Scarlet & Grey Summer 2014

Commencement 2014    Alumni in the Performing Arts

SUMMER 2014

David Howell 38 Years of Service to St. John’s

Photo Gallery

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3 Life at St. John’s 11 Commencement 2014 19 Sports at St. John’s 28 Alumni Action 32 Alumni in the Performing Arts 38 Class Notes 40 Photo Gallery 44 Condolences

From the President

Scarlet & Grey VOL. XXVI • NO. 2  •  SUMMER 2014

St. John’s College High School President

Jeffrey Mancabelli Principal

Bro. Michael Andrejko, FSC Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Michael Esten Director of Development

Mark Gibbs ’96 Director of Communications

Kathy Howe Director of Annual Giving

Deborah DuPont Associate Director of Development

Tom Veith Events Manager

Gerri O’Boyle Database Manager

Lori Martin

Dear St. John’s Community, As the dust settles from graduation and we enjoy the summer months, I would like to share with you the milestones of the past year. The Class of 2014 was the largest graduating class in the history of the school, with 273 students. As we look toward the fall, we welcome the Class of 2018, which was chosen from an extremely competitive pool of over 1,000 applicants. Also, through the dedication and hard work of the administration and faculty, St. John’s successfully integrated 1:1 technology into the curriculum during the course of the year. One of the shining moments of the year was the celebration of Mr. David Howell at this year’s graduation. Mr. Howell joined the St. John’s community in 1976 and dedicated 38 years to the students and the school as a member of our Maintenance Department. He was the employee with the longest tenure and, at the end of June, he retired. Throughout the course of his work, Mr. Howell interacted with over 8,000 students, all of whom are now alumni. I could not think of a more fitting tribute than to honor him at graduation and present him with the seal of St. John’s (pictured on the cover). In a very real way, the hard work of Mr. Howell created the first impression for every visitor to our campus. Mr. Howell is a man of few words who prefers to lead by example. You could set a clock to his work schedule, and many winter nights he slept at the school so the sidewalks would be cleared before the students and faculty arrived. He did all this because he felt he was the caretaker of St. John’s, and he cared for this community as he did his own home and family. His concern for our students reminds me of what St. La Salle told his Brothers: “Have much care and affection for the young people entrusted to you.” (Med 110.3—feast of St. Joseph) We thank Mr. Howell for his selfless service over the past 38 years, and we wish him well. St. John’s will always remember all he has done for us.

Sincerely,

Editor

Kathy Howe Contributor Aubrey Andre

Mr. Jeffrey W. Mancabelli President

Photography

Lawrence French Kathy Howe Art Director

Frank Sheehan St. John’s College High School 2607 Military Road, NW Chevy Chase, DC 20015 www.stjohnschs.org Alumni and Development Office 202.364.0229 | F: 202.363.5091 khowe@stjohnschs.org

On the Cover : David Howell (right) receives the St. John’s College High School seal from Principal Bro. Mike Andrejko at commencement on June 6.

Life at St. John’s

Busy Bees This April, the St. John’s Eco Club completed one of their yearlong initiatives by installing a brand new beehive on the school’s roof. This project has been in the works for the last two school years. When former club members Eva Baker ’13 and Sophia Baker ’13 attended the Students for Sustainability conference in 2013, they examined an observational beehive and learned about the ways these hives can boost their local ecology. They presented this idea to the club, which voted to make it a priority for the 2013-2014 school year. This fall the students, led by Eco Club President Elizabeth Allen ’16, drafted a proposal to bring a hive to St. John’s and presented it to the school’s administration. They also began working with SJC parent Jeff Miller, father of Kaitlin Miller ’16 and the DC representative for

the non-profit organization Georgetown Honeybee Company. With Miller’s help, the club determined the cost to bring in the hive and the responsibilities of caring for their new charges. Their proposal was approved, and Miller helped the club install the hive this April. Next year the club will work with the bees to help the hive become more established, and they hope that it will eventually produce honey. In the meantime, the club believes the hive will have a positive impact on the ecological system surrounding St. John’s. “By introducing the hive, we hope it will decrease aggressive insect species so we can all live in better harmony with our environment. You couldn’t ask for a better location than a rooftop next to Rock Creek Park, with all of its flowering plants!” said Eco Club Advisor Seth Brown.

2014-2015 Cadet Promotions On April 16, the St. John’s community learned the names and ranks of next year’s JROTC leaders, including next year’s Cadet Colonel, Matthew Chapman ’15. The names and new ranks of the senior officers are listed below; for a full list of cadet promotions, visit www.stjohnschs.org/news. • Colonel: Matthew Chapman ’15 • Regimental Sergeant Major: Marcos Melendez ’15

• Lt. Colonel: Matthew Arceo ’15 • Lt. Colonel: Jacob Bearer ’15 • Band Commander, Lt. Colonel: Gregory Smith ’15

Front row, from left: Gregory Smith ’15, Matthew Chapman ’15 and Marcos Melendez ’15; second row: Matthew Belmonte ’15 and Jacob Bearer ’15; back row: Principal Bro. Michael Andrejko, Kyle Smith ’15, Matthew Arceo ’15, Jackson Lefelar ’15 and President Jeff Mancabelli.

• Command Sergeant Major: Matthew Belmonte ’15

• Command Sergeant Major: Jackson Lefelar ’15

• Command Sergeant Major: Kyle Smith ’15

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Life at St. John’s

99th Annual JROTC Pass In Review

• Major Clifford L. Patterson ’86 Scholarship Award:

On May 14, St. John’s held its annual JROTC Awards Ceremony and Pass In Review. This year’s reviewing officer was Commander Larry Bateman, U.S. Navy (Ret.), father of Becca Bateman ’14. In addition to the inspection, the JROTC program presented awards to this year’s exemplary cadets:

• Military Order of the Purple Heart Award: Gregory Smith ’15 • Military Order of the World Wars Award: Andrew Kaibni ’15 • Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award: Elease Cook ’14 • President’s Medal: Brandon Tull ’14 • Principal’s Medal: James Schnurr ’14, Matthew Chapman ’15,

Devante Brooks ’16

• Daughters of the American Revolution Bronze Medal, Sons of the

American Revolution Bronze Medal and Good Citizenship Medal: Daniel Shepp ’14, Caroline Johnson ’14, Thomas Curtis ’15, Alexander Marshall ’16 and Jessica Colvin ’17 • Letters of Appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Andre Andrada ’14 and Eleanor Franc ’14

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Genevieve Pennanen ’16 and Beth Rendely ’17

• Reserve Officer’s Association Award: Becca Bateman ’14 • Sergeant Major Michael J. Hackett Scholarship Award: Julia Miller ’17

• Superior Cadet Award: Daniel Dagdag ’14, Marcos Melendez ’15, Tema Masters ’16 and Ian Rafiuddin ’17

• U.S. Army Cadet Command ROTC Scholarships:

James Schnurr ’14, Daniel Shepp ’14 and Stefano Escoto ’14

Life at St. John’s

Above: Devante Brooks ’16 received the inaugural Major Clifford L. Patterson ’86 Scholarship Award, presented for excellence in team sports, academics and leadership. The scholarship was endowed by members of the Class of 1986 and will be dedicated this September. From left: Erick Armes ’86, Keith O’Donnell ’86, Chuck Sapienza ’86, Eric Zamora ’86, Devante Brooks ’16, Mike Tropea ’86, Keith Pew ’86, Clay Goldston ’86 and Joe Pilkerton ’86. Right: Julia Miller ’17 received the Sergeant Major Michael J. Hackett Scholarship Award, presented for excellence in education and leadership. She is pictured with her parents, Barry and Edith Miller, and St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli.

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Life at St. John’s

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Life at St. John’s

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Gallery Night 2014

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On Feb. 18, St. John’s annual Gallery Night showcased student work from the visual arts program. Awards were given for best in show (for both two- and three-dimensional work), second place and third place, as well as honorable mention and people’s choice. Kahlil Epps ’14 received the Donatelli Art Award, which is presented annually to an upper-level art student for outstanding involvement, service 10 and commitment to art at St. John’s. St. John’s is grateful to this year’s panel of volunteer judges: Stephen Kleindienst ’83, Karin Rodney-Haapala ’96, Michael Edwards ’09, Gregg Burrage and SJC parents James and Clara Latoff. 1. Mickey Demas ’15, Best in Show 2D 2. Richard Kepler ’14, Best in Show 3D 3. James Fookes ’17, Second Place 4. Ilona Fekete ’14, Third Place 5. Alessandra Marchiori ’15, People’s Choice 6. Darian Bassett ’14, Honorable Mention 7. Emelia Carroll ’16, Honorable Mention 8. Mickey Demas ’15, Honorable Mention 9. Hannah London ’17, Honorable Mention 10. Emily McDonald ’14, Honorable Mention 11. Rosie Mpamaugo ’16, Honorable Mention 12. Emily Rosenkoetter ’17, Honorable Mention 13. Lolly Steuart ’14, Honorable Mention 14. Maggie Wood ’15, Honorable Mention 15. Katie Wright ’16, Honorable Mention

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Life at St. John’s

Mickey Demas ’15 Wins Congressional Art Competition On June 4, Mickey Demas ’15 was announced as the Washington, DC, winner of the National Congressional Art Competition. This annual contest is open to visual artists in grades 8-12 and showcases student work from across the country. The first-place winner from each state has the honor of displaying their piece in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The DC competition was sponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who presented Demas with her award. As part of her prize, Demas received a partial scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, her first-choice college, as well as four train tickets for her family to visit her at school. She will also be Norton’s guest at the opening ceremony and reception for the National Exhibit. Demas’ award-winning piece, titled “Madeba,” is a portrait of the late Nel-

son Mandela. It also received honorable mention at St. John’s Gallery Night in February. “Nelson Mandela was and still is one of my role models. He is a symbol of perseverance and an example of how one can overcome their obstacles, no matter how high they may be,” Demas shared. “With this appreciation for the great leader, I surrounded a portrait of him with different words and phrases that are used to describe him. Still, the seemingly many words that fill the background are only a few of those that have been affectionately given to Mandela, to ‘Madeba.’” Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (left), Mickey Demas ’15 (center) and SJC Fine Arts Chair Tiffany Mills attended the awards ceremony and reception for the Congressional Art Competition.

Quinn Field Expansion and Renovation This spring, St. John’s replaced the athletic turf on Quinn Field and added 9,000 square feet to the playing surface. The 10-year-old field turf has been replaced with modern turf, which has longer fibers that allow for a more even field of play. The field has also been expanded to accommodate two practice fields that run east and west; the official playing field for soccer, lacrosse and rugby games will still run north and south.

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Life at St. John’s

The Lasallian Difference: Immersion Experiences Impact Students’ Lives At St. John’s, we honor the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle daily through service learning. Christian service learning is central to the school’s mission, and St. John’s students engage in more than 25,575 hours of service each year. Upon graduation, every student will have completed 90 hours of Christian service. Organized by Tom Sipowicz, coordinator of mission and ministry, and led by campus ministers Debra Emery and Peter Walz, the school offers a variety of daily and week-long immersion experiences throughout the year. “Immersion trips are certainly the most impactful on the students,” stated Sipowicz. “By the time students graduate, they understand their responsibility to use service as an expression of faith.” The Service Immersion Program provides a way for students to understand their personal responsibility to those most in need in communities throughout the country and the world. The weeklong immersion trips take students to more distant locations for longer periods of time than daily class retreats. These trips require more resources and are highly subsidized by the school to foster inclusivity, which means a St. John’s student will be able to take part in any service learning trip they wish. Bro. Mike Andrejko, St. John’s principal, describes immersion experiences as those where you truly feel God’s presence. “The Service Immersion Program at St. John’s puts a human face on the moral teachings of our Catholic faith and our Lasallian heritage. It is here that our students meet the poor as they truly are. It is here that our students meet the face of Jesus and are challenged to become better Christians and better humans,” Andrejko shared. “With this praxis of their faith, our students live out the St. John’s maxim to become women and men for others. We believe that both parties, those serving and those being served, grow into wholeness as human beings.” 10  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

This June, two groups of St. John’s students and faculty members spent part of their summer vacations volunteering at the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT.

Head Librarian Laura Turowski traveled with students on the 2013 immersion trip to the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT, a San Miguel School operated by the Christian Brothers that serves at-risk boys and girls on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She said that on the immersion trip, the work done by the St. John’s students embodied the Lasallian mission as they approached reluctant children and continued to reach out to them and encourage them to participate in their activities. “St. John’s students took the time to get to know the children on an individual basis, trading stories about life at home and learning about life on the reservation. Some of our students struggled with getting to know the most reluctant children; yet they persisted, showing true patience and dedication,” said Turowski.

This June, Cadets returned for a second year to assist the students at De La Salle Blackfeet School. Then in July, at the Romero Center in Camden, NJ, students experienced first hand the life of suffering men and women who struggle with disease, discrimination, misinformation and poverty. When the experiences prove difficult, students turn to their Lasallian values and principles for strength. The desire to serve others is integral to a Lasallian education, and these Christian service experiences provide opportunities for faith, reflection and self-discovery to all who participate. The service immersion experience is an extension of the 300-year-old tradition of remembering the presence of God in our lives. In the words of St. John Baptist de la Salle, “Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.”

On Friday, June 6, the Class of 2014 officially joined the ranks of St. John’s alumni. The 273 graduates crossed the altar at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, shook the hand of St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli and received their diplomas, ready to take their next steps as young adults dedicated to the Lasallian ideals of leadership, achievement and service to the community.

FROM ST. JOHN’S PRESIDENT JEFF MANCABELLI

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n preparation for my remarks today, I spent the last few months meeting with the entire senior class. I asked them: what did they want all of you to know about the Class of 2014? Allow me to share a few of their responses: They want you to know that they are the largest class to graduate from St. John’s – ever. They want you to know that they have eaten more chocolate chip cookies in the school cafeteria than any other class. And the cookies are delicious. They are proud of re-establishing the debate team, growing the performing arts programs to new levels of excellence and the football team for beating Gonzaga twice in one year. They want you to know they appreciated their close relationships with their teachers and credit those teachers for helping to form them into the people they have become. They want you to know that, no matter what, they cared for each other and no one was ever left alone. They want you to know that the senior leadership in JROTC upheld the excellence and traditions of the program. And they want you to know they raised the bar on school spirit and are very proud to be Cadets. 12  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

CLASS OF 2014 VALEDICTORY ADDRESS ALEXA ROMERO “

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, John Baptist de La Salle, was born in a day and age and place quite different from yours. The day was April 30, 1651…” These were just words on a page to me. As incoming freshmen at St. John’s, we were all required to read the little blue book that summarized the life and mission of the founder of the Brothers. At the time, we knew only this: we were to read the 45-page booklet from cover to cover so that we could better understand our school’s history. During the first couple weeks as new students, we were going to discuss the life and role of St. John Baptist de La Salle and be tested on what we read. There was one goal in my mind as I was reading on my porch, enjoying the last few moments of summer: to perform well on the assignment my religion teacher was going to give me. I read about the man, his life, his mission and his vision for the Brothers. Facts and phrases ran through my head, but I read with the intent of knowing the material well enough to get a good grade

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This year’s celebrant was Msgr. John Enzler ’65, president and CEO of Catholic Charities.

on a quiz or test. The blue book, which I am sure most St. John’s students remember from freshman year, did not seem to hold much relevance to my life at the time. Most seniors can remember reading it and placing it aside after their religion classes moved on. I, oddly enough, stumbled upon my copy of the booklet while I was cleaning my room this year and recognized what I had missed when I read it the first time. As a freshman, I was focused on memorizing material and using it in class to get good grades, but what I failed to realize was the true value of that little blue book. Over the past four years, I subconsciously learned what it meant to be a Cadet and what it meant to be part of the vision John Baptist de La Salle had when he formed the Brothers. The point of reading the booklet prior to entering SJC was not so that we could memorize the dates and facts, but rather to understand the roots of our school and what we should strive to do as students during our four short years. I say short loosely because as you all know, portions of those four years seemed to last quite a while. Our teachers never intended to simply teach us material that we could memorize and repeat for exams. Sure, we had to memorize Spanish prayers, mathematical formulas and the dates of events in history, but that was not the goal of the classes and the teachers. The goal was to teach students how to take the material, understand it and apply it to become the best person they could 14  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

be. St. John’s teachers want their students to take the knowledge and skills gained and be able to use them in life. As graduates, we are intended to carry the morals, wisdom, skills and experiences we picked up over four years with us to our colleges, travels, jobs and future relationships. If getting good grades and passing our exams were the only goals the SJC community set for us, then the school would not be structured the way that it is. The opportunities to go to Mass, participate in intrapersonal reflection and take part in social activities all demonstrate the school’s dedication to its students’ education beyond just the classroom. The teachers at St. John’s have demonstrated a passion for education in and outside of the classroom. The spiritual retreats each year, culminating in the Kairos experience, embody the education of the soul that John Baptist de La Salle envisioned. He was a man who gave up his possessions so that he could better relate to his Brothers and work with kids from all backgrounds. Through the spring service trips and partnerships with the San Miguel School, St. John’s students are able to give up their time to others in service with their teachers. Without realizing its value, the Class of 2014 has dedicated over 30,000 hours to others in need. This captures the vision John Baptist de La Salle had for his students and for his Brothers. Not only has St. John’s provided its students with the opportunity to live

HIGHER EDUCATION: LIFE BEYOND ST. JOHN’S The 273 graduates of the Class of 2014 will attend 121 colleges and universities, with a college acceptance rate of 100 percent and a total of $24 million in scholarships.

CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES American University Appalachian State University Arizona State University Auburn University Barry University Baylor University Bellarmine University Beloit College Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Butler University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University The Catholic University of America Centre College Chaminade University of Honolulu The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Clark Atlanta University Clark University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College College of Charleston College of William and Mary The College of Wooster Colorado State University Columbia University Cornell University Creighton University Dartmouth College Davidson College Denison University DePaul University Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University Duquesne University Elon University Emerson College Emory University Fairfield University Fairleigh Dickinson University Ferrum College Florida Institute of Technology Fordham University

Franklin and Marshall College Frostburg State University George Mason University The George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Grinnell College Grove City College Guilford College Hampton University High Point University Howard University Ithaca College James Madison University John Carroll University King’s College London La Salle University Lafayette College Louisiana State University Loyola University of Chicago Loyola University of Maryland Loyola University of New Orleans Manhattan College Marist College Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount University McDaniel College McGill University Merrimack College Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University Millersville University of Pennsylvania Montgomery College Morehouse College Mount St. Mary’s University Muhlenberg College New York University North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northwestern University Ohio University The Ohio State University Ohio Wesleyan University Oklahoma State University Old Dominion University

Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania State University Pitzer College Pratt Institute Providence College Purdue University Queen’s University Quinnipiac University Radford University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhodes College Roanoke College Robert Morris University Rochester Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Sacred Heart University Saint Anselm College Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College Saint Mary’s College of California Saint Michael’s College Salisbury University Salve Regina University San Diego State University Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design Seton Hall University Sewanee: The University of the South Shenandoah University Southern Methodist University Spelman College Spring Hill College St. Bonaventure University St. John’s College St. John’s University St. Lawrence University St. Mary’s College of Maryland St. Olaf College St. Thomas Aquinas College Stevenson University Stonehill College Suffolk University Syracuse University

Temple University Towson University Tufts University Tulane University Tuskegee University Union College United States Coast Guard Academy United States Merchant Marine Academy United States Naval Academy The University of Alabama The University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of Baltimore University of California at Los Angeles University of California at Santa Cruz University of Colorado at Boulder University of Colorado at Denver University of Connecticut University of Dayton University of Delaware University of Denver University of Edinburgh The University of Georgia University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Louisville University of Maine University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Mississippi University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina at Wilmington University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Redlands University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Francisco The University of Scranton University of South Carolina University of South Florida, Tampa University of Southern California The University of Tampa University of Tennessee, Knoxville The University of Texas, Austin University of Toronto University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin University of Wyoming Ursinus College Valencia College Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Military Institute Virginia Tech Wagner College Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington College Wesleyan University West Virginia University Wheaton College MA Wheeling Jesuit University Wilmington University Wittenberg University Xavier University York College of Pennsylvania

PHOTO: DENIS BOCQUET, FLICKR

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out the mission, but the relationships and skills learned in these endeavors will never leave us. When the solubility rules of chemistry, the order in which the dynasties ruled in world cultures and the plot details of “Lord of the Flies” from freshman English fade away, we will be left with our ability to analyze, with our interpersonal conversational skills and with our improved work ethic. I know I will not remember every detail I learned in high school 25 years from now – I don’t know about any of you with photographic memories out there – but even though these specific facts and equations will fall to the side, I will not feel disappointed. We were never intended to bring everything we learned with us to this day, but our success and our desire to learn will follow us wherever the crazy thing called life leads us. St. John’s has provided our class with amazing friendships, the desire to become well-rounded men and women and the motivation to succeed. Never in history has anyone ever used the word easy to describe life, but each chapter in our lives opens new opportunity for success and new opportunity for challenges and failures. As scary as this may be for some people, we are prepared. As we leave SJC behind, the lessons and experiences we discovered will echo through our future and remind us that no matter what bumps we hit, we can find success in ourselves. St. John Baptist de La Salle explained the importance that “the teacher must know each student in the class, not as a number but as a person.” His ideal school was not one in which students were simply a piece of clay that the teacher pushed into the mold. He identified the ideal that the Brothers taught “not only to touch minds but also to touch hearts.” This phrase slipped into my mind as I was reading with my young and naïve worldview, but it grew as time passed and experience shaped who I was becoming. When I began looking at colleges for the next chapter of my life, these words popped into my head. I wanted to find a college that aimed to educate the mind, heart and soul rather than just produce the A letter grade. The blue book went from holding no particular relevance in my freshman world to being my hopes and dreams for my future beyond senior year. My teachers instilled a desire in me to grow up as a well-rounded person. I see well-rounded people all around me every day that I step in those doors on 27th Street. Our principal, president, faculty and peers embody the hopes St. John Baptist had for the Brothers and for all schools built in his name. The Class of 2014, which I am honored to be a part of, contains a set of the most involved, passionate people I have ever met. We have seen some amazing achievements, such as beating Gonzaga in football not once but twice this year. The countless championships won by girls’ tennis. The unfathomable achievements in both men and women’s basketball, the success of the baseball team, lacrosse teams and every single other sport SJC participates in. Let us be honest: there is no sport at which SJC students cannot excel. The amazing awards bestowed on our school’s art program, theater program and music program because of the hard work and talent of our community. All of these achievements are testimonies to the value of our school as more than simply an institute of education. 16  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

This class, our class is so much more than just the grades we received over the four years. We cannot be labeled simply by letters, and SJC has provided each student with the ability to grow into an individual that cannot be put into one category. There is an opportunity to be a scholar and an artist, or a musician and an athlete. Our diverse interests and goals make our class dynamic and interesting. We did not have a dull moment this year, with Mr. Hovan’s instantaneous rise to YouTube fame, the birth of the darling daughter of Mr. Scalzo and Ms. Melin – who is destined to be amazing no matter what she does – and the challenge of getting students to stop playing Candy Crush on their iPads. The moments that we laughed so hard we started to cry, the moments we wanted the year to hurry up and end and the moments we wanted time to stop altogether so we could treasure our friendships and the St. John’s cafeteria cookies – all of these moments make up our high school experience. We lived it together. We went through the reconstruction of the cafeteria into the amazing facility we have now, the use of iPads and advanced technology that some teachers cringed at and the growth of our class from young teenagers to young adults. Growing up is not always fun, but St. John’s gave us the opportunity to grow with a community. Although the specific details of our high school memories may be lost in the future, the lessons we learned from our teachers, friends and classmates will follow us to our upcoming chapters of life. The little blue book that began our high school journey may be lost forever in your stack of notebooks and worksheets, but the words between the written lines are the words that will never leave our hearts, our minds or our souls. Thank you, Class of 2014, staff and faculty of St. John’s, for giving me the honor of being able to call you my peers, friends and family. Do not forget the amazing place you came from, and look forward with excitement to all of the amazing places you will go. Congratulations, Class of 2014!

CLASS OF 2014 SALUTATORY ADDRESS TIMOTHY BARRY

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ood afternoon, Class of 2014, teachers, faculty, family and friends. Well, this is hard. Before I start, I’d like to note that, like most of the papers I wrote during high school, this speech was written the night before it was due. Well, not really, but it might be difficult to understand at points, as it was heavily edited by Dr. Nighan in the Writing Center. Legacy. Four years ago, I applied to St. John’s. As a part of the application process, I had to interview with Mr. Mancabelli for a position in the De La Salle Scholars Program. When I walked into his office, I saw five or six yearbooks spread out across the St. John’s College High School  16

CLASS OF 2014 COMMENCEMENT AWARDS Excellence in Art: Alexis Landis Excellence in Computers: Christopher Grant Excellence in English: Allan Bernal Excellence in French: Faith Logan Excellence in Performing Arts: Kendall Steele Excellence in Performing Arts - Choral: Jack Stallard Excellence in JROTC Studies: Andre Andrada Excellence in Latin: Angela Warner Excellence in Mathematics: Timothy Barry Excellence in Religion: Travis Tomon Excellence in Science: Patrick Musselman Excellence in Social Studies: Pablo Lindsay Excellence in Spanish: Sara Winters Scholar-Athlete Award: Devin Williams and Margaret Snedden The Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to the student who best exemplifies, through conduct and activities, the qualities of excellence borne of both academic success and athletic achievement. Each year St. John’s recognizes one male and one female scholar athlete. Theatre Award: Bianca Nicolosi The Theatre Award is presented to the student who, over the course of four years, has not only achieved excellence in the performing arts, but also has dedicated their time, talents and gifts to enhance the theatre program at St. John’s. Lasallian Christian Service Award: Louis Dupont The Lasallian Christian Service Award is presented to the student who promotes social justice by living the mission of Jesus through direct service to the poor and the outcast.

Citizenship Award: Daniel Dagdag The Citizenship Award is presented to the student who best exemplifies the qualities of citizenship, responsibility, loyalty to the school, leadership and patriotism. Cardinal’s Award: Isabel Tanzi The Cardinal’s Award is presented to the student who, in the judgment of the faculty and administration, best exemplifies a commitment to values rooted in our Catholic tradition by fidelity and a sense of service at home, in school and in their parish. Principal’s Award: Molly Flores From Bro. Michael Andrejko: “The principal bestows his own award on a student who has served the St. John’s community selflessly and with conviction. With this class in particular, I have witnessed the academic, social and moral development of many students. This year’s recipient has truly emulated the call to be a faithful daughter of St. John Baptist de La Salle. From her servant leadership roles in peer ministry and the Student Government Association, as well as her participation on the field hockey and lacrosse teams, she has personified what it means to be a woman for others in serving the St. John’s community. The many events that were happening at St. John’s were always, in her own words, ‘so exciting.’ In addition, I had the pleasure of teaching her in her freshman year, giving me a full appreciation of her determination to learn and her deep faith. It is with great privilege and distinction that I announce Molly Flores as the recipient of the Principal’s Award for the Class of 2014.”

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table. The books were each opened to pictures of family members of mine who had attended St. John’s in years gone by. I saw my great-grandfather, my grandfather, a few of my uncles and my dad. And here I am today, continuing the legacy, giving the salutatory address to the Class of 2014. But perhaps more powerful than familial legacy is the legacy left behind by individuals. I think that each of us sitting here today has left our mark on St. John’s in our own unique way. Kendall is the best flute player St. John’s has ever seen, and she has inspired many students in the Music Department to improve their level of play. Allan has consistently lived out the St. John’s tradition of giving, whether through cleaning up cafeteria tables after messy freshmen or bringing in the most cans during a food drive. Lauren and Nora helped bring back the St. John’s literary magazine, and their work has been published in every issue of the magazine over the past four years. Devin captained the varsity football team this year, and his exemplary leadership both on and off the field will be remembered for seasons to come. And to the person who drew that funny picture of CSM McConnell on the bathroom stall with a Sharpie – you left your mark on St. John’s, too. Literally. Our class as a whole has left a legacy to be proud of. We are the largest graduating class in the school’s 160-year history, we raised a record amount of money for San Miguel during this spring’s mission drive and we sent five sports teams to the championships this year: football, tennis, basketball, lacrosse and baseball. Also, we mastered the iPads in two short semesters. Who says seniors are too old to learn new technology? Friends, as you leave these doors today, you will continue to be the authors of your own legacies. As the poet John Keating said, every person has the potential to add a stanza to the 18  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

world’s story. And I urge all of you to write your verses fearlessly, with bold strokes of the pen. When you go to college, challenge yourselves. Take the most difficult courses that are available to you. Join an extracurricular club you’ve never considered before. Seek opportunities that will deepen your knowledge and develop your talents. Defend reason and rationality, and wage war against ignorance. Also, always live up to the Lasallian moral principles that you have learned about at St. John’s. At this point, I would like to give thanks where thanks are due. Mr. Hammann, thank you for introducing me to the bassoon, and also for consistently brightening my days with your cheesy jokes and perpetual enthusiasm. Ms. Jelen, thank you for teaching me how to think critically and for showing me the importance of questioning my assumptions. Mr. Hovan, thank you for, uh, teaching me how to spin a basketball on my pen? And Mr. Hatton, thank you for teaching me how to curse in Hebrew. To the soccer team and to my coaches, thank you for pushing me to improve my game over the past four years. To my mom and dad, thank you for instilling within me a positive work ethic and a love for education. Without you, there’s no way I would be standing here today. In addition, I would like to thank all of you, my friends, for supporting me and encouraging me to do my best over the past four years. Finally, I am thankful for the superb education I am privileged to have received at St. John’s. Well, Class of 2014, I guess this is it. In a couple of hours, our time together will draw to an end. There’s no more wearing uniforms. No more waking up at 6:30 a.m. for classes. No more trying to figure out whether it’s an A day, C day or E day. The last page of one book has been written, but the story of another is just beginning. As we leave today, let’s continue to live our legacies to the fullest. Congratulations, Class of 2014!

Sports at St. John’s

winter 2013-14 Sports In Review The boys’ basketball team won the regular season championship with a record of 16-2 and qualified for the prestigious Alhambra Catholic Invitational. Overall, the team won 28 games in the season and many Cadets earned awards: two players earned All-Met honors, seven players earned All-WCAC honors and Coach McAloon was named as the WCAC Coach of the Year. The girls’ basketball team finished the season 25-9 and ranked #4 by The Washington Post. The team reached the WCAC finals for the fifth consecutive year and completed the season by winning the DC State Athletic Association title game. Two players earned All-Met honors and three earned All-WCAC honors. Ice hockey finished the season with an overall record of 25-4-1. In regular WCAC play, the Cadets placed second with a conference record of 7-1-1 in their inaugural varsity season. Despite ending the season during WCAC semifinal play, the team was successful with big nonconference wins against Landon, Potomac and Georgetown Prep. Indoor track and field represented St. John’s at three highly competitive meets this winter. At the DC State Athletic Association meet, both the girls’ and boys’ 4 x 200 relay teams finished in first place. Ayron Monroe ’15 and Taylor Camp ’15 finished first in the long jump. Six more Cadets placed in the long jump, triple jump, 55-meter dash and the 300-meter dash. At the Kentucky High School Invitational, Monroe placed in the 60-meter hurdles and the long jump. Four more Cadets and the boys’ 4 x 4 team also qualified for their events. At the New Balance National Championships, the girls’ 4 x 200 relay team and five other Cadets qualified for their events, while the boys’ 4 x 200 relay team finished eighth. The 2013-14 swim and dive season was one of the most successful for both the boys’ and the girls’ teams in years. The girls placed third at the Washington

Metropolitan Prep School Swim Dive League championships. The boys beat DeMatha for the first time in more than 15 years. Five swimmers earned WCAC awards, and Kevin Mackenzie ’14 broke six school records. St. John’s wrestling finished the season with a second consecutive DC city championship. The squad scored 223 points, beating runner-up Gonzaga by 71 points. Five wrestlers finished as DC city champions and two wrestlers finished as WCAC champions. Garrett Brams ’15 picked up his 100th career win, and Luke Davis ’17 placed eighth at the National Preps tournament to become St. John’s first National Prep All-American since 2002 and the first from DC since 2010. Ranked in the top 10 by The Washington Post, the Cadets finished the season with an impressive record of 29-4 and 7-1 in the WCAC. St. John’s College High School  19

Sports at St. John’s

Spring 2014 Sports In Review Baseball finished another successful spring as WCAC regular season and tournament champions, with a record of 24-6 overall and 18-3 in conference play. The team also beat St. Alban’s for the DCSAA city championship. Six players earned all-conference honors and The Washington Post ranked the Cadets fourth in the DC metro area. Boys’ and girls’ crew represented St. John’s well with successful meets this season. The boys’ varsity rowers showed consistent improvement through the year and were rewarded this spring when they beat Annapolis Juniors, a first for SJC, and medaled at the Baltimore Invitational. The boys’ novice team medaled at the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA) championships. The girls’ varsity rowers followed up on last year’s success with a medal at the Baltimore Invitational and a fourth-place finish at the WMIRA championships. The novice girls had many victories, including a medal at WMIRA championships. The golf team finished 11th in the WCAC championship this spring, with a score of 83 at Chantilly National Golf Club. The WCAC recognized two golfers with all-conference honors and senior Lauren Kasuda will compete in college next year. The boys’ lacrosse team had their most successful season since 2002. Finishing the season as sixth seed, the team beat the fifth seed to continue to the semi-finals, where they defeated the second seed and advanced to the championship. The team lost to numberone seed Gonzaga in the WCAC tournament final at the University of Maryland. Six players earned allconference honors and seven will continue on to play in college. The girls’ lacrosse team competed against nationally ranked teams from Florida, 20  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as playing an international match against a visiting team from England. After a big 9-8 win against Paul VI, the team challenged Bishop O’Connell in the WCAC tournament, but fell short. The WCAC recognized five players, and Nicolette Crisalli ’14 set a new school record for career goals.    With a young group of players, the rugby team battled well all season. A defining moment was the 10-10 draw against No. 2 Gonzaga, a nationally ranked program. Trailing 10-0 at half, in freezing conditions with sleet, hail and strong winds, the team scraped back, scoring two second-half tries, and, unfortunately, scoring one for the win that was called back for a forward pass.

The 2-1 win against Holy Cross in the WCAC tournament was the softball team’s highlight of the year. After many rained-out games, the Cadets stepped up to move on in the tournament. Although they lost to Bishop O’Connell in the semi-finals, the team played well in the DCSAA city tournament with a strong win against Bell School. Track and field had a busy season, competing in multiple meets, including the famous Penn Relays in Philadelphia, PA, before putting up a strong showing at the WCAC and DCSAA competitions. The boys’ tennis team started off the season 4-0 in conference, the best start in years. The team came into the season with high hopes of battling for the WCAC championship. With a convincing score of 8-1, the Cadets beat rival DeMatha in a season highlight game. Chad Price ’14 finished the spring undefeated and was seeded No. 1 in the two singles flight. The team finished fourth in the WCAC conference.

Sports at St. John’s

WINTER 2013-14 ATHLETIC HONORS Individual

• Garrett Brams ’15 (Wrestling) – DC City Champion • Amari Carter ’15 – American Family Insurance ALL-USA Washington, DC, Girls’ Basketball Team (First Team) • Luke Davis ’17 (Wrestling) – All-American, DC City Champion, WCAC Champion • Brian Hennessy ’17 (Wrestling) – All-American • Tom McNamara ’14 (Wrestling) – DC City Champion • Jonathan Scribner – American Family Insurance ALL-USA Washington, DC, Girls’ Basketball Team Coach of the Year • Brett Simon ’15 (Wrestling) – DC City Champion, WCAC Champion • Josh Simon ’16 (Wrestling) – DC City Champion • Britani Stowe ’14 – American Family Insurance ALL-USA Washington, DC, Girls’ Basketball Team (First Team) • Pat Wenzlaff  ’14 (Wrestling) – DC City Champion

A ll-Met

First Team • Tre Campbell ’14 (Basketball) • Amari Carter ’15 (Basketball) • Britani Stowe ’14 (Basketball) Second Team • James Palmer ’14 (Basketball)

WCAC

A ll-Met

First Team • Isabel Bogart ’16 (Swim and Dive) • Tre Campbell ’14 (Basketball) • Amari Carter ’15 (Basketball) • Catherine Gregory ’16 (Swim and Dive) • Sydney Kirsch ’16 (Swim and Dive) • Claire Luigard ’16 (Swim and Dive) • Kevin Mackenzie ’14 (Swim and Dive) • James Palmer ’14 (Basketball) • Britani Stowe ’14 (Basketball)

Second Team • Brodie Leftridge ’14 (Baseball)

Coach of the Year • Sean McAloon (Basketball)

Second Team • Darian Anderson ’14 (Basketball) • Darian Bryant ’14 (Basketball) • Mike Morsell ’14 (Basketball) T hird Team • Luke Davis ’17 (Wrestling) • Sarah Overcash ’16 (Basketball) • Brett Simon ’15 (Wrestling) Honorable Mention • Anthony Cowan ’16 (Basketball) • James Mitchell ’14 (Basketball)

Spring 2014 ATHLETIC HONORS Individual

• Nicolette Crisalli ’14 (Lacrosse) – Set a new SJC record for career goals • A.J. Lee ’15 (Baseball) – Gatorade DC Player of the Year

First Team • A.J. Lee ’15 (Baseball)

Honorable Mention • Bubba Anderson ’14 (Lacrosse) • Chandler Baxter ’14 (Track and Field) • Nicolette Crisalli ’14 (Lacrosse) • Ayron Monroe ’15 (Track and Field) • Jacob Pawela ’14 (Lacrosse) • Garrett Pearson ’14 (Baseball) • Maggie Williams ’15 (Lacrosse)

WCAC

First Team • Bubba Anderson ’14 (Lacrosse) • Chandler Baxter ’14 (Track and Field) • A.J. Lee ’15 (Baseball) • Brodie Leftridge ’14 (Baseball) • Ayron Monroe ’15 (Track and Field) • Maggie Williams ’15 (Lacrosse) Second Team • Amanda Meyers ’15 (Golf) • Jacob Pawela ’14 (Lacrosse) • Adrian Peralta ’14 (Baseball) Honorable Mention • Jake Bernstein ’14 (Baseball) • Jackson Coviello ’15 (Baseball) • Nicolette Crisalli ’14 (Lacrosse) • Justin Diggs ’15 (Golf) • Gerald Flood ’15 (Lacrosse) • Molly Flores ’14 (Lacrosse) • Raley Hinton ’14 (Lacrosse) • Nate Howard ’14 (Lacrosse) • Colleen Jackson ’14 (Lacrosse) • Will Martin ’14 (Lacrosse) • Garrett Pearson ’14 (Baseball) • Nate Williams ’15 (Lacrosse)

Honorable Mention • Darian Anderson ’14 (Basketball) • Darian Bryant ’14 (Basketball) • Luke Davis ’17 (Wrestling) • Mike Morsell ’14 (Basketball)

St. John’s College High School  21

Sports at St. John’s

St. John’s and Under Armour: An Undeniable Partnership

College Signings The St. John’s athletic program recognizes seniors who commit to college athletic programs with an official signing event. At the four ceremonies held this spring, 13 student-athletes signed letters of intent to play for their college or university; to date, the Class of 2014 includes a total of 30 future collegiate athletes. One golfer, one soccer player, one basketball player and 10 football players will move on to compete at the next level. Congratulations to: • Kenny Brooks (Football) – Salisbury University • Denzel Dykes (Football) – College of William and Mary • Kailyn Ebb (Basketball) – Florida Institute of Technology

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• Sammy Francois (Football) – Merrimack College • Joe Giglio (Football) – Marist College • Maurice Harley (Football) – University of Delaware • Laura Kasuda (Golf) – Spring Hill College • Alexis Landis (Soccer) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Omar Truitt (Football) – University of Iowa • Will Ulmer (Football) – University of Maryland • Devin Williams (Football) – Columbia University • Stephan Wolley (Football) – Millersville University • Alex Wood (Football) – Penn State University Greater Allegheny Campus

This spring, St. John’s solidified its status as one of Under Armour’s “Undeniable” schools. This means that St. John’s will continue to partner with Under Armour for 100 percent of the school’s athletic equipment and apparel. Through this program, Under Armour partners with approximately 50 high schools across the country to test its products in real-world situations. Beginning this fall, the company will provide each SJC athlete with an equipment kit for the season at a discounted cost; each kit costs the student only $100, but it contains everything they will need to excel in their particular sport. In exchange, the athletes will use the gear in their games and practices and provide feedback about its performance to Under Armour. St. John’s was chosen for this partnership not only because it has one of the top athletic programs in the nation, but also because of the school’s relationship with Under Armour founder Kevin Plank ’90, a strong supporter of Cadet athletics. Under Armour produces some of the most innovative equipment, footwear and apparel on the market, and St. John’s students are proud to work with a company that has such deep roots at their school.

Sports at St. John’s

AUBREY ANDRE HEAD GIRLS’ VARSITY LACROSSE COACH INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY FACILITATOR

A

ubrey Andre grew up surrounded by girls’ lacrosse. In 1974, her grandmother founded American Lacrosse in St. Petersburg, FL, the nation’s first girls’ lacrosse spring break camp. Andre’s college team used to travel there for spring break, and she would stay behind to help her family coach other visiting teams. Continuing the tradition, Andre took the St. John’s team to American Lacrosse for their spring break this year to compete against teams from across the country. With that kind of family legacy, it’s not surprising that Andre has found success as a coach. She comes to St. John’s from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, DC, where she served as the head girls’ lacrosse coach for two years. During that time, she took the varsity team from a #25 national ranking to #4, won the school its first ISL championship and was ranked among the country’s top five coaches.

Andre has always been an athlete, but she didn’t pick up a lacrosse stick until her junior year of high school. She and her mother, a former US World Cup lacrosse player, started the girls’ lacrosse program at her high school. She went on to play lacrosse, soccer and basketball for Ursinus College, where she still holds the school record for the most career soccer goals. Although Andre has also coached soccer, she said she felt the call more strongly for lacrosse. “Lacrosse is more dynamic in terms of coaching. There are clear coaching details in skills, player development and time-sensitive decisions. Plus, the sport needs coaches. The integrity of the girls’ game is one of a kind, and the growth of the sport relies on former players and enthusiasts to volunteer and be involved,” Andre said. At St. John’s, Andre is both the head girls’ varsity lacrosse coach and the instructional technology facilitator. A member of the Technology Department, she supports St. John’s 1:1 iPad program, troubleshooting hardware and software problems and managing all of the devices. In this role, she interacts with almost every student on campus, which gives her the opportunity to get to know them in a different way and for them to get to know her. Andre came to St. John’s because she felt it was an opportunity for her to play a vital role in the life of the school. She also saw the potential to build the girls’ lacrosse program into a local and national powerhouse. “St. John’s has a foundation of excellence and a strong mission,” Andre said. “We will use that foundation to build a highly competitive program and a lasting tradition. When people hear St. John’s College High School, I want them to immediately identify the positive reputation of the girls’ lacrosse program.” She is also involved with the greater girls’ lacrosse community. This summer Andre coached the Under Armour All-American girls’ lacrosse DC metro team for the second consecutive year. She also volunteers with US Lacrosse, serving as the chair of the Safety Education Subcommittee and a member of the Women’s Game Committee. Andre is committed to the development of girls’ lacrosse, and she wants to instill within her athletes the same love for the sport that she learned from her coaches and mentors. “I teach the game so players will learn it; I foster an experience so they will love it,” Andre shared. “At the end of the day, I hope that girls’ lacrosse players contribute in some capacity to continue the growth of the sport. The win happens when the player you’ve coached gives back.”

St. John’s College High School  23

Sports at St. John’s

Luke Davis ’17 (left) and Brett Simon ’15 both won WCAC championships this winter.

Seeing Double: Wrestling Earns Back-to-Back DC Championships, Fields Two WCAC Champions The varsity wrestling team completed the season with two WCAC champion wrestlers and a second consecutive DC city championship. Luke Davis ’17 and Brett Simon ’15 represented the Cadets as they wrestled to #1 at the WCAC duals in De-

Girls’ Basketball Wins DC Championship On March 6, the Cadets defeated Georgetown Visitation at the Verizon Center to earn the DC State Athletic Association championship. The girls dominated the game throughout the evening and finished with a 58-42 victory. Britani Stowe ’14 was named tournament MVP and matched her career-high 16 points in the championship. This was only the second year that the DCSAA has held a city tournament and the first appearance for St. John’s girls.

24  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

cember. In February, the team dominated runner-up Gonzaga for the DC city championship, outscoring their opponent by 71 points. Individual DC champions include Luke Davis ’17, two-time champion Garrett Brams ’15, two-time champion Josh Simon ’16, three-time champion Pat Wenzlaff ’14 and two-time champion Tom McNamara ’14. Ranked in the top 10 by The Washington Post, the Cadets finished the season with an impressive record of 29-4 and 7-1 in the WCAC.

Baseball Finishes Strong with Three Championships This spring, the baseball program earned a championship trifecta: champions of the regular season, champions of the WCAC tournament and champions of the DC State Athletic Association. First, the team finished #1 in the regular season with a 23-3 record. On May 10, the Cadets defeated Bishop O’Connell for the WCAC title. They finished the month at the DCSAA championship with their third title, beating St. Albans 6-3. The Cadets finished with an overall record of 26-6 and The Washington Post ranked SJC baseball fourth in the DC metro area.

Sports at St. John’s

SEAN MCALOON HEAD BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL COACH SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

S

ean McAloon, now entering his third year at St. John’s, has two general coaching philosophies. The first is that you have to live in the moment and focus on the game or practice happening now – you can look behind you to learn from your mistakes, but you can’t look ahead. The second is that through basketball, coaches can help make young men into good men. “Our general goal shouldn’t be to win championships or produce all-conference players. Our general goal should be that these boys become better sons and brothers,” McAloon said. “If we do that correctly, then the championships will follow.” Before he came to St. John’s, McAloon spent seven years at Benedictine College Preparatory in Richmond, VA, where he taught world geography and U.S. government and served as head coach for the varsity basketball team. During his time there, the team won three championships and McAloon was named Coach of the Year three times.

He always said that he wouldn’t leave Benedictine unless it was for the right job – and when he had the opportunity to come to St. John’s, he knew this was the right place. He’d coached against WCAC and other DC-area teams and knew that St. John’s played some of the best in the country. He also saw the potential within the Cadet program to become one of the best teams in the DC area. “You always want to challenge yourself against the best, and this is the best conference in the country,” McAloon said. “St. John’s had proven it could do well in athletics, and I thought it was like a sleeping giant. I thought it could be just as successful [in basketball] as the teams that had been at the top of the conference for multiple years.” At St. John’s, McAloon teaches world cultures within the Social Studies Department. It was important to him that he be both a coach and a teacher, as he thinks both roles are integral to success. “Teaching is paramount to making you a better coach. You can take something from the court and apply it to the classroom, or apply something from the classroom to the court. Blending the roles together allows you to become part of the soul of the school,” McAloon shared. He spent his own high school years in Germany, where his mother and father both taught military children. He played basketball there before moving on to Randolph-Macon College, where he captained the basketball team and was a two-time NCAA tournament player. McAloon also coached at the collegiate level. He spent three years at Randolph-Macon, where he coached one NCAA tournament team and helped recruit the 2001 team that was ranked #1 in the country. He coached at Bucknell University for two years, where he helped recruit a strong team that defeated perennial powerhouse Kansas in the next season. This year, the SJC team was ranked #1 in the country by The Washington Post and won the WCAC regular season title. McAloon was named WCAC Coach of the Year, and seven players earned All-WCAC honors. In addition, five graduating seniors will play at Division 1 colleges next year. However, McAloon knows the Cadets still have room to grow. “I think we should be mentioned in the same breath, academically and athletically, as the other top schools in the area. We can’t relax; the game is fickle. We have to keep our edge and play with a bit of a chip on our shoulders,” McAloon said.

St. John’s College High School  25

Sports at St. John’s

SJC Athletics: A New Game Plan In February, St. John’s welcomed Brian Griffin as the new director of athletics and athletic development. He brought with him extensive experience, a new vision for SJC athletics and a sincere desire to make an impact on the lives of our student-athletes. “It’s all about impact. I really enjoy being part of programming that helps athletes develop, both personally and athletically, and helping people to achieve their dreams,” Griffin said. “Here you have so many types of students, and St. John’s has an incredible platform to support these kids as they develop. There are so many opportunities to make a significant impact.” Before coming to St. John’s, Griffin spent five years at IMG Performance and IMG Academy, a private, coeducational school focused on pre-K-12 and postgraduate student-athletes in Bradenton, FL. There he served as vice president of per26  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

formance and president of IMG’s training business and sports camp solutions. Prior to IMG, he was the senior director of performance for Under Armour in Baltimore, MD, working within their sports and brand marketing departments. Here at St. John’s, Griffin has a focused vision for athletics. He chose St. John’s because of the strong athletic and academic programs, as well as the close-knit community and tradition of excellence, all of which provide a strong foundation for success. He plans to build upon that foundation by further integrating the school’s Lasallian values and commitment to educating the whole student into the athletics program. Recruiting, supporting and developing great coaches are important aspects of his vision. This year, several new head coaches will introduce fresh ideas and innovative techniques to the Cadet programs. Griffin also wants to expand the support and professional development opportunities St. John’s provides to its coaches.

By strengthening the athletic infrastructure, St. John’s can better support each coach, athlete and team. To that end, the school has hired two full-time performance coaches who will provide supervised strength and conditioning training programs for each team. In addition, the school now has two full-time athletic trainers to better support the student-athletes. Griffin also plans to integrate the 1:1 iPad program into athletics, providing new ways to track performance and develop game strategies. These changes will help coaches to better develop their players, both athletically and personally. Coaches serve as teachers on and off the field and leave a lasting impact on their players, which Griffin feels is integral to the athletics program. “We want to make sure our coaches are being put in positions to inspire and teach life lessons,” Griffin said. “The centrality of athletics to St. John’s mission is about each student’s development process. Leadership is about passion, inspiring others and making greatness available to everyone.”

Sports at St. John’s

Another focus of Griffin’s plan is St. John’s athletic facilities. Although the school already has superb athletic spaces such as Fernandez Stadium, Gibbs Field, Quinn Field and Gallagher Gymnasium, there is still vast potential for growth. For example, the locker rooms and other facilities inside the athletic center were built well before St. John’s became coed, which makes it difficult to fully support all of the boys’ and girls’ teams at the school. Griffin began addressing that issue this spring with two major projects: the renovation of Smith Weight Room and the renovation and expansion of Quinn Field. The weight room now boasts stateof-the-art equipment that can be used by a greater number of students. Quinn Field received an upgrade to modern athletic turf and was expanded by 9,000 square feet. The increased size allows for two practice fields running east and west, which means more teams can practice on the field at the same time.

“Our facilities plan will transform the campus into a model of excellence, building more opportunity and capacity for performance improvements,” Griffin said. “I want to build equity between our boys and girls programs. It’s very important to us – not an if, but a when.” His plans also focus on building character, commitment and lasting relationships through St. John’s athletic programs. Participating in athletics fosters teamwork, cooperation, focus and self-discipline, but Griffin wants to expand the athletics program to include all aspects of the school’s mission. For example, service is an integral part of each student’s St. John’s experience. This spring, the boys’ basketball program held a clinic for Boys and Girls Club members in lieu of a team banquet, which gave the players a chance to serve their community, teach others and expand their worldview. Griffin wants to provide more of these service opportunities to St. John’s athletes in the future.

“By combining spiritual, academic and athletic excellence seamlessly, successfully and consistently, our athletics program will continue to best represent the unique identity and core values of St. John’s,” Griffin said. Overall, Griffin wants to build upon St. John’s foundation of excellence to become the gold standard for high school sports programs. By supporting the students and coaches, improving the facilities and integrating the Lasallian mission into all aspects of school life, he believes the athletics program will be even more successful in the future. “I want to transform St. John’s into a shining example of how to strike the right balance between athletic success and academic excellence by holding firm to the principle that athletics is an integral part of the educational process and overall student experience,” Griff said. “There is much to be excited about in terms of St. John’s athletic programs, and this positive momentum provides us with a real opportunity for continued success.” St. John’s College High School  27

Alumni Action

Cadets At Large:

JAKE ROSENBERG

Michelle Ochs ’02

F

rom a very early age, Michelle Ochs ’02 was drawn to fashion. In fact, one of her first original pieces was the dress she wore to her Confirmation! However, what was once a hobby has flourished into a successful career as co-founder of the New York-based label Cushnie et Ochs. At St. John’s, Ochs played tennis for four years and was a member of the JROTC as a freshman. She also enjoyed the arts program, which at that time was limited to juniors and seniors. “I always liked the idea of taking things from two dimensions to three dimensions, and the full process of imagining something, putting it to paper and then making something physical out of it,” Ochs said. It was in high school that she decided to turn her love for fashion into a career. She was determined to attend Parsons in New York City after graduation – in fact, it was the only school she applied to – but her parents weren’t ready to send their 17-year-old daughter

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to New York. Ochs agreed to attend Marymount University on a temporary basis, but she transferred to Parsons in the second semester of her freshman year in order to follow her dream. She attended school through the summer to catch up with her classmates and quickly adjusted to the whirl of demanding classes and life in New York City. In her junior year, she met Carly Cushnie, a fellow Parsons student who would later become her business partner. They were assigned to the same cohort, which meant they had every class together for the entire year. This day-in and day-out proximity helped them to develop a close friendship and allowed each of them to become familiar with the other’s design aesthetic. Parsons students spend their senior year working on a thesis project – a capsule collection. They present the concept in the fall, and then spend the rest of the year designing and sewing each piece. In the spring, each student presents their collection, and 10 are chosen by a panel of experts as finalists for Designer of the Year. Ochs and Cushnie were among the finalists, and Ochs ultimately took home the award. After graduation, both women searched for positions within the fashion industry. They kept in close contact and would shop together for professional attire, although they were often disappointed in the selection. Discussions about the specific pieces they’d prefer to see eventually led to the idea of creating their own label. The women reached out to the mentors, teachers and other industry experts they’d worked with during their time at Parsons for advice, and in 2008 Cushnie et Ochs was born. Five years later, the label is a great success. The women have been able to combine their different design aesthetics – Ochs tailored, Cushnie soft and sensuous – to create a look Ochs describes as “minimal edge.” Their pieces feature clean lines and bold colors designed for a woman who is “definitely not a wallflower.” They’ve kept the firm small; it has just five members, including the co-

founders. Ochs and her partner are are involved with 100 percent of the design work, creating the concepts and patterns and choosing the fabrics themselves. Their designs have been worn by many celebrities on the red carpet and even by First Lady Michelle Obama. In February, their spring collection show was opened by supermodel Karolina Kurkova. You might think that Ochs would be inured to the glamour by now, but she said that those experiences can seem surreal from the inside. “It’s so much work, because we’re so small. Those are all the fun parts, but it takes a team to get there. It’s still unbelievable – it’s almost like we’re watching from outside.” With such a small operation, each team member wears a lot of hats. That requires discipline and organization – two skills Ochs said she learned at St. John’s. Although she only spent one year in the JROTC program, it left an indelible mark on her life, and she said she applies that military mentality to her professional life each day. “If you think of it as just living your life that way, as opposed to something that is imposed on you, it makes owning a business so much easier,” Ochs said. Their line is currently carried in 103 stores worldwide and on six retail websites – they most recently added Neta-Porter to the list. Here in the Washington, DC, area, their line is available at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Corner and at Saks Jandel in Chevy Chase. In the future, they want to expand into accessories, shoes and handbags, turning Cushnie et Ochs into a lifestyle brand and providing their customers with a head-to-toe look. Ochs said that while her path to success may not have been traditional, she wouldn’t have had it any other way. She’s doing what she loves in the city she dreamed about as a teenager. “I think if you pursue something passionately that you want, that can bring you a lot of success. It was something that I really wanted to do – New York was just a bonus!”

Alumni Action

Raul Fernandez ’84 Shares Lessons Learned On Jan. 31, Raul Fernandez ’84 returned to campus as the guest speaker for this year’s annual Winter Alumni Luncheon. The Alumni Council’s Events Committee sponsors the luncheon, which has become a tradition at St. John’s. Each year, alumni and their guests are invited to network with fellow graduates, enjoy a delicious lunch and hear from expert speakers. A distinguished St. John’s graduate and successful businessman, Fernandez currently serves as the chairman of ObjectVideo and vice chairman of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. In addition to his business endeavors, he is an avid philanthropist who serves on the boards of several charitable organizations, including the Fernandez Foundation, Fight for Children, America’s Promise, DC College Access Program and DC Public Education Fund. At the luncheon, Fernandez shared lessons he’s learned from his own career, as well as advice and tips for the future. With his wide range of business experience, he was able to speak about such diverse topics as management styles, sports, technology, team building, fashion, digital media and marketing. He shared his remarks with a full house; more than 90 alumni registered for and attended this year’s event. The Alumni Council is planning a number of great events for 2014-2015 – keep an eye on the school website and the Cadet Connections e-newsletters for more information.

TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF ST. JOHN’S ATHLETES, COACHES AND TEAMS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME, VISIT WWW.STJOHNSCHS.ORG/SJCHALLOFFAME.

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Alumni Action

A Grand Day: The Class of 1944 Celebrates A Platinum Reunion

Members of the Class of 1944 gathered to celebrate their 70th reunion this June.

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This June, St. John’s sponsored a special 70th reunion for the Class of 1944. Due to World War II, they are the only class to have held two graduations – one in January and one in June – and it was fitting that they came together to celebrate their platinum reunion just before D-Day. On June 5, members of the class gathered at Grand Oaks Assisted Living in Washington, DC, for a luncheon and medal ceremony. President Jeff Mancabelli also shared some of the school’s most recent updates with the attendees and their families. Then on June 6, the class had the opportunity to tour the campus to see the latest developments on Military Road for themselves. They also joined the classes of 1954 and 1964 for a luncheon before Commencement. “The enthusiasm and spirit of this class and their friends and family are what made this day happen,” Mancabelli said. “It was one of those moments in time that speaks to the strength and commitment of the St. John’s community, as we continue to celebrate those relationships forged 70 years ago.”

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Alumni Action

From left: Greg Kenefick ‘64, Jim De George ‘64, Pat Collins ‘64, Joe Magnolia ‘64, Gerri O’Boyle, Bill Boswell ‘64, Ken Joy ‘64, Kevin Callanan ‘64 and Tim Dowd ‘64.

Gerri O’Boyle: St. John’s Thanks One Of Its Own Gerri O’Boyle has a long history with St. John’s. She is married to an alumnus, Patrick O’Boyle ’76; she is the mother of Conor O’Boyle ’08; and many of her relatives have played significant roles in the life of the school. Six years ago, Gerri joined the St. John’s staff to connect in a different way with the institution and the academic programs that have defined her family since the 19th century. Since she joined the Development Office as events coordinator, St. John’s has expanded its relationship with the alumni community, reaching out to more than eight decades of graduates and reconnecting thousands of alumni with one another and with the school. “During Gerri’s tenure, we’ve seen an increase in the number of alumni events and significant growth in alumni participation. Her commitment to the school through her family connections and her true appreciation for the students and the alumni are clearly seen in her work,” said St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli.

O’Boyle has worked with countless committees to plan reunions and events, making sure each event was memorable while also encouraging alumni interest and attendance. She has hosted class reunions, Thanksgiving Eve Parties, Homecoming events, young alumni parties, alumni athletic events, picnics and the annual Doc Scalessa Golf Tournament. “She is a tremendous ambassador for St. John’s. All generations of alumni love working with her on reunions,” said Michael Esten, vice president of institutional advancement. A St. John’s education is a tradition in her family, of which more than a dozen members are Cadets. In 1894, her great-uncle James Toomey graduated from the St. John’s campus on Vermont Avenue. Her role at St. John’s has given her a unique connection with her great-uncle: he worked with the alumni committee in 1903 to coordinate one of the first Thanksgiving Eve Parties, formerly known as “The Smoker,” a tradition O’Boyle has helped continue. But it was her grandfather, Vincent Toomey ’30,

who helped make one of the most significant changes to the school. As head legal counsel for the Board of Trustees, he assisted in the purchase of the school’s current location on Military Road. O’Boyle’s commitment to bringing St. John’s alumni together in a fun atmosphere can be heard in her voice when she speaks about class reunions. “No one is sad that they attended a reunion; they are only sad that they didn’t,” she declared. She said that the recent reunion for the Class of 1944, a class that graduated during World War II, holds a special place in her heart. “Everyone in that class went to war, and we celebrated their class reunion within days of the anniversary of D-Day. The timing was remarkable.” Going forth, O’Boyle will continue to assist the Development Office in a part-time capacity, as well as spending time with her grandchildren and her art. St. John’s is grateful to her for her continued dedication and support. She truly embodies the strong connection that is such an integral part of the St. John’s community. St. John’s College High School  31

ALUMNI IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

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ince 1851, the arts have been an important part of the St. John’s experience. Today the performing arts program provides the opportunity for students to study instrumental music, vocal music, theater and dance. Over the years, many graduates have taken their talents to the next level and become successful professionals in this creative and competitive field. These alumni include actors, musicians, vocalists, songwriters, playwrights, directors, screenwriters and producers. This summer, we had the opportunity to reconnect with six former Cadets who have built thriving careers in the performing arts.

WILLIAM HARTZ, FLICKR

THE MUSICIAN: KIM ELOSHWAY ’06 BOWIE, MARYLAND

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im Eloshway ’06 began playing the flute in fourth grade. Her first choice was actually the harp, but her parents convinced her that wasn’t very practical. When the music teachers brought around instruments for the elementary students to try, Eloshway was drawn to the flute; she’s been studying the instrument and perfecting her sound ever since. In fact, she chose to attend St. John’s because of the school’s music program. St. John’s offered Eloshway a place in the Wind Ensemble, while her second-choice school told her she’d have to switch instruments; that made her decision an easy one. She spent four years in the Wind Ensemble and played in the pit orchestra for the musical “Man of La Mancha.” It was during high school that she had her first experiences as a semi-professional musician. Students were often asked to perform at local events, such as the Conference of Catholic Bishops, where they would provide background music for receptions. The students were completely responsible for choosing the music, arriving on time and behaving in a professional manner. These experiences showed Eloshway a way that she could make a living through the music she loved. At American University, Eloshway initially majored in international relations and minored in music. However, she was conflicted about that decision. While attending a performance at the Kennedy Center her freshman year, Eloshway couldn’t stop watching the pit orchestra and thinking it looked like a job she would really enjoy. She later played an open house event with the director of AU’s music school, who told Eloshway afterword that music was what she should do with her life. By the spring semester, she had officially changed her major to music performance. She went on to earn a master’s degree in music performance from Catholic University, and this summer she’ll complete a doctorate-level performance certificate from George Mason University. Eloshway said she chose to continue her studies because she wanted more time to work with private teachers to find her sound and discover her niche. The nation’s capital has a vibrant arts culture, which means there are many local musicians. Eloshway felt it was important for her to specialize in order to stand out in the crowd. While at GMU, she discovered a passion for playing the baroque flute, a 17th-century instrument for which many classical pieces were originally written. She was introduced to the baroque flute by one of her music teachers, and she now plans to specialize in it for her career. “The performance practice aspect of baroque playing is so interesting to me because it’s how the music was meant to be. We all study Bach and Handel, but we play them on new instruments. It’s still a flute, but it’s so different.” Eloshway has worked steadily as a professional musician while continuing her education. She regularly plays freelance gigs with local chamber groups, and this fall she plans to form her own chamber ensemble. She also substitutes with local orchestras, such as the Trinity Chamber Orchestra, and is in the process of

auditioning for a regular position with several DC orchestras. This July, she’ll provide music for an original opera as part of the Capital Fringe Festival; she said she’s excited about the opportunity to play an original score that will be conducted by the composer. In addition to her performance work, Eloshway also gives private music lessons, partnering with local music stores and schools to find students. She said her studies at GMU have allowed her to add more structure and theory to her music lessons, and she plans to expand her teaching work after graduation. However, Eloshway’s main focus will always be playing music with other artists, whether on the flute, baroque flute or piccolo. “I really am lucky that something I love doing so much is considered work. It’s amazing to be this creative for a job, and making music with people is a lot of fun. I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.”

THE ACTOR: PATRICK LAWLOR ’90 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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atrick Lawlor ’90 got his first big break as Prince Charming, a great success for any young actor – even if it was in a kindergarten production. A natural actor, his talent showed in the way he read and performed stories, first for his mother and later for his classmates. He’s put that talent to good use, and today he enjoys a successful career as an actor, director and producer in Hollywood. When Lawlor was a St. John’s student, he performed in several productions with the girls at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. His first high school role was in “Our Hearts Were Young And Gay,” followed by the lead role in “Bye Bye Birdie.” He also took acting lessons at the Kennedy Center as part of a workshop for talented students. Lawlor said that although he wasn’t able to take theater classes at St. John’s, he thoroughly enSt. John’s College High School  33

While he enjoys creating and producing original content, he has no plans to stop acting and has several projects on the horizon. With years of experience as a working actor, Lawlor truly appreciates the empowerment that comes with leading a production, and he’s ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead. “You really have to take the bull by the horns. That’s one of the things I learned at St. John’s. If you want to rank up in the world, no one is just going to hand that to you; you have to shine your own boots.”

THE DANCER: SEÁN CULKIN ’78 SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND

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joyed studying gothic novels with Drama Director Howard Dent. “That class opened my mind up to things I had never considered before, and it was a huge help as an artist. He really encouraged people to think outside the box.” Lawlor attended Palm Beach State College, where he continued to study theater. He made a few spring break-themed movies in Florida, but said he quickly learned those weren’t the way to build a career. After two years, he took what he intended to be a summer trip to Wilmington, NC, to work behind the camera as a production assistant. When the fall came, he decided to stay in North Carolina. “I learned more in those three months than I would have in eight years of college, because it was all hands-on. You really got an opportunity to learn how films were made.” During his time in North Carolina, Lawlor had the opportunity to work in all aspects of production. After three years, he fell in love with a girl from Los Angeles on the set of “Empire Records” and decided to move there with her. Although they didn’t stay together, that move was the right one for his career. He studied for two years at The Lost Studio, a well-known acting school, and then began auditioning for TV shows and movies. He appeared in several well-known productions, including “Pleasantville” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” as well as more than 20 independent films. He began to book a lot of commercials, and Lawlor said that was where he really found his niche. He’s appeared in more than 60 national commercials over the years for brands such as Mercedes, GMC, Samsung, Pandora, Orbitz, Heineken, Home Depot and Fruit of the Loom, to name just a few. Six years ago, Lawlor partnered with fellow actor Maureen Flannigan to form 31 Street Productions, a boutique production company. No longer content to stay in front of the camera, he’s taken on the challenge of directing and producing documentaries, music videos and commercials. He’s currently directing and starring in an original YouTube sketch comedy series called “Re:Gress,” which is based around the popular online multiplayer videogame “Ingress;” the first episode debuted on July 1. Lawlor is producing “Re:Gress” through Tyglor Productions, an offshoot of 31 Street. 34  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

y mother made me do it.” That’s why Seán Culkin ’78 first began taking Irish dance lessons; his parents emigrated from Ireland and started him in classes with local Irish dance legend Peggy O’Neill in 1966, when he was just six years old. However, he developed a deep love for the dance and culture, and today he’s passing on the tradition to a new generation through the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance. Culkin didn’t really appreciate the art until his teenage years, which he attributes to O’Neill. He said that like his St. John’s teachers, she had high expectations and standards for her students. He continued to work with her until she passed away in 1984, and his relationship with her left an indelible mark on him. “Peggy was always a great teacher, and she instilled a love of Irish dance in me. She reminded me of the Christian Brothers; they were tough, and they wanted what they wanted in a certain way, but that was good.” After O’Neill passed away, Culkin took a long break from training. He graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College and worked as a paralegal for many years, but he never stopped dancing and performing. Then in 1993, he attended an Irish dance event and he met Jim Keenan, who was teaching lessons in Glen Echo Park. Keenan invited Culkin to teach with him, and Culkin knew it was the right time to reconnect with dance. He slowly immersed himself in teaching, beginning with adult Ceili classes in Glen Echo Park. Then “Riverdance” exploded onto the scene in 1994 and put Irish dance in the pop culture spotlight. He started teaching Irish step dance classes part-time to adults in 1995, and in 1997 Culkin and his wife, Denise, founded the school and it became his full-time career. His first children’s classes had only 20 students; today the school works with almost 400 young dancers each year, as well as 50 adult students. And while he taught his first classes in a church basement, the school now holds classes in five Maryland locations, including Silver Spring, Bethesda, Kensington, Glen Echo Park and Rockville. The school trains students of all levels, from beginners to the very advanced; in 2013 alone, 30 dancers qualified for the regional championships, 25 qualified for the national championships and 12 qualified for the world championships. Culkin works primarily with beginners, who can be as young

as five, teaching them the fundamentals in a way that’s easy to understand. “What Peggy gave me was a solid foundation, the tools to create a dancer. I really love teaching the beginner kids, making sure they understand the heart of Irish dance and what’s important, but also making it fun for them.” He also works with the school’s champion students, reinforcing the basics. But no matter their age or skill level, Culkin holds his dancers to the high standards he learned from his own teachers. “I think it’s good for the kids to understand they have to learn and do the work along the way. There are certain goals they need to set for themselves, and then they need to hit those goals in order to move to the next level.” In addition to participating in competitions throughout the year, Culkin’s students put on shows throughout the greater Washington, DC, area. They regularly perform as part of the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage Local Dance Commissioning Project and at locations such as the White House, the Irish Embassy, the Music Center at Strathmore, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and BlackRock Center for the Arts. In the future, Culkin wants to continue to expand the school, adding new teachers and locations. One day he hopes to turn the school into a non-profit arts foundation in order to accommodate even more students and help them travel to national and international competitions. In the meantime, he will continue to dance and to enjoy teaching the art to others. “It’s a lot of work, but I love it. You never stop learning – how to be a better teacher, how to be a better dancer – and you open yourself up to new ideas and changes. I just love working with the kids, seeing them get better and grow into young men and women.”

Seán Culkin ’78 has been training champion dancer Molly Quinn ’18 since she was seven years old.

THE THEATRE DIRECTOR: TIM EMERSON ’84 BETHESDA, MARYLAND

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or Tim Emerson ’84, falling in love with theater was a blow to the head – literally. As a grade school student, he watched his older sister in the St. John’s Drama Society’s production of “All American.” She played one of the cheerleaders who threw footballs into the audience at the end of act one, and she placed her little brother in just the right spot to catch one. However, Emerson was so engrossed in the musical that he forgot to catch the ball and instead it hit him right in the head. Theater has played a central role in Emerson’s life ever since. Although he has never performed on stage at St. John’s, he’s been a driving force in productions at the school for almost 30 years. As a freshman, Emerson started out on the props crew. He was quickly promoted to assistant stage manager and then to stage manager in his sophomore year, a position he kept for the next three years and six shows. As stage manager, he worked closely with Drama Director Howard Dent, scheduling rehearsals, coordinating stage crews and overseeing each performance. Emerson said this experience taught him the mechanics of directing. He went on to attend Catholic University, where he became involved with both departmental and student-run theater. He acted in several productions and directed two of them, which his former SJC teacher attended. When Dent moved into the role of assistant principal, he approached Emerson about directing at St. John’s. Emerson staged his first St. John’s production, “Godspell,” in the spring of 1991 with a cast of 24 students. Although he initially returned to St. John’s for the novelty of directing at his high school, the experience changed the trajectory of his life. “I had a moment during that show where I realized that this is what I’m supposed to do,” Emerson shared. “Forget Broadway; I could do this for the rest of my life.” Emerson has served as director of the St. John’s Theatre for the last 24 years. He took a full-time position with St. John’s in 2000, and today he manages the school store in addition to his work with the St. John’s Theatre. Each year he works with 45-65 students to put on two productions: a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. In some years, when the situation warrants it, Emerson will add a third production. Each year the mix of students is different, and as a result he’s staged all-female productions, such as “Nunsense” and “Steel Magnolias,” and this year he produced his first all-male play, “A Separate Peace.” While he’s enjoyed every production, some years stand out in his memory. He particularly remembers building an elaborate, threestory Victorian house on stage for “Arsenic and Old Lace” in the fall of 2007, and he’s proud that St. John’s was one of the first high schools in the country to perform the stage production of “High School Musical” earlier that year. He also remembers with pride the strong performances given by the actors in 2009’s “Of Mice and Men.” However, Emerson said his favorite show is “always the next one.” For Emerson, the excitement of watching his students discover new talents and learn new ways to express themselves remains St. John’s College High School  35

as electric today as it was 24 years ago. Each St. John’s student is unique, and theater offers another outlet for them to develop into happy, healthy and responsible adults. The creativity and confidence he developed at St. John’s have served him well, and he intends to continue fostering those attributes in generations of future thespians. “Seeing the students develop over the course of four years is the biggest thrill. Ultimately, we’re trying to teach the students to articulate who they are and what they believe in a polished manner. That’s something they will take with them for their whole lives.”

THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: NOLAN WILLIAMS, JR. ’86 WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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olan Williams, Jr. ’86 grew up in the performing arts; by age 4, he was already playing the piano by ear and composing songs. Throughout his childhood, Williams continued to study and compete as both a pianist and vocalist. He also performed professionally, acting with the New Theatre of Washington and singing with George Washington University’s opera company. At St. John’s, he sang in the choir and played piano in the Jazz Ensemble and pit orchestra. When Choir Director Roger Oliver learned of Williams’ talent for piano and sight-reading, he quickly made him the group’s accompanist. Williams said he learned a great deal from Oliver about choral directing during the two years they worked together; he later took on an unofficial role as student director of the choir. Williams also studied with Jazz Ensemble Director Steven Kramer, who took a particular interest in the musical talents of the Class of 1986; in fact, Kramer created a special AP Music class for Williams and two other seniors. Williams majored in music at Oberlin College, where he said he was able to place out of many beginner courses because of the excellent musical education he’d received from both St. John’s and his private teachers. Williams sang with the school’s a cappella group, the Oberlin Obertones, and directed a student choir called Voices for Christ. He also served as music director for a local 36  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

church, Mount Zion Baptist, throughout his time at the college. He felt a clear call to the ministry while attending Oberlin, and Williams returned to DC to study at Howard University’s School of Divinity. Since then, he has combined his passion for music and ministry to forge an untraditional career path in the performing arts. “It’s such a wonderful pairing, because music and the arts have such power to unite and to heal and to bridge communities. Music is a universal language that has the power to reach everyone, even when words alone fail.” While attending Howard, Williams began working with a local recording studio to help songwriters score their music. He developed a long list of clients, which led him to buy out the publishing arm of the studio and launch his own firm, NEW-J Publishing, in 1991. At the same time, he began writing his own music, both sacred and secular. Today, Williams’ diverse anthology includes music for film and television and songs for Grammy-nominated albums. He is also chief music editor of the landmark “African American Heritage Hymnal,” a music compilation published in 2001 with sales now surpassing a half million copies worldwide. Williams also explored innovative ways of reaching people through the arts, which led him to found NEWorks Productions in 2003. NEWorks partners with artists, humanitarian groups, educational institutions and performing arts organizations to inspire, educate, commemorate and uplift the community through musical expression. Over the years, Williams and NEWorks have been part of a wide variety of artistic projects. They range from partnering with The American Cancer Society to develop a concert series that could both entertain and share important information about health and wellness to working with the Kennedy Center and Georgetown University on “Let Freedom Ring,” an annual musical remembrance of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Most recently, Williams served as artistic director for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival, a six-month celebration of civil rights in America. As the

culminating event, Williams conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra in a free community concert for a crowd of thousands this July. As a composer, conductor, musician, musicologist and producer, Williams has enjoyed the diversity of his career and the opportunities it has given him to make a difference in the lives of men and women all over the world. “I only want to use my creativity to work on projects that matter, that mean something. It has set me on a different trajectory, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been an incredible journey, and this is what I’ll be doing until I breathe my last. It’s what I was put here to do.”

THE PRODUCER: TOM MCGRATH ’72 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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om McGrath ’72 is in the business of live theater. A six-time Tony Award-winner, McGrath has produced more than 50 shows on Broadway and in London’s West End over the years, in addition to his primary career as a film and television executive. McGrath has always been involved with the performing arts. An accomplished musician, he played the trumpet and served as the student conductor for St. John’s pit orchestra, which accompanied the school’s theater productions. McGrath led orchestra rehearsals and, while the music director led the opening night performance, he often conducted subsequent shows. He attended Harvard University, where he was very involved with student-run theater productions. While the college didn’t have a theater department, student groups like the Hasty Pudding Club staged shows eac h year. McGrath wrote the music for and conducted several student productions, and he served as music director for three Hasty Pudding shows. “That early exposure and the freedom to behave in a more entrepreneurial fashion, and not as part of a formal curriculum, really sparked in me the desire to pursue theater as a career,” McGrath said. While McGrath enjoyed the creative side of theater, he said his time at Harvard showed him that his career would not be in composing or writing, but in the business side of theater. After college, McGrath spent two years in the press department at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. There he had a superb role model in Roger Stevens, founding chairman of the Kennedy Center and a prolific Broadway producer – Stevens was the force behind more than 100 shows during his career, including the original Broadway production of “West Side Story.” “Getting the chance to see a successful, innovative producer at work gave you the conviction that you didn’t have to wait for other people to make things happen; you could make your own opportunities,” McGrath said. He earned an MBA from Harvard and then took a position with Columbia Pictures. McGrath later founded the firm Act III Communications and went on to serve as president of Time Warner Broadcasting and chief operating officer of Viacom Entertainment Group. During his career as a media executive, McGrath revolutionized the entertainment business, leading the industry in

areas such as home video, paid television channels, digital cinema and online distribution. Each film studio also has theater interests, and as McGrath was one of the few executives with knowledge of the theater world, he was given responsibility for those activities throughout his career in film and television. In this role, he licensed the studio’s film rights to adapt movies into musicals. McGrath helped bring adaptations of many iconic films to Broadway, including “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “White Christmas” and “Footloose.” In 2005, McGrath began exploring the idea of a large-scale theater production company. Most shows are produced through limited partnerships, with producers raising money from individual investors. McGrath wanted to apply a model that was more in line with conventional film production practices. In 2008, during his time as executive chairman of Key Brand Entertainment, the firm acquired Broadway Across America, one of the country’s largest touring production companies. McGrath produced 40 shows as chairman of Broadway Across America, earning Tony Awards for “Boeing-Boeing” (2008), “Hair” (2009), “Memphis” (2010), “La Cage aux Folles” (2010), “Warhorse” (2011) and “Porgy and Bess” (2012). His productions also earned McGrath four Drama Desk Awards and an Olivier Award. He sold his interest in Broadway Across America in 2013, but he hasn’t left the theater world. Last year, he formed a new partnership with 20th Century Fox to develop musicals from the company’s films. McGrath is also a trustee of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, the force behind several Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning shows, including “All the Way” (2014). ART’s next production, “Finding Neverland,” premieres this summer. McGrath makes it a point to see every show that opens on Broadway, and he still feels the excitement on opening night. “Live theater is an exhilarating experience, and it’s the same as when you were a high school student, appearing in the Mask and Wig at St. John’s, as it is when you premiere opening night on Broadway. The theatrical experience can’t be downloaded, it can’t be stored on a hard drive; it can only be experienced at the moment.” St. John’s College High School  37

Class Notes

We want to hear from you!

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.

1959

Thomas Timmes published an ebook, “Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War,” in April 2014. It is available online via iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.com.

1966

From Chad Lash: “I am about to go through my second retirement, this time from being a W.T. Woodson High School English teacher. My first career, as an army officer, ended in 1993 and I jumped right into my education prep program. This is really what I was meant to do and I can attribute it all to Bro. Lawrence, a most inspiring teacher! And now I will embark on music, travel, reading and substitute teaching. My best to all my ’66 classmates.”

1970

Bill Fenton was recently elected to the

University of Notre Dame’s Alumni Board of Directors; he is one of 25 board members representing the university’s 135,000 alumni. Notre Dame’s network of 270 alumni clubs around the world is the most extensive in higher education, and Bill, who has lived in Florida for the past 25 years, will represent the 19 Notre Dame alumni clubs in that region. He lives in Boca Raton with his wife and two daughters and is past president of the Notre Dame alumni clubs in Palm Beach and in Boca Raton.

1971

Andy Kranking retired July 1,

2013, from the Montgomery County Police Department after 34 years of service. He retired as a police sergeant (patrol supervisor) in the Silver Spring District, and he had previous assignments in the Bethesda and Wheaton districts.

38  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

This January, seven SJC alumni escaped to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, for a sport-fishing trip. Front row, from left: Steve Bradshaw ’85, Scott Harper ’82 and Tim Harper ’85; back row: Dan Homa ’85, Eric Ellis ’85, Jack Nichols ’85 and Ed Mulheron ’86.

1972

Effective June 1, Stanley Allen has been promoted to the position of management and program analyst in the Division of Hematology and Oncology Products (OHOP) in the Center of Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of New Drugs (OND), Office of Drug Evaluation III (ODEIII) of the Food and Drug Administration.

1982

John Metz joined IBM in March as a software client leader in the Potomac Valley Region. He is the proud parent of daughter Brenna Nicole Metz, who graduated from the University of Maryland on May 22. He is also an excited “firsttime” uncle as brother Eric Metz ’85 welcomed baby Peter David Metz into the world on May 12.

1985

Kevin Hymel was interviewed for two

television productions: a two-part series for The History Channel on D-Day, which aired in June 2014, and two episodes of “America: Facts vs. Fiction” for The Military Channel. One episode focuses on General George S. Patton, and the other examines the role of women in World War II.

Class Notes

1988

2004

Chicken – Trust Your Legs: A Practical Handbook to Starting a Successful Business (Volume 1),” was published in April 2013.

2013. He and his wife, Stacie, are expecting their first child in November. William currently works as a deputy sheriff with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department in southern Maryland.

Douglas Palmer’s book, “Don’t Be a

Rick Phillips wrote a film called “Eden”

(2013) that won 11 awards, including the Audience Award at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival. “Eden” sold for international distribution to more than 40 countries and played a brief run in theatres in Los Angeles (Laemmle Music Hall) and New York (Film Forum) in 2013.

William Rector got married on July 26,

2006

From Allison Aylward: “I will be moving to Belfast, Northern Ireland, in August 2014 to begin a Ph.D. at Queen’s University Belfast. My research will focus on comparing the peace process in Northern Ireland and Colombia in order to discover best practices that could potentially be shared and adapted for different contexts. I’m looking forward to this next adventure!”

Ian Hankins has been named as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. His tenure begins this fall, which will mark the first time the college has fielded a cross country team in school history. David Ott ’90 and his wife, Colleen, are pictured at his commissioning ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

1990

David Ott was appointed commander of the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve at Aberdeen Proving Ground in January 2014. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and has seen service in Kosovo, Baghdad and Kabul while on active duty. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in management from the University of Maryland University College.

Cesar Vergara ’74 recently worked with the city of Washington, DC, to standardize the design of the city’s taxicabs. As of May, the new design can be seen all over the city – the taxis are scarlet with a grey stripe. Look familiar, Cadets?

2002

This May, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won best new American play at the 59th annual Obie Awards for his critically acclaimed Off Broadway plays “Appropriate” and “An Octoroon.”

St. John’s College High School  39

Photo Gallery

Class of 1944 Reunion: June 5, 2014

Class of 1954 Reunion: June 6, 2014

40  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

Photo Gallery

Class of 1964 Reunion: June 5, 2014

Doc Scalessa Golf Tournament: May 9, 2014

Matt Borger ’04, Chris Love ’03, Chris Caroccio ’04, John Carrocio ’03 and Jeff Mancabelli

St. John’s College High School  41

Photo Gallery

Jack Potter, Maureen Potter, Libby Murphy and Bob Murphy

Tom Dillon ’63, Al Waters ’63, Rick Brown ’66, Jim Mitchell ’64 and Joe Magnolia ’64

Larry Zmuda ’79, Shawn Zmuda ’11, Jack O’Connell ’85 and Robert Zmuda ’75

Tom Rogers ’61, Chuck Wagner ’61, Jeff Mancabelli, Carl Ressa ’61 and Don Roth ’61

Tom Frana ’65 ( second from left ) enjoyed the day with Bob Bruce, Bob Mencert and Ryan Heath.

Jorge Espinosa ’83, Matt Ritz ’97, Brad Fennell ’83 and Pat McKenzie ’83

Jay Fielding ’68, Greg Fisher ’68, Mike Noonan ’68, Mark Crosby ’68 and Jeff Mancabelli

Dave Murphy ’65, Mike Brant ’65, Don Chacos ’65 and Coley O’Brien ’65

42  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

Photo Gallery

Naples Alumni Reception: January 14, 2014

New York City Alumni Reception: April 10, 2014

St. John’s College High School  43

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 through May 31, 2014.)

Alumni • • • • • • • • •

1937 1940 1940 1942 1942 1943 1943 1944 1944

Wilfred Burgan Donald Fitzpatrick Thomas O’Dea Dominic Lozupone Joseph Weisgerber Clark Harmon Edward Preston James Hassett William Hopke

• • • • • • • • •

1944 1946 1947 1948 1950 1952 1954 1957 1957

Emmett Pacetti George Fleishell Paul Dulaney Stephen Gatti Gerald Goeringer John Mermel Robert Crawley Alfred Loda T. Dale Lowe

• • • • • • • • •

1959 1960 1962 1963 1963 1967 1967 1969 1972

John Kannar Daniel O’Connor Robert Scullin James Hotchkiss James McDonald Francis Hewitt Milan Lowe Peter Fisher Edwin Dinsmore

• • • • • • • • •

1973 1974 1978 1978 1978 1980 1981 1995 2001

Thomas Law Albert Wheeler Thomas McNamara Michael Mercurio Marc Solorzano John Elmendorf James Soden Rashan Hilson Antoinette Irving

Family and Friends of St. John’s • Abbo, Robert, founder of the

• Edwards, Deron, father of

• McLaughlin, Bro. Gregorian

• Rodgers, Robert, father of

•

•

•

• Rollins, Beatrice Ann, mother

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Poor Roberts Foundation Ballinger, Margaret, mother of Alex Della-Valle ’65 and sister of Richard Dalena ’51 Bazemore, Randolph, father of Randi Bazemore ’09 Beavers, Noreen Ther, wife of William Beavers ’51 and mother of William Beavers ’76 Beckett, Keith, father of Keith Beckett ’16 Brophy, Ida, mother of Amanda Brophy ’05 Burgan, Wilfred ’37, brother of Elmer Burgan ’44 (deceased) Calventi, Marie, mother of Victor Calventi ’71 Clark, Harmon ’43, father of Dale Harmon ’69 and Craig Harmon ’74 Combs, David, father of David Combs ’89 Conley, James, father of James Conley ’65 and Stephen Conley ’71 D’Albora, Charlene, mother of John Linderman ’83 Dent, Patricia, sister of George Dent ’56 DeLuca, Frances, mother of Frank DeLuca ’67 DeStefano, Anne, aunt of Paul DeStefano, SJC faculty Dixon, Linda, mother of Janelle Dixon ’06 Drury, Hilda Guy, mother of Francis Drury ’64 DuLaney, Paul ’47, brother of George DuLaney ’47 (deceased) and Richard DuLaney ’51

44  Scarlet & Grey  Summer 2014

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

• • •

Camryn Edwards ’17 Elmendorf, John ’80, brother of Stephen Elmendorf ’69 Erb, Bro. Kevin FSC, member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools Fitz-Patrick, Eleonore, mother of Paul Fitz-Patrick ’71 Gatti, Stephen ’48, son of Stephen Gatti ’14 (deceased) and brother of David Gatti ’49 Gholl, Joseph, father of John Gholl ’76 and Robert Gholl ’78 Gray, John, father of Andre Gray ’88 Grimaldi, Jeanette, mother of Paul Grimaldi ’75, Steven Grimaldi ’80 and Vincent Grimaldi ’84 Haggerty, Walter, father of Walter Haggerty ’69 (correction from winter 2014 edition) Hamilton, John, father of John Hamilton ’81 Kaloz, Dorothy, mother of Jeffrey Kaloz ’94 Kinerney, Eugene, father of Eugene Kinerney ’86 Lavin, Charles, father of Charles Lavin ’86 Law, Thomas ’73, son of Thomas Law ’36 (deceased), nephew of Frank Law ’32 (deceased) and cousin to Robert Law ’65 and Michael Law ’68 Lawless, John, father of John Lawless ’73 McGarry, Maurice “Mac,” father of Mark McGarry ’84 McChrystal, Herbert, father of Stanley McChrystal ’72

•

• • • • • • •

•

• • • • •

FSC, former SJC faculty McNamara, Thomas ’78, brother of John McNamara ’79 and Charles McNamara ’85 Melo, Thomas, father of Thomas Melo ’69 and grandfather of Rachel Melo ’03 and Erin Melo ’06 Mercurio, Michael ’78, brother of Danté Mercurio ’76 Nash, Patricia, mother of George Nash ’81 Nellum, Albert, father of Daniel Nellum ’88 Nixon, Crawford, father of Michael Nixon ’68 (deceased) O’Connor, Daniel ’60, brother of Martin O’Connor ’63 Offenbacher, Dorothy, wife of Joseph Offenbacher ’52 Otero, Fernando, brother of Juan-Pablo Otero ’72 (deceased) and uncle of Guillermo Otero ’07, Luis Otero ’08 and Maria-Elisa Otero ’10 Parshall, Gerald, father of Gerald Parshall ’75, Edward Parshall ’77 and James Parshall ’81 Peak, Marie, mother of John Peak ’63 Pribac, William, father of William Pribac, SJC faculty Powell, John, uncle of Monique Powell ’09 Reavis, Mary, sister of John Saur ’61, Joseph Saur ’71 and Jay Saur ’76 Riva-Chevez, Christina, mother of Andrew Chevez ’14

Rashad Rodgers ’98, SJC staff of Stacy Rollins ’71

• Rybka, Bridget, mother of • • • •

• •

• • • • •

Anthony Rybka ’68 and Henry Rybka ’66 Sazama-Smith, Patricia, aunt of Sharyn Sazama-Moreau, SJC faculty Schiattareggia, Dominic ’50, brother of Hugo Schiattareggia ’48 (deceased) Sergent, Teresa, sister of Ed Seibolt ’74 and sister-in-law of Robert Fletcher ’75 Solorzano, Marc ’78, brother of Robert Solorzano ’74, Francis Solorzano ’76 and Adrian Solorzano ’81 Taff, Betty, wife of John Taff ’40 Testerman, Patricia, mother of Rex Lawerence-Testerman ’01, James Testerman ’09 and John Testerman ’10 Theophilos, Sophia, mother of Theodore Theophilos ’85 Tollerson, Ernest, father of Ernest Tollerson ’70 Toomey, Francis, father of Michael Toomey ’69 Vesperoni, Santiago, brother of Matias Vesperoni ’15 Vitale, Michael, father of Mark Vitale ’74

Classes of ’69 and ’74  Class of ’79

SEPTEMBER 20

SEPTEMBER 27

Classes of ’59, ’89 and ’09

OCTOBER 17–18

Classes of ’84, ’94, ’99 and ’04

OCTOBER 18

Save the date for this fall’s class reunions! For more information and online registration, visit www.stjohnschs.org/reunions.

Special Event For All St. John’s Alumni Former Cadets from all classes are invited to attend the first annual All-Alumni Gathering at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. Details for this event and all class reunions can be found online at www.stjohnschs.org/reunions.

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

ST. JOHN’S ADMISSION

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, October 26 / 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

At St. John’s, more than 160 years of tradition meet innovative learning techniques in a welcoming community. Do you know a student looking for a Catholic, Lasallian, coeducational, college preparatory school? Share with them the difference that St. John’s can make in their lives. • 1:1 educational technology program, featuring iPads • De La Salle Scholars Program, as well as 23 AP and 15 honors courses • 100% college acceptance rate; Class of 2014 earned $24 million in scholarships • 30-acre campus with more than $13 million in new construction • 26 varsity athletic teams • Free shuttle service from the Friendship Heights and Silver Spring Metro stations • Bus transportation available from Maryland and Virginia

For more information: 202-363-2316  /  www.stjohnschs.org