|
PRESIDENT'S
LETTER
| |
Dear Alumni and Friends of the Mount,
In this issue we wanted to bring you closer to the Mount through telling you about how our teachers lead our students in programs that drive them to extraordinary accomplishments in both academics and co-curricular activities.
Below, you will read about the Mentoring in Medicine program, which makes a career in the medical profession accessible for students like Andres Rodriguez '12. A profile on Tom Fraher shows how the strong and steady guidance of one of our staff helps students to develop and to fulfill their dreams, while the St. Patrick's Day parade article will inspire you to create your own "bucket list."
These activities are an example of the many ways that your support of the Mount, through the Annual Fund Appeal, helps us to help students reach their potential as exceptional adults.
By increasing alumni involvement in our Annual Fund, we achieve strength in numbers in two key ways: increasing the number of alum who are actively engaged with the Mount and generating much needed financial support. This involvement demonstrates to the larger community the force of the Mount's impact on its students.
Please remember that no amount is too small. If four people donate $25.00, for example, the total of $100.00 can be used to help buy equipment for the track team attending an event like the Mayor's Cup or can help pay for printing costs for the Tower, the Student Newspaper.
Please consider making a donation to the Mount's Annual Fund today. If you already give to the Annual Fund, please consider expanding your generosity by supporting a student through the SAMS Program (Support A Mount Student).
We are grateful for the many ways in which alums continue to ensure a great future for the Mount.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony Miserandino
|
|
MOUNT STUDENTS PREP FOR MEDICAL CAREERS
| |
 | |
"Count backwards from a hundred": Mount Junior and future anesthesiologist Andres Rodriguez
|
Recently Mount St. Michael Academy Junior Andres Rodriguez went to the emergency room. Fortunately for him, however, the visit to Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx was not an emergency, but part of an extraordinary curricula: Mount St. Michael Academy is the only Catholic school and one of five New York City high schools which are part of Mentoring in Medicine's Human Biology and Disease Exploration Program. The program is sponsored by the National Library of Medicine.
Says Rodriguez, "I like this program because it introduces me to the medical field and I see what physicians and other medical professionals actually do. My favorite part of the program was the field trip to Montefiore, where I got to see exactly how a CAT scan was operated and what it did."
Mount Science teacher Jessica Rottenstein is the reason that Mount students were able to become part of Mentoring in Medicine. Jessica explains that "Students can access medical professionals and do work--like dissection--that will engage them and that will help them to pursue a medical career."
Mentoring in Medicine was founded in 2006 by Montefiore Medical Center emergency room doctor Dr. Lynne Holden and a handful of her colleagues to help minority students achieve their dreams of becoming health professionals. According to the American Assocation of Medical Colleges, African American, Latino and Native Americans make up 25% of the population, but they account for only 12% of U.S. medical school graduates. Keep Reading
|
|
THOMAS FRAHER: TEACHER, COACH AND MENTOR
| |
 | |
Coach Tom Fraher and his son Jake celebrate the Mount's victory over Hayes
|
Says Thomas Fraher "Championships never get old."
At the CHSAA Citywide championship game at the Rose Hill Gym at Fordham University in the Bronx on March 6th, there were 30 seconds left in the game and the Mountaineers had a 6 point lead. Coach Tom Fraher was focused on one thing only: the sound of the final buzzer.
Fraher, along with his team, felt the singular joy that comes with having a championship season. He also was thinking, "These guys deserve everything they get; they worked so hard to win this. In the process, they have grown close, they have pushed each other, they have become close friends."'
Fraher knows a lot about championships.
Keep Reading
|
|
THE MOUNT LOVES A
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
| |
 | |
Mount Marches On!
|
On a day of sparkling sunshine that you always find in Irish eyes, Mount Saint Michael Academy students marched in the 250th Anniversary St. Patrick's Day Parade. Joining the boys were two marchers with a special motiviation: Jack Howard, '57 and Lyndsey McLaughlin.
 | |
Jack Howard '57 and Lyndsey McLaughlin
|
Both Jack and Lyndsey wanted to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade as a way of checking off an item on their "bucket list." Jack remembers that while Mount students always marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade during his time as a student, he never got the chance to march. As Jack marched up 5th Avenue, he commented, "This is so great-- I should have done this years ago!"
Lyndsey, who has battled cystic fibrosis for most of her adult life, said "Mount students were great! You could see they had so much pride walking down the street. I still can't believe that I did it!" She hopes to walk the route next year, since her prayers were answered (thank you St. Patrick!) and she received a lung transplant shortly after the parade!
|
TAMPA REUNION |
 | |
Mr. and Mrs Al Turrin '53, our gracious hosts, and Mr. Richard Paul '61.
|
On Saturday, February 19th, over 30 people attended the 2nd Tampa Reunion. As in the past, this event was hosted by Al Turrin '53. He was graciously assisted by his wife Evelyn and their daughter Linda O'Leary and her husband Tom (a graduate of Marist College).
Over lunch many stories, some true and some kind of true, could be heard across the room. Laughter and good cheer echoed off the walls, and everyone looked younger than ever!
Dr. Anthony Miserandino, assisted by Bro. John Bantz, shared information and insights on life at the Mount today. Two generations of Mount men were represented by the Schober family.
Click Here for More Photos
|
MENTORING | |
 | |
Mount students dissect a sheep's head
|
Holden's organization created programs to inspire and to educate students about biological sciences, health careers and healthy living. Mentoring in Medicine has designed programs for students from elementary school through college. Says Dr. Holden, "We just started our high school programs in 2009. Across the board, we now have over 250 high school students, including students from Mount St. Michael's, participating in our programs. "
The Medical School Pathway Program, for example, currently has 42 participants: Of those, more than half have been admitted to or are in the process of being admitted to medical school.
Mentoring in Medicine's various programs give participating students a tactile-and therefore realistic- view of how medical professionals work.
The Human Biology and Disease Exploration Program boasts a faculty of nearly 80 physicians, a variety of health professionals and college students who are all lead by in-school staff, including Mount science teacher Jessica Rottenstein.
Sessions are held after school, when students learn about the biological sciences by reviewing the organ system outline encountered in most medical health curricula: The Reproductive System, The Endocrine System, and Integumentary (Skin) System is being covered. The program includes five lecture modules, three health career modules and two field trips to area medical facilities.
The program is rigorous: students learn hands on techniques such as dissection, network with health professionals, prepare for a college curriculum and most importantly learn a wealth of information about an array of health professionals.
Students interact with a variety of health professionals in the biological sciences such as doctors, pathologists, lab technicians and anaesthesiologists. Says Rodriguez, "Before I was in the program, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do. Now I am focused on becoming an anesthesiologist. "
|
FRAHER |
In 1995, the Mountaineers won the CHSAA State Championship. Says Fraher, "We had a 28-1 season; we won 28 games in a row."
 | |
L to R: Norman Fields '95 - Shooting Guard, Jarrett Lockhart '96 - Small Forward, Brendan Dunlop '96 - Point Guard, Alfrin Vallejo '95, Michael Howlett '96 - Center, middle: Jay Cofresi '96 Team Manager
|
Everyone from the dream team of '95-Norman Fields, Alfrin Vallejo, Jarrett Lockhart, Brendan Dunlop, Michael Howlett and Manager Jay Cofresi -keep in touch, with each other and with Fraher. In fact, the players supported this year's team through the playoffs by attending games and sharing their experiences.
Says Fields, "We did more than win states with Coach Fraher. We learned to strive for excellence. And also learned that the most important part of pursuing excellence is service to others."
During his eighteen years at the Mount, Fraher's roles have included teaching English, being a Guidance Counselor and coaching Varsity Baseball for 13 seasons--and, oh yes--another championship! In 2000 Fraher coached the team to the CHSAA City Championship. Besides coaching Varsity Basketball, Fraher is also Head of Admissions for the Mount, a role he has had for five years. Fraher's energy is as tireless in the Admissions process as it is on the basketball court, since he visits schools during and after the school year in order to talk to prospective students. Says Fraher "There is a lot to be said for the diverse environment of Mount St. Michael Academy. Combined with a challenging education, the school provides a student with a truly unique experience."
Fraher has been successful in many areas at the Mount, as many students and alumni know. What many may not know is that his most important role is that of mentor.
Jay Cofresi '96, remembers how Fraher's influence changed Cofresi's life. "On the first day of tryouts I knew I wasn't going to make the Junior Varsity team. However, I thought I could be a great team manager." Fraher thought so as well. Cofresi managed the JV team, and Fraher brought Cofresi up to manage the Varsity Basketball team that won states.
As colleges came to scout Mount players, Fraher made sure Cofresi was networking as well. This led to Cofresi being recruited by the University of Miami to manage their Varsity Basketball team. And Fraher's influence did not stop there. Fraher made a phone call that ended up getting Cofresi a job in finance. Cofresi keeps in touch with and remembers Fraher's influence to this day.
Fraher's impact on Mount students-past and present-can best be summed up by this story. After an out of state tournament game at Boston College in 1994, the Mount Basketball team was sitting around after dinner with Coach Thomas Fraher and Assistant Coach Tom McKenna. The conversation was initially about being successful on the court, but naturally turned towards a discussion of what makes one successful in life. Fraher told the boys "When you are in a certain setting people bring certain skill sets to whatever they do that are tangible. However, it is the intangible skills that will always distinguish you." It is precisely Fraher's intangible skills that have distinguished him the most at the Mount.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-11 ANNUAL FUND
| |
Help us to reach our Annual Fund Goal of $400,000!!
!DONATE NOW!
Alumni! Your generosity to the Annual Fund sends a clear message to prospective student families and to the Bronx community that we care deeply about our students' development. Specifically, the Fund goes to directly support:
·Financial Aid
·Academic Scholarships
·Extracurricular activities
See if you can become one of the Top Ten! Starting with the Class of 1955 at the top, the following Class Years have the most alum out of total Class Year alum involved in our Annual Fund Drive.
Class of 1955
Class of 1954
Class of 1961
Class of 1956
Class of 1951
Class of 1963
Class of 1959
Class of 1957
Class of 1958
Class of 1944
|
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
| | |
April
Saturday April 16th 1 to 3 p.m. Poetry Reading by Mount students in Library. $2.00
Saturday, April 30th:
Thirteenth Annual 50/50 Dinner Dance: Please Contact:
Frank Pellegrino Class of '73 at
(718) 881-0485 or Bro John Herrmann at (718) 515-6400 Ext 250
May
Saturday, May 7th: All Years Reunion for Class Years in '56, '66, '76, '81, '86, '91,'96, '01 and '06.
Please contact Michael Duignan at michael.duignan@mtstmichael.org or 718-515-6400 ext. 267
May 13th, 14th, & 15th: Hairspray Spring Musical. $10.00 per person
June
Friday, June 3rd Class of 1961: 50th Reunion Reception. Please contact Michael Duignan at michael.duignan@mtstmichael.org or 718-515-6400 ext. 267 or Julie Androshick at julie.androshick@mtstmichael.org
Saturday, June 4th: Honorary Graduation Ceremony for Classes of 1941, 1951, 1961: 70th 60th & 50th
Tuesday, June 21st:: 21st Annual Golf Outing
|
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS!!
| |
SCIENCE FAIR AND ACADEMIC OLYMPICS WINNERS
 | |
Back 3rd Place:Brandon Allen (8), Tristan Wong (7), Kai Clarillo (7),Leroy Davis (7) Middle Row 2nd Place: Olsen Pereira (7), Christian Costa (8) Jovani Santiago (8) Tarique Ryans (6) Front Row 1st Place: Russell Randall (6) Michael Roman (8) Isaya Bertrand (7)
|
Winners in the Mount Saint Michael Junior High School Science Fair in March did an outstanding job! First place winners will represent Mount St. Michael Junior High School in the Bronx Catholic Schools Science Fair, held in Mount Saint Michael's Richard Tricario Gym on April 14th. First place projects are:
Russell Randall: Are Mnemonics Useful or Useless?
Isaya Bertrand: The Effect of Oil Spills on Aquatic Plants;
Michael Roman: The Effects of Different Energy Drinks on the Body.
Meanwhile, James Yao, left, took home a 3rd place
medal from the Academic Olympics, Math Category, held on March 19th , James competed against students from other Bronx area Catholic Elementary Schools.
MOTHER SON DANCE
 | |
Mothers and Sons Dancin' up a storm!
|
The Mount St. Michael Academy Parents' Association held their annual Mother/Son
Dance on Saturday, March 26th.
Brother John Herrmann, the Association's moderator, gave a touching speech announcing his retirement. Mrs. Elena Bohn, a Junior High School teacher, will be taking his place.
The theme was the Fifties: from music to dress, mothers and sons . Prizes were given for the best costume and best dancers. A great time and wonderful memories were had by all.
|
|
MOUNT TRACK WRAP UP: MOUNT RELAY AND MAYOR'S CUP
| |
At the 11th annual Mount Relays on Saturday April 2nd, top performances were turned in by the following Mount Track & Field Athletes. Fourteen boys' teams and nine girls' teams competed.
Senior - Stanley DeLaCruz - won the Triple Jump with a leap of 43' 7". Ranking as one of the top Triple Jumpers in NYC. He has also been accepted at LSU, Marist, Manhattan, Albany and a few other top tier schools.
Senior - Chris Vakasisikakala (say it twice) won the Discus with a throw of 128' 4" - Chris is on his way to Penn State, Marist College or UCONN.
Senior Chris Williams won the Shot Put with a throw of 46' 4" and has offers from Delhi and Alfred State
In the track events - Mount took 1st & 2nd place respectively in the 4 x 100 meter relays.
Mount sophomores took 1st place in the Soph 4 x 400M Relay and 1st in the Soph 4 x 800 Meter Relay
The following Saturday, April 9th, at Randall's Island - Mount St. Michael's Track placed third in the NYC Mayor's Cup. The Mayor's Cup pits all the Catholic, Public and Private schools in NYC in head to head competition.
For the Record The Catholic schools were 1,2,& 3. CHSAA - We're #1!
|
|
CLASS OF '71 REUNION AT THE MOUNT!!
| |
 | |
Class of '71 in the Mount Library: "No bell bottom or sideburns past mid ear or hair that touched your collar."
|
Kevin LoPresti '71, was a force of nature in bringing together the Class of '71 for one of the most well attended reunions ever!
The genuine thrill of being together for this class was clear in the stories and laughs which were in abundance on Saturday April 9th.
As Paul Trupia '71 observed, "40 years have come and gone since our departure from the Mount, but i think that we are still young in spirit. That's the beauty of the whole thing for me!"
Click for More Photos
|
|
|
