February 2012 The Annunciator

Find us on the web at www.school.Annunciationcrestwood.com Graduates Display Their Entertaining Talents

Whether in Theatre, Film, in the producer/director‘s office with my mother. On his coffee table he had a large Music, Radio, or Television, bowl of green grapes. While he and my Our Alumni Have Lots of Talent! mother were talking, I ate all the grapes, and a few minutes later I threw up all over his fancy table and carpet. Not a good perform- Inside this issue... ance on my first job interview at age five!‖ illy „48 and An- Letters from the 2 B Anthony Pagen passed away in 1969 and thony „50 Pagen had Pastor and Principal Billy in 2008. roles in the play Life Annunciation Fea- 3 with Father in 1944. tured on Fox News Although the play ran L arry Keyes „51 was a recording engineer on Broadway from from 1963 to 1998. He was originally with Crestwood Real Estate 5 1939 to 1945, Billy Columbia Records and continued on when it and Anthony‘s Bits of Crestwood 8 was later bought by SONY. Some of the brother, Dick ‗52, artists he worked with include Barbra Strei- Altar Boy Memories 9 recalls that they were sand, Paul and Linda McCartney, and Leo- Billy Pagen in a production in nard Bernstein. Larry earned a Gold Record Living Historian 10 Boston. Life with Fa- ther, which later became a film and a televi- Catholic Schools Week 14 sion series, was the story about the upper class New York family of Clarence Day, who Milestones 28 had four red-headed sons. Billy played the third son, Whitney, while Anthony played Class Notes 29 the youngest, Harlan. Each boy had to have their hair dyed red for the role, and their Sports 30 classmates recall how easy it was to spot them in church. Annunciation Elementary School Dick recalls that ―At some point I think 465 Westchester Avenue either my parents or someone at Annuncia- tion decided that all this acting was keeping Crestwood, NY 10707 Billy and Anthony from learning how to dia- gram sentences and figuring out how much 6 times 6 was, so they Rick Derringer, Al Lawrence and Larry

returned to school and Keyes in the studio The Annunciator Editorial Board: didn‘t act anymore.‖ for his work on a reengineering of Janis Richard Burke ‘48 Dick also recalls that Joplin recordings and was nominated for a Patrick F.X. Brennan ‘53 his own acting career Grammy for recording Eugene Ormandy never took off. While Chris Grealy Brown Daly ‘62 conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra per- he claims that there forming ―The Planets‖. It's still widely con- Mary Theresa Gill McCombe ‘75 were deficiencies in sidered one of the best sounding classical John Sullivan ‘82 looks and talent, he recordings by vinyl enthusiasts. He was also thinks that perhaps Marie Villani-York ‘93 a member of the Board of Governors of there was another rea- Melissa Brennan ‘95 NARAS. Anthony Pagen son. ―One day I was Continued on page 12 Page 2 The Annunciator

Letters to the Editor The following is a letter by one of our graduates that was richness of the Latin text, and would have welcomed the new published in Catholic New York on January 26, 2012: musical settings. Sheila Waters ‗58

To the Editor of Catholic New York, The traditional song to sing at midnight on New Year‘s Eve is ―Auld Lang Syne.‖ Some old acquaintances I will never forget are the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh who To the Editor, taught at Annunciation Elementary School, in the Crest- I really loved that article on Crestwood memories. wood section of Yonkers, during my student days in the Brought back lots of great memories and happy tears of a 1950s. blessed childhood. Thanks! I particularly remember Sister Marianne McDon- Dianne Cotter Ledingham ‗76 ald, teacher and choir director, who taught Latin Mass chant to hundreds of pupils. We children did not stumble over the Latin word ―consubstantialem‖ as we chanted the To the Editor, Nicene Creed, because Sister took the time to explain it. She told us that the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) taught that I just wanted to say what a great publication The Annuncia- the eternal Son is ―of the same substance‖ as the Father. tor is. Even though I didn‘t attend Annunciation myself, it‘s And Sister Marianne gave young choir members timeless great to read about families I‘ve come to know and see how advice: ―Don‘t be mechanical. Think about the meaning of the ties to Annunciation and the community are still so the Mass. Notice the splendor of the Liturgy.‖ strong. Thanks for doing this! I think Sister Marianne would have been delighted Sue DiPanfilo (Alumni parent) by the new translation of the Mass, with its emphasis on the

Letter from the Pastor Letter from the Principal Dear Alumni, Catholic education plays a more important role than Dear Alumni of Annunciation, ever before in today‘s media and entertainment driven soci- ―Lift High the Cross of Christ,‖ a familiar Easter ety. In today‘s society, the media and entertainment indus- hymn, will soon be sung here at Annunciation and tries are pervasive and have the ability to deliver informa- churches throughout the world. This song tells us that tion and messages in ways that have an immediate and the suffering and death of Jesus brings us salvation, powerful impact on all of us, including our children. This is all the more reason why parents continue to choose a redemption and God's peace. Catholic school for their children. Be assured of my prayers for all of you and your At Annunciation School we are educating our children families that this Lenten Season will be for you a time in Faith, Academics and Service as celebrated this year dur- of grace and renewal. ing Catholic Schools Week. I am confident that Catholic education in general, and Annunciation School in particular, I look forward to seeing you at the many reunion is preparing our children to live our traditional Catholic celebrations that will be held this spring. Know that values even in a society that may not always espouse such you are always welcome at Annunciation. values. It is my hope that some of our students will one day join with their fellow alumni in the media and entertain- Sincerely, ment industries in developing programming that is consis- tent with our traditional Catholic values. Sincerely, PageFebruary 3 2012 Page 3

Annunciation Featured in Fox News‟ “Proud American” Series

At the end of October, Luis Pancheme, the father of a second grader at Annunciation, approached Principal Maureen Noonan to ask if any of the teachers at the school would be willing to be part of the ―Proud American‖ series, which is a station ID piece on Fox News Chan- nel. Luis says, ―I had been asked to produce a fifteen second Proud American Campaign element involv- ing a teacher. My son attends Annun- ciation, so I felt this was a great op- portunity for the school to gain some positive publicity.‖ The ―Proud Joanna Napolitano‟s fourth-grade students pledge allegiance to the flag. American‖ series features people in various professions. In addition to a teacher, Fox featured a When asked what the children in her class thought about fire fighter, a farmer, a Scout leader and others in the series. it, Joanna says, ―The kids loved it. They were truly so ex- Mr. Pancheme is a sixteen year veteran senior anima- cited! Every child in the class returned their release form so tor/director at Fox News Channel who storyboarded and that they could participate. Their parents were also excited directed the idea behind the ―Proud American Teacher‖ as well and very supportive!‖ shoot with the help of Russ Ritell. ―The day of the shoot, the Fox crew came early to set Maureen Noonan turned to our only alumnus faculty up. There were lights everywhere, even in the schoolyard member, Joanna Capozzo Napolitano ‗90, to see if she shining into my classroom windows,‖ recalls Joanna. ―It would be willing to participate. Joanna is a fourth grade was so interesting and amazing to see how much work and teacher and has been teaching at Annunciation since Sep- time goes into making fifteen seconds of television. Being tember 2009. Joanna became a willing participant, and a ‗mic-ed up‘ was also fun. You become so aware of every film crew came in one afternoon to film a preliminary shot Continued on page 16 for the powers at Fox to see and ap- prove. Permission had to be granted by Deceased Alumni Mass Held November 5 the Archdiocese of New York prior to the commencement of filming. One week later, the film crew returned and spent an entire day filming the piece that aired on Fox and Friends in the morning on the Fox News Channel. ―My name is Joanna Napolitano. As an educator, I‘m inspired by the spirit of children. Their determination mo- tivates me to help them reach their potential. The opportunity to teach the children of our country is why I am proud to be an American,‖ Joanna says in a voice over as twenty-five stu- dents, who also participated in the Sr. Barbara Anderson, O.P., class of 1948, Jean Fordrung Stellato, and filming, can be seen pledging alle- Lois Murphy Juan, both class of 1950, attended the deceased alumni giance to the flag and listening to a Mass on Saturday, November 5, at 5:00. The names of over 150 de- class lesson. The entrance to the ceased alumni were read aloud at the Mass by two current students, school is featured in the very begin- Christine Rutledge „12 and Margaret O‟Brien „13. ning of the piece. Page 4 The Annunciator

Father Tierney Celebrates Congratulations to 25th Anniversary Cardinal-Elect Father Joseph P. Tierney, a weekend associate at An- nunciation for over eighteen years, recently celebrated the Timothy M. Dolan 25th Anniversary of his ordination. Annunciation Parish joined in the celebration by hosting a luncheon in the school gym after the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Approximately 200 people attended, including Fr. Tierney‘s parents, James and Doris Tierney, and all of his family members. Fr. Tierney grew up on Staten Island, the sixth of seven children. Parishioners at Annunciation may even feel that they know some of Father‘s family because he frequently tells family anecdotes during his homily, something that helps everyone at Mass see how the theme of his hom- ily relates to their own families. Fr. Tierney, a 1982 graduate of St. Peter‘s College, entered St. Joseph‘s Father Joseph P. Tierney Seminary in Sep- tember 1982 and was ordained on November 15, 1986. His first parish Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan is shown here during his assignment was at St. John the Evangelist in Mahopac, March 2011 visit to Annunciation School, bestowing a NY, where he served for six years. While there, he also special blessing on Annie McMahon „11, daughter of taught religion at John F. Kennedy Catholic High Theresa and John McMahon „78 (see page 5). School. He then left parish duty in 1992 and was as- signed to the faculty of Archbishop Stepinac High School Archbishop Dolan will be elevated to Cardinal by Pope in White Plains, NY, where he served as a teacher, guid- Benedict on February 18, 2012. ance counselor and ice hockey coach. After four years at Stepinac, Fr. Tierney was named Together with all of the the Dean of Students/Procurator and Director of Pas- toral Formation at St. Joseph‘s Seminary. After serving Archdiocese of New York, five years in that position, he was appointed by then Archbishop Egan to be the Director of Vocations for the we extend our warmest Archdiocese of New York, a position he held for three years. In June 2005, Fr. Tierney was appointed President congratulations! of Cardinal Hayes High School. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his ordina- tion, Cardinal Hayes High School held a wonderful cele- bration complete with a video in which Archbishop Do- ―I am grateful to Almighty God for the gift of the Priesthood lan and numerous distinguished Hayes alumni, including and for the opportunity to share my ministry and my weekends celebrity Regis Philbin (Hayes ‗49), wished Fr. Tierney with the Annunciation Parish family. Thank you for your con- congratulations on his anniversary. tinued prayers and support,‖ said Fr. Tierney. February 2012 Page 5

Theresa and John McMahon „78 to be Honored in April The Cystic Fibrosis Founda- focus on the annual Great Strides walk at tion‘s Greater New York Chapter, Rye Playland. along with its Board of Directors, John and Theresa are parents to four will be honoring Annunciation girls, Annie, Kate, Claire and Meagan. An- alumnus John McMahon ‗78 and nie, who is a freshman at The Ursuline his wife, Theresa, with the 2012 School, was diagnosed with CF as an infant. Breath of Life award. The CF Foundation invites all those who John and Theresa are being rec- know John and Theresa or who would like ognized and thanked by the Foun- to help cure this disease to join them in con- dation‘s leadership team for their gratulating and honoring this very special extraordinary efforts and dedica- The McMahon Family couple at the 3rd Annual Black and White tion to raising funds and aware- Ball on Friday, April 20th, at Glen Island ness. Over the past fourteen years, John and Theresa, their Harbor for a night of celebration, friendship and dancing friends, and family, have raised close to $2,000,000 to benefit with Alive-n-Kickin‘. the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Their annual event, ―Take For further information on tickets and how you can sup- the Plunge for Cystic Fibrosis,‖ which was recently held in port this special occasion for the McMahon‘s, please visit Rockaway for its twelfth year, is a major focus of their fund- www.cffblackandwhiteball.com, call (914) 993-1460 or email raising efforts. The Plunge was featured in the May 2009 Teresa Gaudio at [email protected]. edition of The Annunciator. Their fundraising efforts also

Crestwood Featured in „New York Times‟ Article

On October 30, 2011, Crestwood was featured by The New tion—whose Annunciation primary school enrolls most York Times in an article in its real estate section. Written by local children. The school serves as ‗the glue of the Elsa Brenner, comments by Annunciation graduates Joseph neighborhood,‘ according to one alumnus, Joe Houlihan, Houlihan ‗68 and Mary Theresa Gill McCombe ‗75 as well as who grew up in Crestwood and today is a partner in the Annunciation Church organist, Taffy Williams, and Annun- Bronxville real estate firm Houlihan & O‘Malley Real Es- ciation Principal, Maureen Noonan, gave some context to tate Services.‖ what the Crestwood neighborhood is like and what the real The article features a photo of the colorful island at the estate market and neighborhood offers. intersection of Kennedy Place and Hollywood Avenue with The article describes the impact that Annunciation Church two little boys riding their bicycles. If you‘d like to read the and School have on the neighborhood. According to the article, you can find it on the Internet by putting the words article, ―One reason for that comfort level is Crestwood‘s ―New York Times Old World Big City‖ into your favorite focal point, the Roman Catholic Church of the Annuncia- search engine.

Do you recognize these Crestwood homes that are for sale?

170 Westchester Avenue 212 Manhattan Avenue 88 Crestwood Avenue Page 6 The Annunciator Around the School and Parish On Sunday, November 20, 2011, seven recent Annunciation School graduates received the Silver Award from the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Council at a ceremony held at Monroe Woodbury High School. The Silver Award is the second highest award in Scouting. The girls received the award in recognition of their efforts in supporting the Crestwood branch of the Yonkers Public Library. Specifically, the girls organized a young adult book drive and sale, enhanced the young adult section of the branch with new materials, and advocated and won support of additional city funding for the entire city library system. The girls also made a presentation to the entire Yonkers City Council to restore library funding and hours and also received a Certificate of Recognition from then Mayor of Yonkers, Philip A. Amicone, for their efforts and hard work.

Left to Right: Michelle Morris „11, Natalie Petit „10, Emily White „11, Elizabeth Conlon „10 (daughter of John Conlon „77), Niamh Butler „11, Katherine McCrory „11 and Delia Conlon „11 (also a daughter of John Conlon)

You can find us on the Web at www.AnnunciationCrestwood.com February 2012 Page 7 Around the School and Parish

A group shot taken at the Men‟s Club New Year‟s Day touch foot- Men‟s Club Super ball game at P.S. 15 now known as Paideia School 15. Bowl Party in the gym with jumbo screen and abun- Annunciation Parish Cocktail Party dant food! Saturday, March 24, 2012 Leewood Golf Club 7:30 – 11:00PM A TIME FOR FAITH AND TREASURES

honoring 5 of our Annunciation Treasures who have given so much of their time and talents to make Annunciation a special parish.

Sr. Theresa Dadabo, PBVM Richard Monaco Sr. Kathleen Reilly, PBVM Nancy Ryan Diane Doyle Vezza ‘75 This stained glass window graces a new church in Forest City, North Carolina. The window was do- $90 per person, all inclusive nated to Immaculate Conception Church by Peggy Keyes, widow of Larry Keyes, a member of the (dinner, dancing and open bar) Class of 1951, in memory of Larry and his mother, Please call or e-mail Jeanne Doran at the Rectory Theresa Keyes, a long-time parishioner. Peggy says, “I thought „The Annunciation‟ was a good tie at 914-779-7345 or [email protected] for more information in with our previous life.” Page 8 The Annunciator

Another Bit of Crestwood - How Darkness Can Shine Brightly

by Mark Maiello „71

Like many Americans who were living ―the dream‖ in the post war years, my parents did their best to escape the rela- tive poverty of their youth. Educated only to high school (mom) and by dint of service in the US Marines (dad), they rode the wave of economic expansion and opportunity af- forded by America‘s worldwide predominance. It was truly the time when hard work translated into what we now call upward mobility. Through effort and sacrifice—and I mean SACRIFICE—my parents escaped the asphalt, the noise The lamp on the left appears similar to the antique street lights above that asphalt (the cars, buses and elevated trains) and that graced Crestwood Avenue in 1959. Some time later, street- the depressing environment and cacophony of the high rise lights of the more modern type, like that on the right, appeared. apartment complexes known as ―the projects.‖ They soft- (Both photos from the web-page http://www.kbrhorse.net/ landed on Crestwood Avenue in a modest house we would streetlights/streetlights.html). call home for about 30 years. You would think it would be our block came from an one single incandescent bulb pro- regarded by one and all as an escape to a flawless paradise in tected by the most rudimentary antique-looking shade. If comparison to their points of origin: Cambreleng and Mace there was another street light in either direction, I do not Avenues in the Bronx, NY. But beauty is in the eye of the recall—probably because it did not matter. Darkness would beholder. Old habits are hard to break. And, change is dif- still have prevailed. Sometime shortly thereafter, perhaps in ficult to accept. Thank God for a sense of humor. the mid 1960s, more lights were installed on our street also My mom‘s side of the family provided decades of sup- of the incandescent variety (I can recall my brother telling port. They celebrated all the milestones my brother and I my mom that the installation was coming). But even with achieved. There were Christmases and Easters made memo- the additional street lights, Crestwood Avenue remained rable by the ability of my aunt Theresa (lovingly referred to dimly illuminated. In fact, my dad‘s Buick Special was to- as ―Tessie‖) to prepare meals of unprecedented abundance taled one night while it was parked on the roadside in front (note: mom was her equal if not her superior in this arena). of our home—an area where it was deemed no additional But ―the family‖ (three aunts, four uncles, their spouses and street lighting was needed. It would remain that way until, I offspring) was comprised of people chiseled by their urban am guessing, the late 1970s or early 80s when brighter lights environment characterized by subways, concrete, and the were installed everywhere, including finally, along the street constant din of other people and machines. Crestwood was in front of our home. And lest I forget to mention, a very the antithesis. Moving there was considered to be – how large, very old tree growing just a few feet south of that iso- shall we put this? Bold? Eccentric? Crazy? lated antique street light (actually its brighter successor) fell I was too young to know of all the negative remarks one day taking out the electrical lines on our block— about our move to Crestwood, but the one that I do recall Sherwood Forest indeed. was attributed to the same Aunt Tessie of the best lasagna, There was an unintended and beneficial consequence of calamari and ―gravy meat‖ fame. It resounds to this day, all that darkness however. The night sky was unencumbered because I can recall the target of her criticism having wit- by the scattered artificial lights of the city or local lights of nessed it myself. In her eyes, an assessment of Crestwood the streets. You could really see the stars back then. The was easy. It was full of trees, and it was dark. Thus she re- 1960s were the opening years of the Space Race. Rocketry ferred to it – quite to my parents‘ offense if their telling of and astronomy were all the rage. We knew something about the story is accurate—as ―Sherwood Forest.‖ It was a the moon (US and Russian moon probes were initially metaphor for all that made Crestwood different from her launched in the late 50s and telescope observations had been daily experience. Yes, there were plenty of trees, yes, it was going on for decades), but precious little was forthcoming quiet, and yes, it was dark at night—really dark. All it lacked about Mars or the other planets. There was still speculation apparently, was Robin Hood. Thus, you now see the need that Martian canals existed (a myth that began to be broken for a sense of humor. Even accomplishments can be de- by the photographs of the Mariner 4 probe in 1965 and fi- rided. nally put to rest by Mariners 6 and 7 in 1969). Caught up in We moved to Crestwood in 1959. I can recall, perhaps the excitement, my older brother purchased a small refract- from memories of a few years later, that the only light on Continued on page 10 February 2012 Page 9

Let Us Pray: Memories of a Former Altar Boy by Vincent O‟Leary „70

The following is a story based on the memories of a former altar boy. if Paul, his partner, would make it. Paul lived too far away The names have been changed. Altar servers at Annunciation no to walk, and Mrs. Owens, his mother, was not much of a longer serve either the 6:45 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. weekday Masses. driver even under the best of conditions, not to mention a foot and a half of snow on a freezing February morning. Once dressed in his black cassock, white surplice, T he alarm clock sounded. Tommy, already awake, starched collar and bow tie, Tommy went about setting up; turned it off before it woke his brother. It was 5:45 on a turning the lights on, pouring the wine and water, and light- cold February morning. Rising slowly, grudgingly, he ing candles. As he laid out the priest‘s vestments, Paul checked the window and saw what he thought were snow- rushed in, his face flushed with the cold. flakes falling. To be certain, he pulled back the curtain, ―Is he here yet?‖ searching for the streetlamp. Sure enough, soft, large snow- ―No, not yet.‖ flakes were swirling around the light. ―Good. I‘ll be right up.‖ Excited, he dressed in dark- ―Okay.‖ ness, eager to get outside. All weariness and thoughts of going As Paul disappeared down the hallway, Father Angeles back to sleep for a few minutes „Tommy, a fourth Fitzpatrick entered the sacristy. Nodding to Tommy, he were quickly forgotten. Down- grader in Sister Fran- shook off the snow and then removed his black biretta and stairs, after struggling to get his cis Mary‟s class, was overcoat. Walking out onto the altar, he genuflected and galoshes on over his black ox- an altar boy. He had then opened the tabernacle and counted the hosts in the fords, he covered his freshly 6:45 Mass all week. ciborium. ironed surplice with a piece of It was Lent, and Returning to the sacristy, Father Fitzpatrick approached plastic from the dry cleaners. Masses started ear- the vestment table. ―Where‘s your partner lad?‖ ―He‘s Grabbing his schoolbag, he lier than usual.‟ downstairs Father,‖ answered Tommy as he helped the unlocked the kitchen door and left priest with his alb. Next, Tommy handed him the cincture, the house. Tommy, a fourth which the priest quickly knotted around his waist. It took grader in Sister Francis Mary‘s slightly less than another minute for Father Fitzpatrick to class, was an altar boy. He had 6:45 Mass all week. It was finish dressing. ―Is everything ready?‖ ―Yes Father.‖ Lent, and Masses started earlier than usual. ―Alright then. Let‘s go.‖ The snowfall had been substantial. Tommy could tell As they stepped toward the door leading to the altar, they immediately because the back stoop was completely buried. heard Paul bounding up the stairs. ―Hold on,‖ said Father After checking to see that his galoshes were buckled and his Fitzpatrick. Paul, having reached the top of the stairs, ran gray wool uniform pants were tucked in, Tommy ventured the length of the corridor to the sacristry. Turning to enter off the back porch. Walking was difficult at first, the snow the room, Paul‘s right foot slipped on a stray clump of snow, cresting his galoshes and seeping into his shoes. ―There‘s sending him sprawling into the far corner of the sacristy. money to be made shoveling driveways,‖ whispered Tommy, Tommy turned away to stifle his laughter. Father Fitzpatrick ―no doubt about it.‖ smiled, while Paul, embarrassed, brushed himself off and A shadow suddenly crossed the street, and Tommy froze. took his place next to Tommy. Still dark, he wasn‘t sure whose dog it was, if indeed it was a ―Are you okay?‖ ―Yes Father.‖ ―You‘re late.‖ ―Yes Fa- dog. Fortunately, it was the Clark‘s dog, Mo. Once last ther.‖ ―Let‘s go.‖ year, a strange German Shepherd had chased and bitten Ringing the bell to announce the start of Mass, Paul and Tommy, and ever since he‘d become leery of unfamiliar Tommy preceded Father Fitzpatrick onto the altar. Genu- dogs. ―Ca‘ mere Mo!‖ encouraged Tommy. Mo, a small flecting together in front of the tabernacle, they then sepa- black mutt, bounded through the snow and jumped up on rated and took up their respective positions at the foot of Tommy‘s leg. the altar. ―Yea Mo! How ya‘ doin‘ fella? Look at all this snow, Kneeling, Tommy looked out over the congregation. huh! Yeah!‖ Mo, excited, ran in circles around Tommy as Because it was Lent, the church was nearly full. Business- he continued up the street to the church. ―Go home now men sat with their wives in the back, near the door so that Mo! Go home!‖ Tommy pulled his glove off, unlocked the they could leave right after communion and race to the train sacristy door and entered the church. As he walked in dark- station, in the hopes of catching the 7:27 express to Grand ness down the steps to the altar boys‘ vestiary, he wondered Continued on page 11 Page 10 The Annunciator Graduate Enjoys Her Experiences as a Living Historian

There was once a woman who, people who came to see her at like everyone else, was living day by events felt their hands crossing day. But in doing that, she started time to talk to folks who had the to wonder about those who lived same responsibility to keep the yesterday. She wished she could home fires burning. She also spent brainstorm with them to find out a great deal of time in one-room how they got through…The schoolhouses, hoping to bring American Revolution…The Civil them back to life for a generation War…The Great Depression, and so far removed from such simple everyday that came in between. learning. This meant that Laura Lee Sala- As of this writing, Laura Lee mone Keating ‗66 would have to portrays a 19th century school study history with a bit more dedi- marm, is her town‘s historian, wel- cation than she had in school! But comes visitors to New York with if she was going to get some guid- her staff at a visitor center, is an ance, some answers, then that may officer in The Lincoln Society in not be so bad. The reading and the Peekskill, and is a Site Interpreter studying were wonderful. She met for Historic Hudson Valley at The some folks who had a different Union Church of Pocantico Hills path to the past: living history— and Philipsburg Manor Upper reenacting. Sure, you could read Mills. This last venture brings us history and even memorize it, but to one of her most treasured ex- what about living it, almost like periences. In 2010, students from time travel? Says Laura, ―There‘s Laura Lee and her husband, Craig, at the Annunciation School came to Phil- nothing like stepping into some- 2009 Ladies and Gentlemen of the 1860‟s ipsburg Manor for a program. She one‘s shoes for true insights.‖ Conference. says, ―How great was it to talk to So she went to as many work- teachers, parents and students from shops and conferences as she could find; like ―The Ladies the school which gave me such a great start! This was like and Gentlemen of the 1860‘s,‖ conference held in Harrisburg, hands reaching across time!‖ She only wished she had Pennsylvania each year. But who to portray? Laura Lee be- more time with them. came especially interested in the Antebellum and Civil War One thing Laura Lee has noticed in studying history in years in America. Soldiers certainly had a clearly-defined role so many different ways, is that the more things change the in the Civil War. But what about the folks back home? She more they stay the same. She observes, ―Learning history chose to portray a school teacher/marm. This was a great can offer the comfort of knowing that those who came way to honor society‘s mentors. She remembered all the before us were stronger because of their challenges. Con- teachers she had and all that she learned from each of them. federate General Robert E. Lee once said, ‗…It is history She could also talk about what happened to the children of that teaches us to hope.‘‖ war. As America entered its 20th and 21st centuries in war, the

Bits of Crestwood (Continued from page 8) ing telescope that he would set up in our backyard. From assisted by a fortuitously gradual introduction of modern those haphazard sightings of the rings of Saturn or the at- street lighting by the City of Yonkers, helped a young boy mospheric bands of Jupiter sprung an interest in the sciences develop a career interest. How ironic that lack of a little that for better or for worse, guide me to this day. light shone a path forward brighter than that of any other So it is with parents raising children (or thinking they do). form of guidance. An escape from the ―concrete jungle‖ to ―Sherwood Forest‖ February 2012 Page 11

Memories of an Altar Boy (Continued from page 9)

Central. School children sat in the middle pews with their and giggled. schoolbooks and lunches. Finally, the parish nuns sat up The remainder of the Mass went smoothly. Both servers front, in the first few rows. Spotting Sister Francis Mary, remembered their cues, and after the Gospel, Father Fitz- Tommy suddenly realized that he still had math homework patrick went into high gear. By ten past seven, communion to finish. If he was lucky, he might be able to get it done was finished. The altar boys knelt at their places while Father before school started. cleansed the chalice and organized the altar. The church fell ―In nomine Patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. In- silent. The only sounds were those of Father drinking the re- troibo ad altare Dei,‖ said Father Fitzpatrick, as he blessed maining wine, and of gray haired ladies saying the rosary. himself and began Mass. ―Ad Deum qui laetificat juven- Beads of perspiration dotted the priest‘s forehead. It was tutem meum,‖ responded the altar boys. Lent. During prayers at the foot of the altar, the servers knelt ―Dominus vobiscum.‖ on either side of the priest and bowed low so that their ―Et cum spiritu tuo.‖ faces were only a few inches from the floor. This used to ―Ite, missa est.‖ cause Tommy to feel nauseous, especially during High Mass ―Deo gratias.‖ when there would be incense on the altar. He was used to ―Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiri- it now though. He liked to stare at the colored tiles on the tus Sanctus.‖ floor and imagine that he was looking down on a huge city. ―Amen.‖ The cement that joined the tiles were the streets and the big Mass over, priest and altar boys genuflected in unison and red tile, over by the leg of the altar and surrounded by the returned to the sacristy. Father Fitzpatrick kissed the crucifix smaller blue tiles, was Tommy‘s house. and began to remove his vestments. Tommy cornered Paul. As usual, Father Fitzpatrick sped through the beginning ―I gotta do my math homework,‖ he whispered. prayers. Having said the Confiteor, it was now Paul and ―So?‖ Tommy‘s turn to repeat it. ―Confiteor Deo omnipo- tente...buzz, buzz, buzz...mea culpa, mea culpa, mea ―Clean up for me. I had to set up by myself since you were maxima culpa...buzz, buzz, buzz….orare pro me ad Domi- late.‖ num Deum nostrum.‖ As they continued, priest and altar ―Okay.‖ boys developed a very definite rhythm, a cadence. The Tommy ran downstairs, ripped off his surplice and cassock priest, holy, understanding and praying knowledgeably. and set about doing his assignment. Paul came down a few The altar boys, ten years old, repeating memorized phrases minutes later, struggling with his collar as he entered the room. as quickly as possible, hoping that there would be some- ―I can‘t get this thing off!‖ thing left of their knees when they finally stood up. ―Yank it. It will come.‖ ―Domine, exaude orationem meam.‖ Paul pulled at his collar, but instead of the button giving ―Et Clamor meus ad te veniat.‖ way, the stiffly starched collar cracked in half. ―Oh shoot! ―Dominus vobiscum.‖ Look what happened!‖ ―Et cum spiritu tuo.‖ ―Quiet!‖ warned Tommy as they listened to footsteps com- ―Oremus.‖ ing down the stairs. ―It‘s Fitzpatrick,‖ whispered Tommy as he gathered up his papers and books and stuffed them into his As Mass progressed, Tommy began to wonder about schoolbag. Paul, wide-eyed, picked up the pieces of his collar what effect the new snow would have on the lake. The lake and threw them into the nearest closet. Tommy, realizing that was where they skated after school. With a heavy snowfall, his own surplice and cassock were still in a heap on the floor, sometimes the city would send a jeep to plow the snow. If scrambled over Paul and scooped them up just as Father Fitz- not, they‘d have to shovel it themselves, but it took forever patrick entered the vestiary. to clean a space large enough to play hockey in. ―You boys were a little sloppy today. Mind on other Suddenly, Tommy realized that Father Fitzpatrick was things, is it?‖ glaring at him. As high acolyte, it was Tommy‘s job to move the missal to the other side of the altar once the epis- ―No Father,‖ answered Tommy, as he carefully hung up his tle had been read. Father Fitzpatrick had finished the epis- cassock and surplice. tle and was now waiting. Tommy immediately jumped up ―Lads, if it doesn‘t improve, you know I might be forced to and completed his task. After genuflecting and returning to replace you. And you wouldn‘t want that now, I‘m sure.‖ his place, Tommy looked over at Paul who rolled his eyes Continued on page 24 Page 12 The Annunciator

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 1)

Larry‘s son, Jim ‗81, recalls that his father was one of the first engineers to mix in quad. ―He did the quad mix of Leo- W hile living in Larchmont, NY, Peggy Shalloe nard Bernstein‘s ―The Mass”. Upon hearing the mix, Bern- Mitchell „53 became the talent agent for her house. Over stein autographed the session score, handed it to Dad and 200 commercials were shot at her home, including Nestles, said ‗This will be valuable after I‘m dead‘. The day Bernstein AT&T, Geritol, Avon, and Folgers coffee. Peggy says, ―It died, Dad came home and said, ‗Well, now we‘ll see.‘‖ was quite an education to see what goes into filming a com- For a short time in the 1970s, Larry and another Crest- mercial. Many times our house was ‗redecorated‘ and the wood resident, Don Puluse, started their own company, Ax new furniture, curtains and rugs were left behind!‖ Crews Electronics. Well-known band Chicago was their first client. seemed to include casts of thousands—electricians, camera The band came to Crestwood, and Larry and Don recorded crews, make-up artists, hairdressers, caterers and lighting them on the stage at P.S. 15. Larry eventually returned to technicians. At times, Peggy notes, there could be over one Columbia Records. He passed away in 2007. hundred people in the house. Renowned producer, Elliot Mazur, sent the following to While keeping a close eye on the house and instituting Jim when his father passed away. ―I first started working several rules for its use, like no smoking and no entrance to with Larry in the late ‗60s. I was producing various records certain rooms, Peggy found the whole process a very excit- and, at that time, Larry was a staff mixer at Columbia. Larry ing and lucrative experience for a stay-at-home mom. There was a musician and an engineer. He knew and loved music were also Crestwood connections when two members of the and was able to draw his love of music into his work. Very Gilchrist family (see page 17), also Annunciation graduates, few engineers are musicians, and very few engineers have came to film a commercial. Ultimately, the house went into Larry‘s technical chops and patience.‖ retirement when a neighbor complained to the village that ―We put together a 2 LP package called Joplin In Concert. the filming of commercials constituted running a business It was the first posthumous Janis Joplin recording. The out of the house. Ironically, that neighbor was also an An- tapes we found ranged from audio cassettes up to 16 track nunciation graduate. masters. Our goal was to make each side of the record feel like a live show. To do this, Larry had to set up something like six machines. We would start one and on cue start an applause loop and then the next tune. We had to rehearse B ill Boylan „60 entered the business as a young child. this many times. Each tune required real-time mixing His mother, Eileen O‘Brien, worked as a model in the early too. Any mistakes would require a new start or a series of 1940s. When she and her husband, a New York City police- edits. The result was amazing, and it stands up today. In man, had children, she started them modeling to earn a bit recent years, other engineers have remixed the same tapes, of extra cash. Bill‘s career started at six months old with and they do not sound as good as Larry's mixes from the print work in magazines and newspapers. ‗70s.‖ Continued on page 13

Climbing the Charts Right Now!

If you watched the last season of The X Factor, you might have seen the Pepsi commercial that featured a song called ―Tonight is the Night‖ by Outasight. In fact, that exposure has helped the song cross over and garner lots of playing time on the airwaves of radio stations throughout the country. In early February, the song was ranked 38 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and was one of the songs that had the greatest airplay and sales that week. Outasight, whose given name is Richard Andrew, has been the subject of numerous magazine and online articles and was a musical guest on The X Factor and, recently performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. What you might not have known is that Outasight is the son of Annunciation gradu- ate, Toni Lynn Vitello „77. Toni Lynn, who still lives in the area, says, ―As for my feelings on his perseverance and success, I couldn‘t be more proud of his accomplish- ments. He is my one and only son, and my pride and joy!!‖ February 2012 Page 13

Let Us Entertain You (continued from page 12)

By age four, Bill had done his first commercial. The family was living in the Bronx and his mother would take B ruce Connors „60 has won numerous awards as a pro- the children downtown by subway, sometimes rolling a ducer/director/cameraman and editor who has been respon- large carriage right down the subway steps. Bill and his sible for some of the most effective and critically acclaimed sister, Patricia ‗64, did the most work. Theresa ‗66 and Mi- corporate film and video productions in the last two decades. chael ‗68 also modeled. In 1956, He is currently enjoying his twenty-fourth year as direc- Patricia won a contest for Blue tor/cameraman of the award winning Financial Management Bonnet Sue‘s Little Sister. Network and is President of Digital Spectrum, Inc. Bill‘s work was mostly commer- A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in man- cials. If you ate cereal in the ‗60s, it agement and broadcasting, Bruce has won numerous Telly was probably because of a commer- awards, Gold and Silver medals from the New York Film cial you had seen that featured Bill. Festival, a Cine Golden Eagle for the film New York, a Gold In little league, all the kids called Camera Award from the U.S. In- Bill ―Alpha Bits!‖ Bill did live com- ternational Film and Video Festi- mercials on national television on val, the Communicator Award Bill Boylan then and shows such as Ted Mack, Name That and the Top Training Product now Tune, Danger Theater, Kraft Theater, award from Human Resources Maga- Howdy Doody and others. Bill says, zine. He has produced and di- ―I did over one hundred commer- rected corporate pieces for Merrill cials which helped the family and Lynch, McGraw Hill, IBM, UPS also my college fees. I ‗retired‘ to go and AIG Insurance, among oth- to high school.‖ After high school, ers. He has edited prime time pro- Bill attended Seton Hall University, grams for the Travel Channel and where he earned a BA in communi- traveled throughout Europe and cation arts, which included TV and the Far East. film production and direction. One of Bruce‘s favorite An- In the late ‗80s, Bill‘s wife sug- Bruce Connors nunciation memories took place gested that he take an adult educa- on St. Patrick‘s Day in 1974. He had made a short 35mm tion acting workshop, which he did film in Ireland, The Magic of Ireland, that was showing at Radio at SUNY Purchase. He started do- City Music Hall. The film had won a Gold Medal at the New ing theater soon after, mostly with the Greenville Commu- York Film Festival that year, but what he enjoyed most was nity Theater in Scarsdale, NY. Before long, he had re- that, on that day, the audience included his mother, Peg Con- started his commercial and film acting career. Bill notes, nors, a long-time Annunciation teacher, and Bruce‘s second ―Later I took courses, one with Howard Meyer, now in grade teacher, Sister Margaret Louise. Pleasantville, NY, which helped expand my technique and When not working , Bruce can be found blue water sail- aided in developing characters.‖ ing, fishing, traveling for fun, or maybe just shooting darts at Bill‘s most well known job was as the Police Chief in the the local pub. movie Monster in 2003, for which Charlize Theron won an Oscar. Bill appears on the television for twenty-five sec- onds near the end of the movie. Werther‘s Candy has been R obert Mayo, ‟65, was immortalized by four words spo- his most lucrative job to date. ken by the great Peter Frampton: ―Bob Mayo on keyboards‖, Bill continues to audition in the Orlando, FL area and in on his best-selling live album, Frampton Comes Alive. Bob was Boston, MA during summers. Perhaps the most enjoyable a respected and talented musician, known for his work in the side of his acting has been getting involved with improv studio or in concert, with some of the most famous names in comedy in 1990. Jill Doornick started a group called rock-and-roll, such as Robert Plant, Aerosmith, Joe Walsh, Mighty Joe Squirrel in Rye, NY. From there, Bill played, Procol Harum, Foreigner, and Hall & Oates. Many will also performed and taught improv. He later joined groups in remember him in the band Rat Race Choir, which played the New York City. Bill says, ―I absolutely love doing improv, club circuit in the New York City Tri-State area in the 1970s. and enjoy teaching when I get a chance. I recommend go- Bob began studying music at the age of five when he ing to an improv workshop to everybody!‖ Continued on page 15 Page 14 The Annunciator

Catholic Schools Week Ties Themes to Activities

Catholic Schools Week‘s theme this year is ―Faith, School Association. Science assemblies were organized for Academics and Service‖. At Annunciation, it began with Thursday by grade and presented by Mad Science on the an open house at the school on Sunday, January 29. The topic of air pressure. Entitled ―Up, Up and Away!‖ students doors were opened at 12:30, and all were welcome to learned amazing things, about air pressure that helped them come and walk the halls. Tour guides were selected from to understand the awesome properties that allow various the 7th and 8th grades. As they guided visitors around things to happen, such as how a plane flies. the school, the tour guides offered descriptions of their On Friday morning, parents were invited to visit their chil- class activities, their teachers and the things they liked dren‘s classrooms, and then everyone went across the street best about Annunciation School. to the church for Mass at 10:00. Students worked in art class On Monday, there was a ―Pair/Share Day‖ where to prepare altar pieces identifying the week‘s theme. The older students were paired with younger students to share school plans to frame and display these altar pieces at the stories, art projects and games. The Pre-K and fourth school once Catholic Schools week is over. graders were paired together to make Valentine‘s Day Summing up the week‘s activities, Principal Maureen cards. When kindergarten and the 6th grade got together, Noonan said, ―Sometimes we take for granted the hard work they made get well cards for Deacon Pelligrini. The 1st that it takes for Annunciation School to stand out in Faith, and 5th grades worked together to make booklets about Academics, and Service. This week helps us to highlight our family time, while the 8th grade read stories to the 2nd accomplishments in these areas and to have fun doing so. I grade, and the 7th and 3rd grades played State Bingo to- am very proud of our faculty and students, and I am grateful gether. for the support of our parents!‖ Tuesday‘s highlight was the 5th through 8th grade spelling bee in which the top two winners from individual class spelling bees competed to represent Annunciation School at the Yonkers/Mt. Vernon Catholic School Bee. The Annunciation bee was won by Neil McEnerney, and the runner up was Patrick Sullivan. Neil then went on to win the Yonkers/Mt. Vernon Bee which was held at St. John‘s in Yonkers on February 2, 2012. By midweek, the students were invited to express themselves on Crazy socks/Tights/Tie Day. That after- noon, all students were treated to ice cream by the Home Spelling bee winners Neil McEnerney and Patrick Sullivan.

More Than Anything, We Want to Hear From You!

 What song did you learn in school or in church that you can still sing today? Who taught it to you and why do you think you can still remember it?

 When was the last time you lit a candle? Who did you light it for and where did you light it?

 What game was the most fun to play on the school playground?

 What class trip was the most memorable?

Please email your answers to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and class year. February 2012 Page 15

Alumnus Fills a Need at the Rectory Long-time parishioner, and Class of 1969 school to register your children; get Mass cards alumnus, Marianne Gannon has stepped in to for parishioners and non-parishioners; find some- fill a need at Annunciation‘s rectory. A vacancy one to visit the sick, infirmed, or dying; arrange in one of the part-time administrative positions funeral Masses; make appointments with a priest, at the rectory coincided with a lay-off from etc.—so it‘s important to always be smiling, posi- MasterCard where Marianne was a business tive and, most importantly, helpful.‖ development director. Marianne handles the door and the phone, On December 1st, she began covering the incoming and outgoing mail, altar server sched- afternoon hours at the rectory while she looks ules, and the parish database. She writes the In- for a new full-time job at a small to mid-sized Marianne Gannon tercessory Prayers for the priests and lectors each company or a not-for-profit. week and works with the primary parish secretary, Marianne says, ―The rectory tends to be the primary stop Jeanne Doran, on many other tasks including the announce- for many parishioners both new and old, and first impres- ments that will be read at Mass. ―Working with Monsignor sions of the parish need to be friendly, warm and inviting. and the priests, Sr. Cathy, Deacon Pellegrini and the parish Typically, the rectory is where you go first to join the parish; support staff is an honor and quite an enjoyable job. There get married and baptized; find out who to talk to at the is always lots to do and never a dull moment!‖ she says.

Let Us Entertain You (continued from page 13)

learned to play classical pi- music whenever and wherever possible.‖ ano. He also became an accomplished guitarist. In In 1971, he formed the band Doc Holliday and signed 2003, Bob wrote an auto- with Metromedia Records which took the band to London biographical piece in which to record an album. By January 1975, he had embarked on he described his musical an eleven month tour of the U.S. and Canada with Peter influences: Frampton during which Frampton Comes Alive was recorded. He continued to work with Frampton through the next two ―The world of pop mu- albums I’m in You and Where I Should Be. sic was really exploding in By 1980, Bob took a break from touring and worked in New York during the 1960s the studio with Joe Walsh and Foreigner. He subsequently Bob Mayo via some wonderfully varied toured with Foreigner and followed that by touring with AM radio; the singing Aerosmith and Robert Plant before returning to tour with groups, the instrumentalists, pop, rock, R&B, country; Foreigner. He wrapped the 1980‘s by touring with Dan everyone from Elvis, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Ray Fogelberg and Hall & Oates. Charles, Bobby Darin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Bob teamed back up with Peter Frampton in 1992. He Smokey and the early Motown sounds, the Beach Boys, was also on tour with Frampton in Europe in 2004 when he Phil Spector, The Righteous Brothers blasting out of a suffered a fatal heart attack. Bob‘s musical legacy has been tiny speaker in a suburban bedroom, introducing a much passed on to his son, Gregory, who is a talented professional wider world of musical expression, sparking the imagina- guitarist and songwriter per- tion of a new generation of musicians and fans. forming in the New York City And then the Ed Sullivan Show and the noise that area with the Greg Mayo Band. shook the world….. Suddenly everyone was in a band, and I was no excep- tion. The early ones: Kingbees, Dark Side, Orphans, Gas C arole Morelli Kozloski House Kids, Sweet Release, Ramble and The Descen- „71 and her husband, Peter, dants, with me on organ and vocals, worked the clubs, own a television sta- schools and community centers throughout New York, tion, WAGM-TV, in Presque New Jersey and Connecticut, playing the best of the Brit- Isle, Maine. WAGM is both a ish and American groups, writing and recording original Continued on page 17 Carole Morelli Kozloski Page 16 The Annunciator

Fox News Channel Series Features Parishioners (Continued from page 3) move you make! Mr. Pancheme and the Evan and Griffin. Celeste‘s entire crew were wonderful. They put the station ID focuses on her kids at ease, and the day went very Scout leadership. ―My name is smoothly. It was a wonderful experience, Celeste Hughes, and I volun- and I was honored to be asked and to rep- teer as a Boy Scout leader. resent not only Annunciation, but all Scouting provides opportuni- Catholic schools!‖ ties for the boys to be active Even Joanna‘s family is excited. Jo- citizens in their community. anna‘s husband, Joe, was surprised and ex- As Scouts get outdoors for cited for his wife. Their twin six-year-old adventure, they develop leader- sons, Joseph and Christian, love to watch ship skills that prepare them their mother on TV. They have a laptop in for life. That is why I am Celeste Hughes, a Scout leader, was also the kitchen, and the boys play the commer- proud to be an American,‖ featured in the Proud American Series. cial over and over every night while Joanna says Celeste in the fifteen- makes dinner. second ad. In mid-January, the class Scouts from Pack 6 and Troop 1 participated in the filming, went down to the Fox studios which took place over a five-hour period along the Bronx River to see how the process of at the Parkway Oval and the Crestwood Scout Cabin. The boys making such a station ID can be seen in the first shot crossing a bridge over the river. works. Laura Finneran, Permission to film the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts was given by daughter of Tim Finneran ‗81 the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. said, ―My favorite part of the Celeste has been involved in Scouting for seven years as a tour was when we visited the Den Leader. She has also served as the Pack‘s Cub Master for camera set, and I was able to Laura Finneran the last three years and is the Committee Chairperson for see myself on TV. Also, it Troop 1 Crestwood in addition to working full-time in Manhat- was really cool meeting the different newscasters and tan. She is also a member of the planning committee for Crest- watching them work live on TV.‖ wood‘s Memorial Day Parade. Her classmate Andrew Sciacca agreed, ―When we ar- ―I was excited to be part of this and be able to represent rived at Fox News, we were very excited and could not Scouting to a national audience. The boys who were filmed wait to go inside. The first thing we did was met Jenna were eager to participate and had a great opportunity to learn Lee and John Scott in their studio. We all got to sit in about the various jobs that the film crew does and the amount their chairs and go in front of the camera. We also vis- of work that goes into making a fifteen-second film. In addi- ited the control room and were able to see what happens tion, we were happy that veterans Joe DeBernardis and Ed behind the scenes. My favorite part was meeting with Napierkowski, from the Ernest Pasqua American Legion, were Mr. Panchame and watching how he does the editing and part of the filming, because our Scouts participate in several special effects for Fox News. He showed us how he had projects during the year that involve our veterans.‖ Celeste edited our commercial. ‖ points out that although only a small group of boys were able to Also in the Proud American series is Celeste Hughes, be part of the filming, scouting is alive and well in Crestwood an Annunciation parishioner and mother of Connor ‗09, with 84 Cub Scouts in Pack 6 and 29 Boy Scouts in Troop 1.

The excited 4th Grade Class outside Fox News Channel‟s studios with their teacher, Joanna Capozzo Napolitano „90, and the parent chaperones.

Photo courtesy Mindy Merone February 2012 Page 17

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 15)

CBS and Fox Affiliate. Prime-time programming is pro- vided to the station from CBS and FOX, and the remaining The Gilchrist family of Patty „75, Tommy „77, Mi- time is filled with syndicated programming and local news. chael „79, John „82, Kathleen „84, Brian „89, and Suzie WAGM provides local news and weather to viewers in „91 are all card carrying members of SAG. Combined, Northern Maine and Western New Brunswick, Canada, the siblings have acted in six hundred commercials, none with four local newscasts daily Monday through Friday and more famous than the Life Cereal commercial with three local newscasts on Saturday. ―Mikey‖. The station has approximately forty employees. Peter is Their resumes also include much print work along Chairman and CEO, and Carole is President and COO. with films, Broadway productions and the Champlain She has been involved in the station for over twenty years Shakespeare Festival. They have worked with such nota- and took over the day to day management in March 2010. ble stars as Joanne Woodward, Richard Kiley, James In her spare time, Carole enjoys playing golf, traveling, Woods, James Earl Jones, Joe Namath, Buddy Hackett, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Alan King, Jason Patric and George C. Scott.

Patty, Tommy, Michael, Kathleen and Suzie are all Annunciation parishioners and athryn Neville Browne K are raising their „73 fell in love with acting from families in Crest- the moment she played Mary wood. ten of and carried a very heavy plaster their combined baby Jesus in her kindergarten twelve children Christmas pageant. While at- have attended or tending law school at George- are attending town, she became an enthusias- Annunciation tic member of the Gilbert and A still from the Life cereal com- School. Sullivan Society. She subse- mercial with John Gilchrist as quently became an Assistant Mikey. District Attorney in the Bronx where she prosecuted felony Kathryn Neville Browne narcotics cases at trial and on Entertainment law attorney, handling cases at Volunteer Law- appeal for many years. She then left her law career in order yers for the Arts. In addition to her law and acting careers, to raise her two sons. she recently helped wrangle Spongebob Squarepants through Manhattan in the Macy‘s Thanksgiving Day parade as one of Kathryn is now a full-time actress. She stars in the web his balloon handlers. series Empire as Sandra Ha-

ven for which she was You can find out more about Kathryn at her website nominated Outstanding www.kathrynnevillebrowne.com . Supporting Actress at the 2011 Indie Soap Awards. She has appeared in numer- L ee Curreri, former classmate „74, might be remem- ous commercials, independ- bered for his unbelievably talented piano playing at spring ent films and New York concerts at Annunciation. Identified by Annunciation music City theatre projects, in- teacher, William Taggart, as someone for whom a solo should cluding The Wild Duck be carved out, Lee amazed attendees with his musical per- (Ibsen) and Romeo and Juliet. formances. She is a member of the Lee studied his craft at the Manhattan School of Music, American Federation of Mannes College of Music, and Westchester Conservatory. Television and Radio Art- He became an international sensation when director Alan ists and of the Actors‘ Eq- Parker cast him in the role of Bruno Martelli, an intense key- uity Association. Kathryn board prodigy, in the acclaimed motion picture Fame. That will soon be returning to followed with a television series of the same name in 1982. Continued on page 18 Kathryn the balloon handler the practice of law as an Page 18 The Annunciator

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 17)

The television series brought Lee to Los Angeles where shared the stage and performed with many renowned art- his personal take on pop, jazz and classical styles made him in ists, including Billy Gibbons, Ellis Hall, Anton Fig, Kenny demand to score music for a number of other television pro- Aronoff, Scott Page, and Alysha jects when he wasn‘t on the set or recording music. Soon Brillinger. He also opened for after moving to the West Coast, Lee‘s musical talents were Gov‘t Mule and other renowned discovered by Bobby Colomby of A&R for Capitol Records. acts at the 2000 Bayou Blues Fes- Colomby and Curreri would subsequently commence work tival, in addition to opening for on a project for Capitol, and Colomby introduced Lee to Bo Bice at the Live at Five Con- Natalie Cole, recommending that he produce Natalie on her cert series. Good To Be Back album. The success of that project led to Lee Phil has been playing guitar going on to produce a host of artists, including Nicollete Lar- since he was nine. He says, ―My son, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Jon Hassell and Phil first concert was at Schultze Field Perry. one summer just after starting Lee also continued to compose for film and television and high school. Before that, I played play keyboards and synthesizers for many other artists. He the occasional Sunday folk Mass. In addition to performing at local formed the TV/film music production company Musigenics, Phil LoPresti and scored music for MTV, several animated programs, sev- venues in the area, I was in the eral national commercials and television series such as Chicago stage and jazz band in high school.‖ Hope. Through a close association with Hans Zimmer‘s Me- Phil graduated from Mercy College and the Westchester dia Ventures, Lee was introduced to producer Jerry Bruck- Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz guitar and heimer and became composer for the Simpson/Bruckheimer music theory and graduated with a B.S. in music with a mi- series Dangerous Minds and SOF. Lee‘s reputation as a cutting nor in communication. Phil continued to pursue his music edge contemporary writer brought him back into commer- in tandem with other business pursuits. cials, and he composed spots In the early 1980‘s, Phil formed the band RISK and for boutique music house, Vol- traveled to London to promote their music. Several other ume, including high-profile na- bands have been formed over the years, including Big Chief tional campaigns for Microsoft & the Midnight Groove, which was formed sixteen years Network, Turner Broadcasting ago and still performs throughout the tri-state area. Some and Toyota. of Phil‘s classmates from the Class of 1974 have attended After years of scoring, re- his performances. In 2003, Big Chief won first place at the cord producing and perform- New Music and Artist Showcase at Madison Square Garden ance work, Lee took time to for best new Funk Rock/R&B band. In addition to Big compose and produce the first Chief, other projects of Phil‘s include The High Street and full length CD of his own origi- Gig-a-bit band which toured throughout the United States nal music, the transcendental, Lee Curreri and New England. rhythmic-soul project, Aquabox. In November 2011, Phil was asked to perform at the He also composed music for Winning the Peace, a short film Unity for Veterans concert at the NYCB Theater in West- that won Best Score at the Rhode Island International Film bury, NY. This great cause, which is sponsored by Senator Festival as well as the 2010 feature film Meskada along with John McCain, provides additional benefits to U.S. Veterans. Steve Weisberg. After spending four years writing music for Then in January of 2012, Phil had the pleasure of perform- TV's Oprah, he is now composing music for the Dr. Oz Show. ing with an all-star band for the premier and after party Most recently, he had the immense pleasure of working on an celebration of Beneath the Darkness, a film starring Dennis album with his childhood idol, Carole King, arranging and Quaid. This performance at the House of Blues in L.A. recording songs for A Holiday Carole. Lee‘s website is also showcased Dennis performing with his band, the www.leecurreri.com. Sharks, which made for a memorable night. While in Los Angeles, Phil reached out to his former Annunciation class- mate, Lee Curreri, who did him the honor of attending the show. P hil LoPresti „74 is an accomplished guitarist with over thirty years of studio and stage guitar experience. He is a graduate of the Westchester Conservatory of Music and has Continued on page 19 February 2012 Page 19

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 18) responsible for casting, pro- F ive years ago, Jim O‟Grady „74 was working as research ducing and directing live director at an urban policy think tank. As he puts it, ―It was a broadcasts of A Christmas good job but as dull as it sounds. I knew right away that my Carol, The War of the Worlds, insides would pickle if I didn‘t find a creative outlet, so I The Witch’s Tale and The Wiz- checked out a storytelling show at the Nuyorican Poets Café ard of Oz at the Museum of on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. What happened next Television & Radio starring amazed me.‖ Jenna Elfman, Judd Nelson, He tells that story, which ends with Garrison Keillor Paul Sorvino, William Shat- bringing him onstage at a gala in front of 600 people, in an ner, Sheena Easton, Robert essay that ran in The New York Times on November 14, 2008. Goulet, Henry Winkler, Ted The essay, titled ―Songs of Themselves,‖ is searchable on the Levine, Dwight Yoakam and Times website. You can also find videos of Jim‘s storytelling many others. by searching his name on You Tube. Frank and his wife have Jim tells stories at events and competitions held by The two adult children. Their daughter lives in the Wash- Moth, a non-profit group that He‟s now known profes- describes itself as devoted to ington, DC area, and their sionally as Frank Murphy ―both the raconteur, who son attends college in St. breathes fire into true tales of Louis. Frank is involved in the Knoxville area community ordinary life, and the storytelling as a volunteer for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and novice who has lived through President of the FBI Knoxville Citizens Academy Alumni something extraordinary and Association. He also occasionally volunteers as emcee of yearns to share it.‖ Their web- various events for Bone Zones, the group which facilitates site is themoth.org. public appearances for renowned forensic anthropologist His stories, which sometimes Dr. Bill Bass. He is in the process of developing a new center on experiences he had show for East Tennessee PBS and is a frequent on-camera with childhood friends from host for their pledge drives. Annunciation or on his experi- Frank has been using social media since 2005 when he Jim O‟Grady ences as a student at Fordham started a daily blog at frankmurphy.com, which has been University, have aired on The Moth podcast and This Ameri- voted one of ―East Tennessee‘s Best‖ by the readers of the can Life, a weekly show produced by Public Radio Interna- Knoxville News Sentinel for four consecutive years. He can tional. also be found on Facebook, and he is active on Twitter as Jim, who is now a reporter for WNYC, New York public @FrankMurphyCom. radio, says, ―Storytelling has changed my life immeasurably For the past ten years, Frank has been gradually work- for the better. When I applied to work at WNYC, I had zero ing toward his goal of visiting all fifty states. He reached on-air experience, but the producers figured if I could yak at his ―final four‖ in the summer of 2011. In addition to trav- crowds of strangers, I could learn to talk on the radio. Best eling, Frank enjoys swimming, of all is the creative community I‘ve found myself a part of. pop culture and dessert. My dearest friends belong to it, and I belong to them.‖

L ee Woodriffe „77 started T he Class of 1975 has a former classmate who is now a her show business career as a radio host. Now known as Frank Murphy, you can hear character voice actor in the him on weekday mornings as a co-host of the Marc & Kim & children‘s radio program Once Frank radio show on Star 102.1 in Knoxville, TN. On Tues- Upon A Time on WVOX radio day evenings, Frank can be found on stage with the comedy in New York. Since then, she improv group Einstein Simplified at Side Splitters Comedy has appeared in numerous re- Club. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Frank worked at radio gional theatrical productions stations in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. He graduated including Godspell and Pippin from George Mason University, where he won the Senior of along with two off-Broadway the Year award. During his tenure in Los Angeles, Frank was Continued on page 20 Lee Woodriffe Page 20 The Annunciator

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 19) performances in The Me Nobody Knows and Runaways. Lee is a broadcast journalism graduate of Point Park Col- T ara Kennedy Fishman „85 began her show business lege in Pittsburgh, PA and has worked professionally in career on Broadway at the age of 7 in I Remember Mama with broadcast radio as a syndicated host, and as the lead travel Liv Ullmann and score by the late Richard Rogers. After a analyst at WJLA-TV in Washington, DC. year in that production, she acted in Annie on Broadway Her television credits include Necessary Roughness, Drop where she was an orphan named Kate full-time with eight Dead Diva and The Car Lot, and she has movie appearances in shows a week. She also doubled as Annie‘s understudy and A Cross to Bear and the web film series, Paula Peril: Midnight was blessed to have done that role at least twenty times. Whistle. Says Tara, ―It truly was a dream come true. I was a student In addition to voice over work, Lee has also been seen in at Annunciation the entire time, and I credit former princi- many commercials and promotional videos and recently pal Kevin Scanlon with his patience and understanding, for joined the standardized patient professional actor roster at allowing me a somewhat flexible schedule.‖ Emory University‘s School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. ―Since I did not get to bed until close to midnight each When she isn‘t acting or doing voice overs, Lee runs her evening after my shows, Mr. Scanlon was kind enough to own travel company, Pegasus Tours and Travel, based in Li- let me come in to school an hour late, and I did not attend thonia, GA. (See the June 2011 edition of The Annunciator.) Annunciation on Wednesdays because of the matinee and evening performances that day. While Annunciation was truly accommodating, I still had to keep my grades up, R ichard “Rikk” Angelori „79 has been playing profes- which is something I am truly grateful for. Though I was sionally since he was fifteen years old, performing mostly with very young, it taught me wonderful life-long lessons about his older brother's groups. His performances range from live responsibility and accountability. I also credit my wonder- performances to recording at some of the local studios ful parents who tried to balance my life as much as possi- around the New York tri-State area. He has also worked with ble. That is one of the reasons they chose to keep me in regular school while I was working.‖ other area musicians, both in performing and re- Tara also did numerous television and film roles, includ- cording. Who’s Who in Mu- ing one made-for-TV film, The Electric Grandmother, a role as sic says, ―Whether Motown, Paul Newman's daughter in Fort Apache, The Bronx, and a Rock, R&B, Up-tempo or role in an NBC children's special entitled Rosie, in which she Ballad, Rikk can put some played the older sister of a child dying of cancer. Tara also soul in it!‖ appeared in numerous commercials and print work. Rikk has an ear for both When she became a bit older, Tara would travel every vocal and instrumental ar- summer playing the role of Annie in summer stock produc- rangement, and loves to tions after the Broadway production closed. After graduat- perform. He has played in ing from Annunciation, she went on to attend The Ursuline the United States and School where she continued in show business part-time Europe for both Sony/ Richard Angelori until graduation. During her high school years she ap- Zomba/Jive as well as peared on As the World Turns, and, at the age of 16, did an some independent labels. He has been a producer (Y-n-A album with Atlantic Records. Music, along with his partner Gary Lue from CDT Produc- Tara attended NYU, and ironically, even though it has a tions formed Y-N-A together) and studio musician working great film and theatrical school, she ended up choosing to with many Sony/BMI/ASCAP recording artists and song- major in journalism. She had always been inspired by her writing teams across the globe. father who worked for NBC with the amazing NBC News During the late ‗80s and ‗90s, Rikk worked with people team. A very fortunate internship with Tom Brokaw and like Duran Duran, the Grammy nominated Skatellites, Celine NBC Nightly News during her senior year at NYU had a tre- Dion, Kara DioGuardi and Rupert Holmes. He is also a first- mendous impact on Tara and re-directed her life. call recording studio bassist! Rikk owns a company that re- After her graduation from NYU, she wrote and re- wires many well known technology and logic studios includ- ported local news on-air in some small TV markets in ing a new live studio in Westchester called Octaven Studios. Pennsylvania. She soon discovered that her passion was His business allows him to combine his technological skills more behind the scenes and returned to her favorite place with his love of music. Continued on page 21 February 2012 Page 21

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 20) in the world—New York and 30 Rockefeller Center. Michael recorded She went on to become an archivist, researcher and eventu- his country CD, enti- ally a news writer and producer for NBC network, NBC tled Down in Music News, Fox News Network, Fox News Channel, and finally City, approximately MSNBC. two years ago at a In January 2000, Tara put her career on hold and became a small, independent full-time mother to her first-born daughter Alexis, now 12, studio in Nashville and subsequent children that followed: Madison, age 10, Tay- called the Fry Phar- lor, age 8, Peyton, age 5, and Elliot, age 3. Tara says, ―Right macy. A friend who now I am completely immersed in child-rearing, but I always he had played music say that I never know what the future holds. My children are with in New York by far my greatest achievement, and I am grateful for the City had moved to Michael Zilm wonderful education I had early on at Annunciation that now Nashville, and he enables me to assist my kids with their own school work.‖ helped Michael put together the studio and musicians for ―My four girls also have an interest in singing, dancing and the recording session. Michael sent ahead a CD of twenty acting, and while I do not want to diminish their aspirations, I songs that he had written, playing them on an acoustic gui- love the fact that they are living lives filled with varied inter- tar. The musicians listened to the CD, charted the music ests with friends, sports and most importantly, being home and practiced their different parts until Michael was able to tucked in their beds at night. I encourage them to take fly down to Nashville to record. Once he arrived, they re- their dance and singing lessons, do community theater, and corded twenty songs in two days, working the arrangements prepare for whatever life has in store for them, but for now out on the spot. Later, they picked ten songs to edit and my primary concern is their education. Show business will mix and mastered the final CD. always be there if they choose it at an older age. My eldest In his other life, Michael is a project manager for a con- daughter, Alexis, is now attending my alma mater, Ursuline, in struction company that builds medical labs, office and 6th grade, and is on the honor roll with straight A‘s. For me, classrooms, primarily for NYU and Columbia Presbyterian that is my greatest reward in life. As the song from The Sound Hospitals. It is a career that sometimes has him working of Music says, ‗I must have done something good.‘‖ eighty hours a week.

H ow does a boy from Crestwood grow up to record a B rian Koppel „92 always loved watching television country music CD in Nashville, TN? Michael Zilm „89 can shows, particularly daytime and prime-time soaps, and tell you. ―I became interested in music just from listening to knew he wanted to work in that industry some day. In high the radio I had in my room as a little kid—before TVs and school, he started writing a couple of screenplays, so it was computers were in every room of the house! I started off this no surprise that after graduating from Iona Prep, he then interest by annoying the neighbors with a drum kit that I got went to Ithaca College, where he majored in television and in high school. I also learned to play guitar and piano.‖ radio production. Ithaca offered a program for communi- He began writing music in college, being both lyricist and cation students to spend a semester in Los Angeles, and composer. ―Most popular music is the same chord struc- Brian went to California for the spring and summer of his tures, just with different arrangements. I backed into country junior year. While in college, he interned with the Geraldo music from the Beatles to Buddy Holly to the Everly Broth- Rivera Show, VH1‘s Behind the Music and the soap operas All ers to Johnny Cash to Hank Williams and Jimmy Rodgers. I My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful. like the arrangements of acoustic guitars, fiddles and pedal Upon graduation, Brian moved back to L.A. and worked steel—the instruments that used to be called ‗country mu- as a receptionist at a talent agency before moving into real- sic.‘‖ ity TV as an assistant story editor on MTV‘s The Real World Michael has written songs in various genres, including and MTV‘s Fraternity Life. He then became a story editor rock and roll, soul, funk and blues, in addition to country. He on the inaugural season of E! Entertainment‘s Dr. 90210 notes that when Ray Charles arranges and sings the melody to and the senior story editor on that show for the following ―I Can‘t Stop Loving You‖, he changes a country song into a three seasons. gospel song. And of course, certain musical genres lend Brian moved back to New York to attend the Institute themselves to particular lyrical subject matters. Continued on page 22 Page 22 The Annunciator

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 21) of Culinary Education, graduating in 2008. He had a brief return to television when he did a culinary internship at The Food Network and was a production kitchen prep cook for The Big Con Paula Deen‘s Paula’s Party, Rachel Ray‘s 30 Minute Meals and Grillin’ with Bobby Flay. Brian has rounded out his career by Brian Manning „92, Kevin O‟Sullivan „92, being a background actor, or extra, on several television Bill Manning „96, and Patrick O‟Toole „01 have shows such as 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Law & Order, Gossip combined their talents in a rock and roll band called Girl, and Boardwalk Empire as well as the movies Wall Street 2, the Big Con. Step Up 3D and Salt. If you look closely, you should be able to see Brian since he had a few close ups that made the final The band, which has been playing venues in cut! Manhattan and Brooklyn for a year and a half, Now a resident of Crestwood, Brian says that Los Angeles started in the fall of 2009, with Brian on bass and was a great city to live in with amazing weather, celebrity Kevin on vocals and guitar. Bill quickly joined on sightings and the proximity to other wonderful cities such as lead guitar and vocals, complementing Kevin and Palm Springs, San Diego, and Las Vegas. ―There‘s nothing collaborating on songwriting. The group then found like hiking up to the Hollywood sign or rollerblading at Ven- the right drummer in Patrick, who joined in the ice Beach.‖ Brian is currently working at Westchester Com- spring of 2010. munity College in administration. The band recorded a seven-song EP, ―And Other Stories,‖ in August 2010. They continue to rehearse, perform, write, and record, and more stu- L eah Nieves „96 is a wardrobe stylist and has had the dio tracks are expected shortly. Their music is avail- pleasure of working side by side with stylist and TV personal- able at http://thebigcon.bandcamp.com. Their next ity Robert Verdi. She has dressed the first female iron chef, appearance is at the Bowery Electric in Manhattan Cat Cora, as well as Eva Longoria, Kathy Griffin, and plus on Feb. 15. size model Lizzy Miller. On her latest project, Leah ward- robed eighteen female reporters and anchors for CNBC. In high school at The Ursuline School, Leah‘s ion merchandising. Here, she learned about the business friends would al- side of fashion and the history of the fashion art form; ways look to her fashion mathematics, management, fashion history, fashion for shopping guid- magazines, art history, accounting, and even business law. ance and hair and Says Leah, ―Throughout my studies we were required to make-up tips. Leah complete work programs for real life experience, an aspect feels that she was of the school‘s curriculum that drew me to it in the first never very focused place. During my junior year, I studied abroad in London in high school and Paris. My first taste of styling came from the intern- unless it had to do ship I acquired in London where I helped produce Kanye Leah with Cat Cora, left. with something West‘s performance at the Britt Awards in 2007 and the creative. She ex- world of ‗styling‘ caught my attention. I landed an intern- celled in art, writing and performing, whether it was cheer- ship with celebrity stylist and tastemaker Robert Verdi in leading or dance. my senior year back in the States. I assisted styling Eva She took a few years off after graduation and found her- Longoria for numerous projects, including her wedding, self dreaming about a career in fashion. She remembered a the Golden Globes, Emmys, and The Alma Awards, a school that had struck her eye at a college fair that blended show which she hosted and produced every year.‖ Since the worlds of fashion and business. Says Leah, ―One com- her graduation in 2007, Leah has been working as a free- ponent of this I had a passion for, while the other was an im- lance stylist, heading up projects for Robert Verdi along portant means to an end.‖ with acquiring her own clients, projects, and identity as a She enrolled at The Laboratory of Merchandising or fashion stylist. ―LIM,‖ a four-year college, where she earned a BBA in fash- Continued on page 23 February 2012 Page 23

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 22) ―My favorite thing about styling is hard to pinpoint. The Google commissioned for April Fool‘s Day. In October, thrill of working with celebrities, to see my creations in print, he handled an enormous shoot in Atlanta for the opening and having been able to experience a world so many can only credits of a new VH-1 reality series. dream of is wonderful. But, the most rewarding part is seeing Kevin has resided in Yonkers and Brooklyn and is cur- the expression on a person‘s face after putting a look to- rently looking for a place where he can walk to work. gether. I enjoy being the person that can make someone‘s When he isn‘t working, he likes making plans with friends face light up with confidence and excitement because they or catching up on reading or watching television. look great.‖

K ristine Elezaj „99, featured in our January 2010 edi- K evin Howard „97 owns his own production services tion of The Annunciator, released an album called No Ques- company, Canal Creatures (www.canalcreatures.com), which tions Remain. She also released two videos for that album is located in Brooklyn, NY. The company, which would like for the songs ―Souvenirs‖ and to help implement sustainable, eco-friendly practices into the ―Warpath‖. The response to film industry, was named after the Gowanus Canal, which the those songs has taken things company overlooks! to the next level for Kristine, Kevin had always wanted to work in film and television. who is now being represented His first job was helping with crowd control on the set of by Roxwell Entertainment. Maid in Manhattan during his freshman year at NYU. After Her album can be found on that, he spent several years working either on set or in the iTunes. production office of several television series, including Queer Kristine is working on new Eye for the Straight Guy, CSI:NY, and Wife Swap. It was on material in Los Angeles with Wife Swap that he held his first producers Adonis, who has job as a production account- worked with Beyonce, Usher, ant, and found that he really Alicia Keys, and Justin Beiber; loved it. Ras, a producer who has After that, Kevin teamed worked with One Republic up with a freelance producer and Jordan Sparks; and Cook who gave him some produc- Classics who has worked with Kristine Elezaj in US tion management responsibili- Outasight (see page 12). She Weekly ties on top of the accounting has just shot a new music video for the new single work, and Kevin has part- ―Monster,‖ which she hopes to release very soon. Kristine nered with him ever since. continues to perform and tour and has recently begun ap- While he had originally ex- Kevin Howard pearing in national entertainment magazines, such as Intouch pected to be on the creative and US Weekly, now that she has become more well known. side of entertainment as a writer or director, Kevin has found his niche on the business side. ―As production manager, I monitor the budget and keep T oni Schutté „99 is currently a brand and consumer track of spending. I have to make sure that we have the right marketing manager at Sony Music Entertainment. Her job number of crew members and equipment for the director to entails developing and executing marketing initiatives that achieve his or her vision, without draining the bank ac- incorporate music and musicians into global brands like count. That means maintaining good relationships with crew Citibank, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Pepsi. Toni lev- and vendors so that they‘re willing to negotiate their rates erages music as a marketing tool by using it to influence the based on what I can pay them. I need to use a lot of fast, consumer‘s behavior in a positive way to reflect a brand‘s complicated math sometimes, when the producer asks how image and build awareness. Her multi-platform projects much overtime we can afford because the director needs to have included integrating music and artist experiences into do an unscheduled shot at the end of the day.‖ the Citibank Thank You Rewards Program, creating a digi- In 2011, Kevin‘s company handled commercials for Dis- tal download store for The X Factor, a Sperry Top-Sider cover Card that have been airing during NFL games, as well as promos for WABC News, Saratoga Race Track, two new Continued on page 24 series on Fuse Network, and a popular viral video that Page 24 The Annunciator

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 23)

Shoes fly-away sweepstake, and a Nis- thought that it was the right san Foster the People iAd. program because of its in- Besides working with brands, Toni ternational focus and pres- is also involved in overseeing a first of tige, and he thought that its kind daily deal music website called between living in New York PopMarket.com. PopMarket.com and studying in London, he offers premium music and rare, col- would have his bases cov- lectible albums, boxed sets and memo- ered on the theatre front. rabilia at deeply-discounted members- While studying, Matt was only prices. This past summer, Toni able to work at the Barbi- opened and managed the PopMarket can Centre, assistant pro- Pop-Up Shop at a historic rock and duce a new West End play, roll landmark: CBGB‘s. One of the Matt Franzetti and intern at the Ambassa- Toni Schutté most exciting events held at the shop dor Theatre Group which is was an Alicia Keys in-store CD sign- the largest theatre owner and producer in the UK. ing that celebrated the 10th anniversary of her first album Matt is now back in New York working as the company Songs in A-Minor. ―The best thing about working at Sony Mu- manager at a production company called Matt Murphy Pro- sic is that you never know who you are going to run into. ductions. Matt says, ―Matt Murphy produces a variety of You can be in the elevator with Beyoncé, waiting for coffee Broadway and off-Broadway work that has been thrilling to with Adele, or in a meeting with Bruce Springsteen,‖ she says. be a part of. My job entails maintaining the shows‘ physical Toni has worked for Sony Music Entertainment since components, managing the front of house operations at our graduating from University of Nebraska-Lincoln five years theatres, organizing rehearsals and casting, and producing ago. Hard work and a willingness to learn new skills has the show through marketing, partnerships, and other out- helped her slowly move up the corporate ladder reach. So really it‘s a bit of everything which means that no After Annunciation, Toni attended The Academy of Our day is ever the same—something I am very thankful for.‖ Lady of Good Counsel, graduating in 2003. She majored in Matt notes that the reason why he got into this industry marketing at Nebraska and was a member of Kappa Kappa is because of the passionate, beautiful, and inspiring people Gamma Sorority. While working, Toni earned an MBA from he continues to meet. ―In all of the companies I have Iona College with a concentration in marketing and a certifi- worked for, there is an extreme dedication from everyone I cate in entertainment marketing. encounter. We are all looking to create, to expand people‘s minds, and to have fun along the way in creating something Continued on page 25 M any will remember Matt Franzetti „01 for his acting, which he continued to do through college, including acting professionally during the summers at regional summer stock Memories of an Altar Boy venues. During his undergraduate work at Muhlenberg Col- (Continued from page 11) lege, Matt began to study business alongside theatre (an un- dertaking he admits was thanks to his parents‘ advice). He ―No Father.‖ became very intrigued by these seemingly opposite worlds ―Remember, it‘s an honor to be on the altar serving working together and began to consider how the business of Christ, and I‘ll have only the best in the parish, the cream building entertainment could ultimately lead to a career in the of the crop!‖ theatre. ―Yes Father.‖ After college, Matt moved to Atlantic City to become the stage manager for Fame at the Tropicana. He realized that ―Now then, you boys can go on home. To be sure this temporary job was revealing just the tip of the iceberg there‘ll be no school today given such a terrible storm as when it came to the relationship between theatre and busi- we‘ve had. But….don‘t be forgettin‘. You‘re both on to- ness, so he decided to go to graduate school to learn more morrow, and Paul, I want you here on time. Ya follow?‖ about how they function together. ―Yes Father! Thank you Father!‖ Matt chose to study arts administration and cultural policy ―Good. Off you go then.‖ at the University of London, Goldsmiths College. He Deo gratias. February 2012 Page 25

Let Us Entertain You (Continued from page 24) that is bigger than any one of us alone. The people who make that part my own. Keeping the cockney accent going thrive in this industry are those who want to do this with the whole show was really difficult, but I loved it.‖ every ounce of their being. Some of the best advice I ever Alyssa is now a senior at Ursuline and is busy applying received was, ‗If you have ever had the thought that you to colleges and handling college auditions. She works with might want to try something else, this isn‘t the right business an acting coach and a voice coach, and also takes dance for you.‘ Everyday is fun, a new adventure, and everyday I lessons. Alyssa does plan on going to college for musical take part in a magnificent creative process that I wouldn‘t theatre and hopes to double major in education. She would trade for anything.‖ like to continue acting in college and beyond.

A lyssa DiPanfilo „08 first took the stage at age 3 for a I n November 2010, Sara Granda „09 was filming a na- dance recital. By age 6, she was singing on stage, and in 4th tional commercial for Kohl‘s department stores. The com- grade she joined Annunciation‘s after-school performance mercial was Christmas themed and portrayed a family. program because ―all my friends were doing it, so I did too.‖ Michele, Sara‘s mother, thought that the gentleman playing She kept at it because she found that she really loved acting Sara‘s grandfather looked familiar to her. Michele enlisted and singing. Sara‘s aid in trying to figure out where they might know As a student at The Ursuline School, Alyssa played a gang- him from—had they seen him at the supermarket, or did he ster in Kiss Me Kate and Titania and Theseus in Amid a Mid live in Crestwood? He looked so familiar...maybe he was Summer Night’s Dream. She also performed in productions at an usher at Annunciation Church? Iona Prep—Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know and Silent When they couldn‘t put their finger on how they knew Laughter—as well as The Drowsy Chaperone and Beauty and the him, Michele took a moment to ask him where he was Beast at Stepinac. from, saying that she lived in Yonkers. His response was, Outside of school, Alyssa works with Lighthouse Youth ―I was born in Yonkers too. I lived in Crestwood on West- Theatre, located in Thorn- chester Avenue, between Margaret and Pennsylvania Ave- wood. With this company, nues.‖ What a small world! But then, as he described she has performed in Peter which house he lived in, Michele was putting it all together. Pan and Seussical the Musical at ―You lived in the house that Art Carney lived in.‖ ―Yes,‖ the Westchester Broadway said Brian Carney, ―I‘m Art Carney‘s son!‖ Dinner Theatre. Alyssa also Of course then Michele played King in Big River and realized that the reason The Artful Dodger in Oliver Brian Carney was so famil- with the same company at iar to her was that he is the Yorktown Stage. Cur- well known as the gentle- rently with LYT, she is man on the GEICO com- working on Les Mis and an mercial who talks to the original cabaret show and gecko. ―When we left, I recently finished Wizard of thought what a small Oz at the Westchester world it is and how we are Alyssa DiPanfilo Broadway Dinner Theatre always getting connected with WestCo Productions. back to Crestwood,‖ said Alyssa juggles lots of productions and loved being in the Michele. last three parish shows at Annunciation. She had a great time Sara, is currently a jun- working with Dick Monaco and Rose Begnal and everyone ior at The Ursuline School else who helped to make the experiences so much fun and so and continues to do com- memorable. Between the high school productions, the par- mercial and print work. ish productions, and her outside company, Alyssa averages She will be in the catalog Sara Granda and Brian Carney five to six shows a year. Her favorite part was The Artful and website for Coats and Dodger in Oliver because she was able to dance and sing and, Clark and did a live TV shoot for Teen Vogue on WPIX 11. says Alyssa, ―The part required a lot of energy and really In early February, Sara traveled to Australia as an exchange showed off my different abilities. I worked really hard to student for The Ursuline School. Page 26 The Annunciator

Reunion News

The Class of 1962 is planning its 50th Anniversary reunion. A committee has been formed, and they can be contacted for more information: Janet O‘Moore Speight—email [email protected] Tina Hult Brown—email [email protected] Chris Grealy Brown Daly—email [email protected] Joe McBrien—email [email protected] Gordon Duffield—email [email protected]

A reunion is being planned for the Classes ending in „2 and „7 (1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, and 1987). The reunion will be held on April 28, 2012. Please contact Mary Theresa McCombe at [email protected] for more informa- tion. The majority of the reunion planning and communication will be done by email.

A joint reunion is being planned for all of the Classes of the 90‟s (1990 - 1999). It will be held on April 21, 2012. Please make sure that your friends know about it, and ask them to contact Mary Theresa McCombe at [email protected] with their email so that they can be informed of the plans as they become available.

Repeat Reunion! The Class of 1961 had such a good time at their 50th reunion in April 2011, that they are planning another reunion to be held on October 19, 2012, in Scottsdale, AZ. For more information, please contact Maurice Powers at [email protected]. Plans for an entire weekend celebration are already being made.

Order your Annunciation Alumni T-shirt or Hat!!

They Make a Great Gift!

If you would like to identify yourself as a proud Annunciation graduate, you can order the baseball cap for $15 or the T- shirt for $10, plus postage.

Baseball cap is size adjustable and T-shirts are available in large and extra-large. Pro- ceeds go to support our alumni program.

Ashtyn Lange „11 models the Annunciation Email [email protected] or call 914- Alumni T-shirt and baseball cap. 337-3953 to place your order today! February 2012 Page 27

Volunteer Needed for Help with Deaths Social Networking Please pray for the repose of the souls of the fol- lowing alumni:

Annunciation School‘s alumni program continues to grow. With the database containing over 3,500 names and our news- Eric Tofty, former classmate ‗84, brother of Sheila letter being distributed to over 1,750 people by email three ‗85, Jimmy and Noreen times a year, as well as our reunions and the deceased alumni Mass, the volunteer hours can really add up. Like many other organizations, social networking is some- We also pray for the souls of the following family thing that we believe our alumni program can benefit from. If of alumni: you are an expert on Facebook and Twitter, and you have some time to volunteer, we‘d like to speak to you about how you can Stephen Suren, father of Barbara ‗70 help us continue to grow our database and reach out to gradu- Mary and Pat Marino, father of Joanne ‗70, Donna ates, former students, parents, faculty and other friends through ‗74 and Patty social networking channels. Please email Mary Theresa Gill McCombe ‗75 at [email protected] or Joseph Maiorano, father of Christine ‗65 and the late [email protected]. Eugene ‗60 John J. Egan, father of Betty Ann ‗66, Jack ‗69, and James, former classmate ‗72

Gregory Spero, father of Mary Beth, Gregory ‗74, Save the Date! Ellen ‗81 and Peter ‗83 Men‘s Club Golf Outing Gloria Bantz, mother of Sandy ‗62, Katherine ‗70, June 4, 2012 Peter, the late Rita ‗63, the late Fred ‗65 and the late Margaret ‗66, and grandmother of John ‗98, James Email [email protected] ‗99 and Sarah ‗02 Stipicevic for more information. Thomas Brynes, father of Alice ‗61, Jeanette ‗65, Thomas ‗69 and Timothy ‗70 and grandfather of Christian ‗94, Jacqueline ‗97, Erik ‗00 and Emily ‗02

Upcoming Articles  Calling all doctors, nurses, medical researchers and therapists. If you work in the field of medicine, we‟d like to speak to you about an upcoming article.

 Have you ever wondered what happened to your favorite teacher? Please send the name of your favorite teacher and an explanation of why they were your favor- ite. We will try to find them and then feature both of you in a future article about the paths you each have taken. Please send an email to [email protected] with your name, year of graduation and a short note about either of these topics. Page 28 The Annunciator

Milestones Milestone Spotlight Morgan Patricia McNamara Marriages

Marie Cassels „99 married Adrian O‘Connor at Annun- ciation Church on October 28. Melissa Roffi „00 was a member of the wedding party. Marie is a registered nurse at White Plains Hospital Center, and Adrian works in con- struction. After a honeymoon to St. Lucia, the couple made their home in Yonkers, NY.

Births

Jennifer Mulligan Godshall „89 and her husband, Peter, are proud to announce the birth of their third child, Nicholas Anthony. He was born May 26, 2011, at White Plains Bill McNamara „92 and his wife, Kim, are thrilled to Hospital, and weighed in at 9 lbs., 10 announce that they have adopted a beautiful baby girl, ozs. Nicholas was also welcomed by Morgan Patricia, born October 20, 2011. Bill is a Vice his older siblings, Peter (10) and Isa- President - Sr. Strategic Accounts Analyst with Oppen- bella (6). He was baptized at Annun- heimer Funds. Kim recently retired to be a stay-at-home ciation, and his godfather is Thomas mom. Bill and Kim have been married for five years and Gaudio „01. The Godshall family lives in Scarsdale, NY. live in North Andover, MA. Morgan is also the granddaughter of current Annuncia- tion School secretary, Regina Possavino „93 and her husband, Takehiko Serai, JoAnn McNamara, welcomed their first child, Maya and her husband, Lucia, on May 24, 2011. She was Bill. born at St. Luke‘s Roosevelt Hos- pital in Manhattan, at 4 lbs., 3 ozs, and 17 inches. Maya was baptized Morgan, above, at Annunciation on October 30, with her proud par- and her godparents were Regina‘s ents, Bill and Kim brother and sister, Joseph „79 and and, at left, with her Eva „82. grandparents, JoAnn and Bill.

Mark „91 and Elizabeth Foley Soliman „88 had a healthy, and happy baby boy named Christopher Mark Soliman on June 27, Christina Pappas-Russo „92 and her husband, Christopher, 2011 at Lawrence Hospital in Bronx- announce the birth of their first child, Zoe ville, NY. Christopher weighed 9 lbs., Grayce, on July 13, 2011. Zoe is the grand- 6 ozs., and was 22 inches long. He was daughter of Cornelia Allen Pappas „59. christened at Annunciation Church on Christina has been an art teacher in New October 23. Says Mark, ―We have York City for the past ten years. The family every intention of sending him to An- lives in Yonkers, NY. nunciation School once he is ready.‖

February 2012 Page 29 Class Notes 1957 1966 2 Gannett Drive, Suite 300 Sister Mary Ann Dirr, RSM cele- Marianne Angel Bedard and her hus- White Plains, NY 10604 brated her 50th Anniversary in reli- band, Raymond, are happy to announce 914-697-6017 gious life. As a Sister of Mercy, Mary the birth of their first grandchild to their [email protected] Ann founded Mercy Center in the son, Brian, and his wife, Michela. Ronan South Bronx and continues to volun- Edge Bedard was born on September 22, 1993 teer there. A wonderful Liturgy and 2011 in Los Angeles, CA. Erin O‟Connell deSpoelberch and celebration was held on September 10, her husband, Nicholas, recently added and was attended by her family, a new member to their family, Quinn friends, Annunciation neighbors, and 1975 Eric deSpoelberch, who was born on Mercy Center friends. Tom Clark has joined Arthur J. Galla- July 3, 2011 at Norwalk Hospital at gher Risk Management Services, Inc. as 2:11 a.m. He was 9 lbs., 1 oz and 22 Executive Vice President of Management inches long, and is well taken care of by 1964 Liability for the northeast region. Arthur his big brother, Liam, who is now 2 Ellin Collabolletta Duggan retired J. Gallagher is the fourth largest insurance 1/2. Erin‘s husband is Dean of Stu- in July from the New York City Public broker in the world, and Tom will be re- dents at Regis High School, and Erin is Schools, where she worked as a school sponsible for business development and a stay-at-home mom. They just moved secretary for 29 years. She is enjoying client relationships. to a lovely house in Darien, CT, which semi-retirement by working two Tom will have offices in White Plains Erin says is ―thankfully still close mornings a week at her church, swim- and Manhattan with additional responsi- enough to Crestwood for Quinn's bap- ming and visiting her five grandchil- bilities throughout the northeast region. tism at Annunciation Church on Feb- dren in California and Illinois. She His new contact information is: ruary 19, 2012.‖ and her husband, Kip Duggan, re- Tom Clark cently celebrated their 40th anniver- Executive Vice President sary. Life just keeps getting better! Arthur J. Gallagher Services, Inc.

Keep Us in Mind! If you have a bit of news to share—a birth, marriage, anniversary, en- gagement, job change or other fun life event, please drop us a line and send us a photo!

If you have a change of email or mailing address, please let us know. We don‟t want to lose touch!

All information can be emailed to [email protected]. Please don‟t forget to include your full name and year of graduation. Page 30 The Annunciator

Sabrina Barisano Wins Section 1 Tennis Title

On November 2, 2011, Sabrina Barisano, Annunciation 14. She has been invited Class of 2011 and current Ursuline freshman, won the New to play tennis with Steffi York State Public School Athletic Association Section 1 ten- Graff at Madison Square nis title by defeating Bronxville High School Junior Amanda Garden and was able to Austi. As a result, Sabrina moved on to the state champion- meet Billie Jean King ship where she was seeded second but lost in the quarterfinal and Andre Agassi. Her round. most recent National Sabrina started playing tennis at the age of four. Though was in Alabama where she loves to play many different she went to the finals in sports, tennis always stood doubles and the quarter out. Sabrina has been training finals in singles. Sabrina privately with Kela Simunyola loves to work hard and for the past five years at Kela she never quits! Indoor Tennis in Mt. Vernon, It is Sabrina‘s goal to Sabrina and her mom, Mich- NY. Kela has coached many continue to play tennis ele, smile after Sabrina won top players over the years. He for as long as she the USTA Sportsmanship is a wonderful coach and friend can. She would like to Award. to Sabrina, but his program is be able to play for a Di- very difficult, and you really vision 1 college, and her dream is to play professionally have to love tennis to be part of some day. Now that tennis season is over, she is currently it. on Ursuline‘s crew team and is enjoying being on a team Sabrina is all focus. Sabrina has seen lots of ten- sport for a change. nis success and has made it to Sabrina enjoys spending time with family and friends and the finals and semi-finals of several USTA tournaments, sin- especially her dog, Lucky. Her years at Annunciation were gles and doubles. While some of the hardest tournaments are memorable and full of support. Many teachers understood in Florida and California, her most memorable event was the her schedule and would be excited for her when she was finals of a doubles tournament at Yale last summer. Sabrina away playing in tournaments or meeting tennis superstars. recalls, ―Tennis is typically a quiet sport, but the crowd could Says Sabrina‘s mother, Michele, ―The Annunciation com- not help themselves. It was a great feeling beating the num- munity of parents and students have all been wonderful in ber one seeded team and having the crowd behind you! An- wishing her all the best!‖ other memorable moment was being selected by the United Asked to sum up her involvement in tennis, Sabrina says, States Tennis Association for the 2010 Girls 12‘s Sportsman- ―I really love to play tennis. Sports will teach you so much ship Award. This was one of my proudest moments!‖ about life. Play hard and do whatever it is that you love! Sabrina is currently ranked number seven for those aged Loving it, is the key!‖ Arianna Apostolopoulos is Highlighted in „Review Press‟ Article

Arianna Apostolopoulos ‗08, a senior at The Ursuline just wants the ball in her hands.‖ School, was the subject of an article in the Review Press. In Arianna is recognized as a leader on the article, by Rob Cristino, Ursuline Coach, Beth Wooters, and off the court and a mentor to the speaks about losing three of five starters to graduation last new players. She understands all aspects year and the impact of having more new players than usual. of how to run a team and will, no doubt, While she admits that it has taken some time for the new be heavily relied upon during the up- team to bond and develop a chemistry, Coach Wooters coming season. points out that the team continues, as it has in the past, to be led by their point guard, Arianna Apostolopoulos. Arianna is a four-year varsity Arianna has been a member of the varsity team since her basketball player at The freshman year. In the article, Coach Wooters notes that Ursuline School. ―her maturity has grown as a person and as a player. She February 2012 Page 31

Ryan Meara „04 Drafted by New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Team Reprinted with permission of Fordham University Sports Information

Kansas City, Mo. January 12, 2012 happy for Ryan and his family. He has The culmination of a memorable senior been a special player for Fordham over season and career came to fruition for the past four years, leading Fordham to Fordham keeper Ryan Meara on Thursday four consecutive winning seasons, a as he was drafted in the second round of conference championship and numer- the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the New York ous individual records. I know he will Red Bulls with the 31st overall selection. continue to be successful at the next The senior was the only pick of the 2012 level not only because of his excep- draft for the Red Bulls, and he becomes the tional talent, but his work rate, person- first Fordham player chosen by an MLS ality and competitiveness. I look for- team since the New York/New Jersey Met- ward to watching Ryan develop and roStars selected John Wolyniec in 1999. represent Fordham for years to come Meara reflected on the accomplishment: in the professional ranks.‖ ―It‘s pretty crazy. It‘s almost surreal. I don‘t Erik Soler, General Manager of the think it will set in for a couple of days, but I Red Bulls, mentioned why the team was with my family and friends, and when I likes Meara. ―Todd Hoffard, our goal- saw my picture and name come up I was keeping coach, has been following him thrilled. It will be great to remain close to for a long time. We think he‘s the best home.‖ goalkeeper in the college system. He‘s Meara was named the A-10 Defensive Ryan Meara works out pre-season big, he‘a strong, we need a goalie, and Player of the year and All A-10 First Team with the Red Bulls. he‘s from New York. Every factor that following his senior season in 2011, a year we looked at was there, and he was the in which he posted an 11-6-1 record while becoming the player we wanted most from the draft simply because we school‘s all-time leader in shutouts (31). He was part of a de- needed a goalkeeper. Realistically there were a bunch of fense that recorded a pair of clean sheets against ranked oppo- others we couldn‘t calculate on getting, so we were very nents Xavier (#23) and happy. We went here with a positive attitude, and we got

Ryan Meara „04 was high- Charlotte (#11), and he the best out of what we could get.‖ lighted in the January 2009 posted a career-low In the SuperDraft, Meara was the first goalkeeper se- inaugural online edition of goals against average lected and was the only player chosen from an Atlantic 10 (0.65) while stopping an school. The Annunciator. all-time best 12 shots in the season end win over You can find an archive of all Temple. prior newsletters on the As for Atlantic 10 school‟s website. marks, Meara led the School.annunciationcrestwood.com league in goals against average (0.65), shutouts (10) and save percentage (.862) this fall. He was also named to the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Team following his senior sea- son, the third time in his career he was honored by the regions‘ coaches. Additionally, the senior was named All-A10 three times. ―This is great for the soccer program at Fordham and for Coach McElderry,‖ continued Meara. ―Having two players get drafted here says a lot.‖ Ryan‟s proud parents, left, Jack and Geri Meara, stand Coach McElderry shared his thoughts on Meara. ―I am very with Ryan and his Fordham University Soccer coach, Jim McElderry, on Senior Day at the university.