FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD 2019–2020 Annual Report
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The Magazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends of St. Benedict’s Prep Fall 2020 FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD 2019–2020 Annual Report Buzz From The Hive Rising to the Occasion: By the Numbers Honor Roll of Donors THEMOMENT On the Property When St. Benedict’s Prep considered the clubs and activities that could meet safely on the Property for Fall Term, Drumline was an obvious candidate. The ensemble involves approximately eight Gray Bees, who can practice outdoors at a social distance. Drumline returned to The Hive for its first practice on September 21. The weekly in-person sessions are definitely a step back to normalcy for the kids involved. “Drumline normally exists as a Summer Phase class and it did this year, as well,” explained Director of Music Jeremy Fletcher, D.M.A. “We held it virtually, but with any music ensemble online, there’s always going to be syncing and lagging issues.” Implementing a robust roster of after-school activities and clubs was integral to Still 24/7: Fall 2020 COVID-19 Response Plan to keep kids engaged and connected to community during this pandemic year. There are currently 29 clubs or activities offered to Middle and Prep Division students that are taking place virtually, in-person or a hybrid of the two. IN THIS ISSUE The Magazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends of St. Benedict’s Prep 2. The BUZZ: News from The Hive 10. Honor Roll of Donors On the cover: Unseen art from the 2020 Interdisciplinary Project, “Benedict Commemorating the donors who make a Despite the many challenges and Men” debuts on Quibi and other newsmaking events from St. Benedict’s Prep education possible. hardships of COVID-19, St. Benedict’s 520 MLK Boulevard. Prep remains open 24/7. 44. Statement of Activities 4. Cover Story: Forward, Always Forward A snapshot of the School’s financials and the critical In this pandemic year, life forges ahead at The Hive thanks to role your annual gift plays in sustaining The Hive. the generous support of alumni and friends. Corrections 8. By the Numbers In the Summer issue of St. Benedict’s Prep magazine, Pete Prunkl was incorrectly listed in the Class of 1963 Our donor community rose to the occasion in more ways and Stephen Downer was incorrectly listed in the Class of 2008. Mr. Prunkl is a proud member of the Class of than one in 2019-2020. 1959 and Mr. Downer is a proud member of the Class of 2009. We apologize for these errors. GREETINGS Forward, Always Forward Ever since COVID-19 halted life as we know it, The Hive has hardly missed a beat. From the first Virtual Convo that began 72 hours after the School transitioned to re- mote learning, to the inten- sive planning that reinvent- ed Fall Term, St. Benedict’s Prep has been the light our city and nation can look to for strength and hope. The resilience we’ve shown is nearly 50 years in the making. Adults have been innovating our unique educa- tional model since the day the School re-opened in 1973. Kids who run the School build a legacy of leadership and excellence each year for their younger brothers and sisters to follow. The stories in this Annual Report are a testament to the people who make The Hive work. As an alumnus, co-moderator of the Gray Bee Investment Club and Chair- man of the Board of Trustees, I’ve never been prouder of my connection to St. Benedict’s Prep. You should be, too. This Annual Report talks about numbers, and the numbers for 2019-2020 are very good. We honor 3,460 donors, an increase of 8% from last year. We see a rising tide of first-time giving — 34% more than last year — and 904 repeat donors have increased their gifts from the previous year. Alumni participation, too, increased for the fifth consecutive year, bolstering our commitment to passing on a St. Benedict’s education to future generations. Numbers alone don’t fully convey the story of increased participation at St. Benedict’s. Alumni and friends who live blocks away from 520 MLK Boulevard and those on the other side of the globe join Virtual Convo on a daily basis. Even as we must remain apart physically, we remain connected as a community. The future is still filled with challenge, but St. Benedict’s, as an institution and as a community, is already ahead of the curve. We will take the lessons we Magazine • Fall 2020 • Issue 18 are learning in these unprecedented times and move forward, always forward. We hope you will continue to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School Magazine is published How to Reach Us share the journey with us. three times a year by the Office of Advancement. 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102 Michael A. Fazio, Chief Advancement Officer (973) 792-5752 Noreen Connolly H’11, Managing Editor Sincerely, www.sbp.org Paul Thornton ’63, Contributing Editor [email protected] John Huss ’81, Senior Director of Advancement Ron Jandoli, Communications Officer Follow us on Michael Scanlan H’97, Photographer Robert J. DiQuollo ’65 Erbach Communications Group, Editorial and Design services Chairman, Board of Trustees Photographs taken for this issue followed the School’s coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic social-distancing protocols. St. Benedict’s Prep Magazine • Fall 2020 1 THEBUZZ NEWS FROM THE HIVE Unseen Art 50 Years of Hispanic and Latino Legacy: 1970-2020 Freshmen Drawings, Winter 2020 semester, color marker on Bristol board. Inspired by Mexican Folk Art Angel Sculptures. The annual schoolwide celebration of the Interdisciplinary Project graphic novels students developed from interviews with family each March is a big night for art at The Hive. Last spring, the members or people in the St. Benedict’s community, murals Interdisciplinary event would have exhibited an eclectic and depicting themes in Latin and South American culture, a study of important collection of artwork exploring the theme, “50 Years of Mexican folk art angels and more. The theme marks a significant Hispanic Legacy at St. Benedict’s Prep: 1970-2020.” Art Department milestone in the history of the School, and was chosen to examine Chair Pamela Wye-Hunsinger H’18 was helping art students the impact of Latinx and Hispanic students, faculty, staff and alumni transform sketches into large-scale murals when St. Benedict’s Prep on St. Benedict’s, according to Ms. Wye-Hunsinger. pivoted to remote learning on March 13. To view additional works from the collection, visit Facebook.com/ To date, the student works remain unseen because of the ongoing GrayBees or Instagram @GrayBees. pandemic. The collection is housed in the art room and includes NEW ASSOCIATE HEADMASTER THE HIVE MAKES HEADLINES Since St. Benedict’s Prep became a K-12 Gray Bees first learned about the Investment Club started school, academic departments like by Dean of Administration Michael Scanlan H’97 and math and science develop curriculum, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Robert J. DiQuollo ’65 programs and goals with every division in the summer issue of St. Benedict’s Prep magazine. — Elementary, Middle and Prep — in Since then, the club that connects students with successful young alumni in the fields of finance and business has mind. This long-term view applies to garnered local and national attention from The Today Show student leadership, as well, and will be online, Bloomberg News Radio, and NJBIZ. overseen by Glenn Cassidy, Ed.D. ’90, Many other media outlets found reason to cover good who was named Associate Headmaster of news happening from The Hive. New Jersey Monthly Community and Leadership in September. magazine profiled Br. Simon Peter Clayton, O.S.B. ’08 and Br. Asiel Rodriguez, O.S.B., for a story about the “It’s bringing a coordinated approach rising number of young monks discerning a vocation at and cohesion to a lot of great work being done with freshmen, Newark Abbey. The Star-Ledger opinion page published senior leaders and in the Middle and Elementary Divisions,” said editorials by Dean of Counseling Sinclair Davis, Psy.D., Dr. Cassidy. The new position is one of three key roles created and Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. ’63, who penned in recent years to advance the mission, traditions and success an op-ed addressing systemic racism, “At this school, the of St. Benedict’s. Michelle Tuorto H’16 was appointed Associate reckoning is here.” U.S. Catholic magazine found inspiration at St. Headmaster for Academics and Ivan Lamourt, Psy.D. ’82 assumed Benedict’s, as well. The publication’s October issue the post of Associate Headmaster for Student Life in 2018. Dr. featured the School prominently in the article, “How Cassidy will continue to serve as Director of the Vox Institute. Catholic high schools are building more just communities.” 2 St. Benedict’s Prep Magazine • Fall 2020 Up and Running New track unveiled Gray Bees have a refurbished track at their disposal for and one corporation to date. Mr. Doan is a generous sports practices, workouts and training for The Over- and loyal friend to The Hive. After learning about St. night and The Trail. The resurfacing project was com- Benedict’s Prep in the 2016 60 Minutes program on the pleted before Summer Phase thanks to a lead gift from School, he funded 12 scholarships for Doan Scholars. William Terry Doan and the contributions of 19 donors The first class of Doan Scholars graduated in 2020. STAND TOGETHER TAPS DEAN OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE FOR ADVISORY BOARD When the University of Chicago launched UChicago Stand Together, a commitment to increase educational access and career success for underrepresented students this summer, they tapped Dean of College Guidance and Seniors Didier Jean- Baptiste ’86 to serve on its advisory board.