Name: Alex Kohn
Hometown: Park Ridge, NJ
High School: St. Joseph Reg.
School: Fordham University
Major: Public Accounting
Minor: Economics
Interests: Working, Studying, Traveling
Accomplishments: Eagle Scout, Global Business Honors Program. Deloitte FanTaxtic Regional Winner/National Finalist
How did you get involved with Marist?
I attended St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ. Although the school was founded by the Xaverian Brothers there are no Xavieran Brothers remaining at the school. There is one Marist Brother there, though - Br. John Dunning - who really inspired me to get involved in community service. In high school, I was constantly invited to participate in retreats and other Marist activities at the Marsit Brothers Retreat House in Esopus, NY. During these many hours spent at Esopus, I knew that I wanted to make Marist a bigger part of my life.
Why are you still involved with Marist?
The Marist family impacted my life during high school in many ways which I never expected, from leading retreats as an upper classman to volunteering at the Mid-Hudson Valley Camp. Marist has shaped me into the young man I am today.
During my time in Esopus, I became friends with a few of the Brothers who live and work there. This friendship has inspired me to to stay involved even though I have now left high shool. I aslo want to make sure that other members of the family can maintain their Marist identities.
How do you live out your Marist identity now?
I live my Marist identity when I get involved in my faith and serve others in my community. I was a Boy Scout growing up and during my Eagle Scout ceremony I professed that I would maintain a lifestyle that was one I had lived during my scouting years. One of the major pillars of scouting is community service. My Marist activities allow me to stay committed to the scouting values even though I am too old to be a Boy Scout.
Do you have a Marist story to share?
Before and during my early high school years I was involved at my church, volunteering as an altar server; however, I was not as involved in my faith as I could have been. During the Marist Encounter I listened to the talks that were given, but they were secondary to the discussions I had with my small group. In my small group it seemed that the other members were coming from very different situations than my own and some of these situations were truly upsetting. I got to thinking that maybe I could do something about these terrrible circumstances. There was not one defining moment that made me say, "I need to do something to make this world better". It was the culmination of the entire weekend that made me feel that way. For me, being a Marist volunteer, a Boy Scout, and now the product of Jesuit education at Fordham University, I know that it is my responsibility to have a positive impact on my surroundings and the people I encounter on a daily basis.
For more information about events in the New York/New Jersey area or to suggest an activity, please contact Alex at Alex@MaristYoungAdult.com.
Mike Pastore helped lead a retreat in Esopus for a group of seniors from Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island... During the month of November, new 
st 675 individuals...Marist Young Adults throughout the country participated in a day of fasting on November 20th...In conjunction with the day of fasting, young adults gathered in Esopus for a Day of Reflection on the issue of hunger.