica rifles.
In fact, drill has returned with a level of vigor that has resulted in the drillteam Cadets gaining acclaim and earning trophies. It has been thoroughly embraced: roughly 40 Cadets have been active in the group.
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cover story • teamwork, precision & excellence
SECOND TOUR The story of the return of the drill team begins with the acceptance and admission of Sam Simons to the Class of ’27. You see, Sam is the son of David J. Simons ’88. During David’s time at Benedictine, he was all about precision movements. He was a member of the Benedictine drill team that placed fourth in a national drill competition. He was a member of the color guard and commander of Honor Platoon, and he earned the title of Most Valuable Driller during the 1986-87 school year. It just so happens that in 2023, former Commandant Gray Walker was trying to revitalize the drill team, which had lost its mojo after the pandemic. As such, he was in search of some assistance. Greg Lilly, who was then Director of Admission, knew of that incoming student’s experienced father. He pointed Walker in the direction of Simons, and things got rolling. Simons found a ready audience at the school in the form of Michael Townley ’25 and Evan Kreckman ’25. The two juniors (at the time) had been mulling over how to bring new life and enthusiasm to the drill team. “At that point, the only drill activities were practices for in-house drill competitions,” noted Townley. After meeting with Simons, he and Kreckman used their connections and social media to generate enthusiasm while Simons researched opportunities for the Cadets in some ongoing competitions. The team has developed to the point where there are seven specific competitive teams: armed platoon (led by Michael Dan ’26), unarmed platoon (Parker Brown ’26), armed squad (Ryan Scharpf ’27), unarmed squad (James Gasperini ’27), exhibition (Robbie Cleveland ’26), competitive color guard (Griffin Lang ’27) and inspection (Cole Herschberger ’26). “Drill is a great extracurricular,” noted Townley. “It builds friendships that will last forever. It’s also good for discipline and communication.”
“These young men are athletes in their own right and are remarkably dedicated to their craft. I’m so impressed by their commitment.” — MAJOR RICHARD RAMOS —
THE ROAD TO VICTORY Walker, who served as Commandant for five years and stepped down this summer to return to the classroom as a full-time teacher at BCP, is pleased with the team’s progress. “Drill team is a manifestation of buy-in of the military program of the school,” he noted. “The time investment of those participating is really something. It is the essence of commitment.” The Corps’ new Commandant, Major Richard Ramos, agrees. “The drill team showcases our most disciplined, precise, synchronized military drill and ceremony. These young men are athletes in their own right and are remarkably dedicated to their craft. I’m so impressed by their commitment.” One of the major appeals of participation is one of its unique opportunities. “It’s cool to flip rifles, in addition to testing my leadership,” noted Brown of his reasons for joining the team. With the growth in count from 25 to 100 rifles, there will undoubtedly be a lot of future flipping of the eight-pound replicas. While the non-firing pin rifles that the team uses consist mostly of high-resistant resin (high resistant because they take quite a beating), the replicas bear enough of a
A side benefit for Townley has been a marked growth in the size of Honor Platoon, of which he is the commander. Cadets who qualify for the drill team are moved into that unit from one of the other companies.
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cover story • teamwork, precision & excellence
resemblance that caution must be exercised. Last summer, for instance, a pair of drill teammates thought it might make for a nice afternoon to work on their techniques at Richmond’s Byrd Park. It all went swimmingly until a passing alumnus saw what they were doing and told them it might be a wiser play to perform in a less auspicious setting: One where passers-by were not seeing rifles being tossed there and about. The culmination of the crew’s efforts came for the first time in 2024 when Benedictine hosted the inaugural Virginia Military School Drill Competition — a state-wide tourney that included all six of the military schools in the Commonwealth — and took home top honors. Benedictine was crowned the champion again in the 2025 Virginia Military School Drill Competition, topping the likes of Fork Union Military Academy, Fishburne Military Academy and Randolph Macon Academy in claiming the win. In 2025, Benedictine took top honors in the categories of: • E X H I B I T I O N S Q U A D : 1st Place led by Robbie Cleveland ’26 • E X H I B I T I O N D U O : 3rd Place Michael Carson ’28 and Sam Simons ’27 • E X H I B I T I O N S O L O : 1st Place Robbie Cleveland ’26 •C O L O R G U A R D : 3rd Place led by Griffin Lang ’27 • A R M E D P L A T O O N : 3rd Place led by Robbie Cleveland ’26 Additionally, at the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) competition held last spring, the drilling Cadets took home second-place overall. That contest had Benedictine besting more than 30 other military schools across the country to earn that silver medal.
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cover story • teamwork, precision & excellence
TEAM-FIRST While such achievements are to be relished, they take a back seat to a larger accomplishment of the team. Walker attributes a stronger commitment to the military aspects of the school’s leadership program to the example and experience of the drill team. That attribution earned credence during the most recent Individual Drill competition where, due to flawless execution by so many Cadets, the event exceeded its normal run time by a full 15 minutes. Walker noted that the judges “struggled to find fault” in order to tap out a participant. Another little known (until now) fact is the degree to which the team is student-run. Except for external event coordination, it is Cadet leadership that makes the team go. It is the most independent of any Benedictine team, if not activity. “I don’t think I’d be where I am today, without drill team,” stated Cleveland, who earned the position of command sergeant major of the Corps of Cadets during the first semester of his junior year. Cleveland was also named Battalion Commander of the Corps of Cadets for 2025-26. The team’s esprit de corps is growing in leaps and bounds, as is its membership. “They’re putting forth the effort, instead of wasting time on their phones,” stated the Corps’ former Gunnery Sergeant (ret.) Randall Finley, who served as the team’s in-house coach last year. “They’re gaining a skill for their betterment and really forming a community.” New TAC officer Lieutenant Brad LaFontaine will lead the team this year. “He’s the right guy to carry our drill team forward,” said MAJ Ramos. “His experience with ROTC and JROTC will create more opportunities for us to compete, which will enable our team to hone and elevate their performance. I think our guys are going to have even more invitations to compete on a national level in the future.” At Benedictine, drill is back, baby.
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community snapshots
ACADEMICS
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ALUMNI
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community snapshots
ATHLETICS
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HOMECOMING
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community snapshots
MILITARY LIFE
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SPIRITUAL LIFE
STUDENT LIFE
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alumni headliners From saving lives to building businesses, from professional athletics to lifelong public service, the Benedictine alumni featured on the following pages continue to exemplify the values of discipline, integrity, faith and resilience instilled when they were Cadets. This year’s headliners — Staunton "Si" Cottrell ’67, David Doane ’75, Patrick “PJ” Gallagher ’00, Jay Woolfolk ’21 and Kobi Onyiuke ’22 — show how the lessons learned in the Corps extend far beyond graduation, guiding lives of purpose, leadership and service.
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STAUNTON “SI” COTTRELL ’67 keeper of memories Staunton “Si” Cottrell remembers the F he got in Father Pat’s German class in June of 1966. He also remembers what happened on November 22, 1963. “As a 14-year-old freshman, I was in Phys Ed class when we received the news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,” he explains. “To this day I still have the green BHS Phys Ed t-shirt I was wearing when I received that awful news. I remember my father crying that day when he picked me up from school.” Sentimental by nature, Cottrell also still has 21 of his BHS report cards and a copy of the $325 tuition bill his family paid for the 1965 school year. Cottrell has many passions in life — photography, gardening, restoring automobiles, genealogy, and more — but his deepest passion may be for Benedictine. He serves his class now as their “communicator,” is on the class’s “Event Planning Committee,” and marvels at his classmates: “I am just so proud to be a member of such a fine group of men.” Cottrell also prizes what he learned in the military program, which applied to his nearly half-century career as a railroad engineer. In January 2019, 47 years after beginning as an engineer trainee at Seaboard Coastline Railroad, he retired from Amtrak. Seniority-wise, he was ranked fourth among Amtrak engineers nationwide, known for being conscientious, loyal and dependable. He credits lessons learned on the parade deck: “As a member of the Corps of Cadets, one develops a respect for authority and a recognition of the importance of teamwork early in life. Your squad, platoon, company and the entire battalion count on you to be the best that you can be. These traits are an absolute necessity when it comes to the safe operation of trains. And the need to follow rules, regulations and instructions is a critical requirement for train crew members — whether moving a two-mile-long train of 15,000 tons, or at the throttle of an 80-mph train transporting 400 passengers.” FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 37
DAVID DOANE ’75 a true public servant Powerful bonds with classmates and a strong sense of community were the main takeaways from Benedictine for David Doane ’75, along with a keen interest in public service. After leaving VCU, he pursued that calling by becoming a fireman — first with the Air National Guard, then with the Richmond Fire Department. Over the course of 33 years, he rose to lieutenant before retiring in 2015, while also serving 20 years with the Air National Guard, where he retired as a master sergeant. He says he “loved every minute of it,” citing the danger, excitement, camaraderie, and the sense of fulfillment it brought. Three memories stand out. The first was when he delivered a baby on the side of I-95, in the front seat of a pickup, with vehicles “whizzing by at 70 miles per hour.” The second came in April 1986, when he responded to a fire — at the Benedictine building on Sheppard Street. After the fire had been contained, the next step was salvage. “The Battalion Commander knew I had gone to Benedictine,” recalls Doane. “He may have said, ‘David, go in and get your pictures.’” He and a group of firefighters carried every framed photograph — dating from 1911 to 1985 — into the hands of the monks. “I feel like I saved part of history,” Doane reflects. “They’re like the glue that holds the community together.” The third was a 1989 fire at the Imperial Plaza senior living facility. While clearing floors, his bell went off, signaling he was running out of air. “I was trying to find my way down the hallway to get out,” he recalls. “It was full of smoke, you couldn’t see.” Suddenly, he encountered an elderly lady passed out on the floor. “And I dragged her out,” he says simply. For that act and others, Doane was named Richmond Firefighter of the Year in 1990. A true public servant, Doane never pursued money or recognition. “We’re not there for the glory,” he says. “We’re there for the self-satisfaction of helping humanity.” 38 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY
PATRICK “PJ” GALLAGHER ’00 integrity and honor The youngest of four brothers to attend Benedictine, Patrick “PJ” Gallagher ’00 — founder and CEO of payment process solutions company Reliable Payments — took many lessons to heart from his time here. “Mr. Savage and Mr. Arnold were, to this day, formative figures in my growing up,” he recalls. “Both of them were not afraid to let me know when I was out of line!” Those lessons shaped his emphasis on follow-through and accountability at his firm. Other aspects of his company’s culture — honor and character — also trace back to Benedictine. “It’s imperative that you exhibit those,” he says. “With your employees, your clients, with everything.” Gallagher also believes in finding something important to you and investing time, resources, and energy into it selflessly, for the greater good. “Benedictine instilled that in me,” he says. “When my time is said and done, I want people to look back and say he was a great steward of his community.” Armed with a B.S. in Financial Economics from JMU, Gallagher joined his brother David’s (’92) company, Dominion Payroll, before deciding to start his own. He learned a great deal watching his brother run a successful enterprise — and about himself. “I saw the freedom that came with running your own business,” he explains. “I had also learned that I’m not very good at working for somebody. I need to be the one who’s in control, or else it doesn’t mesh with me.” His company follows its own honor code: “We’re going to act with integrity. We’re going to do it the right way.” As to what gives him the most pride? Without hesitation, Gallagher says, his six-year-old son: “The one thing I was made to do, the greatest thing in my life and the most important thing in my world, is being a father.” Watching his son grow and begin learning at Our Lady of Lourdes, Gallagher adds, “is really the greatest joy in my life right now.” FA L L 2 0 2 4 5 • 39
KOBI ONYIUKE ’22 relentless work ethic After careful research with his family, Kobi Onyiuke ’22 knew Benedictine “was the only place I could be from,” and embraced it as soon as he arrived as a “scrawny freshman” dreaming of a state football championship. He graduated as salutatorian, an officer, and a member of a championship football team. Today, he is a 6'5", 250pound senior at Notre Dame, a four-year walk-on with their football program, pursuing a dual major in pre-medical and business studies. A man of humility and faith, Onyiuke is quick to give credit to others, starting with his teachers. He recalls Mr. Doran’s senior Theology class as pivotal. “It was that final step of going over the edge into being a man,” he says. “His lessons — how to stay strong, how to bring your life back to Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith — are something I’ve anchored on throughout my experience at Notre Dame.” He attributes his academic success to two keys. The first, “Having a relentless work ethic was absolutely essential. It was something I was raised with — to never let anyone outwork you, because all you have in this life is your work.” The second, “Relying on my classmates and my brothers.” From Coach Lilly, he took to heart the lesson of always doing your job so that everyone on the team benefits: “It applies within football here at Notre Dame, but also in life.” Making Notre Dame’s football team demanded discipline, determination and a willingness to do whatever it takes to improve. It also required confidence — something he believes is earned through hardship and pushing yourself beyond your limits, as he did at Benedictine. His message is simple: “The sky’s the limit if you’re willing to put the work in. That’s something I’ve lived by, and I know it leads to success.” PHOTO CREDIT: VIRGINIA ATHLETICS
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JAY WOOLFOLK ’21 pursuing the dream, trusting in God Elite athlete and soft-spoken leader Jay Woolfolk ’21 points to three men at Benedictine who helped him develop into the man he is today. The first, John Fogarty, was his favorite teacher, because “in every single class he taught us about how to be a man and about belief in God.” Football coach Greg Lilly is the second. Woolfolk recalls Lilly “expected a lot from those who he knew could be great one day.” The third is baseball coach Sean Ryan who left a strong impression with the trust he put in Woolfolk as a freshman on a deep, talented team. Ryan, he says, “put me in important situations as a ninth grader. That he could trust me already, in those situations,” said a lot to Woolfolk. And that trust was well founded. Fulfilling his childhood ambition to “go pro,” Woolfolk was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2025 Major League Baseball draft. Woolfolk caught the attention of Major League Baseball when he shone two years in a row at the College World Series, delivering lockdown performances on the mound for the Virginia Cavaliers. His quiet leadership did not go unnoticed. On leadership, which he first learned about at Benedictine playing varsity quarterback as a freshman, Woolfolk shares, “You have to be someone that everybody kind of trusts. You’ve also got to do your job. Respect is earned. It’s not given to you.” These days he’s in Florida, putting the physical work in to achieve his dream of taking the mound in a Major League Baseball game. What will it take? “Being consistent and showing up every single day to be the best I can be,” Woolfolk answers. “And I think the biggest thing is to just trust God. He has a plan for all of us. I believe He has a plan for me. And I just want to praise Him in everything I do.” Woolfolk says he will continue to “trust God and then focus on what’s ahead of me and come to the field every single day ready to go.” FA L L 2 0 2 4 5 • 41
Your Gift, Their Future HELP BUILD TOMORROW'S L E A D E R S T O D AY
More than
65
%
f our students o receive scholarships and financial aid
Last year, we awarded nearly
4 million
$
in scholarships and tuition assistance, which met 82% of the total financial need of our students
42 • T H E TOWE R S MAGA Z INE • BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREP + SAINT G ERT R U D E H I G H S C H O O L
With each gift to the Father Adrian and Sister Charlotte Lange endowment fund we are able to provide financial help to qualified students and professional development to our talented and dedicated faculty. With your continued financial support, we are able to build upon our success for many years to come.” GREG REARDON ’09
C O - C H A I R A D VA N C E M E N T C O M M I T T E E
Whenever I reflect on the century-old legacy of BCP and SGHS, I am filled with awe and gratitude for all those past stewards before us. Now we are the stewards of the mission and resources for the second century of students to come.” MARY ELLEN STUMPF ’70
C O - C H A I R A D VA N C E M E N T C O M M I T T E E
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A L ASTING DIFFERENCE G I V E T O D AY A N D H E L P U S P R O V I D E S C H O L A R S H I P S A N D F I N A N C I A L A I D F O R D E S E R V I N G S T U D E N T S A N D A T T R A C T, R E TA IN A N D N U R T U R E T H E B E S T T E A C H E R S IN T H E R E G I O N. For more information about how you can give, pledge or plan a deferred gift, contact Director of Scholarship Giving Kristina Pudner, 804-708-9581 or kpudner@benedictineschools.org
Join our legacy of giving FA L L 2 0 2 5 • 43
l i c n r i g c ba
Circle back, flip the magazine and turn to page 42 for combined class notes for Benedictine and Saint Gertrude.
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