1 Dear PRESIDENT’S LETTER Chaminade Family, poor. Emails went out and prayers came in. Several close friends of the family took it on as their mission, one mom in In mid-August, I received particular, to gather support for this reeling family: prayer, word that one of our students food, rides for the younger children, house cleaning – you was in the hospital with name it. This family, so devastated by what their mom a serious virus. Prayers was going through, had scores of people assisting them in were requested, and, of so many ways. Their home was kept clean, the children’s course, abundantly given. clothes were washed, meals were provided, hospital visits This young man had just were coordinated. And, on top of all this, our student’s completed his freshman tuition for the remainder of his Chaminade career was taken year. I emailed one of our care of by a very generous, anonymous donor. Just today, newly graduated alumni to as I write this letter, this young man, his dad, and his mom, let him know that a fellow came into my office to thank us, to thank all who prayed and Flyer was in the hospital. This college freshman was the helped them in so many ways. She has a long road ahead of current sophomore’s “Senior Leader” during the past year. her, but she is determined to fight back. Struggling to speak, I thought he would want to know. I didn’t realize that he she expressed her thanks to the entire Chaminade Family. I received my email the day before he was leaving to go off to assured her of our continued prayers. college. Nevertheless, he woke up a little earlier on the day of his departure; packed the car; and, before leaving with his “Fortes in Unitate” – Strength in Unity. I am humbled to parents for the trip up to college, drove to the hospital to visit witness it on so many, many levels. with the young man whom he had mentored that year. (By the way, our young Flyer has returned to school this year and This annual report is also a testimony to our school motto. is back to great health!) As I say so often, when you page through this annual report, you will see lists of names and columns of numbers, but it’s I was so very edified when I heard that this Flyer from the who these names and numbers are helping that is the most Class of 2013, on the day he was heading to college, made important aspect of this report. a point to visit an ailing Flyer in the hospital first – WOW! That’s what I call going above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks to all those who support the Torch Fund, $1,375 Our school motto, “Fortes in Unitate” – Strength in Unity of the cost per student this year has been paid by interest – isn’t just a quaint Latin motto. It really means something, generated by our endowment. That is 13.9% of the cost and this college-bound young man was a shining example for each student in school. I can assure you, $1,375 of it. makes a very concrete difference in the lives of 1,700 plus students who attend Chaminade High School. This past year, we have seen so many examples of Strength No gift is too small. In Unity. Superstorm Sandy, over a year ago, devastated the homes, dreams, and lives of thousands of families, including This annual report bears witness to this indisputable fact: be- members of the Chaminade Family. We saw firsthand the cause you have partnered with Chaminade High School and destructive powers of water and wind, of fire and storm. the mission of the Torch Fund, we are able to keep Chami- More importantly, we also witnessed firsthand the even nade High School the least expensive private or parochial school on Long Island. Strength in Unity! stronger power of unity, spirit, love, and compassion. “Fortes in Unitate” was alive and well, supporting those As we continue to celebrate this past “Year of Faith” in the most in need. Church, we remember the great faith that thousands have Here’s another example: a few months ago we were placed in Chaminade High School since it began almost 84 privileged to host a group of high school seniors on their years ago. We are privileged to continue the mission of edu- mission trip from Louisiana. They came up north to help cation in faith, the mission of the founder of the Marianists, those ravaged by Sandy – just as we had gone south to Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. And each of you, in a help them after Katrina. most concrete and real way, is a partner with us in this most noble mission. They replaced sheetrock, painted walls, and brought back smiles and laughter to several families who were The next time you are around school, drop in and say hello – that’s what families do. still recovering. Indeed, as a television commercial proclaimed, we are “stronger than the storm.” And we are Fortes in Unitate! stronger when we are united. Strength is in the unity we share. I have one more example of Strength in Unity to share with you. Last spring, the mother of one of our students Bro. Thomas J. Cleary, S.M. ’81 suffered a serious aneurysm. Her prognosis was quite President 2 3 Dear PRINCIPAL’S LETTER Dear TORCH CHAIRMAN’S LETTER Chaminade Chaminade Without the dedication of these individuals, the Torch Fund Family, yearbook, Crimson and Gold, have both received excellence Family, awards on the state and national levels. The 2013 Crimson would not be the success that it is today. November concluded the and Gold received from the Empire State School Press As- Year of Faith. The major Educating young Catholic sociation a Gold Medal, which also included honors in three theme was “Open the Door areas of the book. Skylight, Chaminade’s literary magazine, men — that is Chami- In closing, I wish to extend my personal thanks to all of of Faith.” In reviewing the took home Second Honors from the American Scholastic nade’s mission. The you who continue to open your hearts and donate to Chami- past year, not only is it evi- Press Association. Finally, Tarmac earned a First Place with dent that Chaminade seeks Torch Fund was created nade High School. As an alumnus and proud parent of two Special Merit Award from the American Scholastic Press to open the door of faith Association and Second Place Honors for a School Newspa- to help make that mission Chaminade graduates, I know full well how meaningful but also many other doors per from the New York Press Association. Our Speech and affordable to Long Island the value of a Chaminade education is. The tuition “rebate” that impact the education Debate Team qualified forty-eight of its members for the from the Torch Fund provides tremendous support to our and growth of our men. We families. New York State Championship and fourteen for the Catholic are also blessed with many families who want to provide their sons with a Catholic National Tournament. generous benefactors who education second to none. partner with us in this mission of opening doors for them. Thanks to the generosity of the Chaminade family includ- The Marianist Community and the entire Chaminade Family Athletics were the gateway to opportunity and success. This ing alumni, alumni parents, parents of enrolled students, past year’s programs were exceptionally successful. The are grateful to all of you. and “friends” of Chaminade, the cost of a Chaminade edu- As we begin our new Torch year, we hope for your Flyers captured thirty-two season and league championships combined. The Spring Crew Varsity “8” and Lightweight “8” cation is the lowest of any Catholic high school on Long continued support. As a Catholic Marianist school, Chaminade focuses on the took 2nd Place in the New York State Championships. Both Island. In 2013, the Torch Fund collected $2,022,648, and education of the whole man. Excellence in our academic boats earned the right to compete in the Scholastic National program is a most integral part of that process. The Flyers will contribute $1,375 toward the tuition of each student Championships. As you know, sportsmanship is an essen- continue to excel academically. At the beginning of each tial part of our athletic programs. We are particularly proud in the 2013-2014 school year. We should be proud academic year, we recognize the academic achievements that our teams received six plaques in recognition of their of these numbers. of the previous year at the Academic Awards Assembly. sportsmanship. Additionally, Mike Gallagher, Steve Toner, Dr. Daniel R. Landolphi ’82 We inducted 744 sophomores, juniors and seniors into the Jim Hock and George Dlugolonski, now retired, were each Chaminade Honor Society for achieving honor roll status. Torch Fund Chairman recognized as Coach of the Year. In fact, Coach Dlugolonski This year we embarked on a “theme” for the Torch year — That represents an impressive 59% of those three divisions. was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. We Additionally, 322 students were inducted into the National “When you leave, don’t forget why you came.” We hoped are deeply grateful for his efforts over all these years, as well Honor Society, joining the 295 seniors already inducted to reinforce the message that the Chaminade experience as those of the many other coaches who open the doors of the previous year.