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2012/2013
ANNUAL FUND
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No matter the size, your gift enables the Mount to:
- Offer scholarships and financial aid
- Provide state-of-the-art technology in classrooms
- Maintain the school
grounds and facilities
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
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SAVE THE DATE
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Saturday March 2: Florida Reunion at Bonita Springs!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Saturday March 16:
St. Patrick's Day Parade! March with the Mount!
Saturday March 23:
McLean Ave. St. Patrick's Day Parade
Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1:
50th Reunion for
Class of 1963
Monday June 10:
Annual Golf Outing
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Volume 3 Issue 5: February 2013 |
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President's Letter
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President Miserandino and our Mount St. Michael Academy Players, including students from Preston and St. Barnabas give a "theee-aaahhh-taaar" appreciation wave! Our students are practicing for their performance of Aida, to be held Friday April 19 and Saturday April 20.
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Dear Alums and Friends of the Mount,
This is the time of year that our Catholic heritage invites us to "fast and do good works" with an eye toward the promise and possibilities of an Easter morning beyond our imagination.
Students are invited to join in a rich religious heritage that offers a roadmap for a fulfilling life. Our newsletter is filled with examples of how this invitation unfolds. Of course, our example reflects the rich history of the Marist Brothers and St. Marcellin Champagnat who urged the Brothers and their students to "live with a heart that knows no bounds."
The spirit of Champagnat is seen in the service project highlighted at Esopus. Mount student invest over 8,000 hours of service each year to improve the lot of others. Of course, you will encounter the achievements of our scholar- athletes on the court and running around the track.
Our varsity basketball team helped us in the recruitment process by hosting a great evening of basketball and socializing with our incoming students of the Class of 2017. This class promises to be one of the strongest academic classes admitted to the Mount.
Lastly, you will no doubt enjoy the exploits of two of our alums. Al Turrin '53 was a special man: full of life and a wish to share his life with the Mount. His active involvement in the SAMS Program witnessed his ensuring a Mount education for many students who otherwise would have forfeited their education at the Mount due to financial challenges. We have lost a cherished friend in his recent death.
However, the generosity of spirit and resources so typical of Al is continued in the work of John Wilcox '56. His most recent publication, The Future of Catholic Higher Education, offers us invaluable insights to guide the high school into the future. The Mount community has much to learn from this work, and individuals will find in the text an opportunity to re-invasion their own treasured experience of Catholic education.
This edition of the newsletter offers you a wide and rich slice of Mount life. You are invited to join with us as we celebrate students of the past and present, and invite future students to the rich rewards of life at the Mount.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony Miserandino
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The Road From Mount to Dartmouth Is the Trip of a Lifetime!
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Anthony and Lona Gill with son Malik Gill '12 at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
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It is fair to say that for Malik Gill '12 and his family, the road from Mount to Dartmouth actually began in Brooklyn in 1998.
Lona and Anthony Gill, parents of Malik Gill '12, were living in Brooklyn nearly 20 years ago, when Malik was a toddler. Malik attended grade school and preschool in Brooklyn, but his parents, knowing that early childhood education is a critical step in a child's academic and developmental success, wanted more for Malik.
They had their eye on the Barnard Early Childhood Center in New Rochelle, a Blue Ribbon school district. Barnard utilizes the Reggio Emilia approach to educating young children, which posits that knowledge is constructed as a result of dynamic interactions between the children, faculty, parents, administration and the physical and social environments.
Confident, Lona entered a lottery for Barnard using the contract of sale for the Gill family's New Rochelle home months before they actually moved to New Rochelle. The lottery was in the Spring of 1998 and they moved to New Rochelle in July of 1998 . Says Lona, " I kept calling the school and finally, after about the 25th phone call, they said Malik was in! Malik excelled in school in New Rochelle, and attended Webster Elementary.
During his early childhood Malik also developed a love of Basketball, passed on from his father Anthony. Anthony is the founder of Brooklyn Ballers Basketball, Inc. and coaches the Brooklyn Ballers basketball team. Brooklyn Ballers Basketball, Inc., is a non-profit organization that provides children in the community, through the vehicle of organized basketball teams, discipline, structure, self-esteem, and wholesome physical activity.
Anthony would always tell the kids on his team, many who did not necessarily have competitive academic grades, and many who were children in single parent households, "Don't think you have to go right from High School to work. You have to use your talent in basketball to get you to college. Aspire to the NBA, yes, but get to college.
Malik and his brothers Jamaal and Anthony were all primed for college since they were very young. In the Gill household, going to college was assumed...it was not an option. Keep Reading
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Mount Students Share Service Work At Esopus
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Mount students weather proof benches at Esopus
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Mount freshmen and sophomores shared the Marist spirit of service at the Marist Retreat center in Esopus, NY during the February 18-22 winter break.
Participating students included:
Freshmen: Jean-Carlos Rodriguez, Chris Caceras, Daniel and Darneil Figueroa, Angel Leger, Auriel Guzman, Branden Munoz and Donavin Aponte
Sophomores: Zuriel Jimenez, Adolfo Gonzalez and Victor Lozada
Students painted an entire hallway from the Retreat House to the Gym, and weather proofed benches for the Stations of the Cross located in our Marist graveyard.
Students stayed three days, and were supervised by Mount Teachers and Campus Ministry members Mayra Nolan, Joseph LoGuidice and Valerie Savino as well as Bro. Owen Ormsby and Esopus Volunteer, Robert Costello.
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Incoming Mount Students and Parents Share Pizza with the Players!
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William Frederick, incoming MSM Freshman, shakes hands with
Mountaineer Marcus Patterson '13.
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A full house of parents whose children have been accepted to MSM came to Pizza With the Players on Tuesday January 29 to meet and greet current Mount students and hear from Principal Bro. Steve Schlitte and BB Coach Tom Fraher, also our Director of Admissions!
Below, Ramona Gross and her son William, who will start at Mount in the Fall 2013 Semester.
Says Ramona, "I have wanted William to attend the Mount since he was a baby! I love the school and what it will mean for him in terms of education and opportunity!"
Parents, come and see the Mount! Just email our Director of Admissions to have your son shadow a student! Contact thomas. fraher@mtstmichael.org
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Mountaineers Gino Gay '14 and Jayson Buford '14 sit with parent Anthony Diaz, whose son John (far left, back) will be a freshman at the Mount in September 2013.
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| Mount Indoor Track Team Takes Third at Millrose Games |
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Mount 4x200 Relay Team runs for it at the Millrose Games
on February 16, 2013
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Congratulations to the Mount Indoor Track Team and Coach Darnell Gatling!!! The 4x200 Relay Team won third place at the February 16 Millrose Games! They are on their way to Cornell University to compete for the State Championship on Saturday March 2! Come out and support the team!
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| Basketball Season Wrap Up |
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Senior Guard and Scoring Leader Andrew Utate looks for the open man
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By Woodley Jean-Louis '15
Woodley, a Sophomore, is the Tower Newspaper's sports writer.
This season, the Mountaineers basketball teams have been nothing less than thrilling. For the Varsity, they won three out of five close games by only one or two points.
Senior scoring leader Andrew Utate hoped to make an impact his last year as a Mountaineer.
Having fresh pieces such as juniors Judah Alexander and Kelvin Riley along with sophomore Nukoy Singleton, this season hoped bring Mount back to the top.
Finishing with a 8-16 overall record, the team wasn't exactly proud of how they played this season. Senior forward Rashan Brown cut right to the chase saying "...We didn't play hard enough and we didn't work hard enough..."
On the other hand, the JV and freshman teams finished off strong but ended up not as successful as planned.
Finally, we would like to thank our Mountaineer fans for their support during the regular season.
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Col. Armand Turrin (Ret) '53:
A Life Well Lived and Loved | |
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Col. Armand "Al" Turrin and the love of his life, Evelyn
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Armand Luigi "AL" Turrin '53, Retired Col., of Tampa, passed away on January 28, at his home. He was 78 years old.
Al was born in New York City and was a world traveler. He was a retired Colonel with the United States Air Force and was awarded numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He was an avid supporter of Mount St. Michael Academy in N.Y. and College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Mass., and was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church, Tampa.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn, whom he was devoted to for 60 years; his daughter, Linda O'Leary and his son-in-law Tommy; son, Larry Turrin and his daughter-in-law Jeri-Ann; grandchildren, Cayley and Bradley Turrin; a brother, Fred Turrin and his sister-in-law Joanne, and three granddogs, Chopstix, Zeus, and Bruno Luigi.
At Al's service, his children, Larry and Linda, gave a wonderful tribute to their father, and they kindly allowed us to share this with the Mount community:
Dad was commissioned into the USAF and entered Active Duty on January 29, 1959. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training in Mississippi. Upon graduation, he was selected to fly the prestigious F-4 Phantom and later attended the elite Fighter Weapons School and became a "Top Gun".
Dad logged over 5,000 fighter jet hours and over 2700 hours in the F-4 which was a feat in itself since the average sortie was only 2 hours long. Very few pilots have the unique privilege of boasting that they have one more take off than they do landings since dad just decided one day out of the blue to see the view of the Gulf of Mexico by parachute and ejected from the F-4. Of course, that is a story to be told over several drinks and his family and friends will be retelling that story for eons I am sure. Keep Reading
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| | Richie Guerin '50 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
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Richie's 1949-1950 Mount Saint Michael Team
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Congratulations to Mountaineer Richie Guerin '50!
Former New York Knick and Mount Alumn Richie Guerin '50 has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2013.
Richie had a long career as a star guard for the Knicks and St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks. (Where he also served as head coach).
Richie will receive his well deserved honor in a ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts this coming September.
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Sean Combs '87 Expands Business Portfolio with Aquahydrate
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Sean Combs '87 cheers Mark Wahlberg on their new deal
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Mount Alum and entertainment powerhouse Sean Combs '87 and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg announced a joint venture with Southern California-based fitness and wellness water brand, AQUAhydrate. Combs and Wahlberg will oversee business strategy along with CEO John Cochran, formerly President of Fiji Water. Together they will help drive the AQUAhydrate vision and be instrumental in helping secure retail partnerships for the water brand, such as their recently signed deals with Safeway, Kroger and GNC.
Says Combs, "As a brand architect, I am incredibly passionate and equally committed to every aspect of the businesses that I get involved with," says Combs. "Partnering with AQUAhydrate and Mark is an incredible opportunity for me and I am looking forward to making history in the process. It's important for me to be part of something that drives me and is constantly pushing the boundaries, and that's what AQUAhydrate does. Together, we're going to take AQUAhydrate to the next level."
AQUAhydrate is a proprietary blend of electrolytes and trace minerals called ConcenTrace which enhances the company's water with 72 different electrolytes and trace minerals from Utah.
-Source Aquahydrate
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John Richard Wilcox '56:
The Future of Catholic Education |
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John Richard Wilcox '56 Ph.D.
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We congratulate John Richard Wilcox, Ph.D. '56 on the recent publication of The Future of Catholic Higher Education. Dr. Wilcox is the principal author of the book, with Dr. Jennifer Lindholm of UCLA and Dr. Suzanne Dale Wilcox, spiritual director.
The book addresses the challenge currently facing Catholic higher education, that of keeping the mission alive and the essential charism functioning as the number of religious women and men declines.
At the present time, Catholic institutions are staffed by lay people of every conceivable religious denomination. Says Dr. Wilcox, "It is our conviction that a mission group of committed people, living a spiritual life and gathered in community, can provide the necessary continuity."
Dr. Wilcox lays out the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition and the practicality of relying on the charism of the founding order: Jesuit, Benedictine, Dominican, Mercy, Lasallian, Sacred Heart. Dr. Lindholm surveys the research on student spirituality. Dr. Wilcox explains that in the aforementioned religious orders, lay communities are in fact continuing the mission of the religious order and guarding the religious community's charism through networks made up of different walks and religious backgrounds.
Says Dr. Wilcox, "In Catholic educational institutions if there is something that is appealing to non- Catholics and non-Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, they understand very well that the school will lose its value-added dimension without the presence of the Catholic charism, which represents a certain way of doing things. It is in the air. It is a culture. Within that culture children do better academically and develop a good self image. " Keep Reading
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2012/2013 Annual Fund:
Why I Give
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 | | Carey Manhertz '88:
"I donate to the Mount to give back to a community I love, to students who deserve as much --or better-- than I received. "
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Our Annual Fund bridges the gap between tuition and operating expenses. Your investment will provide funding for programs, activities and other expenses that the school incurs. Tuition and fees cover about 66% of total revenue collected, which is why we need to rely on your support. Regardless of its size, your gift to the Annual Fund enables the Mount to:
· Offer need-based financial support
· Provide state-of-the-art technology
· Drive excellence in curriculum and scholastic advancement
· Make repairs to school facilities and grounds MATCHING GIFTS: You can double your gift through a matching gift from your employer! Check to see if your organization is a matching gift participant!
RECURRING DONATIONS: Please consider a recurring donation of $5, $10, $20 or $50 a month! It's easy: Just register your account once and you can set up your recurring donation! CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!! |
| Class Notes | |
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Pat Hennessy '61 and his wife Mary with their eleven grandchildren at Christmas.
Pat said "It is obvious from the picture that the Mount did not offer a course on photography management
while I was there".
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 Charles J. Casamento '63 has become a member of the Fordham University Science Council. The Science Council is an alliance of Fordham's alumni and friends that have committed themselves to the advancement of science, math and engineering within the university as well as the partnering of science with business. Its members serve as mentors to students and as advisers within the Fordham community while externally serving as ambassadors to the health care, pharmaceutical, corporate, and government sectors. Mr. Casamento is a graduate of Fordham University (BS, Pharmacy) and Iona College (MBA). Mr. Frederick M. Scaffidi '66, retired on January 1, 2013 after 33 years at the University of South Alabama and 27 as Chairman of the Dept. of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Studies. Frederick began his teaching career in the South Bronx in 1971. Mr. Robert T. Youngblood '96 has 17 years experience as a catalyst for Business, Personal & Leadership Development. His mission is to inspire others to achieve success.
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Malik and his brothers played basketball and baseball in grade school and in CYO Leagues. In 2007 Malik was being coached by Coaches Frank Conroy and John McCarthy of New Rochelle. Says Lona, "The coaches cultivated Malik's love of basketball, and were instrumental in getting Malik to the Mount"
The Gills and Malik toured the Mount with Mount Director of Admissions and Basketball Coach Thomas Fraher. Says Lona, "Coach Fraher did not even mention basketball. The emphasis was on academics and the school. We met teachers who had, like Coach Fraher, been there for years. We walked through the hallways and saw how well mannered these young men were, and how they were filled with a sense of pride. Malik thought WOW! These are nice, cool kids that are really smart!" Coach Fraher was a large part of Malik's success at the Mount. Says Lona, "He believed in Malik on and off the court. They still speak regularly and I know their relationship will continue for years."
Malik took a test for the Mount for 9th Grade, did incredibly well, and was
admitted to Mount. This was the point at which there was a bump in the road to Dartmouth! While the Gills loved the Mount, Malik got cold feet and wanted to
attend New Rochelle High School with his elementary school friends. After a few months, he realized he didn't like New Rochelle and really should have gone to the Mount- he wanted a smaller, more special environment.
 | | Malik at his Mount Graduation in June of 2012, flanked by parents Anthony and Lona |
Malik went to Mount in his sophomore year, and made the very most of his time at Mount.
Says Malik, "I am so glad I did that one year at New Rochelle.... So I could appreciate how special MSM is" Lona said that the Mount's small family like environment and small classrooms are signs of its high quality. "The teachers are involved with students. You are not one of 3000. And as a parent, you get to have a meaningful converstion with the teacher...you are not rushing from one teacher's room to the other on a parent teacher conference night."
Lona says, " One of Malik's teachers, Gina Negrin, is terrific. She said that Malik was a very good writer and should be looking at Ivy League schools.
While Malik attended the Mount, Dartmouth was the school that pursued him most vigorously, and came to see him play six or seven times.
When the Gills went to visit Darmouth, they all liked the small close knit environment.
Malik also told his parents, "You are not going to pay for college!" So while the Ivy's do not give scholarships for sports, Malik did get academic based financial aid, keeping his promise to his parents.
And this time, Malik was sure of going to Dartmouth and did not need a year elsewhere. He matriculated in the Fall of 2013 and loves it!
He is playing BB College Basketball as Point Guard, and is taking on the challenge of a Division I league, such as how to move within a new team and how to pass to them. He and his teammates have become best friends, and Malik is getting A's and B's in his first trimester.
Thomas Fraher, Mount Director of Admissions and Coach of the Basketball Team, said "Both Tom McKenna (Mount's Assistant Basketball Coach) and myself watched Malik grow as a student, player and leader. He is an invaluable role model for not only our basketball program, but for our school. So many of our current students are following Malik's success up at Dartmouth wondering, and probably dreaming, of the same fortune for their own future. He has given them hope that anything is attainable in one's educational life. Malik deserves everything that comes his way- he is a tireless worker in everything he does!"
Says Lona, "If I had another son I would not even think about it. I would say, you are going to MSM!"
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| Al Turrin | |
Dad's 30 year Air Force career took him all over the globe from South Korea to as far east as Turkey. One of his greatest military accomplishments was when he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, better known as the DFC, along with numerous Air Medals during the Vietnam War.
As quoted from his Military Records, "In Southeast Asia on 6 December 1969, Major Turrin contributed immeasurably to the success of an important tactical air mission against hostile gun sites which were hampering the operation of a search and rescue effort. Despite intense antiaircraft fire, Major Turrin repeatedly made highly accurate ordinance deliveries until the gunsites were destroyed.
The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Turrin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Prior to attending The College of the Holy Cross, Al met Evelyn and they fell in love immediately. Their love of 60 years was filled with a lifetime of travel and experiences that were shared with their children.
Linda is now married to a wonderful man, Tommy. I married the love of my life, Jeri-Ann and we have two beautiful children, Cayley and Bradley.
Linda (Turrin) O'Leary:
The first time that the Hospice Nurse came to the house to meet with my father,she asked him a question. "Colonel, what is most important to you?"
Without hesitation, he replied "FAMILY"
Duty, decency, honor, dignity and respect: these are all qualities that my father not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day during his time on this earth. He was a serious and disciplined man, but he could never resist the opportunity to tell a story and to have a laugh with friends and loved ones whenever he had the chance. He was the life of the party.
He saw a lot during his lifetime and he was very proud of what he was able to accomplish in his military career and in providing for his family, which was his primary mission in life.
When Larry and I moved out of the home and started families of our own, I began to understand my dad in a new way. He would always take the time to sit and discuss what it means to be loyal, to live life with character, to be a devoted spouse and to be a good parent.
Dad was never shy in sharing his opinions on everything from teaching his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews manners and responsibility, to the importance of family life, keeping your partner happy and making sure that your marriage was healthy and alive.
His 60 years of devotion to our mother exemplified that and Larry and I will both honor his memory by following his example. Dad took great pride in his children (and grandchildren) and he was always"bragging" to anyone who would listen (and even to those who weren't listening) about our adventures, successes and accomplishments.
One of Dad's finest qualities was his generosity and it was important to him to "pay it forward". I remember how he and mom always opened their home to our friends and how they were always willing to assist those closest to us.
He loved to participate in, and to sponsor, annual alumni affairs and events for Mount St. Michael Academy and for Holy Cross and he and my mom "sponsored" an underprivileged child to enable him to attend dad's alma mater high school, Mount St. Michael Academy.
His most recent addition to his growing list of charitable causes was the RVR Horse Rescue. It is difficult for me, Larry, Tommy and Jeri, to imagine him not being around. We and his grandchildren, Cayley and Bradley, will miss him dearly. It is strange to think that we can't just give him a call, or a SKYPE session, to ask his advice, get his "unsolicited opinion", or to just catch up as we often did.
As much pain as dad was in towards the end, he was very happy that the family was together and supporting one another and he told each of us individually to"make sure that we stay close and make sure that you take care of Mom!"
My Dad lived a long and happy life, and only succumbed to cancer after a valiant fight.
He was an imposing figure of a man, a tall, dark and handsome character who was my hero and whose reassuring presence we all felt during the most difficult times in our lives.
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| Wilcox |
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Dr. Suzanne Wilcox (John's wife), in her chapter "Wayfaring at the University: Adult Spirituality," makes use of a Buddhist tale to trace the spiritual journey.
Dr. Suzanne Wilcox relates, "The tale is used to illustrate that we each travel a unique path to God, and that we make our way to peace within surrounded by community. It is worth reflecting on the essentially non-institutional search which is the spiritual path. Liturgy, church attendance and priestly leadership is important as an aid, but not always essential."
Dr. Wilcox has just retired after thirty-eight years of service at Manhattan College - as professor of Religious Studies, Director of Lasallian Studies, Director of the Center for Business and Professional Ethics and Vice President for Mission - over the years.
The book is available through Amazon, both in paperback and kindle format. You can review and buy the book on Amazon by CLICKING HERE
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