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Starting The Year Off Well
Simon Foundation, Gerry McGraw ‘72
Offer Major Gifts valuing $125,000
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Making a loud statement that Hudson Catholic stands as a winning and advancing educational institution, two longtime benefactors of Hudson Catholic have stepped up even before the new fiscal year begins, to pledge major gifts that will enable the school to begin its year in strong fundraising fashion.
Gerard McGraw ’72, has pledged to repeat his gift of $50,000 made in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, stating: "I am thrilled to be able to make this gift to Hudson Catholic. Similar to so many of my classmates and fellow alumni, the root of my success in life grew at Hudson Catholic. Now I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back in some meaningful way, so I wanted very much to do so at and for the place where it all started."
And the William E. Simon Foundation, a strong supporter of Catholic education in urban environments, once again is rewarding Hudson Catholic for innovation in our academic program, specifically, our Dual Enrollment Program with St. Peter’s University, and our Media Arts Certificate Program with New Jersey City University.
The Foundation is gifting $55,000 outright for these programs, and establishing a Match Challenge of $20,000 for gifts made by new donors and increased gifts by repeating donors in 2022-2023.
In a letter to our Director of Instruction, Mr. William Venezia ’70, Mr. William E. Simon Jr wrote: “We have been proud to support Hudson Catholic Regional High School over the years and are pleased to be able to make this final grant. As you know, the Simon Foundation has a mandated sunset and it is bittersweet to be making this parting gift. We wish the entire Hudson Catholic team all the best in its work to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and faith that sets them on a path to reach their full potential.”
President-Principal Terry Matthews expressed Hudson Catholic’s long-standing and heartfelt gratitude to the team at the Simon Foundation. "Once again, the Simon Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to Catholic education in general, but to urban Catholic education in particular. The Simon Foundation has been a long-time ally for Hudson Catholic and, while it is bittersweet that this gift marks the end of the Foundation, it is truly fitting that it be a gift given with the longevity of Hudson Catholic in mind, and love for our students at its heart."
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Can We Talk?
(A Note of Thanks to the Newark Archdiocese)
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The good news emanating from Hudson Catholic is plentiful. An incoming class of 140 will replace our 116 graduates, thereby continuing to grow the student body; we have aligned formal academic programs with all three universities in Hudson County to provide great value to our Hudson Catholic families; the Class of 2022 is our 55th graduating class; and we have, for the first time ever, balanced our operating budget on a fully-loaded basis.
Because the Archdiocese believes in the mission of Hudson Catholic, it has worked quietly and supportively behind the scenes to help keep Hudson Catholic alive for the past 14 years. And for that we are truly grateful. The Archdiocese has worked to keep a large financial weight off the neck of the school while our financial health stabilized.
While Hudson Catholic grew its enrollment by improving our academic offerings, adding formal college relationships, attracting highly qualified staff, building our athletic and extracurricular programs and staying true to our Lasallian mission, the Archdiocese paid for some of the benefits and into the pensions of our faculty, staff and administrative team. At least 14 years’ worth. That amounts to millions of dollars. Money we would have not been likely to raise. So, in certain respects, it is the Archdiocese that has been saving Hudson Catholic every year since it’s near closure. Why? Because the Archdiocese wants Hudson Catholic to thrive as the only diocesan high school in Hudson County.
The Administration of Hudson Catholic has arrived at a point where we are now able to pay for our operations on a fully funded basis. This is an inflection point in our history. It points to sustainability for the longer term. Automatic yearly subsidization is no longer needed from Newark, therefore providing a further strand of operating independence. Better days are ahead for our beloved Hudson Catholic, now the last remaining Catholic Co-Ed High School in Hudson County.
Hudson Catholic is a winning story, a winning organization, so when you give to Hudson Catholic, you are joining a winning team!
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It's about Touching Hearts
I hope everyone finds the time to enjoy some warmth and relaxation this summer. I wanted to personally thank everyone who donated to Hudson Catholic this past year. I know that it was a sacrifice, especially in today’s economy, and it speaks volumes about your commitment to your alma mater and our students. St. John Baptist De la Salle wrote, “The more loving you are to the young, the greater will be the effects of God’s grace.” He also said, “God expects you to touch hearts.” Your gifts are actually opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise be closed to our students. Please note that the smallest gift is as important as the biggest. We were forced to raise our tuition by $400 this upcoming year. It works out to $40 per month. That may seem miniscule to some, but it can be the difference between someone being able to keep sending their son or daughter to Hudson Catholic. For our alumni, two people who pledge $20 per month can provide the means for a struggling family to absorb this increase. Whether it be $20, $200, $2000 or $200,000, when you help a child attend Hudson Catholic you are experiencing God’s grace. Remember, St. LaSalle didn’t say that God hopes you touch hearts. He said that God EXPECTS you to touch hearts. Thank you for touching hearts at Hudson Catholic and please continue to do so.
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Board Matters
Dr. Fred Bonato, a member of the Hudson Catholic Board of Consultors, was recently promoted to Executive Vice President and Provost at St. Peter’s University.
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Hawks at the Shore
Saturday, August 27th, 3-6pm
The Friendly Sons of The Shillelagh
16th Avenue, Belmar
Open to all alumni and their guests
$85 per person -- hot / cold buffet, open bar
Payment in advance only hudsoncatholic.org/hats
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SPECIAL GUESTS
Brother Tim Ahern -- Mr. Jack Campion
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Class of 1982 Reunion October 15th at the Nest
Class of 1992 Reunion November 5th at the Nest
Class of 2002 Reunion forming. Date TBD
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Event Sponsor:
Investors Bank
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Register to play, or sponsor, at hudsoncatholic.org/bggolf |
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We recently had an alum from our very first class write to express regret that he had lost his class ring and inquired with us as to how he might go about securing a replacement. To get the ball rolling, we referred him to Dennis Mamchur of Jostens at dennis.mamchur@jostens.com.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, feel free to contact Dennis to see what Jostens can do to replace your keepsake ring.
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Dateline: 1969
Edition of ‘The High School Set’
Unearthed
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Our recent article about the High School Set from 1972 apparently prompted some to go scurrying into their attics and basements to excavate yellowed copies of articles cut out of the Jersey Journals of the day.
To that end, we are happy to share some highlights of a 1969 version and take you back into the time tunnel.
In the ‘Always’ feature: Brain Neary, playing basketball; Bob Wolfe, talkative; Ed Sekowski, a lady’s man; Mike Raimondo, smiling; Mike Villani, surfing; Bob Velardi, kidding; Nick Calderaro, ready with a big hello; Rick Roscitt, involved n something; Mike Picardi, a born humorist; Tim O’Connell, tough at football; Jim Young, hard working; Tony Polcari: friendly; Tom Bender: a born leader; Flavio Rubano: an authority on sports; John Cossolini: a tough competitor.
Among happenings that were touted: the Drama Club (led by Mr. Jack Campion) put on productions of “My Fair Lady” and “Our Town”; John Cossolini’s three- touchdown performance; Ed Sekowski’s 35-point game; Alex ‘Fred’ Webster valedictorian, Rick Roscitt, salutatorian; Mr. Hagovsky, senior Religion teacher, penning the words to our school song before going off to graduate school at Seton Hall; special thanks to Brother Martin Zewe for his contributions assisting the Yearbook staff; and the acknowledgement that the Class of ’69 had set traditions during their four-year occupancy at our school (how right they were!). They ended with: “Farewell, Hudson, but not goodbye - for you will be in our hearts forever.” If any class ever lived up to that proclamation, ’69 it is!
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Phil Carbonaro ’75 is a Visual Effects Artist for Universal Studios who, over the years, has done various types of effects work, mostly digital matte painting and 2D compositing, and adding digitally created elements to existing photography. Phil credits
My Hudson Catholic education and Ms. Rosemary Carroll’s Art and Photography classes as big influences in my choice of careers.
Jack Campion is another teacher he credits for the success he has enjoyed.
After high school, he attended The School of Visual Arts, majoring in photography. He freelanced as a photographer in Manhattan until 1995, specializing in advertising and architecture, before moving to Los Angeles.
Early adoption of Photoshop helped his entry into the film and television industry because few people were doing effects work digitally at that time. His first television series were Hercules and Xena, both Universal shows. Since then, Phil has worked freelance for various effects houses, and himself, with movie credits for Blade, Hellboy, and X Men 2, among others.
He is a member of the Television Academy for over 25 years, receiving Emmy recognition for his television work on Lost and the Dune miniseries. For the past eight seasons he’s been an effects artist on the Amazon Prime police drama, Bosch. His next work will be for a new, yet-to-be-named movie.
Because of high-speed internet access, Phil is able to work from anywhere, consequently, he recently moved back to New Jersey and settled in Toms River. He says Southern California is beautiful, but It feels good to be back in New Jersey. And he promises that, once settled, he plans to come north to visit and see the school. We’d like that.
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Capital Building. Louis Porta '89 is Managing Director at Rockefeller Capital Management
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Money Hawk. Michelle Sevillano ’13, who was among the first females to attend Hudson Catholic, and in the first class to attend a full four years, is a Client Associate Management at Next Capital Management in New York City.
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Metal Head. Nuno Cunha '01 is Owner of Liberty Special Metals in xx, xx
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Secaucus Success. Mike Flaherty ’71 is the proprietor of Mike’s Ice Cream in Secaucus on Paterson Plank Road, and has been in business for 40 years. Mike reports that they have lines down the block and he is actually afraid that he may run out of ice cream as a result of a recent TikTok review that went viral.
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The Hudson Catholic Logo
‘The Sign of Faith’
What’s Up With That?
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In 1965, Hudson Catholic moved into its sparkling new home at McGinley Square. Brothers Richard Kestler and Benedict Brown were commissioned to oversee research and development of a school emblem to symbolize the Catholic Educational Philosophy, the Christian Brothers Order, and our school’s commitment to the noble objectives of Dedication and Service – to guide students, parents, faculty, administrators, and alumni, in community.
The glorious result of the good Brothers’ labor and that of apprentices among the Hawk Yearbook, THE Commentator, Student Council, and National Honor Society, was the ‘Sign of Faith’, a.k.a. the Hudson Catholic Shield. Over the years, it has adorned the school’s book covers, stationary, and apparel, and remains proudly on display in the school lobby, a sentinel on watch over its domain.
Now in its 57th year as an emblem of Hudson Catholic, the ‘Sign of Faith’ remains as poignant and pertinent as ever. Symbols comprised in the emblem collectively represent dedication and service to God, family, country, and school. The term, ‘Sign of Faith’ sends a message of our faithfulness to these principles to all who encounter the Hudson Catholic family.
The arc surrounding the shield represents family. The shield is an overarching symbol of dedication and service. The Bible and Cross signify salvation to come from dedication and service to God, our Catholicism, and our Christianity. The Star above Stripes represents dedication and service to country, community, and civic duty. The Star originates from the Christian Brothers’ Coat of Arms. The significance of seven stripes ties to the seven-branch candle and the roots of Christianity found in the Old Testament.
Our mascot, the Hawk, brought to Hudson Catholic by Brother Bernard Gresh, is a bird that soars to great heights. A hawk possesses great strength, keen vision, instinctive reactions, and intellect. Hawks are tenacious and fierce, yet caring and protective of their nest and their young. Hawks are found all over the world.
When you view the ‘Sign of Faith’, remember that Hudson Catholic will always be your nest. Return often. Remember our ideals of dedication and service. They do not end at graduation. They continue all our lives. Be protective and supportive of Hudson Catholic. Cherish it always. The time to take an active role in ensuring the continued success of its mission is always at hand.
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Spoken like Bob Costas. From John Dinardo ’75, upon viewing the photo of the ’74 Pony League Champs: “Peter Morales setting a new trend wearing Johnny Miller golf slacks while pitching. It was an obvious attempt to distract the batters and was soon outlawed. Nice try Peter!”
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Who are these youngsters? |
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Korrection Korner
As Mark Bevacqua ’74 wrote and claimed about the photo of the Pony League Champs: “ It is not me in the photo, although the photo caption is correct, meaning that Mark’s cousin Bruce Bevacqua ’74, was correctly identified in the photo caption, but we had it as Mark in the write-up. Got that?
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22-362-0836
For anyone who may need the school's Federal Tax ID# in connection with a gift you are making or contemplating.
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Your life is made of two dates and a dash.
Make the most of the dash.
-- Steve Dnistrian ‘82
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The Office of Advancement ~ Gary, Jill & Jenine
201-332-5970 x118
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We are grateful for our Sponsors |
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Chris Johnston, HC Director - Technologies & Football Coach |
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