Quarterly Newsletter – October 2019 Alumni to Honor the New PMA HOF Inductees on November 2nd A large turnout is expected to attend the Power Memorial Academy 88th Anniversary Reunion Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The event will take place on November 2nd at the Immaculate Conception Center located in Douglaston, New York. The starting time for the dinner is 6 PM and will continue to 10 PM. This year’s HOF honorees include faculty members Brother Thomas Jensen and Mr. Gerald Grimmeyer, PMA alumni Julio Alonso, Steven Donohue, John Lovett and Joseph Reilly and the 1969 Penn Relays Championship Two Mile Relay Team consisting of Tony Colon, John Lovett, Peter Lovett and Andy Walsh. (See full bios and complete details on the event starting on Page 4) Board Member Steve Kallas Named Sports Editor for WestchesterCountyPost.com The PMAAA Board of Directors invites the alumni to join Kallas on this new sports adventure for weekly stories and exclusive offers: Visit WestchesterCountyPost.com; Click on “Please Sign Up for New Stories;” Fill in the blanks and check the box above the green button; Click the green button.
FILE: PMAAA October 2019 Newsletter-FINAL-(Rev. 2)
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(Please read the full story below) Board member Steve Kallas is the new sports editor of a Westchester County-based publication that focuses on quality of life issues such as wellness, education and literacy, youth development, sports, and entertainment. The target audience / catchment area includes Westchester County, NYC and surrounding areas. (Please visit WestchesterCountyPost.com). The publisher, Janelle Allbritton, MPH, is a health educator by training and sits on the boards of three non-profits: Young Life – Bronx Region (serving teens, teens with children, and teens with special needs through NYC public schools, private schools, and churches; see BronxRegion.YoungLife.org) Life Progressive Services (serving the formerly incarcerated to assist them in the re- entry process to reduce recidivism); Westchester County Federation of Women’s Clubs (raising funds for $1000 scholarships to Westchester Community College for women; see WCFWC.org) Allbritton also hosts a weekly show on WVOX 1460 AM, “Speaking of Wellness.” (Please visit WestchesterCountyPost.com and select “Wellness Audio.” At the October 12, 2019 board meeting, Kallas made a proposal, which was passed unanimously by the Board, to provide a short news story about how the WestchesterCountyPost.com has offered to cross-promote with PMAAA to support the activities of the alumni association and its efforts to assist the students of All Hallows. One project Allbritton has suggested is for Kallas to deliver a workshop to the All Hallows students who are interested in sports news reporting. They could then hone their craft on Yankee games, for example. Once approved by Kallas, the news stories would be posted on the WestchesterCountyPost.com website. As many of you know, Kallas was very helpful (along with Sean Crowley and Jennifer Abelaj) in dealing with the legal side of compliance issues that the Alumni Association had over the last two years. We wish him luck.
PMAAA Board of Directors Meetings
The PMAAA Board of Directors met on August 17th, 2019 at All Hallows High School, Bronx, New York, NY and again on October 12th at St. Josephs Residence located on the campus of Iona College, New Rochelle, NY. The August 17th meeting focused on fund raising methods with a presentation from Colleen Noonan and Rich Carter of the Brother Rice Christian Brothers Foundation. Also, updates where provided by the Scholarship and Nominating Committees. A Financial Report was also provided by the Board’s Treasurer. The upcoming Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner plans were also discussed. In addition to the customary updates of the various committees and financials, plans for the HOF Dinner were finalized at the October 12th meeting. This included the assigning of Board members to various tasks that need to be attended to during the night, and confirming that all HOF inductees will be represented at the event. Also,
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Board member, Steve Kallas, proposed a mutually beneficial arrangement with WestchesterCountyPost.com that will allow the Association to announce upcoming events on the website in exchange for advising the alumni of the website. A Fundraising appeal, utilizing a mailer to the alumni, was also proposed by President Pisani. Complete meeting minutes to both meetings may be found on the PMAAA website: www.PowerMemorialAcademy.com
Powerful Thoughts 5 by Dr. John R. Cleary, PMA ‘57
What could a 5’3”, 105 pound freshman expect? Those were my physical statistics when I started Power, a shrimp by most standards for someone who wanted to play on the Panthers’ frosh basketball team. I was a playground basketball player. I did well in intramurals at LaSalle JHS. I learned on the blacktop from the “big guys,” those already in high school or even in college. It was a rough and tumble game. We enjoyed the elbowing and the boxing out, even though b-ball is supposed to be a non-contact sport. In the fall of 1953, I walked boldly onto the brand new gymnasium floor dressed in my Converse sneakers, gym shorts and tee shirt ready to take on any competition. But how could I know it was a handpicked squad, already selected to be the team? How did I know they would go on to be the best frosh team ever (in that era) at Power with a 20 and 4 record -- without me? I decided that I could “pass muster” at basketball and, as a sophomore, I made the junior varsity. My brother Jim joined the team in our junior year. We defeated St. Ann’s at Cardinal Hayes for the Manhattan Junior Varsity Championship in 1955. We lost our second game for the city championship but so what, I was now playing championship high school basketball. In my senior year I was on the varsity. Power had a new coach, Mr. Behrens, replacing Mr. Ed Burns the beloved coach for many years. My yearbook entry reads: “Brought up from the JV were (only) seniors Cleary and McCarthy.” Later in the season a local newspaper column School Sports by Gene Roswell read: “We hear that Iowa State feels it might be getting a hoop sleeper in Johnny Cleary from Power Memorial.” At 5’ 10” and a muscular 160 pounds, I had made it and was off to North Dakota State Agricultural College (now ND State University) in September 1957 on a full basketball scholarship.
Note: Dr. Cleary has volunteered to author a series of articles reflecting on his experiences at PMA. Alumni are encouraged to submit articles and share their experiences at Power Memorial Academy. Send your articles to: [email protected]
Save the Date Please save the date for the upcoming 2019-20 PMAAA activities: Annual PMAAA Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner – Saturday, November 2nd at 6 PM to 11 PM, at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, New York Annual PMAAA Mass of Remembrance – March 14th, 2020
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17th, 2020 Alumni Spotlight PMAAA Board Member to Join All Hallows Board of Directors PMAAA Board of Directors member, Sean Crowley PMA ‘83, accepted a nomination to sit on the Board of Directors for All Hallows High School, Bronx, NY. In an email sent to his fellow PMAAA Board members announcing his nomination, Mr. Crowley stated: “I have accepted a nomination to the All Hallows Board of Directors and trust that this flows with my role as a PMA Board member. I will work to connect AH with PMA alum, and to help the school in every way possible.” In addition to being a Board member for the PMAAA and All Hallows H.S., Mr. Crowley is Partner in the New York City office of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP. Mr. Crowley focuses on government affairs and lobbying efforts in New York State and New York City while providing a supporting role in the firm’s Washington DC practice. Mr. Crowley is a member of the Queens County Bar Association, Past-President of the Brehon (Irish) Law Society of New York City. Mr. Crowley resides in Forest Hills with his wife, Maureen and their three sons: Pearse, Owen and Sean Crowley Garrett.
Hall of Fame Inductee Bios (Continued from page 1)
Br. Thomas Jensen – Faculty 1967-1977 Br. Jensen came to Power in September of 1967 and over the following 10 years taught Mathematics, Religion, English and Latin across all four grade levels. Equally versatile in the athletic arena as he was in the classroom, he coached Freshman, JV and Varsity B basketball, winning 3 City Championships along the way. More significantly, it was his coaching of young players in their formative years that helped lay the foundation for the '70, '72 and '76 Varsity City Championship teams. He had the same effect coaching JV baseball, honing skills and instilling confidence in his players on their way to the Varsity team. Br. Jensen, a member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame, went on to teach and coach at Iona Prep and Bergen Catholic High School until his death in 2011.
Mr. Gerald Grimmeyer – Faculty 1959-1984 Having attended All Hallows and Iona College, it was only fitting that Mr. Grimmeyer would, in the fall of 1959, come to teach at Power Memorial Academy. Over the next 25 years he taught Social Studies, A.P. European History, English and French, to name a few subjects, but is best remembered for developing and teaching his Modern Russian History course. After Power closed its' doors in 1984, Mr. Grimmeyer returned to his roots to teach, and eventually become principal, at All Hallows High School.
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John Lovett – PMA '69 Coached by both Mr. Mulligan and Br. Bielen, John was one of PMA's premier middle distance runners in the late '60's At Manhattan College, he was a 4 time All American, a 2 time IC4A half mile champion and a member of the world record setting 1973 NCAA Indoor Championship Distance Medley Relay team. After 19 years as track coach at Bishop Kearney HS in Brooklyn, John is currently assistant coach for Manhattan's men's and women's cross country/track & field programs.
Steven Donohue – PMA '70/Faculty 1976-1984 Steve was a four year basketball man at Power, including his senior year as a member of the '69-'70 Varsity City Champs team, the same team that was ranked the No. 1 high school basketball team in the country that year. Following another 4 years of basketball at St. Francis College in Maine, Steve returned to Power where he taught Physical Education, Health and Social Studies, served as a Guidance Counselor and coached baseball and basketball. After Power closed in 1984, Steve taught and administered in several eastern Long Island schools, finishing his career as principal of the Wading River Elementary School.
Julio Alonso – PMA '73 While Julio followed the traditional path of high school basketball, playing Freshman, JV and Varsity "B" ball, baseball was a different matter entirely. Starting with his freshman year, Julio played on the varsity team for 3 straight years, being named a CHSAA All City pitcher each year. Side lined by injuries in his senior year, Julio went on to play 2 years of college ball before pitching 5 years for the Detroit Tigers organization, until recurring injuries forced his retirement in 1979.
Joseph Reilly – PMA '75 Always entrepreneurially inclined, Joe spent his early work years in the home accessories, restaurant and hospitality fields. In 1993, he started a now 25 year old business specializing in workplace drug testing for entities as varied as the transportation industry, Major/Minor League Baseball and local, state and Federal government agencies. As president of National Drug Screening, Joe continues to provide training, consulting and testing services for drug free workplaces across the country. 1969 Penn Relays Championship Two Mile Relay Team When something is said to be more or greater than the sum of its parts, it means that it is better than you would expect from the individual parts, because the way they combine adds a different quality. This is certainly the case when talking about Power's '68-'69 Two Mile Relay team of Andy Walsh, Tony Colon, Pete Lovett and John Lovett. Each of them exceptional individual runners, they were the most impressive when competing as a group. This was never more evident than their 1969 Penn Relays record setting two-mile relay victory, a record that stood for the next 21 years. They were inducted into the Penn Relays Hall of Fame in 1995.
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88th Annual Reunion and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner Details The cost of the event is $100.00 per person. This price includes food and refreshments. Parking at the Immaculate Conception Center is free. Payments by check are to be made to the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Assoc. and mailed to: Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association P.O. Box 20493 Cherokee Station New York, NY 10021-0068 If paying by PayPal, please use the following steps: 1. Click
SCHOLARSHIP FUND RAISING PROJECT Volunteers are needed to work on ad hoc committees that may be formed for special purposes. The Board is currently seeking alumnus who can bring financial expertise to the recently formed fund raising committee. Anyone interested in joining this committee should contact PMAAA Board Member Carl Hall at: [email protected]. CLASS CAPTAIN INITIATIVE Class Captains are still needed for each graduating class. Class Captains play an important part in communicating with their classmates and getting the word out on various PMAAA events. All Class Captain volunteers will be provided with contact information for their corresponding classmates. Alumni who may be interested in volunteering to be a Class Captain, please contact
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Kevin McGeary at [email protected] or Brian McCann at [email protected] Final Dismissal The following Alumni and Faculty have gone to their final dismissal. Robert Zuppe – Class of 1961 Michael Ward – Class of 1972
May they rest in peace.
President’s Letter October 2019
Dear Brother Panthers, Now that we have the summer behind us, we are kicking into gear for the 2019 Hall of Fame/Reunion Dinner, which will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston Queens NY.
This year we are honoring the following nominees: Brother Thomas J. Jensen, Faculty/Coach Gerald Grimmeyer, Faculty Steven Donohue, 70 Faculty/Coach Julio Alonso 73 John Lovett 69 Joe Reilly 75 1969 Penn Relay Track Team
We are working with Vinnie Bonomi for Power items. Vinnie has some great new ideas and designs for Power Swag. We are also in the process of developing an online store for purchasing, but the bugs must be ironed out first. Sean Crowley has been on the PMAAA Board for quite some time now and has recently been appointed to the Board of All Hallows High School. I know from his long standing on the PMAAA Board, Sean will be a wonderful asset to All Hallows. Please join me in extending a hearty congratulations to Sean. If any alumnus wishes to join the PMAAA Board, please contact me to discuss what is involved. There is one seat remaining. However, if you wish to help on a committee instead, there is always room for an extra pair of hands. I look forward to seeing you at the Hall of Fame Dinner and other future events.
Pro Christo Rege Andrew “Chick” Pisani, 70 President, PMAAA
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Remember PMAAA in Your Will or Living Trust You can make a bequest (or a gift from your estate) to Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association (PMAAA) to help sustain the organization and its mission to provide scholarships to deserving youth for years to come. You can make a bequest to PMAAA by including language in your will or living trust. Sample bequest language is provided below. However, you are encouraged to discuss this with your attorney. Pecuniary Gift: Gift of a specified dollar amount “I give to the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association (“PMAAA”), New York, New York, a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, the pecuniary amount of ______Dollars ($______) to be used for its general purposes.” Full Residuary Bequest: Leaves any remainder after all other bequests have been paid (“residuary estate”) “All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association, New York, New York, a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, for its general purposes (scholarship funds for students at All Hallows High School, Bronx, NY).” Partial Residuary Gift: Gift of a percentage/share of residuary estate “I give to the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association (“PMAAA”), a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, [Percent number] Percent (___%) of my Residuary Estate to be used for its general purposes.” Safety Language: Language added to allow an alternate charitable beneficiary if PMAAA is no longer in existence or has merged with another organization. “If at the time of my death PMAAA is no longer in existence or not a “qualified charitable organization” to which donations are deductible for income and/or estate tax purposes, then such organization’s share is to be distributed to its successor in interest, All Hallows High School’s general funds, or to such one or more qualified charitable organization(s), as my Executor, in his or her discretion, determines.”
PMAAA on Social Media
PMAAA has taken to social media to help spread the word about the association. Board member, Rick Martin, leads the social media activities for the association. In addition to the PMA Facebook and Linkedin accounts, PMAAA activities can now be tracked on Twitter. The PMAAA Twitter account that has been established by Rick is “#PMA4Life.”
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Announcements
Submissions from the alumni for the newsletter are always welcome. Please send any articles, pictures, memories of Power, personal situations (including grandchildren, anniversaries, retirements etc.) to Brian McCann at [email protected] Please let fellow alumni who may not be aware of the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association or don’t receive notices about association activities to register on the PMAAA website: www.powermemorialacademy.com with their contact information so that they receive future announcements of PMAAA activities.
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