The Prep News Summer 2016

NEWS

S T. J O S E P H ’ S P R E PA R A T O R Y S C H O O L SUMMER 2016 ISSUE

FEATURE STORY:

COMMENCEMENT 2016 PG. 12

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

• The uplifting spiritual experience of 2Philly4Francis;

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENT: REV. JOHN W. SWOPE, SJ ’72

Dear Friends of the Prep, Over the course of the first year of my Presidency here at St. Joseph’s Prep, I have been reminded of the brotherhood, a figurative “tattoo on the heart” that binds us together and that we bring to all situations and challenges. It has been an honor to recognize and celebrate this brotherhood, not only with our students and alumni, but with the youngest members of the incoming Class of 2020 and with the Golden Hawks who, for generations, have given lifelong service to the Church and the greater community.

In the opening sentence of Brian Friel’s 1990 drama, Dancing at Lughnasa, the now adult Michael remembers a particular moment of his Donegal childhood. When I cast my mind back to that summer of 1936 different kinds of memories offer themselves to me. At the Prep, as we cast our minds back over the year, we have celebrated many memorable moments:

• Michael Nutter ’75 addressed the Prep community in his last official act as Mayor of Philadelphia;

PRINCIPAL: JASON ZAZYCZNY ’90

• Mayor Jim Kenney ’76 made a cameo appearance in the Cape and Sword Drama Society’s spring musical, “Curtains”;

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: RICK SCANLAN

• The day-long HAWKLIFE Leadership Conference for 7th graders from across the Delaware Valley brought the next group of Prep leaders to the school; • While the school-based National School Lunch Program disappears for the summer in many public schools through the country, the Prep’s Hurtado Food Pantry has partnered with local non-profits to address seasonal food insecurity by providing meals for summer programs in Philadelphia’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

However memorable these accomplishments and events have been, nothing quite trumps the slow, dedicated work of each member of the Prep community in service to the young men we have the opportunity to educate. I consider myself blessed to have joined this thriving Prep community, and profoundly grateful for your prayers and support.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: BETH VANDER VENNET

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR: MR. JAMES J. MERGIOTTI ’71 VICE CHAIR: MS. M. SHAWN BORT MR. JEREMIAH J. BUCKLEY ’78 SHEILA BRENNAN CONNOR, ESQ. MR. TERENCE J. CONNORS ’72 MR. STEPHEN FERA ’82 REV. BRIAN B. FRAIN, S.J. MICHAEL GAYDA, ESQ. ’72 MR. STEPHEN J. GLEASON ’83 MARIANNE T. RITCHIE GORDON, M.D. MR. ANTHONY J. HAYDEN ’95 MR. BRENDAN P. JOHNSON ’88 MR. PAUL J. JASKOT ’86 REV. DANIEL R.J. JOYCE, S.J. REV. RYAN J. MAHER, S.J. JOSEPH D. MANCANO, ESQ. ’72 REV. RICHARD MCCOUCH, S.J. MR. WILLIAM T. MCKERNAN ’87 MR. MICHAEL P. MORAN ’74 MR. JOHN M. NATALE ’72 REV. THOMAS A. PESCI, SJ ’67 ANTHONY C. STEVENSON, ED.D. REV. JOHN W. SWOPE, S.J. ’72 CHRISTOPHER M. TRETTA, ESQ. ’71 Effective as of 7/1/16

Sincerely,

THE PREP NEWS CREDITS EDITORS: BILL AVINGTON ’90 & AUDRA BRADY DESIGNER: SARAH SHAAK CREATIVE LLC PHOTOGRAPHERS: MELISSA KELLY, FRANK RAFFA

Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72 President

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CLASS NOTES COMPILED BY: DEBBIE DIMARZIO

PREP BUZZ WHAT YOU’RE SAYING COMMENTS FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY

TWITTER

FACEBOOK Feature Story

24th Letter @drxgb

Every time I log on to Facebook, I see one of my brothers from @SJPREP ’09 doing something great. Proud to be part of that special group.

Caroline O’Halloran @SAVVYCarolineO

Brave @SJPREP Class of ’12 grad shares his #teensuicide survival story to help others.

10 COMMENCEMENT 2016

Justin Hopkins

The best part of traveling is catching up with old friends.

I was educated by the Jesuits.

Now I'm old enough to have Jesuit friends that I grew up with. A.J. Rizzo, SJ is one of the greatest men I know. He was a senior when I was just a freshman at St. Joseph's Prep, and yet the bond is still there after all these years.

Philly Mag @phillymag

Profiles 14 STUDENTS OF THE PREP STEVEN BRADLEY ’16 SEAN LYONS ’16 26 ALUMNI PROFILES IVAN KENT ’12 TYLER TYNES ’11

Sections

Jim Kenney Just Made a Cameo in @SJPREP’s Production of the Musical “Curtains”

St. Joseph's Prep

INSTAGRAM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Swim coach Kelley Voss and swimmer Robbie Calabro '19 were interviewed today by CBS3 for a story on the Prep swim team working with seniors at Cristo Rey Philadelphia to teach them to swim. Cristo Rey Philadelphia requires all seniors to pass a swim test before graduating in an effort to provide their students with this life-saving skill.

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PREP BUZZ

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PREP SPIRIT GRADUATE PROFILES

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SCHOOL NEWS

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MEN FOR AND WITH OTHERS

16 DEVELOPMENT 18 VILLIGER ARCHIVES 30 PERSPECTIVES NEW HAMPSHIRE “PRIMARY-PALOOZA”

@st_josephs_prep

Commencement begins at Saint Joseph’s University. Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

Summer Meals NDS

@st_josephs_prep Class of 2020 Night at the Phillies #SJP2020 #Phillies @phillies

FIND US ONLINE!

Many thanks to St. Joseph's Prep for their support of the Summer Meals Program!

Their generous drive has helped to provide much-needed supplies that will help to enrich our summer meals locations and to encourage children to return each day for a nutritious meal at no cost!

Notes 20 FACULTY/STAFF NOTES 22 CLASS NOTES 28 WEDDINGS 29 BABIES/IN MEMORIAM

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PREP SPIRIT CLASS OF 2016 GRADUATE PROFILES Nazeim Brame

Ryan Mannion

Saint Joseph’s University

Georgetown University

“St. Joe’s offered me a full scholarship.

That combined with the fact that they offered nursing through a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University made it an easy decision for me. I’m very excited because it made life a lot easier for my mother. It took a huge weight off of her shoulders.”

“Georgetown really puts a focus on foreign language and its location in Washington, DC will give me a lot of opportunity to utilize what I am learning. Also, I feel Georgetown’s Jesuit identity is a big plus and will further what was begun here at the Prep.”

Richard Fusco

Zakir Murji

New York University

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McGill University

“NYU’s program is really notable.

Their alumni and their reputation are incredibly well-renown and the school’s location, right in the heart of Broadway, is perfect.”

“I chose McGill University for its location, reputation, and low tuition. I lived in Montreal for eight years and returning to my hometown will be a great experience for me. McGill is also ranked as the top university in Canada and in the top 25 in the world, and so I am assured to be getting a top-notch education.”

Kyzer Gerez

Andrew Oliver

Oregon State

Duke University

“Oregon State has a really good nuclear engineering program. I was deciding between there and Penn State and OSU gave me a lot of scholarship money. It is pretty much completely outside of my comfort zone, living thousands of miles away and I won’t know anyone at all. I guess I find some thrill in that.”

“Everything the students are involved in at Duke is at the highest level, whether they are doing classwork, creating projects or planning a concert for thousands of people. Also, there are so many excellent programs that I felt that no matter what major I chose I would get a high-quality education.”

Tom Koenig

Kevin Stump

Princeton University

Williams College

“The biggest reason I chose Princeton was the challenge. The Woodrow Wilson School is ranked number one in the nation and I think it will be a great springboard to a career in politics.”

“Williams is the perfect blend between academics and athletics. I will have the chance to play lacrosse but I can also study abroad, have small class sizes and more free time. Plus I love New England; I’ve always wanted to go to school up there.”

Matthew lx

Pat Urbine

Dartmouth College

Tulane University

“I am excited to be attending Dartmouth because of its excellent commitment to undergraduate education combined with its passionate student body and alumni network. Plus I will have an opportunity to row at a high level and I also love New Hampshire and the White Mountains.”

THE PREP NEWS | SUMMER 2016

“I really wanted to go to school in New Orleans, to experience the city and its culture. Tulane is a great school with a wide variety of academic programs. Plus they offered me a substantial scholarship.”

SCHOOL NEWS

CODING AND ROBOTICS

Prep Computer Science students, under the direction of Teresa Hoffman, Computer Science Teacher, participated in a Day of 3D Code at the Franklin Institute.

The Prep Robotics Team had several competitions this past year, led by coaches Teresa Hoffman (Computer Science) and Kristin Collins (Science).

ALUMNI/FATHER-SON COMMUNION BREAKFAST The annual Alumni/Father-Son Communion Breakfast took place in February.

More than 500 alumni, students and fathers filled the Kelly Fieldhouse to hear from keynote speaker Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney ’76. Awards were presented to: Saint Joseph’s University President Dr. Mark Reed ’92 (Alumnus of the Year), Director of Technology for the World Meeting of Families Tom Dugan ’78 (Schnorr Service Award) and Joe Gilbert ’16 (Sauter Award).

Prep President Rev. John Swope, SJ ’72 (far right) with special guests (l-r) Dugan, Gilbert, Kenney and Dr. Reed

Emcee Tony Braithwaite ’89 presented Mayor Kenney with his “Cape and Sword Cameo Packet.”

In an article, Mayor Kenney said that one of his regrets was not participating in high school theatre.

Braithwaite arranged for Kenney to have a cameo in one of the spring performances of “Curtains.”

At the conclusion of the breakfast, all stood for a singing of the Prep Fight Song, led by former Alumni President Charlie Gallagher ’65.

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SCHOOL NEWS

“CURTAINS” FOR CAPE AND SWORD DRAMA SOCIETY Under the direction of three-time Barrymore Award winner Tony Braithwaite ’89, the St. Joseph’s Prep Cape and Sword Drama Society had eight outstanding performances of their spring musical Curtains– a whodunit comedy set in 1959 Boston that is a send-up of backstage murder mystery madcaps. The cast consisted of 17 Prep actors and 12 actresses from local sister schools, including Mount St. Joseph’s Academy, Merion Mercy Academy and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School plus several dozen students behind the scenes in stage crew, run crew, props, lights, sound, costumes and the Usher Squad.

Curtains is Braithwaite’s forty-fifth Cape and Sword show since taking lead of the program In 1994. Braithwaite is also the artistic director at Act II Playhouse in Ambler.

4 X 400 TEAM WINS PENN RELAYS The 4 x 400 Relay Team (l-r, Stephen McClellan ’17, Aaron Sykes ’16, Bobby Dupell ’18, and Miles Green ’18) won the Philadelphia Catholic League section at the annual Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field. This is the Prep’s first win at the Relays since 2004. Green also holds the school record in the 400 hurdles and the 400 meters.

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GERAGHTY HONORED FOR TENURE AS CHAIR OF PREP BOARD OF TRUSTEES At the May meeting of the Board of Trustees, President Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72 presented a token of gratitude to outgoing Board Chair Paul Geraghty for his years of faithful service to the Prep and especially the Board of Trustees.

With Fr. Swope and Geraghty is Vice Chair Jim Mergiotti ’71, President of Peirce College, who was named the new Chair of the Board for 2016-17.

Shawn Bort, mother of Christopher Puccio ’10 and Senior Vice President Finance of Saint-Gobain Corporation, has been named Vice Chair. She is the first woman to serve in that role on the Prep BOT.

INDOOR ROWING CHALLENGE The Prep was the host location for the Philadelphia Indoor Rowing Challenge (PIRC) in January. Teams from middle school up to Masters competed in this day-long event, the first in Philadelphia to incorporate a 20-minute piece to test stamina. The PIRC had traditional 2K and 500m events as well. Proceeds from the challenge benefited Project Home. Sr. Mary Scullion was on hand to receive a check from Prep President Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72 (below right).

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MEN FOR AND WITH OTHERS

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY Throughout the year, Prep students routinely work to serve the community. Recent examples range from Operation Santa Claus, the Boys Pajama Drive, the Hurtado Food Pantry’s Sock and Snack Drive and the always successful Prep Book Drive. Here are some highlights of just a few of the service activities that our students engaged in during the past few months:

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS For decades, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia organized a very successful event providing gifts for families in need as well as a visit from Santa and the elves.

The Prep has continued that tradition in North Philadelphia.

the area. Ketchell, a resident of Marlton, NJ, was incredibly moved by the experience.

“It allowed us to be Santa for some kids this year,” says Kevin Ketchell '17, one of OSC's student leaders. “Without our help, they would not have had presents.

The 2015 Operation Santa Claus (OSC) raised more than $20,000 and donated over 800

I know how many presents we bought and wrapped and I was amazed at the end that they were

PREP BOOK DRIVE

For Coyle, whose space in Room 103 is overwhelmed with books during the 10 days, the support of the Prep students, parents, faculty and staff is breathtaking.

Fifteen years ago, Prep English teacher Joe Coyle started the Prep Book Drive. That first year, the drive collected 3,750 books and the drive would grow.

This year, the drive collected 27,000 books, most of which were sent to PhilaReads.

This year’s drive brings the total for the 15-year history of the drive to nearly 180,000 books.

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gifts for 80-some families in

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all gone. It makes me feel blessed for sure to have been a part of it.”

“Through the generosity of our community, thousands of children in the poorest neighborhoods in our region have books to read where otherwise they would have none,” he says.

HURTADO FOOD PANTRY In March, as the cap to Ignatian Heritage Days, the Prep donated over 1,000 pairs of socks and more than 1,500 pounds of food to people in need across Philadelphia.

On Friday, March 18, the Hurtado Food Pantry teamed up with the “Homelessness Sleep Out” and delivered over 1,000 pairs of socks to people in need at shelters such as Our Brother’s Place, an emergency shelter on Hamilton street with 149 beds, St. Francis Inn, a Franciscan Soup Kitchen on Kensington Ave. which feeds between 300 and 600 people daily, and Face to Face in Germantown which serves 2,500 people annually. Students also engaged the ‘visible’ homeless community along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and handed out a

BOYS PAJAMA DRIVE Last Christmas season, William “Bubba” Burrough ’19 got some sobering information from his mom Sue, a photographer who

number of socks there. In addition, St. Francis Inn received 517 pounds of food from the Hurtado Pantry, and more than 1,000 pounds of food was donated to the Mander Playground at 33rd and Diamond.

“Our recent donations once again affirm that the Prep is a community filled with people who are compassionate about

had done some work at Camden’s Family Services Center. Sue had learned that many children who come to the Center have nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Center provides what it can but boys pajamas were often not available so the boys who were now being cared for at the center were given girls pajamas. For Bubba, this was something that could change.

For the past two years, Burrough has run a boys pajama drive in his hometown of Haddon Heights, NJ that has collected

our region and are interested in meeting some important needs of the Philadelphia community,” says Leo Vaccaro ’05, Moderator of the Hurtado Food Pantry.

“The generosity of Prep parents, students, alumni, faculty, and staff never ceases to be impressive.”

more than 2,000 pajamas. This year, he enlisted his new school community to add to the total and the Prep donated more than 200 pairs of pajamas in one week.

“I loved pajama days as a kid, whether it was at home or at school,” says Burrough. “I still love my pajamas. They are not only cozy but help us feel comforted and secure. Knowing others didn’t have something as basic as pajamas made me want to do something so I started a Boys Pajama Drive.”

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FEATURE STORY

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COMMENCEMENT 2016 n. a beginning; start

On June 5, 213 young men donned their white dinner jackets, black tuxedo pants, white shirts and black bow ties and marched across the stage at Hagan Arena.

The thousands of hours of studying, doing lab reports, writing code, conjugating verbs and taking notes were now complete. They had made it, survived to join the incredible Prep alumni network. They were officially graduates of St. Joseph’s Prep, an honor that gives them access to exclusive company. Students for four years, they are now alumni forever.

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FEATURE STORY

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John Paul Curran ’57, former member of the Board of Trustees, presented a diploma to his grandson, John Slota.

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Student Council President Andrew Oliver delivers his speech to his classmates and guests. ▼

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Fr. Swope offers his blessing of the St. Joseph medals.

As is typical with a school deeply rooted in tradition like the Prep, Commencement Day has many special moments. Before the ceremony, each graduate is presented a St. Joseph medal that is then blessed by President Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72. There is no valedictorian as no Prep student is more important than another. The honor of addressing the graduates and gathered families goes to the Student Council President, this year Andrew Oliver. And there are no caps and gowns to be seen among the graduating seniors; those garments indicate the completion of your education and it is assumed that Prep men are not finished after their high school careers. In fact, the word commencement itself is defined as a beginning, and this ceremony, though it signifies the end of a student’s Prep career, is only the beginning of their journey.

Members of the Cape and Sword Drama Society posed for a photo before the start of Commencement (l-r: Richard Fusco, Colin Coder, Tom Koenig, Stas Postowski and Jack Garvey). ▼

The ceremony is brief but meaningful, and so are the moments afterwards. There are countless hugs with Prep brothers and with real brothers (and sisters and moms and dads, etc.). The group traditionally gathers outside (often with celebratory cigars in hand) for a large group photo, happy faces holding up their diplomas as Mr. Raffa leans out of a window to capture the moment.

A St. Joseph medal is presented to each graduate.

Post-ceremony hugs and high-fives were plentiful.

Happy graduates smile moments after receiving their diplomas. ▼

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Prep Commencement is the culmination of so much…four years of hard work and sacrifice.

But it is also the beginning of everything…in the words of Dr. Seuss, “Oh the places you’ll go” but always remember your roots at 17th and Girard.

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Classmates (l-r) Vince Luciano and Tim Rafter gathered in the parking lot with celebratory cigars at the conclusion of Commencement. ▼

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STUDENTS OF THE PREP

STEVEN BRADLEY ’16 Sharon Hill, PA Activities Include: Junior State of America (JSA), Rugby, WSJP, Kairos 143 (Leader 145) When Steven Bradley arrived at the Prep as a freshman, trying new things wasn’t unusual. In fact, as a child, his family pushed him to do different things.

“I was used to being around different people, learning new things,” says Bradley. “At the Prep, though, I was able to find things that were interesting to me and explore them more.”

The group that became his passion was Junior State of America, JSA. Funny enough, it was a chance encounter that led to him joining. “Freshman year, I was just sitting there, doing my homework after school when I saw Khalil Johnson (’13), founder of JSA, putting up flyers,” says Bradley. “He convinced me to come to a meeting.”

Though he wasn’t particularly interested in politics at first “I was more excited that there would be girls involved,” he says (with a laugh), he became more active. “I got more involved in the conventions and eventually went to summer programs run by JSA at Georgetown

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and Stanford,” he says. “That helped develop my passion.”

That passion is meeting people, hearing their stories and telling them to the world. Bradley wants to study journalism and minor in political science. He wants to give a voice to those who often don’t have one.

That is also why he loves JSA. “Very soon, my classmates and other Prep students are going to have the right to vote,” he says. “It can be complex as there are a lot of issues. At JSA, we’re not asking you to be a politician. We just want you to state your opinion, believe in it and use your voice.”

It’s a voice developed during his time at the Prep. Bradley’s father, also named Steve, guided his son to the Prep after it was recommended to him. Now, the first person in his family to

Stephen Bradley '16

Bradley with Philadelphia DA Seth Williams

attend the Prep, Bradley says that he can’t imagine having gone anywhere else. “I think that a lot of the stuff that I’m doing now, I wouldn’t be doing if I had gone to another school,” he says. “The opportunities I had at the Prep were really important to me.”

SEAN LYONS ’16 Washington Township, NJ Activities Include: Wrestling, Lacrosse In the nearly four decade history of St. Joseph’s Prep wrestling, only three wrestlers had achieved the lofty 100-win plateau. This season, Washington Township resident Sean Lyons ’16 joined the club. Lyons finished his high school career with a record of 117-14, tying a school record for wins, and won three straight Catholic League titles—not bad for a kid whose first exposure to the sport was kind of a mistake.

Lyons began wrestling at age five, when he followed his older brother Brennan to practice at the Washington Township Recreation League. “He thought it was going to be like the WWE,” Lyons says of Brennan with a laugh. While his brother wrestled, Sean did sit ups, eventually making his way onto the mats. Soon he was having success, winning the county

Lyons celebrates his signing to wrestle at NYU with his family and Coach Scott Mullen ‘99.

Lyons and his coaches and teammates after 100th win

championship in 2005 in the 46 pound weight class. “I still have that leather jacket,” he jokes.

He has continued that success.

He is just the third person in history to win three league titles in a career, including twice earning the league’s Outstanding Wrestler honor (second ever to earn that distinction). Lyons is also a three-time District Champ, was PIAA AAA Northeast Region Place-winner (5th, 2015) and was a state alternate as a junior. He is also the second Prep wrestler in as many years to record 100 wins, as Bobby Endy ’15 achieved the honor last year.

In addition to Endy, Lyons joins Joe Dwyer ‘95 and Bob Saia ‘99 as the only Preppers to accomplish this feat. “I had Bobby to look up to for three years and he was a great role model,” says Lyons. “But to be there with

these three men, guys like Joe Dwyer who was a national champion, is incredible. I never believed I was at their level.”

The 100th win was special. “When I think of my achievements, I think first of my teammates,” says Lyons. “I couldn’t have achieved anything without my practice partners and everyone in the room pushing me to get better. To see them get so excited over my achievement was really gratifying.”

In addition to wrestling, Lyons is a member of the Lacrosse team and also participated in the school’s Kairos retreat. He will be heading to New York University where he will continue his wrestling career while studying business.

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DEVELOPMENT

STAND UP FOR THE PREP At the third annual Stand Up for the Prep event, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter ’75 was presented with the Rev. Burchard Villiger, SJ Award for Service to the Youth of Philadelphia. Tony Braithwaite ’89 served as emcee for the event, which also featured student performances.

Mayor Nutter ’75 with Prep President Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72

The Class of ’75 gathered to honor their classmate: (Front row, l-r): Jim Swope, James Hadden, Craig Hadden, Ed Foy, Felix Cori, Michael Scullin (Back Row, l-r): Joe Clearkin, Mike Robinson, Brian Cattie, Joe McKeever, Mayor Nutter, Mark Meehan, Vince Barbieri

DID YOU KNOW? • Prep Fund gifts support all of our students and their activities Fr. Swope with Trustee and Development Committee Chair Bill McKernan ’87, who was attending the event with his wife Cindy and father Tom ’51.

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Braithwaite with students from the Cape & Sword Drama Society, who performed an original work, “A-Nutter-hood of Man” based on a song from “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”

• Tuition only covers 80% of the cost of a Prep education • Over 50% of our students receive additional financial aid and/or scholarships • Just under $4m in financial aid and/or scholarships is awarded annually • The average award is $7,500

PREP CLASSIC The annual Prep Golf Classic was held at Philadelphia Country Club and was again sold out. At the dinner that evening, longtime friend of the Prep Joe Fox (father of Joe ’05, Kevin ’06 and Tom ’14) was honored for his support of the school. Joe served for many years as a member of the basketball staff; he and his wife Sue are active donors to the school and Prep students.

Many former basketball players, as well as head basketball coach Speedy Morris (front row, fourth from left) and Associate Head Coach Keith Morris, (front, far left) were on hand to honor Joe Fox (center).

The Fox family prior to the dinner: (l-r) Joe Fox ’05, Tom Fox ’14, Sue and Joe Fox, Kellie Fox, Devin and Kevin Fox ’06

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

CHARLIE LEWIS ’81 Charlie Lewis ’81 is grateful for his Prep education and the education that his son Charlie ’10 and brothers Paul ’83 and Tim ’85 received. As a kid from Mayfair (St. Matthew’s Parish), he was able to attend the Prep because of a scholarship. Now, he and his wife Terri contribute to the school’s Financial Aid through gifts to the Prep Fund.

“The Prep brings kids from all different walks of life: city/suburbs, wealthy/modest backgrounds,” says Lewis, who is also a member of the Development Committee. “We support the scholarship program so that it can continue to provide access to the Prep for kids who grew up like me.”

TO DONATE TO THE PREP FUND GO TO WWW.SJPREP.ORG/GIVINGFORM

For Lewis, that socio-economic diversity is what makes the Prep “different from other private schools.

It creates a different culture that is special.”

That culture breeds a loyal alumni base, one that gives graduates a leg up in the work world. “The Prep network has helped me get two jobs,” Lewis says. “Our mindset is unique and, I believe, happens because of the kinds of students we attract. That is only possible if we can bring in students from all walks of life, all backgrounds. Supporting financial aid allows for that diversity to continue.”

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VILLIGER ARCHIVES

THE WATERFRONT PRIEST REV. DENNIS COMEY, SJ - CLASS OF 1915 According to his obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fr. Comey was “a plain-talking Jesuit priest who for a quarter-century served as a peacemaker in many of Philadelphia’s stormiest labor disputes. …During the 1950s, Fr. Comey became known nationally as the 'waterfront priest' for the role he played in settling labor disputes involving the dockworkers and longshoremen

in Philadelphia and other cities along the East Coast.”

A graduate of the Prep’s Class of 1915, Fr. Comey founded the Institute of Industrial Relations, housed first at the Prep and then at Saint Joseph’s College. The center, now called the Comey Institute, brings together labor and management to explore each others' goals and tactics. The

center has educated thousands of people, including many of Philadelphia’s top labor leaders, and has helped calm relations between the two sides.

Fr. Comey served as the interim President of the Prep for the 1949-50 academic year, and he lived in the Jesuit Residence on Thompson Street from 1943 to 1976.

Fr. Comey as a member of the Prep Debate Society

VILLIGER ARCHIVES

Fr. Comey in Class Photo Photos and news clippings courtesy of the Villiger Archives Manager, Bill Conners ’80

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Fr. Comey on the docks

FRITZ HENRICH CLASS OF 1914 Henrich is the only Prep graduate to have played Major League Baseball. Fritz, who singled in his Major League debut at the Baker Bowl for the Phillies vs. the Brooklyn Robins (later the Dodgers) on April 19, 1924, played one season and batted .211.

Cover of Fr. Comey’s book

Article from an unidentified Philadelphia newspaper announcing his signing by the Phillies on February 15, 1924. His playing days at the Prep and College are mentioned.

Wire Service photo from 1955 THE PREP NEWS | SUMMER 2016

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FACULTY / STAFF NOTES

FACULTY & STAFF NEWS Prep colleagues (l-r) Audra Brady (Marketing), Tara McFadden (President’s Office), Kevin Kearney ’06 (English) and Jonathan Pohlig ’02 (Classics) ran as part of the Corporate DMR at the Penn Relays. ▼

Tony Braithwaite ’89 (Theatre) attended The Broadway Teachers Workshop, a four-day intensive workshop in Manhattan that includes performances of four shows— including Hamilton—with post-show cast discussions; eight workshops and master classes with Broadway performers, creative teams, and production staff and peer sessions throughout. In addition, Tony also attended The Jesuit Colloquium in Ohio as part of the Prep contingent, presenting “An Ignatian Stage: Jesuit pedagogy involved in rehearsing high school shows” as well as serving as emcee for the Talent Show. ▼

Bill Conners ’80 (History) attended a Symposium on post-Civil War Reconstruction at Dickinson College in March. This summer, he plans to take a class at Harvard with Professor John Stauffer on “American Protest Literature from Thomas Paine to the Present,” take an online grad course with Professor Matthew Pinsker at Dickinson on “Understanding Lincoln” and participate in a weeklong symposium on “From Immigrants to Citizens: Pacific Asian Immigration,” sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Sam Deitch (Mission and Ministry) was presented the Ignatius Award by the Saint Joseph’s University Alumni Association. ▼

Jose Gonzalez (Diversity) completed a week-long training course to become a certified “ADL A World of Difference Facilitator.” This past fall he completed observations and can now officially lead ADL workshops and trainings for both students and faculty. He also attended the 2015 “Bearing Witness: Anti-Semitism, The Holocaust, and Contemporary Issues” summer institute for Catholic School Educators sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Anti-Defamation League Eastern Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey/Delaware Regional Office.

John Groch (Religious Studies) is the moderator of the Fishing Club.

Here he is this spring with Emerson Marles ‘17 with a catch at the Club’s expedition to Linvilla Orchard Lake. ▼

Scott Mullen ‘99 (Classics) will begin doctoral studies at Widener University in the fall, pursuing a doctorate in Education Leadership.

Steve Oldham (Religious Studies) represented the Prep as the school was honored by Playgrounds for Palestine for raising $3,600 for the organization.

This money is targeted to be used to build a playground for children at a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan for those who fled the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Here Oldham (center) is joined by Prep alums (l-r) Carlo Sena ’91 and Peter Ayoub ’97. ▼

Shaun Slusarski ’08 (Religious Studies) was selected to participate in “A Reverence for Words: Understanding Muslim Cultures through the Arts,” a two-week Summer Scholars Institute for K-12 teachers presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Rev. John W. Swope, SJ ’72 (President) was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society at Saint Joseph’s University.

▼

Dr. Bill Gillespie (Counseling) was a co-presenter at AncillaeAssumpta Academy. The presentation focused on “Parenting, Mentoring, Coaching in the 21st Century.”

STAFF NEWS

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CLASS NOTES

ALUMNI NEWS 1950/60s & 70s Joseph Murphy ’54 is Professor Emeritus of Foreign Languages at West Virginia University.

Bart Myles ’56 reports that the miles on the odometers on his two bicycles now total more than 11,000 miles. He really enjoys riding and plans to continue as long as he is able. His favorite ride is along the Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, VA. Tom Prior ’58’s granddaughter Katie Prior, was one of 11 young women honored by President Barack Obama as “Champions of Change” who are empowering their communities.

Katie, 15-years-old, is the founder of the Youth Trumpet & Taps Corps, a non-profit organization that trains, supports, and recognizes high school trumpet players who use their musical gifts to honor military veterans. Katie has recruited and trained trumpet players in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin who volunteer to sound Taps at military funerals and perform patriotic music at community events honoring veterans.

ALUMNI NEWS

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Capt. George McShea ’64 was recently re-elected to the position of President of the Administrative Board for the Apostleship of the Sea - USA (AOS-USA). AOS-USA is a professional association of Catholic Maritime Ministers, Catholic Mariners, Cruise Ship Priests, and anyone else supportive of ministry to the people who live, work and travel on the sea.

Dr. John Hartman ’65 is living in Chester County and serving as an educational consultant in his LLP following a career as a teacher, coach, Principal, and Assistant to the Superintendent in public schools in Montgomery and Delaware counties and in Salt Lake City, Utah. John most recently served as an Assistant Dean at West Chester University and retired from the University of Delaware as Director of Clinical Studies for Teacher Education.

He has two grandchildren and has held season tickets to the Eagles since 1972.

Edward McCullough ’66 retired from Boeing Company after 42 years.

Anthony Pedicino ’67 moved his dental practice to Huntingdon Valley, PA. He is also the founding member of the Academy of Oral Systemic Health, an organization dedicated to the relationship of oral health and whole body health and changing public and professional and public awareness of the mouth-body health links.

Rich Santore ’67 continues to work full time as an orthopedic surgeon and still lives in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Wesley Musial ’68 was Grand Marshall of the 2015 Pulaski Day Parade during October in Philadelphia. Wesley was selected by the Polish American Congress in recognition of his many years of participation with the Polish American Congress, Eastern PA District, the Pulaski Day Parade in Philadelphia and supporter of organizations in Polonia.

Rev. Herb Keller, SJ ’69 stepped down as President of Scranton Prep, handing the reins to former Prep teacher Rev. Ryan Maher, SJ. Fr. Keller stayed on at the school working in campus ministry.

Phil Martelli ’72, head basketball coach at Saint Joseph’s University, won Big 5 Coach of the Year for the 2015-16 season.

Frank Quattrone ’73 is Executive Chairman at Qatalyst, focused on clients and firm strategy.

Michael Scullin ’75 was a presenter at the tenth Global Temple 2015 at Temple University on November 18, 2015. The annual day-long event showcases programs, activities and events that promote Temple’s international involvement. Scullin was featured in the keynote program on “Europe’s Migration Challenge.”

Bill Gallagher ’77 is now serving as Commandant and Head of College at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. He joined them in 2014 as Head of the College and then was promoted to also serve as Commandant of Troops in 2015.

Stanley Jaskiewicz ’78 has been selected as a Superhero for the United Way.

Hayward “H.L.” Ratliff ’78 is the music teacher and choir director at the Gesu School.

1980/90s Rich Gannon ’83 was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2015. In his acceptance speech, Rich spoke highly of the Prep and its influence on his life as well as Coach Jack Branka ’55.

Matthew Horvat ’83 is still living in Redmond, WA, where he is the Head of School of The Overlake School, a 5-12 grade independent school with 530 students. He has two sons.

Dr. Edward Higgins ’84 is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry at Bryn Athyn College.

Dan Gallagher ’90 is President of Patomak Global Partners, a leading D.C. consulting firm to international and domestic corporations and financial services firms that provides strategic risk management and regulatory compliance services, corporate governance advice, and enforcement and litigation support.

Gallagher, a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner, is responsible for strategic initiatives, client service, and overseeing firm operations.

CLASS OF 1993 MARCH MADNESS WINNERS Congratulations to the Class of 1993 for winning Alumni March Madness and claiming the title of Best Prep Class. The class decisively won with a total of 115 points, defeating the Class of 2005 in the Finals. ▼

John Kennedy ’84 was appointed by Lincoln Financial as Head of Retirement Solutions.

Dr. Robert Giuntoli ’86 is on staff at University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Medical School, and is an Associate Professor of Gynecology/Oncology.

Arthur Wheeler ’86 is currently a shareholder with the law firm of Marshall Dennehey, practicing in the firm’s professional liability department.

He lives in Mt. Laurel, NJ with his wife, Kathy, and children Art and Ellie.

Jim Daniels ’87, a former teacher at the Prep, is now the high school math teacher at the Shuren Ribet Private School located in the Tongzhou District in Beijing, China.

Ryan Sheehan ’94 is a member of the cabinet of the University of Scranton.

He and his wife Karina have four children: Mira, Thomas, Cascia and Selah.

Joe Woodring ’94, Senior Medical Officer at the National Center for Health Statistics, was deployed to Liberia as part of the CDC’s Ebola Response. He worked alongside health care workers from local and international organizations to battle the spread of the disease. As a technical expert in surveillance and epidemiology, Joe assisted with active case findings, contact investigations, and data management. In addition, he helped train more than 100 health care workers in remote clinics on Ebola prevention and management.

OFFERING HOMELESS A MEMORABLE NIGHT OUT For many of the men and women who live on the streets of Philadelphia, food is scarce. Meals are necessary for life, not often for pleasure.

For one night though, a group of Philadelphians, including John Avicolli ’95, offered them an evening of delicious food, service, warmth and brotherhood.

It all started with an idea by Avicolli’s cousin Jason Pinardo to remind those in need that they are not invisible.

Using a very successful GoFundMe campaign, the idea became a reality and on February 28, 165 guests enjoyed a menu that included lobster bisque, Caprese salad, short ribs and cannoli. Over 125 volunteers cooked, served and assisted with the evening.

In addition to the unique dining experience, the guests were also given 219 back packs with toiletries and other items, 50 work boots, dog food and a total of $2,000 in gift cards.

“We were able to give 165 fellow citizens of Philadelphia a sense of hope and dignity,” says Avicolli. “It allowed our brothers and sisters to realize they still matter, and we broke bread as a family that day.”

Other Preppers involved were Damian Lavelle ’93 and Joe Talluto ’95.

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CLASS NOTES Seán Lavelle ’96 is Regional Vice President, Philadelphia at Caron Treatment Centers, Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Recovery for Life.

Alphonse Gambone ’95 has written three books with his wife, Rita: Commonwealth vs. You, 5 Ways to Fight & Win Your Pennsylvania DUI Case, and Strong! A Guide to Health & Estate Planning.

Joe Murphy ’95 joined Adidas Golf in February of 2014. This past January, at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, Joe was recognized for his sales achievements in Northern California and North Western Nevada and was inducted into the 2015 Chairman’s Club. ▼

Lt. Col. Jim Tobin ’96 has been assigned to the Director Liaison Office in Canberra, Australia. As Director, Tobin will be embedded with the Royal Australian Air Force and serve as the primary liaison to the US’s biggest partner in the Pacific region supporting Foreign Military Sales, International Agreements and Cooperation.

Joe DeCamara ’96, a host at 97.5 The Fanatic, hosted the WSJP Student Broadcast Team for a tour of the studio.

Over pizza, Joe discussed the profession and answered questions.

They also met with Steve Vassalotti ‘05, who is an engineer at the station. Steve showed them a bit about the production side.

▼

Dr. Gerard Berry ’96 is a physician specializing in body and women’s imaging and interventional radiology at Mercy Fitzgerald and Mercy Philadelphia Hospitals. Dr. Berry is a board-certified radiologist who specializes in interventional radiology.

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Philip Tinari ’97 curated an exhibit for the Louis Vuitton foundation.

Richard Pagano ’98 recently joined High Construction Company as their Director of Business Development.

He and his wife Stacie reside in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia with their daughter, Theodora Margaret (Teddy).

JUNIOR CAREER DAY SPEAKERS: This spring, several Prep grads returned to 17th and Girard to talk to juniors about their careers. Pictured: (L-r) Philadelphia City Councilman Bill Greenlee ’71 (Politics), Joe DeCamara ’96 (Communications), Andy Farrell ’99 (Entrepreneur), Carton Rogers ’00 (Law), Nick Groch ’97 (Architecture), Central HS President Tim McKenna ’89 (Education), Brendan Murphy ’01 (Technology), Tim Reilly ’05 (Engineering) and Bill Baldini ’94 (Business). Not pictured: Tyler Tynes ’11 (Journalism) and Dr. Joe Murphy ’88 (Medicine).

Bobby Davis ’99 is Chief of Staff to the President at the University of Scranton, overseeing the Department of Athletics and managing the essential administrative functions of the Office of the President.

John Kane ’99, a financial services advisor at Citadel, earned a top spot in Bank Investment Consultant magazine’s Top 50 Bank Reps annual ranking, coming in at number 25.

This is the third consecutive year that he has been named to the list.

2000s/10s Justin Hopkins ’02 performed with the Boston Pops as part of their Holiday Concert.

Dr. Joe Stanzione ’03, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University, was featured in an ad for the University that ran in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe is researching how lignin, a major waste product of the paper industry, can be transformed into durable plastics.

Brian O’Neil ’04 has joined Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg as an associate in the Real Estate and Finance Department. His practice is focused on commercial real estate transactions, encompassing such areas as financing, acquisition, development and leasing.

Zachary Certa ’07 received his Medical Degree from Thomas Jefferson University.

Timothy Dooley ’07 earned a BA in Classics, Phi Beta Kappa, from Penn State and a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies from King’s College, London. Tim teaches Theology at Notre Dame School in New York City.

Mike McCarthy ’08 started a company, Remember The Pope (RememberThePope.com), with the goal of the project to provide a high quality poster print to commemorate Pope Francis’s 2015 Papal Visit to the United States.

John Pedicino ’08 was recently elevated to Director, Media Advisory at global software company, MediaMath.

In his new role, John will oversee media strategy working with Fortune 500 enterprise clients as well as develop relationships with web content owners/ publishers. John currently resides in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Kevin Ryan ’08 has joined the Prep staff as Alumni/Development Associate.

His primary tasks will be focused on alumni relations, events and alumni giving, specifically younger alumni. Ryan, who served in the alumni service corps in 2012-13, has been an adult staff member of the Cape and Sword Drama Society.

Charles Foltz ’11 graduated “cum laude” from Temple’s Fox School of Business Honors Program in 2015 and now works for Cigna Insurance in Philadelphia.

Tyler Rhode ’11 graduated from Columbia University in May 2015 with a degree in Classics and is working in NYC for a pharmaceutical clinical research organizations.

Patrick Romano ’12 was part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Mask and Wig comedy troupe during all four years at Penn. Mask and Wig is the oldest, all-male, collegiate comedy troupe in the United States. In his senior year, Patrick helped write and produce the production.

Steve Vasturia ’13 a junior at the University of Notre Dame, was one of the leaders for the Irish basketball team last season.

Ryan Neff ’14 is a member of the lacrosse team at Boston College.

Charlie Van Kula ’14, manager of Boston College’s hockey team, was an emergency fill-in as backup goalie for BC’s game vs. Harvard in the Beanpot Semifinals.

Andrew Burdsall ’15, a freshman at Syracuse University, is one of the standouts for the Orange rugby team.

Dino Cattai ’15, a freshman baseball player at Chestnut Hill College, was selected to the All-CACC 2nd Team.

He finished the year with 6 saves, .97 ERA, 34 Ks and a .153 BAA. Timothy Wiesenhutter ’15 earned his Eagle Scout honors.

▼

Michael Giangiordano ’12, a senior at Drexel University, was enrolled in a consulting class that worked with the US Dept. of Justice.

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ALUMNI PROFILES

KENT ’12 EARNS FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP Ivan Kent ’12

As a senior at the Prep, Ivan Kent ’12 took a class that propelled him to a bright future and the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship.

“The one class, more than any at the Prep, that helped me know what I wanted to study was AP Psychology with Dr. (John) Berna,” says Kent. “After taking that class, I knew that I wanted to do something with neuroscience and the brain.”

Fast forward two years and now Kent is a sophomore at the University of Scranton, taking “Introduction to Research Literature,” taught by Dr. Marc Seid. Throughout the semester,

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Dr. Seid invited other researchers from campus into the class to show the students what was available.

One day, Dr. Jason Graham, a math professor, presented his work.

Right then, Kent saw a possibility.

“He wrote some equations on the board and I had always liked Math,” says Kent. “After class, the three of us (Dr. Graham, Dr. Seid and Kent) formed a collaboration."

Their work, a mathematical model furthering Seid’s research on ants, will be published this summer in the Journal of Biological Systems.

Impressive as that is, working in Dr. Seid’s lab gave Kent exposure to every aspect of the research process, from traveling to Gainesville, Fla., to collect ants for the study, into the lab to conduct testing to collaborating on the writing of the research article.

That work, along with two summer internships (University of Missouri and MIT) plus his senior research examining the effects of caffeine on the ants’ collective decision-making process led him to a most prestigious prize, the Fulbright Scholarship.

Next fall, Kent will be studying

Entomology by researching ants at the University of Regensburg in southeast Germany. He will be part of a project examining the age reproductive tradeoff in ants. His professor has found that, unlike most other species, older ants seem to have no drop-off reproductively as they age. “It seems that evolution has favored them to have higher reproductive success at a later age,” says Kent.

Though he has done so much at Scranton, Kent still fondly credits his time at the Prep for his success.

“It laid the foundation for me to be successful at Scranton,” says Kent, a native of West Philadelphia. “I was able to hit the ground running and that is due to the challenging curriculum that the Prep provided. It was an easy transition, even though the subject matter was different.”

ALUMNI PROFILES

TYNES ’11 A REPORTER AT TOP INTERNET NEWS SITE In less than a year after graduating from college, Tyler Tynes ’11 may have found his dream job. As a reporter for Vox Media’s SB Nation, one of the top five sports Internet news sites, Tynes combines some of his favorite passions: race, culture and sports.

Since graduating in May from Kings College with a degree in Mass Communications, Tynes has worked for two of the largest Internet news agencies. He covered race and politics at Huffington Post for several months before joining SB Nation in April.

“SB Nation is a top five sports site in the country, rivaling ESPN and SI.com; it’s a fun way to look at sports,” says Tynes, who is based in Washington, DC. “I worked there in college and enjoyed it but really felt that they were lacking knowledge about race

and society, race and culture, and how it intersected with sports.”

According to Tynes, “there are a plethora of angles that people ignore because they don’t think sports should be handled so seriously.”

He points to recent stories that show how the two areas collide: the University of Missouri football team protesting the school’s handling of racial issues; the Yale basketball team’s support of their teammate accused of raping an African American student; Cam Newton and his celebrations; the impact of Kobe Bryant’s retirement on African Americans in Los Angeles.

“I have always been interested in how race issues cross with sports and I wanted to be involved in those stories,” says Tynes, who interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. “I had covered sports throughout college and thought I would have to leave that behind in order to cover more important stories, the stories that affect people who grew up like me, black in North

Tyler Tynes ’11

Philly. I’m glad to have the chance to do stories like these, ones that impact many others.”

During his Prep career, Tynes fondly remembers the American Studies course taught by Mr. Chris Rupertus and Mr. Bill Conners ’80. There he was exposed to different perspectives. “Getting that quality education at the Prep was super important to me,” he says. “That course, in particular, taught me the intersections of race, to not be so one-minded in looking at the news. It opened my eyes to learning so much more and thinking outside the box about how we perceive the news and things in general.”

Beyond anything learned in the classroom, Tynes is grateful for the opportunity to go to the Prep. “Growing up in North Philadelphia and living in my neighborhood, you always see the Prep and think it’s not attainable,” he says. “I am grateful to the Prep for the opportunity to go to college.”

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CLASS NOTES WEDDINGS

Michael Ryan ’03 and Jackie Callahan

and Meaghan McGrath

Michael Robinson ’04

John Powell, Jr. ’03 and Heather Cicala

Robert Protesto ’04 and Jaclyn Brennan

Brian Higgins ’82 and Jodi Gura Gerry Berry ’96 and Holly Simpson Paul Wood ’98 and Elisabeth Kirby Joseph Mallon ’99 and Amanda Forstrom Francis Cattie ’00 and Amanda Johnson

Joe Mirarchi ’00 and Laurel Emurian

David Sucharski ’03 and Leah Monzillo ▼

Michael Doughty ’05 and Devon Thomas Matt Tucci ’05 and Lindsey Sweeney Patrick Henigan ’05 and Catherine Farrell Christopher Farrell ’07 and Kelly Bieker

Kevin Hyslop ’01 and Shannon Stout John Hurley ’02 and Kayleigh Reichert ▼

Sean Dooley ’08 and Erin Manner ▼

Chris Kay ’08 and Melanie Narbutt Michael Pereira ’09 and Emily Williams

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IN MEMORIAM

BABIES

Jack Francis to Rachael and Matt Mealey ’03 ▼

Clementine (Coco) to Courtney and Nick Groch ’97 Darcy Claire to Gwenn and Mike Nolan ’98 Theodora Margaret (Teddy) to Stacie and Rich Pagano ’98 ▼

Rose Agnes to Cecilia and John Dougherty ’04 ▼

Teddy Joe to Shannon Stout and Kevin Hyslop ’01 Scarlett James to Heather and Chris Kunda ’01 Olivia Susan to Melissa and Kieran McGee ’01 Edward Patrick to Jackie and Sean Wise ’05 ▼

Graeme McGovern to Caroline and Kyle Logue ’02

Cora Agrifina Ilagan to Allie and Michaelangelo Ilagan ’02

James to Laura and Matt Cavanaugh ’08

Rev. Bruce M. Bidinger, SJ President (2002-06) Herman H. Maurer ‘26 Robert J. Riethmiller ‘31 Walter G. Arader ‘38 Frank J. MacEntee ‘41 John M. Hagerty ‘42 Francis B. Schulte ‘45 Francis E. Cronin ‘46 Thomas P. McCreesh ‘46 Bernard E. McGoldrick ‘47 Joseph V. Reaph ‘48 John J. Sweeney ‘48 Edward P. Persico ‘49 George S. Rohall ‘49 Dick Torpey ’49 John F. Fuoco ‘50 Joseph H. Kenney ‘50 Robert L. Schmid ‘50 Vincent J. Rafferty ‘51 Donald E. Green ‘52 Thomas P. O’Malley ‘52 Christopher C. Reitze ‘52 Rev. Paul A. Wiedmann ‘52 John J. McDevitt ‘52 Joseph F. Campbell ‘53 James P. Love ‘53 Louis A. Galasso ‘53 Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Burke ‘54 Francis J. Pfizenmayer ‘54 John J. Shirreffs ‘54 Donald M. Finello ‘56 Joseph A. Herrman ‘56 Gregory A. McAdams ‘56 Paul W. Shoup ‘56 Joseph M. Corr ‘58 Rev. Msgr. Samuel E. Shoemaker ‘58 Robert C. Stadalnik ‘58 John J. Gallagher ‘59 Stephen F. Byrne ‘60 Rev. Richard J. Curry, SJ ‘61 Edward R. Devlin ‘61 Edward F. Mack ‘61 Joseph J. McGowan ‘62 Christopher P. Romano ‘64 John J. Wolchko ‘64 Robert J. Russell ‘65 Leo J. Goughan ‘66 Herbert M. Meyers ‘67 Richard F. Drueding ‘68 Hugh M. Lasch ‘86 Kenneth T. McHugh ‘86 John Sullivan ‘89

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As of 5/13/2016

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▼

PERSPECTIVES

NEW HAMPSHIRE “PRIMARY PALOOZA” In February, New Hampshire held its quadrennial first-in-the-nation Presidential primary. As has become a custom, History Teacher Bill Conners ’80 and alumnus Brendan Murphy ’01 led a group of interested Prep students on a weekend trip to Manchester to meet the candidates and experience the environment of the campaign. Here are reflections from three of the students:

RYAN BONNER ’16 HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ During our three day excursion throughout the streets of Manchester, NH and the surrounding area, we listened to and met with many of the candidates running for the nation’s highest office.

The group also visited many campaign headquarters—the epicenters for the candidates in that area—and spoke with the staffs to learn why they do what they do. We learned that the compelling nature and message of the candidates drove them to support, volunteer, or both.

Many of us felt the same way.

Each student on the trip had different political views, ideas, and opinions. Nevertheless, we gathered together and listened to each candidate from the most conservative to the most liberal.

Sometimes we shook our heads and other times we stood up and clapped. After the events,

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we engaged in many insightful and sometimes heated political discussions during dinner. We learned that the beauty of American democracy is seeing both sides, speaking your mind, and casting your vote.

MATT FISHER ’16 BROOMALL, PA The goal of our trip was to see as many candidates as possible, and to get the best idea of who would be our favorite candidate.

To accomplish this, we wanted to see and hear from candidates from both parties, even ones that I don’t necessarily agree with.

It’s important, in today’s political climate, to get the best idea of the full available spectrum, since if you only get ideas from one party, you can’t really reach an informed conclusion.

It was really cool to be able to get to visit all of the important primary-related stops like the

Red Arrow Diner. Admittedly, while I enjoyed every candidate that we heard, I really enjoyed the Democratic speeches, since I lean more towards that side of the political spectrum. All in all, the experience was rather eye opening for me, as I have really only seen the issues as far as the political process is concerned.

PATRICK URBINE ’16 PHILADELPHIA, PA Every four years, political enthusiasts, the media, and aspiring politicians flock to New Hampshire for what Mr. Conners calls “Primary-Palooza.” This year, I was fortunate enough to travel with twelve other Prep students to see the festivities first hand.

As we sprinted between town halls, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rallies, and intimate Meet 'n Greets in museum basements and family owned pizzerias, I began to realize what’s so special about

the New Hampshire primary. For better or worse, a state with a smaller population that the city of Philadelphia holds significant sway in determining the President of the US. As a result, the people of New Hampshire have the incredible privilege of meeting many of presidential candidates face to face. Going to New Hampshire, I felt truly a

part of the political process, as if my vote truly does matter in an election. And unfortunately, it’s a feeling of civic engagement and pride that many of us from Philly don’t always have the chance to experience. Because of this, I’m truly appreciative of the opportunity that the Prep provided me by organizing this trip to New Hampshire.

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