News Around Roman
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The Official Magazine of Alumni, Family and Friends of Roman Catholic High School 2016–172016–2017 Annual Annual Report Report The RCHS Mission Table of Contents Letters from the Presidents 3 The Howard Center for the Arts 4 News Around Roman 6 Ways to Give/A Vision of Promise 10 2016–2017 Annual Report 11 A Student’s Thank You 12 RCHS Profiles: Photo: Patrick Sweeney ’15 Founded by Thomas E. Cahill in 1890 as the first free Kevin Wong ’17 19 Diocesan Catholic high school for boys in the nation, Roman Catholic continues its tradition of excellence as Jim Hughes, ’52 24 it strives to offer a comprehensive academic curriculum Marc Jackson ’93 29 within a disciplined Catholic environment. Enriched by its cultural, racial, and religious diversity, Roman Catholic Dorothy McMullen 32 provides a community where each young man can learn Ed Quinn ’60 35 to appreciate and respect the uniqueness of others, while becoming a man of personal integrity. Roman Catholic Class Notes 38 High School strives to bring the Gospel values of Jesus Christ to its students, while forming a Catholic community In Memoriam 39 which embodies the Christian spirit of service to all. Roman Catholic High School Executive Committee Board of Directors of the Alumni Association Daniel DiLella ’69 – Chairman Barry Howard, Esq. Thomas Johnston ’72 – President Thomas Leonard, Esq ’64 – President Honorable Renee Cardwell Hughes Steve Paul ’80 – 1st Vice President Norman Bing ’62 Robert Juliano ’82 Christopher Gibbons ’79 – 2nd Vice President Rev. Joseph Bongard ’77 James Kwartnik, Esq. ’99 Martin Dziura ’77 – Treasurer James Campenella Peter Longstreth Louis Ferrero ’68 – Secretary Greg Curci John Loonstyn ’87 Chris Buck ’98 William Dalton, Jr. ’84 Jeffrey McFadden Matt Culpa ’02 Rebecca Devine Gregory Montanaro Michael Finnegan ’75 Rosemary Dunn John Papandon, Esq. James Fitzsimmons ’67 Robert Fahey Stephen Paul ’83 Edward Keenan ’54 Michael Finnegan ’75 John Pensabene, Jr. Patrick Mundy ’75 Frank Giordano Patrick Plunkett Michael Pelone ’77 Jerald Goodman, Esq. Edward Quinn ’60 Steven Patton ’08 John Grady Elvin Ross III, Esq. ’89 John Prendergast ’08 John Griffin ’74 Tristan Sylk Charles Taylor ’12 Sharon Hammel Richard Vassallo, MD ’59 George Zindel ’14 Office of Advancement Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Finance Coordinator Design Patrick Plunkett Regina Muldoon Gene Burns ’81 Director of Development Coordinator of Development Services Adam Gault ’08 Renee Brayboy Director of Admissions & Communication Coordinator of Special Events and Alumni Relations Brendan Casey ’09 Anne Hummel 2 Roman Catholic High School Dear Friends of Roman, As the first diocesan high school in the coaches who develop and sustain competitive athletic programs nation, Roman Catholic High School and moderators who create unique and engaging co-curricular is home to a faith-community with a activities which require constant intellectual challenge and unique and distinct history. Spanning rigorous commitment. The Alumni of Roman are legendary over 128 years, Catholic High was for their continued loyalty and support of our students. Local built on the foundations of academic business and civic leaders have stepped-up in remarkable ways to rigor, high expectations, and personal assist with planned growth and fundraising efforts. The last, but responsibility all set within the context certainly not the least, component of our success is the student of a morals-based school environment. body. I earnestly believe we have some of the finest young men in the Delaware Valley – they are bright, engaged, committed, At Roman, the academic program passionate and honest. attempts to broaden young minds, expand understanding, and create life-long learners. While the This Annual Report details and summarizes the financial support tools of education have changed dramatically, the mission of our we have received from so many. We are sincerely grateful and school has remained constant: forming young men in the truth humbled by this investment in Roman Catholic. However, if of the Gospel, ready to take their place in our world. our efforts to renew Roman and the values upon which it was established are to be successful, we know we need to broaden and Today, while the prevailing story of Catholic Education seems to increase that support. If Roman is to continue to grow, develop be merger, consolidation or closure, Roman is on the threshold and expand, we will definitely need many more to join our efforts of a new renaissance. We are now drawing students from 90 of providing a secondary education, second to none! different zip codes from throughout the tristate area. Each year, on average, 450 students take the entrance exam for Roman. Our With grateful appreciation and heartfelt gratitude, and asking competitive sports teams continue to dominate the league with God’s continued blessings upon you for your generosity and numerous titles and awards. Our Music and Choral programs support, I remain, produce numerous All-Catholic recognitions. And our college Sincerely, placement averages 96%, with over $24 million awarded to our seniors annually. Quite frequently, I am asked, “How does Roman do it?” While the question is simple, the answer is much more complex. Roman is an urban Catholic school success story because of the passion and commitment of so many people; wonderful parents who Reverend Joseph W. Bongard ’77 entrust their sons to our care, an incredible faculty that inspires President/Rector, Roman Catholic High School students to do their best and never accept mediocrity and [email protected] To My Fellow Alums and Friends of RCHS, As I stated many times, I am honored father, my brothers, my sons and the many friends that I have met and humbled to be the president along the way. However, it is the men, women, and corporations of the RCHS Alumni Association. within the covers of this Annual Report who need to be As part of the duties of this office, acknowledged for providing the financial support which fulfills I am frequently asked to represent the dreams of the Cahills as well as the boys who are afforded the the Association at various school opportunities and programs provided by RCHS. sponsored events during which On behalf of the RCHS Alumni Association, I would like to students address the audience. I publically thank all of you for the financial and spiritual support have noticed one interesting and and generosity that you provide to Roman Catholic High School. reoccurring topic that the students seem proud to mention. Sincerely, More often than not, it seems that as eight graders, RCHS was not their first choice for secondary education. However, I routinely hear “once I walked through the doors of Roman Catholic High School, I knew it was the place for me.” We historically recognize Thomas E. and Sophia Cahill for Thomas F. Johnston ’72 providing the funds which supplied the brick and mortar for the President, foundation of RCHS and the education of thousands of young RCHS Alumni Association men from throughout the Delaware Valley. Men, like myself, my 2016–17 Annual Report 3 If you Build it…they will Sing, Draw, Paint and make beautiful Music! It has been said, “you can’t make an omelet have been enlarged to allow for larger casement without breaking some eggs.” Well, in that windows to provide abundant natural light into same vein, you can’t build an art center the classrooms. without tearing down some walls! Meanwhile, construction on the second floor Construction of the Howard Center for the Arts, classrooms is proceeding according to schedule. actually began with demolition! The pre-existing The rough plumbing for the bathrooms has office complex on the first floor of the building been installed, the ductwork for the heating and had to be completely removed. All flooring, walls, air conditioning systems is completed and the partitions, and fixtures needed to be dismantled exhaust hood for the kiln room has been mounted. and discarded, as this area will provide the space for Additionally, the metal framework for the band room, an indoor parking facility, with the planned STEM digital photography studio and art rooms has been Center (Phase 2 of A Vision of Promise) to be built completed. on the present parking lot of the 1890 building. The design of the Black Box Theatre required the Providing this parking alternative was paramount. removal of existing ceiling and roofing materials With the space cleared, footers were dug to and the welding of new beams and supports. The accommodate the new elevator, and stair tower. This roof was raised approximately 12 feet in this area required cutting through the second floor beams and to accommodate special lighting and acoustical constructing a large shaft and opening a doorway equipment necessary for a versatile theatre. When in the Pearl Street wall for a new exit. The window completed, this intimate theatre will hold around openings on the Wood Street side of the building 130 spectators. Howard Center for the Arts – Winter 2017 4 Roman Catholic High School Pictured above is the ground floor of The Howard Center for the Arts that will serve as a parking facility. Elayne and Barry Howard Also, the supports for 12 tubular skylights have been of the project architects, managers, and Roman welded to the second floor ceiling. This will allow administration, were invited to sign the beam with for ample natural light to flood the main corridor their name and class year before the beam was of the building. hoisted and attached. The beam will remain exposed in the Atrium for generations of musicians, artisans, Topping Off Ceremony and guests to view. The signature architectural element of the Howard As the Howard Center will be ADA (Americans with Center will be an all-glass Atrium entrance.