westcatholic.org WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL WESTNOTESA PUBLICATION FOR OUR ALUMS AND FRIENDS FALL EDITION 2019 PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE CLASS OF 2019 NUMBERS INSIDE CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATION STATS WHERE STUDENTS ARE HEADING THIS FALL ARCADIA UNIVERSITY NEUMANN UNIVERSITY BENEDICT COLLEGE NORTH CAROLINA A&T UNIVERSITY BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA CABRINI UNIVERSITY STATE UNIVERSITY CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE PENNSYLVANIA STATE 100% COMMUNITY COLLEGE UNIVERSITY (HARRISBURG) COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE UNIVERSITY (ABINGTON) ACCEPTANCE OF PHILADELPHIA RIDER UNIVERSITY COVENANT COLLEGE PREP ROSEMONT COLLEGE DELAWARE COUNTY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMDEN Attending DELAWARE VALLEY SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY DREXEL UNIVERSITY SETON HILL UNIVERSITY EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY GETTYSBURG COLLEGE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY GWYNEDD-MERCY THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY 48 UNIVERSITY HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY Colleges UNITED STATES ARMY HOWARD UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF IMMACULATA UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA LAROCHE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LASALLE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF $ PITTSBURGH (BRADFORD) LINCOLN UNIVERSITY 20,887,437 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY Scholarships LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY WALNUT HILL COLLEGE MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY WESLEY COLLEGE MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY WIDENER UNIVERSITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Jessica Wolf Dasher Mr. Duane Glover ‘81 Mrs. Pat McLaughlin ‘61* Mr. James Scanlan Mr. James T. Britt ’72 Mrs. Jeannie Ward Heffernan ‘80 Mr. Leonard Mazur ’63 Mr. Aaron Spence ‘03* Mr. Paul Colistra* Br. Brian Henderson, FSC ‘77 Mr. James F. McManus ‘65 Ms. Liana Taylor ‘10 Mr. Fran Crowley, Esq. ‘77 Mr. J. Michael Jenkins ‘72 Mr. Anthony Nichols ‘57 *Service members Mrs. Eleanor Fauls Dezzi ‘65 Mr. James Logue Mrs. Emily Okala Brother Ed Koronkiewicz ‘72 Dr. William F. Lynch, PhD Dr. Tia N. Pratt PhD, ‘95 PRESIDENT’S CORNER A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT I’m often asked, “How’s it going at West?” My typical reply is something relevant to what’s happening at the moment—enrollment is this, fundraising is that, our kids accomplished this academically or athletically. Now headed into my eighth school year at West Catholic Prep (my fourth as president) I took time this summer to reflect on the exact question, How are we doing? Measuring success in academia is often and deservedly narrowed to numbers. However, our philosophy of education is rooted in the Lasallian philosophy of teaching minds and touching hearts. With this in mind, I will share a few examples of the impact I’m most proud of. In 2017, we introduced a religious retreat experience called Kairos, an overnight Christian retreat program geared toward deepening one’s faith, identity, relationships, and connection to God’s role in our lives. Our students let the time at the retreat take hold, and while many have never had any retreat or reflection experience, I’m struck upon their return how transformative this experience is for many. It is not unusual in my follow-up conversation to hear them (now) reflect about God’s role in their life. One student shared how they could more closely follow the teachings of Jesus. In 2013, we created our Engineering Technology Academy. We knew our students were interested in engineering and other STEM fields, so we began the process of trying to create a program to provide a foundation for such careers. We traveled to California to visit a model school to see it in action, partnered with Drexel to develop the curriculum, and secured the funding to underwrite the expenses. Today, 100 students are enrolled in the Engineering Technology Academy, and we have more then 10 recent graduates currently majoring in engineering in colleges and universities. Just a few weeks ago students arrived back to campus to pick up their rosters for the upcoming school year. A few hours after the roster pickup session was completed, I noticed that almost none of the students had left. I was taken aback! Here we are on a beautiful summer day, and these young people want to be in school? It’s because we have created a home for our students here on Chestnut Street. Our students feel welcomed, they feel supported, and they feel loved when they are here. Please understand that what is happening here does not happen at every school. It is only the finest of schools that are able to dream, to execute, and make real impact on young people— and we are among them. West Catholic Prep is truly a special place and I’m grateful to you for being a part of it. St. John Baptist de La Salle and all our Patron Saints. Pray for Us. Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever. Gratefully, PAUL COLISTRA PRESIDENT 3 WESTNOTES DONOR SPOTLIGHT: DO YOU PAY PA WHY I GIVE. STATE KEITH RICHARDSON ‘84 TOM DAVIS ‘04 TAXES? DEPUTY CFO FOR THE DISTRICT OF VICE PRESIDENT AT HAMILTON LANE You can redirect COLUMBIA OFFICE OF TAX AND REVENUE Going to Catholic High School helped what you are currently The course load helped with the me build a moral compass and paying in state tax to preparation for taking college work ethic. There is always going West Catholic through courses. Being in a diverse high school to be someone smarter, but a moral the EITC Program. also prepared me for college and the compass and work ethic are things This program is now available workforce. My love for math helped under your control, and can go a for businesses and individuals, me to focus on accounting long way in helping you and your support will provide and finance as the area I wanted throughout your career. scholarships for our students to work in. The teachers at West Education is very important, and the who live in underperforming were challenging and kept more you progress in life and your school districts. things very interesting. career, the more you appreciate that. I give back because I have been I want to continue to give kids the OVER 95% OF WCP afforded the opportunity to be opportunities I had especially STUDENTS ARE FROM able to do so and to me it is very in an area with such poor FAILING PUBLIC important to “pay things forward” educational alternatives. SCHOOL DISTRICTS. and help others who may be less fortunate. West is giving so many kids Your state tax dollars go directly an opportunity to become prepared KAY KIDWELL ’02 towards taking young men and for the future, whether for college or women out of these failing VICE PRESIDENT - WEALTH PLANNER AT the workforce. I’ve been blessed and schools and offering them a FIDELITY INVESTMENTS I just want to bestow that on others chance to excel here whenever and however I can. PATRICK KIDWELL ’98 at West Catholic Prep. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT JP MORGAN CHASE COMPANY CONTACT US TODAY JOSEPH BRENNAN ‘59 Pat and I give to West Catholic LAUREN STAGER MANAGER, SCOTT PAPER because as much as the world has [email protected] COMPANY - RETIRED changed over the last 20 years, it’s 215-386-2244 ext. 106 At West Catholic I received a great refreshing to see West Catholic education, good school spirit, and committed to the same mission in the excellent guidance from the Christian same community where we grew up Brothers. Those things helped my and learned how to take on life. formation as a young adult in both character and virtue. INVEST Because I want to help provide IN THE students an environment where they FUTURE. can learn to be productive leaders in the community. I feel very good when I hear about their success whether in sports, the arts, engineering, or WESTNOTES 4 continued education. RECENT GRADUATES Where They Are Heading ULISES DECEMBER RODRIGUEZ MURPHY GRADE SCHOOL ATTENDED GRADE SCHOOL ATTENDED MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) COLLEGE ATTENDING FALL 2020 COLLEGE ATTENDING FALL 2020 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NEUMANN UNIVERSITY “When I arrived at “When I came to West West Catholic, I was Catholic for the first time, extremely nervous about I felt welcomed by the the road ahead. But as my time went on, staff and community. It was hard because I grew to love it. I see people at West as a I had to learn a different language and also second family to me. For example, Sister Ave get adapted to different customs. My first pushed me to be better with my writing skills year, I focused on doing well academically, but and it has also made me a more well-rounded during my junior year I also focused on getting person. She was so passionate about me involved in school clubs. I was inducted into achieving the highest potential of my writing the National Honor Society, which helped me abilities that she helped me perfect my college foster qualities such as leadership, character application essays. I will miss that sense of and service. In my time at West Catholic my family from people like Sister Ave as well volunteer experiences have helped me learn as many others.” to be thankful, and how much of a difference giving back makes.” WESTNOTES 5 RICHARD GABRIELLE TUNSTALL BIOTEAU GRADE SCHOOL ATTENDED GRADE SCHOOL ATTENDED OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS – ST. IGNATIUS ST. FRANCIS DE SALES COLLEGE ATTENDING FALL 2020 COLLEGE ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY ATTENDING FALL 2020 “My time at West has been a roller coaster of emotions. UNIVERSITY OF As the years went by at West, it became more challenging PENNSYLVANIA but also rewarding. Field Day is one of my favorite memories at West. I was a freshman and I had never seen “My time at a school come together like that and have so much fun West has been in one day.