Prep Magazine: Summer 2022

Prep

SAINT PETER’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Then. Now. Always.

SUMMER 2022

Moving Day When Jim DeAngelo called me into his office during a change of classes at HAP in the summer of 2021, I was unsure of what we would discuss. Of course, I had been in the office more than a few times to discuss various items concerning the English department during my years as chair, and I’d like to think I was able to get a classic Jim DeAngelo laugh on a few occasions as well. On this particular day, I quickly realized that this was not my average summer conversation, because Jim asked if I would step in as the Interim Vice Principal for Academics at Saint Peter’s Prep. Suddenly, I would be moving from my classroom on the 4th floor of the English building to an office in Mulry that always seemed so far away.

And now, less than a year later, I find myself moving the few items I transported to my new office on Grand Street to a new office across the lobby, at the corner of Grand and Warren. As I sit at my desk in this new space, I can’t help but think about the journey that has led me to this point. And as always, it is a journey filled with people, stories, and moving.

As a student at Prep, I commuted from Caldwell, New Jersey. I still have vivid memories of completing homework assignments in a small church pew just outside this office, with Tony Azzarto’s strings of colorful Christmas lights illuminating the Mulry lobby, as I waited for a ride after track practice. The expectations of my great teachers and the moving to and from Jersey City each day led me to understand the importance of time management and hard work at an early age, and this gift that I received at Prep—one of many—has served me well in so many facets of my life up until this point.

In my first year of teaching at Prep in the fall of 2008, I was told that I would be a “floater.” This distinct honor meant that I would travel from classroom to classroom to complete my teaching duties. With all of that movement it was a bit hard to keep track, but I believe I have spent at least one year teaching in eleven different classrooms during my time at Prep. This movement has provided me with an abundance of grace in my career. When floating, I had the opportunity to change classes with the students. Now while that may seem like a stressful experience—and some days it certainly was!—it was also a wonderful one. I know now that dapping up countless students on my journey, stopping to talk to a student who might be struggling, chatting with a young man about his recent theater performance or game, or hearing someone shout out “CaulfDaddy!” from three floors down is not an opportunity I might find at other schools.

And of course, I could never, ever forget the many neighbors I have had the chance to know in these years! I have shared rooms and halls with faculty members who are still here or others who have moved on, but the common theme has always been an opportunity to learn and forge bonds in our shared mission at Prep. In my early years of teaching, I can remember leaning on the many veteran teachers whom I taught near or shared a classroom with. As the years wore on, I then had the chance to pay it forward with new members of our staff. In all of these moments, I had so many chances to listen, laugh, vent, share a great lesson plan, share a terrible lesson plan, or hear a bit about someone’s life outside of Prep. It is these relationships that remind me of the incredible blessing it has been to work at Prep these past fourteen years.

So as I sit at my desk, and I think about Prep, I realize that it is not the rooms or the halls that make our school so special (although the new plans for the English Building look great!), but rather, it is the people. I am excited at the prospect of leading the many people who make up our wonderful community, and I look forward to welcoming visitors to my new corner office. But if you can’t find me there, chances are I’ll be moving around campus learning even more about all the things that make Prep, as Michael Gomez would say, “the greatest school on the planet.“

Chris Caulfield, ’03 Principal

CONTENTS

Prep

8 Prep 150: A Story of Gladness

Volume 32 | Number 2 Summer 2022 Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 President

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Cover Story

Chris Caulfield, ’03 Principal

Mike Jiran, ’03 Editor John Irvine, ’83, P’11 Sports Editor Dan Bassini Chris Caulfield, ’03 Catie Eppler Emily Fencik Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16 Jim Horan, ’70 Kate Lillis-Magnus Mike Murcia, ’08 Remi Pastorek Jennifer Nilsen, P’23 Contributors Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11,’18 Select Photography

Moments from a yearlong (and continuing!) celebration of Pride & Glory: Then. Now. Always.

Features

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14 Forever Forward A $5 million lead gift has kicked off Prep’s fourth modern capital campaign, with the goal of creating a 21st-century academic facility within the iconic 19th-century English Building.

16 DeLo, According to Doc Legendary Prep English teacher “Doc” Kennedy reflects on the first 50-or-so years of his friendship with former colleague and fellow Prep Legend Carl DeLorenzo, ’67.

Mace Duncan Ohleyer | Hotplate Original Design Concept

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Departments

Mike Jiran, ’03 Layouts and Additional Photography

2 144 Grand Prep’s sesquicentennial class; Global education, at last, is global again; A familiar face returns for Arrupe Week.

Prep Magazine is a publication of the Office of Communications of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School. It is distributed in print, free of charge, to Prep alumni, faculty, staff and parents, and online at spprep.org/prepmag

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Copyright © 2022, Saint Peter’s Prep. All publication rights reserved.

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Alumni Relations: alumni@spprep.org or 201-547-6413 Communications: info@spprep.org or 201-547-2308

Photo File Prep’s campus has been transformed since the mid’90s, and the English Building will be the next area of focus. It was also one of the first!

STAY UP-TO-DATE

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CONTACT US:

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spprep.org /spprep

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To Whom Much is Given Frank Free, ’79 calls his classmates “Prep’s greatest gift” to him. Now he’s working with his 1979 classmates to give back to Prep.

@SaintPetersPrep

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@spprep

Sports Winter and Spring seasons yield 7 county titles; Basketball’s Armstrong sets new scoring mark; Wrestling dominates the districts; School records and all-American honors for track’s Ledgister.

/spprep1872

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To subscribe to our weekly P-Mail newsletter, contact info@spprep.org with your name, class year (if applicable) and preferred email address.

ON THE COVER: Scenes from a year of sesquicentennial celebrations. Photos by Mark Wyville, ’76, P’11, Dan Bassini (Cardinal Tobin), and Mike Jiran, ’03 (Legends Panel)

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Alumni Legends Class of 2022 to be honored this October; Alumni gather on the road and close to home.

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144 GRAND

Class of ’22: Unbounded, Untethered, Unhindered “I remember looking up to the seniors as grown men, confident and cool. But here we are, four years later, maybe not always cool—I’ll speak for myself—but certainly changed. Back then, our friends were still strangers; our futures were unknown.”Logan Elliot, ’22, the student speaker at Prep’s 144th Commencement on May 19, summed up the transformation that has taken place, again and again, at Grand & Warren since 1872. The boys who walked into Prep then had become the men who stood on Keenan Field now, reflecting on the experiences that will stay with them always. “As we move on from Prep, let’s remember the lessons we learned, the hardships we faced, and use that resilience, that power, to move mountains with the faith that has grown in each of us like little mustard seeds.

“Already starting to dissolve into fond memories,” he added, “our Prep experience will continue to shape us and push us in new directions, ones which we should greet with openness and kindness.”

The road ahead is never certain, but as Math Department Chair Erin Stark noted in the faculty address, “We are sending you out into the world knowing how to read critically, listen carefully, and love deeply...we are sending you with what I hope is a great love of your authentic self, a desire to work towards the common good, and gratitude for your lived high school experience.”And as ever, she added, the 231 newest alumni have endeavored to gain and sharpen those assets, supported by their families and guided by Prep’s faculty and staff. “I have been privileged to watch many of you doing the hard work of figuring out who you are at your core: how you learn, what you believe, how to be authentically yourself, how to work harder than you ever have towards important goals.” With this experience behind them, they are now ready to discover what’s next. “We are sending you out into the world, with your limitless potential. We are removing the particular set of training wheels we call high school. Go

unbounded, untethered, unhindered, with your brilliance, your faith, and your extraordinary talents.”

Logan Elliot invited his classmates to consider this moment not just the start of a new chapter, but the start of a new book. “In a few short months, we will be headed off to college, and eventually go on to live very different lives. This change is not just flipping another page, but instead closing the book on this part of our lives and opening a new one, a sequel with new characters and events.” He added, “From this day forward, we will forever be bonded by our memories of a time we will now never get back. Our diversity made our Prep experience truly special, a diversity which continues to lead each of us on very different paths from one another.”

Ms. Stark echoed that sentiment: “My last message to the Prep Class of 2022 is your adult life belongs to you, and no one else,” she said. “You are the only person who will live out your own unique and beautiful life...And

a time.”

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you will build this life for yourself one decision at

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OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Student speaker Logan Elliot, ’22; Faculty Speaker Erin Stark; As his 15-year tenure as Prep’s principal drew to a close, Jim DeAngelo, ’85 listened as Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 presented him with the Insignis Award, Prep’s highest honor for faculty and staff members; Rain threatened to be a factor for the first time since Prep’s graduation moved outdoors in 2020, but the graduates and their families stayed dry throughout the proceedings; Ten of Prep’s newest alumni celebrated together.

ABOVE RIGHT: Sam Galano, ’22 received his diploma from his father, Fred Galano, a member of Prep’s religion department and director of financial aid. RIGHT: Ellis Reid, ’22 posed with Phil McGovern, ’76, P’11, Chair of Prep’s Board of Trustees, and Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 after receiving the John Browning, S.J., ’46 Award.

For a full list of awards presented at graduation, visit spprep.org/Class22Awards or scan here.

Prep Legacies: Then. Now. Always.

In this sesquicentennial year at Grand & Warren, the growth of the Prep tradition from generation to generation seems particularly significant. Graduates continuing a family legacy were once again invited to receive their diplomas from their fathers or grandfathers, and gathered for photos before the ceremony.

ABOVE: John Barabas, ’55 and grandson Charlie Dino, ’22; Martin Shanahan, ’63 and grandson Connor Bankuti, ’22; Joseph Boccassini, ’85 and son Thomas Boccassini, ’22 ; Mark Armstrong, ’83 and son Mark Armstrong, ’22; John Scheurer, ’86 and son James Scheurer, ’22. BELOW: John Villaneueva, ’03 and son Tyler Dairo, ’22; Nicholas Chiaravalloti and son Agostino Chiaravalloti, ’22; Lloyd Ang, ’89 and son Don Benjamin Ang, ’22; Not available for photos: Pietro Sollecito, ’88 and son Alexander Sollecito, ’22; Nathan Jackson, ’97 and godson Ellis Reid, ’22

144 GRAND A Summit for Student Leaders On June 15, just after the end of classes for the school year, Prep held a full-day leadership summit for emerging leaders in the community. Catherine Eppler, Dean of Student Life and Rich Hansen, Athletic Director, led the students through a day of learning to grow as heads of clubs, activities, and teams.

The 80 students who attended were nominated by moderators and coaches as upand-coming leaders within Prep’s community. The group included all grade levels and there were representatives from many of the sports and co-curriculars offered at Prep; everything from Robotics to Crew to Student Council to Football to Cultural Clubs were part of this important discussion and opportunity.

The day was broken up into five different focus points: evaluating current status as a leader; discussing different leadership styles; setting goals; building a leadership toolbox; and understanding difficulties encountered in leading.

Each portion included a speaker—either in person or via video—to kick off the discussion, which then continued with the students working in small groups. Participants heard from former Hoboken Chief of Police Ken Ferrante, ’90, Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, Coach Hansen, and General Ed Daly, ’83, Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command. Each speaker was then paired with activities to provide context and practice for the students. Activities included goal setting, group discussions, toolbox building, and reflection.

The plan is for the Leadership Summit to become a yearly tradition at Prep; allowing students to grow and develop as future leaders in their communities.

Exploring the World Once Again For the first time in three years, Prep students embarked on international adventures once again as the summer break began. Clockwise from top left:

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In Saint Peter’s Square, the Italian Exchange caught up with former faculty member (and Legends of Prep honoree) Sister Frances Marie Duncan, O.S.F. Since 2021, Sr. Frances has lived and worked in Rome, serving as General Minister for the School Sisters of St. Francis.

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Prep sent its first ever exchange group to Brazil, seen here at the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) in Rio de Janeiro. Students and teachers from Rio’s Colégio Santo Inácio visited Prep in early 2020, but the pandemic delayed a return visit for two years.

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The new Classics Study Trip crisscrossed Italy, visiting classical historic sites including Pompeii, seen here.

Prep’s oldest global education program, the German Exchange, recreated the traditional group photo at the Brandenburg Gate.

See more photos and updates from Prep’s Global Education offerings at facebook.com/SPPGlobalEd

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Another Nomination for Prep’s Rising Star Nicholas Matos, ’22 earned his second consecutive Paper Mill Rising Star nomination this spring, recognizing his performance in the title role of Prep Dramatics’ spring musical, Jekyll & Hyde. Nick was nominated last year for his work in Edges, but last year’s award ceremony was conducted virtually. This year, though, he had the honor of performing on one of New Jersey’s biggest stages, joining his fellow nominees in the “Outstanding Leading Performer in a Male-Identified Role” category in a medley of songs from their respective roles onstage at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

The Fordham-bound senior led a potent cast as Prep staged its first live spring musical since 2019, under the guidance of director Adam Bouley, musical director Emily Fencik, and producer Dalma Santana.

The Return of MarARTer Prep’s student art publication, MarARTer, returned this spring. MarARTer is a showcase for art created by students in Prep Fine Arts courses at every level. The Spring 2022 issue includes additional features on Prep Dramatics, art that inspires Prep students, and author/illustrator Rashad Malik Davis, ’09.

Scan the code below or visit spprep.org/mararter22 to read it online!

Festival Awards for Prep’s Musicians

In early June, Prep’s Concert Band (above), Sodality Jazz Band, and Vox (below) traveled to Williamsburg, VA, in June to compete in a music festival. Each group was recognized with an “excellent” rating, and the recently graduated Nikolas Rocks, ’22 received an award for Outstanding Jazz Soloist.

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144 GRAND Woman for Others:

Boreta Singleton

by Trish Fitzpatrick, P’07,’16

Who says you can’t go home? This summer, Boreta Singleton will leave the Bronx, where she has lived for over 20 years, and Saint Peter’s Prep, where she has been a faculty member and administrator since 2008, and travel down the turnpike to Philadelphia, where it all began for her. The only child of Naomi and Paul Singleton, Boreta was raised in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Her mother worked in a stocking factory and later as a babysitter, and her dad worked in the post office, before, as Boreta says, “he became the Kevin Albers (Prep’s Operations Director) at the Cecilian Academy,” the all-girls school attended by his daughter.

From an early age, she has been musical—playing piano from age 5, singing in church choirs (“transitioning from Gregorian chant to hymns in English”), and later becoming a key member of the Ignatian Schola, the choir at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Manhattan, and the Choral Chameleon group. She attended Immaculata University in the Philadelphia suburbs, where she earned a B.A. in Music and Elementary Education.

Teaching was her chosen profession, and she also explored a vocation with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). She entered the order, which is based in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and taught math and science. She later became the Director of the Office of Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the first religious sister in that role.

In 2002, Boreta left the IHMs and headed to New York, where she became the Director of Girls in the Middle School at Saint Aloysius in the Bronx.

The pastor at the time was Ken Boller, S.J., who would later serve as Prep’s president during Boreta’s time at Grand & Warren. Of her time at Saint Aloysius, she says: “I have many happy memories and loved living in New York. I found a room at a residence for single women, and then later moved to my own apartment.” When Saint Aloysius changed from the President/Principal model to a Head of School model, she was offered the top job, but felt she’d like to go back to the classroom.

Boreta continued with her education after college, earning a Masters in Theology at the University of Notre Dame (and becoming the first African American woman to graduate from this program), and also a Masters in Counseling from Newman University. She also holds a certificate in Spiritual Direction and Supervision of Spiritual Direction from Fairfield University.

Ascension Thursday of 2008 marked a turning point in her life, as she first set foot on the campus of Saint Peter’s Prep, where she interviewed with then first-year principal Jim DeAngelo, ’85 for a position in the religion department. She remembers seeing students coming out of the gym from a mass, and being impressed with how polite and helpful they were as they escorted her to the principal’s office. In her time at Prep, she has taught every course in the religion department. She has also served as department chair, and, since 2016, as Director of Faculty Formation. She ranks the junior Christian Ethics course as her favorite teaching experience. “It helps build the foundation started at home and in middle school, and I see the juniors considering service, and I start to see the emerging philosopher in them.”

A new chapter opens up for her this summer as she leaves Prep (which she calls “bittersweet”) and enters the Sisters of Mercy novitiate in Philadelphia. After years of being an Associate in the order, she is once again drawn to religious life. She says of the Mercy Sisters: “Their charism is closely related to Ignatian spirituality. Their ministry to the poor, insight into the concerns of today, and their desire to follow the direction of Pope Francis is very meaningful to me.” Her commitment to living simply—learned from her frugal and resourceful grandmother— fit perfectly with the Mercy sisters.

Reflecting on the work at Prep, she most enjoyed the “wonderful colleagues” and the faculty formation work, which, as she says, “helps teachers become their best selves. Hiring for mission has been a priority, and it has been wonderful to shepherd new teachers through their first years at Prep.” She will spend time in the novitiate, in prayer and reflection, and then after vows, will await her next assignment. The Prep community is grateful for Boreta’s extraordinary service to her students as well as to her colleagues. This “radical leap of faith” upon which she embarks, marks a new and exciting chapter in a great life of service and fidelity.

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Keynote speaker Steve Katsouros, S.J. discussed the “big problem” facing community colleges, and the “big solution” implemented at Arrupe College.

Arrupe Series 2022: Education Prep’s annual Arrupe Lecture Series has returned to a live format this March, following a two-year absence. This year’s topic—social issues in education, such as access, funding, equity, opportunity, and more—was originally scheduled for 2020, before the Arrupe Series became one of the first events to fall off the calendar as the pandemic forced Prep’s campus to close. Students attended breakout presentations over two Wednesday mornings, gaining multiple perspectives on the issues at hand in advance of keynote presentation at the end of March.

Keynote speaker Fr. Steve Katsouros, S.J. shared lessons from his experience as the founding dean and executive director of Arrupe College at Loyola University Chicago. Arrupe College is a 2-year community college within the Loyola University community—and granting students access to the broader university’s many resources— specifically designed for low-income students, who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education. Fr. Katsouros illustrated the “big problem” often faced by community colleges—namely, low graduation rates—and the “big solution” proposed by Arrupe College, which begins with fostering students’ sense of community with their peers and connection with their school, advisors, and faculty, guided by the principle of cura personalis.

Representing Prep at the JSN Colloquium were, left to right: Susan Woolever, Mike Murcia, ’08, Adam Bouley, Maysoon Awwad, Chris Caulfield, ’03, Jessica Nordstrom, Pete Geary, ’05, Erin Stark, Michael Prescia and Remi Pastorek.

Prep’s Colloquium Crew In June, 10 members of Prep’s faculty and administration joined colleagues from Jesuit schools throughout the US for the four-day Jesuit Schools Network Colloquium at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The group posed here during a visit to Verbum Dei High School, also in LA.

Haggerty Scholarship for Chris Gliatto, ’22

Fr. Katsouros is a former president of Loyola School in Manhattan, and previously served as an administrator and faculty member at Prep from 1998-2002. He is now the president and CEO of the Come to Believe Network, which seeks to improve educational opportunities for low-income students by establishing additional community colleges within existing universities, following the model of Arrupe College. His 2017 book, Come to Believe: How the Jesuits are Reinventing Education (Again), is a memoir of Arrupe College’s first year.

Christopher Gliatto, ’22 of Jersey City was selected as this year’s recipient of the Patricia, Robert and Daniel Haggerty Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, for a Prep graduate who will pursue pre-law studies in college, was created by a member of the extended Haggerty family. Chris will attend Haverford College this fall. At Prep, Chris distinguished himself as a top student, complemented by his involvement in the Philosophy Club, Historical Conversation Club, French Club, and Model U.N., as well as being a student leader of the Kairos Retreat program and a mainstay on the Prep cross country team.

During a breakout session, Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 shared a presentation on his experience as principal of Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School.

Chris Gliatto, ’22 accepted the congratulations of Director of Guidance & College Counseling Joe Giglio, ’87, his guidance counselor Jessica Nordstrom, and VP for Planning and Principal Giving Jim Horan, ’70.

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A sellout crowd celebrated Prep’s 150th anniversary at the Grandest Gala, with Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center providing a dramatic backdrop.

A year ago, Prep embarked on a celebration of 150 years of tradition, the vibrance of our mission today, and the bright future we embrace courageously—or to put it another way, “Pride & Glory: Then. Now. Always.”

The sesquicentennial festivities will continue through the end of 2022, with a number of events still to come (including this year’s Legends of Prep—see page 22).

But the 2021-22 school year was filled with celebrations large and small, capped off by three major events in the spring. Here is a look back!

Prep 150: A Story of Gladness

by Mike Jiran, ’03

“In the magic of this night, we are celebrating 150 years of Pride & Glory. Then. Now. Always.” Liberty

Science Center’s main hall was buzzing with activity as Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 stepped to the podium. More than 650 guests had gathered for the Grand Gala—the Grandest Gala—after two long years of Prep’s premier event being limited to the virtual realm, and here, on the night before Prep’s official 150th anniversary, it was obvious that“Prep Magic” was more than a favorite phrase of Prep’s 28th president. The size and enthusiasm of the crowd was just a small sample of the lives Prep had touched throughout the decades “We recognize how Saint Peter’s Prep has touched our very soul,” Dr. Gomez continued, “and taught many of us as alums–and many of your sons–and even us as teachers…how to learn and how to think (knowing there is a difference), how to pray and how to love (knowing that both are challenging), how to speak not just with words but with actions, and how to listen not just with open minds but with open hearts, (knowing that both are sorely necessary). In

short, we recognize and we celebrate the house that has built–and continues to build–and will continue to build men, really good ones, for and with others.” He would go on to lead a toast, “To 150 years of Saint Peter’s Prep. To 150 more. Prep forever!” before announcing the Forever Forward campaign, with a view toward securing Prep’s vitality for those next 150 years (see page 14).

As always, the Gala’s purpose, beyond the festivities, was to raise funds for Prep’s financial aid program, a key component in that mission of building young men—after all, 45% of Prep students receive financial aid—and thanks

LEFT: Dalma Santana, Prep’s Director of Special Events & Parent Relations, led the way in producing one of the largest and most complex events in Prep’s history.

CENTER: Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, offered a toast to Prep’s first 150 years...and the next!

RIGHT: Connor Bankuti, ’22 told the assembled Gala guests about the impact Prep has had in his life.

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LEFT: Spirited bidding during the live auction and enthusiastic Fund-a-Scholar participation helped push the Grandest Gala to record levels of fundraising. RIGHT: The dance floor was alive with the joy of the occasion: Prep was turning 150, the Gala was back, and Prep’s mission was stronger than ever.

succeeded spectacularly, posting a record high of more than $500,000 in total support.

Student speaker Connor Bankuti, ’22 illustrated what Prep means from a student’s perspective, and what sets Prep apart. “I began with a love of learning, but I leave here with the valuable skill of the ability to think,” he said. “The teachers here at Prep do not simply teach you the subject at hand, but instead empower you to think for yourself. As passionate as they are about truly educating us, they are

equally devoted to our development as individuals, and as men for others.”

The Gala was an unmistakable highlight in a year filled with them, made possible through the tireless efforts of Prep’s Director of Special Events, Dalma Santana, and with the support of the event’s co-chairs (Melissa and Joseph Battista, ’02, Erika and Francis Briamonte, ’86, P’25, Lori and Christopher Shannon, P’22, Stacie and Stephen Spiewak, ’03, Craig S. Styles, ’09. Maura and T.J. Sullivan, ’93, and Christine and Claudio Zamarra, ’90, P’21,’23).

Another highlight would come just a day later. On April 3, 2022, 150 years to the day since an act of the New Jersey Legislature formally created both institutions, Saint Peter’s Prep and Saint Peter’s University came together for a celebration of their shared sesquicentennial, the result of months of planning by a joint committee of administrators at both ends of Montgomery Street. The Founders’ Day Mass took place at St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s University Church, with guest celebrant Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, joined on the altar by Jesuits with ties to Prep and the University. Cardinal Tobin remarked on the unity in diversity displayed by the Jesuit institutions that have served one of the nation’s most diverse communities for 150 years.

Referencing the national spotlight that had shone on Saint Peter’s University during the Peacocks’ NCAA Tournament run just a few days prior, Cardinal Tobin said. “People looked at what the Peacocks were offering and said, ‘I want a piece of that.’ And that’s what we are called to do as disciples of mercy, for people to look at what we do...and say, ‘I want a piece of that.’”

PHOTOS: Dan Bassini

LEFT: Cardinal Tobin was joined on the altar by Jesuits with ties to Prep and to Saint Peter’s University. BELOW LEFT: Dermot Alvidrez, ’22 offered the first reading at Mass. BELOW RIGHT: Cardinal Tobin with Saint Peter’s University President Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D. (center) and Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91

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LEFT: A reception at Saint Peter’s University’s Mac Mahon Student Center followed the Founders’ Day Mass. This commemorative cake echoed one featured on Prep Magazine’s cover 25 years ago! (inset). RIGHT: Parents of the incoming Class of 2026 got an early welcome to the Prep family during a reception on Warren Street in May.

Mass concluded with the presidents of the two institutions—Dr. Gomez representing Prep, and Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D. representing the University—presenting an honorary doctorate to Cardinal Tobin. The citation read by Dr. Gomez expressed gratitude to the cardinal for “your lifetime of leadership and service to the Church,” and noted his decades of support for “interreligious dialogue, Catholic education, ministries to the Hispanic community and youth, and support for migrants and those on the margins of society.”

The events of that Founders’ Day weekend in April were, appropriately, a focal point of the sesquicentennial year, but in many ways the 2021-22 school year itself was a celebration of all Saint Peter’s Prep has represented since 1872. With fully-in-person classes resuming in September 2021 for the first time in 18

months, there was a sense of occasion from the very first days, magnified by former Prep President Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 at the Mass of the Holy Spirit (discussed further in the Winter ’21-’22 issue): “May this be the greatest year in the history of Saint Peter’s Prep!” The momentum continued as Prep’s athletes accumulated eight county championships, student activities flourished from dramatics to robotics, and the hallways, classrooms, and common spaces of Grand & Warren were once again filled with life every day. Prep, quite simply, felt like Prep again, and the timing could not have been better. Legendary teachers returned to share memories with alumni, students gained new perspective on what Prep has meant to members of the adult community, time capsules were assembled, a new principal was named, and 250 students took 388 AP exams. In the space of a few weeks in May, four reunions brought the classes of 1957, 1960, 1961, and 1962 home to Prep; the class of 2022 gave thanks to their moms at the mother-son dance; the parents of the class of 2026 got their first taste of the Prep community at a reception on Warren Street; and one more big event remained to cap off the school year.

The outlines of Prep’s sesquicentennial celebration had truly begun to take shape in the fall of 2019, as Dr. Gomez convened a committee of faculty members and administrators to plan for Prep’s commemoration of this milestone. Consensus quickly emerged around several ideas. Prep’s previous president, Ken Boller, S.J., had already begun the process of securing archival research to support a book of Prep history, so there was no question that a book would be one aspect. It was also quickly settled that there would definitely be one or more videos on Prep history to complement the LEFT: Each class of students at Prep this past year was invited to contribute to a time capsule, to be opened on Prep’s 175th anniversary in 2047. RIGHT: Former Prep President Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 surveyed the courtyard during the Block Party at Grand & Warren, which coincided with his 60th reunion. In the same place, seven months prior, he had issued a challenge: “May this be the greatest year in the history of Saint Peter’s Prep!”

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COVER STORY

LEFT: Prep faculty member Anthony Keating, ’78, P’10 and Dean of Student Life Catie Eppler at the Block Party at Grand & Warren. Both were involved in planning the event, and had reason to smile at the result! CENTER: The Block Party was truly a celebration for the ages—and for all ages! RIGHT: Prep’s Sodality Jazz Band provided some of the entertainment, and the weather held up to make the Block Party memorable for all the right reasons.

book (what eventually became Pride & Stories), that there would be at least one shared event with Saint Peter’s University, that banners would proclaim the anniversary all over campus, and that the aim should be to elevate the Grand Gala to the “Grandest Gala” (a name that eventually stuck!). There was also a desire to complement the Gala—an evening fundraiser and dinner-dance in an elegant off-campus setting that would necessarily place a practical limit on attendance—with a daytime, on-campus event that could welcome as many members of the extended Prep family as possible.

This event would develop into the Block Party at Grand & Warren, which was eventually scheduled for May 14, closing out the first phase of Prep’s 18-month celebration, and billed as a free day of fun for the entire Prep community. The threat of thunderstorms might have kept attendance

well over 700 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, coaches, and friends of Prep were on hand to enjoy food and drinks, music, games, and the simple joy of being together for an afternoon on the Warren Street Plaza. The family-friendly appeal of the from its peak—more than 1,000 total guests had RSVP’d throughout the spring—but

day prompted many alumni to bring their young children, who delighted in face-painting, balloon animal, and temporary tattoo stations, as well as the antics of a roving magician. Some of those kids, no doubt, were seeing Prep’s campus for the very first time. Hopefully, not so long from now, some will return as freshmen; also hopefully, they will not be disappointed at the lack of balloon animals under more ordinary circumstances.

The Block Party was the proverbial exclamation point on a memorable year at Grand & Warren—one that hopefully lived up to the high bar Fr. Parkes set back in September—but it was by no means the end of Prep’s 150th anniversary celebration. Highlights still to come in the fall of 2022 include the launch of the sesquicentennial book from lead author (and Prep Vice President) Jim Horan, ’70; the Legends of Prep XIII induction ceremony and dinner (see page 22), new episodes of Pride & Stories, and more!

LEFT: A proclamation by the Hudson County Board of Commissioners celebrated Prep’s sesquicentennial. Commissioner Anthony Romano, ’73 and his son, Angel Romano, ’96, presented it to Dr. Gomez and Coach Rich Hansen (inset). RIGHT: No Prep celebration is complete without Tony Azzarto, S.J. sharing a laugh and a handshake with just about everyone!

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PHOTO FILE

PHOTO FILE:

Back to the “Future” The recently announced Forever Forward Campaign (see page 14) will enable a full exterior restoration and interior renovation of the venerable English Building (at the time known officially as the Humanities Building), bringing it up to the standards set across Warren Street as Mulry and Hogan Halls and the Moriarty Science Center (formerly Burke Hall) have been thoroughly transformed in the past decade. In a very real way, this will bring full circle a process of campus renewal that began over a quarter-century ago as this iconic building underwent its first major upgrades just after its 100th birthday.

Beginning in the summer of 1994, the English Building received a partial renovation, funded by Prep’s first modern capital campaign, Keys to the Future. The most substantial exterior change was the construction of an addition facing Warren Street. This allowed for the expansion of the library (which also received extensive interior upgrades) while also providing a new main entrance and lobby that reflected the shifting “traffic patterns” on campus. The closure and demolition of the Academy Deli and adjacent buildings had enabled the creation of the Prep courtyard at the start of the decade, and while Warren Street was still years away from becoming the pedestrian plaza of today, it had already become the road more traveled for students crossing between the eastern and western portions of Prep’s campus, so it followed that the building should have a suitable lobby at its most popular entrance. The main image above, from the Spring 1995 Prep Magazine, shows the now-familiar addition under construction.

A major change inside the building was the installation of an elevator. Pictured at right, from the 1995 Petrean, is an early stage in that process, as large holes were cut through each of the building’s floors to accommodate the elevator shaft.

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To Whom Much is Given: Frank Free, ’79

The Class of 1979 at their most recent reunion in 2019. Frank Free, in the second row, sixth from the left, calls his class Prep’s greatest gift to him.

Looking back on his early days at Saint Peter’s Prep, Frank Free, ’79, would call his younger self, “a rudderless work in progress.” The assessment is not surprising coming from a United States Naval Academy graduate, with a few decades’ added perspective. Indeed, Frank’s self-effacing view could apply to many 14 year-old freshmen who found themselves embarking on a four–year journey of self-discovery. The process of gaining knowledge and understanding of one’s abilities, character, and emotions certainly took shape over Frank’s Prep voyage. He is grateful to his dad,

a Brooklyn Prep graduate himself, for steering him from Newark to Jersey City for a life-changing experience.

When asked, “What was Prep’s greatest gift to you?” Frank sincerely states, “The Class of 1979. This was my first real exposure to teams and team goals and focus outside of self. These guys became my brothers with shared experiences and common values, and to this day I appreciate their

friendship and camaraderie. We email, text, talk most weeks, even 40+ years later. We’ve lost a few, whom we miss a lot. But learning, working, and celebrating as a team offers a life-long bond, and

belonging is a powerful gift.”

Other precious gifts, according to Frank, were the many dedicated, compassionate and selfless teachers called to shepherd the students. “I am grateful and continually amazed by those who answered this special calling,” he says.

“Many from my time are now recognized Prep Legends. In addition to the usual suspects, I would mention Mr. McGuiness, whose expertise, patience, and serenity, truly struck a chord with me. My time in his calculus class got me through the first two years of a mathematics degree at the Naval Academy without really having to learn anything new! And following his example, I followed Mr. McGuiness into the Marine Corps, and I had an adventurous time there. Mr. McGuiness was a wonderful and selfless role model whose presence has really stayed with me.”

Frank Free in 1979

Since 1982, Frank has been trying to repay those gifts by supporting Prep in its various fundraising initiatives. From his early days of Annual Fund giving to the Keys to the Future Campaign in the 1990s to making the lead gift for the Class of ’79 Scholarship founded in 2019 for the Class’s 40th reunion. Just last year, Frank entered the Donné Society, a special group of Prep supporters who, over their lifetime, have given more than $100,000 to the school.

“Hopefully our alumni contributions, together, can maximize the reach of this institution’s impact to as many other rudderless kids as possible,” Frank stated. “Prep’s immortality is no sure thing and today’s alumni feel responsible for preserving the chance of four years at Prep for future generations. We feel the responsibility to help keep the mission going, to provide necessary resources for the faculty, and to provide a helping hand for candidates looking to begin their lives as ‘people for others’ at Prep. I can honestly say

that who and what I am now, 40 years later, and any accomplishments in between, are a result of my time at Prep and those who mentored me there—so many impacts from so many selfless men and women. My memories are fond and vivid and I express my gratitude to them whenever I can. The wonderful thing is that they have had this effect on so many - I am just one of thousands who owe Prep a debt of gratitude.”

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FEATURE Beginning in the spring of 2023, Prep’s historic English Building will receive an extensive renovation that will improve every aspect of the building’s functionality. With a budget of $9.5 million, the project’s goal is to create a 21st century academic facility, while also maintaining the building’s historic character as an important and iconic component of Prep’s historic campus and Paulus Hook neighborhood. Funding this transformation will be Prep’s fourth modern capital campaign, Forever Forward. The campaign was publicly announced at the Grand Gala on April 2 following a lead gift of $5 million from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous—the largest single gift in Prep history.

Over the 150-year history of Saint Peter’s Prep, our campus has grown and evolved through a combination of property transactions, building acquisitions, and new construction. The goal has always been to create a physical environment that best serves the needs of students and faculty alike, in the present and in the future. These changes have varied in size and scope, but perhaps the biggest single leap came in 1924, when the all-girls Academy of Saint Aloysius moved from its original home, at 112 Grand Street, to a new site near Lincoln Park. Prep acquired the building, and the shape of life at Grand & Warren was changed forever.

Virtually overnight, Prep now had a third building, complementing the original Saint Peter’s College at 144 Grand Street (built in 1877 and now Shalloe Hall) and the Saint Peter’s Club building at Grand & Warren (built in 1913 and now Mulry Hall). This likely doubled the number of available classrooms, while also providing room for a large library and science labs. Fittingly, Prep first dubbed it the Science Building.

For the first time, Prep’s “campus” stretched east across Warren Street, and the handsome Romanesque revival building with its stately brick and red sandstone facade provided a visual “anchor” for the campus along Grand Street. It was, and it remains, an eye-catching and universally admired structure whose proud bearing is a hallmark of Prep’s historic Paulus Hook neighborhood.

For almost a century, that structure, built in 1889, has served Prep well. Its identity has shifted along with its purpose, from Science Building to Freshman Building to English Building to Humanities Building and back to English Building. But its rock-solid foundation and facade have withstood hurricanes, blizzards, and even 2012’s Superstorm Sandy, while ongoing maintenance has maintained its academic functionality.

Since the 1990s, Prep’s physical plant—now totalling eight fully functioning facilities—has benefitted from a methodical series of building-bybuilding renovations that have literally transformed the campus. This process began with initial upgrades to the English Building to address issues of accessibility and safety, and it was followed by transformational upgrades to the former Burke Hall (converting it into the Moriarty Science Center), Hogan Hall, and Mulry Hall. That three-decade process also included the creation of the Warren Street Plaza and, one block from Grand Street, the Rev. James F. Keenan, S.J., Field and its adjacent Perkins Athletic Center. And now the 133-year-old English Building will at last receive its own longoverdue comprehensive renovations and upgrades.

Renderings by project architects Beyer Blinder Belle illustrate some highlights of the planned renovation. BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Modernization of all classrooms; upgrades and expansion of the fourth floor art studio; a redesigned library, feauturing a loft with collaborative work spaces; upgrades to the student fitness center at the basement level.

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FEATURE SECTION Project highlights will include:

• • • • • • • • •

A reimagined library, including a loft area for collaborative research projects Expanded facilities for the studio art curriculum Full modernization of all classrooms and offices An updated student fitness center An updated Warren Street lobby entrance New HVAC and mechanical systems throughout Restoration of the historic facade and stained glass New windows throughout Expanded restroom facilities

“We will do all this while maintaining the building’s beautiful historic character, as it is the most iconic building on our campus, and possibly in all of downtown Jersey City,” said Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, as he introduced the Forever Forward Campaign this spring. “In our hearts, and I’m sure in yours, a capital campaign that gives the English Building this muchdeserved ‘Prep love’ just feels right in this 150th anniversary year.”

The project is scheduled to be executed over two summers (2023 and 2024), in order to minimize the impact of the construction on the academic year. The building’s planning and architecture is being provided by Beyer Blinder Belle, the Manhattan firm that planned and designed the Moriarty Science Center, the renovations of Hogan and Mulry halls, and the Perkins Athletic Center. Its scheduled completion will also coincide with the centennial of Prep’s acquisition of the building.

For further information about the Forever Forward campaign, please contact Prep’s Vice President for Planning and Principal Giving, Jim Horan, ’70, at HoranJ@spprep.org or 201-547-6428.

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FEATURE Dr. Rich Kennedy is a Legend of Prep and taught English for 48 years. Carl DeLorenzo, ’67 is a Legend of Prep and taught history for 45 years. Both are essential parts of Prep lore for alumni spanning the 1970s to the 2010s. “Doc” and “DeLo” spent most of those years on the second floor of the English Building, and along with the likes of fellow Legends Ana Garcia and Jack Campion, came to be woven into the distinct character of life east of Warren Street.

Recently, Doc Kennedy shared this reflection on his decades-long friendship with his former colleague, which continues to this day—a reminder that forging these enduring connections at Grand & Warren is by no means an experience limited to students! In fact, this spirit of collegiality and friendship among the adults of the Prep community has long been a defining element of the school’s culture.

DeLo, According to Doc

by Rich Kennedy

As I write this I’m sitting in my living room with a smile on my face, silently chuckling. Why am I doing so? Because I am thinking of my friend and colleague, Carl DeLorenzo.

When my memories turn to Prep, as they often do, I find myself recalling the thousands of students I taught over my 48 year career there. Equally or even more so, perhaps, I think of my colleagues, especially those whom I knew the longest.

Probably most of all, I recall Carl. Now this might be because our classrooms were opposite each other on the second floor of the Freshman/English/ Humanities Building. I’d

guess that more than half of the six thousand days I taught at Prep were spent in adjacent classrooms, so I am probably talking about something like 15,000 teaching periods. I therefore certainly got more than a vague idea of what his daily routines were like. The bell would ring to start class. The students, who most often were seniors, were immediately quiet once Delo began to talk, usually very softly. Then, frequently

after no more than a minute, the students would often erupt in laughter as the first of several quips, stories, or jokes were tossed out.

Next, there was silence again and rapt attention. Sometimes this pattern was interrupted, and a timeout had to be called because of a student infraction (perhaps someone dozing off), after which the offender had to be invited not too subtly to leave the room. Class returned to normal, where I could almost sense the students thinking “Whew, that was scary. I’m glad that wasn’t me.”

My recollection of times together outside the classroom are at least as strong. We would often sit down together when the school day was over. This is where I got to know many of his passions, opinions, and interests, his heroes such as Teddy Roosevelt, Napoleon, Churchill, William F. Buckley, his favorite comedians Bob and Ray and Steve Allen, our mutually-loved movies such as Romeo and Juliet, Gigi, The Stranger, and Divorce Italian Style, authors such as Henry Adams, and entertainers like Elvis, Chad and Jeremy, Roy Orbison, The Fleetwoods, and Linda Ronstadt.

All our chats were marked by abundant laughter. His

insights were razor-sharp; I always felt he was something of a

poet at heart. He was a great mimic, imitating George C. Scott as General Patton, Peter Lorre in Casablanca, the aforementioned William F.

Buckley, Mayor Ed Koch, Fathers Pete Roslovich and John Browning, Frank Duffy, and, best of all, fellow History teacher Mike Gray. In fact, one of my very earliest memories of Prep was visiting his room before class was to begin and hearing the voice of Mr. Lou Parisi, a dear Latin teacher. I was wondering why Lou was in there when I caught sight of Carl doing one of his best impersonations for some students.

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SECTION FEATURE

OPPOSITE: Rich Kennedy and Carl DeLorenzo at the Legends of Prep X dinner and induction ceremony in 2012. ABOVE: This image—Doc and DeLo sharing a laugh between classes in the English building—is virtually timeless, though this specific photo comes from the 1989 Petrean.

Never did he lose his sense of humor. A colleague of mine—Jim Horan, ’70, like Carl a Legend of Prep and a beloved friend—told me that just a few years ago he was walking past Carl’s classroom and noticed five remote controls on top of the podium. Now we all know that DeLo showed many interesting and informative videos in class which formed an integral portion of his courses. Jim entered the room and asked why he had so many remotes. Carl immediately responded, “Backups!”

Beyond the campus, we went off on trips with students on Freshman Arts Day or Prep Day to the Met and Brooklyn Museums, and to meetings at Xavier, Fordham, and Regis. On our own we hit many local and NYC restaurants. I particularly remember having lunch at Mickey Mantle’s place on Central Park South where we saw The Mick, Dick Williams, and Graig Nettles. And then there were breakfasts at the Flamingo Diner at Montgomery and Greene Streets and the VIP Diner near Journal Square—one of the latter meals, before a meeting at Xavier, was especially memorable because it was the day I permanently stopped smoking: October 25, 1978!

I also remember the many kind deeds and favors he did for me—storing my car when my wife and I went on vacation, giving me rides, sharing a cannoli (just kidding.) He was thoughtful towards his students, too—I remember how he suggested to some of his more popular seniors that they make an effort to include a classmate who was being left out of the “in crowd.”

It is somehow only right that Carl (as a senior, Class of ´67) was at Prep on my very first day there—January 25, 1967—and on the last—January 21, 2015. It saddens me to think that he too has retired and will no longer be there to instruct and inspire future generations of Prep students, teachers, staff, and administrators directly.

If you’ve never met Carl, you’ve missed one of Prep’s, and life’s, best experiences. If you have known him, I am sure that you have your own many indelible memories of him, and that those recollections bring a smile to your face.

As former President Bill Clinton (not a favorite of DeLo’s!) said of his predecessor George H.W. Bush (whom Carl finds more palatable), “I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my life´s greatest gifts.”

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SPORTS

Freshman Caedyn Ricciardi was one of Prep’s five individual state medalists this year.

He was the HCIAL Wrestler of the Month for December.

Wrestling Prep Wrestling had a successful year with an overall record of 13-2 in dual meets. Along the way Prep captured team titles at the Sam Cali Invitational and Pine Barrens Dual Tournament. The team also earned its 13th consecutive Hudson County championship, the District 16 Tournament Title, and the Region 4 Team of the Year honor. The wrestler also had very respectable finishes at prestigious national tournaments: 15th out of 105 teams at the Beast of the East in Delaware and 5th out of 60 teams at the Escape the Rock Tournament in Pennsylvania. The Marauders were ranked as high as #6 in New Jersey in a final poll.

Individually, Prep Wrestlers were dominant on the state and national level. Adrian DeJesus (106 lbs) became the first freshman in Prep history to win an individual state championship and was ranked #4 in the nation. Other state medalists included sophomore Jonathan Fuller (4th at 132), senior Felix Lettini (5th at 138), freshman Caedyn Ricciardi (6th at 126), and junior Donovan Chavis (7th at 120).

Hockey Prep’s 7-12-5 record represented the most wins in the past four seasons. After regular season victories over Xavier (6-2) and Pope John (4-1) the team took on Oratory in the State Tournament where the Marauders prevailed 4-0. Senior brothers Michael and Christopher Benkovitz combined for 35 goals and 26 assists. Michael Benkovitz and Jack Fischer received Gordon Conference Honorable Mention recognition.

Senior Michael Benkovitz (#21) finished the season with 35 points (22G, 13A), while his twin brother Chris (#12) added 26 (13G, 13A).

Fencing Prep finished the season ranked second in the district in Foil and fourth in Sabre. In the individual rankings, junior Tai Flot was 14th in Sabre and sophomore Peter Bruk (pictured) was fifth in Foil.

Bowling The keglers followed up their undefeated regular season with HCIAL and Hudson County Titles. Senior Blaise Edwards (pictured) was a steady leader for the championship team.

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SPORTS

Basketball As a result of their 23-5 campaign, the basketball team attained the #9 ranking in the final state poll. The Marauders’ 15-1 league record earned them the top seed in the Hudson County playoffs.

They reached the finals for the fifth time in eight seasons before dropping a five-point decision to Hudson Catholic. Prep avenged that loss with a win over the Hawks in the quarter-finals of the state playoffs. The season ended with their loss in the semi-finals.

Senior Mark Armstrong, who will play at Villanova next year, was a First-Team All-State selection as well as the Hudson County Player of the Year. Mark averaged 23 points, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. He finished his career with 1,776 points, surpassing the 30-year-old school record of Jack Gordon, ’92 (1,693). Mark was also selected to the USA 18U National Team, where he won a Gold Medal at the FIBA Championship.

This emphatic dunk vs. Hudson Catholic cemented Mark Armstrong as Prep Basketball’s all-time scoring leader.

Swimming Prep finished undefeated against Hudson County opponents, capping off their eleventh straight HCIAL title. Although the team ended the season with a record of 6-4 they earned a final state ranking of #9 due to their impressive State Tournament win over Delbarton and a narrow loss to CBA. A school-record eight swimmers qualified for the individual Meet of Champions. The relay squad of Kevin Whitworth, David Slowinski, Francis Prekop and Evan Briggs broke the school record in the 400 freestyle and finished ninth at the Meet of Champions.

Senior Kevin Whitworth was named First Team All-State for the 200 freestyle.

Indoor Track The track team continued its dominance over the local competition by extending its streak of Jersey City and Hudson County Championships.

Fitzroy Ledgister was the most impressive on a team with many great individual performances (eight All-County selections). Fitzroy won the 55m at the Meet of Champions and then went on to earn All-American status in the 60m (fourth place) and 200m (second place). He also had the third fastest times in New Jersey history in the 55m (6.30”), 60m (6.75”) and 200m (21.24”). All three of those marks are new Hudson County records.

At the Eastern States Championships, senior Fitzroy Ledgister won the 200m with what was then a personal best 21.26 (a mark he would exceed at the New Balance Nationals two weeks later) while senior Sam Slade placed second in the 55m with a personal best 6.50 and junior Chad Trammell placed seventh with a personal best 7.97 in the 55m hurdles.

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SPORTS

The first doubles pair of Emmett Wilson (left) and Patrick Groo earned All-County honors

Joseph Haines was voted HCIAL Co-Player of the Year.

Tennis The Marauders had an outstanding spring, finishing with an overall record of 13-5, which included a 12-1 run against county opponents.

The team garnered both a League Championship and an HCIAL County Championship. The boys’ postseason run ended in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Team Tournament.

Baseball After a 4-5 start, Prep turned things around dramatically, winning the next 13 games to start a 19-2 run, and finishing an impressive 23-7.

The following players earned first-team All-County honors: Third Singles – freshman Kyle Oh; First Doubles – seniors Emmett Wilson and Patrick Groo; Second Doubles – sophomores Jack Brosseau and Jeremy Kamber.

The Marauders’ 12-2 league record put them in a tie for first place, and they tore through county tournament, including a 5-2 win over Ferris, to claim the County Championship. After a 7-4 victory over Oratory, the team’s State Tournament run ended with a loss at Delbarton.

Lacrosse

Sophomore Andy Mayorga, seen here splitting two Union City defenders, led the team in scoring (10G, 2A) and earned First Team All-State honors.

PHOTO: Jennifer Nilsen, P’23

Under first-year head coach Andrew Watts, the team made great strides, recording its highest win total in four years while qualifying for the State Tournament. Finishing 5-9, Prep recorded impressive wins over Morristown Beard (7-4), Oratory (13-7) and Watchung Hills (11-3).

The team was led by defensive MVP and Second-Team All-Conference selection Thomas Burton (46 ground balls, 18 forced turnovers) and offensive MVP and two-time First-Team All-Conference midfielder JD Farkas (19G, 15A).

Senior Nick Rappa was selected the HCIAL Pitcher of the Year while battery mate, sophomore catcher Joseph Haines was voted HCIAL CoPlayer of the Year. Pat Laguerre was voted HCIAL Coach of the Year.

Crew Following impressive results on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill at both the State and National Championships, Prep earned the #4 final team ranking in New Jersey—the highest in the program’s history.

JD Farkas will continue his lacrosse career in the fall at Middlebury College.

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At the State Championships, the Freshman 8 took silver while the Varsity 8 and Novice 8 earned bronze—each the highest team finish ever. At the National Championships, the 2nd Varsity 8, pictured above, finished an impressive 5th while the Freshman 8 and Varsity 8 placed 13th and 24th respectively.

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SPORTS

Outdoor Track The track team carried its winter success right into the spring outdoor season. The Marauders took home the Jersey City, South Hudson and Hudson County Championships and finished ranked #8 in New Jersey.

The 4 x 100m relay team of Zion Fowler, Sam Slade, Jamei Schenck, and Fitzroy Ledgister earned All-American status after their 5th place finish at Nationals. Landers Green placed 2nd in the Rising Stars High Jump (6-4.75).

Ledgister completed his storied Prep career with state titles in the 100m, 200m and long jump (23 ft 6.5 in). He was an All-American in both the 100m and 200m, while his 100m (10.39) was a new county record and third all-time in New Jersey.

In addition to those mentioned above, eight other athletes were named All-County.

Gehrig Shannon’s 38 average led the team.

Golf Prep Golf ended the 2022 season with a record of 8-3, which included wins over Don Bosco, Glen Rock, St. Joe’s Regional and Scotch Plains. The team qualified for the Sectional Tournament for the second consecutive year. Senior Gehrig Shannon led the team with an average of 38. Freshman Jack St. Ledger finished second at sectionals, qualifying him for the Tournament of Champions where he finished 20th out of 130 golfers.

Volleyball The team posted an 8-15 record, including a win over Snyder in the first round of the county tournament. Seniors Connor O’Flanagan (First Team), Joseph Parise and Chris Pavia (Second Team), and Daniel Silva and Andrew Fernandez (Honorable Mention) received All-County recognition.

Rugby Prep Rugby is building back, smaller but hopefully stronger. The team competed in the NJ Fall Sevens Tournament, fielding one side in the U18 division, and played a limited schedule in the New Jersey single school division. Jack Morrison, ’22, Jack Burk, ’22, and John Freeman, ’22 led the way, being joined by some new faces on the pitch.

Fitzroy Ledgister earned state championships in the long jump as well as the 100m and 200m. His 100m in 10.39 seconds was a county record.

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ALUMNI

REV. ANTHONY AZZARTO, S.J. Chaplain, faculty member, counselor & alumni chaplain • MR. JAMES DONDERO, ’66, P’00 Counselor & faculty member • MR. JOHN IRVINE, ’83, P’11 Administrator, faculty member & coach • REV. JOHN MULLIN, S.J. Chaplain, faculty member & counselor • MR. PATRICK REIDY† Administrator & faculty member.

A Truly Legendary Class to be Honored This Fall Since 1993, Legends of Prep has been devoted to celebrating alumni and others in the Prep community who have had a profound positive impact upon Saint Peter’s Prep and upon the greater community by exemplifying the ideals of Jesuit education. The Legends of Prep awards are therefore the highest honor presented by the Prep Alumni Association, and with new honorees inducted only once every three years, there is always a great sense of anticipation surrounding the announcement of a new Legends class. With the entire cycle of Alumni Association awards (which also includes the Athletic Hall of Fame and Professional Achievement and Service Hall of Fame) pushed back by one year, the four-year buildup to the Legends Class of 2022 took on even greater significance, as we will now honor the newest inductees during Prep’s sesquicentennial year.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

THE VENETIAN • GARFIELD, N.J.

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The Legends Class of 2022 comprises five current and former Prep teachers and administrators. Two are both Prep alumni and the fathers of Prep alumni. Together, they represent roughly two centuries of service to Saint Peter’s Prep. Yet even this only begins to scratch the surface. This class of Legends has helped to define so much of the Prep experience. They have shaped the classes of young men who enter the doors of Grand & Warren, welcoming them to the journey of a lifetime. They have built upon Prep’s tradition of academic excellence. They have shepherded Prep students through their high school days, inspiring them to work harder, dig deeper, and discover their truest and best selves. They have welcomed students into the fullness of their faith and the richness of the Prep brotherhood. They have illuminated the paths that extend forward from our adopted home at Grand & Warren, and rushed to greet us along the paths that lead us back, reminding us why we say it’s “Prep for Life.”

For nearly 30 years, every Legends of Prep induction ceremony has been a night to remember, but Legends of Prep XIII promises to be truly unforgettable, and truly fitting of this momentous year in Prep’s history. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of a night certain to become the stuff of legend!

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65th Reunion at Light Horse Tavern

DC Regional Reunion

ALUMNI

60th Reunion Dinner at Liberty House

Together, at Home & on the Road by Mike Murcia, ‘08 Prep’s celebration of its sesquicentennial brought large-scale events to the forefront this spring, including the Grandest Gala, Founders’ Day Mass, and Block Party at Grand & Warren. Among those big events, the Office of Alumni Relations also hosted a packed schedule of reunions, including three milestone reunion gatherings and three regional reunions!

Class of ’55 Luncheon

The Class of 1955 held its annual on-campus gathering, spearheaded by class chair Ray Aumack, ’55 on Friday, May 6. Just a week later, on May 13, the Class of 1957 celebrated its 65th Reunion with an extensive tour of Prep’s campus led by senior Connor Bankuti, ’22. Both reunion groups were greeted by Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91 with a State-of-the-Prep address at their lunches, letting them know all that was new and exciting about life at Grand and Warren.

Immediately after the 65th Reunion gathering, the Office of Alumni Relations kicked off the long-awaited 60th Reunion weekend for the Classes of 1960, 1961, and 1962. Due to ongoing changes in social gathering restrictions, over the course of the pandemic, the Classes of 1960 and 1961 had to endure postponements of their respective reunions in 2020 and 2021. With the help of class chairs Ed O’Connor, ’60, Joe Carr, ’61, Wellington Davis, ’61, and Jack Kelly, ’62, over seventy-five alumni gathered for a variety of events celebrating six decades of Pride and Glory.

60th Reunion Mass

The 60th Reunion Weekend kicked off with a cocktail reception and dinner at the Liberty House in Jersey City on Friday, May 13. The following morning, the 60th Reunion group took a bus tour of Jersey City and its neighborhoods, guided by Prep alumnus and Jersey City historian, John Hallanan, ’99. The bus tour served as a guide of all of Jersey City’s changes over the last sixty years, bringing a blend of nostalgia and awe to our alumni and their families. Upon returning from the bus tour, Mass was celebrated in the Prep Library by Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 who, of course, was celebrating his own 60th Reunion. At the conclusion of Mass, Platinum Diplomas were distributed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of our alumni present. From Mass, the 60th Reunion group proceeded to the Warren Street courtyard for the Block Party at Grand & Warren. The reunion weekend concluded with brunch at Liberty Prime Steakhouse on Sunday, capping off three memorable days for our alumni.

With the milestone reunions complete, it was time for our team to hit the road! On Wednesday, June 8, over twenty guests were hosted by Vito Germinario, ’70 at the Army Navy Country Club in Fairfax, VA, for Prep’s annual Washington D.C. regional alumni reunion. The following evening, Prep hosted its first Philadelphia regional reunion since 2018 at Cavanaugh’s near Rittenhouse Square.

Midtown Happy Hour at Stout

On Thursday, June 16, over sixty alumni gathered at Stout, on 33rd Street, for Prep’s annual New York City alumni happy hour. Another staple of the Alumni Office’s reunion program, this gathering in Midtown Manhattan took place for the first time since 2019, concluding a long list of postponed reunions close to home and out of state. Since the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, our calendar was packed, but the patience, eagerness, and excitement from all our alumni and guests proved it was all worthwhile.

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ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

8 Share your photos, class notes and other news with us...Email info@spprep.org!

The ’60s

Dear Prep,

CLASS NOTES Carl DeLorenzo, ’67 has worn many labels over the years: Legend of Prep, mainstay of the Prep faculty, presidential historian (at least during one hastily arranged TV interview in 2009), and of course the ubiquitous DeLo. To these, add one more: grandpa! Carl and his wife Annette shared this photo, featuring their granddaughter, Olenna.

The ’50s Tony Graham, ’51 shared a very brief recap of the 70+ years since his Prep graduation. After graduating from Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT), he went on to become a Registered Professional Engineer, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a member of the Civil Engineering honor society. In addition to 55 years in consulting civil engineering, Tony also earned an MBA and served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, with the Strategic Air Command B-47 Medium Bomber Squadron. His wife of nearly 64 years, Rosalie, passed away in 2020. His eldest grandson returned from driving an M1 Abrams tank in Iraq “without his two legs below the knee.” Recently, he celebrated the college graduation of his only granddaughter, and his youngest grandson is headed into his senior year at RIT. Edward Clune, ’54 will have been married to his high school sweetheart 63 years this December. They have six children, plus a foster child, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A sixth greatgrandchild is on the way in September.

Frank Ashe, ’55 was honored with an award from the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Hudson County, for his lifetime commitment to IrishAmerican activities in Jersey City.

Bob Sommerlad, ’55 was recently recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for lifetime contributions to the profession. As longtime ’55 class chair Ray Aumack put it, “Bob has frequently been described as ‘The Engineer’s Engineer.’ He now has a plaque to certify that.”

Loucas George, ’69 recently produced the final season of Walking Dead: World Beyond. He and his family have moved to Scotland, where he just finished producing season 2 of Good Omens with Neil Gaiman.

The ’70s Tom Peterkin, ’74 retired in December 2021 after, in his words “several interesting careers, most recently in operations/production management for a medical device company.” Tom is looking forward to travel and giving back to the community.

Tom Tiedemann, ’52, died on his 88th birthday at his home in Merritt Beach, Florida. The Jersey City native was a mechanical engineer during his long career at the nearby Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral and in the solar energy industry. Tom’s cousin and classmate Ken Hartnett, ’52 shared this memory from their days at Prep together:

[Tom] worked nights for a New York City firm and juggled his homework while commuting back and forth. Not surprisingly, he often fell asleep during class, to the great annoyance of one instructor. He was given JUG, a penalty that threatened not only his job but his education, since Tom was working to defray his tuition costs.

The prefect of discipline, Fr. Farricker—an imposing figure who knew the personal circumstances of most students and made a habit of checking the JUG class regularly—peered into the room and spotted Tom. He burst into the room and said, “Tiedemann, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be somewhere else. You better get going. Scram!” Tom called that episode a pivotal moment in his young life, and said he’d never forget how Fr. Farricker came to his rescue, saving his job and his education.

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SECTION ALUMNI Pete Arndt, ’75 published his first novel, Fayban Place under his pen name of Peter Angus, and won the Next Generation Indie Book Award for African American History/Culture. Learn more about Peter’s writing at www.books.house/peterangus

The ’80s Jose Centeno, ’87 was selected to be the Lead Information System Security Officer (ISSO) for the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington, DC. His responsibilities include oversight over all 17 National Laboratories and ancillary sites.

Americus Abesamis, ’89 recently made an appearance in “Return of the Mandalorian,” Chapter Five of The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+.

Will Robalino, ’89 recently joined the national nonprofit Little Kids Rock as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. Little Kids Rock is dedicated to transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in public schools.

Will had spent the past three years as a consultant to mission-based organizations focused on education and diversity, following decades of experience at firms including JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, UBS, BNY Mellon, and Prudential.

The ’90s Mike Egan, ’91 recently opened Irregulars, a restaurant and bar at the corner of First Avenue and 63rd Street in Manhattan—a location that has housed a bar since 1910 (including, from 1965-1994, the original TGI Friday’s, one of New York’s most celebrated bars in its early days). Irregulars aims to build upon the tradition of this neighborhood gathering spot—even the name is a sly reference to its predecessor, Baker Street, via Sherlock Holmes’ sometime informants, the Baker Street Irregulars—with lively food and drink offerings for brunch, lunch, and dinner. There’s even a walk-up window, “Coffee Till Cocktails,” offering coffee and pastries starting at 6 a.m.

Americus Abesamis, ’89 appeared as Glavis Patron in episode five of The Book of Boba Fett this spring.

Chris Russo, ’91 is the head basketball coach at Monticello High School in New York State.

In December 2021, he received the 202021 NYSPHSAA Basketball Coach of the Year, presented by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The NFHS Coach of the Year awards recognize those who are leading their sport, shaping their athletes, and contributing in a positive way to their community.

Al Rinaldi, ’98 graduated in May with a Master of Studies in Law from George Washington University.

Before a game at the Prudential Center in March, the New Jersey Devils honored Frank McGady, ’78 with the Dr. John J. McMullen Award.

Named for the Devils’ late owner who moved the team to New Jersey in 1982, the award has been presented since 1984 to individuals who have supported amateur hockey throughout the state. Frank was recognized for more than 40 years of service to youth hockey, beginning as a recreation league coach in Secaucus in 1981. He has also coached at Prep, as well as Xavier and Hudson Catholic. Frank has served as president of the New Jersey Youth Hockey League for the past 17 years, and he is a member of the executive committee for the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, the USA Hockey affiliate for Delaware, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania.

PREP MAGAZINE n SUMMER 2022 25

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

The ’00s

The ’10s

Maj. Audley Campbell, ’01 was recently promoted from Captain.

He is finishing his tour at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This summer, he and his family are moving to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he will complete Command and General Staff College. Audley and his wife Yurines recently celebrated 10 years of marriage, and Audley reports they have “four wonderful kids.”

Matthew Forget, ’19 graduated summa cum laude from Seton Hall University with a degree in chemistry. He will be pursuing a masters in chemical engineering at Columbia University starting this fall.

Adam San Miguel, ’03 is the co-owner of Cortaditos, a Cuban cafe in Union City, aiming to “deliver our rich Cuban culture as well as a deep commitment to social good, in every cafecito we serve.”

Adam opened Cortaditos with co-owner Andres Carrillo, whose North Bergen bakery, Sweets & Cortaditos, previously caterd events for Adam’s nonprofit Cuban American Alliance for Leadership & Education. In May, Cortaditos was featured on NJTV’s Table for All. Scan below to view the episode!

Noah Byrne, ’18 graduated from the United States Naval Academy this spring, and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy. His first salute as an officer came from Nicolas Galup, ’19, who will graduate from Annapolis in 2023.

Adam San Miguel, ’03 (right) and co-owner Andres Carrillo outside Cortaditos

From the Azzarto File...

Tireless as ever, the soon-to-be-official-Prep Legend Tony Azzarto, S.J. continues to make his rounds and represent the Prep family as alumni and their loved ones experience significant moments such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms. On happy occasions, his trusty camera is always at the ready to capture the moment. Here are two recent baptisms of the children of alumni, courtesy of Fr. Azzarto.

LEFT: Tarah and Frank Romano, ’06, along with big brother Thomas, celebrated the baptism of Vivian.

RIGHT: Alicia and Matt Kiebus, ’05 celebrated the baptism of Hudson.

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ALUMNI

Bob Zito, ’71 and his grandson, Wills Embersit, in the Prep Chapel with former Prep President Jim Keenan, S.J.

The “North Star” Former Prep President Jim Keenan, S.J. baptized William Michael Embersit, the youngest grandson of Bob Zito, ’71, at Prep in March. In a LinkedIn post, Bob, whose Cento Amici foundation funds scholarships at Prep and other schools, shared a reflection on this moment in its broader context.

We have reproduced it in part below:

[W]hile I stood there holding the little guy, I realized how fortunate we are. And how important education…and the bonds you make through it…are to students, and families. And it’s why—in my opinion—we have to try and make a great education possible for those young men and women who want it.

My high school years—thanks to Prep—were the most important to me from an education standpoint. Yes, I went to a good college and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard…but the four years at Prep taught me more than either of those. My dad made me go to Prep. And I thank him still today. Prep became part of our family.

Father John Browning [who later served as Principal of Prep] became a great friend and officiated at our wedding 44 years ago. He also baptized our three daughters—in the Prep Chapel. Father Bob Reiser, a former President of Prep, officiated at the weddings of two of those daughters. And Father Jim Keenan, a former President of Prep, has baptized all four grandchildren—in the Prep Chapel.

People talk a lot about their “North Stars.” Prep may be mine. Still have friends I went to Prep with. And their friends. Constantly meet people in business who went there…or know someone who did. And now meet parents of kids who went there…and they all say the same thing. What a great place.

That’s why we started a scholarship at Prep and other schools that seem to have the same values. Some of those “kids” who received those scholarships are now giving back to their schools, either directly or through our Foundation, Cento Amici. It’s a great circle. One of our first Prep scholarship recipients is now a member of the Cento Amici board, and I’m thrilled he is.

Learn more about Cento Amici at www.centoamici.org.

A Prep Family Celebration Recent graduate Agostino “A.J.” Chiaravalloti, ’22 is the son, nephew, and cousin of Prep alumni, not to mention the brother of a rising senior and a hopeful future Prep student. The family gathered to celebrate A.J. at the Light Horse Tavern. Standing are: Joshua Chiaravalloti (A.J.’s brother, hopeful class of ’28); Nicholas Chiaravalloti, ’90 (A.J.’s father); A.J. Chiaravalloti, ’22; Salvatore Chiaravalloti, ’93 and Jim Donofrio, ’81 (A.J.’s uncles), and Nico Chiaravalloti, ’23 (A.J.’s brother). Seated are A.J.’s cousins Luke Donofrio, ’20, Andrew Donofrio, ’11, and Matthew Donofrio, ’14.

A ’73 Mini-Reunion Not content to wait another year and a half for their 50th reunion, 15 members of the Class of 1973 gathered a few blocks from Prep at the Light Horse Tavern in April for a 49-year mini-reunion.

Pictured left to right are: (front row) Bill Waldron, Blaise Mattiaccio, Bob Colacurcio, John Petrizzo (second row) Joe Murray, Mike Dobrzelecki, Tony Mecca, Lenny Pasculli (back row) Bobby Neil, Fran Cioffi, George Taite, Tom Larson, Jim Collins, and Karim Kaspar. Also on hand, but not pictured, was Tom Lally.

PREP MAGAZINE n SUMMER 2022 27

ALUMNI

VITA MUTATUR NON TOLLITUR (LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED) Through July 15, 2022

Alumni Rev. Joseph F. Coda, ’36 John G. Aslanian, ’46 Father of John G. Aslanian, ’92 Donald F. Stevens, ’49 Donald F. Hagan, ’50 Edwin Laudano, ’50 James F. McGeehan ’50 Richard M. O’Connell, ’50 Walton J. “Sully” Sullivan, ’51 Brother of Jerome Sullivan, ’49† Charles T. Carney, ’52 Brother of Ronald J. Carney Sr., ’47† Frederick W. “Bill” Kile, ’52 Brother-in-law of Terence J. Kennedy, ’56† Patrick T. Osborne, ’52 Thomas Tiedemann, ’52 Nephew of Bernard Hartnett, ’18†; Cousin of Bernard Hartnett, ’47†, Kenneth Hartnett, ’52, and Jude Hartnett, ’58† William M. Burke, ’53 Dering J. Sprague, ’53 John A. Miele Jr., ’54 Brother of Valentine J. Miele, ’48† and Dr. Joseph F. Miele, ’61 Louis R. Pochettino, ’54 Theophil “Ted” D. Schmitt, ’54 Anthony F. Dorrzapf Jr., ’55 Nicholas A. Galella, ’55 Louis J. Klein, ’55 Thomas L. Kosiba, ’55 Alfred F. Rossi, ’55 Ernest P. Pozzi, ’56 Henry “Hank” S. Kolokowsky, ’57 Jerome R. Peters, ’57 Lewis E. Williams, M.D., ’57

Richard J. O’Brien, ’59 Son of Richard O’Brien, ’28†; brother of Thomas J. O’Brien, ’63†; nephew of Charles O’Brien, ’32†; cousin of Thomas M. O’Brien, ’60 Edwin A. Butler, ’60 Joseph P. Sherikjian, ’61 Richard V. Keegan, ’63 James T. Moriarty, ’65 Michael C. Colletti, ’69 James M. Schmidt, ’72 Anthony Powell, ’75 Thomas E. Waldron, ’75 Son of John T. Waldron Sr., ’45; brother of John T. Waldron Jr., ’69 Benjamin Wilson Jr., ’76 Thomas E. Gill, ’77 Brother of Robert Gill, ’89 David R. Peters, ’79 Brother of Richard Peters, ’85 (English teacher) and Daniel Peters, ’86 Pablo Artache, ’82 Joseph Nicoletti, ’83 Father of Joseph W. Nicoletti, ’13 Robert X. Scheurer III, ’84 Brother of Joseph M. Scheurer, ’86; father of Robert X. Scheurer, ’19, John B. Scheurer, ’21, and Michael M. Scheurer, ’21; uncle of James J. Scheurer, ’22; nephew of William J. Scheurer, ’53; cousin of William Scheurer, ’86 Kevin D. Morris, ’86 Brother of James Morris, ’80 Mark Bauzon, ’90

Family of Alumni Ronald L. Adams Jr. Father of Matthew R. Adams, ’19, Patrick R. Adams, ’21, and Jack Adams, ’23 Patrick Alburtus Father of Connor D. Alburtus, ’11 John A. Angermeyer Father of Jeffrey J. Angermeyer, ’97 Kevin D. Bagdan Father of Steven Battaglino, ’01 Kathleen Callahan Mother of Patrick F. Callahan III, ’74, Jack A. Callahan, ’76, Joseph V. Callahan, ’78, and Brian B. Callahan, ’79; grandmother of Daniel S. Jonathan, ’05.

Valeria J. Capparelli Wife of Frank Capparelli, ’45†; mother of Edward Capparelli, ’79; mother-inlaw of Robert Boyko, ’72† Samuel “Sammy” Paragas Cervantes Father of Samuel L. Cervantes, ’93 Eileen Sullivan Fell Wife of Laurence T. Fell, ’54, former trustee and Legends of Prep honoree; mother-in-law of Jeffrey Casler, ’86; grandmother of Kevin Fell, ’18; daughter of Leo S. Sullivan, 1922†; granddaughter of Leo Sullivan, 1897 Cecilia DeGeorge Mother of Paul DeGeorge, ’94 Frances Viola Dunstan Mother of William P. Dunstan Jr., ’56 Belen Domingo Mother of Ernani S. Domingo, ’87

Mark Fermill, ’04

Vincent Conroy Father of John Conroy, ’94

Luke M. Schade, ’04 Brother of Matthew Schade, ’00; cousin of Mike Skinner, ’91 and Jeff Skinner, ’95

Valentina Giacchi Mother of Angelo “Nino” Giacchi, ’83 and Renato “Rene” Giacchi, ’85

John M. Stemkowski, ’15

Pietro Giglio Father of Carmelo P. Giglio, ’76 and Joe Giglio, ’87 (director of guidance and college counseling)

Elba L. Hernandez Mother of Ricardo Hernandez Jr., ’84 and Melvin Hernandez, ’86 Thomas P. Keating Sr. Father of Thomas Keating Jr., ’04, Christopher Keating, ’05, and Michael Keating, ’06 Dominick M. Lucignano Assistant football coach; Father of Nick Lucignano, ’09 and Damian Lucicgnano, ’13 John McGlynn Father of Kieran McGlynn, ’89 Stephen Murphy Father of Stephen Murphy, ’08 Mattie Pearl Nicholson Mother of Jerome Nicholson, ’83 William F. Oser Father of William Oser, ’77 and Thomas Oser, ’78; grandfather of Edward Oser, ’15 and William Oser, ’15 Eugene Pompilio III Father of Eugene Pompilio IV, ’91 and John Pompilio, ’95 Wanda “Dolores” Russell Wife of Jack Russell, ’48; mother of Col. John S. Russell, ’81, Kevin J. Russell, ’83, Stephen J. Russell, ’85, and Barbara Russell (former faculty member); grandmother of Matthew K. Russell, ’19; Principal’s office staff member, 1983-96.

Mario Sasso Father of Mario Sasso, ’82; father-inlaw of Renato Giacchi, ’85 Gabriel M. Stanziano Father of Darren Stanziano, ’87 Catherine Venetis Mother of Peter Venetis, ’75 Elnardo Webster Sr., Ed.D. Father of Elnardo Webster, ’87 Walter Wilkes Sr. Father of Walter Wilkes Jr., ’70 and John P. Wilkes, ’71

Former Faculty & Staff Rev. William A. McKenna, S.J. English & Latin teacher, 1961-64

Vita mutatur, non tollitur. Life is changed, not ended.

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WEDDINGS | BIRTHS

Katherine Heaton and Billy Fitzgerald, ’99, married July 1, as seen through the lens of celebrant Tony Azzarto, S.J.

Weddings Nathaniel Salzman, ’09 and Caitlyn Leiter-Mason April 30, 2022 Raphael Ortiz, ’10 and Emily Williams May 5, 2022 Billy Bludgus, ’01 and Kelsey Barclay May 28, 2022 James Reynolds, ’13 and Elizabeth Ryan May 28, 2022 John Kelly, ’04 and Alexandra Ross June 18, 2022

ALUMNI

Emily Williams and Raphael Ortiz, ’10, married May 5, 2022

Louis Tiscornia (in the arms of his dad, Judge Jude Anthony Tiscornia, ’01) was baptized in October 2021. Kevin Murray, Esq., ’03 (left) is his godfather.

Billy Fitzgerald, ’99 and Katherine Heaton July 1, 2022

Births Natalia and Giancarlo Capodanno, ’04 son Luca William, April 7, 2021 Catherine Healy-Tiscornia, Esq. and Judge Jude Anthony Tiscornia, ’01 son Louis Jude Anthony, August 11, 2021 Neringa Vaiciula and Marko Gazic, ’99 daughter Adria, September 15, 2022

Molly Molino (math teacher) and Jack Kelly daughter Ivy, April 21, 2022 Whitney Emmons and Mike Lazorwitz, ’03 daughter Elara Astra, June 10, 2022 Nicole and Kevin De Pinto, ’08 daughter Abigail Mae, June 14, 2022 Sara and Paul DeGeorge, ’94 daughter Alex Riley, June 26, 2022

Carmela (science teacher) and Steve Schlitzer daughter Carmelina Mabel, March 7, 2022

LEFT: Nicole and Kevin De Pinto, ’08 with Abigail, born June 14. Abigail is also the niece of Vincent De Pinto, ’05 and the granddaughter of Len De Pinto, ’76.

Abigail De Pinto, born June 14, is also the niece of Vincent De Pinto, ’05 and the granddaughter of Len De Pinto, ’76.

RIGHT: Elara Lazorwitz, born June 10

The classic “Prep picture” from the wedding of Billy Bludgus, ’01 and Kelsey Barclay. Back Row: Ed Wong, ’01, Mo Ryan, ’01, Pat Smith, ’01, Liam Ahearn, ’01, Billy Bludgus, ’01, Chris Bludgus, ’04 (Billy’s brother), John Rossi, ’01, Rich Bludgus, ’86 (Billy’s uncle), and Prep Principal Jim DeAngelo, ’85. Front Row: Gerard Alolod, ’01, Kevin McGrath, ’01, and Kelsey Barclay.

Former Prep president Bob Resier, S.J. was the celebrant for the wedding of James Reynolds, ’13 and Elizabeth Ryan on May 28. Before the wedding, Fr. Reiser posed with the three Reynolds brothers. From left: William Reynolds, ’11, Lt. James Reynolds, ’13, and Lt. Philip Reynolds, ’09

PREP MAGAZINE n Summer 2022 29

144 Grand Street | Jersey City, NJ 07302

BEST WISHES TO THE CLASS OF 2022!

The 231 members of the Prep Class of 2022 returned to the fullness of life at Grand & Warren in their senior year, after two years of pandemic-related disruption. Without a doubt, these newest Prep alumni seized the opportunity, leading our student body to help make this sesquicentennial year a memorable one in the classroom, in athletic competition, in the arts, in our resurgent retreat program, in global education opportunities, and in our clubs and student activities.

We invite you to join us in wishing them the very best as they embark on this next journey, guided like so many thousands before them by the banners of Saint Peter’s Prep. They take with them the lessons learned and friendships built at Grand & Warren as they move on to these and other colleges and universities in the fall: Alfred University

Hampton University

Amherst College

Haverford College

New York University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Bard College

College of the Holy Cross

Pace University, New York City

Syracuse University

Bergen Community College

Howard University

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Tampa

Boston College

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus

Tufts University

Indiana University-Bloomington

Providence College

Catholic University of America

Iona College

Purdue University, Main Campus

Clemson University

University of Kentucky

Quinnipiac University

The College of New Jersey

Lafayette College

Raritan Valley Community College

Cornell University

Liberty University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

University of Delaware

Loyola University Chicago

Roanoke College

Delft Technical University

Loyola University Maryland

Washington College

Drexel University

Marist College

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Fairfield University

Marquette University

Sacred Heart University

Webb Institute

Felician University

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

St. John’s University

Wesleyan University

University of Florida

University of Miami

Saint Peter’s University

Michigan State University

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Fordham University

Salisbury University

Middlebury College

University of San Francisco

Williams College

Franklin and Marshall College

Monmouth University

University of Scranton

University of Wisconsin-Madison

George Washington University

Montclair State University

Simpson College

Worcester Polytechnic Intitute

Georgetown University

New Jersey Institute

University of South Carolina, Columbia

York College of Pennsylvania

Georgia Institute of Technology

Boston University Bryant University

of Technology

Springfield College

Tulane University of Louisiana Union College United States Air Force Academy University of Vermont Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Instittute and State University Washington University in St. Louis