For family, friends, & alumni of Cistercian Preparatory School Fall 2019 Stewards of the Word Alumni Authors on Writing and Cistercian Education Success by Different Means Students of 2009 travel various paths to a career Annual Report 2018–19 School Year Will Arbery ’07 Continuum FALL 2019 1 Remembering Cistercian with a Planned Gift Patrick A. Schnitzius A Wonderful Legacy Patrick A. Schnitzius was so happy when the Hungarian monks came to town. He was even happier when they were able to build the Abbey Church since he had attended Mass with the monks for many years. He prayed fervently for the monks in the hopes that younger men would come forward to be a part of the Abbey. He would often speak of the young men who were becoming novices, brothers, and priests. He attended Mass at the Abbey regularly, always taking his seat in the sixth row at the end of the pew, and so it was no surprise when he prepared his estate planning documents to ensure that upon his passing, there would be funds available to support the Cistercian Abbey for the continued care of the monks and the formation of future young men. Pat died January 18, 2019, but his memory will live on in the legacy he left behind. To remember Cistercian with a planned gift, contact Erin Hart. 469-499-5406 | [email protected] 2 Continuum FALL 2019 Letter from the Headmaster Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver “Sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit Similarly, as a follow-up to last CISTERCIAN of the womb, a reward. Like arrows in the spring’s highlight of both our first and PREPARATORY hand of a warrior are the sons born in most recent class, our College Counselor, SCHOOL one’s youth. Blessed is the man who has Chris Blackwell, in our second feature Rev. Paul McCormick filled his quiver with them.” (Ps 127:3-5) reaches out to the Class of 2009 to see Headmaster what life and career look like for those Greg Novinski ’82 ike the psalmist, I also feel incredible ten years past graduation. He discovers Assistant Headmaster L gratitude as I reflect on the gift of our that, despite a variety of career paths, Head of Upper School alumni. Nurtured in the alma mater of common to all is the very same appre- Fr. Lawrence Brophy ’01 Cistercian, they are like an overflowing ciation, again, for the faculty and the Head of Middle School quiver of arrows, programs that prepared them. Fr. Anthony Bigney fanning out across Then, Smokey Briggs ’84, himself an Director of Admissions the nation and established writer, with characteristic Chris Blackwell globe to positively humor and humility insists that writ- Director of College Counseling impact the world. ing’s true rewards are never measured In our cover by the size of a paycheck. Finally, Fr. Erin Hart Director of Development article, Gary Roch offers a poignant reminder, as we and Alumni Relations Nied, English go through life, to remember how our André Bruce Fr. Paul McCormick Department Chair, ability to forgive, when rooted in Christ, Director of Athletics updates us on is exponentially more powerful than any and Physical Education alums making this impact specifically as opposition we encounter. Tyler Bethea ’03 professional writers. From off-Broadway May God bless all of the wonderful President, Cistercian Alumni Association plays to Yale Series poets, journalism alum “arrows” that fill Cistercian’s quiver to speechwriting, and even gaming, he as they continue their efforts to enkindle School Board Rt. Rev. Peter Verhalen ’73 highlights how they have successfully and to enlighten, each in his own way. Rev. Thomas Esposito honed their talents and skills, while Rev. Bernard Marton Rev. Paul McCormick remembering with gratitude the Cister- Victor Arias cian faculty and opportunities for writing Mike Donohoe ’80 Charles Lipscomb ’84 that got them started. Kathleen M. Muldoon Mark Roppolo ’88 Peter P. Smith ’74 Gloria Tarpley Volume 46, Number 1 Jere W. Thompson, Jr. ’74 In this issue Matthew Wilson Continuum Stewards of the Word Erin Hart Alumni Authors on Writing and Alumni Relations Cistercian Education 8 Jim Reisch by Gary Nied Photography Editor FigDesign Layout Published each spring and fall Success by by Cistercian Preparatory School Different Means 38 3660 Cistercian Road Students of 2009 travel Irving, TX 75039 various paths to a career 469-499-5400 by Chris Blackwell www.cistercian.org Cistercian Preparatory School was founded with Departments the aim of preparing talented boys for the colleges News & Notes 4 of their choice by challenging their minds with excellent academic programs, molding their char- Annual Report of Giving 15 acter through the values of Catholic education, and offering them guidance with both understanding Sports 45 and discipline. Cistercian Preparatory School does Class Notes 48 not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, nationality, or ethnic origin in the administration of Who Can Forgive? by Fr. Roch Kereszty 60 its admission and education policies, financial aid programs, athletic programs, and other activities. Cover photo by Zack DeZon Continuum FALL 2019 3 News & Notes New faces on campus sponsoring the middle school speech league. “I have big plans Marco Iglesias-Rodriguez joined the faculty this year as a for this department. I also have a new son, and I look forward Spanish teacher. He came to Dallas from northern Spain to him soaring here in 10 years. I call him my baby hawk,” (Mieres, Asturias) four years ago to teach in Dallas ISD. With she said. an MA in Spanish Philology (Spanish Language and Literature) Jonathan Figueroa joined the mainte- from the University of Oviedo, he went on to receive a nance department as sports field keeper. “Suficiencia Investigadora” (Diploma of Advanced Studies) He is a Jesuit alumnus (’08) and previ- after finishing his doctoral courses, and he has published ously worked as the complex supervisor several articles on Spanish literature. “Spirituality and at FC Dallas’s MoneyGram Soccer Park. knowledge are fundamental for the best possible education,” He has been impressed by how welcom- said Marco, “and at Cistercian, I have found the finest of both.” ing everyone has been, and he enjoys Austin Nevitt ’04 returned to Cistercian after teaching working with the faculty and staff toward and coaching at Jesuit College Preparatory School and St. a common goal of providing the best for John’s Episcopal School. “Having the opportunity to return Jonathan Figueroa our students. to Cistercian, which was so formative in my education and When Cistercian music teacher Kelly influential in my decision to become an educator, is a blessing,” Shea and her husband, Joseph Shea ’78, moved to Pine- he remarked, “and I am thankful to be able to give back to a hurst, North Carolina, last September, the School needed to place that has given me so much.” Austin is the Director of find a worthy successor to teach her classes and take on the Transportation while also coaching middle school football and Christmas Concert and Spring Recital. Patrick Spence ’08, both upper school football and basketball. who teaches English at Cistercian, thought his wife, Monica, might be interested in the position. Already teaching a few music courses at Cambridge School of Dallas, she was excited by the opportunity: “Let’s be honest, working at Cistercian is a dream come true. I grew up around the monastery and the prep school — Fr. George Ferenczy Kelly Shea and Monica Spence gave me my first confession and Holy Communion, and I went to every home football game and dance during high school — and I used to Anastasia Munoz, Br. Christopher Kalan, Austin Nevitt ’04, and Marco Iglesias-Rodriguez. joke about starting a boys’ choir here as my life’s goal, and now I have the chance!” Although he has assisted previously with the Cistercian Chess Club, Br. Christopher Kalan is in his first year teaching Faculty and staff discuss at the School. He graduated from the University of Dallas in diversity at Cistercian 2015 with a BS in physics and then earned his MS in mechani- In an effort to evaluate and challenge how the faculty cal engineering from Texas A&M. In addition to teaching Form and staff engage with one another, the students, and the I computer and continuing to assist with the chess club, he is larger community, Fr. Paul invited Dr. taking philosophy and theology courses at UD. One of the most Mia Mbroh, a licensed professional rewarding projects he is working on with Form I students is counselor, to conduct a workshop before shaping their PowerPoint lessons to help them create content the school year began. Dr. Mbroh guided to be displayed on the electronic monitors in the gym and faculty and staff through a process of Founders’ Hall. self-reflection, awareness, ownership, Anastasia Munoz, a veteran drama teacher from St. Patrick’s and progress with respect to diversity and an experienced Dallas thespian, has taken the reins of the at the School. A summer reading drama department from her husband, Seth Magill. Anastasia is assignment provided a starting point for teaching drama, directing Cistercian theater productions, and Dr. Mia Mbroh an array of fruitful discussions. 4 Continuum FALL 2019 Photos by Jim Reisch Cistercian surpasses last year’s record Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Zak Boazman ’10 on North Texas Giving Day Fr. Zak Boazman ’10 was ordained this summer in the arch- Cistercian broke its own record by raising diocese of Oklahoma. He came home to visit Cistercian and $760,202 from 828 donors on this year’s celebrated Mass with the monks who guided him in his youth.