The 145th Commencement - June 6, 2023

One Hundred Forty-Fifth Annual Commencement of

Saint Peter’s Preparatory School

James F. Keenan, S.J. Field Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Order of Exercises Prelude

Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 (Edward Elgar) Prep Concert Band Steve Caslowitz, Director

Invocation

Susan Woolever, Ph.D., Director of Campus Ministry

National Anthem

Prep Vox Emily Fencik, Director & Concert Band

Welcoming Remarks

Christopher Caulfield, ’03, Principal

Academic Awards

Richard Peters, ’85 Interim Assistant Principal

Student-Athlete Awards John Morris, Dean of Students

Interlude

In Whatever Time We Have (Arr. Mac Huff ) Prep Concert Band & Prep Vox

Speaker for the Class of 2023 Rishi Bhandari, ’23

Student Life Awards Mr. Caulfield

Address to the Graduates Salvatore Veniero, ’05 Director of Global Initiatives

Presentation of Diplomas

Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, President with Mr. Caulfield, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Morris

Closing Remarks Dr. Gomez

Alma Mater

Pride & Glory, led by Prep Vox

Benediction

John Mullin, S.J., Guidance Counselor

Postlude

Rondeau from Premiere Suite ( Jean Joseph Mouret) Prep Concert Band

Named Awards The following awards are presented each year at commencement, and celebrate the very best of the qualities Prep, as a Jesuit school, seeks to foster in our community.

They are listed here with their respective recipients from the past three years.

This year’s recipients will be announced during today’s ceremony.

John McGovern, ’80 Award

A graduate who embodies leadership and dedication to the spirit of teamwork.

2022: Nicholas Marusic 2021: Gavin O’Farrell 2020: William White

Jeff Kachel, ’89 Memorial Student-Athlete Award

A graduate whose perseverance, commitment, and leadership are the marks of a true student-athlete.

2022: Jack O’Donnell 2021: Ian Wilson 2020: Raymond Ortiz, Jr.

Vincent J. Kennedy, ’39 Award

Presented to the student speaker for the class, in recognition of his dedication to the ideals of Prep.

2022: Logan Elliot 2021: Andrew Smith 2020: Suvan Bhat

Rev. John E. Browning, S.J., ’46 Award A graduate modeling the virtues Fr. Browning lived with such distinction: courage, wisdom, and humble service in pursuit of justice.

2022: Ellis Reid 2021: Nate Jablonski 2020: Bryson Shipman & Luke Donofrio

Charley Rooney, P’67,’69 Award

Presented to the faculty commencement speaker, in recgognition of his or her dedication to the ideals of Saint Peter’s Prep.

2022: Erin Stark 2021: Fred Galano, P’22 2020: Belkise Dallam

Jerome B. Pedersen, ’92 Award

A graduate modeling the values that Jerome Pedersen lived so well: good humor, faith, and selfless service to the Prep community.

2022: Charles Dino & Biaggio Guido 2021: Ian Lee & Aaron Saunders 2020: Joseph Doody

Agape Award

A graduate living a life of faith and service, shaped by God’s love for all people.

2022: Matthew Blomgren 2021: Owen Fletcher & Patrick McCabe 2020: Matthew Cugliari & Aidan Guarnuccio

Jesuit Schools Network Award

A graduate living a life of faith and service, shaped by God’s love for all people.

2022: Dermot Alvidrez & Cyril Maliakal 2021: John Thorburn 2020: Anthony Ionta

Rev. Francis J. Shalloe, S.J. Award

A graduate who best exemplifies loyalty to the ideals of Prep and personal development characterized in the phrase, “A Man for Others” 2022: Connor Bankuti 2021: Johnnie Brooker 2020: Matthew Moreira

Jesuit Veterans Service Award

A graduate whose selfless service to others exemplifies our mission to instill the courage to advance the common good. (award introduced in 2023)

The Class of 2023 Elijah Abraham

Ryan Byington*§

Deegie Adad

Michael Cangiano

Dennis Acevedo* Jack Adams

Ryan Adams

Akshat Agarwal*§‡ Kevin Alcantara

Thomas Canela*§ Enzo Capano Gian Cases*§

Donovan Chavis Avi Chawdhry§

Brisco Anderson

Yixiang Chen*

Horace Anderson*§

Brian Christman§

Bryce Anderson§

Nicholas Chiaravalloti*§‡

Vince Anonuevo

Nicholas Connelly

William Arnone

Matthew Corwin

Jordan Armour

Sebastian Arteaga§‡ Amer Awad

Mema Ayore Ryan Bae*§

William Barksdale

Paolo Francis Bautista§ Rishi Bhandari*§‡

Alessandro Bonetti Jayden Bonsu

George Brattole III Evan Briggs*§ Derek Bright

Griffin Burk* Charles Burt

Louis Correro*§ Caleb Crawley Thomas Deloy

Jonathan Dereka*§‡ Arjun Dhawan*§

Edward DiBella§ Nico Duarte

Logan Dunkel

Gianni Echeverria§‡ Jared Edwards

Amir El Ghazzali Matthew Elder Alan Esteban

Michael Fasciano Connor Finerty§

The Class of 2023 Mason Fischer§‡

Ishaan Jain

Xavier Flores

Beckett Johnson-Walters§

Zack Fischer*§‡

Matthew January*§‡

Tai Flot

Theodore Josephson

Jett Franqui*§‡

Conor Kagel

Kevin Fromfield

Sean Kagel

Dylan Fuller*

Brian Kelly

Connor Gallagher

Luke Kelly

Stephen Gelcich

Ryan Khin

Eric King Jr.

Marco Giglio§

Matthew Kinzler

Isaiah Giles

Maxwell Kirk§

Luke Gilhawley§ Kevin Gomes

Vipul Kothakonda*§‡

Declan Good

Kenneth Kramer§

Jake Grullon*§‡

Jaden Lambert

Nelson Ha*§

Garrett Lasky*§

Oliver Harag

Michael Lemanowicz

Richard Harrington§

Robert Leon Jr.*§

Benjamin Henderson

Frank Liggio*§

Nicholas Herrmann

Robert Long Jr.

Liam Hester

Antoine Hurtado-Barzac*§‡ Anthony Iglesias Jr.

Mossimo Infante-Meehan Eliot Jablonski*§‡ * National Honor Society

§

Emilio Lopez§ Alec Lucken*§

Jalen Maharaja Zac Malanga Jack Mara

Language Honor Society

n cum laude: G.P.A. 3.7 or higher

‡

Science National Honor Society

n magna cum laude: G.P.A. 4.0 or higher

The Class of 2023 Lee Mara§

Luke Piscitelli

Benedict Marra*§

Michael Preite*§

Maximilian Marko§ Theodore McCarthy*§ Kevin McDonough Aidan McMillan Andrew Medina Dylan Mejia

Daniel Mero*§‡ James Miceli

Henry Michaud§

Dhrona Mohan*§

Branden Montemayor Jack Moran§ Jack Nilsen

Matthew Novak*§ Niahl O’Neill

Chialuka Ohadike

Dmitri Panchenko Andrew Parra*§ Angelo Pellicci Ethan Peña§

Julio Pereira Jr.§ Gavin Pessoa

Giulio Petrocelli

Santo Petrocelli§ Ori Pinn

Samuel Porch Jr. Faustino Quiles

Mikai Ramsey-Middleton William Richardson*§‡ London Robinson§ Joseph Roxas

Kevin Rozario§ Isaiah Ruiz

Gabriel Russell*§‡ Owen Sanchez Jakob Sanniola Jude Sargent§

Jamei Schenck

Alex Schimmel§

Nicholas Schoen*§

Christopher Sciarra Etienne Servaes*§‡ Michael Shipman Kevin Shull*§

Mason Simmons Isaiah Simpson

Daleandre Singson

Christopher Skabich§* Nicholas Skabich*§‡ Gavin Skowronski

The Class of 2023 David Slowinski

Johann Varghese§

Jacob Steg

William Vastine

John Stalknecht

Ayush Varma*§‡

Ethan Suarez

Kaimana Voelkl§

Jon Sumague§

Mavin Vongtanaanek

Sean Swiatek

Bryce Waliszewski

Jones Swift

Quentin Weintraub

Jackson Tindall

Tristen Whitworth*§‡

Kyle Torrente*§

Felipe Wiget

Carter Touzalin§

Andrew Williams

Chad Trammell

Maurice Williams*‡

Robert Trefurt Jr.

Kenneth Winkleblech§

Jacob Turingan§

Alexander Zaccardi Nile Zaki

Steven Vago*§‡ Jose Valverde

Leonardo Zamarra*§‡

Brian Van Alstyne

* National Honor Society

Gianluca Zurlo

§

Language Honor Society

n cum laude: G.P.A. 3.7 or higher

‡

Science National Honor Society

n magna cum laude: G.P.A. 4.0 or higher

Faculty & Administration Ms. Salwa Abdelhamid • M.A., New Jersey

City U.; B.A., Arts, Science, and Education School for Girls

Mr. Kevin Albers Director of Operations • M.B.A., B.S., Saint Peter’s College

Mr. Michaelangelo Allocca • M.A., U. Chicago;

Ms. Andrea Dedmon • M.Div., Union

Theological Seminary; B.A., Kenyon College

Mr. Brad Dexter • M.A.T, Fordham U.; B.A., Boston College

Ms. Catherine Eppler Dean of Student Life•

B.A., Columbia College

M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U.; B.S., Randolph-Macon College

Ms. Maysoon Awwad • M.A., B.S, New Jersey

Ms. Emily Fencik • M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U.;

Ms. Emma Bagg Registrar • M. Ed., New Jersey

Ms. Patricia Carey Fitzpatrick Director of

City U.

City U.; M.A., New York U.; B.A., Dartmouth College

B.M., U. of North Carolina – Greensboro

Marketing & Public Relations • M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson U.; B.A., Fairfield U.

Mr. David Bailey, ’95 Chief Technology Officer •

Mr. Michael Fletcher • M.A., Boston College;

Mr. Mark Baltazar • M.Ed., B.S., Saint Peter’s U.

Mr. Antavius Franklin • Th.M., M.Div, Emory

B.S., U. of Scranton

Mr. Sean Barowski • B.A., Rutgers, U.

B.A., Wheeling Jesuit Collegev U.; B.S., Upper Iowa U.

Mr. Adam Bouley • M.S., City College of New

Ms. Shaina Franklin • M. Div., Emory U.; M.A.,

Mr. David Burokas, ’85 • M.A., B.A., New York U.

The Rev. Frederick Galano Director of

York; B.A., Canisius College

Mr. Gerald Campbell-Clark • M.S., Fordham U.; B.A., Canisius College

Mr. Steven Caslowitz • M.A., Hofstra U.; B.M.,

U. of Southern California; B.A., Spelman College

Financial Aid • B.A., Seton Hall U.

Mr. Pete Geary, ’05 • M.S., Fordham U.; B.A., Loyola U. Maryland

New England Conservatory of Musicv

Mr. Giuseppe Giglio, ’87 Director of Guidance

Mr. Christopher Caulfield, ’03 Principal •

Holy Cross

M.S., Fordham U.; M.A., B.A., Boston College

Mr. David Caulfield, ’77• M.A., Fordharam U.; B.A., Saint Peter’s College

Mr. Avinash Chandan • M.Ed., M.A., B.A., Rutgers U.

and College Counseling • B.A., College of the

Ms. Kaitlyn Giroux • B.S., Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Ms. Ella Glazer • B.A., Kean U.v Dr. Michael A. Gomez, ’91 President • Ed.D.,

Ms. Christine Davis Director of the Browning

U. of Pennsylvania; M.A., Teachers’ College, Columbia U.; M.A., Binghamton U.; B.A., Providence College

U.; B.A., The U. of Georgia

Gettysburg College

Mr. Charles Coccaro Jr. • B.S., Montclair State U. Center • L.D.T.-C., Kean U.; M.A.T., Monmouth

Ms. Miryam DeChiaro • M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U.; M.D., Juan N. Corpas School of Medicine

Ms. Alison Gorab • M.A., New York U.; B.A., Mr. Richard Hansen Director of Athletics • B.A., New Jersey City U.v

Faculty & Administration Mr. Richard Hansen III, ’03 • M.A., Saint

Mr. Michael McLean • M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U.;

Dr. Jeffrey Hartling • Ph.D., M.A., Catholic U.;

Ms. Deirdre McDermott • B.A., Saint Joseph’s U.

Peter’s U.; B.S., Saint Peter’s College B.A., College of the Holy Cross

Ms. Lili Hermeline Interim Head Librarian • M.A., B.A., U. of California, Irvine

Mr. James Hollywood, ’66 • M.S., Stevens Inst. of Technology; B.S., Saint Peter’s College v

Mr. James Horan, ’70 V.P. for Planning & Principal Giving • M.A., Fordham U.; B.A., Marquette U.v

Ms. Caroline Hutchinson • M.A., Eastern U.; B.A., U. of Pennsylvania

Mr. John Irvine, ’83 Director of Admissions • B.A., Saint Peter’s Collegev

Mr. Michael Jiran, ’03 Director of

Communications • B.A., New York U.

Mr. Anthony E. Keating, ’78 • J.D., Gonzaga U.; B.A., Boston College

Ms. Megan Klim • M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art; B.F.A., The College of New Jersey

Mr. Kevin Kuhl, ’14 • M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U.; B.S., Saint Joseph’s U.

Mr. Patrick Laguerre • B.A., Jacksonville U.

B.A., Montclair State U.

Ms. Mary Anne McElroy • M.A., Saint John’s U.; B.A., Saint Joseph’s College

Mr. Patrick McGovern, ’99 • J.D., Rutgers U.; M.A., B.A., Georgetown U.

Mr. Michael McLean • M.Ed., Saint Peter’s U., B.A., Montclair State U.

Ms. Alice McNally • M.A., Teachers’ College, Columbia U.; B.A., College of Saint Elizabeth

Mr. Vincent Menafro, ’15 • B.S., Fairleigh Dickinson U.

Ms. Raiza Menendez • B.A., Montclair State U. Ms. Jan Merski • M.A., Saint Peter’s U., B.A., Rutgers U.

Ms. Molly Molino • M.A., Brooklyn College; B.S., Stevens Inst. of Technology

Ms. Grace Morris • M.A., Seton Hall U.; B.A., Fairfield U.

Mr. John Morris Dean of Students • M.A., B.A., Fordham U.

Rev. John Mullin, S.J. • M.S., Loyola U.

Ms. Jamie Laurie • M.A., B.A., Montclair State U.

Maryland; M.Div., Woodstock College; M.S.T., A.B., Boston Collegev

Ms. Kate Lillis-Magnus Director of

Mr. Michael Murcia, ’08 Director of Alumni

Mr. Anthony Locricchio, ’96 • M.A., Saint

Ms. Claire Mulligan • B.S., Fairfield U.

Engagement • B.A., Saint Peter’s College Peter’s College; B.A., The College of New Jersey

Mr. Joseph Madonna • M.A., Fordham U.M.T.S., B.A., Iona College

Mr. Patrick McCoy • M.A., Seton Hall U.; B.F.A., William Paterson U.

Mr. Edward McGuinness • M.S.W., M.Ed., U. of Michigan; B.S., St. John’s U.

Relations • B.A., Saint Peter’s U.

Ms. Cynthia Mustafa • B.A., U. of Richmond Ms. Jessica Nordstrom • M.Ed., M.A., Teachers College, Columbia U., B.A., Villanova U.

Mr. Ryan O’Flaherty • M. A., Saint Peter’s U.; B.A., New Jersey City U.

Ms. Elisabeth Oberhollenzer • B.A. Universita’ degli Studi di Firenze

v Recipients of the Bene Merenti Award, conferred after 20 years of service to Saint Peter’s Prep.

Faculty & Administration Rev. Robert O’Hare, S.J. • M.A., Harvard

U.; Th. M., M. Div., Weston Jesuit School of Theology; M.A. Loyola U.; B.A. Fordham U.

Ms. Manye Otu • B.S., Seton Hall U. Mr. Remi Pastorek • M.A., Centenary College of Louisiana; B.A., Louisiana State U.

Mr. Richard Peters, ’85 Interim Assistant

Princpal • M.A., Rutgers U.; B.A., Manhattanville Collegev

Ms. Virginia Piccolo V.P. for Finance • B.A., William Paterson U.

Ms. Nicole Placencia • B.A., New Jersey City U. Mr. Michael Prescia • M.A., B.A., Fordham U. Mr. Robert Puhak, ’16 • M.Ed., B.S., Rutgers U. Mr. Loual Puliafito Chief Advancement Officer • B.A., Fordham U.

Mr. Jose Que, ’99 • M.Ed., B.S., Saint Peter’s U. Ms. Christine Ricca • M.A., Ramapo College of New Jersey; M.A., B.A., Marist College

Mr. Nathan Riley • M.Ed., St. John’s U.; M.S., Sc.B, Brown U.

Mr. Brendan Roche • M.S.Ed. Fordham U.; B.A., Harvard U.

Mr. Renato F. Rodrigues, ’10 • M.A., Saint Peter’s U.; B.S., Kean U.

Mr. Anthony Rodriguez • M.A., B.A., Saint Peter’s U.

Mr. Ian Rogers • B.A., Loyola U. Chicago Ms. Rosalie Romano • M.A., Middlebury College; M.A., New Jersey City U.; B.B.A., Pace U.v

Ms. Dalma Santana Director of Special Events & Parent Relations • B.A., Rutgers U.

Ms. Erin Stark • M.A., Saint Peter’s College; B.A., Douglass College, Rutgers U.

Ms. Donna Saulys • M.S., Rutgers U.; B.S., College of Saint Elizabeth

Mr. Carlos Tabora, ’87 • M.Ed., New Jersey City U.; BS., New Jersey Inst. of Technology

Ms. Aymee Torres • M.A., New Jersey City U.;

M.S., Universidade de Sao Paulo; B.S., Polytechnic U. of Havana ISPJAE

Mr. Salvatore Veniero, ’05 Director of Global Initiatives • M.A., Middlebury College; B.A., Catholic U.

Mr. Anthony Verdi, ’95 • M.A., Saint Peter’s College; B.A., Monmouth U. v

Mr. Andrew Watts • M.S., B.S., Elizabethtown College

Dr. Susan Woolever Director of Campus

Ministry • Ph.D., Drew U.; M.A., U. of Iowa; M.A., Argosy U.; B.A., U. of Illinois

Dr. Benedetto Youssef • D.Arts, Murray State U.; M.A., Southern New Hampshire U.; B.A., Fordham U.

Academic Recognition

Please join us in congratulating the following graduates, who have achieved recognition at the national level for their academic performance and potential.

National Merit Scholar Akshat Agarwal

National Merit Commended Students Horace Anderson Evan Briggs Yixang Chen Dhrona Mohan Michael Shipman Kevin Shull Steven Vago

College Board National Recognition Awards

National African American Recognition Award

Bryce Anderson Horace Anderson Anthony Gibbs Chialuka Ohadike National Indigenous Recognition Award

National Hispanic Recognition Award

Sebastian Arteaga Anthony Gibbs Jake Grullon Antoine Hurtado-Barzac Robert Leon Jr. Andrew Parra

Ayush Varma

Ignatian Global Scholars

Awarded by the Jesuit Schools Network Brian Christman Kenneth Kramer

Pride & Glory The melody of “Pride & Glory” is adapted from a 1919 composition by the legendary American songwriter, Cole Porter. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we will continue a time‑honored tradition by inviting all Prep alumni in attendance—and particularly our newest alumni, the Class of 2023—to stand and join in singing Prep’s alma mater.

It is our pride and our glory, Old in song and in story.

And we cherish your name, And we love your fair fame For the days of long ago.

And we your sons will be loyal To Saint Peter’s so royal.

May your banners still guide us, Wherever we go!

It is a story of gladness, With no shadow of sadness: Our years spent with you, Saint Peter’s so true, And you hold our hearts’ love yet.

And through the years we will treasure, With a joy beyond measure, The gifts you have given.

We shall never forget!