Dear Students, Parents, Alumni and Friends of the Mount, 

 

As the school year ends, we have been celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2011 in many venues. 

 

Our Graduation Liturgy and Awards Ceremony was held on June 1st. David Lulgjuaj gave the Salutatorian Address and made a stirring and heartfelt presentation to his classmates. He spoke of his personal decision to always work hard on school tasks prior to socializing and his efforts paid off both as Captain of the Championship Lacrosse Team and the many college scholarships received. 

 

On Saturday June 4th we held our Eighty-Second Annual Commencement Ceremony. Two-hundred and one diplomas were awarded. In addition, as is part of MOUNT tradition, we invited members of the 50th Reunion Class to join in the ceremony.

 

The Class of 2011 jumped to their feet and gave a resounding standing ovation as 47 members of the Class of 1961 and two members of the Class of 1951 marched into the ceremony. These alumni were awarded honorary diplomas as part of the graduation exercise by three of their former classroom teachers!   Keep Reading

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO REACH $400,000!!! 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE  

 

After four years of trials, hardships, tests and parochial school uniforms, the Mount Saint Michael Academy senior class of 2011 finally made it to the finish line, and graduated from high school. 

 

This year's graduating class had to overcome many obstacles to get to this point, including the loss of their good friends, Kyle Rembert and Londell Byrd, as well great teachers like Mr. Crandall.  

 

All of it was worth it, however, as that day was filled with the joy of relieved high school seniors and the bliss of proud family members.  Keep Reading

 

They came from all parts of the country, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, New England, New Jersey and New York. Mount alumni from the class of 1961 gathered for their fifty year reunion weekend on June 3rd and 4th, 2011. Some 50 returning classmates and their guests celebrated the Friday night reunion dinner at the New York Athletic Club with good memories, renewed friendships, and a realization of the strong bond that still exists from our four years as students at Mount St. Michael. Of special note was the return of several faculty members who taught the class of 1961. Among them were Brendan Lawrence Haggerty, Bro. William James Kearney, Bro. Robert Eugene Leclerc, Maurice Bibeau, Bro. Richard Anselm, and Math teacher/Varsity Basketball coach, Dr. Phillip Leahy.

Highlights of the reunion dinner included a review of world events from 1957-61 that impacted the Class of '61 in later years, and a humorous reflection from classmate Br. Jerry Doherty, on our class' four year experience on the Mount campus. Br. Jerry also delivered a touching tribute to our several deceased classmates. Little did we know how vocally talented our class was until the "Alumni Choir" directed by classmate, Br. Tony Iazetti, gathered around the podium for a 50 voice rendition of our school fight song, "The Mount March", written by former Band Director, Dr. John A. "Doc" Reuther.  Keep Reading

     

Under bright sunshine and a cool breeze Mount St. Michael Academy's Annual Golf Outing got a shot of National Football League (NFL) spirit when National Football League and Mount alums Art Donovan '43, William "Zeke" O'Connor '44 and Vince Promuto '56  came to Leewood Golf Club on June 21^st to partake and be honored by fellow alum and golfers!  

 

Understandably, and unfortunately, Bill Polian '60 could not make the festivities.  Bill, President of the Indianapolis Colts,  answered the call of his NFL duties,  as his presence and guidance were needed at the ongoing  NFL Labor negotiations being held in Minneapolis MN. 

 

All four men honed their football prowess on the Mount's fabled McGovern Field, under Head Coach Howie Smith, the Mountaineers' legendary and much-endeared coach. At the same time, they developed and incorporated Marist values that, as they will tell you, remain a strong part of their identities to this day.  The Outing set a new record: Over $100,000 was netted for the Mount St. Michael Academy Student Scholarship Fund, thanks to remarkable participation by sponsors and participants!  Keep Reading

 

Alumni! Our ANNUAL FUND APPEAL closes August 31st! We NEED your support to reach our $400,000 goal. The Annual Fund helps to

• Provide Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Provide building and grounds maintenance
• Maintain MSM transportation  
• Support extracurricular clubs and activities
• Provide educational supplies and technology updates

Lionel Anderson '00

Mount Grad Lionel Anderson '00 is guiding new college students to success with some sage advice. Since January 2008, Lionel has served as an academic advisor to business students at The Fox School (Temple University) who are pursuing degrees in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Risk Management and International Business, to name a few.

 

Lionel is  a mentor and guide to students: he helps  them to make smart choices regarding their majors, minors and study abroad options; he also works with them to best prepare them for post-graduate opportunities.  

 

Lionel's work with students offers strong support in that he starts mentoring them shortly after they graduate high school, through freshmen orientation all the way through to graduation day.  Says Lionel,  "On a day-to-day basis, I partner with them to efficiently strategize their academic trajectory; advise on prudent course sequencing, degree requirements and solutions to academic problems; while also helping to ease the difficult transition of transfer students who are continuing their education at Fox. "

 

His recent article for the New York Times Blog, published on June 23rd, 2011, is a how-to guide for a successful academic path in college.  Lionel was also just chosen to spearhead the school's Retention Initiative squarely focused on increasing graduation rates of at-risk students.

 

Lionel's advice to students has been influenced by his own experience at the Mount:

"In my conversations with students, heavy emphasis is placed on the power of personal responsibility.  Students must first recognize the importance of taking ownership of their educational success before they can be successful. Above all else, that is what I learned at Mount Saint Michael Academy." 

George Ranalli '64, Principal of the firm George Ranalli, Architect, and Dean of the Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York, will exhibit his design, The Valentine #2 Chair, as part of an exhibit of works from the permanent collection HIGHLIGHTS OF MODERN DESIGN, 1900 TO THE PRESENT, PART II in New York City.

 

Rocco B. Commisso '67, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mediacom Communications Corporation, was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame at a ceremony held June 14th in Chicago, IL during the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's annual convention. 

 

Brian McGovern '08 broke his Mount pole vault record to win the MAAC in the pole vault. McGovern is a junior at Manhattan College.

Our Principal Bro. Steve Schlitte challenged the graduates to use their talents and gifts wisely. He made the point that they have been transformed by their Mount experience, and were on the verge of entering into many new and exciting opportunities fully equipped to meet the challenges ahead. 

  

Saturday morning brought our classmates to the Tricario  Athletic Center (the Memorial Gymnasium) for their participation in the Senior Class graduation.  The gowned returnees processed into the ceremony to a thunderous ovation from the Seniors' families and guests, and each of us relived our own graduation memories and festivities of fifty years ago.  Being awarded individual reunion commemorative certificates from Mount President Dr. Anthony Miserandino was a true highlight of the morning's event.

 

The reunion activities concluded with a very relaxed and enjoyable Alumni luncheon in the Mount cafeteria.  Joined by additional faculty members, our classmates reflected on the many paths that our Mount education led us to, and how the discipline and efforts of the Marist brothers taught us how to be successful in our life journeys.  The fifty year reunion was truly an event not to be missed.  We thank the Mount Development and Alumni Office staff for their tireless efforts in bringing us back to our high school "home away from home", Mount St. Michael Academy for a very special two day "happening". 

CLICK HERE FOR REUNION PHOTOS

Each speaker at the event spoke with conviction and eloquence. The evening began with a welcome from Mount Saint Michael President Dr. Anthony Miserandino and an opening prayer from Bro. John Bantz '56 fms. Student-alumni speaker and former scholarship recipient Andrew Boryga '09 spoke about his educational and career opportunities at Cornell University and an internship at the New York Times as a result of the fine educational and spiritual foundation he received at the Mount. 

 

Donovan, Promuto and O'Connor all spoke to the guest about their strong ties to the Mount. Artie related stories about his Mount and NFL football experiences with his classic wit and candor to the delight of the crowd;  Vince spoke about how the Mount shaped his values on the field and off; and Zeke talked about how his life of service now with the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, which he founded, was related directly to the Mount.  

 

The old African proverb that states...  It takes a village to raise a child. The success of the Mount Saint Michael Academy Golf Outing and the Scholarship Program would not be possible without the generous and consistent support of so many alumni, friends and family. Mount Saint Michael would like to thank all those who participated again this year.

 

We at the Mount would like to especially recognize our Core Four golf outing committee members, Peter Tamigi '81, Ray Adiletta '77, Frank LoBello '80, and James Coleman '76 as well as steadfast and strong committee members Erik Tanner '86,  Alek Espinoza '92, Martin Hemsley '80, Mike Smyth '78, Mike Borelli '59, Rocco Sollecito '75, Charlie Tramazzo '76, Joseph Mazzella '67, Robert Van Zandt '85 and Rich Rodriguez '85 . Thank You for your great efforts on our outings behalf!   

 

CLICK HERE FOR GOLF OUTING PHOTOS

Thanks to all of you who continue to read the newsletter! Enjoy our new look, in keeping with the redesign of the Mount Website.  

Our goal is to reach an ever wider audience of alumni and friends in order to strengthen the Mount's presence!

Please let us know what you are up to, and especially if you have changed contact information like address, telephone and/or email. 

Kind regards

Julie Androshick

Director of Development

Mount St. Michael Academy