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Ignatian Scholars: Quamplurimi et Quam Aptissimi The 2010-11 school year saw the debut of Prep’s Ignatian Scholars Program, which gave scholars among the freshman class a chance to interact with leaders in the school community, meet prominent alumni and discover what it means to be a part of Jesuit education. Juan Arteaga of Prep’s English department directs the program. “The Ignatian Scholars program is a way for freshmen to be immediately engaged in Saint Peter’s Prep,” he reflected. “The program is unique among Jesuit high schools, and it’s another facet of Saint Peter’s that makes us the special community we are.” The year was filled with opportunities for the freshmen to expand their horizons. They met with Fr. Reiser during “Breakfast with the President,” and heard from “Alumni Achievers” throughout the year. Those speakers included Captain Brian Castelli, ’01, who discussed his experiences leading a platoon in Afghanistan, and his classmate, Billy Bludgus, who talked about creating his own foundation, The House of Blue Hope, while he worked in Tanzania. The group also had the opportunity to work on two service projects in December: the Adopt-a-Family program, organized by the Office of Campus Ministry, and the Fair Trade Sale, organized by Pax Christi. “I loved seeing the Scholars working together with the Campus Ministry Team on these projects,” said Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07, the program’s coordinator. “I hope that this inspires them to consider how they can best become Men for Others.”
In January, the Ignatian Scholars discussed Prep’s microfinance program in Ecuador (Prep Magazine, Spring 2010) with a panel of the program’s founders, including (left to right) Dominic Scibilia of the religion department; Tim Mernar, ’10; Graham Wyville, ’11; Peter LiVolsi, ’11; and Marco Ambrosio, ’03.
When the Ignatian Scholars traveled to Mount Manresa in Staten Island for a Jesuit leadership workshop, several students – including both the freshman scholars and the upperclassmen who serve as Ignatian Scholars Team leaders – remarked that the experience had helped to shape their outlook. Michael Fernandes, ’14 said he “learned to view life from a different perspective,” adding that he would apply the lessons he learned about leadership to his daily life. Sophomore team member Ryan McGann concurred. “The conference was an inspirational experience,” he said. “[It] fine-tuned my skills and created an opportunity for me to distinguish myself as a leader guided by Jesuit ideals.” “The Prep community benefits greatly from encouraging and challenging the Ignatian Scholars to seek out the Magis,” said Ben Brenkert, S.J., who serves as program chaplain. “As a newcomer to the school, the Ignatian Scholars Program allows me to encounter the best that Prep offers.”
Brian Castelli, ’01, a captain in the United States Army, addressed the Ignatian Scholars in November.
PREP Magazine www.spprep.org SPRING 2011
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