Features - Roselle Catholic High School

The Lion
Edition 10 • TABLE OF CONTENTS • FALL 2015
Features
48 Bill Trelease14‘72Judge
Gettysburg Guide
Robert Reed ‘66
22
28
56
64
72
78
84
90
Cynthia Brenner Stewart ’90
Dr. Keven Lukenda ‘81
Siobhan Skerritt ‘03
Judge Richard Wischusen ‘78
Bob Mallon ‘89
Christine Bodzioch ‘03
Joe Montes ‘78
Nick DeRose ‘72
38
ReConnections
68 Reunions
Dr Colleen Daly Martinez ’90
Noted Play Therapist
62
4 Alumni News
Thank You,
Pat Hagan!
95 Another Tournament of
81 Memory Collage:
1963-1967
47 Smart Stuff!
26 GOOD HEALTH: RC HealthPro!
SPEAK UP!
We invite your comments and suggestions -- tell us what you like or
don’t like. Provide submissions for possible publication, or just a brief
note on ‘what’s happening.’
Send an email to: Michelle Campbell, Office of Development at:
mcampbell@rosellecatholic.org, or call at 908-445-7706.
Or send an email to Tom Libonate at: tlibonate@me.com
Champions Title!
Roselle Catholic High School
350 Raritan Road
Roselle, NJ 07203
Tel: 908-245-2350
Fax: 908-241-3869
Email: info@rosellecatholic.org
Thomas Berrios, President - Principal
Joseph Skrec, Assistant Principal
Martha Konczal, Assistant Principal
Dr. Robert J. Stickles, President Emeritus
Be Strong. Be Proud. Be a Lion.
1
IS ANYBODY LISTENING?
We’ve been doing this for 10 years! The tenth edition of the Lion Magazine
is in your hands and I hope you enjoy it.
THE LION is published in
cooperation with the Office of
Development for alumni, GC
alumnae, parents, family, and
friends of Roselle Catholic High
School.
THE LION aims to periodically
share news and updates on events
concerning Roselle Catholic High
School, its alumni, students and
community.
We are grateful to the following for
their talents and contribution to this
edition of THE LION
Writing & Literary Content
Tom Libonate ‘64
Layout & Design
Bill Lyons ‘64
Article Contributions
Thomas Berrios
Pete Ciliberto ‘92
Maureen Hagan GC ‘72
Julie LaBrutto ‘90
Tom Libonate ‘64
Elizabeth Noonan ‘15
Vince Poisella
John Schmitt ‘68
Joe Skrec ‘84
Bob Stickles ‘66
Proof Reading
Merni Libonate
Interview Transcription
Merni Libonate
Photography
John Cerra ‘78
Christopher Clesca ‘06
Lucien Edme ‘17
Timothy Hagan ‘03
Merni Libonate
Tom Libonate ‘64
Erin Sisk ‘06
Special Appreciation
We want to thank Bill Lyons, RC
’64 for bringing his graphic talents
and dedication to the layout of this
edition of The Lion.
Thanks alone does not do justice
to the amount of personal time and
energy he unselfishly contributed to
the design of this edition.
2
As in prior editions we are pleased to feature an assortment of alumni stories
that demonstrate the fascinating and diverse life-paths our alumni have chosen.
I realize those we have featured are only a small sampling of our 8,000
plus alumni community. Yet it always strikes me, as I hope it does you, what
extremely interesting, character-rich people populate our alumni community
and the individual measurements they apply to gauge their success and
personal happiness.
For the record, over the ten years this publication has been alumni-centric.
There is no staff. It is simply alumni volunteers who, with the support of the
Development Office, contribute their time and talent for the pure enjoyment of
keeping the RC community informed, connected and invigorated.
There is one question that baffles me. Over the years there have been numerous
requests for feedback on how we’re doing – comments and suggestions -- what
you like or don’t like. We’ve also asked for articles for possible publication.
To my puzzlement and disappointment, we have received only a handful of
responses. This sometime leads me to ask myself is anyone listening? Are we
connecting? Is this publication one our alumni and the RC community enjoys?
How can we make it better?
This publication is the alumni speaking. It is not necessarily the voice of the
administration. We, the alumni, produce this magazine. Maybe it’s because
we do this for the satisfaction of keeping our alumni and the RC community
connected that we want to know “how we’re doing and is our effort
worthwhile?”
In other words, folks, we’d like your feedback and involvement. Frankly we could
use the help! There are many moving parts to get this publication in your hands.
For this edition I had the invaluable help of a classmate, Bill Lyons, Class of
1964, a talented and experienced graphics designer. He contributed by
spending endless hours crafting layouts and dealing with the stream of edits
that went back and forth electronically between he on the west coast and I
on the east coast. This was an enjoyable collaboration that reunited Bill and
I some 51 years after our last publication project together, as members of the
1964 Lions’ Lair staff.
Contributing to the “mom & pop” nature of this publication, my wife Merni
ably performed the tedious task of transcribing the interview recordings and
proofreading final copy. Additionally, Michelle Campbell and the Office of
Development provided priceless support and coordination of the infinite details
for print production and distribution.
OK, here it comes again. We’re asking for feedback. Your comments and
suggestions are vital, as are your ideas for prospective articles.
Would you like to bring your talents to bear on The Lion?
We’re Listening!
Tom Libonate ‘64
Editor
President &
RC PRINCIPAL,
TOM BERRIOS
Previously the Principal at The Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New
Providence, Thomas Berrios was selected as RC principal from an experienced field of twenty-five applicants and four finalists, by the Search
Committee comprised of Kevin Mahoney and Gina Gilcrest from the
RC Board; Julie LaBrutto and John Schmitt from the RC faculty; Brother
Richard Van Houten from the Marist Brothers; and John O’Neil from the
Archdiocese of Newark. On July 1, 2014 Mr. Berrios assumed the office
of RC Principal.
After a successful year in office, on August 30, 2015 Mr. Berrios assumed
the position of RC President, the office vacated by the retirement of Dr.
Robert Stickles ‘66, who held the position of President for the past three
years. Dr. Stickles will remain very active in Roselle Catholic affairs as
President Emeritus and Vice Chair of the RC Board.
President and RC Principal Tom Berrios with the plaque
presented him on the occasion of his first Athletics
Convocation on November 10, 2014
“I look forward to continue working with Tom in advancing Roselle Catholic’s core academic, social, spiritual and moral missions,” said Dr. Stickles.
The Perfect Fit
Tom Berrios, a resident of Roselle Park, has been active in Catholic education for twenty years. He’s been at Our Lady of Peace for six
years, and, before that, worked for eight years at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington (a school much like RC) where he
taught Social Studies as well as Religion as its Department Chair. In addition to his teaching duties, he was the Principal of the Queen of
Peace Summer School and coached both the girls’ and boys’ tennis teams.
Before joining the faculty at Queen of Peace, Tom worked as a Youth Minister at the parish level, and is currently serving in that capacity at
The Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park, where he is also a Eucharist Minister. He is an experienced retreat leader, peer leadership
supervisor, and service projects manager.
Tom has served on a number of Archdiocesan committees and has volunteered for Middle States duty as part of evaluation teams that
have studied both public and private schools.
Holding Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Caldwell College (in Psychology and Administration, respectively), Tom has New Jersey
teacher certification at both the elementary and secondary levels, as well as certification as a Supervisor and Principal. He is also a Certified Catechist.
During the search process, Tom was recommended by the Archdiocese Schools Office as among the best of the Archdiocese’s elementary principals. The Search Committee that did the interviewing was equally high on him,
unanimously deeming him the most qualified of the four finalists.
An RC Connection
Tom first learned about Roselle Catholic through his daughter, Marissa, even before the
principal position was posted. Marissa, then in Eighth Grade at Our Lady of Peace, and
a volleyball player, attended the Union County Championship final with her dad, Tom,
at Kean University back in the fall of 2013. Marissa was considering other Catholic
high schools and not thinking about RC at that point, but she was so impressed with
the spirit and sportsmanship of RC’s players and the enthusiasm of the student fans,
that she asked Tom if they could look into RC. They did, they chose RC, and she
registered on Registration Day as a member of the Freshman Class that entered in
September 2014.
Finally, we all owe Julie LaBrutto and John Schmitt a debt of thanks. Their service
on the search committee was invaluable, and one of the reasons Tom accepted our
offer was the positive feeling he had about our staff after meeting the two of them.
“I look forward to continue working with Tom
in advancing Roselle Catholic’s core academic,
social, spiritual and moral missions.”
-Dr. Robert Stickles ‘66, RC President Emeritus
3
FROM REAL TO REEL
Brendan Trelease ‘08 Portrayed
In Film Release “1000 To 1”
O
ver a year ago in this publication you may have read the inspiring story of a reluctant
hero, Brendan Trelease, RC Class of 2008, and the event that took place during his
freshman year at Gettysburg College that placed him center stage in a story that
has been covered by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and The New York to name a few – and the
basis for a feature film.
“1000 TO 1” is the story of Cory Weissman, a Gettysburg basketball player who suffered
a major stroke in the locker room during his freshman year, and how his friend and
teammate, Brendan Trelease, saved his life and influenced his comeback.
Overcoming long odds Cory began months of intensive rehabilitation to regain use of
his left side. He returned to Gettysburg in the fall of 2009 with the dream of playing
again for the basketball team. His journey back required hard work, a positive outlook
and a support network that included his good friend Brendan Trelease.
On their senior night, against Washington
College in February 2012, Cory got his
opportunity to play again. The events
leading up to and on the court that night
was so unlikely that Hollywood couldn’t
resist.
The feature film, “1000 to 1”, premiered at the Majestic Theatre in Gettysburg on Saturday, March 1, 2014. The cast includes Beau Bridges and Luke Kleintank, of
the TV show “Bones”, who plays the role of Brendan Trelease. David Henrie turns in an
amazing performance in the role of Cory Weissman.
An RC athlete, Brendan played on the Lions’ varsity basketball team and pitched for the
baseball team. After graduating from RC in 2008, Brendan moved on to Gettysburg
College, where he played on their NCAA Division III basketball team. It was an event that
happened off the court, however, that would ultimately bring the national media to Gettysburg College and its basketball team.
Shortly after their freshman basketball season ended, Brendan and his teammate, Cory
Weissman, were in the weight room working out. Having spent the winter playing
together, the two NJ
natives were becoming
close friends. As the
session progressed, Cory
began to struggle.
Brendan recognized the
stroke symptoms and
Brendan Trelease with actor Luke
summoned help. WeathKleintank, who plays him in the movie
er conditions prohibited
during filming on location at Gettysburg
an airlift to the medical
College
center, so Cory traveled
the 50 miles to Hershey, PA in an ambulance. A surgical procedure
stopped the bleeding in Cory’s brain and his condition was upgraded to stable.
4
The premier of “1000 To 1” began with a cocktail party where all the
real life characters and their families met the cast and crew of the
movie. The evening ended with a “question and answer” session
with the cast, the screenwriter and Cory and Brendan on-stage to
answer questions and address the audience.
Brendan with Cory Weissman at the premier of “1000 To 1”
ALUMNI NEWS
Ray Korn ’64
Inducted Into American Coaches Hall Of Fame
R
ay Korn, RC class of 1964, starting pitcher on RC’s first varsity baseball team and former RC baseball coach who won the school’s first two Parochial “A” State Championships in 1975 and 1978,
has been selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association for its five-member ABCA Hall of
Fame class of 2015.
Induction to the ABCA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the organization. The ABCA was
founded in 1945 and the Hall of Fame began in 1966.
He was inducted during the Hall of Fame / Coach of
the Year Banquet at the ABCA Convention on January
3, 2015 in Orlando, Florida.
Ray Korn spent his coaching career at every level of
baseball. He coached for 34 years in the New Jersey
high school ranks and, during that same time, served
as pitching coach at the collegiate and professional
levels as well as for several Team USA squads. During
his career, Ray coached more than 20 Major Leaguers, including Tony Clark, Darryl Strawberry and Bob
Milacki.
A member of the class of 1964, RC’s second graduating class, Ray was a starting pitcher on RC’s first
varsity baseball team, and was selected an All-State
pitcher in 1964.
RC Coach Ray Korn, first row far left, with his 1975 team, the first in school
history to win a Parochial “A” State Championship
Following graduation from St. Leo College, Florida where he was District All-American in 1969, Ray returned to Roselle Catholic,
where he taught Economics and Physical Education and was varsity baseball coach from 1974-79, winning two Parachial “A” State
Championships, the first in school history.
Ray was pitching coach at Seton Hall University from 1976-80, and coached / scouted in the professional ranks for many years in
the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs organizations, as well as the St. Paul Saints of St Paul, Minnesota.
At the international level, Ray was pitching coach for the USA Jr. National Team that won the Silver Medal at the World Championship in 1990 in Havana, Cuba.
Additionally, he was the pitching coach for the USA Pan-Am Cup Team in Panama City in 2001, as well as the pitching coach for the
USA Women’s Baseball Team in 2006.
Ray has been a clinician several times at the ABCA Convention. He has spoken before the baseball coaches associations in several
states as well as in Europe. He has published articles pertaining to pitcher biomechanics, training and game preparation.
Sue Riley ‘14 NJAC Player Of The Year
Rutgers University-Newark freshman libero Sue Riley, RC class of 2014, is the New Jersey
Athletic Conference Defensive PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
S
ue Riley ’14, who played on RC’s back-to-back Union County Tournament championship
girl’s volleyball team helped lead the Scarlet Raiders to a 17-12 overall record, and a berth
in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championship Tournament, eventually advancing to the
semi-finals.
The volleyball libero is a defensive specialist position that was added to the game in 1999
along with special rules for play in order to foster more digs and rallies.
Riley capped her first season by being named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive
Player of the Week four times over the season, as well as being named to the Honorable Mention All-NJAC list, averaging 18.0 digs per match.
As a freshman she piled-up 495 digs and 41 service aces while playing all but three RutgersNewark games thought the season. The rookie becomes the only Rutgers-Newark player to
garner Player of the Year recognition since the inception of the program in 2004.
5
Maurice Moran ’67
Awarded NJ Governor’s Arts Education Award
Outstanding Teacher of Theater, Professor of Theater, Monmouth University
R
oselle Catholic alumnus, former member of the faculty and a Professor of Theater at Monmouth
University was named OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF THEATER at the 2015 Governor’s Awards in Arts
Education on May 27th.
The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the
arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners. The program recognizes
arts educators and arts education advocates, whose leadership has helped nurture the development of
students in the arts across the state.
Maurice Moran, RC ’67, appeared in a number of RC productions as a student. Upon graduation from
Montclair State he returned to Roselle Catholic as a member of the English Department and director of the RC Drama Club at RC
from 1972 to 1981.
It was after retiring from high school teaching and while attending RC’s 50th anniversary Cabaret Night celebration that he reacquainted with John J. Burke, who directed shows at RC in 1969-72. It was Burke who offered Maurice a position with the theatre
department of Monmouth University.
Two Alums Honored At
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Dinner
T
he Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Union County held their annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 12, 2015 at the Grand
Summit Hotel in Summit. Over two hundred men of Irish heritage attended, and as usual, Roselle Catholic alumni were well
represented.
This year, Roselle Catholic was particularly interested in the proceedings, as two RC grads were among the honorees. Dr. Robert
Stickles, RC President and a member of the Class of 1966, and Robert Wade, a member of the Class of 1974, both received the Sons’
“Distinguished Service Award,” in recognition of their contributions to the people of Union County.
In addition to Dr. Stickles, a number of RC faculty and staff, past and present, were in attendance, including Principal Tom Berrios,
Vice Principal Pat Hagan, Athletic Director Joe Skrec, Head Boys Basketball Coach Dave Boff, Teacher and Coach Tim Hagan, together with former Guidance Director Bob O’Connor and former Athletic Director and Teacher Patrick Gallagher, who was Dr. Stickles’
Homeroom / Religion / English Teacher back in 1962.
Honorees Dr. Robert Stickles ‘66 and Robert Wade ’74, seated left to right, surrounded by many RC grads, faculty and friends
6
ALUMNI NEWS
Save The Date
CLASSES OF 1966 & 1991,
You’re Invited!
Next year will be the 50th Anniversary of the Class of
1966’s Graduation
… as well as the Class of 1991’s 25th Anniversary!
As part of an ongoing graduation tradition, both the Golden and
Silver Anniversary classes will be invited as the special guest of
Roselle Catholic, and RCHS President-Principal Thomas Berrios, to
partake in the Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2016.
SUNDAY, JU N E 5, 2016 • 10: 00 AM • ROSELLE C ATHOLIC AUD ITORIUM
In recognition of their Roselle Catholic experience and legacy members of both classes will be requested to process with the
Graduating Class of 2013 and to be seated in a place of honor during the ceremony. A lunch reception will follow the ceremony.
Invitations will be sent to members of the classes early in the new year. Please save the date, and if you’d like to RSVP before then,
do so to Nancy Fischetti, Registrar, at 908.245.2350.
Critical Acclaim For A New TV Series
Directed by Michael Trim ‘72
M
ichael Trim, RC ‘72, who’s credits include: Director & Executive Co-producer of “Orange Is the
New Black,” as well as a 2010 Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for the series,
“Weeds,” is the Director of the pilot and 2 episodes of VH1’s new series, “Hindsight,” which
debuted earlier this year to critical acclaim and has been renewed for a second season.
One such review in The Atlantic had this to say, “Hindsight is a fun, light-hearted watch whose first
two episodes are already superior to a lot of current TV comedies!! And trust me the show gets better and better!”
Congratulations, Michael!
Jameel Warney ‘12
Led Nation In Double-Doubles
RC
grad Jameel Warney ‘12, Stony Brook junior and the America East
Conference PLAYER OF THE YEAR accounted for his nation-leading
23rd double-double in the Seawolves’ heart-breaking 51-50 defeat
to Albany in the conference championship game.
More than any D1 player in the nation over the 2014-15 season, Warney had
games when he posted double-digit points and double digit rebounds.
7
ALUMNI NEWS
Melissa Tobie’s Jersey
Displayed in Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
RC
’s Melissa Toby ‘11 was again in the news. The Montclair State basketball forward and Elizabeth native has received plenty
of honors in her career and added another one as her MSU Red Hawks jersey hung in the “Ring of Honor” at the Women’s
Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Melissa concluded her MSU career in a 2014-15 campaign that saw her named as First Team D3Hoops.com
All-American for the second consecutive season and third
time overall, as well as named to the Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American Team.
This past season she led the Red Hawks in virtually every
category averaging a double-double of 16.2 points and
10.1 rebounds per game along with 111 assists, 103 steals
and 77 blocks. She became the 15th player in Division
III history to record 2,000 career points and 1,000 career
rebounds attaining both marks in the NCAA Tournament.
Tobie also joined Carol Blazejowski as the only two players in Montclair State history to accomplish the feat.
SCORE!
RC alums Mark O’Grady ‘83, Joey Evans ‘06, and Rich Biddulph ‘77 handle the center court
duties of The Lions’ Den with enthusiasm, dedication and style!
A
1983 RC graduate, Mark O’Grady, the long-time scoreboard-operator
launched his career at the scorers’ table working the scoreboard for subvarsity games while still a student.
Since then, Mark O’Grady has worked countless state tournament, county
tournament and holiday tournament games in addition to Roselle Catholic’s
own contests.
Mark punched in the 25,000th point of his career for the home team on the
scoreboard back on January 19, 2011.
Joey Evans, RC ‘06, is one of the voices of The Lions’ Den, sitting behind the
microphone for high-profile boys’ basketball games as well as some RC subvarsity games. Joey, who adds to the atmosphere of The Lions’ Den with
music from his laptop, also works the scoreboard and always contributes any
way possible to make the game day operations run as smoothly as possible.
The other voice of The Lions’ Den during basketball season belongs to alum
Rich Biddulph, RC ’77. Rich has handled public address duties for girls’ basketball games, as well as some boys’ basketball games, for more than a decade.
A standout baseball player for Roselle Catholic, Rich is well-known for providing updates from the financial markets as well as running halftime trivia
contests that usually include a pretzel from the snack stand for a prize. Rich
is also treasurer of the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference
(UCIAC).
8
Additionally, some sub-varsity games and freshman game duties at the table
are handled by Michael Skrec, RC ‘09, an assistant coach with the boys’ varsity.
Mark O’Grady ‘83 (left), long-time scoreboard operator and
Joey Evans ‘06 (right) one of the PA Announcer for RC Boys
Basketball
AHEAD OF THE TIMES!
Remembering Joe Reidy ‘70
In 1970 Attending Classes Remotely was the Stuff of
Science Fiction. Yet RC Found a Way to Help an Injured
Senior Attend Classes From His Hospital Bed.
It was the summer of 1969, and Joe Reidy, Roselle Catholic Class of 1970, was enjoying
himself, as rising high school seniors typically do, with all manner of the usual warm
weather activities. And then one sunny day, he dove into a
swimming pool, and everything changed.
Joe Reidy second from right, with
Vince O’Donnell, John Orleanski,
and Russell Ortega at RC in 1969
That dive paralyzed Joe for life. But he was not one to let
adversity get him down. Notwithstanding the prospect of a
long hospitalization, he wanted to graduate with his RC Class, and, with the co-operation of the
school and other friends, he set out to do just that.
Joe Reidy, a standout during
RC’s “Glory Days” of track
With the help of the local telephone company, the school’s administration installed a specially
designed and dedicated telephone line and speaker system in one of the classrooms. Then,
all of the classes that Joe was planning
to take during his senior year were
scheduled for that room, enabling him
to hear, via a speaker near his hospital
bed, all that went on there, and to join
in the classroom discussions. While this
doesn’t sound particularly sophisticated
by current standards, such technology was
basically unheard of in 1969, and Joe’s
set-up represented a major undertaking by
everyone involved.
Joe is connected via phone hook-up with Gerald Malia’s
Spanish Class
So Joe was a “virtual student” before there was such a thing, attending
each of his classes every day during his senior year. With the help of
his family, friends and teachers, Joe successfully finished his high school curriculum and
graduated with his class, in person, in June 1970. He then went off to college, and had a
distinguished career, for thirty years, with the Internal Revenue Service.
Throughout his life, Joe remained loyal to RC, ever thankful for the opportunity the school
gave him to graduate. He often attended games and other events at the school, always
proud to be a Lion. He was an inspiration to everyone who met him, right up to the day
of his passing, February 23, 2011, at the age of 58.
In His Memory Classmates Establish the Joe Reidy Scholarship Fund!
Joe’s classmates and other friends have
honored his memory with a successful
scholarship drive. With leadership from Joe’s
brother Ed, Mike Walsh, ’70 and Joe Higgins,
’72, they have raised over $40,000 to fund four
Honor student Joe Reidy receives
$2500
four-year scholarships that will make
his RC diploma from Br. Norbert and
a RC education possible for four deserving
Br. Stephen Martin in June 1970
members of the RC Class of 2019.
While Joe has passed on, our four new Joseph A. Reidy, ‘70 Scholars will keep
his spirit alive and well at RC!
If you would like to contribute, please contact Michelle Campbell, Office of
Development at (908) 445-7706 or mcampbell@rosellecatholic.org. Or to
make a donation online safely and conveniently go to the RC website. Under
the SUPPORTING RC menu tab you will see the Joe Reidy Scholarship Fund.
Joe, center, with classmates Mike Walsh, left,
and Joe Savage, right, at the Class of ‘70’s 40year reunion in 2010.
9
D
ick Sweeney ’66, Co-Founder of Keurig®,
1990s, three visionaries, asking themselves “Why
graciously hosted a gathering of Boston
can’t we brew coffee the way we drink it: one cup
area alumni at his company’s new state-of- at a time?”, set out to create a single-cup coffee
the- industry facility on Wednesday, September 10, brewing system. One of those three was Dick
2014, followed by cocktails at his
Sweeney, RC ‘66. Now, twenty
home in Winchester, MA.
years later, the system Dick
In the “Sunday Review” secdeveloped from scratch as the
tion of the September 21, 2014
head of Keurig’s manufacturing
New York Sunday Times, there
effort has literally taken over the
appeared an article about the
world. While Dick is proud of
emotional side of parents takthis success, he says his greatest
ing their child off to college. It
joy comes from starting a comstarted with a description of the
pany that now employs thoupacking process, referring to
sands of workers who are there“the requisite duffle bags and
by able to support their families.
notebooks and drawer units and
Dick stays connected to RC,
bedding and mini-fridge and a
and last September he invited
Keurig.” That’s how much the
Dr. Robert Stickles, ‘66, RC’s
Keurig coffee-brewing system
President and Tom Libonate,
has now become a part of Amer‘64, RC’s Board Chair, a group of
ican life, that this writer could
Boston-area RC alumni and RC
Dick Sweeney ’66, Co-Founder of Keurig®
reference just its name and evBoard members to tour Keurig’s
erybody knows what he’s talking about.
recently opened state-of-the-art facility in BurlingAs you may be aware, Roselle Catholic has a
ton, Massachusetts. The visit began with lunch
special connection to Keurig. Back in the early
-- which included lots of reminiscing about “the
10
Dick and Els Sweeney’s at their home in Winchester MA
good old days” on Raritan Road, and then
Dick gave the group a presentation on
Keurig’s remarkable history. There followed a tour of the company’s beautiful
new headquarters and the day ended with
an informal reception at Dick and Els
Sweeney’s home in nearby Winchester.
Two Students Awarded
Jennifer Lynch ’89
Memorial Scholarship
In February 2013, the Roselle Catholic community suffered the loss
of someone who embodied what it means to be a Lion, Jennifer
“Jenny” Lynch.
Jenny Lynch of Roselle graduated from Roselle Catholic in 1989. During her time at RC she participated in basketball, softball, tennis, and
track. Jenny is one of four siblings who are Lions, and she has been
followed by countless cousins.
The Jennifer Lynch Scholarship was established in 2013 to help support a member of the RC community who is an active participant.
This year there were two scholarships presented, both in honor of
Jenny Lynch.
On May 20th, Kevin Lynch ‘87, Jenny’s brother, along with Nicol Spigai-Klein ‘89 presented Kelsea Van Vliet with a scholarship for $3,000.
Senior, Brittany Zwiebel, received $1,000.
Don Delikat ’69, Rich Baumann ’64, Tom Libonate ’64
and Eleanor Baumann, wife of Rich Baumann and former
RC faculty member
These students truly depict all of the qualities the RC community
loved in Jenny. They are talented athletes, hard working students,
and dependable friends. Most of all they are good people who love
life and treasure their time as Roselle Catholic students.
Kevin Lynch desired one of the scholarships in memory of Jenny be
awarded to a graduating senior athlete. It was Brittany Zwiebel.
Kelsea’s scholarship was comprised of money donated by the class
of 1989 in Jenny’s name. Nicol Spigai-Klein, also class of 1989, helped
collect the money for the scholarship.
-Photos courtesy of Chris Clesca, RC ‘06
Charley Clark ’73 and Bob Mallon ’89 in the yard of the
Sweeney’s home
Classmates of ‘66: Bob Stickles, Pete Bilia and
Dick Sweeney
Pictured above:
Nicol Spigai-Klein
‘89 (far left) and
Kevin Lynch ‘87 (far
right) with Kelsea
Van Vliet and her
mother
Pictured at left:
Brittany Zwiebel
(center) with Nicol
Spigai-Klein ‘89
(far left) and Kevin
Lynch ‘87 (far right)
11
NEWLY FORMATTED ALUMNI CAREER DAY 2015
Twenty-one of the twenty-six Alumni Career Day presenters:
Seated - BethAnn Badalis Haberman, Colleen Daly Martinez, Cyndi Brenner Stewart, Geraldine Pagaoa Standing - Andrew Boris, Joe Renna,
Joseph Llano, Dr. Kevin Lukenda, Dr. James Gilligan, Dawn Tilton Rodgers, Brian Vogler, Kathleen Matthews Schmidt, Bill Pockels,
Nancy Collins Griffith, Jim McFadden, Denise DeLorenzo D’Urso, Tara Pokorny Prisco, Nicole Peniston, Christine Bodzioch,
John Hoffman, Gina Hoffman Gilcrest
A
n innovative new format for RC’s annual Alumni Career Day, initiated by the RC Guidance Department, contributed to
what many are saying is the best Alumni Career Day in recent memory.
On Friday, March 20th Roselle Catholic held its annual Alumni Career Day. But this year there was something different ...
something better!
Through the good offices of Julie LaBrutto ‘90, Chair of the Guidance Department, and Kathleen Skeehan of Guidance, with
help from Pat Collins and Michelle Campbell in Development, RC implemented a new format, born of Julie and Kathleen’s
idea, which, while risky (uncertain as any new idea can be) turned out to be an unqualified success.
The students assembled in “stations” within the auditorium, listened to twenty-six alumni presenters, mostly first-timers, with
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By chance it was a “mini
-reunion” for members
of the Class of
1990 participating in Alu
mni Career Day: from lef
t to right (sitting)
Andrew Boris, Colleen
Daly
Haberman, Nancy Collin Martinez, (standing) BethAnn Badalis
s Griffith, Jim McFadden
, Kathy Matthews
Schmidt, Cyndi Brenner
Stewart, Dawn Tilton Ro
dgers and Julie
LaBrutto
ter “stations” which
Just some of the presen
within the auditorium
the students visited
John Hoffman ’69
, RC
attending the newl Alumni Association President, ad
dresses the body
y-formatted Care
of students
er Day
o D’Urso ‘91
Denise DeLorenz
lots of age and gender diversity. For the first time, younger and female alumni predominated. The class best represented was that of 1990, an occurrence wholly unrelated, we’re
sure, to Ms. LaBrutto’s membership therein.
The alumni really
enjoyed it, as Ms.
LaBrutto received the
following comment
from one of the presenters, which she also
posted on Facebook.
Beth Badalis Habe
rman ‘90
“I was very impressed
with the RC students
today. They were very
polite and asked some
great questions. It was
refreshing to see such a
well mannered group of
students.”
Presenters at his year’s
Alumni Career Day, were:
Christine Bodzioch ‘03
Occupational Therapist
Michael Ruple ‘03
Director, Arcadia Contemporary
Brian Vogler ‘04
Head Athletic Trainer
Jennifer (Rizzo) Daley ‘01
Registered Nurse
Emily Griffith ‘00
Grocery Buyer
John Cerra ‘78
Bond Portfolio Manager
Joseph Renna ‘78
Advertising/Marketing/Publishing
Denise (DeLorenzo) D’Urso ‘91
Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Manager, Physical Therapist
Dr. James Gilligan, Ph.D.,MSIB ‘70
Chief Scientific Officer/Co-Founder
Nicole Peniston, M.A. ‘97
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Tara (Pokorny) Prisco, PA-C, M.S. ‘97
Physician Assistant
James McFadden ‘90
Meteorologist
Beth (Badalis) Haberman ‘90
Speech/Language Specialist
Kathleen (Matthews) Schmidt ‘90
Publicity Director for Weinstein
Books/Director of Corporate Communications, Perseus Books Group
Dawn (Tilton) Rodger ‘90
Detective Lieutenant Rahway Police
Pasquale Vella ‘99
Attorney
John Hoffman ’69
Keynote Speaker
Virginia (Hoffman) Gilchrist GC ’67
Retired Principal
Dr. Kevin Lukenda ’81
Doctor - Family Practice
Joseph Llano, PhD ’95
IT Engineering Consulting
Geraldine Pagaoa-Cruz, MS OTR ’95
Occupational Therapist
Colleen Daly Martinez, PhD, LCSW,
RPT-S ’90
Social Worker, Registered Play
Therapist and Supervisor
Cynthia (Brenner) Stewart ’90
Footwear Designer
Nancy (Collins) Griffith ’90
Registered Nurse
Andrew Boris ’90
Radio Personality
William Pockels ’82
Industrial Hygienist
13
The Honorable
Robert Reed ‘66
Judge
Superior Court of New Jersey
- From an Interview with Tom Libonate ‘64
From the time an adolescent Robert Reed, a child of the first TV Generation,
became a captivated viewer of Perry Mason he knew he wanted to practice law.
Today, the Honorable Robert Reed has been a Superior Court Judge assigned to
the criminal division for the past 11-years.
A
member of the first class to have the distinction of spending all four years at
Roselle Catholic’s newly opened Raritan Road campus in fall of 1962, Robert
Reed traveled from his home in Garwood to enter RC with his freshman classmates -- the Class of 1966.
At a very early age Bob Reed was intrigued by the legal profession, a career he wanted to
pursue even before he was in his teens. In Bob’s case the early influence to practice law
did not come from familial role models. His came from a TV show. “I was a fan of Perry
Mason when I was 12 and that’s what put me on this road, believe it or not. It was an inspiration, but it was also a real disappointment when I began to practice law and realized
that cases didn’t begin and end in an hour.”
The Honorable Robert Reed, a resident of
Flemington, NJ, is a Superior Court judge presently assigned to Warren County. In September he’ll be returning to Somerville in Somerset
County, where he has presided previously.
“In addition to Warren County I have served
in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, where
I sat in the Family Division, the Civil Division,
and for 8 of 11 years, in the Criminal Division
where I preside over 15-20 trial per year.”
Superior Court Judge Robert Reed addresses
Amy Locane-Bovenizer the one-time “Melrose
Place” actress during her sentencing
Judge Reed presided over the high profile trial and sentencing in 2012 of Amy
Locane-Bovenizer, the one-time “Melrose Place” actress. On June 27, 2010, Ms.
Locane-Bovenizer was involved in a DUI auto accident that killed a Montgomery
Township woman and critically injured her husband.
A Train Ride To Pittsburgh Ends At The Bench
When Bob Reed graduated Roselle Catholic in 1966, at the recommendation of Brother Patrick, he enrolled at St. Vincent
College of Latrobe, PA, “the Princeton of the Allegheny’s” as he refers to it. Bob recalls, “my parents packed a steamer trunk
and put me on a train to Pittsburgh. Off I went. I’d never even visited St. Vincent’s before arriving. My father gave me
$900, which was the only money I ever got from him as he passed away shortly thereafter.”
Bob graduated from St. Vincent’s in the spring of 1970 and entered law school the following
fall. “I always had a job … been working since I was 12. Right after graduating I was loading and unloading containerized freight in Port Elizabeth. I said to myself, “I ought to have an
adventure.” I packed a bag and hitchhiked across country. 12 weeks. That was pretty exciting. I managed to make it home in one piece. Got back on a Friday and started law school on
Monday!”
In 1973 Bob graduated from Seton Hall Law. After a brief period in a private practice he became
a Parole Revocation Hearing Officer for the NJ State Parole Board, eventually becoming its Executive Director. In 1976, he became an Assistant County Prosecutor in Hunterdon County.
Almost 40-years before Bob
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After serving in the Prosecutor’s Office, Bob went to the NJ Department of Corrections as Special Reed sat on the bench he sat
Assistant to the Commissioner. In 1978 he “hung out a shingle” to practice law as a certified civil at his RC desk
ALUMNI PROFILE
trial attorney and certified criminal trial attorney, beginning a three plus
decade career in the private practice of law. In 1985, Attorney Reed was
designated by the NJ Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
and Certified Civil Trial Attorney. At that time, of the 60,000+ attorneys in
New Jersey, less than 60 were certified in those two practices.
During his tenure in private practice Bob taught at both Rutgers University, Camden (1978-79) and Warren County Community College (2001-04)
as an Adjunct Professor.
In 2004 Attorney Reed was nominated to the Superior Court and confirmed by the State Senate, and began his judicial career in October 2004.
The Honorable Robert Reed, a NJ Superior Court
In addition to presiding over many noteworthy trials Bob is most proud
Judge in the Criminal Division, on the bench where he
of being the first recipient of the Communities of Light Social Justice
presides over 15-20 trials per year
Award given by Hunterdon County Women’s Crisis Services, which is a
service organization for victims of domestic violence. This is an award he displays proudly in his chambers. Yet, speaking
of recognition, “the one I’m most proud of are the Father’s Day cards that I receive from my five kids.”
Family Matters
Bob’s oldest daughter, Alexis, a Douglass College graduate, is a social worker in Eugene, Oregon and the mother of his only
grandchild, 5½-year-old boy, Ravi Ben. His oldest son, Robert, is an Afghanistan combat vet with the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Joint Special Operations, having served 6 years and honorably discharged on a service related disability. His son Jonathan, an East Carolina University grad, is on active duty as a U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller at Corpus
Christi Naval Air Station.
Bob and his wife Lisa Jensen celebrated16 years of marriage this past June; his stepson Nicholas, an East Carolina University
grad, is a graduate student in the University of Delaware’s athletic training program. Bob and Lisa have a 14-year-old daughter, Rachel, who is an incoming freshman at Hunterdon Central Regional High School and
quite an accomplished soccer player. “The five kids are my greatest achievement. By
being the young adults that they are they make me a happy father every day of the year.”
As mentioned, Bob had the misfortune of losing his Dad in 1968 when he was a freshman in college. He recently suffered the loose of his mother. Bob has a sister Jane, a
brother Kenneth (an RC grad) and a brother Thomas, “who are all doing well.”
A Proud ‘66-er!
In the annals of Roselle Catholic alumni, the Class of 1966 is one of those special classes
that have enjoyed a strong bond and enduring connection over the years. Much of that
can be attributed to Marty Pribush and Mike Minitelli who from the onset have kept their
classmates connected.
“There’s kind of an aura to what we call the 66’ers. When we had that 40th reunion and
Stan “Stash” Wlosek rolled up his ‘64 Chevelle in front of RC it brought back so many
great memories. I have the group photo of the class framed in my chambers. My contact
with classmates has been pretty consistent over the years. I’ve maintained contact with
many of them and re-established contact with a few others. We used to meet once a year
at Frenchy’s.”
A resident of Garwood during his Roselle Catholic years – his family moved there from
Bayonne – Bob played intramural sports and ran track his freshman, sophomore, junior
and senior years, exclaiming, “I was never a stand-out, but I really liked it – the sense of competition and being on a team.”
Bob and his grandson
As Bob talks about his days at Roselle Catholic his best memory and favorite teacher come to mind. “Probably my best
memory is the sense of community at the school and the camaraderie among my classmates. I’ve really come to appreciate
that over the years. My favorite teacher had to be my history teacher Franklyn Bauer; he was such a classy and smart man.”
At the core of his Roselle Catholic experience, Bob acknowledges, “We were all kids from working class families. We all had
a similar experience of growing up in families that were mentored by what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.”
Our parents went through the Depression and World War II … we were all their kids. We were from Roselle, Roselle Park,
Cranford, Elizabeth, Garwood … it was really a salt of the earth group, a wonderful group of guys.”
Bob continues by saying, “The experience of going to Roselle Catholic at that time in the mid-60’s was like the tan you got in
the summertime … it never quite faded completely. We all carried it with us into adulthood. I don’t know if Roselle Catholic had an effect on where or what I am, but it certainly affected who I am. I think the years between the ages of 14 and 19
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are formative in a young person’s life. Although I didn’t pay attention as much as I should have to the examples being set
and the lessons being learned – the overall experience at Roselle Catholic was a positive one and that certainly contributed,
as I said, to the person I am today.”
As Bob talks about his classmates, “the fact that now in our late 60’s we can
still reminisce about things that happened 50 years ago in a fond and friendly
manner is just remarkable to me.” He calls special attention to Bob Stickles,
a classmate who after a successful law career came to his alma mater to first
become Roselle Catholic Principal, and then its President. “My perception of
RC today is a good one. The thing that I like about it is the leadership of Bob
Stickles. Even though I may be biased because he’s one of my ’66 classmates,
I think Bob has shown a commitment to the school and to its continuity as a
high standard in secondary education. It’s a real good place for young people to be. I called Bob when he was appointed and said, “Good for you, but
more importantly good for Roselle Catholic.” He was an outstanding choice.”
Motivation, Challenges & Goals
Bob Reed credits both his mother and father as role models and a great
source of his personal motivation. “My mother was the only one before me
who ever graduated high school in my family. My father never did. He was
in the Navy in the Philippines in WWII. It was just assumed by them that I
would go to college, get an education and wind up better off than they were.
The tragedy was that my father died at 42 and my mother recently passed
away on my birthday. She was my primary motivation.”
Bob, center, with some of his freshman classmates
of the Class of ’66, the first class to have the
distinction of spending all four years at RC’s newly
opened Raritan Road campus in the fall of 1962
“The biggest challenge for me as I expect it is for many, is staying on the right road to an upstanding and honest life. Which
I confess over 67 years has been met with mixed success. But you keep trying no matter how difficult or challenging life
may become. Life is good, but it isn’t always easy. Nor should we expect it to be. Maintaining the right frame of mind and
lifestyle that would make your kids proud of you has always been my goal. I want to live a long life and enjoy the company
of more grandchildren.”
Reading and fishing are two of Bob’s favorite pastimes. “Anything
outdoors in the fresh air” he claims as his favorite vacation spot. “I
fell in love with this country when I hitchhiked cross country in 1970.
Whether it’s Key West or Jackson Wyoming -- I just like to be outside.
I like to fish the Great Bay or out in the Atlantic, or for trout and bass
in Hunterdon Country.”
Rolling With The Punches
Back in his 30’s Bob was into bicycle racing and won the gold medal
in the Veterans Bicycle Race at the Garden State Games.
Today Bob Reed gets his workout in the boxing ring. At 65 he took
up boxing. Lacing up the gloves and putting on headgear he has
boxed in two amateur bouts. “My last bout was at Gleason’s Gym,
the oldest continuous boxing gym in the United States. There aren’t
On the job with court room crew!
many knuckleheads at 66 and 67 who are boxing. It’s hard to find
anyone to fight! Getting whacked in the head by another guy is definitely a way to get out of your comfort zone. It’s great
exercise. I belong to the Old Dog Boxing Club and I’m one of the few who goes outside the gym to actually box. The
workouts are incredible. I haven’t been in this good a shape since my 30’s when I was racing bicycles.”
Bob claims to look forward to mandatory retirement at age 70, three years hence, to have more time to indulge in his favorite hobbies and pastimes.
One of Bob Reed’s favorite expressions is, “it is what it is.” One he feels a kinship to in guiding his attitude toward life and
career. So while “rolling with the punches” may be a boxing metaphor it seems to have deeper meaning for Bob, possibly a
mantra for life, rather than merely a cliché attributed to his newest pastime.
So while the Honorable Robert Reed may spend much of his time
“sitting on the bench,” he has been and will no doubt remain a
man in motion. A man pleased with the good things in his life,
as he signs off by saying, “I am very happy with the blessings that
God’s good graces have given me.”
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“I don’t know if Roselle Catholic
had an effect on where I am, but
it certainly affected who I am.”
John Ahmuty
RC’s New Director of Athletics
T
he Roselle Catholic community would like to proudly welcome
Roselle Catholic’s newly appointed Director of Athletics, Mr.
John Ahmuty, to the Lion’s Den!
John replaces Joe Skrec ‘84, who has been Athletic Director for
the past17 years. Mr. Skrec is now taking the position of Assistant
Principal for Student Affairs, the office vacated by Pat Hagan’s
retirement.
A strong Athletic Department is built from strong leadership.
John gained first hand experience leading young men and women
and ensuring they met their professional, physical and educational
performance requirements while a senior at the United States
Naval Academy.
John is a product of 12 years of Catholic education and brings
a wealth of experience to the position. John attended Queen of
Peace High School in North Arlington, NJ where he played varsity
basketball, baseball, and ran cross country track. John was also an
excellent student and upon graduating Queen of Peace High School
he entered the US Naval Academy.
“The choice of a Catholic education is based in faith, family, community and a way of life. Catholic schools
provide a family and faith-based community that cannot be matched by any other type of school setting. Catholic educators understand the important concepts of service, faith, and the requirements that help develop students morally, ethically and academically above all else. This is important and evident in all aspects of a Catholic school community, most importantly athletics.”
Upon graduation from the US Naval Academy he was appointed a Naval Officer serving on submarines. He was
responsible for the oversight, leadership and management of enlisted personnel, which included high-ranking Chief
Petty officers, many who were older than he.
When John’s time with the Navy ended he returned to Queen of Peace High School and began teaching math
and became an assistant baseball and basketball coach. Besides being a Math teacher and coach, he served as Model
United Nations Director, Spirit Week Director, and retreat facilitator.
“In Catholic education many individuals are called to take on various roles and responsibilities and I was
ready and eager to do more than my share for the school community.”
Ultimately John was promoted to the Athletics Director position at Queen of Peace High School and served in
that role for three years.
“I have a firm comprehension on how important it is for students to be involved in extra-curricular programs, including athletics, while maintaining strict standards of academics and Christian
values.”
More recently John was the Dean of Education at Central Career
School, a post-secondary school for high school graduates, and
earned the title of School Director.
We are very happy that John has decided to bring his experience
and passion for Catholic education and athletics to Roselle Catholic.
We look forward to many successful years together!
“My philosophy on how athletics fits into a high school is that
all aspects of the Athletic department, including the mission of the
Athletic department, should mirror and enforce the teachings and
values of the Catholic educational system. The athletic environment should focus on the values that are taught in the classroom
and importantly instill a deep understanding of service and charity to the school community and the community as a whole.”
Welcome John Ahmuty, RC’s
newest lion!
17
Antonio Altamirano’s Accomplishments
On The Pitch Not Soon Be Forgotten
The senior soccer star concluded his four-year varsity career with 58
goals and scored again at Roselle Catholic’s annual Fall Athletics Convocation last November when he was named Most Valuable Player of
the 2014 Lions.
During the convocation, which recognizes all student-athletes from all
levels of all teams from the fall season, Altamirano was presented with
a handsome plaque to commemorate his record-setting season from
last year.
In 2013, Altamirano scored 33 goals, the most goals in a single season
by an RC male soccer player. The 33 goals were the most by any scholastic player in Union County during 2013.
“Antonio’s skill with the ball in tight spaces and his excellent balance
made it hard for defenders to knock him off the ball,” said RC soccer coach Scot Simpson, a Westfield HS graduate who completed his
eighth season at the helm of the Lions. “Soccer coaches would refer to
him as a dangerous box player and goal scorer.”
The 33 goals, according to Coach Simpson, eclipsed the record 23
goals Joe Perez scored for the Lions in 2010.
The ball that Altamirano connected on for his final two goals of the
2013 season – in a 3-1 victory against Wildwood Catholic on Chakey
Field on Nov. 5, 2013 – will be displayed in a trophy case on a hallway
on Raritan Road along with a copy of the plaque he received at Monday’s convocation.
Altamirano scored 15 goals this season “after being tightly man
marked in each game he played this fall,” according to Simpson. The
Star-Ledger tabbed Altamirano as one of the Top 10 Forwards to watch in the 2014 season.
“Antonio drew a lot of attention from opposing defenders,” Simpson said. “He was clearly a marked man.”
Altamirano, who missed five games this season due to an injury he suffered in the season opener against, Hillside, concluded his RC career
with 58 goals and 17 assists.
Altamirano was a tri-captain for the Lions this fall, joined by fellow
seniors Anthony Milano and Jeffrey Castro. Milano, Castro and Altamirano all received blankets (as well as Scholar-Athlete medals for
making the Honor Roll for the first marking period) that are awarded
to four-year varsity players at Monday night’s convocation.
An Honor Roll student, he hopes to play soccer at the next level. The
soft-spoken Altamirano plans on applying to Rutgers University, Penn
State and NJIT with the goal of playing Division I soccer as a walk-on.
He’s also considering Kean University.
“Antonio’s RC coaches definitely think he has a real chance to play
college soccer,” Simpson said.
Altamirano’s final two goals in a green Roselle Catholic uniform came
in a 4-3 loss at Dwight-Englewood in the Non-Public B North Tournament on Nov. 3.
Angela Altamirano, Antonio’s sister, was a member of the RC junior
varsity volleyball team during the just-completed fall season and received a certificate at the convocation.
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-PHOTOS By LAURA SKREC and OTTIE LYNNE PATERSON
RC varsity soccer coach Scot Simpson and assistant coach John
Simpson flank senior Antonio Altamirano, who was presented with
a plaque and ball to commemorate his record-breaking 2013 season
GIRLS’ SOCCER
SKY DIVISION CHAMPS!
Roselle Catholic girls’ soccer was the Union
County Conference’s 2014 Sky Division
champions with 7-0 division mark.
The Lions clinched the division title with
a 6-1 victory against Plainfield on Tuesday,
October 21st, at RC’s Chakey Field. In the
victory, Senior goalie Adia Ledbetter made
11 saves and assisted on two goals and Tyara
McQueen and Jennifer McClave, RC’s M&M
girls, scored two goals apiece. McQueen is
a freshman, and McClave, a sophomore, are
both first-year players with the Lions on the
pitch.
DIVISION CHAMPS!
RC players and coaches prior to the Plainfield match, RC’s annual “Kick Cancer”
soccer game, presented flowers to Plainfield coach Carol Taffaro (to the right of
the Lion), a cancer survivor
Prior to the opening whistle of the Sky Division clash between the Lions and Plainfield, which was the RC girls’ soccer team’s
annual “Kick Cancer” match, the RC soccer coaches and captains presented flowers wrapped in pink to Plainfield head coach
Carol Taffaro, a cancer survivor.
“They’re a driven team,” Plainfield head coach Carol Taffaro said of the Lions. They communicate well and they don’t give up.
And that goalie (Ledbetter) … she’s a goalie that’s not afraid to go get the ball.”
The only other championship in program history was a Sky Division title in 2005, when the Mountain Valley Conference
went to a three-tier alignment. The Union County Conference just completed the first year of a four-division arrangement.
“I would say the key to our success this season has been the infusion of new players to our team,” said RC head coach Gary
Carvalho, who was also at the helm for the 2005 division crown.
GIRLS’ SOCCER: WIN FIRST STATE TOURNAMENT MATCH
Freshman Tyara McQueen collected a goal and two assists to send Roselle Catholic to a 4-1 triumph over Wildwood Catholic in the first round of the NJSIAA’s Non-Public B South Tournament on Tuesday, November 4th at Chakey Field.
It is believed to be the first state tournament victory for an RC girls’ soccer team in program history. Roselle Catholic became a co-educational institution in 1983-84.
“You made history today ladies,” RC coach Gary Carvalho told his team after the triumph. Carvalho is in his 10th year at the
helm of the program following two seasons as an assistant coach.
Against Wildwood Catholic, Jennifer McClave, Michelle
Colicchio and Kayla Whitaker also connected on goals
for Roselle Catholic.
The Lions received a standout 11-save effort from
senior Adia Ledbetter in net. RC was boosted by a larger
than usual crowd as the game started at 2 pm and many
students walked across the Gagliano Walkway of Champions to Chakey Field immediately after dismissal to
support the girls’ soccer team.
-Photos by Laura Skrec/RC
RC fans & students cheer the Lions
Front row/kneeling (from left): Skylar Charles, Adia Ledbetter,
Kayla Whitaker, Maria Graf, Alivia Pitts and Rochelle Santos
Middle row (from left): Amy Ferrigno, Amy Cifuentes, Michelle
Maita, Cynthia Ribeiro, Nicole Marchione, Tyara McQueen and Jennifer McClave
Back row (from left): Gabriela Coimbra, Mauryne Audige, Michelle
Colicchio and Gabriela Esteves
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FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2104
Again Brightens The Christmas Giving Season!
O
n December 9 & 10, 2014,
Roselle Catholic once again
held its annual Festival of
Lights, a celebration of all the good
things about Christmas and RC. The
Festival Choir treated the audience
to a number of seasonal carols and
hymns. The Festival Dancers demonstrated their skills and the Festival
Band provided enjoyable music. The
evening ended with a visit from Santa
Claus, ably assisted by the Festival
Reindeer and Wooden Soldiers. And
of course, Festival would not be complete without the hilarious performance of the Faculty Choir composed
of faculty, administration and the RC
Senior Augustine Mudrak delivers a
Board. The RC Dance Ensemble perChristmas message at Festival of Lights forms at Festival of Lights each year
under the direction of RC grad Christina Catone, Class of 2006. A popular
addition to Festival is the Salsa Dancers, who performed the 2014 version of
a Bachata.
Tiana Thomas and Adia Ledbetter, in a duet of
The Christmas Song
But the most important part of the Festival was an emphasis on the true
meaning of the Christmas Season. That, of course, is the “Joy to the World”
that the coming of the Christ Child brings. Through sacred music, scripture
readings and other meditations delivered by RC students, our audience was
reminded of God’s generosity in sharing Himself with us.
While Festival of Lights is a two-night celebration of word, music and dance
– it began back in October with the choir rehearsals – and the choir is a perfect example of who gets involved in Campus Ministry – all walks of Roselle
Catholic life are represented: sports teams, yearbook, drama, and gamers.
As is customary, this year’s Festival also emphasized the Giving Tree, where
hundreds of gifts were brought in by our students and faculty, and distributed to needy families in the surrounding communities. Our students made
Gingerbread Houses that were sold to raise funds for RC’s many service
trips. Over twenty-five clubs, classes RC Dance Ensemble: Azsiana James, Kendra
Williams, and Ezinne Ochuba
and teams decorated tabletop
Christmas trees for delivery to area
nursing homes.
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Athletes from many teams are a part of
Festival: Back row - Charles Campbell and
Joe Sullivan (practice squad), Tim Hagan
(coach), Ian Pruszkowski (basketball), Pat
Faughnan (baseball) Front row - RC girls
basketball players, Anisah Moorer, Ashley
Skrec, Dolapo Balogun and Jen McClave
Salsa Dancers: from left, Emilyanne Bober
and Charles Campbell, Daniella Quaglia
and Andy Castillo, Megan Kelly and
Justine Riddick.
The Demetillo family is well represented
with their beautiful rendition of O Holy
Night: Christine, ‘14, Angelique, ‘13 and
Mark,’16.
Max Cerra performs a viola solo with
music director Rossana McLaughlin and
pianist Dorothy Sgalia
It didn’t end there. Once the performances were over, the real work of
Christmas began – our senior students,
with the help of many faculty members,
delivered toys, food and trees throughout the county.
Faculty Choir composed of faculty, administration and RC Board
All in all, about half the RC student
body participated in the Festival, either
as performers or behind the scenes,
helping to make things happen. The
proceeds generated by their good work
are used to fund the many activities of
the RC Campus Ministry program over
the course of the school year.
So many contributed to the enjoyment
of the 2014 edition of Festival -- RC
students, faculty, administration, staff.
However, it is the tireless dedication of
Ms. Maureen Hagan, Campus Minister,
that makes RC’s Festival of Lights the
signature event and holiday tradition
that it is.
-Photo credit: JOHN CERRA, RC ‘78
RC Music Club, directed by Math teacher Pete Ciliberto , from left: Zach Schumacher,
Charles Valihard, Tom Kelly, Daniel Nogueira, and Jessye Marquez
The continued dedication of Ms. Maureen
Hagan, Campus Minister, makes RC’s Festival of Lights an annual signature event
Gingerbread houses and decorated tabletop Christmas trees made by RC students for
delivery to area nursing homes
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Cyndi Brenner Stewart ‘90
Senior Designer of Footwear
Ladies & Children’s Division, SG Footwear
-By Tom Libonate ‘64
A series of “happy accidents” led this highly creative and energetic
RC grad, who planned on being an art teacher, to a stimulating
career as a lead designer of ladies and children’s footwear.
A resident of Basking Ridge and a graduate of the RC class of 1990, Cyndi Brenner Stewart is a senior designer in the
Ladies & Children’s Division of SG Footwear, a leading producer and marketer of footwear with a long pedigree of some
of the biggest names in licensed footwear history: Chinese Laundry, Panama Jack, Harley-Davidson, Disney, Marvel, and
Sesame Street, to name a few.
Cyndi’s designs can be found in a broad spectrum of retailers, everywhere from Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters to mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart.
“I have about seven styles in Wal-Mart right now. That might not
seem like a lot, but Wal-Mart will buy 2 million pairs of one shoe because they have so many stores. My company is very diverse. We
design for ladies, children and men and hold licenses for many of
the popular characters and properties like the Minions movie and
Thomas the Tank Engine – I design a lot of the character footwear
for children.”
There is no doubt that it’s the creative side of Cyndi’s brain that
powers her inherent, artistic nature. “I was in All Honors classes at
RC, except math! I’m slightly scatterbrained, but in a good way. I
have a very artistic mind and personality – a little bit flighty -- but
highly creative and good at thinking on my feet and in meetings. I
have been a designer and have had to work with buyers and make
presentations to high level management at large corporations for
Senior footwear designer Cyndi Brenner Stewart with one
a long time, so I understand the business world. Yet, I’m definitely
of her little friends
not a Type A personality. I think I’m very laidback and like to “go
with the flow.” I fell into designing children’s wear and then footwear. My whole career has been a series of happy accidents.”
A Happy Accident Waiting to Happen
Upon graduating from Roselle Catholic in 1990 Cyndi went on to the duCret School of Art. When she realized she could
not earn a bachelors degree from the school, Cyndi enrolled at Monmouth University to major in Fine Art and Education. However, when she graduated from Monmouth in
1995 the job market for art teachers had begun to dramatically shrink. “My initial goal was to be an art teacher. When
I graduated a recession hit and many school districts were
phasing art curriculum out of schools – many districts
only had one art teacher. It was really hard to find a job. I
needed to find something creative, but something that
would also allow me to make a living.”
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It was then that Cyndi went back to school, enrolling at the
Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to study
Textile Design -- which entails creating patterns for home
goods, clothing, stationery – essentially designing for any
flat surface. Though the program for her was only for a
year, being that she already had an art degree, it came with
ALUMNI PROFILE
grueling demands. “It was truly a year from hell. I was waiting tables and attending school full time. I would go to
school from 8 until 4 then go to the restaurant to work. I’d get home at midnight and paint for 3 hours. In the morning
I’d get up at 6:00 am and get on the train into the city for school. It was crazy, and looking back I can’t believe how hard
I worked or that I survived!”
Upon graduation from FIT, Cyndi briefly designed textiles -- prints and graphics for a small children’s wear company.
From there she became a designer of pajamas and play clothes for such companies as Little Me, Carters and Sears.
“My first job out of FIT – the only one I could find at the time -- was as an administrative assistant at a children’s wear
company. At this time apparel companies were just beginning to manufacturer clothing overseas. They needed someone who could draw the artwork for the garments and I said, “I can do that!” They started sending me to the factories
overseas to make sure that the designs and the colors came out as intended. I only recently started designing shoes
and I love it. My career has allowed me to see many countries. I’ve learned about different religions and cultures; it’s
been an amazing experience.”
Winging It
At 25-years old Cyndi found herself in Pakistan -- alone! Over
some 15-plus years her career has required her to spend many
hours on long flights traveling to such places as China, Japan,
Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
“The first trip I ever took was to Karachi in 1999 to go to factories
and make sure my clothing was being produced according to my
designs. They put me on a plane and I had no money. I had to
borrow my parent’s Amex! I had to have a chaperone. Looking
back now I realize how much danger I was actually in, although at
the time I had no idea. My second trip to Pakistan was right before 9/11. After 9/11 I was placed on a “no fly” list at every airport,
so I couldn’t pre-register to board. Before every flight I had to go
to the desk and explain why I was in Pakistan, who I knew there
and what kind of business I was doing there.”
It eventually took 10-years before Cyndi was cleared from the “nofly list.” She still travels for business, but mostly to Europe to shop Cyndi and husband Andrew
for trends. “Whatever’s trending in Europe is what we’re looking
for. We buy samples and bring them back. I go to Hong Kong to see where the samples are being produced, and to be
100% certain everything looks good before it goes into production.”
Cyndi says she’d like to keep traveling and one day bring her family along on one of her trips. She constantly tells her
husband Andrew that he’d love Hong Kong, adding, “He wouldn’t love the 24 hour flight.”
Boundless Creativity
Cyndi claims people who turned their passions into a vocation always
inspired her. “I would be a miserable person if I wasn’t in a creative field.
My brain is always thinking about what to make and how to make it. Even
when I’m in meetings or sitting in front of the TV, I doodle. Drawing just
makes me happy. I’m proud that I was able to turn my love of art into a
career.”
However, Cyndi’s creativity is not limited to designing clothing or footwear.
“Professionally speaking I’m happy that I go to work everyday in a creative
environment surrounded by people who are super talented. In my office
everyone is great at designing shoes but they also have little side businesses to keep them creative at home. My co-workers make handbags,
wedding accessories, and jewelry. I make specialty cookies for children’s
birthday parties or special occasions on the side.”
Daughter Annabel Mae with her creative mom
Cyndi had a small online business called Aunt Sugie’s Cookies, named after
her husband’s great aunt. Eventually it became too time consuming. “After
a long day at work I’d come home and, if I had a big order, it would sometimes take me four hours to make the cookies for one party. Now I just do it
for very good friends and not for the money.”
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All About Family
Cyndi is married to Andrew Stewart, who grew up on the South Shore of Boston and according to Cyndi is “very creative himself, with a great eye for design and color.”
“My husband Andrew is very supportive. He is always there for me; even if I make a career decision he isn’t 100% on
board with. He has been there with me throughout my entire career. We’ve moved from New Jersey to Connecticut to
Georgia and back to New Jersey, and he has been there with me every step of the way.”
Cyndi and Andrew have an 8-year old daughter, Annabel Mae, who shares the same birthday as Cyndi. “I’m most proud
of my daughter. She’s a gymnast, a cheerleader and also plays lacrosse. She took after Andrew, and is very athletic”
The Stewart’s are an active family -- Andrew does Crossfit, Spin and Runs, and Cyndi
practices yoga.
Aruba, Spring Lake and Boston are their favorite vacation spots. “My husband is from
the South Shore so we make quite a few trips to Massachusetts, and usually go to
Aruba during spring break. Andrew doesn’t like long flights so his idea of a vacation
is to be on the plane for 5 hours or under.”
When Cyndi talks about challenges, both personal and professional, work and life balance is paramount. “I switched careers and went from Design Director at a big company to be a Designer at a smaller one. I needed to be home more with my daughter.
I now work in New Jersey instead of New York City. Working in the City meant I would
leave the house at 7:00 am and return home at 7:30 or 8:00 pm. I never saw my
family. So, now I leave the house at 8:15 and it really allows us to spend the morning together. Plus I arrive home at 6:30 pm, which is great. I get to actually enjoy my
little girl and my husband.”
So what does someone with as much creative energy as Cyndi do to unwind?
“Watching Homeland, True Detective and Ray Donovan with my husband, skateboarding and doing cart wheels with Annabel. Going to see the bands I love. My
husband took me to see Mumford and Sons for my birthday and in July, I went with
my RC friends to see U2.”
Cyndi gives credit to her parents as a hesitant guiding force in the formidable years of
her life, saying, “My parents guided me, although they really didn’t understand. They
were both in the restaurant business when I was growing up. They didn’t really think
there was a career to be made in art and design, but they were supportive nonetheless. Even though they thought I
was crazy, they trusted me to find my way.”
A dad and daughter workout!
An Enduring RC Connection
A resident of Hillside during her days at Roselle Catholic, it was at RC that Cyndi discovered “I was not a mathematical
genius, but I was very gifted in art.”
“I remember my junior year signing up for electives, and I went to some crazy math class and the teacher said, “you
aren’t approved for this class, but you are approved for Advanced Art.” I realized then what my strengths were and
made the decision to run with it.”
As Cyndi recalls her favorite RC teachers she reveals, “I loved Mr. Hagan.
Brother Steve was an amazing history teacher! I actually understood the
Vietnam War because of him. Plus he was really fun and sweet. Also Mr.
Sullivan. We called him “Dan, Dan the Algebra man” -- I was horrible at
math, but he was such a great guy that he made it tolerable.”
However, the thing that Cyndi today most appreciates about her Roselle
Catholic experience is the life-long friendships that blossomed there.
Hanging out at her good friend Nancy Collins’ house was one of her favorite things to do during her RC days. “Luckily Nancy now lives around
the corner from me so even now hanging out with her is still my favorite
thing to do.”
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Cyndi is still very close with her two best friends from RC, Nancy Collins
Griffith being one and Tara O’Brien Freshwater the other. “We still see
each other pretty regularly. Facebook is also great for keeping up with
Cyndi with friends Tara O’Brien and Tracey Tietchen
in 1990
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everyone.” Tara’s daughter is interested in being a fashion designer, so Cyndi
had them come visit her at work to see what goes on in a design studio and
to witness first hand what a designer does everyday.
Last March Cyndi came back to RC for the newly invigorated Alumni Career
Day, where by chance it became a “mini-reunion” for eight members of her
Class of 1990. One of Cyndi’s classmates, Julie LaBrutto, Chair of the RC Guidance Department, orchestrated the new Career Day format.
“I get the impression that RC is still a family. I love that. It’s small enough that the
students can’t help but get to know their
classmates and teachers. I’ve been back
for Career Day, as well as our 20th reunion
in 2010. Our 25th reunion is this year and
I’m really looking forward to it.”
Cyndi with one of her best friends from RC
days, Nancy Collins Griffith
have done anything different?
OK, it’s time for the “$64,000 Question” –
Cyndi, at this point in your life would you
Cyndi is quick and emphatic in her reply.
“Nope! I have a great, happy life. I’m able to be creative all day, make a good living
and come home to my family at a reasonable hour. What else is there?”
“I fell into designing children’s wear and then footwear.
My whole career has been a series of happy accidents.”
Cyndi was one of the alumni presenters
at RC’s Career Day last March
Michelle Campbell
Brings Talent & Dedication
to Development
This past year Roselle Catholic welcomed Michelle Campbell (formerly
Thomas) to the Office of Development.
In her role as Development Manager, Michelle brings to the RC Development Office a plethora of talent proven to be useful. With more
than 10 years of elementary teaching experience not only in the core
learning areas, but also in technology and sustainability, multi-tasking
is a must!
As an accomplished photographer, Michelle has not only documented events
with photographs, but she has also maintained the gift processing database,
created videos, web pages, and has been responsible for a host of other
things including assisting with planning and preparations for various events.
Since receiving her certificate for webmaster training from NJIT, she has assisted with making updates to RC’s website, been a liaison between planning
committees and vendors, and assisted with creating online resources for keeping information current.
Michelle continues to live by the standard, “learn something new every day,”
and recently attended the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ luncheon
entitled, “Meeting the Philanthropic Needs of NJ”. She remains committed
to personal and professional growth and hopes as before, to complement
Roselle Catholic’s rich alumni community.
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GOOD HEALTH!
RC HealthPro: A Pre-Professional Health Studies Program
In the 2014-15 school year, Roselle Catholic proudly launched another
innovative curriculum. RC HealthPro is a pre-professional health studies
program that provides students a foundation in the allied health fields.
U
nder the direction of Mrs. Josephine Patrone, RN, this year’s pilot program was an elective for fifteen RC seniors
who had successfully completed the course work in Anatomy and Physiology. Starting in the fall of 2015, HealthPro will also be part of a four-year sequence for selected incoming freshmen to complement their Science studies in
Biology and Chemistry.
Mrs. Josephine Patrone, RN demonstrating
the technique of injections
In addition to their science studies, HealthPro students take a class each day in
hands-on activities that complement those studies and prepare them for college-level work. Alumni acting as program advisors include Dr. Richard Cambria, RC ’69, and Dr. Matthew Nock, RC ’91, both members of the faculty at Harvard University.
Through simulations, demonstrations, and traditional classroom instruction participating students get exposure to the nuts
and bolts of a medical practice. Combining classroom instruction with lab experiences, RC HealthPro gives students a
chance to put their enthusiasm into practice, using sophisticated, computer-driven mannequins, which realistically replicate a
variety of symptoms.
Two classrooms are dedicated to this new program. When you enter the RC HealthPro suite, you’d believe you have walked
into a doctor’s office, or a hospital room surrounded by RC students in green
scrubs. There’s even a waiting room, with an assortment of magazines (hopefully not too out of date).
RC HealthPro Students Gain
Real World Clinic Experience
RC’s HealthPro students had the pleasure of
visiting Kean University’s newly established
OT clinic headed by RC alumna Geraldine
Pagaoa-Cruz.
The facility is both an educational OT simulation lab for the university’s master level
OT program, and a working OT facility
where individual patients are treated.
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RC alumna Geraldine Pagaoa-Cruz, head of
Kean University’s newly established OT clinic
hosted RC’s HealthPro students
Moreover, Ms. Pagaoa-Cruz has implemented numerous classes, camps, and exercise
programs that benefit those who require
restorative and remedial occupational therapy to regain independence in activities of daily living.
Ms. Pagaoa-Cruz was gracious and pleased to meet and interact with current
students of RC’s inaugural HealthPro program. She provided an overview of
the many treatment programs under the OT umbrella as well as mapping out
the educational and training path for those who are pursuing a degree in this
discipline.
Ms. Pagaoa-Cruz
planned a hands
on activity with
the students
which required them to use their anatomy and physiology
knowledge to implement devices used to assist those with traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurological deficits, or organic brain
disorders.
Ms. Pagaoa-Cruz encouraged the students to utilize and continue
their study of science to meet the growing demand for health
care professionals in this country.
GC graduate Kathy Trelease, a career nurse, conducts a
HealthPro classroom session
Additionally, during the second semester Girls Catholic graduate Kathy Trelease, a career nurse, the wife of ‘72 graduate and
Board member Bill Trelease and the mother of four RC grads,
provided RC’s HealthPro students with her experience and the
deeper knowledge and real world application of Nursing.
RC HealthPro Opens Doors To Medical Field
RC HealthPro has launched its first group of graduates and many have decided
on and been accepted into programs in the medical field.
Eight of the fifteen students enrolled in this year’s pilot program have decided
on and been accepted into nursing programs. Six of the eight students will
begin four-year BSN programs in September, while the other two students are
enrolled in Associate Degree programs in conjunction with Trinitas
Hospital. Among the accepting
institutions are FDU, Penn State,
Caldwell, Felician, Moravian, and
Georgian Court Colleges.
The remaining students in the class
will pursue teaching, music therapy,
and pre-med degrees. Ironically,
one of the top scoring students in
the class will pursue a marketing
major in college, but states that her
two year exposure to the health
related sciences has been a rewarding one.
HealthPro is just one of the preprofessional curriculum innovations
underway at Roselle Catholic.
HealthPro student conducts a simulated
physical exam
Mrs. Patrone is asking alumni volunteers with experience in any of the allied
health fields who could provide our students with “shadowing experiences” at a
work site, or who could come to the school to give guest presentations to contact
her at jpatrone@rosellecatholic.org.
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Still Making House Calls!
Dr. Kevin Lukenda ’81
Private Practice Family Physician
Chairman, Family Practice Department
Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ
Family Practice Residency Director
St Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Medical Director
Alaris Health at Riverton in Rahway, NJ
-From an interview with Tom Libonate ‘64
You could say Dr. Kevin Lukenda is “old school” harkening back to the days when family doctors made house calls. Dr. Lukenda, a “people person” who grew up less than a mile from his
Linden office, takes family practice to heart.
A Roselle Catholic grad, class of 1981, Kevin Lukenda, a resident of Colts Neck,
NJ, was recently featured in a Star-Ledger article, “Remember When Doctors Made
House Calls?”
A Family Physician in private practice in Linden less than a mile from where he
was born and raised, he is known as ‘Dr. Kevin’ in the tight-knit community. He
sees patients everyday in his office at 850 North Wood Avenue in Linden, at local
nursing homes, the hospitals and at some of his patient’s homes. “My patients ages
range from 16 to 105!”
What sets Dr. Lukenda apart – he still makes house calls! Routinely checking-up on
his patients in their home, when it becomes easier for him to travel to his longstanding patients than it is for his patient to travel to his office.
“House calls are an important part of my practice because you get to see where
patients live, what they eat, whether they have pets, what they looked like in their
wedding photo, etc. I look around their kitchen, bathroom, and fridge to make
sure there are no disconnects between the patients and their families. In an office
visit, for instance, a diabetic might tell you they’re behaving, but at home you see
cookies. Caring for people in their natural environment, whether in their home
or in any of the senior residence facilities I travel to, creates a whole new level of
relationship between a doctor and a patient.”
The son of one of Dr. Lukenda’s elderly patients expressed his appreciation in the
Star-Ledger article, saying, “Patients like my dad are afraid of going out and falling,
so house calls give patients and their loved ones peace of mind and really add a
Dr. Kevin Lukenda making one of his routine
personal touch. Kevin is our doctor, but
house calls
he’s our friend, too.” He added that Dr.
Lukenda’s house-call routine has been “a Godsend.”
Clearly Dr. Lukenda is a caregiver in the truest sense, going beyond merely understanding his elderly patients’ state of health, recognizing the circumstances and
everyday struggles that affect them at this stage of life. “For my patients who are
senior citizens, a trip to my office is a day out of their lives – as well as for their
child or caretaker. If their child is taking them to their appointment, they’ve got to
take off from work. They can spend two hours in my waiting room because I’m
always running late. Finally I thought wouldn’t it be easier to just stop by their
house? When I first started asking my patients if I could make a house call their
faces lit up. I could take an ordeal that would mean hours out of their day and
turn it into a 15-minute house call.”
28
Photo by John O’Boyle for NJ Advance Media
ALUMNI PROFILE
House calls have become part of Dr. Lukenda’s regular schedule; he makes them in the morning before hospital rounds and
his office hours, and then makes a few more before going home.
In an era where some doctors have resorted to conducting patient appointments via Skype to keep up with the demands of
their busy practices and the added weight of managed care, the days of house-calls are as long gone as record players and
rotary telephones.
For a small but growing number of physicians - an estimated 5 percent or less -- the re-emerging practice of making house
calls and playing the role of community doctor fills a need for both doctor and patient.
“I’d always been intrigued by Marcus Welby and wanted to do that,” Dr. Lukenda recalls. “As my family practice grew, it
developed into something that I enjoy, where I could build a relationship with the patient and their whole family and really
get to know them in a way you never can in the office -- in their home environment, which helps me treat them. Even if all
I do is stop to check in with someone recovering from a fall or surgery, it gives them a sense of confidence and a continuity
of care that makes all the difference.”
PEOPLE PERSON
A self-described “people person” Kevin Lukenda knew from an early age that
he wanted to direct his life toward helping people. Through high school and
then college he tried to determine if he wanted to “save lives through medicine” as a doctor or “help save souls” as a priest.
“It was during a career day at Roselle Catholic when one of the Brothers was
talking about what type of personality fits a certain profession. I wanted to
do something involving people. At that time I didn’t know if I wanted to be a
priest, a teacher or a physician. I always knew I had a natural ability to deal
with people. During high school and college I didn’t know if I wanted to save
lives or save souls. I did go to Rome and stayed for several weeks at a seminary, but eventually my discernment led me to medicine. It was a perfect combination of helping people and interacting with people.”
As a physician in today’s healthcare world of managed care and the demands
on doctors to see more patients and speed up visit time, Dr. Lukenda’s natural
instinct to spend quality time with his patients is a struggle – but the “people
person” within wins out. “I’m always running late because I want to listen and
Photo by John O’Boyle for NJ Advance Media
talk with my patients, and both take time. Medically speaking I could complete
most office visits in 3 minutes, but to really learn what the patient needs I must take extra time. A half hour to forty-five minutes is the average for most patients.”
Some 25 years into it Dr. Lukenda is certain his decision to save lives was the right career choice. “It’s a calling and I couldn’t
dream of doing anything else. I get a rush at the end of each day knowing that I may not have done something big, but it
was very important and meaningful.”
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
In addition to his family practice, Dr. Kevin Lukenda is Chairman of the Family Practice Department at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth; the Family Practice Residency Director at St Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; and the Medical
Director at Alaris Health at Riverton in Rahway.
However, it’s his work for the State of New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority, providing health care and physician coverage for Met
Life Stadium, which offers him “the best seat in the house.”
“The kid part of me likes doing the Met Life work. I’m one of the
physicians that provide coverage for the football games, concerts,
Disney On Ice, WWE Wrestling. We provide care for anyone who
walks into the stadium and becomes hurt or sick.”
For Dr. Lukenda it’s not for the pay, it’s more like volunteer work,
adding, “It’s not a big commitment, but it’s great fun. I’m on the field
in the end zone during the games. My kids love it. The locker room
is right next to the medical unit so my kids have met Victor Cruz
and Eli Manning. My daughter has met a lot of the bands she loves.”
The Lukenda family at their summer home on LBI - Kim,
Noelle, Kevin, Eric and Logan
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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Kevin Lukenda honors his “humble beginning” as he proudly refers to
his upbringing. A family of nine living in a small cape cod style home
in Linden, raised by hard working parents, neither who graduated
high school. “My parents, Walter and Laura Lukenda, were role models
and inspired us. We were raised to help people and it’s a credit to my
mother and father.”
His brother Larry, RC ’67, was Captain of the Linden Fire Department,
now retired. His sister Michelle is a Sister of Charity, having taught at
Mother Seton and now at St. Dominick’s in Morristown. His brother
Richard, RC ’69 is a dentist. Brother Michael ‘71, who passed away last
October, was also a dentist. His sister Elaine is a psychologist. Younger
brother Chris, RC ’83, is a firefighter and paramedic in Linden. “You
could say all seven of us are in the service industry.”
In the fall of 1977, Kevin Lukenda followed his brothers to Roselle
Catholic. At the time, his older brother Larry, a graduate of 1967, was
Kevin, center, a class representative to the
a teacher at RC and was Kevin’s English Literature teacher in his junior
RC Student Council
year (Larry eventually went on to join the Linden Fire Department where
he retired as its Captain). Kevin credits his brother Larry as his favorite teacher at RC.
At Roselle Catholic Kevin was an Honor
Roll student all four years, earning a place
on the National Honor Society, as well as
playing JV basketball, varsity baseball and
intramurals. He was a class representative
to the RC Student Council. Called “Luke”
at RC he fulfilled his yearbook prophecy,
“Luke plans on a career in medicine.”
Kevin doesn’t have any regrets regarding his life choices, but half-heartedly
indicates if he could roll back the clock
it may be to a time during his RC days.
“If I could have done anything differently I would have paid more attention
to Coach Hagan’s 2-1-2 press defense. I
always wanted to play professional sports
Dr. Kevin Lukenda talks to RC students about the medical profession at 2015 Career Day
and wonder if I had paid more attention
to athletics rather than academics would I have been different. I played under Coach Hagan for two years. His simple way
of approaching academics and athletics left an impression. He’s one guy I still
can’t call by his first name, I respect him that much.”
Kevin credits RC for experiences, which he has carried through life and that are
with him today, “Learning respect and discipline, particularly the fear of forgetting my tie, having to go to Mr. Chakey’s office and him giving me a pink tie to
wear for the day! I learned at Roselle Catholic that there were consequences to
my actions. Also, meeting people from other towns at such a young age helped
me to adapt to dealing with strangers in my later years.”
Kevin Lukenda has maintained strong ties to Roselle Catholic and his classmates. He is not only an RC Alumni Association Class Captain for the class of
1981, but has regularly returned to the school to talk to RC students about his
profession as a part of Alumni Career Day, serving as a presenter at the most
recent Career Day on March 20th.
Upon graduating from RC in 1981, Kevin enrolled at Rutgers University where
he earned his BA in Biology in 1985.
30
“It was my second year of college when I realized “I could do this” and started
my pre-med studies. That’s when I made the decision to pursue medicine and
take the necessary courses that I would need to sit for the medical boards to
The Lukendas at the LBI Memorial Day Parade
ALUMNI PROFILE
get into med school.”
Kevin went on to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and graduated in 1989. He then did his Family
Practice Residency at JFK Hospital in Stratford, NJ from 1989 to 1992.
GETTING PERSONAL
Kevin and his wife Kim have been married for 25 years. The former Kim Zacharczyk of Linden, they met when both were
working at Shor’s drug store in Linden. “I worked the cigarette counter and Kim was at the perfume counter. She was 16 and
asked me to her Linden High School junior prom. I was 18 and a freshman in college.”
“We were married in 1989 during my first year of residency and moved to Camden. After the residency we moved back to
Linden to start my practice. The first few months of my practice consisted of my aunts and uncles and brother and sisters as
patients! Most doctors don’t do well when they move back to their hometowns to practice, but Linden was a close-knit community and things just snowballed. It’s a privilege to have the confidence and trust of the people in Linden.”
Kevin and Kim have three children: Noelle, age 21 in her senior year at NYU; Logan, age 15 is a sophomore at Christian
Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ, and Eric, age 9, a 4th grader at Oak Hill Academy in Lincroft.
“I enjoy quiet dinners and cocktails with my wife, coaching my sons in basketball and baseball; watching my daughter grow
up and mature into a smart, beautiful woman right in front of my eyes. I also enjoy reading Stephen King novels and studying Revolutionary War history.”
During the summer months Kevin spends his weekends, and
as much time as possible when not “doctoring”, at the family’s
home in Beach Haven on LBI.
“My greatest accomplishment is having a successful family, a
fantastic wife and three great children, being at both my parents’
bedside when they took their last breath and being the town
doctor in the town where I grew up. I have two very simple
goals for the future: being there for my children so they too can
reach their dreams, and to continue to give my patients the best
care possible.”
Kevin claims his biggest challenges are keeping up with the
changes in the delivery of medicine and trying to stay one step
ahead of the ever-changing technology in his children’s world.
“I couldn’t ask for a better life. It’s not perfect. Practicing medicine with the politics and the bureaucracy makes it tough. But
practicing in the town where you grew up as a little boy is a
privilege I never even dreamed of.”
Kevin Lukenda may be a pleasant rarity in the “old school” personal touch he brings to the practice of medicine -- a man who
Enjoying a beach day at LBI
knows and appreciates his roots. But it’s not the notoriety that
motivates him, nor the need to stand out. It’s his humility and
deep interest in people that sets him apart as a physician. It’s just the way he’s wired.
“The day I graduated from medical school my brother Richie called
me. He asked me, “Where did you shower this morning?” and I said,
“Mom’s.” Richie said, “Don’t forget that. Don’t forget where you
came from and everything will be fine.”
It’s very evident Kevin Lukenda has a good memory – he hasn’t
forgotten!
“I see Roselle Catholic today as a progressive school
in the Marist tradition with dedicated teachers and
huge upside potential -- but RC needs the help of
willing and able alumni to move forward in the
competitive environment of Catholic Schools.”
On a Barnegat Bay boat ride
31
OCTOBERFEST 2014: A Taste of Success!
Roselle Catholic hosted its 5th annual OctoberFest on October 3, 2014
– a night filled with lots of delicious
foods and drink, music and dancing!
Over twenty local restaurants and
liquor distributors served up tastings
of the best of their cuisine and libations. D.J. Jeff McNair, RC’ 01, saw to
it that people not only enjoyed the
festivities but also began impromptu
dancing.
OctoberFest was again the culmination of many hours of planning and hard work thanks to Event Chairperson, Francine Galante, the RC Development Office, and the many faculty members who gave tirelessly of their time and talents. Also, this year, tremendous support came from the RC Mother’s Club. Lastly, true dedication to
the spirit of Roselle Catholic came from 1965 graduate Matt Dobrowski
whose leadership was able to secure the commitment of the restaurants
and liquor distributors.
A special note of thanks is extended to Roselle Catholic friends at Pinho’s Bakery and Witty’s and Metro Liquors for their support. Each also
acted as an offsite ticket location.
The evening was also a great financial success. The proceeds provide
tuition assistance for students, so Roselle Catholic can maintains its commitment to Excellency in Catholic education.
Tom Allen ‘73, Neil Koch, and John Hoffman ‘69,
President, RC Alumni Association
As expected, due to popular demand, a 6th annual OctoberFest is
scheduled for the fall of 2015. Check the RC website for details and
tickets.
ST. PATRICK’S
DAY DANCE
On Saturday, March 7th, Roselle Catholic
held its annual Saint Patrick’s dance as
over 400 Irish and Irish-wannabes enjoyed an evening of Irish dancing, music
and more!
The guests enjoyed an evening of Irish dancing and music; and
were delighted by the
talents of the Deirdre
Shea School of Irish
RC alums Dan and Ryan Sullivan, and Conor
Dancing. It was night of Mahoney, get their Irish on!
corned beef sandwiches and Irish soda bread. As the night progressed,
many hit the dance floor to the music of the Willie Lynch Band playing the “Stack of Barley’,” Some Say the Devil is Dead”, “The Fields of
Athenry” and many more.
Always a highlight of the night was the Saint Columcille United Gaelic
Pipe Band led by three RC Alumni – Matt Glackin (RC ‘76), Bob Wade
(RC ‘74) and Colleen Yorke (GC ‘78).
32
Many thanks to all who volunteered to make for such a fun night and
“save the date” for next year’s dance - March 5, 2016 !
T
SERVICE: The Hallmark of
Roselle Catholic
here are many amazing facets that comprise the Roselle Catholic Experience – academics, athletics,
clubs and activities – however it’s SERVICE that is the hallmark of Roselle Catholic and the signature
of RC’s vibrant Campus Ministry program.
At Roselle Catholic we can proudly say a Lion’s Pride is in Service – that’s not hype, nor merely a nice
slogan -- we live it throughout the year!
Roselle Catholic is a school in the Marist tradition, having been administered by the Marist Brothers of
the Schools since its inception in 1959. One important hallmark of a Marist education includes the idea
of being a service leader. A majority of the students at Roselle Catholic respond with a resounding “yes”
when opportunities for service are presented. It has become a part of the culture of the school, one in
which students from all aspects of RC life participate.
SUMMER SERVICE DAYS 2015
Giving Back For 10 Years!
For the 10th year in a row, students, faculty, alumni and friends of Roselle Catholic came together in the spirit of service and community during the first three days of summer vacation.
One quarter of the student population, plus 16 alumni, 6 parents and 23 faculty members took part, generously giving their time
and hard work at ten different service sites on June 15th, 16th and 17th.
The service sites included: relationship throughout the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, the Community Foodbank of NJ, and several area grammar schools – St. Joseph in Roselle,
St. Michael in Union and St. Theresa in Kenilworth. Other sites were St. Bonaventure Center at
Trinitas Hospital, Raphael
Life House in Elizabeth, Kean
University’s “Be The Change”
Community Garden and the
Greater Newark Conservancy.
RC volunteers work at Kean University’s ‘Be The Change’ garden
A Bridges trip to New York
City was also held on Tuesday
night, June 17th to distribute
sandwiches, toiletries and
clothing to the homeless, first
on 34th Street and then at Battery Park.
Students Andre Mosley and
Tochi Uchuno with teacher
Pete Ciliberto at the Elizabeth
Coalition to House the Homeless
At the end of each day, all of
the volunteers came together in the gym to share experiences. The question was posed – how are we contributing to the greater
good, all day, every day, when we make decisions on how to act, how to respond and how to reply?
When asked why they decide to come to service days, responses are about giving back. There are also those who are grateful for
the chance to be together with their friends, and doing good for the community. And many are glad they had the opportunity to
learn so much about the issue of hunger and food distribution in our area, and what things are being done to help.
“As it is every year, Summer Service Days was a resounding success, due
to the efforts of a lot of people,” stated Maureen Hagan, Director of Campus Ministry. “But our students show over and over again that young
people are generous of heart and spirit. When given the opportunity to
reach out to help, they respond enthusiastically.”
The alumni who participated in this year’s Summer Service Days,
are: Mike Amazan ‘14, Devante Bailey ‘14, Jane Ann Carvalho GC ‘81, Tom
Carvalho ‘14, Kelley Jane Carvalho ‘10, Christina Demetillo ‘14, Felicia Firmin ‘14, Gina Gilcrest GC ‘67, Kathleen Hagan ‘05, Erica Jumper ‘14, Dan
Kennedy ‘04, Kevin Macalos ‘14, Bill McGrane ‘70 & wife Linda, Kristina
McNamara ‘08, Mark O’Grady ‘83, and Matt Shipe ‘07. Plus alumni faculty
Students on a Bridges service trip distributing sandwiches,
members: Dan Sullivan ‘74, Tim Hagan 03, Mike Kennedy ‘05, and Chris
beverages, toiletries and clothing to the homeless at 34th
Clesca ‘06.
Street in New York City
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LION-HEARTED!
Looking Back At The Year In Service
A MONTH OF GIVING!
November: During a period of time when service is most likely needed the most,
Thanksgiving, close to 400 students, joined by faculty, staff, parents, Board members and
alumni spent two days at various locations providing service to communities and individuals in need.
The Roselle Catholic family extended its helping hands to Community Food Bank of NJ in
Hillside, Trinitas Hospital’s Br. Bonaventure Extended Care Facility, the Elizabeth Nursing
Home, St. Joseph the Carpenter School in Roselle, St. Michael’s School in Union, and the
Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless.
On November 19th every freshman and 30
seniors went to the Community Food Bank of
NJ and packed well over 250 boxes of food. The
sophomore class and 40 juniors did the same on
November 20th.
RC student helping at the Elizabeth
Seniors shared their time to help lonely patients Nursing Home
in the Elizabeth Nursing Home, while other upperclassmen worked at St. Joseph helping to renovate the school’s library.
Upperclassmen also aided in the tutoring of younger students at St. Michaels. In all
the RC family reached out to 5
different towns in Union County
and shared their tremendous gift
of services to those who truly
needed it.
Helping renovate the library
at St. Joseph School
While we are proud to highlight
these two dedicated days of
service, this is only a small amount
of the service and work Roselle
Catholic students do throughout the year.
During November alone, Roselle Catholic raised money to reopen a hospital
in Nairobi, near the center of the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Lions made tags
for their Giving Tree, which will act as a means for giving presents to underprivileged children during the holiday season. Over 100 RC students built
RC students at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside
34
Students gave blood and helped
at the annual RC Blood Drive
and sold gingerbread houses to raise money for the coalition. Several students gave blood and helped spread the word about the
blood drive, which took place on November 20th.
“We are a family at Roselle Catholic and we have proven that our family extends out into the community, to live the mission of
Marcellin Champagnat to those less favored. This is what we do, as Marists.” said Principal Thomas Berrios as he summed up the
work done at the Thanksgiving Mass that was held to celebrate the gratitude and the giving that characterized the charity over two
weeks at RC.
BRAVING THE COLD FOR BRIDGES SERVICE
February: Five RC students and two faculty members travelled to
Civic Square in Irvington in the middle of an arctic blast on Sunday,
February 15 during their Winter Break, to distribute food and clothing
to folks who are homeless or inadequately housed.
As the wind whipped the plastic bags that held sandwiches and
snacks, the students struggled to fill them.
The students on the trip were seniors Nicole Fanning, Sarah Jordeo
and Christine Edme and sophomores Lucien Edme and Tiara Acevedo.
Students used the words “grateful” and “satisfied” to describe their
feelings upon returning to RC. As they unloaded the empty
bins back at school and slowly thawed out, they reflected
on the experience.
They were grateful for the other students who helped make
the sandwiches in preparation for the Bridges trip. They
were grateful for their warm beds and heated homes. And
they felt good about coming to school during winter break
and even though the weather was frigid, to fulfill their commitment to Bridges.
ADDING RC GREEN TO COALITION’S
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY
March: Students from RC’s Campus Ministry program go each Monday to help mentor the young children at the after school program at the Elizabeth Coalition to House
the Homeless. However, Monday, March 16th was special as RC students brought a bit
more green to the Coalition’s St. Patrick’s Day Party.
The RC students were into the “wearing of the green” -- helped with the games and craft
projects -- and brought a bit of Irish fun and spirit to the festivities.
After a group of Irish dancers performed, the RC students helped serve the food.
35
SERVICE: AN ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
April: This Easter break, Roselle Catholic had three separate groups offering their time in service --- a Bridges trip on Good Friday
to New York City, and service trips to both West Virginia and Esopus.
The first group, 12 students strong, went on the Bridges service trip to New York City to distribute food, clothing and toiletries to
the homeless. Arriving at school at 4 pm, they began making 300 sandwiches and packing the snacks and fruit to go with them.
After the traditional Prayer of St. Francis in the chapel, they packed the bus and took off at 6:30. They made two stops in New York
before making their way back to the school at 10:15. Here they shared their individual insights from the experience.
“I was humbled,” said Amanda Coccia. “People
have so little and are so grateful – they feel so
lucky to be getting these couple of sandwiches,”
she continued. Billy Carvalho echoed the sentiment. Peter Jean Jacques expressed that a lot of
good was accomplished; as relationships formed
with the folks they met on the street. Everyone
was happy that they had chosen to go on this
Good Friday service trip, feeling it was an appropriate way to spend the evening. They all look
forward to another service trip.
Leaving at noon on Easter Sunday, the second
group RC students, Emily Badalis, Erin Devlin,
Amanda Coccia, Zak Shumacher, Makayla Devlin,
Christine Edme, traveled with four students from
Good Friday Bridges service trip to New York City, from left: Phil Cababe, Michelle
Colicchio, Billy Carvalho, Angela Altamirano, Peter Jean Jacques, Mannat Uppal,
Tavares Storey, Makayla Devlin, Amanda Coccia, Erin Devlin
Archbishop Molloy and four from Mount St Michael Academy to Wheeling, WV for a week of service.
Working in conjunction with students from the local Marist school in
Wheeling, Bishop Donahue High School, the students the worked at the
House of the Carpenter, a social service agency in Wheeling, as well as
the 18th Street Catholic Charities Center, where they served meals and
helped with general maintenance.
On one evening the director of House of the Carpenter, Mike Linger,
spoke to the group about poverty. He quoted statistics, but then followed up with examples from the families that are helped by HOC. “The
statistics impacted me the most,” stated RC senior Christine Edme. “Realizing how people are forced to make difficult decisions every day regarding housing, healthcare, and food, made me realize how lucky I am.”
Junior Emily Badalis had a similar reaction. “There was so much emotion
involved in Mike’s talk and it hit me hard. The stories made everything
seem real. His talk definitely changed me.”
One of the West Virginia service projects
also included building
a handicapped ramp.
“I have wanted to go
on the West Virginia
The West Virginia group included students from Roselle
spring
service trip since
Catholic: Emily Badalis, Erin Devlin, Amanda Coccia, Zak
Shumacher, Makayla Devlin, Christine Edme, who were
my freshman year. It
joined by students from Archbishop Molloy and Mount
was such an incredible
St Michael. Also representing RC & GC were alums, Mark
experience and I’m so
O’Grady and Maureen Hagan, as well as Br. Dan O’Riordan
glad I was able to go!
We were able to meet some of the most amazing and gracious people,” exclaimed
senior Amanda Coccia.
The Bishop Donahue community hosted meals and gatherings for the Roselle
Catholic, Molloy, and Mount St Michael’s group providing the opportunity to
36
Esopus group at evening prayer, which they
shared with the West Virginia group via Skype
share their mutual Marist heritage with the NY/NJ schools.
The third group of RC students, seniors Megan Molina and Andrea Matos
and junior Domenic Ippolito went to Esopus with a group from Marist
Chicago and Marist Bayonne.
The weather put a bit of a damper on original plans to work on the outdoor labyrinth. However there was still plenty of work to be done.
Some of the students worked at Chiz’s Heart Street, a social service
agency in Kingston. Chiz’s Heart Street provides a home for all and strives
to soothe mental illness where it lives. The food pantry offers food to
those that need sustenance.
The West Virginia and Esopus groups connected with each other on Face- RC students at the House of the Carpenter, a social service
book throughout the week with photos and captions. Most importantly, agency in Wheeling
they shared prayer and reflection each night. On Thursday, the last night,
they Skyped in order to share in real time the prayer for closing the week of service.
There were many in the RC community without which these projects could not go forward. Phil Cappio drove the bus for the
Bridges trip, accompanied by Focus Room teacher, Anna Mary Yeager and her husband, Doug. The West Virginia group included
alum and athletic department volunteer, Mark O’Grady, RC’83; Campus Minister Maureen Hagan, GC ’72; as well as Br. Alfred
George from the RC brothers’ community and Br. Dan O’Riordan, former RC development director, current board member and ViceProvincial of the Marist Brothers.
The Esopus contingent included a tag team made up of history teacher John Schmitt and religion teacher Tim Hagan, as well as RC
parents Ed Kennedy and Jane Ann Carvalho. Coordinating the Esopus projects was Br. Owen Ormsby, former president/principal/
campus minister at RC and Matt Fallon, RC ’03 and current assistant director of operations at Esopus.
This impressive service character of Roselle Catholic is not something that you will find in many other schools throughout the country. As a family, RC is truly invested and committed to not only educate its students in the valuable lessons
of academics, but in having our students feel the immense pride of what it truly is to serve others.
WINTER OUTDOOR CHALLENGE RETREAT
So You Thought It Was Cold!
So you thought it was cold this past winter. Even though the Northeast was
locked in a frigid, arctic-like deep freeze, that didn’t deter six Roselle Catholic
students who took on the unique challenge and the elements, building an
igloo, then sleeping in it, all the while exploring the idea of shelter, both
literally and metaphorically.
Why you ask would a group of seemingly smart kids go from cold to colder? It
was RC’s participation in the Winter Outdoor Challenge Retreat that took place
February 6-8, at the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus in the mid-Hudson valley region of New York.
Over the course of two days, the six boys worked long and hard on the task of building the igloo, brick by brick. When not
assisting with the igloo, they took turns gathering wood for the fire, and chopping vegetables for the soup that cooked over
the fire.
Mr. Ed Kennedy, a facilitator of the Outdoor Challenge retreats at the Esopus, began the experience by giving out the
snowshoes that were necessary to traverse the 16 inches of snow that lay on the ground. Following dinner, a night hike
down to the Hudson River opened up a discussion around the fire of
what the word shelter means, followed by a sharing of ideas about
how to travel the journey of being out in the cold for many hours,
performing a difficult task. The boys then received their journals, so
thoughts and emotions could be recorded, on the retreat as well as in
the future.
RC’s intrepid campers in their igloo, settling-in for the
night with sub zero temps
What were some of the lessons learned? “I learned patience”, stated
Billy Carvalho, a sophomore from Roselle. “It took so long and we just
did the same thing over and over – it took a lot of patience.” Dominic
Ippolito of Linden said, “Everyone on the team is valuable. If we
weren’t working on the igloo, we needed to gather wood and keep the
fire going.” Chad Dover-Wixson, of East Orange, waxed philosophical
when he said, “ You haven’t lived until you’ve tested yourself.”
37
Dr. Colleen Daly Martinez ‘90
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor
Lecturer, Rutgers University
- by Tom Libonate ‘64
Dr. Colleen Daly Martinez, Ph.D., embodies passion in her life and career. She is the
personification of depth and personal dimension.
A self-proclaimed mediocre student during high school she is a well regarded clinician and
teacher in the field of Play Therapy, a University lecturer, a skilled therapist who supports
traumatized children and their families, an advocate for public schools, a devoted mother
and a competitive chili cook-off champion. And that’s only part of the story!
A
resident of Montclair, NJ, Colleen Daly Martinez, a graduate of Roselle Catholic’s class
of 1990, is a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work. Helping children in special education with emotional or behavioral problems that interfere with their academic functioning, she is a champion of Play Therapy, a form of psychotherapy that she is pioneering in
New Jersey’s public school systems.
A Matter of Play
Play Therapy is psychotherapy using play, art and expressive activities connect with children where they are developmentally, and to help prevent and resolve developmental and
psychosocial problems. When an adult goes into psychotherapy, oftentimes they talk about
their problems. But for three or four year old children, or people who have speech delays or
developmental delays, using words may not be sufficient to help them express and process
their issues. As Dr. Martinez explains, “When I’m doing psychotherapy with kids I use creative
and expressive modalities to help them express and process their experiences in their natural
language, play.”
Dr. Martinez is a registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, a credential that may be relatively new even though play therapy
was first discussed in the 1940’s by Virginia Axline and her colleagues. Colleen works part-time in the Irvington Public
Schools, where Play Therapy is being written into students’ Individualized Education Plans, in addition to the usual Speech,
Occupational, and Physical Therapies. “As far as I know we’re the first district in New Jersey to formally bring play therapy
into schools, so I imagine that it’s not very common throughout the country.” She decided to co author an article on her
work for Play Therapy Magazine because, “ I thought the program we started,
doing play therapy with preschoolers, was unique and an important model to
bring to others.”
Colleen collaborated with Pat Dowd, a Special Education administrator she
works with in Irvington, on an article for the December 2012 edition of Play
Therapy Magazine. The magazine is a product of the Association For Play
Therapy, which people worldwide read to learn more about play therapy.
The article, “Bringing Play Therapy To School,” informed mental health practitioners about what Irvington schools, are doing with play therapy. “We wrote
this article to hopefully prompt other people to think of creative ways to help
kids with their emotional and behavioral issues at school. Working as a play
therapist in the public schools reminded me of how important it is to share
information with others.”
38
Dr. Martinez in a Play Therapy session with kids
This is not Dr. Martinez’s first foray into publishing. In 2006 she co-authored
a paper with Dr. Judith Baer, “Child Maltreatment and Insecure Attachment: A
Meta-Analysis,” published in the Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychol-
ALUMNI FEATURE
ogy. It was Dr. Baer, Colleen’s advisor for her Ph.D. at Rutgers University and her
dissertation supervisor, who prompted her to publish her research. As Colleen
elaborates, “My area of interest and the work I’ve been doing had always been
child abuse so I wanted to contribute something to the literature.”
Passion Makes All The Difference
In Colleen’s own words -- words that are somewhat ironic from a woman with a
Ph.D. -- “I was not a super student. I remember being really afraid I was going to
fail algebra. I think Mr. Sullivan generously gave me a 70 to pass me because he
knew I was trying my best.” Colleen continues, “I didn’t particularly study anything
I loved or was passionate about until I went to college. That’s really when I understood why it was important and meaningful to study.”
After graduating from Roselle Catholic in June 1990, Colleen entered Livingston College at Rutgers University. “Going into college I didn’t know that Social Work was
a career option. Back then we didn’t have computers. We registered for classes
A proud and happy family – husband Paul
based on a paper catalog. I chose my first set of classes based on their title.” She
and daughter Cecilia -- celebrate Colleen
remembers one particular class -- “Theories and Skills of Working With People” -receiving her Ph.D. in Social Work at
Rutgers University in 2009
thought it sounded interesting, so she took it, and quickly realized her passion. “I
always liked people. I care deeply about social justice, and feel compelled to help
those who are in need. If conditions are unjust, or someone is being maltreated, I feel compelled to do my best to improve
the situation.”
Immediately upon graduating with a BA in Social Work from Rutgers, Livingston College
in 1994, Colleen entered the graduate program, and a year later in 1995 earned a Masters in Social Work from the Rutgers School of Social Work. It was in graduate school
that Colleen began to form a belief that her calling might be to work in the prison
system or a hospital setting. Yet it was the first job offer she received that changed her
direction and set her on the pathway to where she is today -- working with troubled
children.
Following a Clear Path
Colleen’s first clinical social work position came from a former professor at Rutgers, who
offered her the position of clinician for children with emotional and behavioral challenges at Barnert Hospital Community Counseling Center in Paterson. “I found that I
enjoyed working with children. There I began to grow as a child and family therapist,
I started working with traumatized children and their families and loved the work.” It
was here that Colleen knew this would be her calling, and in in 1998 earned her New
Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential (LCSW).
Dr. Martinez teaching Masters in
Social Work students at Rutgers
University, Newark
She then moved on to Saint Clare’s Hospital Child Abuse Treatment Program, where she
deepened her expertise in trauma treatment, and also earned her RPT-S (registered play
therapist and supervisor) credential. “While I loved working with, and helping traumatized children to recover from their abuse, the work was emotionally difficult. I knew I couldn’t work full time in trauma
treatment forever. I decided to pursue the Ph.D. so I could teach at the university level and help others to do the work”
Colleen worked full time while taking her Ph.D. classes. She then left for maternity leave, completing her dissertation research while home with a new baby, Cecilia Daly Martinez, in 2006. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work,
Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2009.
Depth & Dimension Personified
Colleen Daly Martinez can never be characterized as one dimensional in her life or career pursuits. In addition to part-time
work within Irvington Schools, over the past 9-years Colleen has taught at Monmouth University’s post-graduate program in
Play Therapy. She currently teaches at Rutgers University in the Masters of Social Work program, both online, on campus,
and at off campus locations. “As a teacher of social workers, it is thrilling to be able to educate and inspire so many others
that will continue to do this important work.”
She worked in private practice doing child and family therapy for a few years in Montclair, but now her practice has evolved
to only doing supervision and consultation. As she explains, “I work with Social Workers, Counselors and Psychologists who
need supervision, or consultation with their cases. I provide workshops for professionals all over New Jersey on various topics including Attachment, Play Therapy, and Sexual Abuse.”
39
When asked about her greatest, or most enjoyable achievement, her response is somewhat unexpected: “I’m proud to have convinced my dissertation advisor to advocate
for a Play Therapy course in the MSW program (Master of Social Work) at Rutgers. It’s
now offered on all three campuses every semester, so many more social work students
are becoming well prepared to work with traumatized children. However, my best
accomplishment is being a mom to our daughter. There’s nothing as challenging and
rewarding as being a parent, and giving our daughter a well balanced and happy life.”
A Devotee Of Family Time
While Dr. Martinez has achieved significant stature in her field and considers her work
with children to be personally of the highest importance, her career is not the most
consequential. At the apex is family time – with husband Paul and daughter Cecilia.
“I have many part-time jobs, all with some flexibility to give me time with my family.
Paul and I want to have the time to enjoy Cecilia’s childhood.”
Colleen and Paul on the occasion of
their 10th wedding anniversary in 2012
It was through friends that Colleen met her husband Paul in 1998 at Cascio’s Tavern in
Roselle Park. “I was back home after graduate school and catching-up with some old
friends who frequented Cascio’s. A mutual friend introduced us. We were married four years later in 2002.” Colleen and
Paul honeymooned in Holland and Belgium, which was not the end of the couple’s
European travels. “Paul has family in Ireland, he lived there much of his childhood, so
we travel to Ireland every 2 years.”
In 2012, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary they took a second honeymoon, only this time accompanied by daughter Cecilia, who shares her parent’s wanderlust, traveling through four countries in 10 days -- Holland, Belgium, England and
Ireland.
A highlight of the trip, particularly for Cecilia, was when her first tooth fell out one
morning in Belgium. The tooth fairy visited her that night in England. Better still,
Cecilia benefited from the exchange rate. The tooth fairy delivered in Euros!
A family on the go -- in the winter the family goes skiing, in the summer, because
Colleen cuts down on her work schedule, they go to the beach, waterparks, and travel
extensively. “This summer we will spend some time on Chincoteague Island in Virginia, and we will hike a small portion of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire.”
RC Roots: A Lifelong Bond with Esopus
European “second honeymoon” in 2012
celebrating Colleen and Paul’s 10th
Anniversay with Cecila.
A resident of Elizabeth during her Roselle Catholic
days, Colleen Daly was a peer group counselor; a
member of the Ski Club and Prom Committee; and
in spite of describing herself as a mediocre student,
she was Honor Roll and in the National Honor Society in junior and senior years.
Yet it was encounters and retreats at Esopus, and volunteering at Mid Hudson Valley Camp
in Esopus that was a life changing experience. Esopus provided early personal insight into
the person she was and the following she would pursue. “Brother Steve Kappes invited
me to volunteer at Mid Hudson Valley camp in Esopus. From that experience I made
many lifelong friends and grew as a person by helping others. Volunteering to help those
in need was one of the first times I felt I could make a positive contribution to society. Those experiences definitely led me to pursue a career in social work.”
Mother and daughter at Marist
Esopus Camp Hope in 2006
After graduating Roselle Catholic and beginning in 1992, Colleen spent a greater part of the
summer volunteering at Marist Esopus camps: Cancer Camp, Special Kids Camps, and eventually Camp Hope.
Colleen was a part of the founding of Camp Hope at Esopus in 1992 -- a sleep away camp for kids with HIV – and eventually became Camp Director, serving in the that role until 2009.
40
“Esopus was the best part of RC for me. Volunteering at the summer camp probably saved
my life. Having a beautiful place to go where I could be with nice, caring people, while
giving service to help others, that really is the thing that changed the course of my life.”
ALUMNI FEATURE
During her tenure as Camp Director at Camp Hope, Colleen’s daughter would stay
at Esopus with her. “At the time Cecilia was a toddler and she’d play with the other
campers and be my little partner as I worked with the staff and kids. It was a wonderful experience for her to meet people I’ve known since I was a teenager, and making
friends with the campers. Today she keeps asking if we can go back, but she doesn’t
understand we can’t go to camp for just fun – we have to go to Esopus for service.”
When asked about the fun side of her RC experience, Colleen has many, but quickly recalls,
“Our Junior Prom, in the gym; sunbathing on
the softball field during Ms. Bunk’s gym class;
sending each other $1 carnations for Valentine’s
Day; hanging out in the parking lot; cooking paColleen, seated, with classmates in
Ms. Wischusen’s class
ella, out of a box, in Mrs. Weaver’s Spanish Class
for extra credit; and home room decorating
contests for Christmas. One year Mr. Witt, who eventually became Brother George,
decorated his entire classroom blue and played Elvis’ Blue Christmas.”
Nancy Collins and Colleen in senior year
When asked about her favorite RC teacher, she highlights Mr. Murray. He was a
teacher she didn’t have much interaction with in high school, but an appreciation that grew over the years and at the class’
20th reunion. “He was a quirky young teacher who rode his bicycle to school every day. I learned from him that you could
be different from the norm and still be cool. I really appreciated that and I identified with not exactly fitting in.”
Taking A Stand
A newly awakened passion for Dr. Colleen Daly Martinez, and one she refers to as her
newest part-time job, is advocating against high stakes standardized testing at the local,
state and national levels.
According to Dr. Martinez, PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness College and
Careers) is a standardized test, based on the common core curriculum and developed
by a for-profit company that doesn’t necessarily have the public schools’ best interests
in mind, particularly those in urban, high poverty areas.
There is a nationwide movement of people fighting against Common Core, fighting
against PARCC. Dr. Martinez is one those standing up and speaking out. She participated in the making of a short film about the impact of high stakes testing on public
schools, titled, “The Other PARCC.” Sir Kenneth Robinson, English author, speaker and
international advisor on education, re-tweeted the film -- a testimony to the validity of
the message.
“I was never passionate about public schools until the last few years working with preschoolers in the public schools. For lots of suburban families the recent efforts toward
corporate reform of our public schools is not going to make a big difference. Unfortunately if you go to where I work in high poverty areas, these kids are going to do
worse on standardized tests. The correlation between household income and standardized tests scores are staggering. These test scores are not an accurate reflection of genuine learning, or teacher effectiveness.
But the state is saying that the tests measure the effectiveness of the teacher and the effectiveness of the schools, basically
believing that the kids in urban, poverty areas have the exact same opportunities and testing skills as the kids in suburban
school systems. I have concern that these systems will ultimately be used to penalize the schools and teachers that serve our
most needy students.”
Hanging out in the parking lot with
classmates Jarvis Parker, Christine
(Rothfuss) Fernandes, who are still
good friends
Chili Cook-Off Champion
With all her professional achievements, Colleen claims one of her biggest thrills came recently in early April, when she and a
good friend won the first ever Chili Cook-Off in Montclair. When the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, the fund raising wing of Montclair’s public schools, announced a chili
cook-off competition Colleen’s friend Sumi Pillai called to ask if she wanted to be partners. As Colleen described the partnership, “She’s the cook and I’m the face of the team. Sumi came up with this brilliant recipe based on her vegetarian Indian
family recipes … and would you believe? WE WON! I loved the idea that a vegan, Indian recipe won a chili cook-off! That
kind of thing could only happen in Montclair. It’s a really diverse town that celebrates cultural diversity.”
From Colleen’s standpoint this was no small accomplishment -- 36 teams competed and some were restaurants. “As I walked
41
around with my trophy I thought, aside from giving birth this may be the
most thrilling experience of my life! My husband is saying, “Hello? What
about when we got married?” Then later I thought, “Hmm? What about
when I graduated with a Ph.D.?” But it was really fun. It’s the recent
highlight of my life!”
An Open Connection With RC
In addition to attending the class of 1990 reunions -- 10th and 20th years
-- Colleen keeps in regular contact with a few friends and enjoys running into former classmates in surprising places. She has come back to
Roselle Catholic as a presenter for Alumni Career Day.
Colleen, and her friends Beth and Sumi, the Red Hot
Chili Prep-ers, with the championship trophy for their
vegan ‘Bombay Street Food’ chili
Colleen has participated in RC’s Career Day the past two years. However, it was the 2015 event that became an impromptu “mini-reunion”
for nine members of the Class of 1990. It was Colleen and Julie LaBrutto
‘90, Chair of the RC Guidance Department, that urged many of their
classmates to come in as presenters for an innovative new Career Day
format that had many saying was the best Alumni Career Day in recent
memory.
The central influences and factors that Colleen attributes to getting her to
where she is today in life and career have hopefully been adequately articulated. Yet Colleen’s story wouldn’t be complete without introducing one
more, role model she points to as a source of inspiration: her Grandmother!
“She was a strong and responsible woman. Always doing whatever was necessary to take care of her family, whether that meant cooking, or climbing a
ladder to repair the roof of her house. She took care of business, and I’d like
to think I am like her in that way.”
Colleen also credits her mother for helping to build her self-confidence, “My
Colleen, her cousin Ted Czujak, also an RC grad
mother taught me how to drive a car with a manual transmission. She’d take class of 1990, and daughter Cecilia in 2013
me out on the Garden State Parkway, and I was so scared that I’d stall the
car, and people behind me would get mad. That day, and
on many other days, she told me that it didn’t matter what
other people thought. Driving a stick shift car, and being
self-confident are such important life skills.” Dr. Martinez is a woman who has a hard time standing
still. When asked about further goals, she says concisely,
“I look forward to continuing to learn and grow, and enjoy
work and play.”
Interestingly, when asked: At this point in your life would
you have done anything different? -- she responds a bit
philosophically in a “Back To The Future” manner, “If I
could go back to my high school and college days, I wish
I would have had the confidence back then that I do now,
though I’m not sure that’s possible. I think self-confidence
is something that comes with time.”
42
Colleen presented at RC’s Alumni Career Day 2015, which by chance
became a “mini-reunion” for members of the Class of 1990.
From left, Sitting: Andrew Boris, Colleen Daly Martinez, Standing:
BethAnn Badalis Haberman, Nancy Collins Griffith, Jim McFadden,
Kathy Matthews Schmidt, Cyndi Brenner Stewart, Dawn Tilton Rodgers
and Julie LaBrutto
Colleen Daly Martinez has no regrets, nor does she
second-guess the choices she has made in her life and
career pursuits – captured in one of her favorite quotes by
Michael Ignatieff, Canadian author, academic and former
politician.
“One of the greatest feelings in life is the conviction that
you have lived the life you wanted to live - -with the
rough and the smooth, the good and the bad -- but yours,
shaped by your own choices, and not someone else’s”
FACULTY CONTRIBUTE $65,000
OF THEIR SALARY FOR STUDENT AID
Clearly the RC faculty and staff believe
in the mission of Roselle Catholic!
In an amazing act of generosity a substantial majority of the
faculty and staff have voluntarily elected to give back a part
of their salary to provide tuition assistance, in order to help
dozens of students come to, and stay at Roselle Catholic.
While the RC administration and Board do everything possible
to control expenses, every year sees an increase in the cost of a
Roselle Catholic education. Tuition and fees for this past school
year, 2014-2015, stand at $10,850, and are slated to increase
by $400 for next year, breaking $11,000.
For just about all of our students’ families, that’s a lot of money,
as evidenced by an increasing number of students requiring financial aid if they are to attend Roselle Catholic.
Almost 60% of the RC student body receives some level of tuition assistance -- starting at $350 up to considerably more —
made possible by the generosity of our benefactors. And among the most generous of those benefactors are our own faculty
and staff.
This year, at the suggestion of some of our teachers, what is called the Faculty/Staff Initiative was launched, designed to
generate funds for tuition assistance.
Participating on a purely voluntary and anonymous basis, a significant majority of RC teachers and staff have agreed to
regular payroll deductions to support students in need of help. Having started in September and running through the end
of school year, the Faculty / Staff Initiative yielded over $65,000 in aid that helped dozens of students come to, and stay at
Roselle Catholic.
RC alumni and other friends who wish to follow the staff’s lead and join them in this special sign of support for the Faculty /
Staff Tuition Assistance Fund can do so by contributing conveniently and safely via the RC website under the SUPPORTING RC
menu of the home page. Or by check, made out to the “RC Faculty / Staff Tuition Assistance Fund,” and mailed to: Roselle
Catholic High School, Attn: Office of Development, 350 Raritan Road. Roselle, NJ 07203.
The Faculty & Staff Initiative is just one more way that our dedicated teachers
and staff help make Roselle Catholic the extraordinary place that it is.
Billy and Linda McGrane Establish
Br. Dan O’Riordan Scholarship
$50,000 Over 10-Years!
Mark Demetillo ‘16 and Lucien Lucien Edme ‘17 are this
year’s recipients of the Br. Dan O’Riordan Scholarship.
The scholarship was established by Dr. Billy McGrane
‘70 and his wife Linda to celebrate the special
relationship that Br. Dan has with them and with
Roselle Catholic. Linda McGrane, Lucien Edme ‘17, Mark Demetillo ‘16, RC
President Dr. Stickles ‘66, Dr. Billy McGrane ‘70
On June 16th, Billy and Linda traveled from their home
in Florida to meet with Mark and Lucien who were
participating in RC’s annual Summer Service Days.
43
Alumni Again Serve As Instructors
For Business Seminar
The RC BUSINESS SEMINAR curriculum just completed its second year. An integral part
of RC’s innovative curriculum focusing on pre-professional studies, the Business Seminar
benefits from a line-up of seasoned business experts as guest instructors, alumni who have
achieved notable success in the world of business.
R
oselle Catholic launched the
Business Seminar, which is organized around the experience
of Keurig Inc. in the development,
manufacture and marketing
of its single-cup coffee maker, now
widely recognized as the finest home
coffee brewing system of its kind.
RC has a special connection to
the Keurig coffee brewer. Richard
Sweeney, a Keurig co-founder, is
a member of the RC Class of 1966
and a loyal alumnus. The Keurig story has been used as a case study at the Harvard Business School, and the
case study has been adapted for RC use, describing the challenges it had to overcome to bring its product to the
worldwide market.
RC’s Keurig case study is employed as the context for our students’ consideration of a variety of topics that
typically occupy the attention of business executives, including such matters as manufacturing, marketing, human resources, sales, contract negotiations with suppliers
and distributors, relations with the government including
legal concerns, relationships in other countries, and more.
Over its fifty-plus years, Roselle Catholic has produced
a number of graduates who have gone on to great success
in the world of business. Some have crafted impressive careers in established operations, while others, imbued with
entrepreneurial spirit, have grown their own businesses
from the ground up.
Each seminar session is led by one or more RC alumni
who have a specific expertise in one of those areas, they’ve
been assisted by Mrs. Joanne Gessner, a member, (now
retired), of the RC faculty who holds a MBA (Master of
Business Administration) from Columbia University, one of
the finest business schools in the country.
Mrs. Joanne Gessner, Tom Kelly, Athena Lago, Michyah Thomas
The seminar meets once or twice a month during the
school day for two hours. The seminar is deemed an Honors course, for one academic credit, and graded pass/ fail,
with grading based on assignments and class participation.
Introduction to Marketing:
Thomas Libonate ‘64
44
On Wednesday, December 10, 2014 the first
guest instructor for the 2014-14 school year
was Thomas Libonate of RC’s second graduating class of 1964, who shared his knowledge
of Marketing, a business discipline he is highly
qualified to speak.
Prior to his retirement in 2010, Tom Libonate
was Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of Ryan
Partnership, headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut. Since co-founding the company in 1984,
Mr. Libonate spearheaded the creation of one
of the premiere marketing agencies in North
America, specializing in promotional, direct
and interactive marketing; creative design; and
Tom Libonate ’64 discusses the dynamics of “brands” as part of an
viral marketing. Headquartered in Wilton,
Introduction to Marketing
Connecticut, the agency operated out of full service offices in 7 US cities. Today, with revenues in excess of
$500,000,000, Ryan Partnership is an independent subsidiary of Epsilon Data Management of Irving, Texas.
The content of the 2-hour “Introduction to Marketing” presentation was similar to the one Mr. Libonate has
delivered at both the graduate and under-graduate level at University of North Carolina, Northeastern University,
St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) and Monmouth University.
Product Development:
Dick Sweeney ’66, Keurig® Co-Founder
Students in the RC Sophomore Business Seminar got a
special treat at the class session on Monday, January 5,
2015. Dick Sweeney, RC Class of 1966 and a co-founder of Keurig Green Mountain, paid his annual visit to
the Seminar, giving a two-hour presentation on the
development of the now-famous Keurig single-serving
coffee brewer, widely recognized as the best product of
its kind.
Dick likes to summarize the Keurig story as one of
“heart, smart, guts and luck,” crediting its success to the
passion of bright people who worked through problems and challenges and were blessed with good fortune.
Dick, the second guest instructor for the 2014-14 school year, paid particular attention to his Keurig colleagues’
recent development of a cold drink, single-serving machine that will do for carbonated soft drinks what the
Keurig brewer did for coffee. With plans to bring this
cold drink machine to the market this year, Keurig
already has partnership agreements with Coke and Dr.
Pepper that will make those popular drinks available
in single servings.
Working with Dick in this classroom session was
RC President Dr. Robert Stickles. Dick and Bob both
grew up in Roselle Park, are both from the Class of
1966, and, indeed, went through elementary school
together, graduating from St. Joseph in Roselle in 1962.
They have stayed friends over the sixty years since
they met in the first grade. “Dick’s story reminds me
of Edison and the light bulb,” says Dr. Stickles. “ He
Dick Sweeney ’66 emphasizes a point related to Keurig’s model for
and I had several conversations during the early ‘90s,
product development
when the Keurig coffee brewer was in development.
Dick would often describe the trial-and-error process he was going through in getting a workable product. Like
Edison, he tried all sorts of things, most of which failed, but never gave up.”
Sales Strategy:
John Hoffman ‘69
On February 6, 2015 students in the Business Seminar curriculum engaged in a two-hour class session on Sales Strategy conducted by John Hoffman, a member of the RC Class
of 1969.
John has his own consulting firm, and regularly assists
Fortune 500 companies, instructing their executives in the
finer points of sales strategies and negotiations.
For his visit to Roselle Catholic in February, John focused
on sales, and walked our students through what Social Science research teaches us about what does, and does not,
work in bringing an audience around to one’s point of view.
Business Negotiation:
John Hoffman ‘69
John Hoffman returned return on Friday, March 6, 2015 for
a second session, this time focusing on negotiations, tips
for “Getting to Yes.” The second meeting saw the students
John Hoffman ’69 shares the keys to a successful sales strategy
45
engaged in role play and other hands-on exercises.
John uses his teaching experience (at RC and at Seton
Hall University) and his background in Psychology to
help others achieve better results in their work.
Retail Channels of Trade:
Rich Libonate ‘67
On March 18, 2015 Rich Libonate a former Vice-President
of Retail Sales/International Sales for the Snapple Beverage Group, a member of the RC Class of 1967, conducted
a two-hour class session on retail channels of trade, a
subject he is extremely well versed and experienced.
In addition to his experience as a sales executive with
Coca-Cola, Stroh Brewing Company and Snapple Beverage
Group, he was Vice President, Convenience Channel with
Cadbury Adams; General Manager, Retail Sales / Senior Vice
President at FRS, and General Manager of the Promax Nutrition Company.
Rich incorporated an
interactive exercise on
the grocery retail channel in his classroom
session, while also
sharing an overview
of “the Snapple Story”
with the students
Rich Libonate ’67 poses a question to the class about their
-- how three inexpeperception of retail stores
rienced entrepreneurs Rich Libonate ‘67 explains the dynamics of
retail channels of trade as Dr. Stickles and two
launched an alternative beverage brand by doing “nothing by the book”
business students look on
and breaking most rules of accepted marketing wisdom.
The expectation is that this curriculum will grow in time, with the addition of a Junior Business Seminar next
year, and a Senior Business Seminar the year after that. RC President, Dr. Robert Stickles, further elaborated, “We
also are planning ‘shadowing’ experiences for seminar students whereby they’ve had a chance to see our RC
alumni at work in the business world, as well as field trips to places that will supplement the seminar sessions.”
POSITIVELY!
Photo credit: Christopher Clesca ‘06
Anonymous Lion Ignites Positivity Week
How’s this for a “positive” story -- one that exemplifies the special family and caring environment of today’s Roselle
Catholic embodied by the Lions that roam the halls.
First beginning with a letter, meant for the faculty to read out loud, left on the doors of all classrooms and followed
each day by different surprises, an anonymous Lion made the extra, secret, push to spread a special brand of
positivity and good cheer.
Students, teachers and staff alike jumped right into the act by spreading hearts,
posting notes and spreading the positive messages to each and every person
that stepped through the halls.
46
RC faculty member Chris Clesca
‘06 had this to say about the
explosion of positive energy, “It
is really positive and very well
received throughout the building with a lot of students faculty
and staff participating. It gave
the building a really nice energy
that has lingered from one week
to the next.”
The 2014-2015 School Year Was a Great One
for the RC Advanced Placement Program!
Catholic has much to be proud of, with athletic championships, a dynamic Campus Ministry and service proRoselle
gram, innovative curriculum and the accomplishments of our students in all corners of school life.
However, it was our students’ performance as AP Scholars for the 2014-2015 academic year that gives us reason to be
especially proud.
“Advanced Placement” is a creature of The College Board, which authorizes a high school to conduct an Advanced
Placement course only after it vets the school’s planned curriculum and instructor, and determines that the proposed
course is the academic equivalent of a college course in that area.
With the College Board’s approval, RC offered ten different AP classes
last year, a big number for a school the size of ours. Those courses
included English Language and Composition, English Literature and
Composition, French, Spanish, Biology, Calculus, Studio Art, European
History, United States History, and Psychology. The classes were small,
some with enrollments in single digits, reflecting our school’s commitment to our best students.
May is when AP students around the country sit for exams that have
been designed by, and are scored by, The College Board. All these exams are scored on a 5-point scale. The College Board deems any score
of 3 or better to be commendable - for example, if a student scores 3
or better on at least three different exams, s/he is designated an “Advanced Placement Scholar.”
A total of 74 RC students took a total of 135 exams this past May. Unlike some schools, we require all students taking
an AP class to take the year-end exam, so our scores give a true indication of our performance. Of our 135 scores, 89 of
them were 3 or better, 66% of the total! This is considerably over the national average, which is below 50%.
As a result of their performance on this recent round of exams, the College Board has named nineteen RC students to
one of three levels of “Advanced Placement Scholars”.
Of that number, twelve are deemed AP Scholars, having scored 3 or better on at
least three exams over their high school years. Three others are now AP Scholars
“with Honor,” having scored 3 or better on at least four exams. And four others
have reached the top of the list and are now qualified as AP Scholars “with Distinction,” having scored 3 or better on at least five exams.
Thirteen of RC’s AP Scholars were seniors, 12.5% of the 104 graduates in the
Class of 2015. This is the highest percentage in recent history, if not the best ever.
That means that six of the newly minted AP Scholars are juniors, who have a year to build an even better record for
themselves. Other juniors have scored well on one or two exams, meaning that they are in line for AP kudos next year,
when they have a chance to take more AP courses as seniors.
Also, in each of this year’s four marking periods, approximately half of the RC student body made
First or Second Honors and about ten percent were named to The Principal’s List, meaning they
earned a grade of ninety present in each of their seven classes. Quite an achievement!
All in all, a terrific academic year and a great credit to our students and their teachers!
47
Passing the Toughest Test In History!
Bill Trelease ‘72
Licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide
Former Insurance Executive and
Owner, Cromwell Management
- From an Interview with Tom Libonate ‘64
Many remember Bill Trelease as a champion half-miler during RC’s Glory Days of track. Others know him as a insurance industry professional. Today, hundreds of visitors to the Gettysburg Battlefield are impressed with his knowledge of this seminal event of the American Civil
War. A knowledge that’s taken a lifetime to acquire and seven years to pass, what many call,
the “toughest test in history.”
T
his is the 100th anniversary of the Licensed Gettysburg Guides. In July 1913 to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, in attendance were
many of the men who were young soldiers on the battlefield, both north and south.
They were alarmed when they witnessed people giving tours for fees who lacked true
knowledge of the historic battle. In response these veterans of Gettysburg appealed to
Congress, which in 1915 passed a law requiring that any tour given for a fee at Gettysburg
had to be given by a guide licensed by the Federal Government. Hence, the Licensed
Gettysburg Guides were born.
Bill Trelease, Roselle Catholic Class of 1972, retired from a career as a reinsurance executive and owner of his own firm at the end of 2012. But before then, in 2007, he began a
quest to become a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield guide.
“I guess it was back in 2004 when my cousin and I attended seminars and met some
guides. I was so impressed by how they presented things, what they knew. History came
alive as you’re standing at the spot. I always admired the guides because of their depth
of knowledge, and their storytelling abilities were incredible. I never thought that I could
do it because I heard how difficult the process was, but in late 2007 after coming from
a seminar my brother said, “You were meant to do this.” I applied for the next exam in
December 2008. I then started studying and spending more time on the battlefield.”
The testing process to become a guide only takes place every two years. The first
phase is a 3-hour 200 question written exam that evaluates the candidate’s understanding of the factors leading up to the Civil War; the Gettysburg conflict, its combatants; its overall role within the Civil War. Generally between 150 and 200 people take
the written exam and only the top 20 scores are permitted to continue to the second
phase, the oral exam.
For example the essay portion of the written test may ask the candidate to discuss the
three phases of Reconstruction, or why Lincoln was invited to attend and provide “appropriate remarks” at the dedication of the Soldiers Cemetery at Gettysburg in November, 1863, or the objectives General Robert E. Lee had in mind for his summer 1863
invasion of the North.
“The testing is very intense. You’re expected to know the antebellum period -- the
period leading up to the Civil War. It requires studying other aspects of the war, in
particular the battles that were fought in what is called the western theater, which
would be Tennessee, the Mississippi River or Vicksburg, as well as an understanding
of Reconstruction.”
48
Prior to beginning a seven-year
quest to become a licensed guide, Bill
Trelease spent well over 1,000 hours at
Gettysburg, an allure that spans more
than 50 years
In probing the applicant’s pure “knowledge” of the battlefield the written exam could
be considered a trivia quiz on steroids, focusing on very specific factual information.
A section of the test is devoted to the battlefield’s monuments. For example, there are
some 1,300 memorials and markers on the battlefield and the candidate is expected
to know them all – the test may not only ask to match designated monuments and
memorials with specific military units, but also the material composition of the state
memorials and its designer.
ALUMNI FEATURE
Additionally, some of the specific factual information the testing process requires the candidate to know: the order of battle, especially infantry and artillery units, down to the brigade
level; the placement of units on the battlefield by day and time of day; the insignia of all the
Union corps and identify the regiments of the more famous brigades, e.g. Irish Brigade, Iron
Brigade, Texas Brigade, and their commanders; a basic knowledge of Civil War weaponry; as
well a familiarization with the geography of the Gettysburg region, the area outside the immediate battlefield.
Some have compared the rigorous testing required to become a licensed Gettysburg guide to
that of any bar exam – relative to the time and dedication required to pass, the difficulty of
the examination process and the frequency of those who need to take the test repeated times
before finally passing. In Bill’s case it was a 6-year investment.
“I didn’t pass my first written exam in late 2008. They only take 20 and I was 24th out of 165.
I was disappointed, but had given it a good try. I reapplied for the December 2010 test. I put
together an even more challenging study program for myself that went beyond what occurred
at Gettysburg. I started reading Shelby Foote’s three volumes, which gives you a broad outlook of the Civil War. Then started reading about the western theaters, biographies of generals, and the antebellum period.”
Bill relied on many in-depth
study resources to help prepare
for the rigorous written test
Bill passed the second time he took the written test in 2010, this time finishing 9th. “It was like how Denis Kanach trained
me (his RC track coach). I would run long distance in fall and then in the spring I was ready for the half mile. So by the
time of the exam I was very focused.” Bill was now on to the second phase, the oral
exam on the battlefield which was scheduled a year later in November 2011.
Having finished within the top 20 Bill was permitted to go on to the oral test, which requires the candidate to conduct a precise 2-hour 15-minute tour of the battlefield given
to a licensed battlefield guide and the National Park Ranger in charge of the guides
who are firing questions. Of the 20 who are permitted to take the oral exam every two
years, more than half fail.
“I thought the easy part would be the oral exam because of my experience giving business presentations. But I did badly. I failed. I decided I wasn’t going to go back. It
was my brother, my cousin and Kathy who talked me into doing it again.”
Doing it again required Bill to begin the testing process all over, starting with taking
the written test once more, even though he previously passed the written test. So, one
more time Bill spent an entire year preparing for the December 2012 written exam.
One of the many private tours Bill
conducted for family and friends
in order to ready himself for the
demanding oral exam
He passed that written test, again finishing 9th. Now he had to take the oral test, a tour
of the battlefield that was his downfall previously. To prepare, Bill took a mandatory
weekend seminar given by the licensed guides that focused on how to give a tour, as
well as the history of the guides. “It gave me a deeper appreciation for the guide program; that we were being handed a trust to tell the story the way it should be told.”
In order to prepare for the oral
exam Bill spent many hours on the
battlefield giving private tours to
family and friends.
As Bill explains, “A 2-hour 15-minute tour sounds like a lot of time, but
at Gettysburg that can be difficult. Especially when you’re coming off
the written exam where you’ve studied such minutiae -- you can’t help
talking about a specific brigade commander or different actions on the
field. You don’t have time to do that. If you go over the 2-hours and
15-minutes – you fail. You get two attempts at the oral. They want to
see how you adjust to criticism, so no one passes the first time! You go
back to the Visitor’s Center and wait. After about 45-minutes they call
you to go over your oral and give you some pretty severe criticisms.
You have three or four weeks to adjust to those and then you come
back for your second oral. What they measure you on then is how you
adjusted to their criticism and recommendations.”
Bill went into the oral exam with the attitude “all I want to do is give it
my best shot. If I don’t make it, it’s not meant to be.” He made it!
On July 28, 2014, Bill Trelease became a Licensed Battlefield Guide at
the Gettysburg National Military Park -- just one of seven out of twenty
Bill Trelease, one of the 154 active Licensed Battlefield
Guides at the Gettysburg National Military Park
49
who were accepted into the guide program for the latest two-year period. Since becoming a licensed guide Bill has given over 100 tours and has been on the battlefield more
than 200 times. In order to maintain his guide’s license he is required to conduct a minimum of 90 tours annually.
The Largest Collection of Outdoor Art in North America
There are a little over 1,300 monuments, plaques, markers and statues on the grounds of
Gettysburg National Military Park. For every single Union regiment that fought at Gettysburg, the veterans of those regiments erected a monument on the field where they stood
either on July 1st, 2nd or 3rd. “Some of them put up multiple monuments. When you
look at those monuments and realize they were erected to honor the men who fought
there on probably the most critical day of their lives – for some the last day of their lives.
They left something behind. You can almost
feel that they are present and trying to tell our
generation and our children’s generation what
they did there, and what that place meant to
them and their country.”
One monument Bill points to as especially poignant is the Maryland memorial erected in 1994
depicting a wounded Union soldier helping a
wounded Confederate soldier.
Maryland state memorial depicting
The Civil War is often described as a conflict
a wounded Union soldier helping a
that saw “brother against brother.” If a Civil
wounded Confederate soldier
War combatant was from Georgia or Minnesota, there was a likelihood they you didn’t know anyone on the opposing
side. However, it was the troops from the border states – Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Virginia, and Kentucky – that more frequently saw members of families fighting
on opposite sides, some even in the same battle. Lincoln’s in-laws fought for the
Confederacy. Lee had family and friends on the Union side.
One such poignant place was Gettysburg and the fighting that took place at Culp’s
Hill. A Confederate Maryland regiment fought head to head against a Federal
Bill with his brother Kevin, RC ’65, at the NJ
Maryland regiment with many of the men being from the same counties. Of the
11th memorial
opposing Maryland regiments engaged at Culp’s Hill, the Federal color bearer and
the Confederate color bearer were cousins. (During the Civil War each regiment had a color
bearer, a soldier who carried the flag. It was a point of honor and communication, for solders could see the location of their regiment and line of battle.)
Another memorial on the battlefield depicts Father William Corby, the American priest and
a Union Army chaplain, giving absolution to the Irish Brigade before they entered battle on
July 2nd. He later served twice as President of the University of Notre Dame.
A Young Boy Is Captivated
Bill Trelease’s fascination with Gettysburg spans well over 50 years. He recalls his first family
visit there as a young boy, “I was probably 7 or 8. I remember it because we drove around
the battlefield and that can be intimidating place when you go there if you don’t know
exactly where you’re going. My dad stopped at every roadside marker to read the plaques.
After about two hours my mom had had enough. That was my first time and I was completely enchanted.”
50
Many of Bill’s family said he took to Gettysburg “like a fish takes to water,” which is evident
as he explains his deep attachment, “some people go there and it’s an interesting place to
see. They go there, they see it,
Memorial to Father William
they love it, and they take it in
Corby, a Union Army chaplain
and then they go home. But for a
and later the President of Notre
small amount of people like myDame University, shown giving
self it gets into their soul. There’s
absolution to the Irish Brigade
a spirit about it. You get the feeling that you’re not just in a historical place but as an American it is
a sacred place. One of the things that make Gettysburg Gettysburg
is not just the actual battle itself but what Lincoln said four months
after the battle in November when he gave his Gettysburg Address.
He gave meaning to the sacrifice that happened on the battlefield
and the “new birth of freedom” it inspired.”
ALUMNI FEATURE
Bill’s early captivation with Gettysburg fueled a life long love of history. This goes back to his school days at Roselle Catholic and then at Manhattan College, where he majored in History with a concentration in American History and the Civil War.
“Because my love is history I sometime think we tend to look at things as though they have never been like this before, that
we’re going through the worst situation. One of my frustrations listening to the news and what people are saying shows a
lack of history; a lack of what we are as a country, where we’ve come from, what we tried to become and what we are. I
think it’s sad that we’ve lost that. I’m not just talking about the Civil War; I’m talking about my father’s generation and what
they did. It’s not just the facts that people lack; it’s the whole context of why this country
was founded. We’re not perfect but I think our dream is perfect and because we don’t teach
history that way people don’t see it or appreciate it”
Some History of His Own
Bill grew up in Garwood along with his two brothers and three sisters.
Throughout RC’s past 55+ years, some remarkable runners have borne the RC insignia. Bill
was one of those runners. Bill led RC to its 1972 Union County Championship title, running
the 4th fastest time ever by a high school student in the state of New Jersey -- winning the
880 in a time of 1:52.9 which qualified him to participate in that year’s All American Invitational in Baton Rouge – the National Championships of High School Track and Field. He
ended his high school career finishing third at the 1972 All American meet with a personal
best time of 1:51.7.
“My brother Kevin had run track and cross-country for Frank Gagliano. It was understood
that when I showed up I would run track. In those days everyone ran cross-country. I
absolutely hated it. I ran my first cross-country meet and came in 9th place out of a few
hundred kids. I thought maybe I’d be pretty good at this!”
Bill earned a track scholarship to Manhattan College where he ran the half-mile and was
awarded the Jasper Award as the track athlete with the highest academic index.
In 1976 with his Manhattan degree in hand he was ready to start his career. “Like most people who graduated in the mid70s with a Liberal Arts degree I couldn’t find a job. A headhunter in New York City found a job for me at Continental Insurance Company in their commercial casualty department, which was liability insurance for commercial risks.”
He became an underwriter and stayed at Continental for almost 3 years, before moving to Prudential Reinsurance. It
was here that he entered the world of high risk insurance, an aspect of the industry he was actively involved for the next
33-years. (Editor’s note: Reinsurance is when multiple insurance companies share risk by buying insurance policies from other
insurers to limit the total loss the original insurer would experience in case of disaster.)
In the early 80’s there was an attempt in New York to create a Lloyds of London
concept called the New York Insurance Exchange. It was then that Prudential
Re transferred Bill to the floor of the Exchange. After a few years Bill moved to
Facultative Managers, working for another alum, Jerry King RC ‘66. “For 3-years I
worked for Jerry on the New York Insurance Exchange -- he was in Connecticut -I was the company’s rep in NY.”
When it became obvious that the Exchange was not going to be a Lloyds of London, and business subsequently slowed, Bill decided to leave. As Bill explains, “It
was a tough decision because I was fond of working for Jerry King, but didn’t want
to move my family to Connecticut.”
Bill eventually joined Reliance National, concentrating on commercial categories
that have a history of losses or are targets for legal action, such as pharmaceuticals
or explosive manufacturers. “Although in New York, I was the west coast underwriter handling business there and the Pacific coast. I was trained to go after
businesses that other people were running away from. It was when I started to
concentrate in this area that I realized I wanted to go out on my own.”
In 1995 Bill started Cromwell Management, which he ran successfully for 17-years
until his retirement in 2012. Although retired Bill keeps his hand in the business.
“I underwrite some business for a commission. Although not like I was doing in
my hay day, it keeps me busy in the winter when there are no tours to conduct at
Gettysburg.”
Bill and the former Kathy Fallon, a Girls Catholic graduate Class of 1973, have
enjoyed a marriage of 38-years. They have lived in Union for the past 29-years, in
a home where they raised their four children. Bill and Kathy also have a summer
home in Seaside Park, and now that he spends much time on the battlefield, they
have a small apartment in Gettysburg.
Renowned illustrator Victor Juhasz ’72 drew
this caricature of RC’s cross-country team
in the fall of 1971 – Bill Trelease is the lower
left, surrounded by Joe Walsh, Mike Savage
and Fred Dohn
51
A Family That Bleeds Green
The Trelease’s are truly a Roselle Catholic family. In addition to one of Bill’s brothers graduating from RC, all four of Bill and Kathy’s children:
Meghan ‘97 Brian ‘00, Clare ‘02 and Brendan ‘08,
are graduates of Roselle Catholic.
Daughter Clare was formerly RC cheerleading
coach for a number of years. Son Brian is the
assistant coach for the RC Boys JV basketball team
that captured the 2015 UCT JV Championship,
along with Bill & Kathy’s nephew, Kevin Fallon
’05 who is head coach of that championship JV
basketball team. Daughter Meghan taught at RC
and directed several Drama Club productions.
Youngest son Brendan ’08 was an RC varsity
Bill and Kathy Trelease’s children, all RC grads: Clare ’02, Brendan ’08, Meghan
basketball standout. He achieved notoriety as a
‘97 and Brian ‘00
“reluctant hero” during his basketball career at
Gettysburg College when one of his teammates suffered a stroke in the locker room. Brendan saved his life and influenced his comeback, a story that has been covered by Sports
Illustrated, ESPN, The New York Times and ABC News – and the basis for the feature film
“1000 to 1” released in 2014.
Bill and Kathy have been very involved in the RC community over the years as alums,
parents, volunteers and supporters. Bill has been a member of the RC Consultative School
Board since fall 2006 and is the Chair of the Alumni Development and Relations Committee.
COME TAKE A TOUR!
Between March and October Bill spends a lot of time on the battlefield, and it’s an understatement that he loves every minute on this “hallowed ground.” As his wife Kathy says,
“He spends almost every week with his dead friends.” (Meaning of course the soldiers of
both armies that fought at Gettysburg over 3-days in early July 1863.)
If you have the opportunity to take a tour of the battlefield with Bill, his knowledge, insight
and passion for the Civil War is not only eminently evident, but also contagious. Whether
you’re a card-carrying history buff or merely remotely interested, it’s easy to get caught
up in his zeal. I certainly did! Prior to
my first “Trelease Tour” of Gettysburg I
confess to being only mildly interested.
Kathy Fallon Trelease, Girls
I have always had a profound interCatholic grad Class of 1973, one
est in history, but somehow the Civil
of the organizers of RC’s 50th
War and Gettysburg never made my hit
Anniversary yearlong celebration
parade. That changed after my first tour
in 2008-09
with Bill Trelease (before he became a
licensed guide). That day six hours on the battlefield was not enough
– he hooked me! Since then, with Bill as the guide, I have logged about
20-hours touring different parts of the battlefield and aspects of the conflict. I’ve caught his fever and now consider the Civil War my new major,
and Bill Trelease the instructor.
Don’t take my word for it. This is merely one person’s experience, which
is certainly no guarantee for others. So, take a tour of Gettysburg with a licensed battlefield guide. And if you want a special experience, make sure
your guide is Bill Trelease.
“For a small amount of people like myself
Gettysburg gets into their soul. There’s
a spirit about it. You get the feeling
that you’re not just in a historical place
but as an American it is a sacred place.”
52
SCIENCE IN ACTION
“Sage On The Stage” Replaced
By The “Guide On The Side”
The education philosophy within Roselle Catholic’s Science Department
is learning becomes much easier and fun when problems and solutions
happen in front of you; that students learn best and retain information
when they are actively involved in the learning process.
The “sage on the stage” is replaced by the “guide on the side” is another
way of stating this.
This philosophy has been brought to life at RC, not only in the classroom, but outside the conventional classroom by Bernadette DeLaurie,
Chair of the Science Department, in the chemistry lab of Mike Kennedy ’05, and the physics classes of Pietro (“Pete”)
Ciliberto ‘92, Chair of the Mathematics Department.
“As teachers we present the information, but then allow the students
to actively connect with the concepts. This promotes long-term learning.” said Mrs. DeLaurie. So for example, in Mrs. DeLaurie’s AP Biology
classroom, the students initially performed a structured inquiry using a
‘cook-book’ type procedure on photosynthesis.
Afterwards the students were instructed to construct a hypothesis
related to photosynthesis that they would like to investigate and then
design a procedure to test their hypothesis.
AP Biology students produced and performed a
rap to explain the DNA replication process
Students were then provided the opportunity to carry out their own
self-designed investigations and evaluate their data. Followed by oral
presentations — discussing and sharing their results with others.
Mrs. DeLaurie added, “In regard to DNA replication, I did an introductory
lecture on the topic and then asked them to explain DNA replication, in
whatever format they chose.
Students worked in groups
and created raps, poems,
skits, dances, and even puppet shows to explain this
complicated process. They
researched the process and
personally connected with
it. Yes, they had a rubric for
this assignment.”
Mr. Ciliberto’s Honors Physics perform a lab using
a ramp and a remote control car in order to study
and analyze the parameters of projectile motion
In the words of Mr. Ciliberto, “We don’t just read and answer problems from a textbook, we face them head on in real life and solve
them.” In his Honors Physics class, the students are analyzing projectile motion with the use of a ramp and a remote control car. Student
lab groups take measurements and video of the car running over the
ramp for further data analysis to be done later in the computer lab.
DATES TO REMEMBER!
BEEFSTEAK & BASKETBALL TIP-OFF DINNER: Saturday, December 5, 2015
RC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT: Monday & Wednesday, December 28 & 30, 2015
RC HOOPS FOR TROOPS: Saturday, January 2, 2016
LIONS-IN-WINTER ALUMNI GATHERING: Friday, January 22, 2016
PRIMETIME SHOOTOUT: Saturday & Sunday, February 13-14, 2016
TRICKY TRAY: Saturday, January 15, 2016
WALK-A-THON: Friday, April 15, 2016
RC GOLF CLASSIC 2016: Monday, June 6, 2016
53
RC’S FUTURE GLOBAL LEADERS
The Roselle Catholic Model United Nations Club is a way to teach students about current global affairs, diplomacy,
leadership, and cooperation. On April 4, 2015, some of RC’s Model UN members attended the New York City Invitational Model United Nations Conference at the St. John’s University Manhattan Campus.
Each member represented a country or member state of the United Nations. These students became delegates entrusted to speak on behalf of their country’s people and to work with other delegates toward a resolution on a global
debate.
The students took part in the debate within two inter-governmental bodies similar to the UN: The Human Right’s
Council (HRC) to discuss Ethnic Minority Rights, and The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to discuss Food
Security.
“It was a great way to show leadership skills and to debate in a way that didn’t shut down other delegate’s opinions,
but use them in order to work together toward a resolution,” said Jessye Marquez, who represented Malaysia in the
HRC.
Students participating in the
HRC debated issues such as
religious, racial, and gender discrimination. The FAO discussed
nutrition and ways to transport
food especially in events regarding natural disaster.
“It was an amazing experience being a representative in a Model UN conference, but what I loved
most was watching people share their ideas and
knowledge to reach a common goal.” said John
Alzate, who represented Haiti in the FAO.
Christian Santa Cruz, John Reilly, Halle Sarkodie, Jessye Marquez, John Alzate,
Augustine Mudrak and RC’s Model UN Club Moderator John Schmitt
RC’s Model UN would like to thank Mr. Schmitt for
helping organize the club to participate in this first
conference. They hope to attend more conferences in the future.
STUDENTS ATTEND
“FUTURE LEADERS OF
SCIENCE” SEMINAR
On March 13, 2015, nine Roselle Catholic AP Biology students
were invited to the New York Blood Center for a “Future
Leaders in Science” seminar.
In addition to Roselle Catholic, five other schools were invited
to this event.
From left: Ifeanyi Okereke, Emily Badalis, Jessye Marquez,
Athena Lago, Amanda Agyapong, Johnny Lou
The students listened to lectures on red cell physiology, platelet biology, electron microscopy, and infectious diseases.
They also had the opportunity to see a transmission electron
microscope in action. The students were provided a tour of
this large blood bank facility at the end of the day.
Our students were complemented for their numerous questions and active participation in the seminar.
The RC Science Department is grateful to the New York
Blood Center for this unique learning experience.
54
Go Figure!
RC MATHEMATICS: In An Entirely New League
RC Math League Finishes 4th In County Among 13 Schools!
competition for New Jersey high school students
that is sponsored and hosted by the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at Seton
Hall. Prizes are awarded to the top three students
and plaques are awarded for the five highest team
scores. This year 19 high schools and over 250
students competed from around the state in a
90-minute, no calculator test. RC did a great job as
sophomore Louis Liu finished 4th overall for individuals in the entire competition, with RC’s team
score missing the top five by only a few points.
On February 25, 2015, members of the RC Math
League
took a competitive test administered at
Members of the RC Math League making the pi symbol, observing a successful
Roselle
Catholic issued by the Mathematical Asfirst year of competition! From left: Bo Yin (senior), Joshua Coronel (senior),
sociation
of America. The test is called the AMC
Nick Xu (soph), Hannah Wang (soph), Christian Santa Cruz (senior), Dale Lin
(soph), Louis Liu (soph), Anthony Grelicha (junior), Mark Urban (junior) Not
12 (American Mathematics Competition 12) and
pictured: Frank Han (junior), Johnny Luo (junior), Stacey Polynice (junior), Jay
is designed for high school students in the 11th
Zhou (junior), An Qi (soph)
or 12th grades, but is open to all grade levels.
new club at Roselle Catholic was created this school
Students who perform exceptionally well on the
year to exercise an important muscle of the body, the
AMC 12 exam can then be invited to take another combrain. The Math League moderated by Mr. Pietro (Pete)
petitive test, the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics
Ciliberto, is comprised of RC students interested in exploring problem solving in math and who are looking to pit
their impressive talents in the field of mathematics against
other schools in the county, state, and even the country
—- and thus far success has come their way.
The primary competition that the club participates in
throughout the school year is the NJ Math League. The
NJ Math League is a collective of schools, organized by
county, who compete in six monthly exams from October
through March of the school year. Each exam is 30-minutes long and has six math questions. While students are
also competing for recognition on an individual basis, a
school’s team score for an exam is comprised of the top
five scores each month from that school.
In Union County, where there are 13 schools competing, RC placed 4th overall in cumulative team scores for
Seven members of the RC Math League, with moderator Mr. Pietro
the year, an impressive accomplishment in RC’s first year
Ciliberto, at Seton Hall University for their first competition in
competing in the NJ Math League. Even more impressive
November
is the fact that of the students who competed in at least
five of the six monthly tests, the top five cumulative indiExamination), which is administered regionally around the
vidual scores from RC were comprised of three sophomores
country. Performing well on the AIME can then, in turn, lead
(Louis Liu, Dale Lin, Hannah Wang)
to being invited to the United States
and two juniors (Johnny Luo and Frank
of America Mathematical Olympiad.
Han). These underclassmen are already
This year, RC had nine students take
looking ahead to next year and starting
the AMC 12, including three seniors,
to prepare for next season.
two juniors, and four sophomores.
In addition to the NJ Math League,
Although no RC students qualified for
the members of the club also particithe AIME, a few came close to qualipated in two different one-day competifying including some underclassmen.
tions during the 2014-2015 school year:
Our top scorers here at RC were Bo
On November 22, 2014, members of
Yin (senior) and Louis Liu (sophothe RC Math League traveled to Seton
more), who tied for RC’s highest
Hall University to participate in the
score, along with Johnny Luo (junior)
Joseph W. Andrushkiw Competition, an Members of Math League examine the test at
and Frank Han (junior), who tied for
the Seton Hall competition
annual mathematics problem-solving
3rd place among RC students.
A
55
Siobhan C. Skerritt ‘03
Resident Director
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- By Tom Libonate ‘64
A self described “empath” who did not follow a conventional career path
realized while earning a Masters Degree in Higher Education that her calling
was working with and helping college students.
Siobhan C. Skerritt, a 2003 graduate of Roselle Catholic, is a Resident Director at Temple University in Philadelphia.
To get to this place in her career, a position she loves, Siobhan’s career path as she describes it, “was not exactly traditional.” Upon
graduation from Roselle Catholic, Siobhan attended Marist College. She graduated in 2008 having majored in Social Work and
minored in Psychology.
Her first stop following college was as an asset protection manager
with Target. After seven months or so she took a position in food
service as a head corporate-level bartender-waitress for a small chain.
“I then landed at a daycare as a teacher where I eventually became
the director. I would also take a week and go up to Esopus, a place
that always help me focus.”
What followed was her enrollment at Salem State University in
Salem, Massachusetts where in 2013 she earned a Masters degree
in Higher Education. It was during her time at Salem that Siobhan
recognized her desire to work with 18 to 20 year old students within
the college community. “People always encouraged me to pursue
a career in higher education, but I always had to learn for myself. It
Siobhan Skerritt, Resident Director, far right, in a light-hearted
was in graduate school that I realized I loved working with college
moment with her spirited 2014-2015 Staff at Temple University
students and the challenges that came with it. I love the student
population and helping them develop and grow. Though my career path was not exactly traditional, I’m glad I did all these things
because I have these skills. Every good thing, mistake, gain, and loss has brought me to this point.”
With a Masters in hand and a desire to work with students in the college community, Siobhan landed an interview at Temple University. She was then offered a position as a Resident Director. “It was a fluke how I ended up here. I was offered an interview and
was hired -- sometimes I reflect, it happened so fast I have no idea how I got here.”
Talk to Siobhan and it is immediately evident that she loves what she does and that her career choice was the right one. “I’m an
empath. I don’t necessarily think of this as my job. I fell in love with the
age group - kids getting ready to go to college and the first time they’re
away from home. They’re not ready. One minute they’re being told what
to do by their parent and the next they’re in a situation where they have
to do these things for themselves. Teaching them how to be a real human
in the real world. I love watching them develop and grow, watching
them make decisions and learning from that. Knowing it’s okay not to be
okay.”
Siobhan, who sadly lost her mother when she was sixteen, understands
her role in helping young people at such a bewildering point in their life,
“It took a lot of people to help raise me and these students need a lot of
people to help them. That’s why I know I must be there for them.”
56
Siobhan, standing second from right, with the Residence
Hall staff during grad school at Salem State University
As much as she loves her work it does come with its own set of trials and
challenges, especially with the influence of alcohol and drugs on the
student population. “As rewarding as it can be, working with younger
people can be hard. Sometime it’s a challenge not to get too emotionally
ALUMNI PROFILE
invested, especially when you see a student with mental health issues self-medicating and you’re trying to get
them to a point where they can see reality. There are
days when I look at my supervisor and say, “I just want
to fix them and I can’t.” He reminds me that my only job
is to get them to the next set of people who can help
them. Sometime it’s hard, but I think I’ve grasped that
and have become successful at it.”
And what’s Siobhan’s measure of success? “I think
students come to me because they know me to be
calm and helpful and a breath of fresh air when they
think that everything is falling apart. Students see that
I’m transparent with them, that I want them to grow
and learn.”
Siobhan relates a story demonstrating how her temperament has been influenced by her work. “Recently Siobhan, far right, with Residence Hall Association Student Delegates at
I went home and there was a situation – everyone
the 2013 North East Association of College and University Residence Halls
(NEACURH)
was upset – and I was as calm as can be. My parents
looked at me, saying, “Who are you?” My point was,
you can get through this. There are people who are going through much worse situations. This attitude comes from my work. In
serious crisis situations I think ‘let’s stay clam, get through this, debrief and go from there’.”
Siobhan puts any of the challenges she faces working with young people into real life perspective based on the personal challenges she has faced and overcome in her own life. “Since I was a child, I knew I “saw words differently”. After recently going through
testing I most likely have gone through life with a learning disability. It has caused much anxiety around words, e-mails, and papers.
It was rough and I struggled through school, college and grad school. Yet, I made it through and graduated with high scores. I
have found coping and studying skills over the years and have been successful. I now have resources to do better than I’ve ever
done and I can be a testimony to not letting learning disabilities hinder your life.”
Furthermore, Siobhan as a teen faced the loss of her mother and
relocating to New Jersey from her home in Connecticut to be closer to
family. It was the logical choice that she be enrolled at Roselle Catholic
because all her cousins had gone to RC.
There she is, far right, keeping it light with her first staff at
Temple in 2013
“I have no doubt in my mind that my entire Roselle Catholic / Marist
experience is why I am here today. I had so many emotions and didn’t
want to experience them. I wanted to fly under the radar and stay
quiet. If you know me, being quiet and laying low is not in me. Roselle
Catholic was able to take my talents, energy, and all that was holistically me and develop the beginnings of who I am. My compassion, selfawareness, and wanting to better the world around me came from
the lessons, friendships, and Esopus weekends I experienced at RC.
Recently a student in our dining hall had an Esopus shirt on. I stopped
him and we were able to have a 20-minute conversation about all
that being Marist has done for us. RC built on the foundations that my
mother laid. That was the village that raised me.”
Going into her junior year at RC, Siobhan, who was raised Baptist and very involved in her church, now found herself attending a
Catholic school. “It was different because my understanding of spiritual life and the Bible was very literal. But being involved with
the Marist Brothers was a wonderful thing. I recall Brother Owen coming into my English class to explain the Passion of Christ. He
had the cross and the nail. It now became so vivid to me. It wasn’t just a bible story. Jesus was a person, but he also happened to
be divine. That was the first time of many that I recall how the Marist Brothers explained to me how real people go through real
things and God helps us through.”
A resident of Roselle during her two years at Roselle Catholic, Siobhan threw the shot put, receiving a varsity letter. She sang at
Festival of Lights and most events, receiving
another varsity letter for singing at games.
“I think students come to me because they know
“That was my thing. I sang. Every Septemme to be calm and helpful and a breath of fresh
ber I knew I’d be singing at Festival of Lights
air when they think everything is falling apart.”
come December. Brother Owen gave me no
choice!”
57
“I had many great teachers at teachers at RC. It’s hard to
name one, but three stood out: Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Stamatus,
and Mrs. Gessner. Those three were the teachers I remember most because they challenged and supported me not
only academically, but also when making decisions to go
to college. Even post-graduation they were always a great
support when I had all the ideas in the world of how I
wanted my life to go. They never crushed my dreams, but
they were able to help me see the reality of my choices.”
Recalling her favorite “hangout” from RC days, Siobhan
mentions monthly visits to Esopus with Brother Steve,
acknowledging, “That was the one place where I felt focused.” She adds,“ Mrs. Hagan’s office was another favorite
hangout. I always found myself there. I was at a point in my
Siobhan, seated second from right, with the RC Drama Club
life where I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Anything that
had to do with campus ministry and service to the community was where I wanted to be. I shuttled between Mrs. Hagan’s office and Mr. Hagan’s office. I was better off in her office!”
She returned to RC to help out with Campus Ministry and service projects and continued volunteering at Esopus prior to going to
graduate school. Today she stays in touch with the school and her classmates through Facebook and Instagram.
“I’ve had many family members attend RC after me and to my understanding great things are still
happening. I told an Admissions Counselor at a conference that I went to Roselle Catholic and
he was more than impressed. He said, “You received a great education.” That’s enough for me to
believe awesome things are still happening there.”
Today, Siobhan lives in Philadelphia, enjoying all that the city offers. “There are so many different
things to do every weekend. I love the festivals and biking around the city and learning about different places to eat and shop. That’s my simple and beautiful life as a grown-up. Interesting, Philly
seems to be an RC hub. In the past 6-months I have met 15 people who went to RC with me!”
Siobhan credits her mother as her most inspirational role model. “She sacrificed a lot to get me
to where I am. There were many things she did in order to give me the opportunities I had and
deprived herself of her wants to make sure I received everything I needed to be a well-rounded
individual. She died when I was 16, but I often look back to my memories of her and acknowledge
I was her world. She gave me everything.”
Senior year at Roselle Catholic
It’s no wonder that with the learning challenges she has faced and overcome she claims earning
her Masters to be her most enjoyable achievement. “I never thought I would pursue a degree past my undergraduate. I didn’t think
I was capable. My next step is taking the LSAT’s this December, hoping to get
into law school in Fall 2016.”
Yes, she sees law school as her next step. “I want to go into educational policy
and advocacy, to be a voice in Washington, DC. I’m hoping this leads to a
career as a liaison between the government and education. I want to change
the standards of education and make things more equitable in our country.
After tackling that, in years to come I’d like to work in other countries helping
young women receive their right to education.”
“Roselle Catholic was a community where if anything was wrong, you got
the help you needed. A lot of people haven’t had that same experience. No
one is watching out for them or recognizes they needed help. I didn’t have
to go through that. You got that at RC. People had our best interests at heart
and you got the necessary attention. This is the model we need to work on
and instill into the school system. Providing people with what they need to
succeed no matter what their hurdles might be.”
58
With Sorority Sisters at the 2014 Philadelphia
Marathon Runner’s Expo
“I needed a lot of help to get where I am. My church family, Roselle Catholic, my Marist family, and my sorority sisters are just a few of the people who
helped me get here. My motivation is to keep giving to my position and to
my community. I feel it’s my responsibility to share the blessings I received in
my life. Giving of myself is the least I can do.“
ROBOTICS PROGRAM UNDERWAY!
One of the exciting new programs this school year at
Roselle Catholic is the Robotics Club.
Led by RC science teacher and track
coach Mr. Michael Kennedy ‘05, the Robotics Club is in the first stages of designing
and building robots, as well as the “robotics arena” where the robots will be put
through their challenges.
The club focuses on mechanical engineering, computer programming, team building, One of the first robots designed and
built by the robotics program
and problem solving.
Currently, 20 students are involved in the
RC robotics program and they are working towards competing in the F.I.R.S.T.
Robotics League in the very near future!
Science teacher, Mr. Michael Kennedy ‘05,
discusses design features with members
of the Robotics Club
Members of RC’s Robotics Club work
on building “the arena”
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM!
Roselle Catholic’s body of twenty-nine international students contribute to the school’s academic and athletic credentials, immersing
themselves in the RC culture and student life.
Lately one of the positive innovations enhancing life at
Roselle Catholic has been the enrollment of students from
Asia and Africa. RC’s international student body has grown,
little by little, over the past five years, reaching twenty-nine
during the recently concluded 2014-2015 school year.
This year’s group international students show lots of diversity and span all four years: six freshmen, eleven sophomores,
and six juniors. Six international seniors received their
Roselle Catholic diplomas on May 31st. While the majority
is from China, we also had students from Vietnam, Senegal,
Gabon and Nigeria as well.
Most of our international students do very well in the
classroom -- one will be studying at Harvard this summer
-- but their experience of RC life doesn’t stop with academics. They’ve been to Esopus on their class retreats. Many are active in RC’s extracurricular program, participating in such events
as Festival of Lights, International Festival and other Campus Ministry activities, in clubs like our Math League, and in interscholastic
and intramural athletics. Four of the international students played on this year’s boys basketball team, and had a major role in the
team’s victory in the Tournament of Champions.
Our internationals come to the United States for more than just school. They come to experience America as well, and toward that
end, a group of them visited Washington DC during Spring Break, to soak in all the history on display there.
We expect that our International Program will continue to grow and that our students from around the world will lend even more
to life at Roselle Catholic.
59
RC’S NEWEST ALUMNI
The 53rd Graduating Class Of 2015
O
n Sunday, May 31, 2015, one hundred and four Roselle
Catholic seniors received their diplomas at the school’s Fifty-Third Commencement Exercises held in the Lions’ Den.
As is always the case, this was a joyous occasion as the Graduates’
families joined them in celebrating this wonderful milestone in
their lives.
Ashley Skrec, who ranked first
in the Class, gave the Valedictory, after Michael Antuono,
ranked second, spoke as the
Salutatorian.
The Address to the Graduates
was given by Joseph Skrec,
Ashley’s father, currently our
Athletic Director and soon to
be RC’s Assistant Principal for Student Affairs.
The prayer, as always, was part of the ceremony -- the Invocation was
given by Mrs. Maureen Hagan, Campus Minister, and the Benediction was
delivered by RC President, Dr. Robert Stickles.
Salutatorian Michael Antuono, medal
winner in Religion, English, History, Science
and Christian Santa Cruz, medal winner in
Religion, History, French
Patrick Hagan, RC ‘71, presided over
the ceremony for one last time as
RC Assistant Principal. Pat retired
at the end of the school year after a
storied career of 40 years at Roselle
Catholic.
-Photos courtesy of Ottie Lynne Paterson / Ottie
Lynne Photography ottielynnephotography.com
Honor students Tyffani McQueen and
Azsiana James
RC President Dr. Stickles awards diploma to
National Honor student Joshua Coronel
IN A CLASS ALL THEIR OWN!
$10,000,000 in Scholarships
Three Grads Ivy Bound
O
ur RC seniors, the Class of 2015, can be
especially proud of themselves. Forty
percent of the graduating class earned
academic college scholarship offers that totaled
$10,000,000, a remarkable achievement.
Roselle Catholic’s seniors gained admission to
some of the nation’s most selective colleges and
universities. Three of our graduating seniors
gained highly coveted admissions to three Ivy
League schools.
60
Amanda Agyapong, one of three RC
seniors Ivy League bound
Amanda Agyapong will spend the next four years in the City of Brotherly Love attending the University of Pennsylvania; Michael Mudrack will be heading off to upstate New York, to study at Cornell University; Ifeanyi
Okereke faces an interesting choice, having been accepted at both Cornell and Brown University in Providence,
Rhode Island.
Some of the other colleges and universities where RC seniors gained admission, include: Notre Dame, Rice, North
Carolina (Chapel Hill), Holy Cross, Northwestern, Boston College, UCLA, Penn State, Stevens Institute, Villanova,
Providence, Fordham, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Marist, Rutgers, Seton Hall, The College of New Jersey,
Howard and Rhode Island School of Design.
Congratulations to our seniors and to their parents and teachers!
Classes of 1965 & 1990
Honored At Graduation Ceremony
C
ontinuing a newly established tradition, Roselle Catholic
invited members of the alumni community, who are celebrating the 25th and 50th anniversary of their graduation
from RC, to be the honored guests at this year’s graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 31st.
The classes of 1965 and 1990 were the special guests of RC President Dr. Robert Stickles ‘66 for the 2015 graduation, entering with
the graduating class and seated in a place of honor during the ceremony -- the 52nd year commencement exercises have been held
in the RC auditorium.
The class of 1965 has the distinction of being the last incoming
freshman class to spend some part of their four RC years at Saint
Ed Leonard ’65, welcomes RC’s newest alumni
Joseph’s School. One member of the class reminisces, “I remember the basement of Saint Joe’s in freshman year in 1961-62. You had to look up, to look outside. I was in
class 1E and class 1F was to our right with a wooden Pella door between us. If I got bored with my class, I
could easily listen to the class next door.”
Before the ceremony Ed Leonard, Joe Carroll, Tony Neibert, Stan Gurski and Bob Wischusen from the ’65
Class, along with Patrick Gallagher, formerly Brother Patrick, gathered in Room 120 to reconnect and share
fond memories.
Edward Leonard ‘65, a member of Roselle Catholic’s third graduating class, had the opportunity to address the
graduates.
Members of the Class
of 1990 partaking in the
graduation exercises were:
Michelle LePoidevin Daino,
Patrick O’Halloran, Ginette
Czachor Bracke, Jarvis
Parker, Michael Rapolas and
Stacie Daly.
From Left: Patrick Gallagher, formerly Brother Patrick, Bob Wischusen, Joe Carroll, Tony Neibert,
and Ed Leonard gather in Room 120 before the ceremony. Not pictured: Stan Gurski.
Following the ceremony a
casual reception was held
for the anniversary classes
in the faculty lounge. Classmates sat for a couple of
hours after the graduation
catching up with one another, talking about everything under the sun, and
reminiscing.
61
Thank You, Pat Hagan!
R
62
RC Legend Pat Hagan ’71
Retirement and Tribute Dinner
oselle Catholic has hosted its
share of festive events over the
years, but few if any of them
could match the Pat Hagan Tribute
Dinner held in The Lions’ Den on
Friday, May 15, 2015.
Over three hundred
“Friends of Pat” gathered on
Coach Hagan Court to pay
tribute to RC legend, Pat
Hagan ’71, on the occasion
of his well-deserved retirement.
They came from all corners of Pat’s life: lots of
family to be sure, but also
RC classmates, Montclair
State classmates, his teammates at both schools, players he coached, RC faculty and Board members past
and present, coaches who worked with him, as well as
coaches who coached against him, but who came to
show their respect for one of the best of their kind.
As you might expect, the evening was full of fun
with Joe Skrec as MC, and presentations from RC President Dr. Robert Stickles, RC Board Member and former
RC Coach Jim Donnelly, Pat’s son Tim, and Marist
Brother Owen Ormsby, for many years Pat’s colleague
here at the school. Then Pat spoke movingly of all the
good things in his life, especially the example of his
late father, who provided Pat with the model of quiet
diligence and fortitude that Pat adopted for himself.
The tribute wouldn’t be complete without presenting
Pat with a number of gifts to commemorate his years
of service.
Good cheer carried the crowd into the late hours
-- truly a night to remember, and a true testimony
to Pat’s extraordinary RC
career spanning forty
years.
Little could Pat have
known in September
1967 when he walked
down Locust Street from
his 4th Avenue home and
entered the Raritan Road
campus to begin freshman year, that it would
be the first day of a legendary relationship with
Roselle Catholic -- a relationship that has spanned
44 years, the first four as
A big hug for dad from a proud
a student, then 40 more
daughter, Kathleen Hagan ‘05
Over 300 Fill the Lions’ Den to Honor
Pat’s Distinguished 40-Year RC Career!
One
happy man
… who deserves to be
proud of his contributions to the
betterment of RC!
as teacher, department
chair, coach and administrator -- a time period that
encompasses almost 80%
of RC’s operating history.
Pat’s son, Tim Hagan ‘03,
following his praise-filled address
Since 1975, when Pat
honoring his dad
first joined the RC faculty
soon after his graduation from Montclair State University, he has held a number of positions. He started
as a Physical Education and Health Teacher, eventually becoming the Chair of that Department. For the
past several years, he has been RC’s Vice Principal
for Student Affairs. And, perhaps most famously, he
served as the RC Boys Varsity Basketball head coach
Kathy Sweeney, Dee Kaufmann, Pat & Maureen Hagan, George
Wetzel, Cathy Wetzel, Sharon Hughes ( Montclair State)
“If the title of ’Mr. Roselle Catholic’ were
ever to be bestowed, it is Pat Hagan who
should carry that designation.”
- RC Board Chair Tom Libonate
Recent graduates from the Class of ‘14 came out
to say thanks to Mr. Hagan: Cedric Charles, Mike
Amazan, Erica Jumper, Devante Bailey, Maggie
Ortuso, Kevin Macalos
RC Principal Tom Berrios presents
Pat with one of his retirement
gifts – certainly no explanation is
needed!
The Hagan-Sweeney clan!
Br. Owen, former RC
President, presents Pat
with the commemorative
basketball in 2007 honoring
the milestone of his 300th
win as RC basketball coach
for twenty-seven years,
earning over three
hundred (300) victories
and, more importantly,
a reputation for honesty and integrity.
Pat Hagan can look Noted NY Daily News sports
cartoonist Bill Gallo paid tribute to
back on all that he’s
Pat Hagan on the occasion of his
done as a teacher,
300th win
coach and administrator with genuine pride. He has influenced the lives
of approximately 7,000 Roselle Catholic alumni, and
for the great majority of our alumni and parents, Pat
Pat with Assemblyman Jamel Holley, Evette
David, Keith David, Greg Emmanuel
Hagan literally embodies all that is good about Roselle
Catholic. His treatment of every student, whether in
the classroom or on the court or anywhere else, was
always firm but fair, motivated by a genuine desire to
make everyone’s life a little better every day.
It’s hard to imagine RC without Pat Hagan. Roselle
Catholic has been blessed to have him for all these
years. There will never be another one like him.
-Photos courtesy of Ottie Lynne Paterson / Ottie Lynne Photography
ottielynnephotography.com
Proceeds from the event and the commemorative
journal are funding an RC scholarship honoring Pat
Hagan.
If you would like to contribute to the Pat Hagan
Scholarship, you can do so, by check, made out to the
“RCHS Pat Hagan Scholarship Fund,” and mailed to:
Roselle Catholic High School, Attn: Office of Development, 350 Raritan Road. Roselle, NJ 07203.
SENIORS HOLD “MR. HAGAN APPRECIATION DAY” The Class of 2015 show
(demonstrate?) their respect and appreciation for Mr. Hagan by decorating
his office, along with a personalized cake and some sidewalk art!
63
The Honorable
Richard C. Wischusen ‘78
Judge
Superior Court of New Jersey
- From an Interview with Tom Libonate ‘64
A
Attorney Richard C. Wischusen was sworn in as a Union County
Superior Court Judge in a ceremony in an Elizabeth, NJ courtroom
filled with friends and over sixty members of his immediate family.
member of Roselle Catholic’s class of 1978, Richard Wischusen is
the youngest of the ten Wischusen children, all but one who attended Roselle Catholic or Girls Catholic.
Growing up in one of Roselle’s renowned families and a founding family
of RC, Richard, now a long-time resident of Cranford, had an inkling he
wanted to be a lawyer when he was roaming the halls of Roselle Catholic.
“Around my junior or senior year I went to my guidance counselor and
told him I was thinking about becoming a lawyer.”
Interestingly, his guidance counselor recommended he explore engineering, because it was a fitting background for lawyers and a good alternative career if the law profession turned out not to be a good fit. “I’ve told
people hundreds of times, this was the best career advice anyone ever gave
me because it opened up so many doors for me. I was able to represent
architects and engineers since I understood many of the engineering issues
that are a part of many lawsuits.”
Richard, a newly appointed Superior Court Judge in Union County assigned to the Civil Division was endorsed
by State Senator Tom Kean, Jr. and nominated by Governor Christie.
He received Senate approval on February 6, 2015.
The formal swearing-in ceremony took place on March 6, 2015 in
the Union County Courthouse. Amy, his wife of 25-years, and Rich’s
four children participated in the ceremony.
Wife Amy held the Bible as the oath of office was administered.
Daughter Kerry assisted in robing her father. The Pledge of Allegiance was led
by daughter
Casey. Son
Max was the
flag bearer.
Daughter
Shannon attended via
Skype from
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
where she is
studying.
64
Standing, from left: The Honorable Richard C.
Wischusen, daughter Kerry, and wife Amy. Seated,
from left: daughter Casey, daughter Shannon via
Skype and son Max
Appellate
Judge Douglas
Fasciale administered the
time friend Appellate Judge Douglas Fasciale
oath of office. Long
administering the oath of office and wife Amy holding the Bible
ALUMNI PROFILE
He and Judge Wischusen were classmates at Seton
Hall Law School. Union County Assignment Judge
Karen Cassidy, also a Cranford resident, presided
over the ceremony.
All but one of Rich’s nine siblings was in attendance,
along with two generations of nieces and nephews
witnessing the milestone. Over sixty members of
his immediate family were in attendance.
Daughter Kerry assists in robing her father
In his closing statement Judge Wischusen thanked
the dignitaries and colleagues who help him in the
process. He thanked his family and friends and
even acknowledged the members of the little league
baseball team that he coaches. He said that all
helped to teach him life lessons and gave him the
tools he will need to be an effective judge.
Most profoundly he paid tribute to his mother, Lillian, who recently passed away in December 2015 at the age of 92. Lillian, a widow of 60 years and a parental
icon of Roselle Catholic, was an extraordinary woman and mother. Her presence was missed by everyone in attendance and especially by Judge Wischusen.
To get to this point in the judicial system Rich’s course can no doubt be traced back to 1978, when upon graduation from Roselle Catholic he entered Manhattan College to pursue a degree in chemical engineering -- just as his
RC guidance counselor had prescribed.
In 1982 with his Manhattan College degree in hand Rich took a
teaching position at St. Michael’s Elementary School in Cranford in
order to make money for law school. He spent the year teaching
7th and 8th grade math and science, enrolling at Seton Hall Law
School in September of 1983.
It was during his second year at Seton Hall Law that Rich went to
the firm of Haggerty and Donohue as a law clerk, where he continued to work throughout law school. After graduating Seton Hall
Law, he clerked for John Marzulli, who was the presiding judge
of Civil and Assignment Judge in Essex County. Rich stayed with
Judge Marzulli for calendar year 1987 before returning to Haggerty
& Donahue as an associate.
In October 1988 four attorneys from Haggerty & Donahue spun-off
to form the firm Fitzpatrick, Reilly, Supple & Gaul, at which time
Rich joined them as an associate. After a number of years Rich
became a partner of the New Providence firm: Riley, Supple &
Wischusen, remaining there until 2013.
Wischusen family members attending Rich’s swearing-in, some sixty plus
Judge Wischusen addresses the gathering at his
swearing-in ceremony
65
Then in October 2013, as the position of judge came closer, Rich joined forces with an RC classmate, Danny
McCarthy, who had his own firm in Cranford. “Danny was instrumental in helping me achieve the position
of judge and I worked with him for about 15 months – from October 2013 until February 2015.”
When Rich leaves the bench he goes to another -- a bench he has enjoyed for many years – the bench of the
youth baseball team he has coached to a number of titles. “I’m fortunate to be coaching a tremendously talented
traveling baseball team that my son is on. We won the districts four out of five years. We’ve won the state tournament two of those years and we played in the Regionals, which is only one step below the World Series.”
All four of Rich’s children play(ed) youth sports, so in addition to his team, coaching his own children has been
a source of great enjoyment and satisfaction. “I spend an inordinate amount of time coaching my kids. Unfortunately when they get into high school it kind of comes to an end. My youngest is in eighth grade, but for the
past 14 or 15 years I’ve spent the majority of my free time coaching my four children.
Rich and his wife Amy have been married for
25-years. They met in 1987 when both were bridal
party partners in his RC classmate Rich Ahearn ’s
wedding.
Rich, Amy and their four children have lived in
Cranford for 23 years. Oldest daughter Shannon, 21,
is a junior at College of Charleston and studying in
Buenos Aires. Kerry, 19, is a freshman also at College of Charleston, with aspirations to be a doctor.
Casey, 15, is a sophomore at Cranford High School.
Youngest son Max, is an 8th grader at Orange Avenue School in Cranford.
When not coaching, playing or watching youth
sports, the Wischusen’s enjoy going to Disney World
and the Florida Keys – particularly Marathon and the
middle Keys.
left, sister Donna and husband Joe Kropa, both RC teachers, niece
Rich also found time to give-back and make a differ- From
Jill Kropa, an RC grad, and sister Phyllis, also an RC teacher (far right)
ence in the lives of others through his work with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation -- as a volunteer; doing pro-bono legal work; a member of the Board of Directors; the
vice-president and eventually president of the NJ Chapter.
During his time in leadership the NJ Chapter it grew to become one of the largest chapters in the world. “The
chapter grew significantly while I was there. It started in a garage on Morris Avenue in Union and it has grown
considerably. I was there in the beginning and am proud of my involvement in the organization.”
By birthright alone, Rich has a strong tie to Roselle Catholic. Both of his
older brothers graduated from RC, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Additionally his sisters Phyllis and Donna are teachers; sister Nancy
is Administrative Assistant/Registrar; brother Charlie is a coach and
brother-in-law Joe Kropa is a gym
teacher.
During his days at Roselle Catholic,
Rich played baseball and basketball in his early years, and was a
varsity wrestler and member of the
golf team in junior and senior years.
Rich still squeezes in a round of golf
when he can, but claims he’s lost a
bit off his drive since high school,
“These days I can’t hit the ball
straight enough to become a professional mini-golfer!”
66
Rich, a member of the 1977-78 RC wrestling
team, kneeling center
Rich fondly recalls his physics and
chemistry teacher, Mr. Rich Wood, as
Rich (center) with teammate Manny Montes
(right) and Coach Lehman (left)
ALUMNI PROFILE
one of his favorites. “Great guy with a great way about
him. He was able to convey a very difficult subject in
a way that was easy to understand. He was an awfully
nice guy, as well. So between how smart he was and
how kind he was he was an easy teacher to like.”
Circling back to Richard Wischusen’s recent appointment
to the bench, he talked candidly about the challenges of
making the transition from a practicing attorney to a Superior Court Judge. “As an attorney you get to specialize
and choose your cases. I was representing architects and
engineers, defendants in construction related cases. As
a lawyer, if someone comes to you with a case in which
you don’t have any experience, you say no. As a judge
you don’t have that flexibility. You have to learn more
areas of the law.”
Certainly making the transition to the judicial side comes
with inherent challenges. Judge Wischusen claims the
biggest challenge he, or any newly appointed Judge
faces, is: “After years of being an advocate for one side
or the other, now you have to make sure there’s a level
playing field between the two sides.”
RC golfers waiting to putt, Rich (far right) and Bill McCue holding
the flag, now a Captain on the Elizabeth PD
Elaborating further on making the transition to the bench,
he emphasizes the training that’s provided a newly appointed Judge: “You are given significant training. I’ve
gone to sit with other, more experienced judges. They
want to make sure that before you are assigned you have
the proper background. I was lucky enough to be assigned to the civil division which is what I had my experience in, but even so I’m also doing foreclosure work. The
judges are incredibly accommodating. They literally say,
“If there is anything we can ever help you with, please call
us. We’ve probably experienced it first.” And true to their
word, whenever I call they’ve always been helpful to me.”
When Rich talks about further goals or what may be next,
his focus is clearly on his new assignment as a Superior
Court Judge, “I can’t think of anything now that I’d rather
Mrs. Lillian Wischusen (center) on the occasion of her receiving
being doing. This is the pinnacle for me. Maybe in anan RC You-Make-A-Difference award in October 2007, with
daughters Nancy Fischetti, RC Administrative Assistant/Registrar other 20 or 30 years I’ll have a different career goal, but
right now this is the best it can be.”
(left), and Phyllis Wischusen, RC faculty member (right)
Anyone who knew Rich’s mother, Mrs. Lillian Wischusen, acknowledges she was an exceptional woman, not only
for raising ten children, but for her loving, caring nature. “My mother loved us all unconditionally – what could
be better? I remember when the Governor’s office called and told me they were going to file the nomination.
It was confidential at that point, but I asked if I could tell my mom. They said yes. I ran over to tell her. She
wasn’t doing well at that time, but she was so happy and so proud.”
The Honorable Richard Wischusen has much to be proud of in his life and his profession. A man who knows
and appreciates where he has come from; a man with strong familial and community roots who values enduring
friendships; and most important a man who is content and comfortable with who and where he is!
“I’m so lucky. I wouldn’t have done anything different. I have wonderful family support – a great wife and four
wonderful kids. I’m genuinely blessed.”
“I had a great time at RC. The classmates
who were my best friends then are still my
friends. It was a great experience for me –
it was a wonderful time of my life.”
- S pecial appreciation to Joe Renna ’78 and Renna
Media for a portion of the images and textual content. Joe is an RC classmate and teammate of Rich
Wischusen.
67
ReConnections
One Night Was Just Not Enough!
CLASS OF ’64 CELEBRATES A 50-YEAR MILESTONE
-By Larry Matthews ’64
Eighteen thousand three hundred and seventy days earlier -- give or take a week -- the class of 1964 graduated from RC and went on 87
divergent paths. Those paths crossed again on the weekend of October 3-4, 2014 when 36 classmates -- 55% of the surviving members
-- reunited and celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Roselle Catholic graduation.
“Friday Night Slice” at Spirito’s – Old School All The Way!
Friday Night Slice at
Spirito’s!
Kneeling (left): Dennis
Melofchik, Bob Burnynski, Kevin
Iungermann, Jim McMahon, Herb
Baldwin, Jim Tracey
First / second row (left): Jim
Conroy, Joe Murray, Charlie Fette,
Tom Miceli, John Maher, George
Schneider, Jack Monahan,
Dan Spricigo, Larry Matthews,
Tom Libonate, Ray Korn, Pete
Hutchinson, Brian Mallon, Jack
Dempsey, Mike Curio, Coach
Gagliano, Brian Kelleher, Kevin
Coakley, Jack Brophy
Back row (left): Jay O’Connor,
Bill Lyons, Pete Anzelone, Rich
Baumann, Bruce Killian, Bob
Demsey, Len Kozzi, Gene Cimis,
Mike Dancisin, Bill Shramek
For the Class of ’64, RC’s second graduating class, Spirito’s in Elizabeth is truly old-school -- an old
haunt from our Roselle Catholic days and a hang-out after basketball games. So thanks in large
measure to our classmate Pete Anzelone, the Class of ’64 gathered at Spirito’s for a private party,
Friday night, October 3rd.
And what a night it was! Amidst smiles, handshakes, hugs, and raucous laughter the boys of ‘64
spent roughly six hours re-connecting with old friends, while their wives watched in amazement.
For many the reunion began at the Holiday Inn in
Clark where, after some preliminary libations the
group boarded the yellow RC school bus and travelled
to Spirito’s Restaurant in Elizabeth. The “old school”
theme, which kicked-off our reunion weekend rang
true throughout the evening -- certainly Spirito’s signature pizza and ravioli and its ‘vintage charm” played
a part, yet it was the bear hugs and yelps of amazement when classmates recognized one another that
68
Ray Korn talks with Coach Frank Gagliano
Larry Matthews, Pete Anzelone and
George Schneider
Herb Baldwin and Gene Cimis
Bob Demsey and Pete Hutchinson
made us feel like teenagers again. The room was alive
with electricity -- a certain spirit coursed through Spirito’s
that can’t be described but was felt by everyone there.
“It was great to be with so many great guys! While many
of us haven’t seen one another in 30-40-50 years, the
reconnection was so easy and unforgettable,” said Pete
Anzelone.
The night also received a touch of genuine class when
a beloved teacher and legendary coach, Frank Gagliano
and his wife Robbie joined us for pizza, pasta, and a
truckload of laughs. RC President Bob Stickles ’66 joined
the festivities to share “a slice” with guys he remembered
as upperclassmen.
50th Reunion Class of ‘64 at Saturday Reception!
First row (left): Charles Fette, Herb Baldwin, Jim Conroy, Kevin Iungermann,
Jim McMahon, Tom Libonate, Mike Curio, Bob Burnynski, Brian Kelleher Second row (left): Larry Matthews, Tom McDonald, Ed Turowski, John Maher,
Pete Hutchinson, Bruce Killian, Tom Miceli, Gene Cimis, Len Kozzi, Rich
Baumann, Ray Korn, Bill Lyons
We toasted our departed classmates, those who could not attend, and those
who were gathered in the room.
“The best part of the night was the chance to look across the room and see guys
having conversations, smiling, nodding their heads while laughing, someone
putting their arm around someone’s else’s shoulder while listening to a recollection, or just being able to catch someone’s eye from afar. It was an amazing
night to remember,” commented Larry Matthews.
A testimony to the fact everyone was so energized being with one another
again, it took an endless amount of time to get everyone assembled for the
group photo, which was still pleasantly disorganized and rowdy. Furthermore,
Kevin Iungermann, Larry Matthews, Brian Kelleher, when it came time to take the “early bus” (10pm) back to the hotel it ran practically empty.
Herb Baldwin and Brian’s wife Susan
As Bob Stickles remarked, “I figured a bunch of old guys would want to get back to the hotel at a
reasonable hour, I was shocked when I rode the 10 o’clock bus with only three other people.”
When the Roselle Catholic school bus dropped everyone off at the hotel around midnight you
could tell no one wanted to leave, as we continued to mingle and say our slow goodnights.
Saturday Reception At RC - One More Time!
Many from the class came back again on Saturday for the reception at the school, including Tom
McDonald and his wife Kathy, who could not attend the Friday night private party at Spirito’s.
Ed Turowski and Len Kozzi
Between the two events, well over 50% of the surviving members of our class of ’64 came back to
reunite with classmates, to celebrate the milestone of our Golden Year reunion. Members of our class came in from all around the
country: California, Minnesota, South Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Grassroots Outreach Effort Paid Off!
We believe the success and enjoyment of our reunion gathering, drawing well over 50% of our remaining classmates, to be no
small undertaking, having started the reconnection effort well over 7-months beforehand.
Tom Libonate recalls, “It may have been at Rich Morbee’s wake in Naples, Florida last February when Stan Chrzanowski, Mike Curio
and I were lamenting that we’re losing way too many of our classmates, and we’re only going to get one shot at getting everyone
together -- celebration of our 50th is a good reason.”
Thanks in large measure to the online search talents and resources of Stan Chrzanowski, many of the classes’ long standing MIA’s
were found and reconnected. “If one of our classmates was ever in the witness protection program I’m convinced Stan could find
him,” Tom Libonate was heard to say on more than one occasion.
Unfortunately, Stan had a family situation the week leading up to the reunion that
required him to remain in Florida.
A number of other classmates expressed a desire to make the reunion, but because
of health or other more pressing commitments they were unable to make the trip.
One positive result from all our outreach is the database and connectivity the class
has but in place.
Age is the great equalizer! Doesn’t matter what we were in high school, or for that
matter what we did in life — we’re all now on an equal playing field — ALIVE and
enjoying the reconnection!-Photos courtesy of Merni Libonate and Michelle Thomas/RC
Eleanor and Rich Baumann with Bill Lyons
69
ReConnections
ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2015
The First Alumni Reunion Weekend Was Held On October 3-4-5, 2014.
I
n concert with the RC Alumni Association and the Office of Development, Roselle Catholic held a “college style” reunion
weekend, celebrating all anniversary year reunions during one designated weekend.
In addition to the Class
of 1964 celebrating
their milestone 50th
Reunion, the classes of
1969, 1974, 1979, 1989,
1999, and 2004, as
well as Girls Catholic
classes of ‘69, ‘74 and
’79 gathered to observe their respective
reunions.
Additionally, a number of alumni from
other classes attended
events over the Alumni
Reunion Weekend to
connect with old RC
friends.
For Many Returning Alumni One Night Just Wasn’t Enough!
Members from the class of 1969, as well as other reunion classes, also made it a
two-night celebration, attending Friday night’s RC OctoberFest in the gym and the
reception at the school on Saturday.
RC’s second graduating class, the Class of 1964, celebrating their 50 year reunion,
held a Friday night “old-school” style private party at Spirito’s in Elizabeth, having
the RC school bus take them to and from the restaurant.
Many from the class of ’64 came back again on Saturday for the reception at the
school, including those who could not attend the Friday private party at Spirito’s.
Between the two events, well over 50% of the surviving members of the class of
’64 came back to reunite with their classmates to celebrate the milestone of their
50 year reunion. Classmates came in from all around the country, two making the
trip from California.
Additionally, alumni participated in a community service project Saturday morning,
which was organized by Director of Campus Ministry Maureen Hagan.
The RC school bus provided transportation over the course of the evening between Tom McDonald, Tom Miceli and Jim
the school and
McMahon, ’64 classmates
the Holiday Inn,
Clark, where special room rates were offered to RC alumni.
Approximately 20 alums returned for the Closing Liturgy
celebrated in the gymnasium on Sunday morning. The
mass was dedicated to all deceased RC alumni.
A commemorative Reunion Weekend T-Shirt was produced
and available for sale, and many alumni also purchased RC
“retro-wear” from the bookstore.
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Classmates of ’64: Pete Huchinson, John Maher, Tom McDonald, Larry
Matthews, Tom Libonate, Herb Baldwin and Charles Fette
Thanks in large measure to the dedication and hard work
of Michelle Thomas and Pat Collins of the Development
Office, and John Hoffman and the class captains of the RC
Alumni Association, the multi-class reunion weekend was
Back Row (left): Ed Sabol, James Jaison, Ed Ruane, Michael McMahon, John Byko, Ray Lamia,William
Keenan, John Pavelko Front Row (left): James Dunsavage, Rich Costello. Greg Sgroi, Rich Marino
Newly appointed RC Board Chair Pete Lyons ‘73
(center) with wife Jodi and John Hoffman ‘69, RC
Alumni Association President
Ray Korn ‘64, Dennis Melofchik ’64 and Dennis’
wife Maureen
flawlessly executed and a solid basis for future multi-class alumni reunion events.
Going forward the success and enjoyment of major alumni gatherings will require the support
of the entire alumni community
and the designated reunion-year
class captains -- and especially,
the much needed advance grassroots out-reach, communication and coordination
within each class. Just ask
the Class of ’64, who drew
better than 50% of their remaining classmates, having
started their reconnection
efforts well over 7-months
beforehand.
Tom McDonald and Tom
Libonate make it easy to
recognize one another
-Photos courtesy of Michelle
Thomas/RC and Merni Libonate
Joe Higgins, class of ‘72 (center), with two friends from the class
of ‘69: John Byko and Ray Lamia
Ellen Muller, GCHS ‘72 and
Rich Marino ‘69
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Bob Mallon ‘89
Vice President, Client Services
Modo Labs, Mobile Software Start-up, Cambridge, MA
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A chance connection with an old friend persuades Bob Mallon,
an Industrial Engineering major and experienced strategic business
professional, to join a small group from MIT in a mobile software
start-up as an executive member of the venture.
resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts and a graduate of the RC
class of 1989, Bob Mallon is a member of the management team at
Modo Labs, a mobile software start-up.
Modo Labs, based in Cambridge, creates software that allows clients to produce tailored mobile apps for their communities. Ninety percent of Modo Labs customers are
colleges and universities, many of which are high profile institutions, such as: Harvard,
Dartmouth, MIT, Georgetown, NYU, University of Arizona, and University of North
Carolina, to name a few. Yet, Modo also counts companies and hospitals as clients,
serving diverse organizations such as Capital One and Mass General Hospital.
As Bob explains the business model, “We create software tools that allow clients to
make apps themselves, but we provide a number of pre-built components – to allow
people to register for classes, see what’s available in the cafeteria, check the shuttle bus
schedule, and view building interiors or campus maps. Everything that a student or
employee needs to operate on their campus or in their work environment, right on
their smartphone.”
As Vice President of Client Services, Bob manages several teams of engineers, project
managers, and support people who attend to their customers and their software implementations. Typical of any entrepreneurial venture, he does a little bit of everything.
“Every day at a start-up is a challenge - there is always more work to do than people
to do it. I’ve done everything from creating financial models to meeting with potential
investors to flying to the Middle East to work with an important new client.”
There was a bit of serendipity five years ago that brought Bob and Modo Labs together.
“I was thinking about leaving my then-corporate job and was looking for either a
start-up or smaller firm where I could have more of an impact. I was just starting that
process when I ran into Gopal Swamy, a friend who worked for me at a previous employer. He said, “I’m starting a company with
these guys from MIT. They’re super smart and it’s going to be great.” He said I should come over and check it out – so a few weeks
later I did. I met with one of the founders during the visit and he told me all about the business. I went home and thought -- that
was interesting -- I liked the people and what they were doing.”
Shortly thereafter Bob’s friend called and asked if he could
stop by the office again. “It was during the second visit that
I realized I was being interviewed, for a job that didn’t even
yet exist! I didn’t go into it with any expectations of joining
the team- it just happened. I got to design my own role
and earned my way onto the management team.”
When Bob joined Modo Labs there were about a dozen
people and he was amongst the first outside employees.
Since then the company has grown to a 40-person firm
that is backed by top Venture Capitalists.
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Bob, bottom right, with some of the Modo Labs team in 2014
“When I joined there was never a promise that it was going
to be any more than 6-months. We only had short term
cash in the bank, so we kept grinding away and then figured out how to survive for the next 6-months. After a year
or two, you realize that not only have you survived, you’ve
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been building a business. I can point to a number of things I did personally that literally saved the company, but I’m not the only
one at Modo Labs who can say that. You feel and see your impact everyday in a way that you can’t in a large company.”
Industrial Engineer to Start-Up Entrepreneur
In the fall of 1989, Bob Mallon entered Lehigh University as an Industrial Engineering major, though he explains, “I really didn’t
know what I wanted to do when I finished my undergrad. I was always attracted to math and science, but I was good at nontechnical things like writing. Going into Industrial Engineering allowed me to use the math side of my brain and apply it to business problems, which was a great fit for all of my skills.”
After graduation in 1993 Bob stayed at Lehigh for a Master’s
degree in Operations Research. Upon leaving, Bob went to
work as a management consulting for Price Waterhouse, first in
New York City and then in Boston. “For five years I travelled to
company sites every week for a number of different clients, from
food manufacturers to aerospace companies. I spent most of
that time overseeing large projects, providing strategic advice on
how to make supply chains work more efficiently and helping
companies adopt new technologies.”
Bob eventually left Price Waterhouse because he was tired of being on the road every week. “I took an offer with a smaller, local
consulting company, but while it got me back home to Boston
it wasn’t a good fit. Then they sent me back on the road, which
caused huge problems. There are times when you’re in a job and fed up and you become short sighted about the urgency of
your situation instead of thinking over a more logical long-term horizon.”
Set Backs Become the Springboard for Advancement
In 2000, after leaving the new consulting gig, and after another short stint at a dot-com startup that went bankrupt, Bob joined
Akamai, a local tech darling out of MIT, but at the worst possible time. During the next two years at the company, their stock went
from $50 to 50¢ a share and the staff went from 1200 to 600. In 2002, he was laid-off. “I survived through four layoffs as my
team shrunk, but finally was asked to leave on the 5th one. It was tough, but luckily I was young, had no kids yet and had options. It was a crazy year – I was 31 or 32 at the time - trying to figure out what to do with myself next.”
It took almost a year for Bob to land a new full-time role, but during that time he ended up trying out many new things – writing
for a music magazine, scouting building locations for a local developer, and teaching. Eventually, he took a position in corporate
strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, which provided some stability after five years of start-ups, bankruptcies, and set backs.
While at Blue Cross, Bob returned to school to earn an MBA at Babson College, which was no small undertaking since he was
working full time and by then had two young children. “It’s not easy because you’re working all day and have a life, and then trying to fit in schoolwork on the side. For me, the MBA forced discipline but also gave me the confidence to go after management
level jobs like the one I have, adding skills such as financial management”
Bob attributes his motivation to a number of great mentors and managers over the last 20
years, who helped to guide his career and choices. He even gives credit to what he refers to
as the “lousy bosses.” ”Even though the experience might be a miserable one they are the ones
you learn the most from – in terms of what not to do.” Speaking about other role models throughout his life, he refers to his
parents and older brothers, John and Bill, both RC grads.
Yet, much of his personal motivation comes from within. “I’m
a bit paranoid that I won’t accomplish enough, so I am always
thinking about my next step and all the exciting opportunities
out there. In some ways I still don’t know what I want to be,
so I try to surround myself with smart people and to be open
to new experiences and learning new things.”
A Man of Many Talents & Interests
Bob Mallon can never been described as a “one trick pony.”
Going back to his youth and days at RC he immersed himself
in a wide array of interests.
A music lover at an early age
Bob controls his boom box at RC
One is his affinity for new and undiscovered music. By his
own accounting he has seen over 500 live bands over the last
20 years “I’ve always been interested in music and used to
All-conference half-miler for RC
winter track
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send out emails to a list of friends outlining all of my favorite records every year. So when I met a guy who edited a music magazine called Amplifier, I approached him about writing. I started covering new releases, reviewing live shows, and eventually got my
own column where I interviewed bands. A few years later the editor left and I took over that job
as a side-project for 18 months.”
Bob’s Roselle Catholic experience was an early manifestation of his many talents and interests. He
ran winter track, an all-conference half-miler, and was a member of the golf team, also earning allconference distinction. Bob appeared in seven different performances of the RC Drama Club over
4 years. He was the editor of the RC yearbook in his senior year; a Union County Scholar Athlete
and a Medal of Excellence Winner as top male student in the class of 1989.
It didn’t end at RC. While at Lehigh, he was selected as the Outstanding IE in his class year, and
earned a full scholarship for grad school. He performed in theater productions; worked Orientation; joined the Environmental Club and was on
the Student Council for his major.
Today, one very big interest in his life is his family. When asked what may be his most enjoyable
achievement or what he is most proud of, “My
family, my kids and the life I have built in Massachusetts,” is at the top of his list.
Bob, far right, in the RC
production of “Arsenic and
Old Lace”
A Rejected Pledge Opens the Door to Marriage
On Bob’s first night out after moving to Boston in 1997 he met his future wife,
Alanna. This life changing relationship almost didn’t materialize. “I moved to Boston
with a good friend from college, and both of us were single. I asked him to pledge
that we wouldn’t date anyone seriously for the first 6 months so one of us wouldn’t
be stuck on his own in a new city. But he wouldn’t do it!”
So on their first night out in Boston, at a roof-top party on the 4th of July, Bob was
the one who met the
woman who would beBob and Alanna on their wedding day in 2000
come his wife. “If I had
made the pledge who knows where I’d be now?” Bob and Alanna
were married three years later in 2000, and had their first child in 2005,
a boy named Toby. Jasper, a girl, followed two years later in 2007.
Alanna is an accomplished clothing designer who has worked for Liz
Claiborne, TJ Maxx, and for several years had her own line of children’s
clothes. More recently, she changed direction completely and works
for the Mayor of Cambridge as Education Liaison for the city. This
change was made possible by her work on a charitable program that
she founded a few years ago.
Alanna started a program
that sends home meals for
kids in the local schools
who don’t get enough
to eat on the weekends.
Bob and Alanna in 2009 with daughter Jasper and son Toby
Learning that many of the
kids in the public school’s lunch program came to school on Monday not having eaten
all weekend and unable to learn or concentrate, Alanna organized the Cambridge
Weekend Backpack program to send home two breakfasts and two lunches in their
backpack on Fridays. She has done this on her own time, administering the program,
working out food ordering and distribution, and raising the needed money. This year
the program fed 240 kids over 10,000 meals during the course of the school year
Thank You, Roselle Catholic!
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Bob with brothers Bill and John, all RC grads
Bob Mallon comes from a real Roselle Catholic family. His mother taught Biology at RC
for 12 years, his dad was a long-time member of the Father’s Club and both his older
brothers are RC grads: John, RC class of ’84 and Bill, class of ’87. John is a partner at
the law firm of Chasan, Leyner, and Lamporello, and Bill is Senior Director of Strategy
and Innovation Development at the American Association of Medical Colleges.
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Bob is quick to acknowledge that Roselle Catholic was a “huge foundation” in his life. “I
learned to work hard at RC. I also discovered how to participate in the world and how to
deal with people from different places and backgrounds. It’s a valuable skill I have carried
through life.”
From the time Bob was in 4th grade he looked forward to coming to RC following in the
footsteps of his older brothers. Interestingly, when it was time for Bob to enter Roselle
Catholic in fall 1985 he and his mother arrived together – Bob as a freshman, his mother
as a biology teacher. “I always joked that she was following me, as she’d also taught at
my grammar school at St. Joes in Roselle. My mother taught at RC until she passed away
from Ovarian Cancer in 1996. We started a scholarship at RC in her name as a remembrance.”
Bob, top left, an RC Distinguished Honor
student
When Bob talks about his favorite teachers his
mother makes that distinguished list along with
Rich Wood (Chemistry) and Alan MacDonnell
(Math & Drama).
“I came from a small parochial school, then found
myself at regional high school. I felt I had to integrate myself into that community so I got
involved in everything. You had to make the conscious decision about how much you
were going to do – to participate in your community and get involved. Roselle Catholic
was a place that fostered that feeling. I did a crazy amount of things when I was at RC. I
got good at managing my life and I still do that – work, family community -- I’ve never
stopped getting involved and that all goes back to Roselle Catholic.”
Editor-in-Chief of the 1989 RC yearbook
Bob was one of those kids that was involved in activities, sports and friendships, so he recalls many good memories: “trips to Esopus, performing on stage, running in the freezing cold to Five Points and back for winter track, basketball games, dances, driving
around Union County with my friends, and interesting classes with great teachers.”
Bob talks fondly of his “hangouts” during his RC days: the White Rose Diner; Roselle Golf Club, where he and his brothers ran the
pro shop for many years; and Franks Pizza at the Roselle Shopping Center. “White Rose -- I used to walk there with my dad when I
was little. My senior year that was the place where everyone congregated for burgers and fries at 11 o’clock on Friday night.”
He keeps in touch with a few good friends from his RC class of ‘89 -- Tim Tyler, Wil Davis, Brian Bodnar -- and has been back for all
the major reunions. “Unfortunately, living a few states away has made it more difficult to visit regularly. Recently I had the good
fortune to connect with a group of alumni in the Boston area when Dick Sweeney hosted us at Keurig headquarters.”
A Bit More About Bob
Not surprising Bob and Alanna are very involved in their community of Cambridge,
volunteering with political campaigns, coaching soccer, and serving on committees at
their kids’ school. They enjoy traveling and have been swapping their home the last few
summers with families from European cities -- Barcelona, Copenhagen, and Paris.
Bob Mallon has much to be proud of -- helping to build a start-up company that employs smart and dedicated people and that has become an important tech company in
the Boston area. When asked if he would have done anything differently, he responds
confidently, “I look at my life and what I’ve done and have no real regrets.” Then he
pauses and reflects, “There are a couple of jobs
I shouldn’t have left and a couple I shouldn’t
have taken. But I have always felt that it was
better to try new things and keep pushing myself instead of getting comfortable and lazy.”
Lazy and staying in a comfort zone is not
something that can ever be attributed to Bob
Mallon.
Family vacation in Barcelona
“Roselle Catholic was a foundation in my life.
I learned to work hard at RC. I also discovered how to participate in the world. It’s a
valuable skill I have carried through life.”
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Curtain Up! Light the Lights!
RC Drama Club Takes Center Stage
-By Elizabeth Noonan ’15
Roselle Catholic High School has a juicy secret. Although better known for its strong athletic program,
there’s another reason that brings enthusiastic crowds to the Lion’s Den -- RC’s invigorated Drama Club!
Beyond the famed center circle of the gym, this year the Drama Club inspired the discovery of new stars
on the center stage in its two hit productions.
LEND ME A TENOR
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n November’s slapstick comedy,
“Lend Me A Tenor,” audiences
had a new reason to flood the Lions’ Den. Stage managers and RC
seniors, Natalie Linares and Elizabeth Noonan, were on a mission
to promote the production.
This production could not have
happened without the energetic
cast of Lucien Edme, Joshua
Santiago, Jasmine Destin, Brenna
Joshua Santiago and Lucien Edme
Keegan, Isabel Cunha, Kala Davis,
Ernesto Paul, and Daniel Mocco. And, who could forget Daniel Shirley and
Brenna Keegan and Isabel Cunha
Helena Marshwinski?
The audience could not get enough of the underdog protagonist, Max, played by the fierce Lucien Edme. How
could anyone with such a strong character dominate the stage with such charisma?
Along with the amazing cast there was an amazing group of local supporting hands. Pinho’s Bakery, located on
Chestnut Street, donated the delectable desserts for the intermission. All the treats were served free of charge to the
audience. In fact, director and Drama Club moderator Daniel Moraske insisted that all refreshments be free.
The production held a mixture of wit and comedy. Its ambiance screamed of good ole’ fashion humor. Nowadays this is truly hard to come by. This show had everything -- from strikingly simulative Italian accents that even
made my own Italian grandfather proud; to brilliantly clever play on words.
The acting was surely something of note. Our
young actors and actresses exhibit great potential.
The cast refused to perform in a clichéd mediocre
“school play” manner. No, they gave it their all and
it truly revealed itself in such a way that held up in
every affirmative review. A big hand goes out to the
volunteers behind the scene -- from getting the scenery in check to supporting the stage directors.
SOMETHING FUNNY HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
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t was another hit for the RC Drama Department’s production of “A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum”. During the production’s run of April
17th and 18th, the Lions’ Den was filled to the brim with audience members;
perhaps the biggest attendance within the past four years!
The cast included returning veterans along with incoming members. The
main character and longtime cast member, Lucien Edme, plays the frenetic Pseudolus. With his vivacious personality Edme again stole the stage. Returning for
a third year is Joshua Santiago, who plays the greedy Marcus Lycus. Making this
duo a trio -- Senex, played flawlessly by Daniel Mocco
Adia Ledbetter, Jasmine
Destine and Brenna Keegan
-- completed the group in all of his sass and glory.
Isabel Cunha stole the spotlight with her electrifying voice in her
“lovely” role as Philia. Adding to the estrogen on the stage is the fierce
Domina played by Helena Marchwinski. Alongside Marchwinski was
the ever-clever Hero, played by freshman Ernesto Paul. This is Paul’s
second run on the stage; and it seems as though the crowd couldn’t get
enough.
And who can forget the lovely Courtesans? Featuring: Jasmine
Destine as Virbrata, Brenna Keegan as Tintinabula, Tiana Thomas as
Panacea, Adia Ledbetter as Gymnasia, Elizabeth Noonan as Geminae
#1, Daniella Quigla as Geminae #2, and Charles Campbell as Bob. After
all, it is 2015.
I would be remiss not to mention Captain Miles Gloriosus played
by Joseph Sullivan. This was Joseph’s first appearance on the RC stage
where he made the crowd roar. When all was said and done, it was
a bittersweet moment for both Natalie Linares and Elizabeth Noonan
who have spent the past three years behind stage making sure everything went according to plan. Although it is their last year as RC stage
managers, both hope to pursue some form of stage managing in their
college careers; Linares at Seton Hall University, Noonan at Emerson
College.
Isabel Cunha, Brenna Keegan, Alex Perez, and John Alzate The RC Drama Board would like to extend a special thank you to Athletic Director and
Coach Joe Skrec, who has aided the Drama Club in opening the gym when available.
Simply put, the cast could not rehearse to their fullest potential without the help of Mr.
Skrec. The Drama Department is tremendously appreciative of all the helping hands
that made our productions that much more special.
Stay tuned
folks. We
hope to gain Helena Marchwinski, Daniel Shirely and Ernesto Paul
more attention and keep everyone interested in what we are about. We can’t
do this without the continuing support of the RC community and
assure you that we are not going anywhere but up. We cannot
express our appreciation in words; thus, we will express it in our
acting and future stage productions. Hope to see you next year.
Check the RC website throughout the 2015-16 school year for
future productions of the Roselle Catholic Drama Club.
Veterans of the RC stage, Joshua Santiago and Lucien Edme
Take a bow!
The cast! Kneeling, from left: Daniel Mocco, Lucien Edme, Alex
Perez, Brenna Keegan, Anthony Waldman; Middle Row: Helena
Marchwinski, Tiana Thomas, Adia Ledbetter, Elizabeth Noonan,
Daniella Quaglia, Isabel Cunha, Tavares Story, Jasmine Destine,
Adam Marchwinski, Joshua Santiago, Daniel Shirely; Back Row:
Charles Campbell, Ernesto Paul, Joseph Sullivan, John Alzate
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Christine Bodzioch ‘03
Occupational Therapist
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
-By Tom Libonate’64
Insight gained while substitute teaching and the occupational therapy needs of a family
member led this 2003 graduate of Roselle Catholic to a career in helping people to live a
more independent lifestyle and participate in their daily activities after a stroke, spinal cord
injury, or traumatic brain injury.
A resident of Linden, Christine Bodzioch, a member of the RC class of 2003, is an Occupational Therapist at the Kessler
Institute for Rehabilitation in the Outpatient Department treating clients with neurological conditions.
“I help people who range from teenagers to older adults to participate
in things they want and need to do in their everyday activities.” Christine’s work requires identifying the barriers that may prevent her clients
from living a more independent lifestyle. “My clients are people who
have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, or a traumatic brain injury.
The focus and main goal is “ADL” – activities of daily living. These are
the things you do every single day from the time you wake up in the
morning until you get into bed at night. We help our clients get back
to doing those things that are important to them through the use of a
wide spectrum of therapeutic activities as well as working on aspects of
their occupations so they can return to work.”
Christine’s patients have been through the hospital and the in-patient
setting. “After they are safe to go home that’s when they’re coming to
me. My measurement of success is when a patient comes in and tells
me that they’re now able to do something that they haven’t been able
to do since their injury or diagnosis; when they are becoming more
independent in their daily lives.”
Occupational Therapist Christine Bodzioch
Upon graduating from Roselle Catholic, Christine entered Kean University and in 2007 graduated Summa Cum Laude
receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and mathematics. After college, she started substitute
teaching with plans of pursuing a master’s degree in education. “At the time we were learning about handwriting,
behaviors and special needs children. Some children required
being taken out of class and needed the help of an Occupational
Therapist. Some were developmentally delayed; they did not
have the fine motor control in order to do such things as picking
up smaller items, buttoning, utilizing scissors, or having difficulties with handwriting. Their muscles were not growing as fast as
a normal child’s so they would need activities to build up those
muscles, so they would be pulled out of class to work with an occupational therapist.”
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Christine, second from right, receiving the Who’s Who
Among Students in American Universities & Colleges for
Occupational Therapy
Additionally it was when her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and required the treatment of an occupational therapist,
who came to the house to take care of her grandmother, that the
field of occupational therapy captured Christine’s interest and influenced a change in her career focus. “Because of my experience at
school and my grandmother’s situation, I did more research and
decided to pursue a master’s in Occupational Therapy. I thought
I was going to be a teacher and had my heart set on it, but I’m
so happy where I am. Everything happens for a reason. If I hadn’t
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gone through my bachelors degree in education and started to substitute teach,
I would never have found occupational therapy.”
Christine went on to earn a Masters in Occupational Therapy at Kean University
where she received the honor of being chosen for Who’s Who Among Students
in American Universities & Colleges for OT.
Christine has been a practicing occupational therapist for four years and has
been at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for six years, having started there as
a student and doing an externship during the summer. She is a certified brain
injury specialist and is functional capacity evaluation certified. She also belongs
to both the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) and the NJOTA
(New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association).
Christine credits her parents as role models and her grandmothers as life-long inspirations. “Throughout my life my parents have been my role models. They have
been my biggest supporters and have helped me to become the person that I
am today. My grandmothers were also always inspiring. From the time I was a
little girl, they always tried
to motivate me to reach
higher and to never settle.”
Receiving Masters Degree from Kean
University in Occupational Therapy, 2011
Continuing to talk about inspiration, Christine also recognizes
“the teachers throughout my school career, as well as my occupational therapy colleagues who continue to guide and assist me
throughout my career.”
Christine attributes her Roselle Catholic experience to a “solid
educational foundation; also the core values that have helped me
through college and into my professional life. It also provided me
with my best friends.
My friends from RC are still my friends today – although they feel
more like family than friends.”
Christine, left, with mom, Lorraine Bodzioch, brother
Matthew, RC ’05, and sister Debra, RC ‘05
She calls out Mr. Rich Wood and Ms. Phyllis Wischusen as her
favorite RC teachers. During
Christine’s four years at Roselle Catholic, she was on the student council beginning in
her sophomore year, on the honor roll all four years and participated in the Festival
of Lights each year. “My best memory was being a part of the Festival of Lights. I still
go back to see the Festival every year. I also have fond memories of the soft chocolate
chip cookies at lunch, and the French fries! One thing no one complained about was
the food in the cafeteria.”
Christine’s twin brother and sister also graduated from Roselle Catholic in 2005. She
continues to maintain a close connection with her best friends from RC, and recently
came back to the school this year as a presenter for Career Day.
She is a firm believer in the continuing
mission of Roselle Catholic, saying, “RC
still gives its students the same strong
education and the foundations for life
and career. It has maintained the family
atmosphere and makes you feel as though RC Student Council activity,
you’re coming home. What was instilled in Christine, seated left
me when I was there is still being instilled
in the students today. That’s really nice to see.”
Christine, left, with best friends Jennifer
Daugenti Lorys and Nicole Daugenti Monticello,
RC Class of ‘03
In addition to enjoying time with family and friends, yoga, working out,
baking, cooking, embroidery, relaxing on the beach and reading, Christine
is an avid traveler. Having been to 24 of the 50 states she has set a personal
goal of visiting all 50 states! “I love travelling, especially visiting national parks
– Zion in Utah is my favorite. My favorite vacation spot is Myrtle Beach. I lost
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“RC gave me a solid educational foundation and
the core values that have helped me through college and into my professional life.”
my father when I was at RC and Myrtle Beach was his favorite spot. I
love returning there.”
Another of Christine’s professional goals, is to return to school for a
Doctorate in occupational therapy. “I’m thinking about pursuing a doctorate in OT, which will strengthen my clinical skills, involve research,
and may involve teaching at the college level. This will allow me to
Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park with brother
Matthew and sister Debra on one of many family trips continue contributing to my field of occupational therapy and to give
back and support my profession. In the past I taught at Kean University
for a semester in the OT department and have also guest lectured there. Potentially I’d like to explore that down the
line.”
Christine finds motivation “in continuing to see my clients become successful in living more independent lives and seeing
them overcome challenging obstacles knowing that I participated in helping them. My biggest challenge is continuing to
always maintain my drive to do what’s best for my patients. I’m always making sure that I’m pushing myself to do better.”
If you asked Christine Bodzioch if she would have done anything differently at this point in her life, she would say, “No,
because I think everything happens for a reason and everything that you experience in life shapes who you are today.”
RC Parents Club Contributes
Talent, Time and $25,000!
Since its founding a generation ago, the
Roselle Catholic Parents Club has provided
invaluable service to the school on a variety
of fronts. And this year was no exception.
In fact, this year was a banner year in the
history of the Parents Club, as its motivated
members volunteered their time and talent on any number of occasions, to the
school’s considerable benefit.
The Club specializes in providing refreshments to the school’s guests as they visit for all sorts
of reasons. The annual Honors Convocation and the three seasonal Sports Convocations
wouldn’t be the same without the Club-sponsored cookies and cake festivities in the cafeteria
after the formal proceedings have concluded.
Similarly, the Club lends a hand in our efforts to attract new students to RC. Our Open Houses and New Student Information Nights feature Parents Club refreshments, and the camaraderie that the Club members exhibit as they service our visitors, clad in their Club T-shirts, helps
convey to those visitors that our talk of the RC Family is for real.
Perhaps the most dramatic instance of the Club’s contribution to the school comes every January, when the Club puts on its annual Tricky Tray event in the Lions’ Den.
Born of weeks and weeks of preparation, the Tricky Tray fills the gym with all manner of attractive gifts.
While this event is always a success, this year’s edition was particularly memorable. This year’s Tricky Tray raised over $25,000 for RC, the best result ever.
RC is blessed to have these
With help from Faculty Moderator Maureen Murin, the Club
dedicated parents working for it
operated under the leadership of a group of dedicated officers
so tirelessly, and usually behind
who kept all of its various activities on track. They are:
the scenes.
Stacy Manzo - President (Alyssa, ‘16)
Thank you,
Parents Club -Cristin Keegan - Vice President (Brenna, ‘17)
we wouldn’t be
Laura Ponczek - Treasurer (Emily, ‘16)
RC without you!
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Some of the delicious talents the
Parents Club contribute to RC
Viviana Hilton - Co-Secretary (Morgan, ‘16 and Andrew, ‘18)
Joyce Cababe - Co- Secretary (Philip, ‘17)
A Memory Collage: 1963-1967
A
By Vince Poisella, formerly Br. Vincent Jude, FMS
ssigned to Roselle
Catholic High School
for my first full year
of teaching as Br. Vincent
Jude, a Marist Brother, I
walked through the halls
of a new school building in
September of 1963, bearing
as much naiveté as excitement.
Over fifty years later,
the memories of my four
years at Roselle Catholic
have dimmed. One never
Vince Poisella, then Br. Vincent Jude, talks with members
from the class of 1965: Anton Kemps, Bob Wischusen, Bill Cambria
and Bill Kemps
known for a clear detailed description of events, I tend
to grasp an overall feeling of a place and time rather
than memory for the details. From that time life has
gone on, filled with so many blessings.
Vince and
Tom Libonate
collaborating
on the second
edition of the
RC yearbook,
the Lions’ Lair,
in 1964
But there are moments that stayed with me. I pause
before sharing them with you, but I feel, that in some
way, I owe Tom Libonate -- so integral a part of our
many alumni publications – an overdue debt of gratitude for, as editor-in-chief of the 1964 Lion’s Lair, he
worked with me, the faculty advisor, for a full year to
make sure his class had a fine yearbook memory of
their Roselle Catholic days.
Thinking back, though, over those years, here is
what I remember most, both the silly and the serious:
A
lthough there were exceptions, I
grew to know a superb crew of
students reared by caring parents
and sharpened by a dedicated staff.
Although there were many special
moments, I remember with amusement the assembly during which
Doug Hull (’67), standing at the podium needing to address the student Doug Hull ’67,
without the ‘props’
body on a serious matter. I had not
of lens-less glasses
previously seen him wearing specand pipe
tacles, but he sported frames (without
lenses), and held an unlit pipe in his hand. When I
asked him about it after his address to the students, he
told me that he felt that his image needed an intellectual boost and the props he chose helped him to
achieve it.
I
t was November 22, 1963,
on a Friday
afternoon. We
didn’t believe it.
President Kennedy had been
shot. What I
remember was a
mother waiting
for her freshman
son to exit the
building asking
me if I thought
we would be
off on Monday.
I recall shaking
my head. Such
a calamitous event, and she was worried
about the mundane question of the school schedule.
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O
n another Friday afternoon in 1965 after
most students had
left the hallways for the
weekend, I stopped by
the office of Br Claude,
our selfless and respected principal when
he asked me to call the
doctor. He was suffering a heart attack.
The doctor instructed
me to have him lie
down. I walked with
Br. Claude to the
locker room where he
might recline on one
of the fitness tables
used by the coaches
to tape sore limbs.
Br. Claude wouldn’t
enter the room since
I would disturb the
students and asked me to walk him back to his office.
I called the doctor once again and he informed me that
he would be over immediately. Br. Claude died within
the hour.
I
recall looking out my window from the Brothers’
residence late on a Saturday morning. Br. Mike
McGonigle and I were chatting. We saw a parade of
about a dozen cars circling the otherwise empty school
parking lot.
They stopped. We observed probably about twenty
to thirty of our students, dressed in army fatigues,
bearing what appeared to be makeshift handmade
weapons. They departed soon enough, we later
learned, for Warinanco Park. They told us on Monday that they were doing their “war games.” There
was no doubt in my mind that the juniors and seniors
especially who had engineered this improvisational
theatre did so due to the apprehension they felt about
being drafted for an escalating
Vietnam War. It turned out to be
a harmless circus equivalent to
the spring rites observed on college campuses. It was a unique
display. I have never forgotten
the image.
82
Patrick Gallagher,
formerly Br. Patrick
B
r. Patrick Gallagher and I
taught most of the World
Literature, English Literature,
and American Literature courses.
We conspired to create the unit tests that we then
shared. We made sure that the tests given in the morning classes were different from the ones we used for
the afternoon classes. As a result, the students would
not be able to share information at lunchtime for the
benefit of their friends who were still anxious about
the untaken tests in the afternoon and be tempted to
inquire about the morning tests. Both grades and tests
were taken seriously in those days, and frankly, the
two hard-nosed Marist Brothers kept the students on
their toes.
F
inal exams in June were another matter. Students
from that era will remember the entire gymnasium
filled with rows of desks occupied by anxious
students sweating in the heat of early summer. Not a
sound escaped but the scratching of pen or pencil on
paper as staff members looked on as sentinels from
prison towers.
Although there is nothing momentous about these memory
clips, they are the scrapbook
images that have stayed with me
for half a century.
When I think back, though,
the pervasive feeling is that I
have deep gratitude for having
had the opportunity to be on
a staff with giants. The Marist
Brothers I served with, along
Franklyn Bauer
with the inspirational laymen
and women, who worked at
RCHS, were some of the most
dedicated and committed educators I have worked with over
the years in a very extensive
career in education.
Ed Chakey
Frank Gagliano
T
he early Marist Brothers
brought a legacy to RCHS,
with the partnership of such
teachers and coaches as Frank
Bauer, Frank Gagliano, and Ed
Chakey, to name a few. They
grasped the Marist Spirit with its
sense of community, a love for
learning, and a compassion for
students that made RCHS what it
is today: from “Jesum Per Mariam” to “Remember, Celebrate,
Believe.” From what I observe,
the spirit – under the guidance
of current school President, Bob
Stickles’66 -- is still present.
A
llow me one postscript. When I
first moved to Little Egg Harbor,
NJ in southern Ocean County, I
met by happenstance a fellow lector at our local parish, Joe Luyster,
who had been one of those “laymen” teaching at RCHS in those days.
Neither of us recognized each other
at first. It took me a few minutes to
recall sharing lunchtime with this unassuming likeable chemistry teacher.
We have been pleased to resume our
friendship. When
we first had an
opportunity to
sit together one
Saturday morning, three hours
had passed, and it
seemed like those
intervening fifty
years had never
Joseph Luyster
taken place.
“From what I observe, the spirit
– under the guidance of Bob
Stickles, RC ’66 -- is still present
today.” – Vincent Poisella
V
ince Poisella resides with his
wife Jane at Sea Oaks, an adult
community in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, two miles from
Exit 58 off the Garden State Parkway. Their three adult children –
Mark, Eric, and Anne – live in Los
Angeles, West Des Moines, and
New York City. They have one
granddaughter, Phoenix, whom
they visit on FaceTime once a
week from Los Angeles. Vince
is editor of the Sea Oaks Link,
the community publication at his
place of residence. His career
moved from teaching, counseling, and supervision, from middle
school through college. “It has
been a great ride,” he says.
Vince and wife Jane on a March 2015
cruise in the Caribbean
A happy and proud Grandpop with
granddaughter Phoenix
LOOKIN’ GOOD!
Next time you visit Roselle
Catholic you’ll notice an
updated, cleaner look to the
entrance.
It started a year ago with the
removal of overgrown trees
and the planting of new, size
appropriate greenery.
New “welcome’ flags adorn the
entry and parking lot along
with new lamp post fixtures.
This past summer new graphic
entry panels were installed
each depicting one of the four
facets of the RC Experience:
Athletics, Campus Ministry,
Student Life and Athletics.
Come by, take a look –
you’ll like what you see!
Remember, you’re always
welcome!
Once again thanks to the generosity of an alumnus, all
incoming Roselle Catholic freshmen will receive this cutting
edge technology, the Samsung Chromebook, to enhance their
educational experience, while saving the cost over time of
purchasing required course literature.
Incoming freshmen will be
able to download works
of literature, textbook
supplements and other
course materials for free or
at reduced prices, saving
money for all four years of
high school, college and
well beyond.
83
Joe Montes ‘78
Chef & Owner,
The Red Cadillac, Union, NJ
Since opening the doors in Union, NJ on a Friday the 13th just over
five years ago, it’s been nothing but good luck and rave reviews for
The Red Cadillac and Joe Montes, RC Class of 1978.
The Red Cadillac Tacos & Tequila was recently voted the #1 Mexican by New Jersey
Monthly and has been featured in: The New York Times, NY Daily News, The Star
Ledger, Tequila Trends Magazine and has appeared twice, live on a Fox5 Good Day NY
cooking segment. Joe Montes’ Red Cadillac has catered private events for the New York
Jets, NFL coach Rex Ryan and the Rock Band Guns & Roses.
THE MAGIC RECIPE
The Red Cadillac plays to all the senses. The exhilarating flavors are only the beginning.
When combined with The Red Cadillac’s stimulating sights, aromas and sounds it creates a total sensory experience. “We REALLY pay attention to what you Taste, See, Hear,
Touch and Smell -- that’s our strategy for success,” explains Joe Montes.
So how was The Red Cadillac born? First, Joe, who has a degree in Marketing as well
as culinary school training in
the Southwest, relied on his
marketing instincts and Mexican
cooking experience to conduct
a sweeping survey of the desire
Joe Montes with wife and partner Jamey –
for Mexican cuisine in the area. in his words, “The Chef & The Chief”
He figured what better way to
find out then to ask the 60,000 + cars that drove by his location on a daily
basis. So on a letter sign on Morris Avenue, Union, Joe wrote: Text Your
Vote. Mexican Food? Yes or No -- along with his cell number!
In four weeks Joe had his answer – 2,018 votes for YES and only 5 votes
for NO! “Jamey (his wife) and I wanted to open the place we couldn’t find. Somewhere our kids would love to go, somewhere
just the two of us could go on a date. Somewhere with great food and drink, that didn’t cost a small fortune to enjoy. Most
restaurants see the kids as more of a pain than a plus. We see the kids as our next generation of guests, with great loyalty to where
mom and dad took them. We make sure EVERYONE is happy!”
Second, since he owned a 1968 Red Cadillac convertible, which was parked in front of the building, the name and foundation of
the concept was set. “We wanted an American concept serving Mexican Street Cuisine, and what’s more American than a 1968
Red Cadillac Convertible. Not Much. Plus it just rolls off your tongue nicely,” The Red Cadillac”
Third, he wanted something he could do with his wife and family, where he could teach his children how to create and execute a
new business plan, as well as instilling a great work ethic in them. “We made them our business partners. We all worked together
developing our business plan. The décor was left to the expert, my wife. She’s an incredible designer. It wound up being “simply
perfect.” If you see it or hear it, Jamey did it. If you eat it or drink it, I did it. It’s the perfect partnership. From the beginning it’s been
a family endeavor. My kids are now a big part of our huge social media. We’re all very involved in our daily business operation and
promotions.”
The summer before opening the location in Union, The
Red Cadillac did a trial run in Seaside Heights and “had
great response from the public.” The Montes family knew
they had a winner!
84
Joe tells the story that he and his wife traded her late
grandfather’s gold teeth for working capital. “We had
$1,000 from Grandpa’s gold teeth! $500 went to decorate
and $500 went for food. The night we opened in Union
we had 400 people show up and we never looked back.”
ALUMNI PROFILE
“We feel we have a social responsibility. A big part of
that is helping those in the surrounding communities.”
On Friday, August 13, 2010 The Red Cadillac Tacos & Tequila opened in Union at 2258
Morris Avenue.
In the five years since it opened its doors, The Red Cadillac has built a reputation for blending good deeds with good business. “The Red Cadillac has afforded us a chance to really
make a difference in peoples lives and the community we live in. Hopefully it sends a
positive message to everyone, that a good business can help in so many ways.” Some of
the many helping and caring causes that Joe and The Red Cadillac support, are: Toys For Tots, the Union Police Toy Drive and their
“Cadillac Cares” program.
“Cadillac Cares” is the restaurant’s own charity. One thing they do is select
a family in need during the holiday season and collect funds to assist that
family. They support their various causes in the restaurant via signage as
well as on their social media with its 10,000 plus followers. “We feel that
with todays huge social media, comes social responsibility. A big part of
what we do, is open communications between businesses & residents in
the surrounding communities.”
REAL MEN WEAR APRONS
Joe grew up in the restaurant business and was hooked at an early age. He has been working in a restaurant kitchen since age 13
when he washing dishes at his uncle’s restaurant in Greenwich Village, the well know El Faro. “Since I wasn’t really getting paid I
asked if I could learn to cook while I was there. I was probably 15. I remember cooking
some meals and hearing guests raving about the food. That was awesome! The instant
gratification and fast pace kept me interested. I just wanted to learn more and more.”
Joe continued cooking in his uncle’s top rated Greenwich Village Mexican restaurant
during high school and through college.
Upon graduating from Roselle Catholic in 1978 Joe Montes enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Business / Marketing.
“When I graduated college I went to Houston for the weekend and stayed five years.
Mexican food was everywhere in Houston. I got into the business. I fell in love with
Houston’s, Big Hats, Big Belt Buckles and Big Businesses and started cooking; then bar
tending, then managing.”
It was while he was in Houston that Joe got his culinary training. He then went to
Mexico City for a weekend and again stayed a year. There he further deepened his
knowledge and experience with Mexican cuisine. Fluent in the Spanish language, his
family is from Spain, Joe’s transition from Street Carts to Bodegas to Hotels was seamless
and concentrated.
BEFORE A CADILLAC THERE WAS A CHEVY
In the kitchen, doing what he loves
When Joe returned from Mexico he was well versed in the “front and back of the house” as they say in the restaurant business. At
this particular time working for WR Grace’s restaurant division in Houston, Texas he was assigned to a project for La Fiesta Mexican
Foods. They wanted to create a fresh Mexican restaurant concept. “Myself and the architect who worked for the company came
up with Chevy’s Fresh Mex. We were given an empty store; designed it, decorated it, and got it ready. I had ordered a $3,000 tortilla-making machine, which was huge, both in price and size. Our concept was that we’d have this machine in the kitchen making fresh tortillas. The machine was too big to fit in the kitchen. That’s when I
panicked and decided to put the machine in the middle of the courtyard, with
a young lady making fresh tortillas. When the owner of La Fiesta arrived and
saw the tortilla machine in the courtyard he loved it. Now every Chevy’s has
someone in the middle of the courtyard making fresh tortillas.”
Montes family cooking live on Good Day NY
In the mid-80’s Joe returned to the Northeast and partnered with the owner of
the Cadillac Bar in Manhattan. “The owner said you’re from this area so why
don’t you open it (the Cadillac Bar) for me. It was a huge space that sat 1,800
people and it became hot – People Magazine declared it the “ Best Hot Spot
in the City” for 1985. We had graffiti on the walls. Harpers Bazaar used our
space for a photo shoot and put us in the center of their magazine. Madon-
85
na, Sean Penn, and Geraldo Rivera and Joey Ramone were regulars among many others. But I was young and I was killing myself
-- leaving at 5 am and coming back at 8am. Or not leaving at all!”
Joe then stepped away for a few years; eventually opening up Primo’s in Union with his brother and a cousin, where The Red
Cadillac is located today. “From there we started to do a lot of catering and in 1993 found a place with a catering hall on Westfield
Avenue in Roselle Park. It was called El Pescador. Running two locations was tough, so we leased the Morris Ave location, and in
2005, after 13 years in business, we sold our Roselle Park location. Now, this 45-year old had to find a job in a young man’s game.
Eighteen months of unemployment with three young kids -- everything was put into perspective for me. It was time to get serious
about this business.”
“I did food and beverage consulting for several prominent establishments, some of New Jersey’s top restaurants. I was a knowledgeable consultant since I had strong kitchen and front of house restaurant business experience. I gave my clients a good overall
view of their business. By actually working in all stations of their restaurant, I was able to identify the strong and weak points of
their business. Yet most of the restaurant owners didn’t want to hear anything bad. I wasn’t really enjoying it. I didn’t want people
paying me and then not listening. It was time to do something else. That’s when I decided with my wife and kids to create a concept like I did way back in the day. That’s when The Red Cadillac was born.”
FAMILY STYLE
Joe claims he married his best friend and business partner, Jamey, his
wife of 21 years. “We met when she applied for a job at Primo’s, my first
restaurant here on Morris Ave in Union. She was 18, a hard worker, great
with our guests. She blew me away with her maturity and insight into the
business. I fell in love with her.”
Residents of Cranford, Joe and Jamey have 16-year old twins, son JoJo and
daughter Paris, and a 20-year old daughter Jolie. When Joe talks about the
most enjoyable achievement in his life, “it’s the family my wife and I have
created. We are very proud of our kids and the choices they’re making.”
The Red Cadillac Family! Wife Jamey, Joe, son JoJo,
daughter Paris and daughter Jolie
When asked about the challenges he has faced, Joe raises two, one professional and the other personal. As expected, one challenge Joe refers to
relates to the demands and underlying forces of the restaurant business.
“At age 55 I still want to work like an 18 year old. I don’t see myself retired,
but this is a business where you have to create your own retirement plan.”
Yet, he comes back to his family. “As any parent knows, a big challenge is
certainly raising our kids right. Being a good example for them to look up
to, while always giving them support and hopefully leave them a little better off than we were, when we started.”
From the start Joe and Jamey have made The Red Cadillac a family endeavor and possibly the basis for their children’s future. “I am in the process of negotiating a deal with a local bottling company to
bottle and distribute Red Cadillac Infused Tequilas as well as a Red Cadillac Margarita Mix -- to possibly make that a business for my
kids and grandkids someday. I don’t like the thought of my kids in a restaurant at 2 am with everything that comes with this (the
restaurant / bar) business, especially for my daughters. They say we have the best margaritas and I think they’re right. Let’s try and
make that our new business.”
FIRST COURSE: THE EARLY YEARS
A resident of Roselle Joe attended St. Joseph the Carpenter School before entering Roselle Catholic
in the fall of 1974. During his days at RC Joe Montes played and was captain of both varsity soccer and the wrestling team, winning a district champion wrestling title for the first and only time in
RC history.
Joe credits RC for reinforcing “a mind set of being the best you can be -- for setting goals and planning how to achieve them. ”When we were there, it was all guys - no girls, so the distractions
didn’t really come until after school.”
When asked about his favorites RC memories, Joe recollects: “Close friendships with my St. Joe’s
classmates, that still last today -- winning a District wrestling championship -- and having Girls
Catholic girlfriends, especially those with drivers licenses who picked me up from school.” He
recalls Nick Florio, Brother Julio and Mr. Moran as his favorite teachers.
86
Joe has stayed in touch with many of his RC and St. Joe’s classmates over the years. He has
helped organize class reunions and sees many classmates and RC alums at The Red Cadillac. In
The RC Lions Den there’s a Red Cadillac banner hanging on the gym walls supporting The Lions.
Famous infused tequilas written
about in The New York Times
ALUMNI PROFILE
Talking about his early role models that inspired him, his father and his “restaurateur
uncle” are at the top of the list. “They always worked hard and were in control of their
own schedule and destiny. That impressed me.” Another, Mexico City Chef Carmen
Buena told Joe, “How many people have to eat -- and how many of them know how
to cook? If you can cook, you will always make people happy.”
Joe claims to even have learned from bad bosses. “There was a regional president I
did some work for -- he didn’t like or appreciate his employees and thought he could
do everything better, without his employees help. I vowed one day when I owned a
business to treat every employee as an equal and a partner. The result, one of the keys
to The Red Cadillac’s success!”
TIPS INCLUDED
Interestingly, at the conclusion of the interFirst RC wrestler in school history to win a district title
view when inquiring whether there was
any questions he wasn’t asked, Joe introduced, “How about some advice for those looking to get into the restaurant business – what it takes to create and maintain a successful
business?”
So here it is. Some sage advice served up by Joe.
Chefs Joe Montes & John Molle, friends
from St. Joe’s Grammar School days, now
cooking together at The Red Cadillac
“I don’t recommend anyone getting into this business because you’re a slave to it. It’s a
lot to ask of one person or of the entire family for that matter. OK with that disclaimer
out of the way, first, you have to be mentally OK with going from getting a paycheck,
to giving out paychecks. Second, if you’re obsessed like I am about being in the restaurant business, know this, if you’re going to open your own business, you have to learn
to hire, train and motivate your staff / team. When
competing against other businesses, most of them
corporate, remember your team’s personal touch
will make the difference. That’s something they, the
Corporations, can’t usually do.”
“There are a lot of moving parts in all businesses and you have to know them all. So do your
homework and pay your dues. I invite a lot of young people to come work with me first
before they go out on their own. A college education helps, but doesn’t substitute for passion
and strong work ethic. In this business you’re basically an attorney, an accountant and insurance agent, a dishwasher, bus boy and server -- and you better be pretty good at all of them
-- with a smile!”
“The staff we’ve handpicked at The Red Cadillac is truly one of the best in the business. These young professionals have listened,
learned and now we’re setting new standards and expectations on how things are done in the hospitality industry. From the
kitchen to the servers to our doormen, we are all united in one goal -- to be the best we can be -- and I think the results speak for
themselves.”
NO RESERVATIONS
Joe professes to have no regrets – and is quite comfortable with his life choices and
pleased with where he is and what he’s doing. “I’m humbled at this point, at 55,
that I’m one of the top players in the toughest and most competitive business. I really don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently. I married my best friend
and partner. I have three beautiful, smart children. So, I’m happy as I can be right
now. I tell my family all the time -- ”Step back and enjoy these moments, because
that’s what life’s all about. We have each other, our health and success.” Amen!”
Mr. & Mrs. Red Cadillac – the chef and the
designer – in Cancun 1998
Asked what he may be doing or where he might be in ten years or so, he is quick to
respond, “Enjoying life at 65, wherever my family is. I love the east coast. I think I’ll
be here somewhere watching proudly, hopefully over things I’ve created. Watching
over my kids making sure that they’re all happy. Retirement, as everyone knows it,
isn’t something that happens in a family business. We love what we do and who
we do it with -- OUR FAMILY!”
“I drive that ’68 Caddy fast to work everyday, can’t wait to get there. Why would I not continue to do something I love, with the
people I love, for as long as I can? I think I will.”
Cheers!
87
RC BOWLING
I
n the opening week of the 2014-15 campaign, the Lions
defeated Johnson High School of Clark, who has won the
last four Union County Tournament titles. Then followed up
with triumphs against Roselle Park, Linden and Scotch Plains
to stand-alone in first place in the Union County Conference’s
Watchung Division.
Nick Campanelli, the defending UCT individual champion,
who was named in the pre-season by The Star-Ledger as one
of the “2014-15 Boys Bowlers to Watch,” rolled a 700 series in the
opening match of the season, to help propel RC past over
Johnson.
Starting the season “on a roll,” the Lions never looked back!
Finishing the 2014-15 campaign with an 11-3 record, a #1
Nick Campanelli, Justin Riddick, Corinne Clemente,
ranking in 2014-2015 South Jersey - Non-Public B standings,
Makell Rainey and Jimmy Gramiak at Jersey Lanes
and #18 in the NJ.com Top 20 statewide rankings, as well as a
second consecutive state Group 1 title and a championship at the exclusive Woodbridge Classic.
LIONS WIN WOODBRIDGE CLASSIC
Led by Jimmy Gramiak and Nick Campanelli, RC stood
in fifth place after the first two games of the event.
Despite getting off to a slow start in the first two
games, Roselle Catholic’s bowling team recovered in
the following five Baker games to win the Woodbridge
Classic on Saturday, January 17th at the Woodbridge
Bowling Center.
Going into the Baker games, senior Nick Campanelli
stepped up his performance to motivate Roselle
Catholic. Finishing with a score of 3,005 the Lions
jumped from fifth to first place out of 22 boys teams
after the Baker rounds.
“I think the key to today’s win was staying together.
The bowlers really got it together during the Baker
From left: Makell Rainey, Nick Campanelli, Corinne Clemente, portion of the tournament and took the top spot.” said
Jimmy Gramiak, Justin Riddick and coach Jeanette Rondeau
head coach Jeanette Rondeau. She added, “With
a 244 and a 224, Campanelli had the two highest game scores of our team today. He also gave advice to his
teammates and kept everyone going into the Baker rounds.”
RC WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE
STATE SECTIONAL TITLE
88
Lion Kegglers win the
NJSIAA North Jersey,
Section 2 Championship
with the highest score of
any team that bowled in
any section -- over 3000
pins!
Bowling its highest
series (3,096) and
highest game (1,096) of
the season, RC won the
sectional Group 1 title for
the second consecutive
year.
“Today was the day to
With the State Sectional Championship Trophy, from left, RC
do well, I’m happy we all
President-Principal Tom Berrios, Nick Campanelli, Jimmy
Gramiak, Corinne Clemente, Justin Riddick, Makell Rainey, showed up today,” senior
Nick Campanelli said.
and Chris, Lazaro
Nick Campanelli
RC BOARD SUCCESSION PLAN
TOM LIBONATE ’64 STEPS DOWN AS BOARD CHAIR
Peter Lyons ’73 Named Next Board Chair
A
t the onset of the 2014-15 school year the Roselle Catholic
Consultative Board set in motion a leadership succession plan.
Tom Libonate, a member of RC’s second graduating class and the
Board’s first chair advised the Board that at the end of the current
school year, and the conclusion of his third 3-year term, he will step
down as Chair. While he will remain on the Board, and stay deeply
involved in the school – most visibly as the editor of the The Lion
Alumni Magazine and the Between The Lions email newsletter –
Tom feels that the Board is best served by new management.
“While it has been my honor to serve RC in this capacity for the
past 9-years, helping foster the growth of the Board as a working
asset, it’s time for a change. The best way I can continue to serve
the Board is open the door to new management.”
The Board has announced that Peter Lyons, ’73, will succeed Mr.
Libonate as Board Chair beginning 2015-16.
Mr. Lyons is a RC success story, having graduated from The University of Virginia with Honors, then doing the same from the Georgetown University Law School. He joined the worldwide law firm of
Sherman & Sterling, rising there to Managing Partner for its offices
in the Americas. Pete has recently joined the international law firm
of Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer LLP, where he will continue his
practice in Mergers and Acquisitions.
Current RC Board Chair, Tom Libonate ’64, congratulates
Pete Lyons ’73 on being named Chair Designate
Established in 2006 under the stewardship of former RC President, Brother Owen Ormsby, the Roselle Catholic Consultative Board plays
a critical, if often behind-the-scenes, role in the school’s operation. As its name suggests, the Board provides much needed and appreciated advice to RC’s President and Principal, in such diverse areas as Curriculum, Finance, Facilities, Athletics, and Development.
Initially the Board consisted of only 8 members. Today, the Board enjoys the services of 17 active Board members, most of whom are RC
or Girls Catholic grads themselves, from the ’60s to the Aughts, who bring their many talents to bear on the issues the school faces.
According to Brother Dan O’Riordan, a current member of the Board, “When Brother Owen had the vision to create the inaugural
RCHS School Board; he could not have selected a more dedicated, professional or generous person to fill the vital role of board Chair.
Tom has faithfully served in this capacity since the board was founded and during that time has profoundly influenced the school in
countless ways. A few examples include his ability to utilize his many years of experience and contacts in the marketing arena to help
showcase the school to both the community as well as
prospective students.”
RC President Dr. Robert Stickles ’66 added, “The growth
of the Board is due, in the main, to the efforts of our first
(and current) Board Chair, Tom Libonate. Many of our
Board members signed on after a personal solicitation from
Tom, whose powers of persuasion, honed over a long and
highly successful career in Marketing, are formidable indeed.
Under his leadership, the Board had developed into an
invaluable asset, central to the school’s well being.”
RC is grateful to Tom Libonate for all that he has done,
and equally grateful to Pete Lyons for taking over where
Tom leaves off. The school is blessed to have such talented
people, including all the members of the Board, working
tirelessly for the perpetuation of Roselle Catholic’s mission.
Tom Libonate has annually instructed at RC as part of the Business
Seminar curriculum, conducting an ‘Introduction to Marketing’ class.
Additionally, Dr. Robert Stickles ’66, RC President Emeritus,
is appointed Board Vice-Chair, the position previously held
since the Board’s inception by Jim Cole ’66, who is stepping
down from this office after 9-years.
89
Nick De Rose ‘72
Leading Environmental Consultant
Owner, Managing Principal
Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
Nick De Rose, a Geologist by education, has evolved to a
foremost environmental consultant and hydro-geologist,
an environmental scientist who studies the clean up of
contaminated sites, and a leader in environmental protection and site remediation.
T
his RC graduate class of 1972 is a Partner and Managing Principal at Langan
Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc., serving as the company’s
Health and Safety Director and head of the firm’s environmental and site
remediation services.
A leading environmental consultant, Nick
De Rose ’72, speaking at an Environmental
Workshop, one of many he has organized
and moderates every year
Nick De Rose joined Langan in 1985.
At the time Nick was hired to build the
environmental and remediation practice
there were approximately 70 employees,
three of whom were in the environmental discipline. Over the years under
Nick’s stewardship Langan’s environmental services has grown dramatically.
There are over 250 professionals in Langan’s environmental practice, generating
over $50 million in revenue and now the
firm’s largest of its disciplines.
“I have been able to advance Langan’s environmental practice by recruiting and
hiring incredibly motivated professionals and by being active in professional organizations and developing educational programs on a local and national level.”
In addition to advancing Langan’s environmental credentials, Nick, over the years
became one of the firm’s managing principals and major partners. “While at LanNick in the field at a remediation site
gan I decided based on the advice of my uncle, that I wanted to ‘get my name on
the door’ and become an owner. I was not afraid to take that risk based on the confidence I had in the firm’s management
and their openness and integrity.”
Today with approximately 900 people in over 20 offices in such places as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut,
Ohio, Washington, DC, Virginia, Florida, North Dakota, California, Abu Dhabi, Athens, Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul, Langan’s
major disciplines are civil engineering, geo-technical engineering, and environmental services,. The primary environmental
services are related to site remediation and clean up.
A Geologist Who Didn’t Take The Rocky Road
In June 1972 Nick De Rose, a resident of Roselle Park, left the RC auditorium with a Roselle Catholic diploma in hand with
plans to enter Union County Community College to study the sciences. “I was always interested in science and while at
Union County College thought I’d pursue biology and especially micro-biology. I then realized that I was not interested in
taking anatomy and physiology and having to work with cadavers. So I took my first Geology course with Professor Barry
Miller. Barry and I become friends and based on my experience with that course I decided to pursue a degree in geology.”
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After his two years at Union County Community Nick was off to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and in 1976 graduated with a degree in Physical Science. He immediately enrolled at Rutgers University’s graduate program Geology -- which
came with the added benefit of satisfying Nick’s appetite for travel. It was also during graduate school at Rutgers that Nick
connected with Fred Geiger, who was in the same geology department. “The great thing about Geology is you get to take
ALUMNI PROFILE
field trips and field courses.” During his academic years, Nick did a summer
geology field camp in Nevada along with Fred Geiger; took a sedimentology
course in Bermuda; worked on a National Science Foundation grant on the
Eastern Shore of Virginia; and participated in a field trip to the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
In 1981 Nick earned his graduate degree (M.S.) in Geology from Rutgers University. While his educational credential was Geology it was Hydrogeology that
captured his interest and the professional path he knew he wanted to take in
the field of environment protection and remediation.
Without being overly technical and having
you, the reader, zone out, Hydrogeology
is the study of ground water and its movement. In environmental consulting, contamination hydrogeology is a science that
once contamination of the soil is identified
requires an understanding of related ground
water contamination and how that contamination occurs, migrates and affects aquifers
and alike.
Nick during a hike while on a Grand Canyon
Rafting Trip
For Geology students like Nick in the 1970’s
and 80’s Hydrogeology was not an academic specialty or the core for a graduate degree. “Back then we got a degree in straight
Geology and then learned the study of Hydrogeology -- aquifers and movement of
ground water -- we learned outside of college through continuing education, short courses, conferences, programs and through in the field experience, usually work related.”
Nick started working in consulting in late 1978 while working on his Master’s degree.
From 1978 through 1985, he worked for four different companies. “I was laid off from
my first two jobs -- a result of recessions -- but I never went a week without a paycheck
as I networked and immediately found my next job --and in every case I advanced in my
position and experience. In 1985 he joined Langan to build their environmental practice
Looking for a place to camp for the
and reputation.
night in the Grand Canyon
Environmental Advocate – Local Leader in Remediation
Nick’s high profile position as head of Langan’s environmental practice means he is frequently conducting or is a key speaker at industry leading environmental and remediation conferences and symposiums.
Additionally, over his career he has been active in many professional and business organizations; this has included being the
co-founder of the New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association (LSRPA) in 2009.
New Jersey has been very aggressive in its laws and regulations to identify and require clean up of contaminated sites,
which is governed by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s remediation program. Over the last 10 to 15 years
the state’s Known Contaminated Sites, as they are called, ballooned to over 20,000 such sites. Because the NJDEP did not
have the resources to move these sites along legislation was
passed in 2009 to establish Licensed Site Remediation Professionals to assist NJDEP in response to this legislative initiative, Nick formed a coalition of environmental consultants
and the LSRPA was founded in 2009 to work in conjunction with the NJDEP and the private contractors assigned to
the remediation sites. “I was also the first president of the
LSRPA. The establishment of this new profession of licensed
site remediation professionals created an opportunity to
establish a new profession. For the first time environmental
professionals who wanted to work on cleanup sites in New
Jersey were required to meet strict qualifications. I saw this
as elevating the standing of our profession.”
Leading one of Langan’s Environmental Workshops in 2002
There are only a few states in the country that have established a program similar to New Jersey’s LSRP program:
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
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A Life Balance In Harmony!
Nick does not define himself as a hydro-geologist. You cannot ask him who he is
without getting a mouthful in response. Gentleman rancher, music aficionado, outdoor enthusiast, traveler, amateur photographer, father, husband are merely some of
what you might hear.
Living on 6 acres of property in Doylestown, PA since 1980 Nick and his wife of 35
years Lynn raised their two sons, now 32 and 29 respectively, in the country lifestyle
they cherish.
Nick and Lynn own several ponies having recently built a barn on the property to
house them. “My favorite activity is to be outdoors whether it’s with our ponies,
A Nick ‘selfie’ with one of his wife’s ponies swimming or hiking. I guess you can say I have become a gentleman rancher. I had
never spent time with equines, but have enjoyed working around the ponies and love spending time with them.”
Nick can trace his love of music -- mostly rock ‘n roll -- back to days when he worked at Vogel’s Music Shop in Elizabeth
during high school and college. “I got my love of music from my mother. I still buy CDs regularly and have an extensive LP
collection. I also still go to an occasional concert. I’m a big fan of the Beatles and saw Paul McCartney play in Scotland. I
went to Eric Clapton’s 70th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in May. I also follow some newer bands including
Wilco and several others.”
Nick’s travels have been mostly for pleasure with a bit for business mixed
in. Here are some highpoints.
In 1989, Nick travelled to the then USSR, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, to participate in the first joint US / USSR Symposium for Hydrology. “This was a nice adventure including taking the midnight train from
Moscow to St Petersburg. Also, in general, it was a good time to be there
as this was a recent high point in terms of freedom and openness.”
Nick and Lynn took a 10-day trip to Europe in 2001 travelling to Vienna,
Prague and Budapest by train. As he said, “Lots of adventures on that trip!
We have also travelled to Italy, including Venice, and Scotland.”
He and his sons have enjoyed some memorable adventures. “My boys and Nick standing next to one of John Lennon’s original
pianos.
I did a 7-day whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon in 2001,
and my younger son and I took a 10-day trip to Australia with his 8th grade class.”
Nick and Lynn also have vacation house on Martha’s Vineyard, MA., where if he is not laying on the couch listening to music
he is frequently seen with a hook in the water.
Nick and Lynn, who now enjoy a 9-year old grandson Rocco, met in the summer of 1980 when he had his first job and was
living in Branchburg, NJ. “I moved into a rented house with two other guys. Lynn was living in the basement apartment.
Pretty good deal, right? We started dating. Married soon thereafter.”
By the way, when Nick is asked what might be his best accomplishment he is quick to reply, “My most important achievement and what I am most proud of in life is my marriage of 35-years!”
Self-Described Late Bloomer
Before entering St. Joseph’s School in Roselle in 7th grade Nick attended St. Michael’s in Elizabeth. Entering Roselle Catholic in fall of
1968 he ran track and cross-country in his early years and was in the
Photography Club, where he developed the skills and enjoyment for
photography that he has today.
Though it was Nick’s involvement in the Drama Club, especially the
production of “The Wizard of Oz”, which produced his fondest memory of his RC days. “There were lots of good times associated with the
rehearsals. Also, I made good friends with Jerry Ramsey who many
will remember from his role as the Mayor of Munchkinland and his fun
loving personality. Jerry and I had great times in and after high school
taking great camping trips including one to Florida.”
92
Nick with Lynn, his wife of 35 years
Nick attributes Roselle Catholic with instilling a self-confidence that has
benefited him throughout his life and career. “Through the teachers
ALUMNI PROFILE
and brothers at RC I discovered my self-confidence. I learned not to
give up. I could tell they were committed and they cared. So, later
in life I took on challenges with that confidence. I also felt free to express myself and not to have to go with the crowd. This is an important part of who I am. I like to express the point of view that might
sometimes be considered contrarian for the good of the process.”
Nick further elaborates, “Academically, I struggled but would say that
one of the important experiences looking back is that the teachers at
RC were very committed to wanting to see me succeed. I think the
story is that you don’t necessarily have straight A and be the head of
student body to succeed in life. My father always encouraged me to
pursue what I liked. In the end, that is what has paid off for me.”
He is quick to compliment his RC teachers and spread the praise, “The
nice thing is I have fond memories of many lay teachers and brothNick with a line in the water on Chappaquiddick in spring
ers; some for their sense of humor and others for their dedication. I
2015 not far from their place on Martha’s Vineyard
recall with fondness Mr. Farrell, Brother John Rogner, Mr. Cicarelli, Mr.
Korky, and the ever cool Mr. Burke. However, they all touched me so I hesitate to name only a few.”
Over the years Nick has maintained a connection with RC classmates and alums, particularly Chris Howard ‘72 and Fred Geiger ‘70. He stays reconnected with a number of former classmates on Facebook, which has rekindled some old friendships.
Motivations & Role Models
Not surprising that Nick’s self-confidence would connect to a large measure of his motivation coming from
within, “I never seem to run out of ideas that motivate
me. I have an active mind that has not yet grown tired.
I try to find ways to be creative in the work I do particularly in terms of motivating others.”
Yet, he points to his father, who passed in 2000, as a
source of the inspiration that resides inside him. “He
was an incredibly productive and talented man with
great mechanical skills. While he was old school and
stern, his love and pride in me and my sister came
through and motivates me still.”
When Nick De Rose talks about his role models and
mentors, his father, his collective extended family growing up and Dr. Don Murphy of Langan top the list.
Dr. Don Murphy was the Principal who hired Nick at
Langan in 1985. “Don was always encouraging and
very wise. He was a great mentor. It was Don who
urged me to go out on my own and open a new branch office for Langan.”
At the entrance to Bassets Cave in Bermuda where Nick is currently working
on behalf of the Government of Bermuda.
So Nick, What’s Next?
When asked what might be next or what goals lie ahead, Nick De Rose
responds without much hesitation, “Planning for my retirement!”
Nick, not one to leave anything to chance, is currently working on a
transition plan in preparation for his retirement. “In less than 2 years
– 2017 – I will start working part time to have more time to devote to
things at home and my other enjoyments in life.”
Whatever the notion of “retirement” may entail for Nick De Rose, it
almost certainly will be anything but sedentary!
“Through the teachers and brothers
at RC I discovered my self-confidence.
I learned not to give up.”
A frequent view of Nick De Rose’s world!
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BEEFSTEAK & BASKETBALL
The Crowd Ate It Up!
RC tipped-off the highly awaited 2014-15 girls and boys basketball seasons with
a Beefsteak Dinner — the first annual Beefsteak and Basketball — on Saturday,
December 6, 2014 catered by the renowned Hap Nightingale.
So, what is a Beefsteak?
T
he Beefsteak has its roots in New York City over
one hundred years ago. There, the members of a
social club or trade organization would meet on
a regular basis for fellowship and a simple but delicious meal of beef and potatoes, washed down with the
beverage of choice. Diners would be served family style
with round after round of food and drink, until they ran
out of room and couldn’t handle any more.
New Jersey is now the
Beefsteak capital of the
United States, due in no
small measure to the good
work of Nightingale Catering of Clifton. Founded by “Hap” Nightingale in 1938 and now under
the management of his son and grandson, there’s a fourth generation waiting in the wings.
Nightingale is the gold standard. Often imitated but never surpassed.
The two varsity teams, their coaches and parents, alumni and friends of RC - about 130 in all
- came together for a terrific evening of steak and basketball.
In addition to the meal - universally acclaimed as beyond
superb - the diners heard from Varsity Head Coaches Joe Skrec
(girls) and Dave Boff (boys). Each coach introduced their players
and gave their take on the upcoming year.
The highlight of the evening were talks from special guests, Rev.
Guest speaker Terry Dehere,
Ed
Bright, the Founder and President of Sports University, and
former star of Seton Hall and
Terry
Dehere, star of Seton Hall and the NBA, now a community
the NBA
activist in Jersey City.
They both reinforced the same message - our players need to develop all their skills, not just
their basketball skills. Someday, as Mr. Dehere put it, “basketball will be over!” Basketball, they
suggested, is important, but it’s just a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Guest speaker Rev. Ed Bright,
the Founder and President of
So, get ready for a second helping -- the Second Annual Beefsteak & Basketball Tip-Off Dinner -- coming this December!
-Photos courtesy of John Cerra, RC ‘78 Sports University
2nd Annual
BEEFSTEAK & BASKETBALL DINNER
Tipping Off the Boys & Girls 2015-16 Campaigns
Saturday, December 5, 2015 7:00pm • RC Cafeteria
Sorry, no walk-ins - reservations must be made by December 4th
Catered by “Hap” Nightingale
New Jersey’s Leading Beefsteak Caterer since 1938
Presentations by the Coaches
and Special Guests
ALL YOU CAN EAT!
94
$40 / person [beer, wine & soda included]
SAVE $50 - RESERVE A TABLE!
$350 / table of 10
Make a reservation conveniently and safely from the RC website Or
contact Michelle Thomas in the RC Development Office 908-445-7706 or mcampbell@rosellecatholic.org
Trying to find the perfect adjective to adequately describe
the 2014-15 boys and girls hoops campaign is a challenge!
So without too much hype and remembering the humility of
our RC roots let’s just leave it at – it was a big season! Yes, a
really BIG season!
Boys Varsity
ANOTHER TOURNAMENT
OF CHAMPIONS TITLE!
Second NJ Tournament Of Champions
title in three years. Third consecutive State Championship defeating
St. Anthony in the final for the third
straight year. Set a TOC scoring record in a 103-point semifinal game.
Finished the season 29-4, ranked #1
in the NJ.com Top 20 rankings, #1
in the Tri-State according to MSG
Varsity, and #10 Nationally in the
MAXPreps Freeman Rankings and
#20 in USA Today’s Super 25.
Girls Varsity
ANOTHER RECORD
YEAR!
Opened the campaign on a 21-game
win streak, won 25 games for the
second consecutive season, posted
a 50-5 record over past two seasons.
Ending the season ranked #9 in New
Jersey and #17 in the tri-state.
JV Boys Basketball
UNION COUNTY
TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!
Defeated top-seeded Union in a come-frombehind thriller in the final to win the only
JV UCT since 1968. Concluded memorable
campaign with impressive 18-3 record.
-Photo credit: John Cerra, RC ‘78
95
TOURNAMENT OF
CHAMPIONS TITLE
Roselle Catholic’s second NJ Tournament Of Champions title in
three years. Ecstatic student and team reaction! Great memories
for great kids!
Photo credit: Andrew Mills / NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
A Lion alum, and former RC faculty member, captured it perfectly,
putting RC’s second TOC title in perspective: “Congratulations, to
not only the boys on the court, but to the entire Roselle Catholic
community on winning the TOC. From the classmates who supported the team to the entire staff, but most importantly, to the
teachers that continue to work tirelessly to ensure RC students
are successful in all they set out to accomplish.”
This Says It All -- Absolute Joy!
If there was ever a visual definition of “pure, unmitigated delight” this is might be it. That’s
what the RC students and members of the boys varsity basketball team experienced late
Monday, March 23rd at the Sun Bank Arena, Trenton, after the Lions roared to their second
Tournament of Champions title in three years.
Over half the RC student body attended the final, showing again how loud Lions roar. Their
excitement and support, led by the RC cheerleaders was evident throughout the game and
carried over into the post game celebration with the team.
It may not have been the prettiest game of this exciting season, but the Lions found a way
to bring home another TOC title. Isaiah Briscoe, senior point guard and RC’s first McDonald’s
All-American, had 27 of RC’s 57 points, six rebounds, two assists and five steals as #1 seed RC
knocked off #2 Pope John, 57-45, in the TOC final at Sun Bank Arena. Freshman big man, Naz
Reid scored 12 points in the victory, Chris Silva had eight points and four rebounds and Matt
Bullock had a game-high 12 rebounds.
Lion’s Pride!
In addition to the many RC alumni at the game, and watching the live broadcast, there were
hundreds of ‘likes” and comments on numerous FaceBook pages. Here’s just a few of the
comments from proud Lion alums: “What a great way to remember our 50th reunion year by
winning it all in basketball, a sport that meant so much to the us when we were there.” “Had
the pleasure of being there with my classmates of ‘72.” “Lions roar again!” “Proud to be a Lion.”
Isaiah Briscoe takes it to the hoop for
2 of his game high 27-points
JV
BOYS BASKETBALL UCT CHAMPS!
Roselle Catholic’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team came from behind to defeat Union on Saturday night, February 28th in the
championship game of the
2015 Union County JV Basketball Tournament.
The Lions, who lost to Union’s
JV on February 4th, trailed the
Farmers by seven points at
halftime. The RC JV squad then
converted on 10-of-13 foul
shots in the final stanza.
Third-year JV coach Kevin Fallon, RC ’05, and the Lions concluded a memorable campaign
with an 18-3 record.
It’s believed to be the first UCT
JV boys’ title for Roselle Catholic since 1968, when Coach
Jerry Malia guided the JV Lions
to an undefeated season and
the UCT title.
96
Seated, left to right: Morgan Hilton, Tyler Conors, Yasin Pretlow, Rodrique Massenat, Louis king, Robert
Miller Standing, left to right: Coach Kevin Fallon, Coach EJ Vaughn, RC Lion (Andre Mosley), Ikenna
Obuteh, Tyler Gowdy, Larry Morgan, Myles McCoy, Elijah Williams, Dominque Amazan, Na’J Finnie,
Issac Nelson, Amine Ogbamicael, Coach Jamar Wise, Coach Brian Trelease
ALUMNI SEND STUDENTS TO THE TOC
Thanks again to the generosity of the many donors who
contributed to the “Send The Kids To The TOC” the RC Alumni
Association was once again able to pay for tickets and buses for
every student wishing to attend the TOC semi and final games.
Over half the RC student body attended the final filling the Sun Bank Arena with their unbridled cheers and support.
On more than once occasion the announcers broadcasting the game live on FIOS Sports channel commented on the
clamor volume and spirit of the RC fans.
The ecstatic student and team
reaction is thank you enough
to the RC Alumni Associaion
for again helping send the
students to the TOC. It created
great memories for great kids!
ISAIAH BRISCOE NAMED
MCDONALD’S ALL AMERICAN
RC’s Isaiah Briscoe was named to the McDonald’s All-American
team, the first ever selected from Roselle Catholic for the national
all-star game. In the game played on April 1st at the United Center in Chicago and broadcasted on ESPN, Briscoe scored 11 and
grabbed 5 rebounds in 19 minutes of play to help lead his East AllStars to a 111-91 victory.
Additionally, Briscoe was a Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop
Summit game selection, as well as the NJ.com Player of the Year, the
Union County Player of the Year and named to the first team of the
USA Today All-New Jersey Basketball Team.
ALLIEYAH CUBBAGE SELECTED
FOR NJ ALL-STAR CLASSIC
RC senior Allieyah Cubbage represented the Lions in the 37th Annual
New Jersey All-Star North-South Basketball Classic on March 15th at
Rider University in Lawrenceville.
A three-year starter for RC, Cubbage averaged 12 points, three rebounds and two assists per game in 2014-15. She helped Roselle
Catholic post a 25-3 record, matching the program record for wins in a
season, and win the Watchung Division title.
It’s the fourth time in six seasons that a RC girl played in the All-Star
game. Cubbage followed in the footsteps of Tori Pozsonyi (RC ’14), Melissa Tobie (RC ’11) and Allison Skrec (RC ’10).
-Photos courtesy of John Cerra, RC ‘78
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RC Cheerleaders Had A
Season To Cheer About
— And Did They Ever!
T
he RC cheerleaders were not
only seen on national TV, but
also possibly set a record for
the number of games they cheered at
this winter season!
The girls and, of course, Andre
Mosley the RC Lion, had plenty to
cheer about and they took advantage
of the opportunities. The boys’ JV
went to the finals of the UCT, winning
the title. The girls’ varsity advanced
to the NJSIAA South ‘B’ final. The
boys› varsity was the last team standing in the state, winning the Tournament of Champions at the Sun Bank
Center in Trenton on March 23rd.
There were more games to cheer beCheerleaders and the RC Lion after RC’s biggest win of the 2014-15 season, claiming a
cause the teams advanced deep into
second Tournament of Champions title
tournament play -- more opportunities in the limelight as the boys’ varsity was invited to a number of high exposure showcase events.
The high profile of the boys’ program also came with the added feature that many of RC’s games were broadcast live on TV and online. Some big regular season match-ups, as well as the state tournament games, were
televised live on MSG Varsity and the MSG Varsity website.
The cheerleaders also appeared on the big stage at the Nike Zoom City Classic in February; a game played on
an LED court in New York and aired live on Fox Sports2 to a national audience.
One of the favorite features added this season was the highly celebrated halftime performance that brought the
RC Lion (Andre Mosley) into the lively dance routine.
This was a season where it was easy to cheer loudly for our entire basketball program – boys and girls, varsity and JV. It was an amazing season. For the Tournament of Champions final versus Pope John, more than
half the RC student body was in the stands, and as you’d expect, the RC cheerleaders were at the center of the
exuberant RC spirit.
98
On the ‘digital’ floor of the nationally televised Nike Zoom Center Classic in New York City
THIS LION’S PRIDE IS BOUNDLESS!
ANDRE MOSLEY ‘15
RC’s Four-Year Lion To Be A Nittany Lion
T
he final game wearing your high school uniform is usually an emotional one
for every student-athlete. Even if that uniform is The RC Lion mascot suit.
Andre Mosley slipped into the lion uniform for the final time when RC defeated
Pope John, 57-45, in the Tournament of Champions final on March 23 in Trenton.
“After the game when we won and after all the pictures were taken – maybe even
as the game was ending – I teared up a bit because I realized this was it,” Mosley
said. “The last time I was in the lion suit was very bittersweet. On the bus ride
down (to Sun National Bank Center) I was really quiet and was listening to music
like I usually do, then I got this really cool text from a classmate saying how much
everyone at RC appreciates me doing this, being the mascot, and how I dedicated
all four years to doing it.” Andre Mosley is believed to be only the second Roselle Catholic student sport the
lion suit during all four years of his/her scholastic career, joining Eleni Kostis, RC
’01, who’s also acknowledged as the first female to wear the traditional costume. Andre Mosley, a Lion at heart!
Rick O’Brien, RC ’84, was the first student to be lion mascot after Roselle Catholic became a co-educational institution in September 1983. Charles McBride, RC ‘64 is regarded as the first RC Lion, suiting up in a rented lion costume during the 1962-63
school year.
“I am extremely proud to say that I was the Lion all four years at RC,” said Mosley,
who graduated with RC’s Class of 2015 on May 31st. “It means a lot to me. I feel
like I’ve left a legacy at RC. After my sophomore year, I realized this was my job,
not like I had to do it but I loved doing it. I’m going to miss being to Lion because
it felt like an extension of me.”
Early in his career as the RC Lion, Mosley maintained a sense of anonymity, sometimes shocking schoolmates and members of the community when he revealed
his identity. “I was surprised that he was the mascot because it goes against the
person I saw each day,” said Maureen Murin, chairperson of the RC English Department. “I thought of Andre as quiet and shy, but as the mascot he was fearless,
he exuded spirit. I loved watching him with the little kids. The most impressive
thing about Andre is he came out for Scholastic Olympics, Senior Nights, photoops when needed. No matter what the occasion, he showed up in his mascot
costume.”
Indeed, Mosley, a Union resident was far more than just The Lion, albeit an impressive one, during his scholastic career. Mosley’s list of extra-curricular activities
included varsity volleyball, practice squad, a group of boys who compete against
the varsity girls’ basketball team on a regular basis, Campus Ministry and Chess
and Gaming Club. For all of
his contributions, Mosley was
Preparing to get his “game face” on before
a co-winner of the Matthes
a game
Memorial Award (along with
Christina Truncale) at RC’s spring sports Convocation. The Matthes Award
is presented to an RC senior student-athlete who’s notably demonstrated
dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship and commitment that sometimes
might go unnoticed on a day-to-day basis.
Mosley is ready to become a Nittany Lion. He will major in computer
engineering when he attends Penn State Erie: The Behrend College. Whether he wears a mascot uniform or not in college, Mosley leaves Raritan Road with a treasure chest of memories as the RC Lion King. “After the last basketball game, it was really cool having a lot of freshman
and sophomores come up to me asking if they could be the Lion next
year,” Mosley said. “Even though I have no control over that, it just felt
cool to be looked up to like that.”
RC’s ever-present Lion, Andre Mosley
99
RC SCORES BIG AT
UNION COUNTY COACHES
AWARDS DINNER
F
our Roselle Catholic basketball players and Pat Hagan, former RC boys’
basketball coach, were recognized at the Union County Basketball
Coaches Association’s annual awards dinner on April 13 at L’Affaire
Restaurant in Mountainside.
Roselle Catholic’s Isaiah Briscoe,
Chris Silva and Matt Bullock –
starters on the 2015 Tournament
of Champions winning squad
– received plaques to recognize
their successful seasons. Briscoe
(Kentucky) and Silva (South Carolina) will be SEC rivals next season. RC’s basketball standouts Chris Silva, Tyffani McQueen,
Bullock will return to Raritan Road Matt Bullock and Isaiah Briscoe
for his senior season.
Tyffani McQueen represented the RC Girls program, which matched a program record
of 25 victories and won a division title for the seventh consecutive season. McQueen recently committed to play basketball and study physical therapy at Marymount University
in Arlington, Va.
Pat Hagan, who garnered close to 350 victories and an abundance of respect during a
27-year varsity-coaching career, was presented with the UCBCA’s Frank Cicarell Award for
his contributions to Union County scholastic basketball.
Former RC coach Pat Hagan, far right,
Hagan received a standing ovation from the players, coaches, family and friends in the
recipient of the UCBCA’s Frank Cicarell
Award for his contributions to Union
room.
County scholastic basketball, with his
Hagan was joined by his wife, RC Campus Minister Maureen Hagan, and his children,
family, from left, daughter Kathleen, son
both
RC graduates: Kathleen (’05) and Tim (’03). Tim teaches and coaches at Roselle
Tim, and wife Maureen
Catholic.
PRETLOW RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS
ED CHAKEY AWARD
Senior Taahir Pretlow, a starting guard for the top-ranked team in New Jersey, received the
Ed Chakey Memorial Award in The Lions’ Den on March 30th.
“Taahir Pretlow is the type of player who is always willing to sacrifice his individual goals for
the betterment of the team,” said RC head coach Dave Boff.
“One of the things that impressed me
about Taahir was that he was always
ready,” said Roselle Catholic Vice-Principal
Pat Hagan. “Any time Taahir was put in
the game, he played hard and never
showed any frustration about playing
time or any role he was asked to fill.”
In the final 12 of his 27 seasons at the
helm of the Roselle Catholic Boys Basketball program, Coach Hagan presented 13
basketball-playing senior boys with the
Ed Chakey Memorial Award.
Ed Chakey was RC’s first varsity basketball
coach and an administrator. He coached
many Lions during 15 seasons, including
Mr. Hagan.
100
Coach Dave Boff, Chakey Award winner Taahir
Pretlow and Pat Hagan at the RC Winter Athletics
Convocation
CHAKEY AWARD
WINNERS
2015—Taahir Pretlow
2013—Hakim Saintil
2012—Wesley Cherry
2010—Kendall Henderson
2009—Connor Laverty
2008—Dominick Murphy
2007—Bryan Godfrey
2006—Danny Sullivan
2005—Dan Hennessey
2004—Brandon Newsome
2003—Tim Hagan
2002—Bernard Buttone
2001—Jimmy Sweeney
2000—John Miller
1999—James Williams
1998—Chris Scanielo
1997—Kevin Bullock &
Dan Mendoza
1996—Josh Durand
Coach Boff has continued the Chakey
Award tradition. Ed Chakey’s son, James, traditionally travels from out of state
to Roselle Catholic to help present the award, but was unable to be in The Lions’
Den this year due to a travel conflict.