Scarlet & Grey Fall 2017

Fall 2017

The Magazine for St. John’s College High School

MEN OF LETTERS St. John’s Says Goodbye to Dr. Raymond Nighan and Bro. Martin Zewe, FSC GRADUATION 2017

25 YEARS OF FIRSTS

Inside 3

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Life at St. John’s

Congratulations, Class of 2017

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Sports at St. John’s

Alumni Action

25 Years of Firsts

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Photo Gallery

Class Notes

Condolences

The De La Salle Scholars visited Machu Picchu in Peru as part of the upperclassman international experience during spring break 2017.

FROM THE

The President Dear St. John’s Community, The 2017-2018 academic year is off to a terrific start! Due to the dedication and skill of our admissions team, for the third consecutive year, St. John’s received more than 1,000 applications and enrolled a class of highly engaged and motivated freshmen. With another vibrant group of young Cadets beginning their academic, spiritual and cocurricular pursuits, we continue the Lasallian tradition of teaching our students: to lead is to serve.

from one another and to live more fully the Lasallian charism.

On behalf of the students and faculty, I would like to thank him for imbuing the St. John’s community with the spirit and wisdom of our founder.

Among the many exciting events planned for this year is the President’s Medal Celebration, which will be held at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, on Nov. 3. This biannual event celebrates the leadership and extraordinary service of distinguished alumni. This year, we honor four alumni, including the first alumna – a milestone that coincides with the 25th anniversary of our first female graduates. The St. John’s community has been blessed by their generosity of spirit and strengthened by their example.

After 40 remarkable years of service to St. John’s, Dr. Raymond Nighan retired in June 2017. During his tenure, he witnessed the graduation of more than 9,000 Cadets and personally taught approximately 4,000 students. Dr. Nighan sought Christ in every student he met, and his imprint on our school will remain forever. We are all indebted to him for his sacrifices, his expertise and the love he gave to his students – and all of us. His inner faith and devotion have been a blessing on this community. The memory of these outstanding Lasallian servants and friends will be preserved in distinct ways, as we have named the English Department office in honor of Dr. Nighan and the English Department graduation award has been renamed in honor of Bro. Martin.

There are particular times in a school community when we are privileged to recognize exceptional individuals in a special way.

The men pictured on this cover dedicated a lifetime to the students entrusted to their care, and the St. John’s community will always be grateful for their faithful service.

The excellence of St. John’s at this very moment is made possible through its devoted community of faculty, alumni, parents and students who believe in the Catholic, Lasallian mission and support it with their time, talent and treasure. I am truly grateful for all you do on behalf of St. John’s.

Last spring, Bro. Martin Zewe, FSC, finished his assignment at St. John’s. He joined the school in 1994 and dedicated 23 years to the students and St. John’s community. His impact on the academic success of our students is seen in the two decades of graduates who excelled in college and returned to campus each year to express their gratitude for his outstanding college preparatory instruction. Each day, Bro. Martin inspired us to learn

Sincerely,

Mr. Jeffrey W. Mancabelli | President

Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 | St. John’s College High School President: Jeffrey Mancabelli Principal: Christopher Themistos Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Michael Esten Director of Development: Mark Gibbs ’96 Associate Director of Development: Tom Veith Director of Communications: Kathy Bagley Assistant Director of Communications: Kathryn Zahner

Director of Annual Giving: Heather Long Director of Special Events: Beth O’Connell Director of Advancement Services: Lori Martin Database Administrator: Jean Morin _______ Editor: Kathy Bagley Contributor: Kathryn Zahner Photography: Lawrence French, Kathy Bagley Art Director: Linda Loughran

St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Road, NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015 www.stjohnschs.org _______ Alumni and Development Office 202-364-0229 202-363-5091 | F kbagley@stjohnschs.org

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

2017-2018 Scholarship Spotlights

1 Jo’el Hall ’06 (left) presented Whitney Octavious ’18 with her scholarship certificate in April.

2 St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli (right) congratulated David Power ’20 on earning the Sergeant Major Michael Hackett Scholarship at the Cadet Corps Annual Federal Inspection (AFI) in May.

Each year, St. John’s awards scholarships funded by alumni to students for their academic success, leadership and extracurricular achievements. Here we highlight five students who were awarded scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year.

Gracen Fling ’18 is the firstever recipient of the Command Sergeant Major John W. McConnell Scholarship, established at the 2015 Cadet Corps Centennial in honor of his many years of devoted service to St. John’s. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a Cadet Corps rising senior who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to the Cadet Corps program and St. John’s community.

1 Whitney Octavious ’18 is the second recipient of the Jo’el Hall ’06 Scholarship, which provides non-tuition financial support to an African American female entering her senior year. Hall established the scholarship in 2015 as a way of continuing the support she received at St. John’s – an anonymous donor helped her family pay some of her senior year expenses, and now she contributes $2,000 each year to a deserving student who excels academically and participates in the community through extracurricular activities.

Jose Hernandez-Ferrufino ’18 was selected by the Mission and Ministry Department as the second recipient of the Bro. Albert Mosser Scholarship. This scholarship was

established in 1998 to carry out Bro. Albert’s simple wish: “Make sure St. John’s is always there to help students.”

2 David Power ’20 received the Sergeant Major Michael Hackett Scholarship Certificate, established in 2008 by the Class of 1955 in recognition of the spirit and values he instilled in his students during the nearly four decades that he was the pivotal force in the Cadet Corps program. Power is the sixth recipient of this scholarship, and more than $20,000 has been awarded to deserving Cadet Corps students over the years.

3 Sydney Antonucci ’20 is the third cadet to earn the Sergeant Major Vincent Fisher Scholarship Certificate, established in 2011 by his former students in honor of his many years of service to the students and families of the St. John’s community.

This annual award goes to a member of the Cadet Corps who also contributes to the school through extracurricular activities. Since its inception, more than $10,000 has been awarded to deserving students in the Cadet Corps program.

3 Mancabelli also presented Sydney Antonucci ’20 with the Sergeant Major Vincent Fisher Scholarship Certificate at the Cadet Corps AFI.

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LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

Tom ’84 and Karen Gletner

Cap Mona ’61

The Donatelli Family

St. John’s Closes Out $7.5 Million Campaign with Dedication of Three New School Facilities On May 5, St. John’s held a dedication ceremony for the school’s three new student-centered facilities, which included a special blessing from His Eminence, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington.

Over the last two years, the primary school building has expanded by more than 40,000 square feet through the new Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Cap Mona Family Student Center and Gletner Courtyard.

At the dedication ceremony, St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli thanked seven of the campaign’s lead donors for their 4

support, including Lou ’52 and Ann Donatelli, Vincent “Cap” Mona ’61, Bob Donohoe ’66 and the Donohoe family, Tom ’65 and Karen Frana, Tom ’84 and Karen Gletner, John Peak ’63 and John ’73 and Beth Veihmeyer. Mancabelli also recognized the members of the school community whose work was instrumental in this project, including Brendan Quinn ’89, chair of St. John’s Board of Trustees Building and Grounds Committee; Felicia Baker, interior designer; Ralph Mitchell, director of engineering and project management; Mel Colvin, director of technology; the team of architects from Perkins Eastman; and the 10 alumni- and parent-owned companies that participated in this effort.

“St. John’s is very fortunate to have so many people committed to our success,”

Mancabelli said. “As a Lasallian school, we continually strive to build a community that remains focused on the needs of our students. The facilities that you see today speak directly to our mission of providing places for our students to come together, to learn, to pray, to socialize and to expand their talents. We greatly appreciate all of you for your support and for being with us this evening.”

Cardinal Wuerl gave the invocation and blessing at the dedication ceremony. He then took the time to walk through each new facility, individually blessing the new spaces.

“In today’s society with all of its challenges, St. John’s follows in the beautiful tradition of the Brothers of St. John

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

Baptist de La Salle and has kept alive the spirit and dedication to the cause of Catholic education,” Wuerl said.

The dedication ceremony was the official ending to the school’s Campaign for Arts, Mission and Ministry, which launched in October 2014. Over the past 2.5 years, more than 350 alumni, parents and friends of the school came together to raise more than $7.5 million in cash and pledges. In addition, the school received more than $1.5 million in estate pledges through the campaign.

St. John’s created its master plan to expand the school based upon the vision of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. As a Lasallian school, St. John’s is continually focused on meeting the needs of our students. Over the past decade, student participation in the visual and performing arts has tripled. However, the spaces for our arts programs were no longer able to meet that demand – for example, our 16 instrumental ensembles were sharing one multi-purpose room with poor acoustics. Our students collectively perform more than 25,000 hours of community service, but our Department of Mission and Ministry lacked a dedicated space to support and expand these service-based initiatives.

Through the Campaign for Arts, Mission and Ministry, St. John’s has responded to these needs with a variety of new student-centered spaces that will inspire young men and women to open their minds and unlock their talents.

The Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts has revolutionized St. John’s arts programs. In 2015, the school’s fine arts facilities were upgraded and reconstructed, resulting in two light-filled studios, a student workroom, a faculty office and an expanded outdoor patio space. Construction on the new 15,000-square-foot performing arts wing was completed in August 2016, adding

three acoustically designed performance classrooms, individual practice rooms and enough storage space to accommodate all of our ensembles. The space also includes three academic classrooms and a new elevator.

“The dedication of the Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts was a great success. It was our pleasure to play a role in its creation,” said Lou Donatelli ’52. “The building is dedicated to my parents and to the arts, and it will

brothers, sisters, cousins and nephews attend and graduate from this wonderful school,” said Vincent “Cap” Mona ’61. “Over the past 100 years, the school administration, teachers, coaches and military instructors all made positive impressions on me and 12 other family members, helping to make us the men and women our parents were very proud to tell all were products of St. John’s College High School.”

Over the past 2.5 years, more than 350 alumni, parents and friends of the school came together to raise over $7.5 million in cash and pledges. be enjoyed by students for years to come.

Ann and I would like to thank all of those who had a part in making the Donatelli Center a reality. May God bless all of you, and go St. John’s!”

The 8,200-square-foot Cap Mona Family Student Center opened this winter, and it has already become the new heart of the campus. Appropriately, the center serves as the home of the new Lasallian Center for Mission and Ministry, just as the spiritual development of our students is the core of a Lasallian education. Also located in the Mona Center is the new Gene Morrill Blackbox Theater, a flexible performance space that will support our theater program and provide a venue for recitals, lectures and small concerts. In addition, the center includes the Ned Veihmeyer Student Lounge, named in honor of a 1939 graduate, and the Borger Promenade, a glass-enclosed walkway that links the new space to the main academic wing.

“As a self-appointed Mona family spokesperson, it gives me great pleasure to share with all St. John’s students and alumni that my very large family is extremely proud to have our uncles,

The Gletner Courtyard, which opened this spring, is a 17,500-square-foot renovated green space that offers additional outdoor locations for academic use and for students to gather in fellowship. Located just outside the Mona Center, the courtyard also connects to the academic wing and the Donatelli Center, intertwining the new and existing parts of campus.

“I have been truly blessed with the ability to support institutions I feel made a difference in my life and the lives of countless others past and present,” said Tom Gletner ’84. “My late father (Class of 1946 and Athletic Hall of Fame member) would agree that St. John’s was crucial to our success as people, businessmen, husbands, parents and members of the Catholic community. SJC provided a solid education, reinforced my family’s traditional values, introduced an extra dose of discipline and strengthened my character. As a third-generation Gletner student, my son Danny ’18 is currently enjoying similar benefits. We take great pride in our family connection with St. John’s. I am thrilled to support the mission that benefits so many other students and families.”

The Veihmeyer Family

John Peak ’63

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

ROBOTICS

“Meching” the World Championship St. John’s robotics team – the Mech Cadets – had quite a successful 2017 season!

In only its fifth year, the program made it to the FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) Championship held April 26-29 in St. Louis. FIRST, the oldest and largest student robotics program in the world, encourages students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspires them to become leaders and innovators and enhances their 21st century work-life skills. The FIRST Robotics Competition is often called the “ultimate sport for the mind,” because it challenges high school students to build and program industrial-sized robots to compete in difficult field games against peer competitors. In addition, students must raise funds, design a brand and hone their teamwork skills as part of this real-world engineering challenge.

at the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship; the district includes a total of 130 teams from across Virginia, Maryland and DC. The Mech Cadets hovered in the top 10 for most of the tournament and ended up in the first-seeded alliance. Although they fell in the semifinals, the team finished 12th and gained enough points to earn a place at the championship, where they were one of only two teams to represent the District of Columbia in a field of 406 contenders.

Competing at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis was a thrilling learning experience for the whole team. “For me, going to the world championship was a wondrous and eye-opening experience.

Seeing the sheer size of the crowds was enough to drastically change my view on the gravity of FIRST robotics. The world championship was truly awe-inspiring,” said Peirman O’Keefe ’18.

The first day of competition began with the opening ceremony and the initial competition rounds, which went well for the Mech Cadets. They were able to gain a good standing for the second day of competition and establish favorable alliances with other strong teams. The second day proved more challenging as

The road to the championship began Jan. 7, with inventor and FIRST founder Dean Kamen launching the 2017 competition season with a new robotics game called FIRST STEAMWORKS. Each January, the FIRST program unveils the new game and challenge details for the season’s competition. This year, 3,357 teams from 26 countries participated in the challenge. The FIRST STEAMWORKS game revolves around two adventure clubs from an era in which technology relied on steam power to prepare their airships for the ultimate long-distance race. Each adventure club is a three-team alliance, and each alliance works together to score points and prepare to take flight by building steam pressure, gathering materials to start the rotors and boarding robots onto their The Mech Cadets at the world championship in St. Louis.

Students tune up Volanti between matches. airships. The adventure club with the highest score at the end of the match is the best prepared for the race and wins.

Volanti experienced technical issues, causing the team to finish in the bottom half of the standings. However, the team remained Using a kit of parts made up of motors, batteries, control system positive and rallied to end the day on a high note. McCarthy said components, construction materials and a mix of additional the drive team, in particular, remained calm under pressure as they automation components with limited instructions, the team has worked to solve the real-time problems. That afternoon, the team six weeks to design, build, program and test their robot to meet continued to repair the robot for the final day of competition. the season’s engineering challenge. Once built, the team participates in regional and district competitions that measure the Although the Mech Cadets were not chosen for an alliance on the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration and the final day, they stayed for the entire competition and cheered on determination of the students. Team advisor Brian McCarthy the other teams. The day concluded with the parade of team masand faculty and staff team mentors Ashlei Yancich, Kevin Morse cots and the closing ceremony, where all the teams had a chance and Erin Regan worked alongside professionals from local busito congratulate one another. McCarthy said he was incredibly nesses and agencies to mentor and guide the 35 students through proud of all the Mech Cadets achieved. “The atmosphere at the this process. Once completed, they named their robot Volanti – championship was electric. It was inspiring to see so many enthusi“flying” in Latin. astic, dedicated and innovative young people working together in so many positive ways. It was a great celebration of all we accomAfter making it into the semifinals and quarterfinals at the district plished and inspiration to further make a name for ourselves at the qualifiers, St. John’s earned a spot to compete as one of 58 teams national level.”

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LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

CADET CORPS

Cadet Corps Annual Federal Inspection On May 10, St. John’s Cadet Corps held its annual Awards Ceremony and Pass In Review. This year’s guest reviewing officer was LTJG Emily Muñoz ’08.

LTJG Muñoz (née Balingit Clark) attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, from which she earned a degree in

operation research and computer analysis in 2012. Upon graduation, she received orders to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro, stationed out of Kodiak, AK, where she served as the assistant engineer officer, earned her Engineer of the Watch Qualification and participated in five Pacific Ocean patrols. Upon completion of orders on the Munro, she accepted orders to the Surface Forces Logistics Center in Norfolk, VA, as an availability project manager. She holds the CG Sea Service Ribbon, the CG Meritorious Team

Commendation Ribbon, the CG Unit Commendation Ribbon and the National Defense Ribbon. She currently resides in Norfolk, VA. The Cadet Corps program also presented awards to this year’s exemplary cadets – please visit our website for a full list of award winners.

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FINE ARTS

Gallery Night On March 22, St. John’s annual Gallery Night showcased drawings, paintings, sculpture, pottery and digital art from students across all grade levels.

This year’s submissons were evaluated by a panel of volunteer alumni and parent judges: Trevor Combs ’86, Russ Hirshon ’79, Ivy Gaitan ’08 and Buddy Vagnoni P ’19.

Best in Show 3D • Donatelli Art Award

James Fookes ’17

Awards were given for best in show 2D and 3D, people’s choice, second place, third place and honorable mention. The Donatelli Art Award, presented annually to an upper-level art student for outstanding involvement, service and commitment to art at St. John’s, was given to James Fookes ’17.

GALLERY NIGHT 2017 AWARD WINNERS: • Best in Show 2D – Mackenzie Thompson ’17 • Best in Show 3D – James Fookes ’17 • Second Place – Miguel Davis ’18 • Third Place – Sara Miller ’19 • People’s Choice – Temple Palacio ’17 • Donatelli Art Award – James Fookes ’17 • Honorable Mention – Stephen Jasinski ’19 • Honorable Mention – Elizabeth Lander ’18

People’s Choice

Temple Palacio ’17 Best in Show 2D

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Mackenzie Thompson ’17

• Honorable Mention – Lillian Leibel ’18 • Honorable Mention – Sophia Poulos ’17 • Honorable Mention – Diana Rodriguez ’18 • Honorable Mention – Natalie Romero ’19 • Honorable Mention – Vivienne Sayle ’19 • Honorable Mention – Olivia Valdez ’19 • Honorable Mention – Madeline Wilson ’18 • Honorable Mention – Gena Witt ’17

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

SJC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

St. John’s Welcomes New Trustees This fall, St. John’s welcomed four new board members – Lawrence V. Jackson ’71, Michael S. Kelly ’88, Robert E. Spallone ’89 and Bro. Robert J. Wickman, FSC – as well as a new board chair, John C. Poole ’71.

BOARD CHAIR JOHN C. POOLE, JR. ’71, Board Chair John C. Poole, Jr. ’71, a St. John’s board member since 2014 and chair of the Finance Committee from 2016-2017, assumed the position of board chair in July. He looks forward to continuing to serve the St. John’s community in this new leadership role. “It is an honor to serve with the distinguished members of the St. John’s Board of Trustees. The board’s purpose, which is shared with the entire St. John’s community, is to ensure that St. John’s endures the test of time while faithfully respecting the values we have been entrusted with by St. John Baptist de La Salle.” Poole is the president and chief operating officer of Daycon Products Company, Inc., and a long-standing member of both the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

LAWRENCE V. JACKSON ’71 Lawrence V. Jackson ’71 currently serves as a senior advisor to New Capital, a New York-based private equity firm.

In addition, he is an active investor with the Heritage Group in Nashville, which focuses on early stage healthcare companies, and serves as chairman of one of the investments, SourceMark, LLC, a minority medical product supplier. Previously, Jackson was the president and chief officer of global procurement for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. He presently serves on the board of directors of Assurant, Inc., Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., and several NMC portfolio companies. He also sits on the board of trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine. This is Jackson’s second time serving on St. John’s Board of Trustees (1997-2005), where he will now sit on the Executive Committee as chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee. He

earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University. He has three adult children and resides in Nashville, TN.

MICHAEL S. KELLY ’88 Michael S. Kelly ’88 is the chief operating officer for College Football Playoff.

Immediately prior, he was the senior associate commissioner for the Atlantic Coast Conference, overseeing broadcasting, communications and football. Kelly is the only person to ever serve as lead local executive for three different Super Bowls in three different communities, having been president of the Super Bowl Host Committee in Tampa Bay (Super Bowl XXXV), Jacksonville (Super Bowl XXXIX) and South Florida (Super Bowl XLI). He also served as the executive director for the 1999 NCAA Men’s Final Four Local Organizing Committee. Kelly proudly serves as an officer for the College Football Playoff Foundation and was instrumental in the development of its Extra Yard for Teachers initiative that focuses on honoring, celebrating, inspiring and empowering educators throughout the country. He earned a bachelor’s degree in politics from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in sports administration from St. Thomas University. He resides in Flower Mound, TX, with his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Cara and Seana.

ROBERT E. SPALLONE, JR. ’89 Robert E. Spallone, Jr. ’89 serves as executive vice president and partner at R&R Mechanical, Inc. R&R Mechanical is a full-service mechanical and plumbing contractor specializing in commercial and institutional construction in the Washington, DC, area. Spallone has been with the firm for 19 years and has an understanding of all the facets of mechanical construction, with

extensive experience in project management and customer relations. Prior to R&R, Spallone spent five years as project manager for the Heffron Company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington and Jefferson College, where he was a four-year member of the lacrosse team as well as a participant in the Entrepreneurial Studies Program. Spallone has been a youth sports coach for more than 10 years and is active in real estate investments and renovations. He supports non-profit organizations focused on at-risk and underprivileged children in the underserved communities of Washington, DC. Spallone resides in Chevy Chase, MD, with his wife, JoJo, and their sons, Bobby and Jimmy.

BRO. ROBERT J. WICKMAN, FSC Bro. Robert J. Wickman, FSC, currently serves as the provincial delegate for ministry governing boards in DENA and is a governing board member of several Lasallian institutions, including De La Salle College “Oaklands,” Toronto, where he is board chair. Bro. Robert chaired the Shared Governance Chapter Committee of DENA that formulated the plan for governance development approved by the District Chapter in August 2015. He has served on the east and west coasts in a variety of high schools and has held positions as teacher, campus minister, vice principal, headmaster, principal and president. One of his teaching assignments was at St. John’s in the mid-1980s, where he taught American Government and AP European History. Bro. Robert is a founding member of the board of trustees of Legacy Partners, a consulting and planning organization that offers services to Catholic entities (archdioceses, religious orders and parishes) that wish to explore transitions from tuition-based schools to faith-inspired charter schools. He is a native of New York City and a member of the De La Salle Brooklyn Brothers’ Community in Brooklyn, NY.

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THEATRE

The Spitfire Grill |

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April 6-8, 2017

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COMMUNITY HONORS

“ I love what I do – Catholic education is my passion and to be recognized for my work is very humbling.”

St. John’s President Honored

by John Carroll Society On May 6, St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli received The John Carroll Society Medal at the organization’s annual awards dinner.

The society is dedicated to the service of the archbishop of Washington, and its primary purpose is to promote the enhancement of spiritual, intellectual and social fellowship among its members and guests. The John Carroll Medal honors distinguished Catholics for a lifetime of achievement, public service, outstanding leadership and commitment to their faith. “Our awardees reflect the vision of faith exemplified by Archbishop John Carroll, spiritual leader and patriot of colonial times. As citizens and as believers dedicated to the common good of our society, they champion his example by living their faith fully at home, at work and in their communities.”

The 2017 awards dinner recognized the leaders of four Catholic schools in the Washington, DC, area. In addition to honoring Mancabelli’s achievements during his 25 years as a Catholic educator, the society recognized Daniel M. Kerns, Jr., president of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School; Catherine Ronan Karrels, head of school at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart; and Kathleen Ryan Preeble, president and CEO of the Academy of the Holy Cross. His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, presented the medal to each honoree.

“I love what I do – Catholic education is my passion and to be recognized for my work is very humbling,” Mancabelli said. “I have often remarked how fortunate I am to work in an environment where I can practice my faith in my daily interactions with the people I encounter. Christ’s example inspires me to serve others to the best of my ability and to find inspiration through new and existing relationships.”

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CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Community-Building: The Lasallian Legacy Our Lasallian mission is the cause and the effect of what we do at St. John’s – and that is particularly apparent in the way our students and faculty serve other communities through the Christian Service Immersion Program. Inspired by the Lasallian core principle of concern for the poor and social justice, this program offers students the opportunity to travel around the country to work in communities that need volunteers. The program seeks to bring students to a mature understanding of their personal responsibility to those most in need through experience and reflection.

St. John’s service immersion program is two decades old, dating back to an initiative directed by Bro. Leonard Rhoades, FSC. He led a group of students to Cumberland, MD, to work with another Lasallian school, Bishop Walsh High School, for the Cumberland Interfaith Network. Back then, the groups worked on buildings, slept in church facilities, ate meals at a hospital and showered at the YMCA. Today, St. John’s offers rising sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to participate in one of six weeklong service trips, where they work in the areas of education, food service, construction, childcare and farming. There is a service trip during spring break, with the remaining trips taking place during the summer. Each trip accommodates eight to 10 students and two faculty volunteers.

In 2017, St. John’s students traveled to Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls, MS, the Romero Center Ministries in Camden, NJ, and the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT. The students and faculty who participated in these trips gained a deeper understanding of the disadvantaged in this country and experienced the transformative power of reaching out to those communities with genuine concern and fellowship. “Being able to travel to a new place on a service immersion trip helps the students see service in a new way. The people they meet and serve

During the Mississippi trip, students planted vegetables for the Garden Café.

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offer perspectives that they may not have encountered before,” said SJC Campus Minister Debra Emery.

Sacred Heart Southern Missions is a Catholic ministry in northern Mississippi sponsored by priests of the Scared Heart. Through the financial support of donors throughout the country, Sacred Heart staffs and funds the programs and work of two Catholic elementary schools, eight Catholic social service offices, a housing program and an active volunteer program to provide families with a path out of poverty. Through the volunteer program, St. John’s service groups worked on the reconstruction and remodeling of client homes. The students and faculty repaired roofs, painted the interior and exterior of homes, cleaned the homes and built two wheelchair ramps.

For one family that had been displaced for more than a year, the group helped with the final stages of the renovation so the home was move-in ready. “What resonated for me, and what all of the students commented on, was how special it was to do all of the finishing touches, such as putting De La Salle Blackfeet School dishware in the kitchen cabinets. It felt Browning, MT like we were truly helping to make a home for the family and impact their move back in a positive way,” said Spanish teacher and chaperone Kimberly Martin.

ST. JOHN’S STUDENTS AND Emma Mitchell ’19, who also traveled to Mississippi, explained that the immersion experience is not only

FACULTY HAVE SERVED IN MANY LOCATIONS DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS.

Madison Martin ’19 taught math to students at the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Montana.

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an opportunity to help others, but it is also an important bonding experience, through which students create new friendships with the locals and deepen their relationships with one another.

“Going on the service immersion trip with St. John’s was one of the best experiences in my life. I got to meet new people, and I loved getting to know the people we served. Additionally, I was able to get to know classmates I do not usually spend time with, and we were able to come together as a group with daily prayers and reflections.”

The Romero Center Ministries, founded on the 18th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, provides Catholic education and retreat experiences inspired by Romero to ground people in Jesus’ call to serve the poor. St. John’s students and faculty worked with the Urban Challenge Program, an urban, service-learning immersion experience rooted in the Catholic faith tradition that offers a point of access to the lives and stories of the people of Camden, NJ, and its surrounding communities.

Volunteers were sent out to work with Camden and Philadelphia service organizations based on the fluctuating daily need. Students worked chiefly in construction, the food pantry, childcare and education. Emily Place ’19, who served at the Romero Center, worked with a variety of organizations on her trip. However, the two groups that had Young Neighbors in Action the most impact on her were Cathedral Chicago, IL Kitchen and New Visions, a homeless shelter. Place learned that the

Nazareth Farm Salem, WV St. Vincent de Paul Center Philadelphia, PA

St. John’s students took a break from serving at the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT.

overwhelming theme of those who were homeless was that their current circumstance was due to reasons beyond their control. “It really made me think a lot more about what I can do in my community and what I can do to use my life to help people.”

The De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT, is a San Miguel school serving a remote rural region on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation – home to the Blackfeet Nation, one of the 10 largest tribes in the United States. The school is committed to providing a quality, innovative and faith-based education to empower its students to become successful learners and able participants in the shaping of their community. St. John’s volunteers worked with the summer school program, mainly tutoring students in literacy and math skills.

Biology teacher Eric Benvin, a second-time chaperone who participated in one of the trips to the Blackfeet School, was impressed with how well the students from both schools worked together.

Although the trips are intended to provide St. John’s students the opportunity to work with and on behalf of those in need, the trips have an equally profound effect on the faculty volunteers. Benvin explained that each evening the students and faculty gathered for daily reflection. During this time, he listened to the students share their thoughts on the day and was impressed with how they thrived in their assignment. He felt Young Neighbors in Action the powerful effect of the work as well. “I came back knowing that I did a lot while away, but also it made Worchester, MA me realize that I need to do more at home. I should Romero Center Ministries not just give myself to service one week of the year; I should be doing it throughout the year as well.”

Camden, NJ

Each student who participates in an

Glenmary Farm Lewis Country, KY

Sacred Heart Southern Missions Walls, MS

Young Neighbors in Action immersion experience ideally earns or raises the requisite $500 fee. However, since the Washington, DC

overall cost of the trips is far greater than the expected contribution of the students, the Christian Service Immersion Program is subsidized by tax-deductible gifts from alumni and St. John’s families Christian Appalachian Project to the Lasallian Christian Service Fund. All gifts made to the Lexington, KY fund are used to defray the costs of these trips. One of the main goals of the Office of Lasallian Mission and Ministry is for each student to participate in one immersion trip before they graduate.

The impact of the experience is invaluable to the growth of our students. “This trip made many things real to me and my friends – the huge amount of history in Holly Springs, MS, life in Instituto Pedagógico La Salle a small southern town and poverty in a form that is often overlooked,” said Riley Place ’18. “I hope to one day use this Managua, Nicaragua awareness to look for long-term solutions to this problem.”

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 13

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

TRIBUTE

Men of Letters This spring, two giants of the St. John’s English Department officially retired from teaching: Dr. Raymond Nighan and Bro. Martin Zewe, FSC. Nighan joined the faculty in 1977 and devoted his entire teaching career to the students of St. John’s. Bro. Martin taught for 51 years as a Christian Brother, and he spent the last 23 years teaching Cadets. Each left their mark on the school, both in the lessons they taught their students and in how they helped shape St. John’s English curriculum.

For their many contributions to the school, St. John’s created a permanent honor for each legendary teacher: the Dr. Raymond Nighan English Department Office and the Bro. Martin Zewe English Department Award, which will be presented at graduation each year.

Here we honor their legacies as teachers, mentors and men of letters.

DR. RAYMOND NIGHAN “Teaching is all consuming. It is a very rewarding profession, one that society generally does not appreciate as much as it should. The rewards, however, come from seeing smiles on students’ faces when they learn something and knowing, with God’s guidance, you may have had a small role in assisting them. Teachers and students leading each other to God is what really matters, and I will always be grateful to the St. John’s community for their guidance.”

Doc Nighan with Francis T. Bunny, a one-year member of the SJC English Department.

When Dr. Ray Nighan joined St. John’s faculty in 1977, he had no idea he would spent the next 40 years here, mentoring students and teachers, shaping the English curriculum and sharing his love of the language with generations of young writers. “I stood on the shoulders of giants over the years. It is very hard not to succeed here – it’s such a warm, spiritually enriching climate.

That’s why I stayed. And the people here made it possible for me to be successful.”

He began his study of English at the University of Scranton, where he also minored in philosophy. Nighan went on to earn a master’s degree in English at Scranton, and that is when he had his first experience as a teacher – he was a teaching assistant, assigned to the “fabled English 101.” On his first day, the department chair 14

handed him a book, gave him a classroom number and said go.

“So, I did. I loved it immediately.”

Nighan was interested in becoming an educator even before he started college, but after teaching his own courses, he was hooked.

He had two inspirational teachers of his own, a high school math teacher and a college philosophy professor, and he said he wanted to follow their example. “I struggled with learning, and they were very patient and kind to me, especially in math. I thought, ‘This is a profession worth pursuing.’”

He finished his education by earning a doctorate in the philosophy of education, with a minor in English, from Loyola University Chicago. After 10 years of academic study, Nighan was finally ready to begin his teaching career in earnest. However, he described himself as one of many “educated unemployables” – there just weren’t enough teaching jobs to go around at the time.

For two years he served as a file clerk for Tose, Inc., a trucking company based in Philadelphia, PA. He then took a two-year position surveying teacher supply and demand across the country. Finally, his opportunity arrived; his sister, who lived in the Washington, DC, area, learned of an open position in the English Department at St. John’s.

Nighan interviewed just days before the 1977-1978 school year began, and he was ready to jump right in. However, on his first day he found he still had a lot to learn – as Nighan began his lesson, one of the students raised his hand and asked Nighan to “say that again in English.” It taught him a valuable lesson about knowing his audience. “I realized straight away that I had to adjust to the students with whom I was working. And that’s what I’ve tried to do ever since.”

As with any new teacher, his first year was an adjustment, especially learning to create and manage lesson plans for high school

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

BRO. MARTIN ZEWE

students instead of college students. His department chair, Eugene Harding, was an invaluable mentor during that time. “He was one of those giants. He helped me get through the first couple of years, and I’m very grateful to him for doing that.”

Nighan said his original plan was to stay at St. John’s for a few years before making the transition to teaching at the college level – but those plans changed almost immediately after he joined the SJC community. “I discovered pretty quickly that I did not want to leave St. John’s. And even if a college position had opened, I wouldn’t have taken it. I preferred to work here.”

After a few years, Nighan felt he’d really hit his stride as a teacher.

He moved from teaching freshman and sophomore grammar courses to teaching British Literature, and from there he took over the Honors British Literature class. That became his signature course; overall, he taught British Literature for more than 35 years at St. John’s. He later taught AP English, as well as several senior literature-based elective courses he created, including courses on Shakespeare, gothic fiction, Tolkien and a Star Trek/science fiction course.

Over the years, Nighan became a part of the fabric of St. John’s.

The students bestowed on him his famous nickname, Doc Nighan, after learning about his doctorate – he originally introduced himself as Mr. Nighan, which just doesn’t have the same ring to it. In addition to teaching, he served as English Department chair for 10 years; moderated the Chess Club, yearbook and Prayer and Meditation Club; and served on the Student Assistance Committee. He also co-directed several Shakespeare productions with Theatre Director Tim Emerson ’84, an experience that gave him a new perspective on the subject. “That changed the way I taught Shakespeare. After working with Tim, I treated it as literature, but I would say to the kids, ‘If you were the director, what

DR. RAYMOND NIGHAN

would you do with this scene?’ That hopefully enhanced their understanding of what Shakespeare was doing.”

Eight years ago, when Nighan first raised the idea of retiring, President Jeff Mancabelli asked him to consider taking a reduced course load and becoming the director of the school’s new Writing Center. Nighan agreed, and it added another dimension to his teaching experience. “I like to work with kids one on one. I saw kids from AP students to those struggling with the basics, and I loved to work with them individually. It’s so rewarding to watch the students grow.”

Thinking back to the beginning of his career, Nighan remembers conversations he had with the dean of his graduate school about teaching. “He said, ‘Once it gets in your blood, you’ll never want to do anything else.’ And he was very right about that.”

For Nighan, teaching is so much a part of his life that retirement is more of a lifestyle change than a career change. He still plans to rise early each day, and he hopes to continue working with students as a volunteer and tutor. He also plans to spend time with his daughter, Lauren, and his two grandsons, Logan (4) and Evan (2).

As a departing giant of the faculty, Nighan said he knows it is time for the next generation to take their place in history. “Forty years went by as 40 seconds. It’s the way of the world – there will be a new generation of teachers coming up who will make and are making their impact.” However, the decades of students who benefitted from his knowledge, instruction, dedication, empathy and friendship will carry on his legacy. “They have become mentors to me as much as I hope I have mentored them. Seeing students as made in the image of God is more important than cramming information for a test. Doing that truly makes the profession rewarding.”

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 15

LIFE AT ST. JOHN’S

TRIBUTE – MEN OF LETTERS

BRO. MARTIN ZEWE, FSC “It’s not so much the course as the kids you’re teaching. The course is irrelevant; the more interesting part, and the heart of everything, is the students in front of you. They’re far more important than the course, and you learn more from them than you do teaching a course. That’s the heart and soul of the school – the kids in front of you.”

Bro. Martin Zewe, FSC, has a long Bro. Martin was voted “Most history with Lasallian education. He Organized” in the 2008 TAPS graduated from Central Catholic Faculty Superlatives.

High School in Pittsburgh in 1959, and his experience with the Christian Brothers at the Lasallian school made a deep impression on him. “I had a lot of Brothers as teachers. I knew a lot of them and was impressed by them.” At that time, most young men joined the Brotherhood immediately after high school. Bro. Martin said he felt the call, but he hadn’t completely made up his mind. He decided to begin his studies at John Carroll University in Ohio, where he would wait and see if the call would remain.

At John Carroll, Bro. Martin concentrated his studies in the English Department. “I had some great English teachers in high school and college, so that was certainly an inspiration.” He said he knew then that he would teach English at some level, and as he searched his heart, he also came to know that he would join the Christian Brothers. After two years, he made his final decision and left the university.

Bro. Martin said that his transition to the Brotherhood was very easy – to him, teaching and the Brotherhood were a perfect pairing of his two passions. His first assignment took him to Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City, NJ. Bro. Martin was there for 12 years in all – six as a teacher, then six as vice principal and principal. His next assignment took him to West Catholic Preparatory High School, located in the heart of Philadelphia. Bro. Martin taught there for nine years, and he served as vice principal for his 10th and final year there.

His next assignment took him back to his roots – he was sent to serve as the principal of his alma mater, Central Catholic. He spent six years as the school’s principal, a unique role for a graduate to fill.

“I loved it! It was a great six years. I was a student there, it’s where I’m from, and most of my family is still there. It was just a great experience.” However, at the end of his term at Central Catholic, Bro. Martin said he decided he would not take another administrative position. “I knew I would rather go back to full-time teaching.

I liked administration, but I realized that teaching is a thousand times better.”

In 1994, Bro. Martin came to St. John’s to teach English and religion. It was the dawning of a new era for the school – St. John’s had just transitioned to coeducation and made the Cadet Corps 16

program optional. “It was a time when things were beginning to change, the types of courses were beginning to change and the way we taught them was beginning to change.” St. John’s was also Bro. Martin’s first experience with coeducation – all of his previous assignments had been at all-boys schools. “People said the girls would be tough, but it was just the opposite – they were delightful.”

Bro. Martin eventually migrated to teaching only English classes.

He worked with another long-time figure in the SJC English Department, Dr. Ray Nighan, and later succeeded Nighan as the department’s chair. During his time at St. John’s, he also served as moderator for the football and basketball teams, advised the Lasallian Youth Club, ran the Testing Center and provided academic support for struggling freshmen.

He taught primarily ninth-grade English, although he threw in a few years of British Literature for juniors. Bro. Martin said that freshmen were his favorite students to teach, because you meet them just as they are entering high school and really get to know them during the course of the year. “Then you know the students all four years that they’re here – you see them grow and develop, and then you see them mature and move on.”

That desire to build strong relationships is one of the cornerstones of a Lasallian education – something Bro. Martin experienced first-hand as a student and then learned to develop with his own students as a Brother. “From the very beginning, it’s ingrained in us that you try to reach the whole student. It’s a person sitting there, and you’ve got to get to know that person. Rather than just a job to do, it’s working with people.”

Bro. Martin saw many changes during his 23 years here, including the adoption of the iPad-based Educational Technology Program.

In 2012, he was asked to be one of the teachers in the school’s pilot program, in which he was the only freshman teacher. After 46 years as a teacher, he was learning an entirely new way to reach his students – and he was one of the most successful early adopters of the technology. “You have to incorporate new things. Keep adapting and moving along with it – that’s essential. When new things come along, you evaluate them, take what you can from them and move on to the next thing.”

In 2017, Bro. Martin was approached with a request to take on a new assignment as one of three administrators at La Salle Hall in Beltsville, MD, a retirement center for Christian Brothers. While Bro. Martin said he never had any desire to leave St. John’s, he had to consider what would come next for him – and this assignment was completely different from any he’s had in the last 51 years.

“The Brothers saw another opportunity where they thought I could do some work. After thinking about it and listening to them, I thought, maybe it is time to move on.”

Although he plans to organize outings for La Salle Hall’s residents to attend St. John’s events, as well as outings to San Miguel School and Calvert Hall College High School, he said he will really miss the rhythm of the school year – and his students. “That’s the hardest part of leaving – not working with kids. I still love the first day of school!” Though he won’t be teaching here at St. John’s, generations of Cadets will carry the lessons they learned from him throughout their lifetimes. He truly touched the minds and hearts of his students.

FEATURE

Congratulations

Class of

FEATURE

Valedictory Address “Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

This is a quote by photographer Elliott Erwitt. There has always been the potential for finding something interesting in an ordinary place at St. John’s. I am talking about one thing in particular. Something that each of us passed every day, something that you paid attention to occasionally, but overlooked on most days. That thing will soon include your own name and picture indefinitely into the future.

If you haven’t guessed by now, I am talking about “the wall.” The wall down Heritage Hallway that is lined with every face and name of any person who has graduated from St. John’s for over a century. Walking by, the seemingly infinite frames and photos are nothing but ordinary. But how many of us have searched the wall for a sibling, an uncle? Old teachers, or Kevin Plank?

How many of us have looked into a random picture, peering into the life of a person who experienced the Great Depression or World War II through the eyes of high school? Years ago, those people had no idea that you and I would search the wall for their names. At their high school graduation, nothing was separating James Kimsey from the person to his left. They were all equal, with equal opportunity. Was this not the goal of St. John Baptiste de La Salle, to provide equal educational opportunities for everyone?

Welcome,

Class of 2017, to your last day of high school.

So, have we as individuals and as a class justified and validated the life goal of De La Salle? We open each class in the Lasallian tradition of reminding ourselves that we are in the holy presence of God. In just this last year alone, this means we have done this approximately 1,440 times. And through all four years, 5,760 times. That’s almost once per every manatee there is in the world, and clocks in just under how many math homework problems I’ve skipped over the last four years. And for that, Mr. Lander, Ms. Solera, Mr. Sheehy and Mr. Darko, I offer my most sincere apologies and regret.

NICHOLAS WARNER ’17

Our educational opportunity began with a universal first assignment – to read I, St. John Baptist de La Salle. One quote from it in particular stands out to me: “John Baptiste de La Salle…laid down his life so that the poor and illiterate children of France might live. He poured himself out.

He emptied himself that others might be filled up…responding to life with a full and willing heart…He was a man cultivating growth in himself and in his brothers and sisters throughout the world.”

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But when we do something repeatedly, it begins to influence our outward actions, in addition to solidifying a certain state of mind. So it should come as no shock that I can recall a number of times that, not just an individual student, but our whole class acted in such a manner that definitively proves the manifestation of these words into our mental and emotional makeup.

We have given and acted to such an extent that the Lasallian Youth Club has been expanded by members of our class. We rallied behind one another to pull together and beat Gonzaga in annual canned-food drives. We often prayed aloud when an opposing player was hurt at a sporting event. We have proven ourselves to be a collective, living embodiment of the goal of De La Salle.

St. John Baptiste De La Salle also firmly believed in educating the whole person.

On that note, in our time here, we have been witness to sports teams ending

championship droughts: field hockey, wrestling, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ and boys’ basketball. And somehow, against all odds, in the biggest underdog story of our time, we saw the Harlem Globetrotters recruit Mr. Hovan. We’ve also had no trouble filling up those trophy cases in the brand new performing arts wing with hardware and awards, and in terms of academics, well, to quote Mr. Darko quoting the movie Mean Girls, “The limit does not exist.”

But a transition like this doesn’t simply happen. It’s a process, a journey. There is a famous thought experiment called “The Allegory of the Cave” in Plato’s Republic.

A group of people are born in captivity and chained inside an enclosure. These prisoners can only see a collection of moving shadows on a cave wall created by people in front of a fire. The prisoners are not aware of any existence other than the shadows, not even of the people creating the shadows. Naturally, they come to believe that reality is simply those shadows, and that nothing else exists.

When we first entered St. John’s, our position was very much that of the initial state of the chained men: we didn’t know all there was to know about ourselves, that there was more to life than what was directly in front of us in the form of shadows. At Freshman Orientation, our first day of high school and the opposite of today, Mr. Mancabelli spoke to us and said that at St. John’s we would encounter a variety of experiences, and that we would have good days and bad days here. I remember thinking to myself, “I’m just trying to make it through today, I can’t be worried about how I’m going to be feeling a week, a month or

Class of

a year from now.” But Mr. Mancabelli was simply attempting to broaden our view past that of the prisoner, of only seeing shadows and what is directly in front of us. Even though we were still preoccupied with the shadows, he was getting us ready for the next step in the prisoner’s journey.

That next step, Plato goes on to say, is when one of the prisoners is taken outside of the cave. His eyes would initially be blinded by his first experience of light, and he would want to go back into the cave, to what he knows to be his reality. But if he were forced to stay outside by somebody aware of the true nature of reality, his eyes would gradually adjust to the light and he would soon come to see that reality is more than just shadows.

And you and I were soon taken outside of the cave and shown more of the world, possibly against our will at first. But fostering this first experience outside of the cave, fostering the trust, was something that was paid particular attention at St. John’s.

of the cave. And so the other prisoners would then resist being taken out of the cave, assuming that whatever is outside must have harmed the freed prisoner’s eyes.

Now that our initial enlightenment is complete, it is time to go back into the cave, this time through our own desires, in order to make an imprint on the real world, to use our heightened sense of reality to change something, to change someone who is still under the illusion of the shadows. At St. John’s we have been trained to desire, to look past our own experience of shadows for something beyond. And how you choose to act when you go back into the cave, whether or not you persist in bringing out your fellow prisoner toward enlightenment, is how you will be remembered on the wall.

“Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an

ordinary place…

It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

As of now, the pictures that will soon be placed down the main hallway on that timeless wall are just that: ordinary. And the picture is never going to change. It is static. But you have the ability to change the perception, the observation of that picture. You can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. In five years, 10 years, 100 years, what is it that is going to make a St. John’s student come down the hall searching for your name? Somebody sometime in the future is going to come look at our picture, the picture for 2017.

Make them look for your name.

The first thing that comes to mind is service. You may not have liked it at first, the change of light and the sun hurt your eyes, just like it did the prisoner, but people who knew better than you ensured that once your eyes adjusted, the experience would be invaluable. Regarding our views before the transition, to quote Mr. Crawford: “It wasn’t super, super 100% wrong, but basically it was totally wrong.” And I think we all can see that now, because through four years of experience, our eyes became accustomed to the true realities of our families, parishes and the marginalized community. So with eyes now adjusted to the suddenness of the light, that early experience of the external world, outside of the cave, is something you look back upon as worthwhile.

Plato finishes by saying if the prisoner were to go back in the cave to free his fellow prisoners so that they, too, could experience the goodness of his newly discovered real world, then he would again be blinded initially, this time by the sudden darkness SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 19

FEATURE

Commencement Awards EXCELLENCE IN ART

EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES

Mackenzie Thompson

Katherine Weinsheimer

EXCELLENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH

John Emmanuel Dagdag

Madeleine Deye

BRO. MARTIN ZEWE ENGLISH

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

DEPARTMENT AWARD

Hannah London

Alexandra Heyl and Reese Mona

EXCELLENCE IN FRENCH

THEATRE AWARD

Kyleigh Petersen

Katherine Weinsheimer

EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMING ARTS – INSTRUMENTAL

LASALLIAN CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD

Emily Lindsay EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMING ARTS – CHORAL

Alexandra Heyl EXCELLENCE IN CADET CORPS STUDIES

Julia Miller EXCELLENCE IN LATIN

Ayomiposi Adewakun EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS

Emily Lindsay EXCELLENCE IN RELIGION

Beth Rendely EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE

Leana Hohman

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Cooper Coviello CITIZENSHIP AWARD

Trever Buonomo CARDINAL’S AWARD

Viola Lohsen PRINCIPAL’S AWARD

Jabari Cook SALUTATORIAN

Moira Greaney VALEDICTORIAN

Nicholas Warner

Class of

Appalachian State University Arizona State University Bellarmine University Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Boston College Bowie State University Bridgewater College Bucknell University Butler University California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Hawaii Pacific University High Point University Hollins University Indiana University at Bloomington James Madison University John Carroll University Juniata College Lafayette College Lehigh University Longwood University Loyola University Chicago

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Sacred Heart University Saint Francis University Saint Joseph’s University Salisbury University Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design Shepherd University

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THIS FALL, THE 268 GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2017 ARE ATTENDING 145 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE CLASS COLLECTIVELY EARNED MORE THAN $30 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. Cedarville University Champlain College Christopher Newport University Coastal Carolina University College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross College of William and Mary Columbia University Davidson College Davis & Elkins College Denison University Drexel University Duke University Duquesne University East Carolina University Eastern University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Fisher College Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College Frostburg State University Gannon University George Mason University Georgetown University Goldey-Beacom College Hampton University

Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Manhattan College Marymount University Methodist University Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University Montana State University, Bozeman Morehouse College Mount St. Mary’s University New York Institute of Technology New York University North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina State University Northeastern University Ohio University Old Dominion University Otterbein University Pennsylvania State University Purdue University Quinnipiac University Radford University Randolph-Macon College Regis University

Spelman College St. John’s University – Queens Campus St. Mary’s College of Maryland Stonehill College Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University The Catholic University of America The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina The George Washington University The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Scranton The University of Tampa Towson University Trinity Washington University United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy Preparatory School

University of California, Berkley University of Colorado Boulder University of Connecticut University of Dayton University of Delaware University of Florida University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Miami University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of New Hampshire at Durham University of New Mexico University of Notre Dame University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Rhode Island University of San Diego University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Valley Forge University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin – Madison Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Military Institute Virginia State University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington College Washington University in St. Louis West Virginia University Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana York College of Pennsylvania

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 21

SPORTS AT ST. JOHN’S

A Championship

Year for the Cadets

FROM BEGINNING TO END, THE 2016-2017 ATHLETIC SEASON W AS ONE OF ST. JOHN’S STRONGEST IN RECENT YEARS.

WCAC COACHES OF THE YEAR----

• Corey Kelly, Field Hockey • Sean McAloon, Boys’ Basketball

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7

CROSS COUNTRY----

Cady Hyde ’20 won the individual WCAC championship, the first in St. John’s history

League Titles

• Jonathan Scribner, Girls’ Basketball • Wes Speaks, Boys’ Lacrosse • Cam Watkins, Wrestling ALL-MET PLAYER OF THE YEAR----

2

FIELD HOCKEY----

Won a second consecutive WCAC title, finished the season ranked #6 in The Washington Post

1

• Aisha Sheppard ’17, Girls’ Basketball WCAC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR----

• Eric Harrison ’17, Track and Field • Colin Hinton ’17, Boys’ Lacrosse • Jack Roberts ’17, Baseball • Aisha Sheppard ’17, Girls’ Basketball DC GATORADE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR----

• Rebecca Frye ’18, Volleyball • Kasim Hill ’17, Football • Jack Roberts ’17, Baseball • Aisha Sheppard ’17, Girls’ Basketball

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First Team All-WCAC Players

SPORTS AT ST. JOHN’S

FOOTBALL----

5

Played in the WCAC championship for the second time since 1989, finished the season ranked #4 in The Washington Post

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL----

Won both the WCAC and DCSAA titles, finished the season ranked #1 in The Washington Post and #2 nationally by USA TODAY

5

11

First Team All-Met Players

4

City Championships

3 3

GIRLS’ SOCCER----

4

VOLLEYBALL----

Won the DCSAA title, played for the WCAC championship, finished the season ranked #4 in The Washington Post

4

Won fourth consecutive DCSAA title – St. John’s remains the only team to win the DC city championship

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 23

SPORTS AT ST. JOHN’S

(From left) Zoe Schmitt ’19, Antoinette Centanni ’17, Amalia Grobbel ’18, Calli Singdahlsen ’19, Iris Moseley ’20 and Coach Marie Gelso at the ISHS Invitational on March 12.

EQUESTRIAN TEAM EARNSVARSITY STATUSAfter a stellar year of competition in 2016-2017, St. John’s equestrian team has been promoted to a varsity sport. Last year’s riders saw success after success, resulting in winning Reserve Champion in the InterSchool Horse Show series in the spring. The ISHS series features riders from more than 42 schools in the region, 15 of which are highly competitive. To achieve this prestigious ranking, each rider earned points and ribbons at shows throughout the year. The team will compete in the ISHS series again this year, this time with both varsity and junior varsity riders.

A Championship

Year for the Cadets 6

GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY----

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WRESTLING----

Won the MAPHL championship, promoted to varsity sport for 2017-2018

6

Won the WCAC championship (St. John’s first since 1979) and a fourth consecutive DC city championship, finished the season ranked #3 in The Washington Post

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7

SPORTS AT ST. JOHN’S

8

8

BASEBALL----

9

BOYS’ LACROSSE----

10

TRACK AND FIELD----

Won fourth consecutive WCAC championship, finished the season ranked #4 in The Washington Post

Won the first WCAC championship in St. John’s history, ending Gonzaga’s 84-game winning streak and seven-year championship run; finished the season ranked #4 in The Washington Post

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Won 11 gold medals at the WCAC outdoor track and field championships and had six first-place finishes at the DCSAA indoor championships

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FOOTBALL-SIGNING DAY 2017On Feb. 1, nine seniors signed National Letters of Intent to continue their football careers at the college level.

Front row, from left: Stanley Hubbard (University of Connecticut), Kasim Hill (University of Maryland), Kofi Wardlow (Notre Dame University), Arik Smith (West Point) and Ryan Vessels (Gannon University); back row: Demani Hansford (US Air Force Academy), Cam Spence (University of Maryland), Darryl McDaniel (Villanova University) and Tyree Johnson (Texas A&M University)

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE SJC ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME’S CLASS OF 2018

We are now accepting at-large nominations for the 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

The ceremony will be held in November 2018.

You may submit your nominations via email to Mark Gibbs at mgibbs@stjohnchs.org. You may also download the official ballot from the Athletic Hall of Fame website at www.stjohnschs.org/halloffame and mail it to: St. John’s College High School Attn: Mark Gibbs 2607 Military Road, NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015 All alumni have five at-large nominations. Nominees must have graduated no later than 2008.

Nominations must be received by Feb. 3, 2018.

A list of all current Athletic Hall of Fame members and the election procedures are available on the Hall of Fame website, www.stjohnschs.org/halloffame.

ALUMNI ACTION

Sophia Baker ’13:

NCAA Rowing Champion This May, Sophia Baker ’13 and the University of Washington’s women’s rowing team swept the NCAA tournament to take home the national championship. They are the first team in the 21-year history of the NCAA rowing championship to sweep all three grand titles.

The Huskies were ranked #1 going into the championship, having also swept the Pac-12 conference championship. The varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four, Baker’s boat, won all nine races at the three-day regatta before winning all three finals.

Sophia and her twin sister, Eva ’13, began rowing their freshman year at St. John’s, which was only the second year that SJC offered the program.

The sport was completely new to them, but they quickly grew to both love and excel at competing on the water. Eva committed to row for the University of Rhode Island on National Signing Day in November 2012. Sophia initially planned to attend the University of Vermont and wasn’t sure she would continue to row in college. One of St. John’s assistant coaches, CJ Miller, had attended UW and convinced her to visit the campus and meet the coaches. Baker said she loved it and committed to row for the Huskies that spring.

However, her college career was plagued by injury, which kept her sidelined for most of her first three years. When she returned for her senior year, she was healthy and ready to earn her place in one of the varsity boats. The team had a new coach, and the time was right for both Baker and the Huskies to

take their performance to the next level. “Our team had the power. Our new coach and the new staff really harnessed it.”

Baker’s varsity four boat was undefeated for the 2017 season, an impressive feat in such a challenging field of competitors. “It was definitely our toughest season – the competition constantly pushed us to be faster.” The culmination of their hard work was the NCAA championship in Princeton, NJ, and the team was ready. “Rowing is a sport that challenges your physical capacity, as well as your mental toughness. Being a female athlete, especially on an elite level, has taught me to practice brilliance with resilience. Sweeping the NCAA championship meant so much more than the word ‘win’ can summarize. For me and my teammates, it meant everything that led up to it.”

Her entire family made the trip to New Jersey to cheer Baker on, including her parents, Felicia Zannino-Baker and Bobby Baker ’69, her brother, Jerry ’12, and Eva. “Of my collegiate career, it was the first and only race my family got to see first-hand. Having my family there was a huge factor – they were, and still are my motivation. Every day.”

Baker graduated in June with a bachelor’s degree in film and computer animation. She returned to UW this fall to serve as a teaching and production assistant in the School of Computer Science and Engineering’s Animation Research Labs. She plans to continue rowing and hopes to one day compete in the Head of the Charles regatta with Eva.

Sophia Baker ’13 was a member of the University of Washington rowing team that swept the NCAA championships this spring.

Baker rowed in the UW varsity four boat this spring.

From left: Bobby Baker ’69, Jerry Baker ’12, Eva Baker ’13, Sophia Baker ’13 and Felicia ZanninoBaker at the championships.

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 27

Planned Giving at St. John’s

Have You Thought About Your Legacy?

The De La Salle Legacy Society secures St. John’s future through planned gifts and provides another option for charitable giving. The most common type of planned gift is a bequest, but there are other opportunities that can provide income to you or your loved ones, as well as capital gains and estate tax relief.

POPULAR WAYS TO GIVE • Wills and Living Trusts • Beneficiary Designations

GIFTS THAT PROVIDE INCOME • Charitable Annuities • Charitable Remainder Trusts

“I have had a very successf ul career in both the military and business world. The fundamental skills and val ues that shaped m e into the person that I am today can be significantl y attributed to the foundatio n I acquired at St. John’s. W ith that said, I thought it was very importan t for me to giv e back and support St. J ohn’s in any way I could. For m e, the biggest impact that I could endow in the most ch aritable and affordable way was to make St. John’s a be neficiary of an existing whol e life insuran ce policy I had th at was no longer neces sary. The best part of this le gacy gift is th at I could struct ure it any way I wanted or m ake it with n o strings attach ed and let St. John’s use as they see fit.”

— ALVIN PERK

INS ’75

MORE WAYS TO GIVE • • • • •

Charitable Lead Trusts Endowed Gifts Memorials and Tribute Gifts Real Estate Donor-Advised Funds

DE LA SALLE LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Anessi ’52 Mr. John R. Aydinian ’71 Mr. Henry G. Beuchler ’25 Mr. and Mrs. George H. Cain ’38 Mr. Timothy Lawrence Cox, Jr. ’56 Mr. Paul J. De Marco ’43 Mr. and Mrs. Louis T. Donatelli ’52 Mr. Gerald J. Donegan ’73 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Giacalone ’55

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If you are interested in learning more about planned giving or have already included St. John’s in your estate, please contact Tom Veith, associate director of development, at tveith@stjohnschs.org or 202-364-0229, ext. 1078. You can also visit our website at www.stjohnschs.org/plannedgiving.

Mr. and Mrs. Dik N. Glass ’71 Mr. Timothy W. ’71 and Mrs. Mary E. Hannan Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Hellmuth ’44 Mrs. Helen Hellmuth Mr. Joseph M. and Dr. Mary Ellen Hrutka Mr. Paul E. Kennedy ’63 Mr. Francis Malloy 1920 Ms. Grace J. Mattaro Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Miller ’69

Rev. Raymond. C. O’Brien, Esq. ’62 Mr. John T. Peak, Esq. ’63 Col. Alvin A. Perkins ’75 Dr. and Mrs. Albert C. Pierce ’62 LCDR Stewart E. Reuter Mr. and Mrs. William G. Scaggs ’54 Mr. and Mrs. George A. Valanos Ms. Marian L. Weinaug

If you are a member of the De La Salle Legacy Society and your name is not listed above, please contact Tom Veith at tveith@stjohnschs.org or (202) 364-0229, ext. 1078.

ALUMNI ACTION

Alumni Gather at the Sixth Annual Matt Dillon Golf Tournament

Dillon ’69, who passed away in 2011, as well as to help reunite St. John’s alumni with friends, family and teammates.

From left: Alfio Bruno ’70, Ron Serabian ’69, Joe McNamara ’70, Mike Cady ’69 and Pete McNamara ’74 at the 2017 tournament.

Each September, members of the St. John’s community come together for the Matt Dillon Golf Tournament at Ocean City Golf Club in Maryland. The tournament was established to honor Matt

Dillon was a strong supporter of the SJC football and baseball programs, and some of the tournament’s proceeds are donated to support these teams each year. Over the last six years, the tournament has raised more than $100,000 to support St. John’s and other charitable organizations.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Sept. 7-8, 2018. For more information, visit www.mattdillongolf.com.

Save the Date St. John’s Theatre Hall of Fame Induction Friday, April 13, 2018 The Theatre Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding talent in the theatrical arts, both at St. John’s and beyond. __________

THE 2018 INDUCTEES Joseph Siravo ’73 J. Patrick Raftery ’76 Howard Dent, Director/Producer 1977-1989 Stephanie Arapian ’97 Chris Wilson ’03 __________

More information will be available later this year.

To learn more about St. John’s Theatre Hall of Fame, please visit www.stjohnschs.org/thof.

St. John’s Annual

Thanksgiving Eve

Party

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 CASSIDY COMMONS DINING HALL 7 – 10 P.M.

St. John's Annual Thanksgiving Eve Party Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

JOIN THE ST. JOHN’S ALUMNI COMMUNITY FOR BEER, WINE, HEAVY APPETIZERS AND FELLOWSHIP! TICKET PRICES: $10/person online (through Nov. 17) • $20/person at the door

PLEASE BRING A DONATION OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD TO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Attendees should park in St. John’s Oregon Street lot.

Visit www.stjohnschs.org/alumnievents for more information and online registration.

Presented by St. John’s Alumni Council Hosted by Kevin Plank ’90, Matt Ritz ’97, Bill Mulholland ’76, Brendan Quinn ’89, Matt Conway ’85 and Pat Dunn ‘03

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FEATURE

When St. John’s first female students graduated in 1992, it added another important dimension to our already diverse community.

As scholars, leaders, athletes and artists, St. John’s girls have helped lead the student body and enriched the experience of each graduating class.

Here we celebrate some of the many milestones that have occurred since the first female students graduated 25 years ago.

1992

St. John’s first coed senior class included 16 girls from Immaculata High School, which had to close its doors in 1991.

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 31

1992

The Class of also included two individual firsts for St. John’s: the school’s first female Cadet Corps officer, Tara Renzi Mastro ’92 (second from left), and the first female salutatorian, Kristin Hosmer ’92 (second from right).

The school’s first female senior class president, Ellen Piwko ’94, was elected in .

1993

1991-1992

The school year marked the first time St. John’s Theatre cast both male and female SJC students in the year’s two shows, Our Town and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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FEATURE

1997

In , Lindsey Wilkes LoPresti ’98 was chosen as the first female Cadet Colonel of St. John’s Cadet Corps.

In

1995

, the student body elected the first female president of the Student Government Association, Natalie Wagstaffe ’96.

1997

In April , St. John’s Theatre staged its first production with an all-female cast, the musical Nunsense.

1996

The Class of heard from St. John’s first female valedictorian, Dr. Alexis Gorden McCary ’96, at their graduation ceremony.

The girls’ varsity basketball team won the first of many league titles for St. John’s in . Overall, the program has earned eight WCAC titles.

1998

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 33

2004

In , St. John’s varsity volleyball team won the program’s first WCAC championship.

The girls’ varsity soccer team brought home their first WCAC championship in ; the team has won four league titles overall.

2005

2012

In , two alumnae marked important St. John’s milestones: Jamie Ricca Ready ’96 (left) was the first female inducted into St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and Kristin Hosmer ’92 (right) was the first alumna to join St. John’s Board of Trustees.

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FEATURE

2006

In the fall of , the girls’ varsity tennis team won their first WCAC championship. In all, the girls’ tennis program has earned six league championships.

St. John’s varsity field hockey team won the school’s first WCAC championship in the fall of ; the girls repeated as league champions in .

2015

2016

St. John’s girls’ ice hockey team, in only its third year, won their first MAPHL-A league title in

2017.

2016

In , Cady Hyde ’20 won the first individual girls’ cross country championship in St. John’s history.

2017

In November , Maj. Mary O’Donnell ’02, MD, will be the first alumna to receive St. John’s President’s Medal, the school’s highest honor.

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 35

PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO GALLERY

Bay Area Alumni Reception – March 23, 2017

California Alumni Tailgate – Sept. 1, 2017

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PHOTO GALLERY

New York Alumni Reception – April 5, 2017

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 37

PHOTO GALLERY

Class of 1967 – June 1-2, 2017

Boston Alumni Reception – Sept. 27, 2017

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PHOTO GALLERY

Class of 1972 – Sept. 22, 2017

Philadelphia Alumni Reception – Oct. 11, 2017 Mask and Wig Reunion – May 6, 2017

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 39

PHOTO GALLERY

Class of 1987 – Sept. 22, 2017

Class of 1977 – Sept. 22, 2017

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Are You Following Us? Connect with St. John’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with the school and stay up to date on the latest news and events! instagram.com/stjohnschs | facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeHighSchool @StJohnsCHS | @SJCAthletics

PHOTO GALLERY

Doc Scalessa Golf Tournament

1

5

8 1 Ron Serabian ’69 (center) with his two foursomes, including Joe McNamara ’70, Alfio Bruno ’70, Patrick Serabian, Joe McNamara III, Ryan Serabian ’06, Tim Cantilena ’06, Ryan White and Lou Cantilena

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2

Alex Kozar ’63, John Thiel ’65 and Billy Wilder ’63, pictured with Jeff Mancabelli, kept their fourth spot open in memory of their friend George Kalas ’65, who died in 2016. “For these men, it is more than a golf game. It is a lifetime of friendships. George, you will be missed,” Mancabelli said.

9 2 Michael Brogan ’82, John Metz ’82, Jeff Mancabelli, Scott Silverstein ’08 and Gary Potts ’82

4 Mark Hughes ’75, Jeff Mancabelli, Fred Ugast ’75, Pat Patton ’75 and Denis Harper ’75

3 Chad Bollweg ’89, Christian Magnolia ’88, Willy Hoffman ’87 and Geoff Pisarra ’88

5 Alex Bieber, James Bieber ’65, Jason Bieber, Florentino Gregorio and Jeff Mancabelli

PHOTO GALLERY

6 Tim Brant ’67, Mike Brant ’65, Jeff Mancabelli, David Murphy ’65 and Ed McArdle ’65 7 Spiro Macheras, Jeff Mancabelli, Bob Pfeifer ’75, Ed Rhoades and Bart Popeck

3

4

6

7

10

11

8 Bobby Browning ’85, Jeff Mancabelli, Greg Farrah ’88, Mark Macpeak ’88, Pooh Strachan ’88, Mark Tropea ’88, Matt Tropea ’94, Andy Zamora ’88 and John Scango ’88

9 Brian Sheehan ’83, Matt Chalfant, Jeff Mancabelli, Matt Conway ’85 and JP Ward 10 This year’s putting contest drew a lot of interest.

11 Brian Griffin, Tom Crowell and Billy Goodman

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 43

CLASS NOTES

Do you have news to share with the St. John’s community?

We want to hear from you! Submit your class notes and pictures to classnotes@stjohnschs.org.

1966

Last October, Alfred Giovetti was elected president of the National Society of Accountants (NSA) at the NSA’s 71st Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL. From Paul Whelton: “My wife Barbara retired from the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York City after 47 years of faithful service to the citizens of this great country! Go St. John’s.”

1978

Eliot Johnson accepted a new position this year as senior vice president with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and Hospitality Group in Virginia.

1987

1967

From Tim Williams: “My wife and I retired from our careers in trust and investment banking and moved to our Christmas tree farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. When not running the farm, we enjoy friends, travel, local events, our daughters, grandkids and driving vintage cars. I’m also having fun playing piano and acoustic finger-style guitar.”

1977

After 20 years of service, Chaplain Lt. Col. Stephen Tillett retired from the U.S. Air Force in January.

He had served as the wing chaplain at the DC Air National Guard, senior IMA wing chaplain at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in NC and senior IMA chaplain at Arlington National Cemetery.

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2005

After almost five years in the Army as a member of the elite Army Rangers (third battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment) and three deployments to Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, Patrick Bacon came back home to serve the citizens of Washington, DC, as a police officer in the Fifth District. He was shot in the line of duty in February, along with his partner. Fortunately, both will recover and both received the Chief of Police Special Award for 2017. (See photo.)

2008 Devin Hughes has published a new book, Tangie and the Bitter King, a picture book for young and early readers focusing on themes of inclusion and diversity.

2001

Erin Feliciano Otwell and husband Alex welcomed their first daughter, Ines Cecilia Otwell, on March 27.

They currently reside in Arlington, VA.

Gerald Moore and wife Jennifer welcomed their firstborn son, Noah Carter Moore, to the world on June 9, 2017.

“Noah has brought lots of joy to our lives and to our loved ones as well. We’re excited to watch him grow and develop.”

CLASS NOTES

From left: Dave Queen ’78, Eliot Johnson ’78, Tyrone Barber ’78 and Charlie Sanders ’79 reunited at the Gonzaga football game in November 2016.

Police officer Patrick Bacon ’05 (left) and his partner, Antoine Brathwaite, received the Chief of Police Special Award for 2017.

The Class of 1954 met at Chad’s Restaurant in April 2017. From left: Ed McNamara, Dave Rogers, Gerry Meyer, Dick Dent, Jerry Paull, Nick Smart, Bernie McCarthy, Brian Cunningham and Phil Mudd.

Matthew Johnson ’10 spent his summer at Disneyland as a member of the All-American College Band 2017. This fall he headed to the University of Texas in Austin to begin work on his doctorate in music.

Chris Dunckel ’08 teaches English in Suncheon, South Korea, as part of the English Program in Korea (EPIK). He’s been there since 2016, and he renewed his contract for another year this summer. “So far, the experience has been everything I imagined it would be, and many things more.”

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 45

CLASS NOTES

The Otero family gathered with friends to honor the Otero brothers and RT Smith ’74.

Dr. Mary O’Donnell ’02, an Army surgeon in Ft. Belvoir, VA, is to be married to Benjamin Drake, a territory manager for The Garland Company.

O’Donnell is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Francis O’Donnell of Washington, DC. Drake is the son of Philip Drake and Natalie Thieret of Pittsburgh, PA. They are planning a 2018 wedding.

This fall, SJC President Jeff Mancabelli had the pleasure and privilege to meet Bob Miller ’36, possibly the oldest living SJC alumnus! They are pictured with his daughter, Joanne Genevish. Bob is the uncle of Michael Hartnett ’77, William Flynn ’68 and William Usilton ’63.

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Lou Donatelli ’52 (left) and Phil Mudd ’54 sat together at the St. John’s football game on Sept. 9, 2017.

CONDOLENCES Our deceased alumni, faculty and friends are enrolled as perpetual members of the St. La Salle Auxiliary. The Christian Brothers and the entire St. John’s community offer their prayers and condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.

(Includes notices received from Feb. 1 - Sept. 15, 2017.)

ALUMNI

1937

James Hough

1957

1968

John Cahill

Michael Auth Peter Huber Julien Milihran Edward Welkener

1943

1959

Angelo Massino

Frank Hewitt

1946

1960

Robert Silk

Bruce McLaughlin

John Miceli Robert Smith Vincent Taylor

1947

1961

1975

Robert Mawhinney

George McCully

1952

1962

1986

1942

Joseph Offenbacher

1953

Warren Paul Rothe

1955

Donald Exner

Edward Maione Patrick Shea

1964

N. John Shea William Ring

Kevin Hylind Edwin Stohlman

1971

James Kranking

1974

Rene Otero

Eduardo Potillo

2009

Kayla Perry

2017

Gabriela Garay

SJC | Scarlet & Grey | Fall 2017 47

CONDOLENCES

FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN’S Alday, Genoveva, mother of Javier Alday ’92

Griffin, Barbara Jean, wife of Earl Griffin ’39

Alston, Gary, SJC staff

Grimsley, William, brother of Kenneth Grimsley, SJC staff

Avon, Erma, former SJC Mothers’ Club president; mother of Richard Avon ’10 Borden, Stephen, brother of Daniel Borden ’69 (deceased) and Vincent Borden ’76 Burton, Matthew, son of Dennis Burton ’65 Cahill, John ’42, brother of Thomas Cahill ’46 and Robert Cahill ’49 Chase, Mary Elizabeth, mother-in-law of Rosemary Williams, SJC staff; grandmother of Jon Williams ’10 and James Williams ’14 Cicala, Vincent, father of Thomas Cicala ’72 Deen, Marguerite “Margie,” mother of Jeremy Deen ’89 and Michael Deen ’08 Deskevich, Lorraine, mother of Joseph Deskevich, Jr. ’85 Didden, Albert Sr., father of Albert Didden, Jr. ’55 and Robert Didden ’56 Elbin, Mary, mother of Carl Elbin, Jr. ’71 Espinosa, Veronica, mother of Jorge Espinosa ’83; grandmother of Esteban Espinosa ’19 and Isabella Espinosa ’21 Exner, Donald ’55, brother of William Exner ’53 Gallagher, Marie, mother of Hugh Gallagher ’76 Garay, Gabriela ’17, sister of Walter Garay ’13 Glover, Kenneth, father of Evan Glover ’08 and Jonathan Glover ’12

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Guthrie, Robert, father of Megan Guthrie ’04 Halpin, Catherine, wife of John Halpin ’44 Head, Dan, brother-in-law of Thomas Locraft ’52 Iuculano, Russel, father of Timothy Iuculano ’02

McLindon, Sandra, wife of Burns McLindon ’52 (deceased); mother of Edmond McLindon ’84; grandmother of Margaret Flores ’14 and Julian Flores ’16; great aunt of Andrew McLindon ’11 McNamara, Alice, mother of Joseph McNamara ’70, Peter McNamara ’74 and James McNamara ’76; aunt of John McNamara ’70, Thomas McNamara ’71 and Robert McNamara ’78

Jackson, George, SJC staff

Miceli, John ’74, brother of Orazio Miceli ’70; uncle of Francis Sawyer ’08

Kane, Geraldine “Gerry,” mother of Kevin Kane ’71, Stephen Kane ’73 and Brian Kane ’75

Mitchell, Eric, son of Glenn Mitchell ’54; uncle of Emma Mitchell ’19

Kranking, James “Andy” ’71, father of Cara Kranking ’12, Emily Kranking ’12, Stephen Kranking ’12 and Timothy Kranking ’12; brother of David Kranking ’77 Kruczek, Margaret Mary, mother of Michael Kruczek ’71 Lamond, Angus “Smokey” III, father of Angus Scott Lamond ’87 and Christopher Lamond ’90 Lavallee, Ana “Anita,” mother of Fernand Lavallee ’81 and Charles Lavallee ’85 Lawrence, Margaret “Mimi,” wife of Sydney Lawrence ’37 (deceased); sister-in-law of Richard Lawrence ’42; aunt of Richard Lawrence ’67, William Lawrence ’68 and Raymond Lawrence ’72; cousin of Joseph Lawrence ’42 Lenkin, Melvin, friend of St. John’s Marshall, Marie, mother of Grayson Marshall ’84

Nolan, Ann, mother of Timothy Gillam ’69 and Michael Gillam ’72 Otero, Rene ’75, brother of Francis Otero ’68 and Pablo Otero ’72; uncle of Guillermo Otero ’07, Luis Otero ’08 and Maria-Elisa Otero ’10 Patterson, Jerome, father of Malcolm Patterson ’94 Perry, Kayla ’09, sister of Christian Perry ’05 Royals, Kathleen, sister of Thomas Royals ’72; aunt of Bryan Wright ’05 Ruggieri, Jacqueline, mother of Thomas Ruggieri ’74 and Nicholas Ruggieri ’75 Shea, John ’64, brother of James Shea ’51, Edmund Shea ’51, William Shea ’54, Robert Shea ’57 (deceased) and Patrick Shea ’62 (deceased); uncle of Tom Shea ’86 and Daniel Shea ’90; great uncle of Brendan Shea ’21

Shea, Patrick ’62, brother of James Shea ’51, Edmund Shea ’51, William Shea ’54, Robert Shea ’57 (deceased) and John Shea ’64 (deceased); uncle of Tom Shea ’86 and Daniel Shea ’90; great uncle of Brendan Shea ’21 Silk, Robert ’46, father of Robert Silk ’73, John Silk ’75 and William Silk ’78; brother of William Silk ’51 Simpson, Mary, aunt of Eugene Carlin ’73, Joseph Freitag ’65, David Freitag ’69, Richard Freitag ’71 and William Freitag ’79 Siravo, Theresa, mother of Mario Siravo ’65, Ernest Siravo ’67, Joseph Siravo ’73 and Michael Siravo ’76 Stoesser, Thomas, grandfather of Amber Lesniewicz, SJC faculty Stohlman, Edwin ’68, son of Edwin Stohlman ’42 Tyson, John Sr., father of John Tyson, Jr. ’90 and Iman Tyson ’92 Williamson, Thomas Jr., father of Christopher Williamson ’10 and Taylor Williamson ’14 Zambon, Janet O’Boyle, aunt of Seamus O’Boyle ’75, Patrick O’Boyle ’76, Sean O’Boyle ’78 and Timothy O’Boyle ’81; great aunt of Connor O’Boyle ’08, Taylor Veith ’16, Thomas Veith ’18 and Caroline Veith ’21 Zannino, Joseph Jr., fatherin-law of Bobby Baker ’69; grandfather of Jerry Baker ’12, Eva Baker ’13 and Sophia Baker ’13

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8

M

20

of

EUNION R H T 50

AY E 31 - J U N

1,

In 2018, St. John’s will welcome back classes ending in three or eight for their class reunions! ____________ Fall reunion dates will be released this spring.

VISIT www.stjohnschs.org/reunions for the most up-to-date information!

St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Rd., NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015

DALLAS ALUMNI RECEPTION Tuesday, March 20, 2018

THANKSGIVING EVE PARTY Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017

YOUNG ALUMNI MASS AND BRUNCH Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017

NAPLES ALUMNI RECEPTION Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018

LOS ANGELES ALUMNI RECEPTION Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018

ST. JOHN’S ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES AND ALUMNI LUNCHEON Thursday, Feb. 5, 2018

NEW YORK ALUMNI RECEPTION Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THEATRE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY Friday, April 13, 2018

DOC SCALESSA GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, May 11, 2018

CLASS OF 1968 50TH REUNION Thursday, May 31, and Friday, June 1, 2018