Pride Christmas 2012 - St. Dominic High School

Christmas 2012A Letter from the PastorDecember 2012Dear Alumni,Where did the fall of 2012 go? The month of October was off toa great start. We opened our new Science and CommunicationsCenter, and Bishop Murphy came for his annual visit withthe students and blessed all the labs and classrooms. He thenaddressed the student body from both the elementary school andhigh school. He talked about the great gift they have been givenin the new science building, and, more importantly, he spoke of the dedication that thestudents should have in using their gifts wisely by applying themselves in the learningprocess.October ended with a devastating storm, the likes of which the island has not seen before.While the parish and schools were spared except for a few trees, some of our families andfaculty were not as lucky. In true St. Dominic fashion, we banded together to help all thefamilies, and all those affected, by collecting money and materials which were delivered bythe students to the hardest hit areas of the south shore of Long Island. This is going to be along term effort and our students are up to the task.Let me close by wishing each and every one of you a very happy and blessed Christmasseason. A storm of the magnitude which we have just experienced makes one slow downand appreciate the things in life we sometimes take for granted, like electricity, heat, andwater. Family at times like this, and friends become our most prized possessions. ThisChristmas let us thank God for our family and friends by spending time with them, maybesharing a meal or attending a party or sending a heartfelt letter. Remember, you are apart of the St. Dominic Family, and your prayers and support mean so much to me andour students. Please feel free to visit us if you are in the area. So many great things arehappening here, and we want to share them with you. Our history has made us grow whowe are, and you were part of that, and because of you, we have a great future.Wishing you the love Jesus, Mary, and Joseph knew on that first Christmas night. May youand your loved ones share the peace and happiness of that love with each other.Peace and Prayer,FR. Kevin M. SmithPastor2PRIDE | Saint Dominic Newsletter

www.stdoms.orgTradition. Pride. Commitment.3

www.stdoms.orgSUCCESS NEVER STOPSAlexa Serrano ‘12Alexa Serrano is from Cold Spring Hills, New York and a proud graduate of St. DominicHigh School in Oyster Bay. She was born to parents Linda and Hernan, and has onebrother, Jake.She is currently attending Villanova University, as she continues to work towards hergoal of becoming an attorney.“This award is an honorand serves as not only areflection of myself, but of St.Dominic High School andthe wholesome educationI have received there. Theadministration and facultyof St. Dominic have taughtme what it means to putfaith into action and theirguidance and support hasgiven me all of the knowledgeand values I will need tobe successful in my futureendeavors.”Alexa Serrano ‘12Volunteering has always been an integral part of Alexa’s life. Sister Kathleen Kull, whowas Alexa’s theology teacher during her sophomore year at St. Dominic, describesAlexa as a “cheerful giver”, someone who is not afraid to take on any task. While astudent at St. Dominic, she was an active member of the Catholic Club, dedicated toputting faith into action.As a member of the Catholic Club, she participated in running the school’s annual foodand toy drives, as well as its very successful Pennies for Patients campaign.Alexa was also a member of the varsity volleyball, bowling, and softball teams, whileserving as Co-President of the Senior Class.Alexa was a member of the youth group at her parish, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Churchin Plainview, which held food and coat drives, while also preparing food for homelessshelters across Long Island. At Villanova she continues to serve the community, takingpart in the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service, as well as other events run throughvarious service organizations.Each fall the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (Halifax), of which I am a member, hosts an Elizabeth Ann SetonAward Luncheon at the Milleridge Inn Cottage. Several persons are honored – people whose spirit is reminiscent ofElizabeth Ann Seton’s – a spirit especially sensitive to the poor, the sick, the helpless, the deprived – with the keenability to put that care and sensitivity into action. Upon my recommendation, Alexa Serrano (Class of 2012) received theElizabeth Ann Seton Youth Award.Alexa is a young woman whom you can always “count on”. She is a natural leader, with a pleasing and gentle manner.Alexa has a nice sense of humor and is very generous and reliable. Her manner encourages others to join in the taskat hand. I taught Alexa theology in sophomore year when she first came to St. Dominic High School. That year, Alexareceived the Theology Gold Medal. Junior year, she received the Theology Silver Medal. At graduation, Alexa receivedthe Christian Service Medal. In her 3 years at St. Dominic, Alexa was an active and faithful member of Catholic Club, aclub involved with charitable endeavors throughout the school year. This is a “hands-on” group, dedicated to puttingfaith into action. Alexa’s generosity, spirit of faith-filled humble service and adventure all make her a worthy recipientof the Elizabeth Ann Seton Youth Award. Alexa’s honor is also an honor for St. Dominic. Thanks to Father Kevin’sgenerosity, ten of us from St. Dominic - teachers, administration, coaches, friends - joined Alexa, her family and over 350other guests at this joyful event.Sister Kathleen Kull, S.C.November 27, 2012Tradition. Pride. Commitment.5

Christmas 2012ALUMNI in the NEWSDonald “Taps” Gallagher (‘72) fulfills a40-year goal with his book, Stolen GloryWritten by Elaine Doremus Slayton. “His Basket List.”Hinsdale Living Magazine 2012: 46-48. Print.Stolen Glory, a nonfiction book written byClarendon Hills attorney Donald “Taps”Gallagher, with co-author Mike Brewster,chronicles the last harrowing seconds ofthe gold medal game at the 1972 MunichSummer Olympic Games that changedhistory—and inspired Taps to a goal he isachieving 40 years after that fateful game.We all remember exactly where we wereand what we were thinking on significantdays in history, including pivotal Olympicmoments. I still recall the thrill of sittingin my best friend’s air-conditioned familyroom on a hot summer day in 1976 whenNadia Comaneci received the first everperfect “10” score in an Olympic gymnasticevent.During the 1972 Summer Olympic Games inMunich, Donald “Taps” Gallagher had justgraduated high school in Long Island, NewYork, and was preparing to go off to collegeat Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, whenhe watched the gold medal basketball gamebetween the Soviet Union and the UnitedStates that made a lasting imprint on him.“History tells us that the Soviet Union beatthe United States 51–50 in that Olympicgame on a last-second basket at the finalbuzzer,” says Taps. But he and many othersstill believe that the Soviets didn’t win.“When I watched the game and whathappened at the end, I [promised] myselfthat if I ever became a lawyer, I wouldwrite a book about the game,” says Taps.“I’ve always had a passion and sense ofhistory for the game.” At 6 feet, 7 inches,Taps played basketball in high school andcollege and coached teams including theChicago Blaze and his daughters’ youthteams. A lifelong and dedicated fan of theNew York Knicks, he has rubbed elbowswith basketball icons including MichaelJordan. As a young man, Taps caddied forthe late Ralph Kaplowitz, who played forthe New York Knicks starting lineup in thevery first game of NBA/BAA history. Ralphgave Taps his old basketball sneakers whenhe was done with them.Now, Taps is champion of a movementto convince the International OlympicCommittee (IOC) to retroactively awardduplicate gold medals to the Americanteam. This has only been done once beforein history, when the IOC awarded duplicategold medals to the Canadian pairs figureskaters at the 2002 Winter Games in SaltLake City.In the prologue of the book, Taps recountsthe ending:With three seconds remaining in the game, theUnited States team was down by one point whenplayer Doug Collins (currently coach of thePhiladelphia 76ers of the NBA) stood at the freethrow line after having been knocked out cold ina foul by the Soviets. Through his haze, Collinsmade the two free throws to put the U.S. ahead,50–49. But after the Soviets’ first unsuccessfulattempt at scoring during the last three ticksof the clock, they were given another chance toinbound, due to reasons still disputed to thisday. The Soviets missed that shot, and ABCgame announcer Frank Gifford announced thatthe U.S. had completed an unlikely comeback.Fans surged onto the court and the U.S. teamcelebrated. The game was over, or so theythought.That’s when R. William Jones, President ofFIBA, the International Basketball Federation,ordered that the Soviets be given a third chanceto take the ball out of bounds. This time, Sovietplayer Alexander Belov leapt high in the air,shed two U.S. defenders on either side, andsimply laid the ball in the basket, uncontested.The Soviet players were wild, rolling on thefloor and hugging one another, their coaches andtrainers, and drinking from bottles of vodka thathad appeared out of nowhere.In the chaotic U.S. locker room, thebewildered and stunned United States teamvoted to refuse their silver medals. Olympicrules state that unless all team membersaccept their medals, none of the individualmembers can.“Nearly 40 years to the day of the game, 12silver medals lay unclaimed in an OlympicMuseum storage facility in Lausanne,Switzerland. History says those medalsbelong to the Americans,” says Taps.In 2008, Taps decided it was time to writethe book. “I would only write it if all 12players agreed,” says Taps. “I woke up inthe middle of the night and the title, StolenGlory, came to me.” As part of his research,he interviewed many people close to thesport—players, announcers, and coaches—including Frank Gifford.“So while the book is indeed about that40-minute basketball game so long agoand all its Cold War and basketball worldbuildup, it’s also about an agonizingchoice made in the aftermath by 12 youngmen, none over the age of 23, and howthat decision has reverberated through theyears.”“It’s a history book appropriate for kidsfrom the sixth grade through adults,” saysTaps. Beginning with the period from 1970,with the Cold War as a backdrop, it was thebirth of international basketball—in 1972,there had not yet been any internationalplayers in the NBA. It raises the issue ofsportsmanship from different viewpoints,including whether or not the United Statesteam should have accepted the silvermedals. “If people read it, they’ll reallyenjoy it,” says Taps. “There are a lot ofanecdotes from players about what goes onbehind the scenes in basketball, includingthe politics behind how teams are picked.”Taps is hoping to convince the IOC to awardduplicate gold medals to the United Statesin time for the team’s “Courage in Munich”reunion scheduled for next month, nearly40 years from that fateful day. He’s filedappeals with FIBA and the InternationalCourt of Arbitration asking for the case tobe tried in Lausanne, the only body that canoverrule the IOC.Is it a long shot? Perhaps, but Taps has totake this one all the way to the end. Hisoldest daughter, Glynis, recently said tohim, “If you get them the medals, you will dosomething that very few people do —changehistory.”Taps intends to do just that, and to convey themessage to young people: “Don’t let anyoneever tell you that you can’t do something.Accept the challenge. Regardless of whetheryou win or lose, you tried.”“My greatest moment would be to get theteam duplicate gold medals,” says Taps.6PRIDE | Saint Dominic Newsletter

Christmas 2012Science & Comm8PRIDE | Saint Dominic Newsletter

www.stdoms.orgunications CenterSaint Dominic Parish and schools have been blessed with agenerous gift by dedicated parishioners who had a visionfor the schools and the former Convent building.On Sept 17, 2012, this donor’s vision came to fruition whenthe 18,000 square-foot building opened its doors once againas a state-of-the art science and communication center thatconsists of 6 laboratories (5 for high school students and1 for elementary students), a greenhouse, two distancelearningclassrooms, a television production studio, and aprayer and meditation room.Tradition. Pride. Commitment.9

www.stdoms.orgWindy City ReviewWell, I’m back from my deer hunt to Wisconsin and now have a lucky t-shirt to go along with my buck. Iwore the St. Dom’s Alumni shirt on opening day and it will now be worn each Nov. at deer camp. Perhapsit’s not a memory you want to share, and St. Dominic, himself, may not approve, but I had a great timewith long time college friends.Bernie Weber ‘71Tradition is one thing hunters have in common, at any deer camp in the country. If I took one thing fromSt. Dominic, it was a Catholic Tradition. The distance made it difficult to keep in touch, unlike today, butI’ll never forget where I came from. That’s where the Pride comes in. I still have my varsity jacket, whichmy wife framed, my baseball, and hockey letters. She also framed the baseball Coach Cappozoli gave meafter our first win my senior year, signed and dated, a real nice memory. As I showed you, I also kept theletter I wrote on retreat at Gonzaga on 11/24/70.My wife and children share in that Catholic Tradition. My wife of 31 years, had 16 years of Catholic Education, as did I. Our 3children were baptized by the same priest who married Ann & I, and our son was married by the same priest last year. In addition,our children graduated from Montini Catholic HS and are also very proud of that relationship. While the kids have moved out andare on their own, we still meet at Old St. Pat’s in Chicago for mass.While our gathering last week was small, the group certainly showed a commitment to where they came from. I enjoyed it and lookforward to your future visits. If you know of anyone who is interested in attending a small Catholic university in the Midwest, letme know. My two brothers and sister, graduates from Hicksville HS, graduated from St. Mary’s U of Minnesota, and as well, we canall thank our aunt in California, a St. Dom’s Alumna, who encouraged the trip west.Take care and thanks again for the visit.Thanks for hosting an evening with the Chicago area alumni. It was enjoyable reminiscing about thepast and hearing how the school’s facilities and grounds have improved, yet retaining the comfortingscholastic environment of the past. It’s nice to see that the faculty fosters student growth, and the studentbody is cohesive and has pride in themselves and each other. I was also sorry to hear of the horrific impactSandy had on Long Island.Don Kump ‘62On a personal level, St. Dominic played a major role in shaping my future. Life started in Queens, N.Y.born to two hard working blue collar immigrant parents who moved us to L.I. when I was twelve. Theirgoal for me was to obtain a good Catholic high school education and then go to work. At St. Dominic,Sisters Augustine and Francita saw my potential and encouraged me to maximize my abilities throughhard work and scholarship.After graduation, I entered RPI and received a degree in electrical engineering. From there, I accepted a job at Grumman, nowNorthrop Grumman, where I worked my entire 44 year career. I started as an engineer, progressed to engineering management andthen to Vice President of various business areas over 22 years.During those years, I saw L.I. change. The life line of L.I. was the defense industry. There was Grumman, Fairchild, Republic, Armor,Doral, etc. and the supporting machine shops, chip manufacturers and others. Long Island was an engineering mecca. As prosperitygrew for the general populace, the cost for product to the U.S. government became less affordable. The effect-companies fled L.I. ormoved their manufacturing to low cost areas of the country. Net effect-the defense industry has been marginalized on L.I.,and, todate, no major replacement has arrived driving the talented youth to seek jobs elsewhere. This is sad and needs talented, innovativeentrepreneurs, hopefully St. Dom grads, with vision to recreate L.I. God willing this will happen over time.Tradition. Pride. Commitment.11

Christmas 2012Windy City ReviewMy experience at St. Dominic High School was one of satisfaction and warmth. Growing up on the SouthShore of Long Island, I had never even heard of Oyster Bay. Upon arriving on the campus in the fall of1968, I immediately felt at home and knew I had made the right decision to attend.What amazes me about my experience is the contacts I have made through the years with classmates tofurther my business interests and the friendships that have sustained the passage of time.Taps Gallagher ‘71There are two types of people in this world, those that do the work and those that take the credit. St.Dominic graduates are in the first group and always will be.It was a pleasure meeting with you and the other St. Dominic alumni a few weeks ago. You certainly area very engaging and dedicated representative of the school. I appreciate your effort to reach out to alumsaround the country to reinvigorate our connection to the school. It was a fun evening as well.Edward J. Duffy ‘56Thanks to your hospitality, I came away from the gathering with refreshed memories of my years at St.Dominic. It is certainly true that living in the midwest makes a continued connection with the school andmany of my classmates much more difficult. I especially miss the chance to maintain friendships with myteammates on the football, baseball, and basketball teams - very talented athletes like John Soviero, JohnPurcell, Vince Conforti, and many others. It would have been fun to hash over the experiences with ourold coaches – Davis, Mazur, and who could forget “Duckie” Roanan (who as I recall was a tight end forthe Syracuse Orange Bowl team in the early fifties.).The “classical” education I received at St. Dominic provided a strong foundation for my personal life and my career. It enabled meto be accepted at Notre Dame, where I graduated in 1961 with a degree in architecture. It also contributed to a life long interest inlearning, especially in literature and the arts.The guidance I received from the counseling staff had a strong influence on my path in life. As a senior, I was thinking of an educationin liberal arts, but several sisters suggested that my abilities in art and math matched up well with architecture. Their personalinterest helped me choose a successful and rewarding life path – as an architect, and as a graduate of a great University. (My seniorLiterature teacher didn’t agree. I remember him advising me that during the depression, unemployed architects were running theelevators, and the literature profs were still teaching at their colleges. With today’s recessionary construction economy, he was almostright.)On a personal note, I am very happily married and semi retired. My former wife and I had 4 great kids. My daughter Karen, asuccessful investment banker, died suddenly 2 years ago and left a beautiful 5 year old child whom she adopted from Kazakhstan 2years earlier. She was a great loss.I moved from New York to the Chicago suburbs of Aurora/Naperville in the late 60’s. I have had a successful architectural firm since1970, designing a wide variety of projects, with emphasis on institutional and religious building types; everything from churchesto court houses, many of which received awards for design excellence. Church projects were the most demanding and the mostrewarding. Our projects strove to blend the character of traditional churches with a strong post Vatican II contemporary design.The St. Dominic and Notre Dame ethic helped me develop a strong commitment to give back to the community. My activitiesincluded parish church council, Chamber of Commerce Board member, and leadership in State and local Architectural associations.I was also active in several community arts and theatre programs.The next time I am visiting my brother and family in Centerport, I will make a strong effort to visit the school. It appears that therehave been big changes in recent years. Love to see the new athletic fields – which replaced the weeds and gravel field next to theschool which we practiced on.Best wishes to you, and to the continuing success of Saint Dominic.12PRIDE | Saint Dominic Newsletter

Christmas 2012In MemoriamWe ask you to remember in your thoughtsand prayers the following alumni, parents,and friends of Saint Dominic High Schoolwho have returned to the Lord:ALUMNIRose Ranaldo Coschignano ‘38Paul John Murray ‘61Nancy Walsh Py ‘67FRIENDS & FAMILYSean Francis Mellon, Son of Ray ‘74& Patricia ‘74 MellonSean received a heart transplant in March of1994 and had to struggle health-wise on andoff until his death on September 8, 2010 atthe age of 20. Mr. & Mrs. Mellon would liketo thank their classmates for all their supportthrough this tough time.Kerren Kent, Elementary School Graduate-Sister of the late Kirsten KentEternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and letperpetual light shine upon them. May they rest inpeace and may their souls and the souls of all thefaithful departed, through the mercy of God, restin peace. Amen.We make every effort to ensure all the names of ourdeceased brothers and sisters are listed in Pride. If youhave noticed an omission, please allow us to expressour deepest apology and please notify us so we mightinclude their name in the next edition.Alumni Special EventAlumni Night at the Msgr. James E.Collins Sports CenterFriday, January 18, 2013Lady Bayhawks Varsity Basketball Game 4:00 P.M.Bayhawks Varsity Basketball Game 6:00 P.M.Alumni Reception to follow at the HomesteadPlease RSVP at 516-922-4888 Ext. 2225Alumni NightsThe Alumni Association will be hosting threeAlumni nights at The Homestead in Oyster Baythis winter to talk about old times. Please reachout to your fellow classmates and come for somedrinks and laughs. Please call 516-922-4888 Ext.2225 to RSVP.• Wednesday January 16, 2013 7:00-9:00 P.M.at The Homestead, Oyster Bay• Thursday January 31, 2013 7:00-9:00 P.M.at The Homestead, Oyster Bay• Wednesday February 13, 2013 7:00-9:00 P.M.at The Homestead, Oyster BayAlumni Family MassSaturday, March 9, 2013Please Call 516-922-4888 Ext. 2225 to RSVP• 4:00 P.M. Tour of Campus• 5:00 P.M. Mass in Chapel• 6:00-7:30 P.M. ReceptionPlease visit Saint Dominiccampus bookstore by scanningQR Code or online by visitingwww.stdoms.org/hs. Just clickon athletics then campus store.All orders will be shippedimmediately.14PRIDE | Saint Dominic Newsletter

www.stdoms.orgSaint Dominic High School2013 CalendarNoted Upcoming EventsCANIVAN GALA & AUCTIONFriday, April 26, 2013ST. DOMINIC GOLF OUTINGMonday, May 6, 2013GRAduationSaturday, June 1, 2013Tradition. Pride. Commitment.15

StDom_PRIDE_Newsletter_072412_16_27527_StDom_Pride­NL­­7/31/12­­5:14­PM­­Page­31www.stdoms.orgConsistent Annual Giving is the Key!DONORS TO THE CANIVAN FUND SERVE AS THEFOUNDATION OF THE HIGH SCHOOLScholarships, financial aid, academic programs, sports, clubs and the recruitmentand retention of the best teachers are made possible by your generosity.Make your gift today:• Use the enclosed envelope• Call 516.922.4488 ext. 2225• Go online to www.stdoms.org, click on the headingfor “Office of Development” and complete the formfor “online giving.”THE CANIVAN FUNDNil Sine Numine2012 ANNUAL OPEN HOUSEWe invite all interested 6th, 7th and 8th grade studentsto attend our— Annual Open House —on Sunday, September 30, 20121:30 - 4pmTours, presentations, and the chance to have one-on-one conversationswith students, faculty members and members of the administrationare part of the Open House._____For more information, please contact:Mr. Richard N. GarrettDirector of Admission & Alumni Relations516.922.4888 ext. 5321rgarrett@stdoms.orgCatholic Entrance Examination Code for Saint Dominic High School is 697Tradition. Pride. Commitment.31