hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to:
update email address, mobile phone number, mailing address, professional info, personal updates re: degrees, marriage, births, job change/promotion, awards

Also, visit hudsoncatholic.org/btl for past issues of this digital magazine

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

Can Be A Young Hawk’s

Tuition Assistance

For all those young (and not so young anymore) Hawks who have received the great news of college loan forgiveness, this is newfound money in your pocket.

 

Whereas you are no longer on the hook to pay back up to $10,000, we would like to ask you to now consider paying some of that forward. That is, to share in your good fortune with Hudson Catholic by contributing the gift of education to our current Hawks.

 

A great way to do this is to set up recurring payments of a modest monthly amount which, over the course of a year or two, will accumulate to a substantial amount. If a good number of similarly-situated Hawks were to do this, think of the significant impact we could have on a number of Hudson Catholic families who find themselves in need of tuition assistance, just as you may have been in your time at the Hawks Nest.

 

Consider setting up recurring donations to the Young Hawk Alumni Award as part of the Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program at hudsoncatholic.org/hcsp.

 

BE THE HAWK!

Honoring Jersey City’s

Catholic Education Heritage

with

St, Anthony Legacy Scholarship

at Hudson Catholic

Hudson Catholic has formed its second Legacy Scholarship Fund (following Marist of Bayonne) honoring former Catholic High Schools in Hudson County and beyond.

 

As part of its Legacy Scholarship Program, scholarships are established to honor and keep alive the memory of once-vibrant, proud schools. St. Anthony Legacy Scholarship at Hudson Catholic is meant to pay tribute to St. Anthony of Jersey City, its rich history, and provide a vehicle through which St. Anthony alumni and friends who value Catholic education wherever it takes place may continue to support its delivery in Jersey City.

 

The objective of this effort is to award financial aid to a deserving student or students in need, with the value and timing of awards subject to donor activity over time. The president of Hudson Catholic, Terry Matthews, will confer with other members of the Administrative Team and select the awardee(s). Thereafter, the award recipient(s) will be announced to all donors to the SA Legacy Scholarship Fund and in the Building The Legacy newsletter.

 

The easiest way to gift to St. Anthony Legacy Scholarship at Hudson Catholic is to go online to hudsoncatholic.org/hcsp and select the St. Anthony scholarship from the menu of awards comprising the Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program.

 

We sincerely hope that Hawks and Friars will band together for the benefit of today’s youth seeking a life-changing LaSallian educational experience at Hudson Catholic.

Hawk Football 3-0

Latest Results

Hudson Catholic 22, Montclair Immaculate 10

Hudson Catholic 33, Monsignor Farrell 14 

in the 'Battle for the Bridge'

Message from the Prez 

School has started and the halls are once again filled with the sounds of students.  I’m pleased to be able to report that we have at least 130 students in each year level, continuing our pattern of growth.  Our student body of 530 is the most we have had in at least 15 years.  For the first time since I can remember, we have a waiting list.  That fantastic news brings its own set of challenges. In these challenging economic times, it’s more important than ever to make sure that Hudson Catholic is affordable for our families.  The support of our alumni and alumnae is pivotal to our continued success.  Thank you for opening doors to opportunities for our students that might never be available otherwise.  Your help provides them with a safe, values-based, quality Catholic education that truly is built on a foundation of love.  The reality is that you are genuinely changing lives! 

Catching Up with Our 'Pioneer Girls'

After graduating from Hudson Catholic, Alyson Montalvo '10 attended Seton Hall University, pledged for Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, and worked for the Educational Opportunity Program each summer until graduating with a major in Sociology in 2014 along with Kristy Fernandez '10. Alyson worked as an Activities Director for Alaris Health at Castle and CareOne in Parsippany until two years ago, when she got the call from the Borough of Fairview to pursue her dream career as a Patrol Officer for the Fairview Police Department! She is also the L.E.A.D. Officer (previously D.A.R.E.) for the 5th grade students. Alyson was married on 2/22/2022 to her wife, Mio. Bridesmaids included Kristy, Jary Carvajal, and Cindy Rodriguez, all of the class of 2010! Alyson says: "Over 30 years of friendship and nothing has changed besides us turning 30."

Note: As our ladies are now represented in the past 13 classes, we want you to be more involved in sharing alumni news, your perspectives about Hudson Catholic, or ideas for meaningful events. Please drop a note to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to tell about your days and experiences as a Hawk, and we'll publish them. Other alumnae would value hearing from you and this can become part of the record of the school's history.


Ours is a complex school history, in terms of its movement and growth from all boys to coed and rich cultural diversity. The common threads that bind us are our humble beginning and pursuit of quality education at Hudson Catholic to build better lives. And that is what we want to celebrate!

Words of Remembrance for Brother Joseph Myers, FSC

Written & Delivered by Brother Richard Kestler, FSC

With input from Bros. Joseph Mahon & Kevin Stanton, FSC

Mass of Christian Burial

De La Salle Chapel - Lincroft, NJ

August 25, 2022

(Shared by Brother Tim Ahern, FSC; excerpted for Building The Legacy)

"June 15, 1959 found Joseph Patrick Myers traveling from Canton, OH to Ammendale, MD to begin a life journey as a Brother of the Christian Schools. Brother Joe celebrated 62 years as a community member, teacher, and mentor of youth. A graduate of Canton's Central Catholic, Joe was one of a small group of men who entered the community from this Brothers' school.

 

Joe’s ministry was varied, and ranged form Washington DC to northern Jersey, across Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Joe served in a total of nine ministries. In each assignment, Joe impacted his students, the community, and colleagues. Joe marched to a unique melody, but this uniqueness endeared him to both the community and his students.

 

Most of his assignments included the teaching of Religion and mechanical drawing. I had the privilege of living with Joe in three different assignments. I remember well my first administrative post. Since Joe and I were living in the same community at the time, I went to Joe, knowing of his enthusiasm about his change in assignment, and asked if he could work with me, although we had some differences in style. “Sure enough,” was his simple response to me. This expression was to be associated with Joe across many years.

 

I lived with Joe in his prime. He embodied the best of rural Ohio with “the Wisdom of the East.” His simplicity captivated his students and left them trying to figure him out. Joe was among the early Brothers adapting their Religion classes to the signs of the times. Vatican council had occurred, and more contemporary music formed the background to his classes. Most of us, when passing his Religion classes, could skip to the beat but had a hard time figuring out how all of this brought student and God closer to one another.

 

Joe always had a knack for attracting students who didn’t quite “fit in.” He founded in one school a bike club that allowed the non-jocks to develop their stamina and strength. Weekend trips along the Delaware Canal for twenty or more miles were not extraordinary.

 

After classes, Joe could be found outside, working “his fields.” At LaSalle College High, Joe created a pathway to the lower athletic field by carrying railroad ties from one end of the property, up and over a small hill, to their new location, as steps to the athletic complex. Joe’s idea was that now parents and fans might have an easier way to cheer on their team. Joe definitely enjoyed working with his hands.

 

On one occasion while we lived at Hudson Catholic, Joe celebrated his 34th birthday by walking a mile for each of his years, so he marched from lower Manhattan to Kennedy Airport and back, only to find he was a mile or two off, so he proceeded north to Central Park and back down to the PATH subway home to Jersey City.

 

Young students recognized Joe’s uniqueness and appreciated a different type of Brother. When Joe would come over to the school dances, he was always the collector of those guys not quite ready for serious dancing. (Honestly, it was a chore for Joe to attend these dances, himself.)

 

Someone who spoke to me recently about Joe’s passing reminded me of Joe’s expression, “Sure Enough.” It seems that this simple motto had a profound impact on many students and colleagues across the years.

 

Brothers who lived with Joe in Yeadon remember him spending weekends and days off taking public transportation into City Center to “wander around.” Standing tall in the crowd, cane in hand, he liked to visit used bookstores and engage the homeless along the way, some of whom he would get to know by name. Observing these regular outings, the community suspected that a fair portion of his stipend often found its way to those he would encounter there.

 

In his Ammendale years, Joe’s eyesight deteriorated, so he depended more on his hearing, but once he recognized a voice he was known to say hello. 

 

May Joe now enjoy the rewards of his well-lived life and a warm welcome from his students who preceded him. May he now shine among the stars for all eternity. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace."


Among many condolences posted to social media, we selected a few remembrances of Brother Joe:


Bill Murtha '71: Not only did Bro. Joe teach us literature and how to think— he taught us how to live. He was a quirky, but genuine, role model.


Joe Collichio '71: Very genuine. One of my favorites.


Len Anglin '68: He was a soft spoken man who you did not want to upset. I am thankful that I had him as a teacher.


John DiNardo '75: Heard Bro Joe stories immediately on arrival @ HC… a legend.


Joe Cavaleri '75: He was the most talked about brother in freshman year.


Richard Loughlin '70: Rest in Peace Brother Joe. You will be missed and always remembered.

Event Sponsor:
Investors Bank
Register to play, or sponsor, at hudsoncatholic.org/bggolf

Student/Partner Alliance

Mentor-Mentee Lunch 

at Hudson Catholic

October 4th

As recently noted in a New York Times article titled "Vast New Study Shows A Key to Reducing Poverty: More Friendships Between Rich and Poor," in which a study analyzed Facebook friendships of 72 million people, "mentorship programs can build cross-class relationships, by pairing people with different socio-economic backgrounds for extended periods of time," adding that "an increase in cross-class relationships is enough to benefit children's economic prospects." 

RSVP 

https://www.hawkalumni.org/we-remember-tim-eigo/

Reunion ‘72

Register at hawkalumni.org 

Sunday October 23,2022

6:00PM-10:00 PM

Galloping Hill Golf Club

Kenilworth NJ 07033

29th Alumni Mass of Remembrance

November 6th  10am

In the LaSalle Chapel

on the Hudson Catholic Campus

Saturday, November 19th 7pm

SAVE THE DATE

Ticket Info coming next issue


All proceeds to benefit the programs and offerings of

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Send Us Your Content


This is BTL issue #67. Starting with issue #68, we will try to include, as space and content permit, some features or throwbacks for each class whose year coincides with the issue number. Got it? You may share content at:

advancement@hudsoncatholic.org

And So It Begins…….

Here’s What A Media Arts Program Looks Like

In a letter from Mr. William Venezia, 70, Director of Instruction/Special Programs, to students enrolled in our new NJCU Media Arts Program, in late August:


“Your Sound 1 course at NJCU is scheduled for every Tuesday starting on 9/6/22 and the last class is 12/6/22. Bus pick up at Hudson Catholic is scheduled promptly for 3:25 and your return to Hudson Catholic is approximately 5:30. I will be available on each of these dates to facilitate this busing. 


Your Film Development 1 course is scheduled for every Thursday starting on 8/8/22, and the last class is 12/8/22. These classes will be conducted at Hudson Catholic in Room 320 from 2:30 to 5:00.


There will be a mandatory orientation program for all Media Arts students and their parents at NJCU on Wednesday, 9/14/22 from 7PM to 9PM. More details to follow. Please continue to monitor your Hudson Catholic email for program information. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns. I will be available at Hudson Catholic on Tuesday, 8/30/22 and every Tuesday and Thursday starting on 9/6/22 throughout the school year. You can contact me at 201-332-5970, X 117 with any questions you may have. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, 9/6/22 promptly at 2:25 to help you board your bus to NJCU.”

Alumni Spotlight

Hawk Author. Jim DeRogatis ’82 is an accomplished author who has just published what is sure to be his best work, telling the  lurid tale of R&B singer R. Kelly: Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly


He is also one of America’s premier authorities on everything that rocks, spending years as a pop music critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, then moving on to join the faculty of Columbia College Chicago to teach English, Creative Writing, and Cultural Criticism and the Arts. He has covered music news for the Rolling Stone, Guitar World, GQ, and The New Yorker. Signature quote: “The critic doesn’t sit there to tell you everything you think is wrong; he or she just wants to start a conversation.” He has become best known for his decades-long reporting on the criminal saga of R&B singer R. Kelly. Jim broke the story in 2000, and it culminates 22 years later with his book titled: Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly.

 

Jim has also authored a number of books on his favorite topics as a music critic:

 

Let it Blurt: The Life & Times of Lester Bangs, America’s Greatest Rock Critic


The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated History of a Walk on the Wild Side


Staring at Sound: The True Story of Oklahoma’s Fabulous Flaming Lips


Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock


Milk It! Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the ’90s


The Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones: Sound Opinions on the Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Rivalry, written with Greg Kot


Kill Your Idols: A New Generation of Rock Writers Reconsiders the Classics, a collaborative editing effort with wife, Carmel

 

We are adding these titles to our Library of Hawk Authors at hudsoncatholic.org/library-of-hawks.

Hawk Artist. Phil Carbonaro '75, a career visual effects professional in film and television, now freelancing from Toms River, will have his latest work on screen when “Mr. Harrigan's Phone" premiers on Netflix on October 1st. This is a new Steven King adaptation, directed and written by John Lee Hancock. Here’s a link to the press release:

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/mr-harrigans-phone-release-date

"One above the heart, one below the eye."

What is the meaning behind this Class of 1999 quote?

Answers to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org

Nice Shirt!

Nice Cap!

Nice Cart!

Good Times & Get-Togethers

As reported by a faculty onlooker, seven former Hawk varsity baseballers are playing in a competitive softball league as 'The Smash'. From L. to R., they are Miles Mayo ''09, Alfred 'AJ Freddy' Silver '09, Angelo Ratto '10, Juan Rego III '10, Mr. Frank McGady, Joe Santaniello '09, Mark Roarty, '06, and Correy Mezzina ''11.

Where in the world is former faculty Mr. Jospeh Ammorino?

Please share his email address at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org

Readers Respond

On the subject of our revered faculty, Jim Greene '85 says about the pioneer faculty pictured in BTL64, "Thousands of lives changed for the better, all due to the sacrifices they all made to build the Hudson Catholic community."


Spurred on by the photo of Typing Teacher Catherine Stelmach in BTL61, John Koliopoulos '84 recalled how Mrs. Rose Perry, who stands alongside Mrs. Stelmach as a succeeding faculty great, stated: "I was doing great in typing until Mrs. Perry whited out the keys for a test!" To which we say, whatever teaching tactics yield the intended learnings are fair game, if not truly memorable, like this one!


The mystery man in the 25th Anniversary Faculty Photo in BTL63, in the far back right hand corner, has yet to be positively identified. Joe Holloran '82 was sure it was John Cruitt, but John was an administrator by that time.

Korrections Korner

In our announcement about the Jack Campion Stage at Hudson Catholic, we erroneously touted our Assistant Principal, Sarah Degnan-Barbi, as a graduate of St. Dominic Academy, when in fact, she is a 1995 graduate, in the long line of family graduates, of The Academy of Saint Aloysius, an error so egregious, we are giving ourselves a full year of detention with Ken Dandorph. Apologies to Sarah, and to her family members, who take great pride in their lineage of attendance at The Academy. In her professional life, prior to joining The Home of The Hawks, Sarah did serve at SDA for eight years, including two as Academic Dean and five as Head of School, which misled this amateur reporter from the necessary fact-checking. What can we say, we weren’t even Commentator material!

 

In turn, we got called to the Principal’s shed for subpar work. Correcting the previously published record, Joe Zaluski was and is Class of ’70, not ‘72, and was Head of Sewickly Academy Lower School from 1988 to 2005 and of Gulf Stream School from 2005 to 2019. Only off ten years in each case.


And the photo of Mrs. Stelmach in BTL61 misidentified the two Hawk students as Johnny 'Ding Dong' Bell and Joe Tanksley, both '73, when in fact, they were still 7th graders and the real human props hunting and pecking for the camera were Artie Londrigan and Jorge Lopez, Class of '71. Sharp catch by their classmate, Ray Krajewski. Ray went on to say, that cropped out of the picture was Joe Lombardo, and he knows all this because seating was, of course, in alphabetical order.

 

As a result of these glaring mistakes, we have terminated our fact-checker!

FYI

advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to:
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Plan a visit back to the Hawks Nest
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“Time is passing. Are you?

-- Brother Al, The Kiddies’ Pal

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201-332-5970 x118
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