St. Francis GradNews Fall 04 - YourMembership.com

6 • GradNewsAt “6100”I am delighted to share some of the exciting events ofour second spring semester.The class of ’94 held its reunion on January 17. Theyconnected with their classmates and shared an evening offood, friends and fun. The 11th Annual Florida Reunionwas held on February 27. Except for the cold weather, agood time was had by all thanks to our wonderful hosts inValrico, Florida, Paige and Marc Hamlin ’84.International Week, from March 8 through March 13,celebrated and showed appreciation for all the cultures ofthe world.The 15- and 20-year reunion for the classes of ’89and ’84 took place on March 24. The classes were verywell represented.On May 8, graduates from ’44, ’49, ’54, ’59, ’64, ’69,’74, and ’79 gathered at 6100 for the Spring Reunion.The highlight of the evening was the 26 members of theclass of ’54 who came from all over the country tocelebrate their 50th anniversary as Prep grads.After Mass, Coach Tim Leary ’63 and Joanne Persico-Smith ’84 were inducted into the Prep’s Alumni Hall ofFame. Honorary membership was bestowed upon BillEvans, the Meteorologist for ABC-TV Channel 7Eyewitness News, Art McMahon, a member of the Boardof Trustees for more than 10 years and a Prep parent, andalso Brother Dominic Quigley, who has served as a teacherand moderator for 33 years at the Prep. Kevin O’Donnell’73 was honored for 15 years of dedicated service to ourAlumni Board. Special thanks to Father Bill SweeneyH’03, Don Sileo, Ms. George Anne Kotowicz, Mrs. NancyDeStefano, Mrs. Pat Cinque-Maher, Ms. Gloria Antinoriand Ms. Michelle Tang ’01 for making the reunion atremendous success.An update for you about the “Pathway to St. Francis.About 500 bricks have been engraved which reflect contributionsof nearly $88,000 thus far. On Sunday, November7 we will bless the new bricks.We will continue to add more bricks and bless themas part of our Alumni Mass each November.I would like to congratulate John McGinley H’82 onreceiving an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis Collegeon May 26. John was a teacher, coach, counselor, andfriend to many decades of students at the Prep.On Friday, June 18, the school section of FrancisLewis Boulevard was renamed in memory of BrotherRalph Clifford ’48. Brother Ralph served as the PrepTreasurer from 1967 to 2002. In his quiet way, BrotherRalph went about his work ensuring that the school waswell served; more importantly he cared for each individualstudent. We are grateful to Anthony Amorese ’04 for beingthe driving force behind the project.At the Alumni Memorial Mass on November 7,2004, the newly refurbished auditorium will also bededicated to Brother Ralph’s memory.Monday, June 21, saw over 350 people, includingDallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells and quarterbackVinny Testaverde, join in support of the 11th Annual GolfClassic, honoring Coach Vince O’Connor for his remarkable50 years as varsity head football coach. The moniesrealized will benefit the Vince and Mary O’ConnorScholarship Fund.I know that many of our Alumni and friends of thePrep, would join with me in wishing Brother DominicQuigley a fond farewell and extend our best to him in hisjourney as Secretary General of the InternationalFranciscan Conference in Rome. Brother Dom workedenthusiastically within the Prep community serving others,saying “yes” when asked to help and raising his handwhen offered the opportunity to lead. How about a Prepreunion in Rome! Also, our condolences to Brother Domon the recent passing of his mother.A reminder about 2004 Homecoming Weekend.The weekend will kick-off on Thursday evening October14, with a 3-on-3 Hoops Tournament, followed on Friday,October 15 with the Golf Outing and dinner. Saturday,October 16, we present for the first time A Day at theRaces at Belmont Park.The 5K Fun Run will be renamed the CaptainVincent F. Giammona ’79 5K Fun Run, and is set forSunday morning, October 17, at 9 a.m. The final event ofthe weekend takes us over to St. John’s University onSunday afternoon to root for the Varsity Football teamagainst Cardinal Spellman High School of the Bronx.We need and appreciate your help! Let’s have a greatturnout for our Homecoming Weekend ’04.Of course, as we look back in recognition andcelebration of these people and events which have madeSaint Francis Prep what it is today, we cannot loose sightof what it will take to ensure the advancement of the Prepand its mission in the future.Together we can respond to the changing world andprovide our young men and women a quality FranciscanEducation, a mission we have fulfilled with faith and zealsince 1858, heading towards our SesquicentennialCelebration in 2008.It should be no secret that the imagination, dedicationand hard work of our Alumni Board Members, led byour retiring President, Gerry Scales ’76, is one of the