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SAVE THE DATE!
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2015 :
Mount 25th Anniversary Golf Outing June 15
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 Vol 5 Issue 3, December 2014
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President's Letter
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Dear Alums and Friends of the Mount,
In this Christmas season of great promise and possibility, we at the Mount wish you and your family a joy-filled holiday. We hope you can get a break from the action to enjoy the gifts of the season.
Speaking of gifts, you will read about the challenges that our guest speaker, Jonathon Camacho, offered to the talents and gifts of our students at our Annual Career Day.
Given the economic turmoil of our world, a career path is more challenging than ever as students carve out a future for themselves. Jonathon has set out some meaningful steeping stones to success.
You will also enjoy seeing our young students in the Junior HS showcase their creativity at our Science Fair. The Mount has made a strong and serious commitment to STEM education by developing our Sports Medicine Program our Careers in Medicine Program and the Robotics Program.
Check out the article about the faculty leaders of our Campus Ministry Program. You will meet two wonderful models of service and faith embodied in the leadership of Ms. Savino and Br. Brian.
Lastly, set your calendar to late April, and plan on joining us for a wonderful student spring musical! "In the Heights" reveals that love is alive in the city, and at the Mount.
We have lots of talents and gifts to share and celebrate at this time of year at the Mount. Come by for a visit in the New Year, and sharing in the celebration!
Dr. Anthony Miserandino
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Mount Career Day: Opportunity Comes Knocking!
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An enthusiastic and heartfelt THANK YOU to all Mount Alum who helped make our Annual Career Day on Friday, December 5, a great success! A special thank you to Jonathan Camacho '02, our guest speaker, who gave our Juniors and Seniors clear and meaningful advice about going after what they want. He stressed key actions for students to live by as they enter college and the professional world: 1) Stay emotionally connected to those with whom you work 2) Don't care too much about what others think of you 3 Keep your mind sharp 4) Have a focused routine 5) Don't live in the past Jonathan then shared what makes him successful, such as identifying mentors, never looking for a hand out but a hand up, and always paying it forward. Students heard from alum who worked in the following industries: social media, construction, sports medicine, pharmaceuticals, marketing, law, technology and accounting. Also speaking were representatives from the US Military and Military Academies.
Thank you all!
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Campus Ministry: Faith in Action!
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 | | Bro. Brian Poulin FMS |
There is one word to describe Mount's Campus Ministry: Action! Thanks to Valerie Savino and Bro. Brian Poulin FMS, Mount students are living their faith as disciples of Christ would by focusing their service efforts on those most in need in our community. To be Marist is to approach each action as Mary did, with unconditional love and inclusion and with the Marist family spirit.
Says Valerie, "Marist schools have a clear focus on emphasizing the environment that St. Marcellin Champagnat, Maris founder, lived in- he did not want to sit around living in comfort- he wanted to help the least favored in society, those who were most neglected by others and by life itself."
 | | Valerie Savino |
Bro. Brian adds, "Civic responsibility, of which a key component is social justice, is the prime motivating force for Marist work-we want to educate our students to become aware of our less fortunate communities and to put that awareness and sense of responsibility for their fellow man, into action. Because we are all children of the same Creator."
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Mount students in service at Mercy Center, a Bronx organization that helps single mothers and their children. |
Mount students must perform 100 service hours before they graduate. What Bro. Brian and Valerie are emphasizing is that the hours are not something to check off. Instead of having students carry a teacher's books or cleaning a blackboard and have that count as service hours, students are put in contact with people in the New York region and beyond who have real and serious needs.
For example, the students had a recent fundraiser in order to raise money to buy medical equipment that was needed in Sierre Leone, where ebola is currently a major epidemic. Students also volunteer regularly to make sandwiches for and to give clothing to the homeless as part of the Midnight Run program. Keep Reading
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Turkey Bowl: Rules of Engagement
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 Despite the fact that Mount was defeated at the hands of Hayes (32-0) at the 2014 Turkey Bowl, there was still much to be thankful for--
especiallyif you were Nicholas Ruiz '02.
At halftime, in front of about 1500 Hayes and Mount fans, Nick dropped to his knees and proposed to his girlfriend Susanne Impellizzeri!
Nick was understandably nervous, and Susanne did not let him wait to long before answering yes, to the relief of Nick and delight of the fans attending the Turkey Bowl.
We wish the young couple all the best!!
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Mount Middle School:
Future Scientists Unite! |
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Denzel Peterson, 8th grade, points out his hypothesis on seed growth
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Future scientists abounded at the Mount's Annual Middle School Science Fair, held on Tuesday, December 16 in the school library. Students' hypotheses ranged from the best water temperature to use to efficiently freeze an ice cube to extracting DNA from fruit!
Here are our winners! The first place winners of each grade will attend the Bronx Science Fair in March of 2015.
6th Grade
1st Place: Lorenzo Bulnes: Best Water Temperature for Making Ice Cubes
2nd Place: Zion Gray: Extracting DNA From Fruit
3rd Place: Adrian Rochester- Does Soap & Water vs. Hand Sanitizer
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6th Grade, L. to R.: 1st Place- Lorenzo Bulnes; 2nd Place: Zion Gray; 3rd Place: Adrian Rochester
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7th Grade
1st Place: Sebastian Reid: Which absorbs more, sponges or cloth?
2nd Place: Jayson Rochester: Does more expensive detergent clean better?
3rd Place: Maceo Foster: Magnets - Does having multiple magnets produce a higher projectile velocity in a linear magnetic accelerator
 | 7th Grade L to R: 3rd Place: Maceo Foster; 2nd Place: Jayson Rochester;
1st Place: Sebastian Reid |
8th Grade
1st Place: Kobe Jones: Are all sugars the same?
2nd Place: Deven Silva: What mascara is waterproof?
3rd Place: Joshua McClaine and Jayden McBayne: Which brand of gum lasts longer?
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8th Grade L to R: 1st Place: Kobe Jones; 3rd Place: Jayden McBayne and Josiah McClaine; 2nd Place: Deven Silva
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In the Heights Coming to Mount in 2015!
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Get ready for In the Heights, a story of a community close to many of us, Washington Heights!
The musical, which will be presented by the Mount Players in April of 2015, tells the universal story of the Heights' vibrant neighborhood- a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures. It will be presented in the Spring of 2015 on April 24, 25 and 26!
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Class Notes
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Mr. William F. Manning '52: Happily retired for the past 18 yrs. Sue and I got together with Ted Schlich, John Gill and Pete Sheridan at a celebration for our 3 grade nun's 95th birthday back in October. Health is ok and we are fortunate to be able to spend Jan. - Mar in Naples, FL., and the rest of the year in Mt. Kisco, NY.
Reverend Peter C. Scaramuzzo '57: Retired at age 75 this year ('14) after serving 48 years as a priest in the Archdiocese of NY. Moved to Westerly RI where I have been vacationing since the age of11. I help at St. Clare Chruch in Misquamicut when needed.
Mr. Joseph G. Porricelli '61: I miss all my good friends: Tom Litrenta, Ronald DeConne. Favorite teacher Math - Bro. Jude Robert
Mr. Vincent S. Lifrieri '69:"Back to the Airport". ABM operations Mgr. Terminal #4 IAT. Maintain passenger boarding bridges and baggage belt systems.
Mr. James R. Suchy '67: I was ordained a Deacon by Cardinal Dolan in June 2012. Since then I have been serving at my home parish of St. Augustine, New City, NY. I am responsible for our RCIA program, lectors, extra ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Altar Servers.
Mr. Michael J. Occhicone C.P.A. '71:This past November 17th my daughter gave birth to our first grandchild a grandson named Gavin Michael Balzano.
Tony Barbella '76: just celebrated 32 years of service at Hallmark Card Company
Mr. Anthony C. Santiago '11: Active Duty in the USMC currently stationed in Cherry Point, NC.
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Become an Annual Fund Loyalty Club Member and Get Discounts!
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Become a member of the Mount Loyalty Society by donating to the Annual Fund for at least 5 consecutive years and get discounts on select Mount Events!
We are in the process of sending out cards to alum who currently qualify.
Consecutive Annual Fund Donations and Discount Levels are as follows:
5-9 Years: 5%
10-14 Years: 10%
15-19 Years: 15%
20+ years: 20%
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2014/2015 Annual Fund:
Why I Give
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Joe Leanza '76
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Joe Leanza '76: " I give because I want to brag that the Mount has provided an excellent Catholic education for nearly 100 years. I give to honor my teachers, coaches and parents who sacrificed to provide me with the tools I needed to shape my future.
I give because the young men of the Bronx deserve the same opportunities that I was given. Our donations enable hundreds of young men to achieve a top notch education in a environment that cultivates hard work and a sense of personal responsibility. Finally, I give because I love the Mount. There's just something about the place: the people, the history, the smell. It's hard to pinpoint, but it's real."
WHAT IS THE ANNUAL FUND?
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.
When you give to the Annual Fund, your dollars help fund advanced curriculum in programs like Sports Medicine, IT and Business, as well as strengthening our athletic programs and extracurricular activities.
- Offer need-based financial support
- Drive excellence in curriculum and scholastic advancement
- Strengthen our athletic programs
- Provide state-of-the-art technology
- 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! |
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Bro. James Bantz Memorial Scholarship
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 The Bro. John Bantz Memorial Scholarship was established in the fall of 2014 to honor the memory and legacy of Mount's former President. Bro. John served at the Mount for 31 years in a variety of roles: as Junior HS Principal, Guidance Counselor, and Development Director.
He stood ready to serve the school in whatever task was required to enhance and move forward the academic and co-curricular program. Prior to his service at the Mount, Bro. John taught math for many years at various Marist schools.
Bro. John was an avid sports fan and was present on the field, off the court or around the track for three seasons, year in and year out. He knew the names of all the students participating in an activity.
The scholarship award will be given to a graduating senior, who exhibits the qualities of character so well illustrated in Bro. John's life: a spirit of good sportsmanship, a love of math and a record of service to the Mount community.
For more information, please call
Julie Androshick Boyle
Development Office
718 515 6400 ext. 268
julie.androshick@mtstmichael.org
Please make checks payable to Mount St. Michael Academy and
send your donation to:
Development Office
Mount St. Michael Academy
4300 Murdock Avenue
Bronx, NY 10466
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Campus Ministry
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Bro. Brian and Valerie want to emphasize the distinction between volunteering and service. Says Bro. Brian, "Just because you are giving up your time to volunteer, for example to help sweep up the school parking lot, is not service. You can volunteer to walk Bill Gate's dog, but it is not service. Service is a deeper, part of your responsibility, we are all part of community."
Mount students, whether working at a soup kitchen like POTS (Part of the Solution) on Webster Avenue in the Bronx or at organizations like Mercy House that help single mothers get on their feet, become aware of the effects of need and it underlines why they should be committed to service and to set a stage of a life of service towards others.
Since September, Mount students have organized events at the Mount that have raised money for veterans , breast cancer, equipment to fight Ebola, and for the homeless. They have also organized food drives at Thanksgiving and are currently organizing a clothing drive for the homeless. During the Mount's semi-annual blood drive in November 2014 a record 65 pints of blood was collected!
It is clear that now, as Pope Francis puts an emphasis on works of mercy, Marist and Mount students are at the forefront. As Valerie says, what the students are doing is creating something, and that is revolutionary. As Psalm 127 says"If the Lord doesn't build a house, the laborers build in vain."
We are proud of our students, building a house of service and commitment.
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