Jack Cullen '76 Presents Major Gift

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Jack Cullen ’76

Presents Latest Major Gift

to Alma Mater

in $50,000 Five Year Pledge

Citing his pleasure with the direction of Hudson Catholic, and expressing his gratitude for the difference that his Hudson Catholic experience has made in his own life, Jack Cullen ’76 of Rockville, MD has decided to ‘invest’ in Hudson Catholic by committing to gift $50,000 over a 5-year period, with the presentation of the first installment.

The first year gift is being split among the John Higgins Scholarship Fund (in tribute to his dear friend), support for the Basketball Program (Jack is a self-acknowledged basketball junkie who still plays 5 times per week in a men’s over-60 league!), and The Fund for Hudson Catholic.

Jack is President of Diversant an IT Talent Management and Staffing Solutions firm in Rockville. He is a Terrapin through and through, having graduated the University of Maryland and staying in-state to make his home and raise his family.

Jack is also a BIG lacrosse fan. Might we see Hawk Lacrosse in our future? Are there even many schools in Northern Jersey we might compete against?

We are lucky to have alumni like Jack who can truly make a difference for our students on a daily and ongoing basis. Naturally, we are looking for a few more!

ARRIVING SOON………

HUDSON CATHOLIC GIVING DAY!

We elected to sit out Giving Tuesday

on November 30^th rather than compete for gifts

with every other charitable organization.

We have planned a day all to ourselves

April 7^th

The Feast Day of

St. John Baptist de LaSalle

A 24-hour fundraising event

Our Goal: $25,000

We are off to a great start, potentially half way there.

An Anonymous Donor

has challenged

the Hudson Catholic Community

If we can raise $12,500 on HC Giving Day,

that total will be matched,

to bring us to $25,000 for the day.

It is up to YOU, our loyal supporters,

to make that happen

Please plan to be generous

from your computer or phone

St. La Salle Feast Day / Founder’s Day /

HC Giving Day

No action necessary now

More details to come

APRIL 7^th

BEAT PREP!!

HAWKS ARE COUNTY CHAMPS AGAIN

^{(Now Try That Again)}

To a true Hudson Catholic Hawk, no two words could sound sweeter than these - “Beat Prep!” And that is exactly what we did in the Hudson County Boys Basketball Championship Game on Saturday, February 26^th at High Tech High School in Secaucus. The final score was 60-55, with the 22-2 Hawks in command virtually the entire way, led by Soph Tahaad Pettiford and Junior Elijah Gertrude.

This is Coach Nick Mariniello’s 8th County Championship in the past ten years (the 7th time defeating Prep for the title), and the 9th County title in school history.

In a truly emotional gesture, Coach Nick presented the Championship trophy to senior Antonio Sellers, who has been unable to play since being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor following his freshman season.

The boys went on to post a first round victory in the State Tournament, so, as their reward, they drew, once again, that’s right, The Prep!

In what may have been the first time Hudson Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep faced off in the State Playoffs since 1969 when the two schools and their contingents had to trek down to Atlantic City for a title game clash that we would rather forget, the Hawks (ranked #5 in NJ) were at home for the rematch on Friday, March 5th, but came out on the short end of a great game in front of an electrified Rocky Pope Gym, 52-49. The consolation in bowing out of the state tournament is that our victory against Prep (ranked #6 in NJ) resulted in a title, whereas their victory against the Hawks hadn’t won them anything -- yet. Despite wishing the St. Peter’s team well in the remaining playoffs, they came out on the short end against their next opponent, Bergen Catholic.

With both teams done for the season, reflecting on what was and what is to come next year, it is apparent to all that the Prep-Hudson rivalry has been reignited and supercharged by all the post-season excitement with so much at stake, including, most of all, Jersey City bragging rights!

Attending or Sponsoring

the Wall of Honor Event?

Go to our Wall of Honor Page at

https://hudsoncatholic.org/woh

Or Contact Jill Cypher, Director of Marketing & Events

jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org / 201-332-5970 x118

Annual Fund Update

48% of the way to $250,000

Thank you, Hawks and Friends!

Attending Your Class Reunion?

Contact Jill Cypher, Director of Marketing & Events

jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org / 201-332-5970 x118

2022 = 1972 + 50

Hey Class of '72! You have a celebration upcoming -- your 50-Year Reunion! This will take place in the fall, date TBD.

John Strzalkowski is your Class Organizer, who, at this time, would like to remind you that two things are needed from you, as you all have a role in making this celebration come together.

The first is to communicate your interest in attending by sending him a note at john.strzalkowski@aol.com. Or express regrets. Just don't let him have to bug you along the way. Easy enough

The second thing is, we cannot have a reunion without classmates. And lots of them. John, or the school, have only so much in the way of contact information - email address, phone number, or mailing address.

For those classmates you remain in touch with, kindly share their contact information at gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org. We'll update our database records AND share with John. Or, send your classmates to hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected where they can update all of their personal contact information.

As sure as you re-elected Richard Nixon in your graduating year, you can make a difference in the success of your class reunion. Let's hear from you, '72!

We Keep Raving About

Our School

“Hawk Pride.” - Joe Luistro ‘86

"I would have to say that Hudson was instrumental in setting me on a path to lifetime success! If I had to go to a Jersey City public school my life would have turned out much differently." - Chris Vukas '75

“The values instilled by my Hudson Catholic education helped me live a good life.” - Gary Doran ‘69

“Catholic education makes a positive difference.” - Guadalupe Mart-Salgado, Alumni Parent

“As a graduate, I feel I can and should give back.” I/M/O Charlie Hart ’68 - Alex Tarnacki ‘68

“It’s a great school. When you ask, alumni should support that call.” - James Scheiner ‘78

I give to Hudson because I believe in its academics, guidance, college placement, and Catholic teachings. It provides opportunities for upward mobility for many working class families such as my own.” - Michael Iwanicki ‘91

“I/M/O my deceased father Angelo V. Scarpa, for all of his hard work and sacrifices to ensure that my brother, sister, and I had a great Catholic education from first grade through college.” - Darren Scarpa ‘80

“IMO of Joe Bonner. A good teacher. And a good guy.” - John Beirne ‘70

“Eternally grateful for the education, experiences, and friendships gained while at HC. Please earmark this gift for students so they too can look back and have the same feeling.” - Fred Versaci ‘76

“I would like others to have the same opportunity for a quality education that I received.” - Robert Kelly ‘75

“Because I can. “ - Mike Londrigan ‘72

“Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk.” - Vic Urbanovich ‘68

Hawk Author At It Again

Joe Coluccio ’70 has penned his latest novel…………”All Strings Attached” is set for release soon. This one is thirteen years in the making, having been put aside at various times for a myriad reasons. Joe cites his comparatively advanced years as the primary factor why he decided to go without an agent, editor, and publisher. As he says it: “BookBaby, here I come!”

Frank McGady Honored,

that (New Jersey) Devil!

We received late word that veteran teacher and coach Frank McGady was honored this past Sunday, March 6th, during the first period of the New Jersey Devils - St. Louis Blues game. Frank is this year’s recipient of the John McMullen (former Devils owner) Award, presented annually to those who have made major contributions to the sport of amateur hockey in New Jersey. Congratulations, Frank!

As it turns out, there was quite a Hawk contingent on hand to add to the accolades. As Frank himself tells it: "Many former players and coaches were there. Several faculty and staff. What made it so special....I got a text message before the game that five of our recent graduates -- Emily Torres, Leslie Vargas, Angelina Velatanga, JP Prado, and Christian Mansur used their own money to buy tickets to sit up in the nosebleed seats just to cheer for me when I got the award. I managed to sneak them (in true JC fashion!) into the luxury box that the Devils provided for me, my family and guests so they could enjoy the food and good seats."