Saratoga Central Catholic School – St. Peter’s Academy Alumni & Friends Newsletter Volume 7 Winter 2020 PLEASE JOIN US . Dear Alumni and Friends of SPA and SCC, Last summer, posters highlighting several “Alumni of Distinction” were created and hung in the lobby of Saratoga Central Catholic School. These Alumni graduated from SPA/SCC between 1937 - 2014 outstanding individuals. Our last newsletter featured John J. Wilpers, SPA Class of 1937, who was a and have had a positive influence on our world. Please stop by to view the accomplishments of these key member of the Army Intelligence unit that arrested Hideki Tojo at the conclusion of WWII. An abbreviated sneak preview of our other "Alumni of Distinction" is inside this issue. We are currently putting together an Alumni Committee to help with the nomination and selection process for the next group of our “Alumni of Distinction” series. This committee will also help with other upcoming Alumni events. The committee would meet each month at the convenience of the members, usually on a weekday in the early evening. Please contact me if you are interested in joining the Alumni Committee. I can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (518) 587-7070 x105 for my voicemail. Thank you Maria Izzo ’84 Coordinator of Alumni ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION Assemblyman Robert “Bobby” D’Andrea (Retired) SPA Class of 1951 After graduating from Saint Peter’s Academy, Bobby attended Bentley College of Accounting in Boston and Siena College in Loudonville. He served as Saratoga County Supervisor from 1968-1974 and was elected as New York State Assemblyman for the 100th District in 1974. Bobby served as Assemblyman for 27 years before retiring and becoming the Director of Business Development for D. A. Collins. He has been very involved in the Saratoga Springs community for his whole life. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, The Elks, the Italian American War Veterans, and the Principessa Elena Men’s Society. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce and also served on the committee to install the first lights at the East Side Recreation Field. Bobby was one of the owners of Kaydeross Park on Saratoga Lake for 30 years and was instrumental in getting the antique carousel restored and placed in Congress Park when Kaydeross Park closed. Assemblyman D’Andrea has been married to his wife, the former Theresa DelVecchio, for 60 years. They are very proud of their five children and their 8 grandchildren. General Michael J. Dugan SPA Class of 1954 After graduating from St. Peter’s Academy, General Dugan entered the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor of science degree. In 1972, General Dugan earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Colorado. General Dugan’s most important military assignment was in July 1990 when be became the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He last assignment was as a special assistant of Secretary of the Air Force until his retirement in January 1991. After his retirement General Dugan lectured for many years on strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1992, he became the CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society until 2015. He also served as an expert on military matters for the national media. General Dugan currently lives in Dillon, Colorado with his wife of 60 years, Grace (Catholic High, ‘54, Troy and College of St Rose, ‘58, Albany). Sister Elizabeth Costanzo SPA Class of 1960 After graduating from Saint Peter’s Academy, Sister Elizabeth attended The College of Saint Rose earning a Bachelors of Science in 1966. In 1977 Sister Elizabeth earned her Masters of Science Reading Education from SUNY Oswego. In 1978 she earned her NYS Permanent Certification in Administration and Supervision. She spent over 30 years working in the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Albany and Syracuse as a Catholic school teacher and principal. Sister Elizabeth retired after serving as principal of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam from 1993-2008. Sister Elizabeth served as an assistant at the Hospitality Center and as Director of Vocations at The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and is currently the Director of their Community Life Team at the Provincial House. Dr. Dennis Snyder SPA Class of 1976 After graduating from St. Peter’s Academy in 1976, Dennis attended Wake Forest University, and in 1980 graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in biology. He then attended Wake Forest School of Medicine and graduated in 1984 with a medical degree and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. In 1989, Dr. Snyder completed his residency training at the Tufts/Boston University Combined Residency program and joined ENT Specialists in the Boston area. He specializes in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery with interests in tumors of the head and neck, and cleft lip and palate. In 1991, Dr. Snyder became Founder and Chairman of the Board for Medical Missions for Children (http://www.mmfc.org). MMFC is a volunteer surgical organization focusing on the care of children with severe congenital deformities, burn injuries, and head and neck tumors. ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION (continued) Mr. Brian Spearman SPA/SCC Class of 1980 Brian M. Spearman is a 1980 graduate of Saratoga Central Catholic High School and member of its first graduating class (formerly St. Peter's Academy). Spearman attended Fordham University, The Jesuit University of New York, and graduated in 1984 with a BS in Economics. After graduation, Spearman began his 32 year career with PepsiCo in the Beverage division. His early experiences in Saratoga Springs hooked Spearman on horse racing, and eventually he began to dabble with horse ownership as a partner in horses acquired by Cot Campbell and the legendary Dogwood Stable. The Dogwood/Eclipse merger accelerated Spearman's involvement with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (ETP), and in 2015, he would become co-owner and Chairman of ETP. Since its inception, the stable has won over 40 stakes races and 10 Grade 1 Stakes. Eclipse campaigned the 2017 Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit. Dr. Lionel Beehner SCC Class of 1994 Dr. Lionel Beehner is currently an assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Director of Research of West Point's Modern War Institute. He teaches courses on military innovation and research methods. His research examines the transnational nature of conflict and combat, civil-military relations, and limited military interventions. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Yale University and holds an M.A. in international affairs from Columbia University. Dr. Beehner is formerly the founding editor of Cicero Magazine, a fellow at the Truman National Security Project, a member of USA Today’s Board of Contributors, and a Term Member with the Council on Foreign Relations, where from 2005 to 2007 he worked as a senior staff writer for its award-winning website, CFR.org. Captain Vinnie LaSorsa SCC Class of 2000 Throughout his life Vinnie took many fishing trips with his father in New York, North Carolina and South Florida and obtained his captains license at age 19. Throughout his college years at Florida Atlantic University, Vinnie owned and operated a sport fishing charter business and worked as a captain/mate on many different sport fishing yachts traveling from Massachusetts to the Caribbean. At the age of twenty-one, Vinnie accepted a full-time captain position on a sport fishing yacht. In February of 2014, with the help of his wife Sarah, his family and his closest friends, Vinnie founded Freedom Fighter Outdoors (www. FreedomFighterOutdoors.org) a not-for-profit which organizes outdoor activities for injured veterans and helps build camaraderie while facilitating their adjustment back to civilian life. Ms. Alexandria Goodson SCC Class of 2009 Alex started her career as a television producer right here in the Capital Region at News 10 ABC. After graduating early from the Newhouse School of Journalism at Syracuse University, Alex took a job producing News 10's morning show. During her 2 years at News 10, Alex produced every show in every time slot. In July of 2015, she accepted an entry level position at Good Morning America. In that position, she was able to meet and make a connection with Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts and in September 2015 Alex became as Robin's live producer. Alex won two Emmys in 2016-2017 and 2017-18 as part of the Good Morning America Team for "Outstanding Morning Program". In October 2018 Alex decided to move to Good Morning America’s Writing Department full time. Ms.Madeline Pelagalli SCC Class of 2014 Ms. Madeline Pelagalli graduated Valedictorian in 2014. While Madeline was a student at SCC she was a member of two Championship Mock Trial Teams. Her role as a lawyer on the team peaked her interest in law. In May 2018, Madeline graduated Summa Cum Laude from Marist College. Madeline majored in English and completed a Paralegal Certificate. She was a member of Marist Honors Program as well the Alpha Chi honor society and Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honor society. Madeline served as the President of the Pre-Law Club and as Executive Assistant in the Student Government Association at Marist. Madeline is currently attending Boston University Law School. 2017 Alumni/Friends Annual Appeal Giving (January 1 - December 31, 2017) SPA PATRON $1-$99 Kathleen McCarty Meister Angela Capone Pringle SCC Class of 1984 Friends of SPA/SCC Joanne Cardillo Walsh Cathy Tighe Yakush Stephen Conners Catherine & John Benequisto SPA Class of 1957 SPA Class of 1966 Maria Izzo Raymond & Evelyn Bedard John Conners John P.