Senior Leonard Auguste read from Psalm 4, "You alone Lord, make me secure," as Convocation began on Jan. 29. The restoration of the fragile security of the Haitian people, shattered in the recent earthquake, was in the prayers and exuberant songs of students and faculty that morning.

But the most moving part of the service came with the introduction of Yoleine Gateau and James Philamy, both founding members of the Nest for Educational Growth and Environmental Safety Foundation (NEGES), which has established a school in Leogane, one of the hardest hit towns in Haiti. Leogane is located just west of the epicenter of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince.

Frantz Brillant, father of Olivier'13, Philippe'07 and Armand'03, introduced the two who described the effects of the quake as recent photos of Haiti's devastation were projected behind them.

As she looked out over the assembled students, Ms. Gateau's voice broke recounting the horror in Leogane, a city of 160,000 that has lost 30,000 - many of them young, around the same age as the St. Benedict's students.

"In fifteen seconds, the lives of young people like you were changed irrevocably," Ms. Gateau said. Although the school in Leogane is still standing, it will need significant repairs. Its playing field is being used as tent city, and she and Mr. Philemy were departing shortly for Leogane to help with the relief effort.

Leogane, a city about 20 miles west of the capital, has suffered, at first estimates, as much or even more than that of the ruined Port-au-Prince. Relief efforts have been slow, like many other areas in the southern provinces, in reaching the devastated outskirts of the capital.

Ms. Gateau thanked the students for the assistance they had offered thus far - a collection of clothing and cash spearheaded by Stephanie Baker, Director of the Career Development Center at St. Benedict's, and Akintayo Famakinwa, a senior at The Hive. Famakinwa and other students helped stack the bags of clothes donated by students and staff that Ms. Gateau Mr. Philemy took with them to Leogane.

Ms. Baker said nearly $1,000 has been raised for NEGES by students, parents, faculty and staff at St. Benedict's Prep and that Famakinwa is still collecting donations.

--By Noreen Connolly

Below is the Homily given by Abbot Melvin, O.S.B., at the Mass of Christian Burial for Br. Gereon, 79, on Jan. 5, 2010 in St. Mary's Church at Newark Abbey. Brother Gereon Johannes Helmet Reuter, O.S.B., a Benedictine Monk of the Newark Abbey and a Fulbright Scholar, died on Jan. 2, 2010.

Dear Brother and Sisters in the Lord and Thomas and Amy, Eva and Leonore, Brother Gereon's Sister Inge,

May I begin with Brother Gereon's own written words: "Gereon Johannes Helmut Reuter, born 18 October 1930 in Cologne, Germany. My early youth was marked by the turbulence of the "Third Reich" and the terror of the Second World War. For most of the war time (1939-1945), I lived in cities subject to continuous air raids; my family suffered the fate of homelessness, deprivation and hunger. I entered the Dominican Order in May, 1951 and left in May 1955. Important and serious studies in Philosophy and Theology were completed during this fine period of Catholic and spiritual formation." I might remark that the Dominican order is renowned for preaching and Gereon's rich baritone voice would have moved many.

The next years were productive and rich ones for Helmut in Germany, attaining several advanced degrees in science and the Doctorate in Geo-Chemistry in 1961. The vocation of marriage and nurturing three wonderful children began in 1959. Thomas, Eva and Leonore were born in the early 1960's. Our dear confrere, Gereon, remained very much the proud father and grandfather. It was always very beautiful for me to experience and to speak about with him.

Br. Gereon was a Fulbright scholar and a member of the faculty of the California Institute of Technology from 1961-1964. He returned to Germany for three years and then came back permanently to the United States. He taught at the Georgia Institute of Technology beginning in 1967, remaining a professor there in Atlanta until 1984. In the Fall of 1984 he received a sabbatical leave, left Atlanta, and he joined the Benedictine monastery of Mount Savior in New York State.

But turn back for a moment with me to the late 1960's. One absolutely must note his active and remarkable engagement in the Civil Rights movement right away in 1967, and his profound veneration of that singular saint of Civil Rights, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Providentially Professor Reuter's single-minded pursuit of justice for all that he fought for so forcefully in Atlanta, and that he modeled by his deep respect of all God's children/people, everywhere, would lead him in God's good time, 20 years later to a Monastery and School in Newark, New Jersey.

We rejoiced then in 1987 at his arrival into our community from Mount Savior monastery, so that now he would ably man his monastic choir stall, his place at the Eucharist and table, and his new chemistry classroom in St. Benedict's Prep. We experience real joy this morning at this Eucharist, confident that this courageous German civil rights advocate and warrior is even better positioned today in heaven to assist this small community of monks and the dedicated Prep school faculty, friends and staff to continue God's work of liberation and equality for all Americans. How could I forget his unbounded excitement the day of the election of President Obama! One of his life's dreams fulfilled before his eyes.

Gereon was and remained all his days, in his own words "a professional scientist," but equally a lover of the arts, especially music and the theater - quick to comment on his good friend Pat Flynn's excellent drama productions in St. Benedict's. He was a sensitive man who valued every display of nature for its intrinsic beauty and grandeur and for its mysterious interconnection with the Divine.

All his life he highly prized good health and his own physical and emotional well being - enjoying for many years our indoor pool, his bicycling, nature walks and bird watching. Healthy food was important to Gereon, as was orchestrating meticulously the creation of his daily special supper time salad. Until Gereon, I had not appreciated the art of cutting fresh garlic and onions! It was a mouthwatering pleasure to watch. I marveled at his discipline. He could wait towards the end of the entire meal before slowly sipping his one glass of red wine. I do not know if he did the same on a Sunday afternoon at Father Philip's family home, visits and friendships Gereon cherished.

Gereon was a first class scholar and a dedicated teacher. An intellectual who did not live in an ivory tower but very much on our soil and of all places in our beloved City. He loved nature, the outdoors, the seashore, but could revealingly describe this glimpse into his soul in 1989 when he officially sought admission into our monastery, and I must quote him: "I do experience life here in the city of Newark as a hardship. The exposure to so much misery around us in the form of poverty, of violence, of filth, of destruction at times, leaves me dispirited, groping for hope. However, Hebrews Chapter 13 expresses for me very concisely a convincing reason why I should expose myself to the harsh circumstances of life here: "Let us go to him, then, outside the camp, and share his degradation. For there is no eternal city for us in this life but we look for one in the life to come." And then the biblical author follows with two verses which [for me] comprise in a nutshell the essence of our Benedictine life: "Through him, let us offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, a verbal sacrifice that is offered every time we acknowledge his name. Keep doing good works and sharing your resources (!) [he adds an exclamation point after 'sharing your resources'], for these are sacrifices that please God." So Brother Gereon the monk and theologian! He lived real sacrifice.

My brother monks have profited spiritually and intellectually by the single-minded focus and humble and ready obedience of this remarkable man, father, and friend who goes into God's complete presence with the name and identity he eagerly and devoutly sought: "monk."

Twenty years ago and still today I pray that Gereon's own personal and positive assessment of our desire to live a monastic way of life here in Newark serves me and my fellow monks as a great validation and encouragement. Gereon wrote: "What I have discovered in these last years, is that the community of Newark Abbey is living in a convincing way what is expressed in these two verses from Hebrews: "offering God an unending sacrifice of praise" and "doing good works and sharing your resources."

DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, Gereon's earliest youthful experiences were marked by acts and sights of unspeakable violence - bringing him to understand sacrifice in ways most of us simply can not. The monks often remarked how he could be so quickly moved to tears by a story of violence any where in the world. His last two years of life were a constant summons and personal response to sacrifices that he had not anticipated I am sure. His transparent example of simplicity and humility confirmed our longstanding sense that here is truly a faithful and very holy man and monk.

We thank God for his witness and ask his intercession.

God be praised! Amen.

Dec. 22, 2009

'Oh!' I thought as Fr. Albert directed the student singers to their places on the stage risers, 'only twenty-seven guys in this, the 37th Annual St. Benedict's Christmas Program.' But, oh, 'me of little faith!' The 27 voices that we heard on Monday night may as well have been fifty!

Under the expert teaching of Mr. Patrick Hayes, our wonderful 'musical' Benedictine Volunteer, and the near-miraculous direction of Maestro/Fr. Albert, our Christmas singers delivered a truly noteworthy performance. The soloists, especially in "A Voice Cries Out," "Soon and Very Soon" and "Flashback" were confident, powerful and melodically creative. The sound of the chorus itself was one of the most richly seamless that I have heard in my 26 years of attendance at the Program. This quality was especially evident in the hymn, "Ecstasy," a new offering arranged by Mr. Hayes, which sounded very much like a cross between Quaker shape-note singing and Appalachian music - with a frisson of a jazz overtone. The completely unified voices of our singers even caught the pleasing sonority that characterizes this music from the American colonial period. We hope that Fr. Albert will consider keeping our 'gift' from Mr. Hayes in the regular repertoire!

The pit orchestra, formed and directed by our inimitable Dr. Jeremy Fletcher, was near-to-perfect, never competing with the voices on the stage, yet accentuating and amplifying every song that it supported. Particularly outstanding was Brandon Rodriguez' spiraling trumpet cadenza in "King of Kings" - simply wonderful! Piano accompaniment by Rev. Winstead and Dr. Lansang carried every piece in the Program - and beautifully, too.

As for the monastic contribution to the music, Fr. Albert's bass-baritone, Latin-text rendition of "O, Come Emmanuel." backed up by a running base-line sung in English by the full chorus was nothing less than spectacular. This is one of the very best 'Rev. Winstead arrangements' in this listener's experience. Then, Fr. Albert's lead voice in the lilting French carol, "O, Come, Divine Messiah" was the perfect setting for the ensemble comprised of Fr. Augustine, Fr. Boniface, Fr. Maynard, Br. Max and Br. Patrick. And, later, in the segment of the program marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the monks outdid themselves - and held the audience in hushed awe - during their beautiful and mournful Latin Gregorian chant of "Vexilla Regis Prodeunt." It was during this piece that we felt fully the theme of the Program - the great HUMANITY of Jesus, never separated from his glorious existence as king of kings.

Finally, our favorite standards of the Program, the Bahamian "He Born" and "The Spirit is A-Movin," were highly-energetic and very well-paced - with especially crisp modulation of the rising-falling, soft-loud pattern of "Spirit." And the culmination of "King of Kings," the finale of the Program itself, was one of the best ever - ending with a powerful, uplifting flourish that raised every spirit in the house - right up into the spirit of Christmas!

Merry Christmas - from all your music people at St. Benedict's. See you next year!

November 2009

St. Benedict's Prep welcomed Fr. Pedro Bismarck Chau as guest speaker for this year's Vocation Awareness Day.

And Fr. Pedro did not disappoint the students at The Hive.

Fr. Pedro, a recently ordained priest from the Archdiocese of Newark, began his conversation with the student body by telling about how he came to the United States as an illegal immigrant.

"The reason why I first came here was because I wanted to avoid the draft back in my homeland," said Fr. Pedro, who came to America from Nicaragua. "But I had no idea what was in store for me."

Ever since he was a young boy, Fr. Pedro wanted to be a track athlete and compete in the Olympics. But, he said, young teenagers don't know what God has planned for us.

"We all have goals and ambitions," Fr. Pedro said. "It's not wrong to have them, but we have to listen to God because he calls all of us to a special life."

Fr. Pedro's brother was very active in a youth group. And it was his brother who brought him back to church. And it was there that Fr. Pedro met a Franciscan priest who told him his story.

"It was very weird because I saw myself in him. And I started asking myself does God want me to be a priest?"

Through the youth group, Fr. Pedro attended a conference in San Diego where one of the priests talked about his own life.

"The priest had been lawyer, he had almost everything but yet he still felt empty inside," recalled Fr. Pedro. "He felt that God was calling him so he answered."

Fr. Pedro said that at the time, he felt he was wasting God's time, not knowing whether God was calling him to a life of priesthood.

"I said 'Lord I don't want to waste your time anymore.' I knew for sure through prayer and vocation days that God wanted me to be a priest," Fr. Pedro said. "But I tell you friends, I have been happier since I stepped into the seminary."

One of the students asked Fr. Pedro, "If you could do it all over, would you be a priest again?"

"If I had to do it all over I would have responded sooner (to God's call)," he said.

After the conversation with the student body, the Fishers of Men, the vocation discernment group at St. Benedict's which was responsible for the Vocation Awareness Day, held a reception for Fr. Pedro and the other priests and sisters who had attended the assembly in Conlin Auditorium.

"This year went very well because the guest speaker spoke from his heart and he connected with most of the students," said Leo Casas, a leader of the Fishers of Men.

Unlike other years, the Fishers of Men are trying to raise the awareness in the school throughout the entire year.

"We will continue to have conferences with students. We have field trips," another student, Renan Reinoso, said. "We all try to encourage students to join and come to the meetings. The group did greatly grow."

Casas said most students don't understand the purpose of the Fishers of Men.

"Most people think joining Fishers of Men means you are going to become a monk. But that's not the case," he said. "We are just trying to learn more about our religion and trying to understand the religious life of priests."

Gabriel Drouet, another leader of the Fishers of Men, said he was astounded hearing the story of Fr. Pedro.

"It's kind of weird, but I saw myself through him. Not a lot, but a little bit," he said.

Fr. Pedro said his goal was accomplished because of the feedback he received and the questions that were asked.

"See, it's like a circle. I saw myself through the Franciscan priest and now a student sees himself through me," Fr. Pedro said. "I wanted to leave the students with the idea of 'what if God is calling me to a life of priesthood?'"

Fr. Pedro told the student body that it doesn't matter which religious affiliation we belong to, we are all called to a life of holiness.

October 2009

Eleven of St. Benedict's top science students took part in the "Career Day" hosted by the Cordis Corporation on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The students, which were accompanied by St. Benedict's Assistant Headmaster, Mike Scanlan, and Director of the Career Development Center, Stephanie Baker, attended presentations by the company's industrial hygiene and safety officer as well as high-level sales and marketing personnel and medical engineering staff members in their Bridgewater facility.

"It was a great experience for our students," said Baker. "They left with a better understanding about medical procedures, what engineering is and the various aspects of engineering."

Presentations focused primarily on the development, use and marketing of sophisticated heart and brain catheterization equipment. Participants were given the opportunity to use the equipment on anatomical models. Part of the day was devoted to presenting various career opportunities available to young people who have an interest in sciences.

The students from St. Benedict's that took part in Career Day were: Josh Ajamu, Mike Karlovich, Chris O'Neal, Yomi Onadipe, Sean Reilly, Danny Krusznis, Christopher Williams, Marion Wilson, Nduka Ukponu and David Orrell.

"The students learned what it takes to be a Doctor, Engineer, Clinical Researcher, Industrial Hygienist and (how to) manage the public safety of a company," added Baker. "They also made some invaluable contacts."

This is the second year that Cordis, a division of Johnson & Johnson, has invited our students to visit its facilities and interact with its staff.

During the 2008-09 school year, Cordis provided St. Benedict's with grant funds to pay for our students' participation in the Honors Medical Program and the SMART Program at UMDNJ. These are college-credit programs for high school students interested in medicine, health sciences or medical engineering

Photos by Terry Glass, Esq., Director of Health Care Compliance Cordis

October 2009

Foundation and discipline.

It's what St. Benedict's has given to every young man who has walked through the halls at 520 for over 140 years.

And it's usually what they all commit to memory as their steppingstone into manhood.

Such is the case with the Class of 1969. To a man, they all remember The Hive teaching them about life's lessons and a will to succeed when all didn't seem that well around them.

After all, the Class of '69 was halfway through their schooling at St. Benedict's when the Newark riots were thrust into their adolescents. Not to mention, the U.S. was fully immersed in the Vietnam War.

But, just like today - with crime, drugs and gang violence - no matter what goes on around The Hive, St. Benedict's has a way of giving its students the opportunity to succeed when life around the school doesn't seem so hospitable.

"Even though there were riots back then, we knew St. Benedict's was our home," said Ron Felber, Ph.D., who was a Golden Gloves boxer during his days at SBP. "This place gave us an incredible sense of discipline and taught us to not make excuses, even when things around you didn't seem just right."

Felber was the guest speaker when he and the rest of his classmates from '69 gathered in St. Benedict's cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 17, for their 40th Reunion celebration. James Cawley Jr. and Jack Bauerle were co-chairmen of the event, while Fr. Edwin took the reunion visitors on a tour of the school.

"There were a lot of things going on around us that could have made us turn the other way," said Felber, now CEO of a $200 million industrial chemical company headquartered in New Jersey. "But St. Benedict's forced you to confront you weaknesses, while also giving you a sense of value, religion and respect for other people. It is quite an amazing place."

The Class of '69 is a venerable who's who among men who have achieved great success - alumnus include a number of company leaders, a plastic surgeon, a few lawyers, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and even a Brigadier General.

"It's an amazing group of men and it all started right here," said Richard Decker, President of Global Marine in Manhattan. "Just being here brings back a ton of memories. This place sets the foundation for the rest of your life."

Some of those foundations weren't completely realized right away. Take Gil Gaul, for instance. He had an idea he wanted to be a writer, but never could have imagined becoming an award-winning journalist, after leaving The Hive as a star athlete, whose school record in the javelin throw still stands.

Gaul never took a journalism class in college and yet, 40 years later, has established himself as one of the most respected investigative journalists of his time, winning two Pulitzer Prize Awards and being a finalist four other times.

He won the Pulitzer in 1979 for local investigative writing when he and Elliot Jaspin spent a year exposing the corruption of organized crime in the coal industry of Pennsylvania. Gaul won again in 1989 in the public service category when his series disclosed how the American blood industry operates with little government regulation or supervision.

He credits St. Benedict's for the discipline to work on a single story months on end before getting all the facts in order.

"I have to ability to stick with something as long as it takes and I learned that here," said Gaul, who worked for nearly two decades at the Philadelphia Inquirer before moving to the Washington Post in 2001. "This school has had a huge imprint on me. An awful lot of the core values from St. Benedict's Prep have found themselves in my heart and mind.

"I admire, am thrilled and impressed with what Fr. Edwin and the other Monks have done here over the last few decades. It's quite a place."

Notes: Gaul recently retired from the Washington Post to concentrate on writing two non-fiction books. He's already authored three other books.

Felber, who recently received his doctorate in Arts and Letters from Drew University, was the editor of the Kayrix, St. Benedict's literary magazine, during his time at the Hive and is still writing. He has penned eight books already and may have another lined up about his days at St. Benedict's. Stay tuned.

The co-chairs of the event, Cawley and Bauerle, joined forces with some of their other classmates to honor of few of their peers with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The honorees were: Felber, Gaul, Fr. Mark Payne, the first new candidate accepted into the Newark Abbey after the reopening of St. Benedict's in 1973; and Stanley Jaworski, a Brigadier General with the USAF.

Cawley and Vincent Peloso traveled furthest to be at the reunion. Cawley, owner of a liabilities company, resides in Houston and Peloso, an instructor at the College of Redwoods, lives in Fortuna Cal.

Sept. 2009

Cari Anne Gerbino was quite familiar with St. Benedict's before taking on a role in the school's math department.

Cari Martinez knew little about The Hive prior to her employment at the school.

Both, however, have similar outlooks after being part of the 7-8-9 Math team for nearly two months now.

"I have heard such amazing things about St. Benedict's from both my uncles," said Gerbino, whose uncle, Mark Gerbino, was a former wrestling coach here and her other uncle, Pat Napoli '87, is currently on the school's Board of Trustees. "St. Benedict's has exceeded my expectations."

Martinez has also been taken aback by the surroundings at the school.

"My initial reaction when I drove up and was getting a tour was WOW! This place is completely different than where I used to teach," said Martinez, who taught in the Elizabeth public school for three years prior to coming to St. Benedict's. "These children are lucky to be here."

Gerbino, a recent graduate of Temple University where she was a member of the Lady Owls track team as a distance runner, will double as an assistant track coach to Dr. Marty Hannon, another math teacher here at the school.

"I was attracted to St. Benedict's because of its mission, values, traditions and the staff's commitment to providing an environment in which students grow to become young men with integrity and a desire to succeed," Gerbino said.

Martinez graduated in 2004 from Montclair State University and has since earned her Masters Degree in Special Education from Kean University. She is currently working on her second Masters in Teacher Leadership/Administration.

"The children here are surrounded with so many opportunities that I think inner city kids need," said Martinez. "So far, so good"

Another newcomer, Carl Andersen, a volunteer assistant in 8th grade Life Science with fellow and recent Notre Dame graduate, Michael Hawking, knew this was a special place the first time he stepped on school grounds a little over three weeks ago.

Andersen, who majored in Philosophy with an emphasis on pre-professional studies for medical school, had a chance encounter with Rick Barnes, coach of the University of Texas men's basketball team, who was here to see one of his prized recruits.

"I knew right there this place was different," said Anderson, an avid hoops fan. "This place has everything - great sports programs and academics. It is completely different than anything I've ever seen.

"St. Benedict's is a school with a great mission and a committed staff who really care about the kids. They do things here you just don't see at other places."

Andersen, who is applying to medical schools throughout the country, is one of a number of volunteers on board for this school year. Hawking, who has already been accepted into the University of Michigan Medical School, is co-teaching Life Science with Andersen. Patrick Hayes, Jack Barnes and William Gilbert are the latest of Benedictine volunteers from St. John's in Minnesota, while Juan Santamaria is teaching civics and coaching freshmen soccer.

Former St. Benedict's graduates Joe Clarke '05 and Chris Hodge '06 are also assisting in different capacities at the school this year. Clarke is helping Ivan Lamourt in the Starfire Counseling Center, Hodge is lending a hand in writing classes.

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos by Devon Houston
and Dion Ross

The Class of '09

Eighty-eight young men, most from Newark and its neighboring urban communities, graduated at our 135th Commencement. Eighty-seven (99%) of them will be continuing their education; while one has joined the Coast Guard. Among the colleges they are attending are American, Bowdoin, Connecticut, Columbia, Drew, Fairfield, Lehigh, NJIT, Pittsburgh, Providence, Rice, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Wesleyan and those local institutions that have served our graduates so well over the years, Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. Peter's. (Two graduates from the class of 2008 have entered the Naval Academy after spending the past year at the Naval Academy Prep School.) Most of the class of 2009 will be the first members of their families to enter college.

Student Profile

Forty-four percent of our students were from Newark with an additional 25% from East Orange, Orange and Irvington. Our students came from 100 municipalities and 23 foreign countries. Sixty-five percent of them were black, 22% Latino and 14% white. Twenty-five percent came from families living below the poverty level, and another 255 were from low-income families. Thirty-five percent qualified for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program.

The cost of educating a single student at St. Benedict's was $14,700 in 2008-09. Our tuition was $7,470 for grades nine through 12 and $5,100 for grades seven and eight. This meant that each one of our students received a $8,000 subsidy.This was in addition to any financial aid they received. We provided $4.4 million in total subsidies.

Sixty percent of our 551 students received $1,518,171 in financial aid, which enabled them to attend St. Benedict's. This included $1,273,046 in full and partial scholarships and $245,125 in room and board grants for 75 resident students in Leahy House.

Development

During fiscal 2009 we raised $4,885,990 in support of our $8,358,956 operating budget. This included $1,477,040 from 1,316 of our alumni who gave an average gift of $1,122. We raised an additional $253,889 for our endowment and $807,172 in new pledges. Yearly total of new gifts and pledges: $5,947,051.

Major supporters were: the Henry C. & Karin J. Barkhorn Foundation, the Walter F. Blaine Foundation, the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Goldman Sachs Gives, the Charles Hayden Foundation, the Finn Family Foundation, Inc., The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, The Hyde and Watson Foundation, the Milano Family Foundation, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, The Prudential Foundation, the Sandy Hill Foundation, the St. Elizabeth Ann Bailey Seton Foundation, the Schering-Plough Corporation, the William E. Simon Foundation, the Renee Starks Foundation,The Teach Our Children Foundation, the Tarrant Foundation, the Turrell Fund, the Union Foundation, the Lucy and Eleanor S. Upton Charitable Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, the Sarah Ward Foundation and The Oprah Winfrey Foundation. Numerous area corporations and organizations supported our annual dinner including: Bank of America, the Chubb Group,Goldman Sachs & Co., the MCJ Amelior Foundation, Prudential Financial, PSE&G, the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, Rutgers University, and the Jeffrey Vanderbeek Family Foundation.

A MONTH-BY-MONTH LOOK: ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

JULY: Claudio Reyna '91, the finest soccer player that this country has ever produced, chose St. Benedict's as the site of his press conference to announce his retirement from the Red Bulls and the creation of the Claudio Reyna Foundation. Based at St. Benedict's, the foundation will address the educational and health needs of inner-city children through soccer. --- A squad of midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy joined us for Summer Phase. The future naval officers gave our students intensive training in leadership, organization, time management, study skills and the honor code.

AUGUST: Our Benedict News staff visited the Wall Street Journal in Manhattan to learn of the paper's inner workings and receive guidance from several of its top journalists and graphics people. Writers Teri Agins and Sam Walker and design specialists Susan McDermott and Paul Antonson gave of their time to be with our students.

SEPTEMBER: Our English, Art, Music, Photography and Journalism Departments instituted a year-long Harlem Renaissance Project which involved 350 students. The project was based on the literature, music, and art produced in Harlem between the end of World War I and the mid 1930's and included visits to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Studio Museum. --- We hosted our Fourth Annual Garden State Coaches Clinic, which drew more than 500 basketball coaches from as far away as California and India. Guest speakers included Hall of Fame coaching legend and television personality, Hubie Brown, Rick Barnes of the University of Texas, Bob Huggins of the University of West Virginia, Vance Walberg of the University of Massachusetts, and Bill Self, of the 2008 NCAA Champion Kansas Jayhawks.

OCTOBER: We hosted the Newark Urban Education Conference, which brought together the city's public and private middle and high school educators to share best practices and think as a group about how to improve opportunities for young people in Newark. This was the final event in the Benedictine Monks' 150th Anniversary in Newark. --- Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, Cullen Jones '02 spent a day at the school in which he addressed the assembled student body, faculty and staff. --- Soccer coach, Rick Jacobs, recorded his 500th victory with a 2-1 win in the semi-final round of the New Jersey Prep School Soccer Championship. Mr. Jacobs has a 502-25-13 record in 24 seasons at St. Benedict's. This includes six National Championships and 11 undefeated teams. --- Our soccer team won its 23rd State Prep School Championship, its 20th title in a row. The team was ranked No.7 in the nation by ESPN. --- Dr.Robert Curvin, one of the area's most prominent civil rights leaders during the 1960's, addressed our Newark Studies students. --- The Drama Guild presented Grapes of Wrath with the assistance of several performers from St. Vincent Academy. Greg Thornton '67, a professional actor, visited and helped polish their acting skills. --- Benedict News moderator, Noreen Connolly took two of the paper's staff members, Emery Ahoua '10 and Ramaad Williams '09, to William Paterson University to meet and take in a lecture by three of the best sportswriters/columnists in America - Frank Deford, Mike Lupica and Selena Roberts.

NOVEMBER: St. Benedict's wrestling great Steve Mocco, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, visited St. Benedict's to work out with our wrestlers. --- St. Benedict's hosted and played in the Newark International Cup, a soccer tournament featuring the Under -18 Chelsea Football Club from London and the Under-18 National Teams from Mexico and Trinidad-Tobago. A well-attended youth soccer clinic, featuring the coaches from the participating teams, was offered in conjunction with the tournament.

DECEMBER: The Music Department, under the direction of Dr. Jeremy Fletcher, presented a concert in Conlin Auditorium. The Beginning Brass, Beginning Woodwinds, Beginning Percussion, Advanced Percussion, Drum Line, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chorus and Vocal Ensemble all participated. --- The cross-country team won its fourth straight Prep title and placed Matt Jensen '09 and Jared Mason '12 on the All-State-Prep First Team. Garland Miller '11 was a Second Team pick, while Daniel Gaspar '12 and Sergio Wilcher '12 were Third Team selections. --- The soccer team was named The Star-Ledger's Prep Team of the Year and dominated the All-State-Prep Team. Walter Rodriguez '09 made First Team, and was named "Prep Player of the Year." Also on the First Team: Brandon Paul '09, Jossimar Sanchez '09, Bonny Londono and Marc Cintron '09. The Second Team members were Bryan Gallego '11, Jon Sandoval '09, Michael Stalker '11 and Leo Casas '10. Branko Dugalic '10, Beau Gordon '11, Victor Daza '09 and Pedro Santos '10 were named to the Third Team. Coach Rick Jacobs was named "Prep Coach of the Year. "--- More than 200 students, a record number, made the Honor Roll for the First(summer) and Fall Terms.

JANUARY: The Newark Municipal Council passed a resolution honoring Fr. Albert Holtz '60, O.S.B. for his book From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk Through Advent --- St. Benedict's hosted The Newark National Invitational at the Prudential Arena. It featured 12 state-and-nationally-ranked boys and girls basketball teams from New Jersey, New York, Illinois, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Alabama, and drew 6000 fans. --- The St. Benedict's Choir performed at the dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King exhibit in the Martin Luther King Federal Building and Courthouse in Newark. --- Michael Blutman and Jonathan Batiste of the American Symphony Orchestra visited St. Benedict's as part of our Harlem Renaissance Project to introduce our students to the music of William Grant Still, the first African-American symphonic composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. Blutman, a trumpeter, and Batiste, a pianist, both trained at the Julliard School, --- Peter Rono, an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1988 games in Seoul, visited St. Benedict's to give a motivational talk to the track team.

FEBRUARY: Kayrix, our annual literary publication, received the "Highest Award" for its 2008 edition from the National Council of Teachers of English Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines. Only four other New Jersey high school publications received this recognition. The 2008 Kayrix was also awarded a Gold Medal by the Columbia Scholastic Publication Association. It received the same award in 2005. --- Turtogtogh Luvsandorj '09 won his third straight 160-pound National Prep School Wrestling Championship. He earned his second All-America honor and was joined in that elite club by Naeem Boucher '09 at 135 pounds and Chris Dowdy '11 at 130 pounds. --- Jack Fitzgibbon '72, of Newport Beach, California, hosted a reception for our Southern California alumni prior to our nationally-televised basketball game with Mater Dei in Santa Ana. --- Head basketball coach Dan Hurley recorded his 200th victory in his eight years at St. Benedict's with a 75-61 win over West Virginia's Mountain State Academy at the Prime Time Shootout at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. --- Twenty-two students from the Kent Place School, spent a day at St. Benedict's as part of the Lead for Diversity Program. --- Seven students from St. Benedict's Prep completed an 18-week comprehensive course in Social Education and Life Skills at Essex Community College through the Cotillion Program sponsored by the City of Newark, --- Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban percussionist, Bobby Sanabria, was featured in a master class that included members of the Arts High School Jazz Band.

MARCH: Our artists, poets, and musicians celebrated the Harlem Renaissance with a special program that included a student concert in Conlin Auditorium featuring nine musicians from the American Symphony Orchestra. --- Prior to its game at The Prudential Center, the Naval Academy Hockey Team visited St. Benedict's to provide academic tutoring, mentoring and physical training. --- The Drama Guild presented Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor in Conlin Auditorium. --- Martin Otieno '10, Leighton Smith '10, Jackson Roberts '10, Walter Jean-Jacques '10, Kenyon Wright '12, Matt Jenson '09 and Jared Mason '12 made The Star-Ledger's All-Prep Team for the winter track season.

APRIL: After competing in ESPN Rise's nationally-televised High School National Invitational Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland, the basketball team finished fifth in ESPN's national rankings and seventh in USA Today's rankings. Tamir Jackson '09, was named "Prep Player of the Year" by The Star-Ledger, while Danny Hurley was named "Prep Coach of the Year." --- St. Benedict's conducted a student exchange with Glen Ridge High School. --- One hundred and thirty guests and former players from five decades attended the school's first Football Reunion. Gene Schiller '50, the last head football coach, was the guest speaker. The establishment of the Joe Kasberger Endowment to support the St. Benedict's athletic program was announced at the event.

MAY: Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Cullen Jones '02 was honored at the St. Benedict's Annual Dinner along with Michael Gilfillan and Jeff Vanderbeek, the owners of the New Jersey Devils, and principals in the development of the Prudential Center, Newark's dazzling new arena. --- Walter Rodriguez '09, a three-time First Team All-Prep soccer player, was one of 65 student-athletes from 35 schools honored at the Essex County Athletic Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. --- Nineteen midshipmen from the Naval Academy spent two weeks with us to prepare students for the Freshman Backpack Project, which involves hiking and camping on a 50-mile portion of the Appalachain Trail between Highpoint and the Delaware Water Gap. Ten of the midshipmen accompanied our students on the trek. --- Seven students and several teachers were invited by our long-time benefactor, the Turrell Fund, to attend the acclaimed Broadway revival of the August Wilson play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, preceded by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Henry Louis Gates of Harvard.--- The Radio, Television and Internet class visited the ABC television studios where they attended detailed work sessions with Good Morning America co-hosts, Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer, and news anchor Chris Cuomo. --- Jared Pietz '09, Bruce Vereen-Nealous '10 and Emery Ahoua '10 were chosen to speak at a "Night of Eloquence" at Nanina's Restaurant in Belleville as part of Stand & Deliver: Communication Tools for Tomorrow's Leaders, a public speaking program instituted by TV personality and newspaper columnist Steve Adubato, Jr. --- Renowned saxophonist and Julliard School faculty member, Ron Blake, performed in concert with our Jazz Ensemble. --- The track and field team won the B Division title in the New Jersey Catholic Conference Championships. --- An urban gardening program, in collaboration with Newark's Brick City Urban Farms, engaged students in growing vegetables on the property and was the subject of a Star-Ledger article.

JUNE: Jossimar Sanchez '09 was named to the Parade Magazine All-America Soccer Team, the 11th Gray Bee player to earn that recognition. --- Martin Otieno '10 (100) and Nigel Whyte '10 (SP) were named to the All-State Prep Track Team by the Star-Ledger. Jackson Roberts '10 (22), Leighton Smith '10 (400) and Tyler Rice '09 (DIS) were named to the second team along with the 4x400 team. Walter Jean-Jacques '10 (200), Tyler Gabriel '09 (400), Jared Mason '12 (800) and Darien Edwards '12 (IH) made the third team. --- The Mayor's Office of Communication videotaped a "thank you" message at St. Benedict's for Oprah Winfrey. Her foundation provided $500,000 in support for our school and major grants to four other Newark organizations last December. --- Devon Houston '09 traveled to Italy to take part in a five-week culinary arts program in which he will stay with families in Rome and Milan. --- New members of Teach for America, assigned to Newark public schools, used our facilities for their orientation. --- Josh Agamu '10 participated in Constitution Academy at Marymout Univerity in Fairfax, Virginia. --- Walter Jean Jacques '10 traveled to Provence for a month-long arts program sponsored by the Barat Foundation of Newark.

By Kevin Moriarty '63

September 2009

St. Benedict's Harlem Renaissance project, a highly-publicized multi-disciplinary effort that included more than half of the school's student population, drew a great deal of outside interest last year.

The school-wide project, which included art exhibits, poetry readings and musical performances, was publicized in The Star-Ledger and was put on display at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

St. Benedict's Prep has joined forces with the Boxer & Stone Clothing Company and created a line of Gray Bees apparel.

St. Benedict's coach Solomon Fleckman has announced a series of clinics that will be held in the HAB Gym beginning Sept. 12. The series, entitled "Fall Wrestling Saturdays," will be presented for nine weeks throughout the fall and will start with a bang when featured tactician and 3-time NCAA All-American Cory Cooperman gets things rolling on Sept. 12.

Cooperman, along with the other renowned wrestling minds, will introduce the sport of wrestling to young people with instruction in technique and strategy, as well as an emphasis on the mental aspects of the sport.

The series, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon each Saturday and costs $5 for each session, is being sponsored jointly by St. Benedict's, The Newark Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Beat the Streets, a wrestling program designed to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Registration will being at 8 a.m. on each Saturday.

FALL WRESTLING SATURDAYS SCHEDULE

SEPT. 12: CORY COOPERMAN
• Assistant coach at Rutgers University
• 3-time NCAA Division I All-American at Lehigh University
• 4-time National Prep Champion at Blair Academy
• Asics/Vaughn Junior and Cadet National All-American

SEPT. 19: MATT CIAMPA
• Founder and head coach of Eclipse Wrestling Club
• USA Wrestling Veteran Freestyle & Greco Roman National Champion 2009
• Wrestled four years at the Division I level at East Stroudsburg University

SEPT. 26: JASON SILVERSTEIN
• Superintendent, Gilbane Building Company
• Assistant coach at Queen of Peace High School
• NCAA Division I All-American at Purdue University
• University National Freestyle Runner-up
• FILA Junior Nationals Freestyle Championships (3rd and 4th)
• National Prep Champion at Blair Academy

OCT. 3: MAX MELTZER & MATT PALMER
(MELTZER)
• Investment specialist PBIG Merrill Lynch, NewYork
• NCAA Division I All-American at Harvard University
• All-Ivy League
• Maccabiah Games Champion
• 4X EIWA placewinner
• National Prep Champion at Blair Academy
• NHSCA All-America
• Asics/Vaughn Junior Nationals Freestyle All-American
(PALMER)
• Analyst with Fortress Investment Group
• Two-time NCAA Division I All-American at Columbia University
• All-Ivy League
• 4-time EIWA placewinner
• National Prep Champion at Blair Academy
• NHSCA National Champion
• Asics/Vaughn Junior National All-American

OCT. 17: JOHN GIURA
• Filmmaker/Owner NPG Studio NYC
• 3-time NCAA Division I All-American at The University of Wisconsin
• Academic All-Big 10
• NWCA All-Star Meet
• United States World Team Member
• United States World Cup Team Member

OCT. 24: DR. MARK LOMBARDY, PSY.D.
• Teacher of psychology and assistant coach at Millburn High School
• Division I wrestler at Lehigh University
• NJ State runner-up for Millburn High School

OCT. 31: BRANDON BECKER
• Assistant coach at Rutgers University
• 3-time NCAA Division I All-American at Indiana University
• 4-time NJSIAA placewinner for Kingsway Regional High School
• Asics/Vaughn Junior National All-American

Aug. 12, 2009

Welcome to our home!

That was the sentiment expressed by Fr. Edwin Wednesday when Robert Treat Academy Central had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the grounds of St. Benedict's Prep and Newark Abbey.

The day's festivities bought together a number of city and statewide dignitaries, including the presence of Gov. Jon Corzine, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Education Commissioner Lucille Davy.

Robert Treat Academy Central will reside in the building at 180 William St., which was formerly occupied by St. Mary's Elementary School since the building was erected by the Newark Abbey in 2001. St. Mary's will return to its former home, St. Mary's Hall, where the Benedictine sisters began teaching grammar school back in 1863.

RTA Central is an expansion of Robert Treat Academy, which is operated in the North Ward Center of Newark. The public charter school was designated a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence" by the U.S. Department of Education last year, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a school in the country.

The collaboration between RTA, St. Benedict's and St. Mary's offers a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership between public and private school entities.

"Welcome to my house," said Fr. Edwin. "We're happy to have Robert Treat here and excited about this effort. This is about doing what these young children deserve."

RTA Central, which had its first day of classes on Monday, will house kindergartners and first-graders only this year. Each year, the school will add a grade until it fills the William St. facility with classes from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The new academy will model that of its predecessor in the North Ward, which opened its doors in 1997 on Clifton Ave. It was founded by Stephen Adubato Sr., now a member of St. Benedict's Board of Trustees.

RTA, like St. Benedict's, begins its school year in August and admits to mimicking its new proprietor with its "morning exercise," or as people at The Hive has come to know it, Convocation.

"I don't know if this has ever happened in America, but this is a start," said Adubato, about the public/private school connection. "Because of (St. Benedict's) leadership, development and Fr. Edwin Leahy, that's why we're here."

Having Robert Treat Academy here represents a distinctive partnership between New Jersey's top performing charter school and one of the best urban elementary schools (St. Mary's) along with one of the strongest urban independent schools in St. Benedict's.

"St. Mary's Elementary School and Benedict's Prep are happy to welcome Robert Treat Central," said Fr. Edwin. "It will be the first time where a public/private partnership can work to see what kind of example all of us can be to the United States of America."

Notes: St. Benedict's Senior Leaders and members of the U.S. Naval Academy, who have continued another unique partnership with SBP through their leadership training here, were also recognized during the ceremony. They were the first people approached by both Gov. Corzine and Mayor Booker following the festivities.

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos by Tim Larsen

The following is the text of a talk given by Fr. Albert to the parents of new students at St. Benedict's Prep during its annual Community Gathering. It summarizes the important ways in which the spirituality of Benedictine monasticism has shaped and continues to shape the vision of St. Benedict's Prep.

Aug. 8, 2009

The heart of St. Benedict's Prep is Newark Abbey, a community of Benedictine monks founded in Newark in the 1850's. We began St. Benedict's in 1868 as a high school for boys of modest means, especially the sons of Newark's German and Irish immigrants.

It is the monks' spiritual values and way of life that give the school its character and identity. When a young man comes here to school he becomes part of the Newark Abbey community, first as a beginner, then as a full member. As parents and guardians you, too, become part of our larger community. At this moment you are on the monastery grounds, enjoying the beautiful facilities of Newark Abbey. Welcome to our home!

I've been asked to offer word or two of introduction about Benedictine "Monks." We are Catholic Christians who seek God together by living in community under an Abbot – our spiritual leader – and by following the "Rule of Saint Benedict."

The so-called "Holy Rule" of Saint Benedict of Nursia (480 - 547) lays out a vision of a Christian life balanced between communal prayer, work and meditation, especially on Sacred Scripture. It is not legislation written in 5th century that we are bound by today – it does not directly control the life of the monk. Rather it is "wisdom literature" which acts indirectly on our minds and hearts, shaping the way we do things, the way we see the world, the way we define success and the way respond to difficulties and sufferings.

St. Benedict based his Rule on two great principles, which I call "principles of awareness." The first is that God is present everywhere, not just in the chapel, but in the kitchen and the classroom as well. They are all "sacred ground." According to this principle everything is somehow holy. Benedict says that the tools of the monastery must be treated with the same respect as vessels of the altar.

The second great principle of awareness is that Jesus Christ is present in every person we meet. But Benedict is fond of pointing out that Jesus is especially present in the poor, the elderly, the very young, and guests, all of whom place "inconvenient" demands on our time and attention. That troubled student in front of me is Jesus; so is that homeless woman in our food pantry, or that brother monk. They are all Jesus and I need to treat them as such.

Benedictine monastic life is not designed for heroes or extraordinary people, but for ordinary men or women who are simply trying to live out the gospel in a more intense way than people outside the monastery are able to. The Rule of Benedict is, in fact, famous for its wise avoidance of extremes, its practical common sense and its deep, sympathetic knowledge of human nature. But the way of life we Benedictines espouse is very counter cultural. It encourages such practices as humility, frugality, obedience, control of the passions, and celibacy. Many people from the larger culture look at us and scratch their heads.

There are two vows or promises that Benedictines make that make us unique even among other religious men and women. The first is "conversion of life," the promise to remain faithful to the mode life we have promised, to just keep striving and not relax our efforts.

The second is the vow of stability. Benedict assumes that the monk will live out his whole life in the monastery in which he started out. The idea behind this vow is that "God is not elsewhere," so you need to keep seeking and finding God right here where you are.

The Benedictine sense of stability, a sense of place, certainly shows itself here at St. Benedict's. Yesterday, for example we had a visit from an alumnus who had returned to school after 38 years. He sat down and began telling me about things I'd taught him in class forty years ago. The interesting thing was that he came back 38 years later fully expecting to find some of his teachers still here. He was not disappointed.

As the monastic community gets smaller in numbers we are trying more and more consciously to articulate for our staff and students – and parents – the spiritual outlook and wisdom of St. Benedict's Rule which has shaped our school over the past 130 years. We start by telling everyone that monasticism started as a movement of lay people just like you, not priests, bishops or professional religious folks. Then we keep presenting by word and action the monastic wisdom that underlies our Benedictine school:

• Fr. Edwin reads from the Holy Rule at Convocation a few times a week.
• Our weekly faculty meetings always begin with a short reflection on a passage from the Rule of Benedict.
• Many of the practices in the school are explained as being based on the Holy Rule. We speak specifically and often about treating one another with respect, about being a member of the group rather than following your own agenda, about the Rule's practices of delegating authority and of dividing the community into smaller groups (student leadership and the Group System), about treating our buildings, book and clothes with respect, about the duty of the stronger or older members to help the weaker or younger.
• Each resident in Leahy House prays evening prayer with the monks once a week, and prays with all the residents of Leahy House every night the public night prayer which monks have been praying for 1500 years.

These are just some of the ways that we challenge ourselves, whether monks, staff, students, parents, alumni or friends, to live out St. Benedict's vision each day here at Newark Abbey on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

I'd like to end by reading from Chapter 72 of St. Benedict's Holy Rule, "The Good Zeal of Monks." See if this doesn't sound like a Christian way to run a school:

“Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their Abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.”

--By Fr. Albert Holtz, O.S.B.

July 2009

How would you like to spend part of the year studying at another school in another state? What about in Puerto Rico or Canada?

For thirty years, a number of St. Benedict's students and faculty have been offered such special learning opportunities through the Network of Complementary Schools, a little-known non-profit organization made up of 22 schools that offer exchange opportunities for students and, to a lesser degree, faculty from member schools.

St. Benedict's, whose role in the organization has been handled mostly by Fr. Albert Holtz, has been part of this organization since its beginnings when there were only a few schools involved back in the mid-1970s. Now there are 22 schools joined in the cooperative effort from as far away as Portland (OR), Seattle, San Francisco, Ontario and San Juan.

There are also schools in the program from such remote places as Quinter, Kan., or Rock Point, Ariz., where the Community School sits in the middle of a Navajo Reservation.

"I was nervous when Fr. Albert proposed the idea of an exchange to Seattle. I didn't think that sort of project (exchange) was for me," said Achille Dossekou, a member of St. Benedict's Class of '08, who visited the Bush School near downtown Seattle. "By the time I got my baggage in the Seattle airport, the family and I were bursting with conversations and that's pretty much how it was throughout the whole trip."

This "Network" deliberately seeks schools with complementary strengths and characteristics- from private to public schools, those with religious orientation or special curricular focus or population, and urban and rural schools. Its special strength and cohesion come from the personal interactions among the Network advisors from each member school, who spend time getting to know and trust each other and understanding one another's schools resources to provide the best personal guidance to students interested in these experiences.

They gain this personal dimension of the program through the annual conference of the Network Schools each July. Fr. Albert, who currently serves as president, is the lead moderator/host for this year's conference, taking place this year at St. Benedict's for the first time since the early 1980s.

Twenty educators from Network Schools around the country have assembled for meetings in Leahy House from July 15-18. The conference, which mixes presentations and discussions with recreation and excursions, includes a trip to Ellis Island and a walking tour of Manhattan, all designed to foster the personal dimension as the key to the network exchanges, which sets this program apart from other exchange programs.

"I went rock climbing," said Anthony May, a former St. Benedict's student, who explored the program at the Catlin Gabel School in Oregon. "I was nervous at first because this was a new for me. But I realized it was fun and something I was good at."

May was also taken by his host family in Oregon to a "Right of Passage" program for young African American men at the University of Portland.

"Just sitting in this program for a day provided me with a new view on my culture and what other people are trying to do to educate and help the upbringing of race," he said.

The schools aim to provide high quality experiences for students at minimal cost. Often transportation is the only expense, since students usually stay with local families of the host schools.

Paul Thornton '63, Vice President for Development, who greeted the conference attendees on behalf of Fr. Edwin, recalled that St. Benedict's has sent students on network exchanges since the late 70's, when present faculty member Marc Riley '79 experienced life as a student at Beverly Hills H.S., and his classmate, Joe Scott, attended Catlin Gabel for a short stay. Other St. Benedict's students have experienced the farm community of Quinter, KS, life among the Navajo in Rock Point; several traveled to a tiny village in Alaska, among other network stays.

Students from Network schools in Alabama, California, Kansas, New York, Oregon, and South Carolina have visited St. Benedict's for short-term stays.

June 2009

June 2009

If graduations, like proms, had themes, then this year's graduation would surely have been entitled, "The Struggle."

Many of the 87 members of the Class of 2009 have had enormous struggles in their young lives and the class as a whole has not had an easy path to the 135th Commencement, which was held Sunday, June 7, in Colin Auditorium.

One of those students who spoke so eloquently about his personal struggles was Valedictorian Santiago Naranjo. He spoke about his battle to abandon the arrogance and isolation that he has believed were the only ways to deal with the loneliness he felt in school and at home when he arrived at St. Benedict's.

Naranjo also talk about his struggle to get to this country and stay here with his reunited family before finally being rewarded with a Green Card in September of '08. That elusive card, one that made Naranjo question his dedication to school work before he received permanent residency in the U.S., allowed him to realize his ultimate dream - getting accepted into Stanford University.

"I felt like I had been born again - anything is possible, even a change of personality," said Naranjo of getting his Green Card and acceptance letter three months later. "This letter was physical proof that excelling in school was not in vain."

Naranjo also acknowledged that he struggled to realize that he could not do alone what he had to do to realize his dream - that his parents, his teachers, and his new friends at St. Benedict's - all were instrumental to his success.

"I overcame obstacles with my friends help, as I am sure everyone else here has done the same," said Naranjo in closing. "It's never easy, and with our experiences in St. Benedict's, I am sure we will all succeed. The Class of 09', even though branded with all sorts of negative expectations, has sufficiently strived and completed our high school career. Let's keep our hopes high and realize that it all works out at the end, if you work with diligence and with our Benedict's spirit!"

Naji Curry, the Senior Group Leader responsible for the day-to-day running of the school also acknowledged that the Class of 2009 has struggled almost daily to make it graduation day. The son of a mother with serious diabetes, Curry has spent many days, even weeks of his adolescence alone. But, as he said, he has always been on the Honor Roll and rose to the highest position of leadership in school.

"One thing that we all can say is that struggles offer some of the best learning experiences," said Curry, headed to St. John's University in Minnesota. "Through each experience, we were taught values that we will find helpful in the future."

Curry then went on and joked about his classmate's most recent struggle - trying to get him to dance at the prom. By the end of the night, he "had danced twice!"

Michelle Tuorto, the science department chairperson, gave the commencement address. She told the students in no uncertain terms that they were in charge of their fate and how they managed three things - mistakes, change and passion - would determine whether or not they achieved the kind of life they wanted. She quoted Fr. Edwin Leahy's constant admonition to students - they must have choices when they graduate. And she noted that if these students arrived at some point in their lives when they had no choices, they must be very, very critical of themselves and ask, "why." Learning from mistakes, adapting to change and pursuing a passion with discipline and hard work are the struggles that will define their futures.

In addition to the 87 graduates, 20 members of the Class of 1959 received certificates of honor from Fr. Edwin and Abbot Melvin. Fr. Edwin noted that this year has been a financial struggle for the school - as it has been for almost all other institutions and families. But the Class of 1959 stepped up its generosity and raised $237,000 for the school. And Fr. Albert, who reminisced about what was going on in the world in 1959, said that the class of '50 and '09 shared the distinction of being famous, or infamous, for their shenanigans.

There was also a special rendition of "The Impossible Dream" by Roger Rose and Aaron Walker before an crowd-pleasing production by the St. Benedict's Drum Line - Jeff Williams, Chris Lowe, Onaje Smartt and Phillmon McFadden - brought down the house.

As always, Rev. Peter Winstead, the "Rev." who leads the prayer and song in convocation three days a week, led the graduates in exuberantly singing the "convo" songs one last time. He opened with a very familiar tune that the kids sang with gusto, perhaps realizing at this juncture that life will no doubt bring more struggles, but that they can always be assured of the loving embrace of God as they go forward.

June 5, 2009

Dylan Knox was perhaps the most shocked person in the room Thursday night when he was announced as the Presidential Award winner at the annual dinner honoring St. Benedict's Senior Class.

"When they said I was a finalist, I figured at least people thought I could get it and that was good enough," said Knox, who was presented the Award by Abbott Melvin Valvano, O.S.B. '56, President of St. Benedict's. "I didn't know I was going to win. When I heard my name, I was so excited. I couldn't believe it."

Knox, who owns a 3.75 grad point average and is headed to Columbia University, was chosen over the other finalists: Naji Curry, Travis Lands and Kendall St. Ange.

"Everyone was deserving of this and I would have been just as happy for them if they won," said Knox, who plans on studying Political Science at Columbia. "It still hasn't sunk in."

Knox, who thanked every one of his family members in attendance and the entire Senior Class, sent a special "thank you" to Ms. Noreen Connolly. Knox said Connolly "pushed me to limits that I never thought I could go."

Connolly, an English/Journalism teacher, found out in January that she has cancer and still managed to find the stamina to show up at the The Hive soon after she underwent surgery and subsequent chemotherapy treatments. She left Knox and the other seniors in charge of putting together The Benedict News, the school's newspaper, on days she was absent during treatment.

"Journalism was definitely my hardest class this year," Knox said. "Ms. Connolly never gave up on us despite her sickness and I just felt I owed her a sincere thank you. This was the perfect time to do it because the whole senior class was there."

Knox, who is ranked third among the graduates, plans a trying to make the Columbia Fencing team as a walk-on. He was part of a state championship epee team, placing third in the individual portion of the Prep A tournament in his final season in a Gray Bees uniform.

"Dylan Knox challenged himself and won several times over," said his fencing coach Jeff Austin. "I'm sure he believes in destiny and is set on seizing his own. It is no secret that his academic performance is and has always been stellar. What most don't know about Dylan is that he is a paradox of a young man who had many insecurities yet a heart and mind to target and fly in the face of all of those fears head-on."

Knox is the 64th Presidential Award winner in St. Benedict's history. Former recipients of the prestigious award who were on the dais at the Awards Dinner on Thursday were Paul Thornton '63, Tom Leahy '77, Glenn Cassidy '90, Daniel Akwei '92, Raf Sanchez '96, Dave Carlo '99, Roosevelt Donat '03, and the two previous winners, Myles Gerraty '07 and Dan Sheehan '08, both of whom attend Boston College.

Other Senior Class members who were lauded for their achievements were Santiago Naranjo, winner of the Headmaster's Award for General Achievement; Phillmon McFadden-Rev. Casimir Finley Award for Math; Mikolaj Mika-Rev. Grassman '33 Award for Science; Spencer Vespole-John Richardson McDonough '58 Award for Humanities; Naji Curry-John A. Conlin '41 Award for Service; Gaetan Bondora-Carl Blake '80 and James Barnes-Hawkins '87 Award for Outstanding Improvement; Kendall St. Ange-Thomas Durkin Jr. '43 Award for Benedictine Spirit; and Travis Lands-Thomas Huss Award for School Spirit.

May 25, 2009

Many students wince at the prospects of speaking in public.

But Jared Pietz and Bruce Vereen-Nealous refined their communication skills so much that they were chosen to participate in a "Night of Eloquence" on Tuesday, May 19.

Pietz, a senior, and Vereen-Nealous, a junior, were part of the program called "Stand & Deliver: Communication Tools for Tomorrow's Leaders. The program was founded 10 years ago by TV personality and newspaper columnist Steve Adubato Jr., who's the son of St. Benedict's Board member, Steve Adubato Sr.

Pietz and Vereen-Nealous were part of a group of students who showed how they've honed their public speaking skills by performing at a ceremony held at Nanina's in the Park in Belleville last Tuesday night. It marked the 10th anniversary of Stand & Deliver.

"Stand & Deliver is a unique opportunity to develop the communication, leadership and team building skills that young people will need to carry them through high school and beyond," said St. Benedict's moderator of the program, Stephanie Baker. "It helps our young people enhance these skills, while simultaneously providing the format and support for development of their character and camaraderie amongst one another."

More than 400 students, including a dozen or so from St. Benedict's, participated in this year's program, which began in January with workshops and seminars.

Pietz and Nealous earned a spot to perform at the "Night of Eloquence" by participating in an All-Star competition with other high school students from around the City of Newark at the end of the program.

Junior Emery Ahoua also passed the test in the All-Star competition and will get his chance to showcase his newly enhanced public speaking skills at the "Student Performance Expo" on June 2 at the Paul Roberson Center on the campus of Rutgers Newark. That evening's program will begin at 6 p.m.

Another St. Benedict's student who participated in the program, senior Phillmon McFadden, received a $1,000 scholarship through the Stand & Deliver program.

"They all learned valuable skills in public speaking and communication, which, I am sure, will last them a lifetime," said Baker, Director of the Career Development Center here at St. Benedict's.

May 2009

A hope. A vision. A dream.

That's the philosophy St. Benedict's has given to each and every student who has walked the hallways of the inner city school in Newark.

It's a creed that not only paved the way to college, but eventually turned to gold for Cullen Jones, a 2002 graduate of St. Benedict's.

"St. Benedict's really got me thinking beyond the box," said Jones, the African-American swimmer who was an Olympic Gold Medalist in the Summer Games in Beijing last year. "Being from Irvington and Newark, I would have never thought I could have gone to college or do some many things that I've done. But I got the foundation here at Benedict's and that allowed me to believe in myself."

A hope. A vision. A dream.

It's also the ideology that drove Jeff Vanderbeek and Mike Gilfillan in their quest to succeed where few thought it would be possible - by having the insight and wherewithal to build the Prudential Center, a $375 million jewel right in the heart of Newark.

"I would like to thank St. Benedict's for really being the role models for us," said Gilfillan, Vice-Chairman and co-owner of the New Jersey Devils. "We aspire to have the impact on the city of Newark and on young men and, for us, women that they have done here in the city of Newark. It is a true inspiration to us and if we can do half of what they've done and half of what they've achieved here, then we'll probably be pretty successful."

Jones, Vanderbeek and Gilfillan were honored on Thursday, May 14, at St. Benedict's Annual Dinner that drew a crowd of 400 in the HAB Gymnasium at the school. All three were presented with the prestigious Medal of St. Benedict's.

"It was definitely a thrill to come back and be honored," said Jones, who, despite competing against the likes of Michael Phelps in a huge swimming meet in his adoptive home town of Charlotte, N.C. over the weekend, still made time to come back to his alma mater. "There's no way I would have missed this. I still can't put into words what this means to me."

The 25-year-old Jones, who went on to win an NCAA championship at N.C. State after leaving The Hive, helped the United States 4x100-meter relay team win a gold medal and shatter the world record in one of the most memorable events in Summer Olympics history last August. He has since used his own motto of "Dream Big" as part of his personal crusade as a spokesman for the USA Swimming Diversity Program, where he reaches out to showcase his sport in minority communities.

But for Jones, who will compete in World Games in Rome in late July as he continues his quest for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, St. Benedict's has deeply instilled his beliefs toward success.

"Some of the life lessons I learned came directly from this place and they'll stick with me forever," said Jones last October when he came back to his alma mater for the first time as an Olympic idol. "St. Benedict's is as much a part of my success as anything I've done. Anything I ever accomplished is in one way or another related to this place."

Vanderbeek, Chairman and Managing Partner of the Devils - a hockey man through-and-though - told Jones and those in attendance at the Dinner, that the Americans Olympic victory in Beijing over the favored French team, ranks right up there with the United States "Miracle on Ice" victory over the Russians in Lake Placid in the 1980 Winter Games.

Vanderbeek and Gilfillan are responsible for St. Benedict's own basketball tournament taking on a more national appeal last winter and into the future with the Newark National Invitational at the Prudential Center. Next year's tournament, expected to bigger and better than the inaugural event, will take place Jan. 30, 2010.

"We've gained a very special relationship with them in a very short time and only hope that continues for many years to come," said St. Benedict's headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy of Vanderbeek and Gilfillan. "They have not only given us a great opportunity by opening the arena for our basketball tournament, but they have also provided avenues for our kids to do things they'd never be able to do otherwise."

Vanderbeek and Gilfillan have shown their generosity by opening up the new arena to the students at St. Benedict's, who have been invited to numerous events at "The Rock." Vanderbeek has even managed to find time and lend a helping hand as a member of the school's Board of Trustees.

"It's been a rollercoaster (ride) with the arena here in Newark," said Vanderbeek. "But the highest point of the rollercoaster for me has been the association with St. Benedict's and Fr. Leahy. Sitting down with him here or at the arena, I get his sense, in a very grounded way, the state of the world and the state of Newark. It's a highlight of me being here and I am very honored."

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos by Matt Kaelin

St. Benedict's Athletic Director and organ donor recipient Mike DiPiano
Sr. wants people to keep people aware of how valuable organ donations are.

DiPiano, a double-transplant recipient himself, has been a proponent of organ transplants long before receiving a new kidney and pancreas almost 11 years ago.

May 13, 2009

Walter Rodriguez, a three-time First Team All-Prep selection for The Star-Ledger, was honored last night for something other than just his athletic prowess.

Rodriguez, who boosts a 3.6 GPA, was tabbed as St. Benedict's honoree at the Essex County Athletic Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. Rodriguez was one of 65 student-athletes from 35 schools who were feted at the annual dinner.

"It's great to be honored for something like this. It lets people know that I'm more than a soccer player," said Rodriguez, who ranks fifth among his senior class.

Rodriguez will be taking his talents to Wesleyan University, a school of 3,000 students located in Middletown, Conn. Notable Alumni from the New England school include three-time Super Bowl winning coach, Bill Belichick '75, of the Patriots and former New York Jets coach and current Browns mentor, Eric Mangini '94.

The diminutive Rodriguez (5-2, 130 pounds) will continue his soccer career playing for the NCAA Division 3 Cardinals where he hopes to make an immediate impact after helping lead the Gray Bees to four-straight state Prep titles and two national championships. The midfielder/forward led St. Benedict's in scoring last fall with 17 goals and 10 assists.

"I'm excited about my next step," said Rodriguez, who plans on studying psychology at Wesleyan. "Sure, I'm going there to play soccer. But my focus is going to be on academics and studying."

April 23, 2009

You would have thought St. Benedict's still played football by the turnout at last night's Reunion Dinner.

The Gray Bees, however, haven't fielded a football team since 1971.

But that didn't deter any of the 120 or so former gridiron greats who assembled in St. Benedict's Dining Hall for a night of remembrance and reflection in a first-of-its-kind event at the school.

"Having everyone here is a pleasure," said Kevin Moriarty, who helped organize the reunion with Jerry Froelich '61. "Just seeing all the names and faces brings back a ton of memories."

Moriarty, who graduated from St. Benedict's in 1963 and now, 46 years later, is at The Hive as a Major Gifts Officer. He reached out and got players such as Adrian Foley, from the 1938 team, to attend the event without much persuasion.

Also attending the evening's festivities were Vic DelVecchio, Tom Downey and John Anderson, members of the 1971 team that suited up against Seton Hall in the final game ever played by a Gray Bees football team.

Gene Schiller '50, the coach at the time and former player himself, let everyone know, of course, that the Gray Bees beat Seton Hall during that final outing. Schiller was the featured speaker of the evening.

"You know that you are part of a special group of men who at one time or another participated in a great tradition that is Benedict's football," said Schiller, who coached at Benedict's and then, after the Newark program on High Street shut down, had a long and successful career at Franklin High.

Schiller went into great detail about the greatest coach, not only in St. Benedict's lore, but in the annals of New Jersey and perhaps beyond as one of the great mentors, speakers and motivators of all time - Joe Kasberger. Coach Kasberger coached football and baseball at St. Benedict's from the early 1930s until the late 60s, just before his death in 1969.

Kasberger won 200 football games and 593 in baseball - both near the top of New Jersey's coaching record books. He also coined the phrase "Benedict's Hates a Quitter" - a moniker that still reverberates the halls and athletic fields at The Hive.

"Joe Kasberger made sure that every young man who came under his influence - whether it be on the field or in the classroom - knew the limits of accepted behavior," said Schiller. "He hoped these limits would be exercised in later life of all the young men he coached. More so, anyone who observed Joe recognized he only expected his players to live by the limits he placed upon himself."

One of the prime examples of Kasberger's influence and principles being used as a foundation came directly through one of his pupils, Al Saner '50.

Saner spent only one, post-graduate year under Kasberger after serving the previous four under another football icon, Joe Coviello, at Memorial in West New York. But the lessons learned under Kasberger's tutelage have lasted Saner a lifetime.

He followed his mentor into the coaching ranks after Gettysburg College and a stint in the military. Saner coached at Hawthorne High for six seasons before heading to the Shore where he became a permanent fixture, heading the program at Point Pleasant Boro for 28 years. There he won eleven conference championships and three state titles before semi-retiring in 1993.

Saner, who still helps out at another Ocean County school, New Egypt, toured St. Benedict's last Fall with Fr. Edwin - the first time he's been back since leaving for Gettysburg.

"That was one the most emotional days I've had in a long while," said Saner, who built a 153-74-8 record at Point Boro, a place that has since named the football stadium Al Saner Field. "St. Benedict's has helped me forever. That's why I'm here tonight. The memories I obtained are unforgettable."

Other guys who also expressed the same affinity for St. Benedict's are those who have taken different paths in life. There were teammates Vince Bury and Paul "Bucky" O'Connor from the mid-50s. Bury is an iron worker from Berkeley Heights and O'Connor, whose brothers Brian '58 and Jerry '60 also played football, is a medical doctor in Montclair. Dr. O'Connor went to wrestler at Notre Dame after being a star football player under Joe K.

"There's just something very special about this place that you can't put into words," said Bury, who also traveled the world working for AT&T. "I come back all the time just to see where I came from. It's always been like family for me."

April 22, 2009

April 21, 2009

The St. Benedict's track & field team wound up sharing ninth place in the team standings over the weekend in the Morris Hills Relays at Gifford Field in Rockaway.

But, more importantly, the Gray Bees' 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams put up solid times once again in preparation for this weekend's Penn Relays.

The 400-meter team of Jackson Roberts, Martin Otieno, Nduka Ukponu and Leighton Smith captured first place in a time of 43.46. It was nearly a whole second faster than the time St. Benedict's ran in the Kearny Relays two weeks ago.

The 1,600-meter relay also continues to lower their time as they head to the University of Pennsylvania for this weekend's national meet, which begins on Friday at the famed Franklin Field.

Bolstered by Smith's 49.2 in the anchor leg, the Gray Bees ran a 3:24.10 and placed second behind Mount Olive (3:22.45) at Morris Hills. Otieno (50.0), Tyler Gabriel (50.5) and Jared Mason (54.4) preceded Smith's effort.

Smith, Otieno, Roberts and Mason also combined for a time of 3:36.99 to place second in the sprint medley, being outraced to the line behind a meet-record performance by Morris Hills (3:33.51).

In the team shot put, the Gray Bees, behind Ryan Rhodes (43'-10"), Nigil White (42-10) and Oluyomi Ijandipe (42'-1/2") finished seventh with a 128-8 1/2 total.

The baseball team, after opening the season with an 8-5 victory over Newark East Side, has fallen on some hard times. The Gray Bees have lost four straight, including its latest two setbacks to Columbia last Thursday and Carteret on Saturday. Coach Justin Ross' club, however, will look to right the ship on the road at 4 p.m. Thursday against Bloomfield Tech at Watsessing Park.

March 27, 2009

Bravo!

Whether it was the unbelievable art exhibit, poetry readings or musical compositions, the student renderings put forth on the Harlem Renaissance was nothing short of a stunning collaboration Thursday night at St. Benedict's.

The incredible evening capped off more than three months of multi-disciplinary work between students, faculty and members of the American Symphony Orchestra.

"This is the first time we've spent so much time on any one project and to see it come together like this is just awe-inspiring," said Chair of the Art Department Pam Wye-Hunsinger, the project coordinator. "It was just a fabulous way for an ambitious project like this to wrap up - a great turnout with great people all the way around."

More than 300 art, music and writing students from St. Benedict's participated in the extensive alliance of the Harlem Renaissance, which began in the Fall Term and concluded with an arts presentation and a concert before a packed house at two different venues on school grounds.

The evening kicked off with a display of art and poetry readings in the school's jam-packed Art rooms for 90 minutes before moving to a near capacity crowd in Colin Auditorium, where the evening wrapped up with a concert - a blend of the music from the Harlem Renaissance and its annual Spring Concert.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to have my work shown," said Robert Shaw, a junior who did a mural on Josephine Baker, a jazz singer during the Harlem Renaissance who became a civil rights activist. "To do a painting and to learn so much more about her work as a major contributor during this time was a great learning experience.

"To see all the people here looking at it now is very cool."

Shaw's mural was one of 23 that graced the walls in the side-by-side art rooms in the Freshman Building. Also on display were 70 African clay masks and 60 block prints produced by the Art students of various levels.

Jaysean Fleming also had a mural hanging in the art room. His painting was based on Marcus Garvey, who immigrated to Harlem from his homeland in Jamaica in 1916 and was the first African-American leader in American history to organize the masses for a political movement - the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

"I heard a lot about Marcus Garvey before I did the painting," said Fleming, a junior, "but now I really studied up on him and am honored to have learned so much more."

The murals were spectacular and, of course, included a painting of the late William Grant Still, the African American composer during the Harlem Renaissance whose work was studied at length during this entire project.

The first half of the evening's presentation concluded with readings and literary works produced by Dr. David Wolf's English students, who produced a special Kayrix magazine - this one largely based on the Harlem Renaissance and published earlier than its usual Spring Phase release.

And once again, the Kayrix was filled with some amazing poetry and writings that came from the hearts of many of Dr. Wolf's students, some very endearing and other very dark and on a personal level.

"The energy the kids put into this is just amazing," said Dr. Wolf, head of the English Department. "I think the kids just came through beautifully. It was quite a sight to see."

When the evening's presentations shifted to the auditorium, all the tutorials provided by the American Symphony Orchestra leading up to this magnificent event, came out in one shining performance.

The ASO performers - Clifford Brooks (chorus), Diane Bruce and Patricia Davis (violins), Eugene Moye (cello), Rich Ostrovsky (bass), Laura Flax (clarinet), Michael Blutman (trumpet), Tom Olcott (trombone), Adria Benjamin (viola) - all were on hand during Wednesday morning's rehearsal leading up to the event.

"The clarinetist (Ms. Flax) that accompanied me at our concert has really taught me a lot," said Kendall St. Ange, a senior. "In fact, within forty five minutes she has taught me better techniques with respect to playing my instrument.

"Working with these professionals has made the sound of the band more polished and refined. I would say that these past events have marked a time of progressiveness within the music department. It was a great pleasure to work with these professionals from the ASO."

The concert itself in Conlin Auditorium started with a performance from St. Benedict's Vocal Ensemble, headed by David Fitzpatrick, before he handed things over to the concert band, under the conduction of Jeremy Fletcher.

Fletcher's students, who performed in conjunction with the ASO performers, started with two pieces that pre-dated, by a couple of years, the Harlem Renaissance, but was a sound of things to come during the 1920s and into the 30s. There were also arrangements by William Grant Still, performed by the Chorus, as well as a dazzling show from the drum line and Jazz Band.

Fletcher, although exhausted with all the work that went into the project - coupled with the birth of his new baby - was amazed at how the ASO stuck with and helped the throughout this project, from workshops to classroom help with the students. He also gave kudos to St. Benedict's own faculty musicians - Michelle Tuorto on bassoon and Dr. Dennis Lansang on piano.

"It's been a lot of work, but all worth it and very rewarding," said Fletcher. "I really think everyone involved enjoyed the whole process. But the ASO have been especially great, flexible with their time and just their all-out enthusiasm was quite special."

March 16, 2009

The year-long multi-disciplinary celebration of the Harlem Renaissance continued on Monday when a String Quartet from the American Symphony Orchestra played an informative concert here at St. Mary's Church.

The "Informance" as it was called - an offering of music and comments from the performers to the audience made up mostly of St. Benedict's students - was a prelude to the arts celebration that will take place during an American Symphony performance entitled "Revisiting William Grant Still" this Sunday, March 22, at Lincoln Center.

The music by the String Quartet that could be heard reverberating in St. Mary's was produced by first violinist Erica Keisewetter, a concertmaster with the ASO, violinist Suzanne Gilman, viola player Adria Benjamin and cellist David Calhoun. They played several selections, all tied in to the music of the late William Grant Still (1895-1978), who ranks among the greatest composers born and educated in the United States.

Benjamin described Still as one of America's first cross-over artists; distilling musical impressions and influences from all sources, but chiefly the African American spirituals, gospels, renderings in popular music of the Harlem Renaissance.

Michael Blutman, a trumpeter and ASO consultant, who's been on board during nearly every step of the Harlem Renaissance Project, was also on at the concert to offer his insight while interacting with the students as he has done throughout this year-long collaboration. He has worked hand-in-hand chiefly with Chairpersons of St. Benedict's Music, Art and English departments - Dr. Jeremy Fletcher, Pam Wye-Hunsinger and Dr. David Wolf.

During this Sunday's performance at Lincoln Center, nearly one-third of the 300 students who have been involved with the Harlem Renaissance Project, will be in attendance. Student works of art, as well as a literary magazine of art and poetry from St. Benedict's, will be on display in Avery Fisher Hall.

The ASO/St. Benedict's partnership will then reach a crescendo next Thursday, March 26, when Members of the American Symphony Orchestra will join musicians from St. Benedict's for a concert inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the works of William Grant Still at 7:30 p.m. in St. Benedict's Conlin Auditorium. A display of Art and Poetry readings will be held before the concert, from 5:45 p.m.-7:15 p.m., in St. Benedict's Art Room.

March 7, 2009

Socioeconomic, race and, specifically, gender issues.

They all were barriers facing students from St. Benedict's and Kent Place when they came together for their two-day, "Student Exchange" program.

But, despite the differences, most notably that St. Benedict's peers were from an all-girls school in Summit, the students from both schools thought they weren't that dissimilar at all.

"It wasn't as awkward as people might think," said St. Benedict's senior Tyler Rice. "We all got along really well and it was very interesting to be part of."

The "Student Exchange" program mimics the "School Swap" initiative that St. Benedict's held last year with Livingston as part of the American Conference on Diversity's Youth Leadership Institute. It is a program that seeks to provide an opportunity for students to discuss their differences and their root causes, as well as finding some unexpected common ground.

This program differed because moderators from St. Benedict's and Kent Place took it upon themselves to set up this venture. The two catalysts were Glenn Cassidy, Director of Student Services at St. Benedict's, and Mike Buensuceso, Director of Diversity at Kent Place.

Cassidy and Buensucesco developed a kinship through the "School Swap" program when the latter worked for the American Conference on Diversity before settling into his new role at Kent Place this year. The "Student Exchange" evolved through their relationship.

Twenty-two students from Kent Place came to St. Benedict's for a daylong visit on Feb. 27 before members of The Hive visited the Summit school Thursday, March 5.

"I learned that an all-boys school and an all-girls school aren't that different," said one student from Kent Place. "I was nice to see how it looked from the outside. We were able to find a lot of commonalities despite the obvious differences."

Whereas, St. Benedict's has participated in a number "School Swap" programs over the last few years, this was the first for Kent Place.

"Kent Place's Diversity Council has been trying for a long time to increase interest in diversity-related activities and to introduce activities that create empathy for people with all kinds of experiences," said Eleanor Lear, English teacher and one of the moderators for Kent Place. "An exchange with St. Benedict's, whose demographics are different from Kent Place's in almost every aspect - gender, racial make-up, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliation - presented the perfect opportunity to meet both of those goals."

Students from Kent Place, who are taught to be strong, independent women, were very impressed with the feeling of "community" and "brotherhood" that are extremely prevalent at St. Benedict's.

The boys at St. Benedict's, however, were envious of the technological makeup of Kent Place, where each student has a laptop and nearly every classroom has a SMART Board, an interactive, electronic-type of blackboard. Economics make that possible - tuition for Kent Place is in upwards of $30,000 per student, while St. Benedict's students pay around $7,000.

"They have all the gadgets and stuff like that, but we're more open with our teachers in the classroom and I think that helps out a lot more," said Rice. "But overall, I think students are a lot alike no matter where you come from."

Cassidy talked about the differences and similarity between the schools and summed it up by saying, "What's better? I don't think that question can ever be answered. Every school will have their own uniqueness to it."

St. Benedict's will have another "day-in-the-life" with Glen Ridge later this semester under the "School Swap" moniker when the American Conference on Diversity is on board running the program through its affiliation and camaraderie with The Hive.

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos by Jared A. Pietz '09

Feb. 21, 2009

Redemption.

It's been the motivating battle cry for Turtogtogh Luvsandorj all season.

And the National Prep Wrestling Championships would be no different.

Luvsandorj exacted revenge for the third time this season and wound up atop the podium on the ultimate stage when he posted a 7-5 overtime verdict over previously-unbeaten David Henry of Texas' St. Marks at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

"He made it a point to improve every day he came to the workout room since last season ended," said St. Benedict's coach Mike DiPiano Jr. of his third national champion. "In fact, that's the way he worked ever since he first got here - to be better than the day before. And he capped it off with an incredible year."

Luvansandorj earned his second All-America honor and was joined in that elite club for the first time by Naeem Boucher and Chris Dowdy. Boucher placed fifth at 135 pounds, while Dowdy finished eighth at 130 pounds - the top eight in each weight class earn All-America status.

St. Benedict's, which was hit hard by graduation a year ago, matched last year's effort in the team standings by placing sixth with 104 points. Blair, the No. 1 team in the country, rolled to its seventh straight championship.

"We knew we were gonna have our hands full at the beginning of this season," said DiPiano. "But we exceeded all our expectations and came here and showed tremendous heart. I'm really proud of this team."

DiPiano couldn't be any prouder than he was of Luvsandorj. The senior placed seventh in the Nationals last winter after losing Henry and Jesse Shanaman of Blair in the same tournament.

Luvsandorj took care of Shanaman in last weekend's state Prep Championship final, 6-2, before beating the same wrestler from Blair, 7-6, in the national semifinals on Saturday morning.

He came back in the afternoon final against Henry, the same opponent he dropped a 7-4 decision in last year's wrestlebacks at Lehigh. Luvsandorj scored the first takedown of the match off a low shot to the right ankle of Henry with 10 seconds left in the opening period.

Luvsandorj upped the cushion to 3-0 with an escape early in the second. But Henry scored a takedown of his own off an ankle pick in the second before another escape by the St. Benedict's grappler put the score at 4-2 after two. An escape and a spinning takedown by Henry gave the St. Marks wrestler a 5-4 lead just 25 second into the final period.

Luvsandorj, however, squared the match at 5-5 off an escape with 1:20 left before the two titans circled in the center of the mat for the remainder of regulation.

Feb. 18, 2008

The Prep basketball team began defense of its state tournament title behind a cohesive team effort headed by Steve Frankoski, Xavier Munford and Blaise Mbargorba.

Frankoski scored a game-high 23 points, while Munford added 16 and Mbargorba caused havoc all game underneath with his 7-foot frame as the Gray Bees posted a 77-55 verdict over Peddie in the quarterfinal round of the state Prep A Tournament in Dalton Gym.

"This is a lot of fun playing for this team," said Frankoski, who had a season-high 27 points when the Prepters beat Peddie earlier this season. "We are really focused right now and have an opportunity to win a title. That's what it's all about."

The Gray Bees (11-4), the No. 4 seed in the tournament, will take on top-seeded Blair Academy in the Prep A semifinals 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Blairstown for the right to compete in next week's championship game. The Prepsters lost to Blair, 77-50, at home on Feb. 5.

"I really think we are more focused tonight and not as lackadaisical as when we last played Blair," said Prep coach Sam McGee. "This was a total team effort and that's exactly what we'll need Saturday."

Frankoski, a 6-2, 175-pound senior, took control of the game from the outset, scoring the first bucket of the game and totaling 10 points in a 29-20 first half spread. He helped the Gray Bees put the game out of reach with a 27-19 third quarter showing. Frankoski added 10 more points during that uprising to give St. Benedict's a 59-41 cushion.

Mbargorba and J.P. Kambola were the defensive stalwarts all game. Mbargorba had only 6 points, but more importantly, pulled down 8 rebounds and blocked 5 shots. He and the 6-10 Kambola forced Peddie to alter their shots nearly every time they entered the lane.

"We need J.P. and Blaise to be a big factor for us against Blair," said Frankoski. "We need to stay consistent as a team in order to beat them this time around."

The fencing team competed in the Prep A Championships at Princeton Day School and coach Jeff Austin's epee contingent continued to dominate, as they have throughout the season.

The epeeists, led by Gabe Navarro, Dylan Knox and Rodrigo Bergamasco, placed first in their discipline. But the Gray Bees faltered with a fifth-place showing in foil and a sixth-place effort in sabre to finish fifth overall in the team standings.

"Gabe, Dylan and Rodrigo have been a strong suit for us all season," said Austin. "I've always felt they were the best epee team in the state."

In the individual portion of the tournament, the captains, Navarro and Knox, continued to shine. Navarro placed second, while Knox came in third to cap their final effort of the season.

"Dylan and Gabe have done a great job leading us. They've always been the ones to make sure my instruction and advice was understood and fresh in our guys' minds when it needed to be," said their coach. "Whenever we were well prepared for a match, it was because they helped me prepare the rest of the team."

The track team also competed in the Prep Championships at Lawrenceville's indoor oval and got a huge effort from Martin Otieno as St. Benedict's placed third in the team standings.

Otieno placed second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.09, a race Leighton Smith placed fourth with a time of 23.51. The two reversed places in the 400 - with Smith coming in second with a 50.4 and Otieno finishing fourth in 52.0.

Otieno also placed third in the 55-meter dash (6.73), one spot behind teammate Jackson Roberts (6.60) and two places ahead of Walter Jean-Jacques (6.88).

Jared Mason's solid freshman campaign continued with fourth-place efforts in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs. He ran a 2:01.57 in the 800 and a 4:33.97 in the 1,600. Matt Jensen finished right behind Mason in the 800 with a showing of 2:01.65.

The 4x400 relay team, consisting of Nduka Ukponu, Paul Oyefesobi, Roberts and Matt Taylor came in fourth with a 3:43.85 effort. Kenyon Wright placed fifth in the high jump with a leap of 5-6.

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos by Mike Scanlan

February 2009

Seven students from St. Benedict's Prep recently completed an 18-week comprehensive co-educational course in Social Education and Life Skills at Essex County College.

The Cotillion Program, which was sponsored by the City of Newark, was formed to enhance the lives of urban youth through social education, cultural exposure and enriching group experiences. According to St. Benedict's liaison, Stephanie Baker, "I think it did that and much more.

"This was a program to get kids involved and teach them skills that hopefully they can use for a lifetime," said Baker, Director of the Career Development Center here at St. Benedict's.

The Cotillion Program, which was run by Gwen Moten, Executive Assistant for the City of Newark's Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services-Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs, exposed students to rules of social etiquette, interpersonal development, communication skills, leadership training and public decorum.

The program, which was held on Saturday's for almost five months, concluded with a formal - the First Newark High School Cotillion - on Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Mezzanine. The students from St. Benedict's who took part in the entire 18-week program, which offered varying programs and workshops, included Michael Oladipo, Tyler Gabriel, Jeff Williams, Onaje Smartt, J'Ream Lewis, Ratnaventh Gunaratnam and Walter A. Jean-Jacques.

"I think it is an invaluable experience for students who are interested in enhancing or gaining self-confidence, communication and interpersonal skills and social and civic responsibilities," Baker said. "Students also gained positive social experiences which are needed at their age."

Feb. 16, 2009

St. Benedict's fencing coach Jeff Austin has been somewhat disappointed and, at times, dumbfounded by his team's performance this season.

But, on Monday, Austin saw his team put together an effort he knew was there all along when the Gray Bees went out and dominated a quality Millburn team, 19-8, on the road for their first victory away from home all season. "By far, this was definitely of best performance of the year," said Austin. "We just haven't been competing up to our capabilities all year and it finally came together."

The Gray Bees held a 5-4 lead over Millburn after the first round, but really turned it up a notch thereafter. Austin's club built its lead to 11-7 after the second round before closing out the match with an 8-1 uprising.

Austin got huge efforts throughout his entire lineup. Dylan Knox and Rodrigo Bergamasco each went 3-0 and Gabe Navarro fashioned a 2-1 mark in epee. Nick Flores-Tober and Tashon Little were unbeaten in sabre, combining for a 5-0 slate.

Foilists Elliott McFarland went unbeaten in three head-to-head bouts, while Marcos Pendas went 2-0. McFarland's 5-1 decision in the 22nd set-to helped the Gray Bees lock up the match with an insurmountable, 14-8, cushion.

Austin's club can hopefully use the momentum and finish a topsy-turvy season on the upside with a strong performance in tomorrow's Prep Championships at Princeton Day School.

"We've been tinkering with the lineup all season looking for the right combination while focusing on two things - Millburn and the Prep A Championships," said Austin

The Gray Bees will have redemption on its mind heading into the Prep A Championships. They lost their coveted team championship for first time after 15 straight titles last year. St. Benedict's had won every championship since the New Jersey Independent Schools Association Tournament was re-instituted in 1993.

But last year, the Gray Bees lost by one bout, 38-37, to their stiffest competition this year, Princeton Day. "I felt we could have won it last year and let it slip away," admitted Austin. "Winning preps can take a lot of the sting out of an up-and-down season."

The basketball team traveled to Dix Hills, N.Y. on Monday and reached the century mark in scoring for the third time this season. Coach Dan Hurley's team rolled to a 100-43 victory over Upper Room Christian as Aaron Brown led five players in double figures by matching his season-high with 20 points.

Brown, a 6-4 junior, also paced the team in scoring on Saturday when coach Dan Hurley picked up his 200th career victory with a 75-61 victory over Mt. State Academy of West Virginia in the Prime Time Shootout at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. After the victory over Upper Room, Hurley's eight-year record now stands at a staggering 201-19.

The Gray Bees (22-2) soared out of the gate, breaking out to a 30-18 first quarter lead with Brown scoring half of his points. Also contributing to a solid effort were Myck Kabongo (15 points), Steve Frankoski and Tamir Jackson, who each had 12 points. Mike Poole scored 10 points to round out the double-digit scorers.

February 2009

More than 300 art, music and writing students are participating in a multi-disciplinary celebration of the Harlem Renaissance, which began in the Fall Term and will conclude on March 26 with a huge concert here at St. Benedict's.

Pamela Wye-Hunsinger, Chair of the Art Department at St. Benedict's, has been coordinating the year-long effort that has already included participation by members of the American Symphony Orchestra in both onsite tutorials and performances. The arts celebration will also include an ASO performance at Lincoln Center that 100 of our students will attend.

The American Symphony Orchestra was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant last year to reach out to high schools to encourage them to create interdisciplinary curricula based on one of their orchestral presentations this season. Wye-Hunsinger decided that their program on William Grant Still, the first African American symphonic composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra and himself a product of the Harlem Renaissance, was the perfect fit for St. Benedict's.

The students at St. Benedict's already got an intimate close-up of two of the ASO musicians who studied at the famed Julliard School, Michael Blutman and Jonathan Batiste, on Jan. 30 in Colin Auditorium. The two musicians - Blutman on trumpet and Batiste on piano - talked at the assembly and introduced the students to the music of William Grant Still.

"Being able to blend performance with education is something I care deeply about," said Batiste, a 22-year-old native of New Orleans. "Education and music is one of my primary objectives and this setting allows me to help the students learn something about my music as well as the music of the Harlem Renaissance."

The intimate setting like the one in Colin Auditorium was just a prelude of things to come in the next month. The students will attend the orchestra's performance of William Grant Still's symphony on March 22 at Avery Fisher Hall, where the art students will have their works on display. Then, on March 26, members of the ASO will join our musicians here to perform with them at our own arts celebration of the Harlem Renaissance.

Wye-Hunsinger, with English and creative writing teacher David Wolf, instrumental director Jeremy Fletcher, and choral director David Fitzpatrick, have been collaborating for months figuring out how the art, writing and music students can work together to create an evening of art, music and spoken word performances.

Frank Gontier's French III students are studying in French the life of Josephine Baker who emerged during the Harlem Renaissance and went on to become a French citizen and activist. A select number of Fr. Maynard Nagengast's technical drawing students drafted drawings of Harlem architecture. Rich Lorenzo's Radio and Television students also interviewed Blutman and Batiste during a Q&A on their visit to the school.

David Wolf's students will also create a small literary magazine modeled on the publications that came out of the Harlem Renaissance like The Crisis, Opportunity and Fire!!

Wye-Hunsinger's art students are creating murals, ceramic sculpture and block prints. Noreen Connolly's journalism students will cover the events for The Benedict News and the school's website. Dr. Fletcher's musicians are working with ASO members in individual instrument tutorials when the musicians visited his classes during the two months leading up to the performance on March 26.

The time and energy required to put together this curriculum has been significant, but Wye-Hunsinger and the others believe that it is well worth the effort. "What is so exhilarating about this project is that teachers and students are learners together, going in depth into a subject as rich and broad as the Harlem Renaissance," said Wye-Hunsinger. "Seeing the connections between our different disciplines has been an exciting pedagogical adventure for all of us."

--By Noreen Connolly
--Photos by Jared A. Pietz '09

Feb. 10, 2009

The St. Benedict's wrestling and basketball teams were glad to be back home in the friendly confines of Dalton Gymnasium on Tuesday.

The wrestling team had a matinee against Cliffside Park and ended a four-match skid that came on the road, while the hoop team put to an end a coast-to-coast, two-game winless streak away from Dalton by beating Passaic Tech to cap the day's doubleheader.

Coach Mike DiPiano's wrestling team, however, got off to another inauspicious start before righting the ship against Cliffside Park.

The Gray Bees lost the first two bouts and found themselves trailing, 12-0, when Zach Jacobs stepped on the mat wrestling his first match of the season up a weight class at 125 pounds.

It look as though things were going to get much worse for coach Mike DiPiano's team when Jacobs found himself on his back staring up at the lights in Dalton Gym.

But Jacobs, somehow, summoned enough strength while bridging and caught his opponent with a headlock to turn the tides for a pin himself - the 22nd of the season for the sophomore - to give the Gray Bees their first victory of the day.

Just like that. Instead of trailing by 18 points, the Gray Bees found themselves trailing only by six with Jacobs' pin, which ignited his team to a nine-bout winning streak. The final result: St. Benedict's 51, Cliffside Park 12.

"I was really nervous wrestling today and wasn't confident coming into this match," said Jacobs. "I hadn't wrestled at 125 before and didn't really know what to expect."

Jacobs' apprehensions were apparent from the beginning when he was taken down in the first period and trailed 2-1 before being turned to his back early in the second. But that's when instincts took over and Jacobs was able to turn his opponent from his own back for the fall in 2:45.

"I guess I'm just flexible," said the 30-15 Jacobs of explaining how he got out of that unenviable position to win the bout. "I'm just glad I was able to not let my team down and get the pin."

Jacobs' pin was followed by a first period pin at 130 pounds by Chris Dowdy. After Naeem Boucher scored a major decision at 135, the Gray Bees reeled off pins in every bout that was contested on the mat.

The highlight of the four-bout pinning spree came when Turtgotkh Luvsandorj scored a 13-second pin at 160 pounds. Isaiah Cromwell (189) and Xavier Vassell also scored first period falls.

But it was Jacobs, who got it all started for the 19-7 wrestling team.

"I've been gaining more and more confidence as the season progresses," he said. "I just hope I can keep it going and bouts likes this can only help."

The basketball team wasted little time in determining the outcome during a 92-57 verdict over Passaic Tech.

Coach Dan Hurley's club, which dropped six spots to No. 8 in the latest Super 25 national poll after losses to then-No. 9 St. Patrick in a game at Rutgers before traveling cross-country and bowing to top-ranked Mater Dei on their home court in California, outscored the team for Wayne, 25-6, in the opening quarter.

Tristan Thompson and Tamir Jackson highlighted the play during a 13-0 run early in the quarter to give the Gray Bees a 13-2 lead. Jackson spearheaded the surge with a convention three-point play on a nice drive to the hoop before feeding Thompson with a no look pass for another bucket.

Thompson wound up with 15 of his 20 points in the first quarter, while Jackson matched his teammate with 20 points on the night. Gil Biruta chipped in with 10 points for the Gray Bees.

--By Ron Jandoli

January 2009

As Director of Vocations, Br. Patrick Winbush is always looking for ways to enhance the religious life for students at St. Benedict's.

One of the primary means of getting students more involved is through his yearly Vocation Awareness Day.

Br. Patrick organized his second annual Vocation Awareness Day on Jan. 27 in Colin Auditorium. The guest speakers were Br. Juanmaria and Fr. Juniper Mary from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Last year's event featured twin brothers, Fr. Joseph and Fr. James Campbell from Erie, Pa.

"I do this to help the guys (St. Benedict's students) learn about religious vocation," said Br. Patrick. "A lot of them don't understand it and this is to give them a little insight."

Br. Juanmaria and Fr. Juniper Mary were on hand to give the students an inside look about the brotherhood of The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a group founded in 1987 by Father Benedict Groeschel and seven other Capuchin Franciscan Friars. They have houses in Newark, NYC, Yonkers, Texas, New Mexico, England, Honduras and Ireland.

The day began with the St. Benedict's Choir ensemble singing "The Servant Song." Junior Pedro Santos welcomed everyone to the event and gave the opening prayer before Br. Patrick introduced a number of religious from Newark and beyond who were at the event. They included a pair of nuns from France, which surprised the students and made them take notice that this event was a pretty big deal for them.

Also taking in the festivities were the Delegate of Religious of Archdiocese of Newark, Sister Margaret Thomas McGovern, and Father Pedro Bismarck Chau, a newly ordained archdiocesan priest (May 24), whose home parish is Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Linden.

Following a video of the Franciscan Friars and a talk by the guest speakers, the day wrapped up with a Q&A session followed by a closing song by the choir and remarks by Fr. Edwin.

Br. Patrick, who is already conjuring up ideas for next year's Vocation Awareness Day, is hoping events like this and his Fishers of Men vocation discernment group helps get more students involved in religious life.

The Fishers of Men program has grown from only fur students to when it first started in September of '07 to over 20 currently. Br. Patrick even got one addition after the Vocation Awareness Day program.

"For a lot of the students, religious life is boring," admitted Br. Patrick. "I want to continue to have events like Vocation Awareness Day to allow outsiders tell their story and maybe have an impact on students and give them a better understanding of religious.

"The examples of sister- and brother-hood are how I got my start. That's what I'm hoping to do here - is make the students aware. Maybe some of these guys will come back to a religious life. We'll see what happens."

--By Ron Jandoli
--Photos By Dennis Lansang

January 30, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we begin a new semester at St. Benedict's, I am writing to update you on what's happening at the school. Academically, I am very pleased with the performance of many of our students. For each of the first two quarters, we saw a record number of students make the Honor Roll - more than two hundred. This is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of the 7, 8, 9 grades, along with many upper classmen. Thanks for your part in this success and the support you give your son to make it possible. The senior class is finishing up the college application process. Thus far, students have received early admission acceptances to Stanford, Columbia, and Lehigh, to name a few.

In activities, we had a successful season for fall athletics. The varsity soccer and cross country teams won state prep titles again. The drama guild put on a production of "The Grapes of Wrath." The winter season is off to a mixed start. Some of our teams are struggling with players who are having trouble making the commitment necessary. You can be of help by making sure your son attends all practices and competitions his team or activity has scheduled. Our teams succeed because of the efforts of the team, not any one individual. Everyone counts! We hosted a very successful basketball event, the Newark National Invitational, this past weekend. Almost 6,000 people turned out at the Prudential Center to watch some of the best teams in New Jersey compete against some of the best in the nation. Along with creating a high profile event for St. Benedict's and the City of Newark, we were able to create an event that raises money for the school. Thanks to all of you who came out on Saturday.

As I mentioned at the fall parent meeting, we continue to navigate through the difficult financial environment St. Benedict's is experiencing along with the world. At that meeting I said that, I, along with the monks and board of directors would make decisions that ensure the strength and long-term sustainability of St. Benedict's Prep. One of those decisions we recently made is to move the St. Mary's Elementary School back into the St. Benedict's buildings where it resided for 140 years before we built the building it currently occupies on William Street. Much of the cost for operating the elementary school building is carried by St. Benedict's. The move back this summer will enable us to generate revenue by renting the building while at the same time give us the opportunity to explore a more integrated approach for K-12 education on the property. I expect the move will have some challenges, but also holds some exciting possibilities.

An important part of our financial well being depends on your timely payment of tuition. Rest assured, your sacrifices to do this every month are recognized, appreciated and necessary. As I reflect on the experiences of St. Benedict's over the thirty-seven years I have been headmaster, there is one consistent theme that comes to me. In both the easier times and more difficult ones, our focus on the mission of educating the young men entrusted to us has always been at the forefront. I will continue to pray for you and your families as we go through one of these challenging times. I ask that you do the same for us.

Sincerely,

Rev. Edwin D. Leahy O.S.B.

January 2009

The St. Benedict's Choir was asked recently to perform at a ceremony dedicating a lobby exhibit to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. David Fitzpatrick, the teacher behind the choir ensemble, was thrilled his students were chosen for the honor.

The exhibit is located at the MLK Federal Building and Courthouse on Walnut Street in Newark. The building, named after Dr. King since 1986, did not have anything inside noting who it was named after. The Historical Society for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey thought it was time for something to go up. After a few years of researching and compiling, the display finally went up in the main lobby for all to see.

The exhibit has a large picture of Dr. King that cannot be missed as you walk through the entrance. The front panel has a detailed history of the building while the back panel shows the outline of Dr. King's visits to Newark along with pictures.

As St. Benedict's students roomed around before the ceremony on Jan. 22, they noticed all pictures of Dr. King, who visited Newark two times, the last of which came the week before his assassination. While here, Dr. King visited with advocacy groups, churches, as well as Malcolm X. Shabazz High School where he spoke to a group of very energetic students about the change that is needed in this country. It was extremely appropriate to have this display go up on such a historic week and our students definitely saw how our nation has progressed in the last 50 years.

Jim Waldron, St. Benedict's Class of '71, is the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court and thought it would be fitting to have the St. Benedict's Choir sing at the event and show support to the city of Newark.

The choir, under Fitzpatrick's guidance, did a wonderful rendition of "God Bless America" to start the ceremony off right. It sounded wonderful as it reverberated from the lobby floor-to-ceiling. Mayor Cory Booker was the keynote speaker, who spoke of change while mentioning what a historic week it has been for our nation - Monday, Jan. 19, was the celebration of Dr. King's birthday and Tuesday was the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama.

And St. Benedict's was right in the middle of the all the excitement. Nearly 40 students joined in the celebration right in Washington D.C. during President Obama's inauguration and two days later, the choir was at the exhibit's dedication at the Federal Building commemorating Dr. King in Newark.

The pomp and circumstance at the dedication ceremony culminated with the Choir singing "Lift Every Voice," - a rendition that gave "goose bumps" to all those listening.

--By Ed Thornton

Editor's Note: The author of this story, Ed Thornton, worked with the New Jersey Historic Society and the Martin Luther King Jr. exhibit prior to coming to St. Benedict's. Mr. Thornton, who, along with Jim Waldron '71, were both involved in the planning stages and the progression of the exhibit until its official unveiling on Jan. 22. Thornton spent numerous hours researching MLK and his visits in Newark, which included gaining access to The Star-Ledger archives where he was able to peruse copies of photographs taken of Dr. King in Newark.

"It was a great project and I am very happy that it is finally up for everyone to see and appreciate," said Thornton, now an archivist here at St. Benedict's, as well as an assistant track coach. "I think it was especially significant to go up last week. So many historic events in one week and I think all that we are the courthouse dedication will remember Mayor Booker's words of the change we have seen."

"WOW! LOOK AT ALL THESE AMERICANS"
Inauguration Day 2009

Shortly after getting off the Metro in downtown Washington, D.C., we began our walk down 17th St. to the Mall. As we were walking, some of us towards the back of the group overheard a woman (who by appearance and accent seemed to be American) utter those words, "Wow! Look at all these Americans." Some of us started to laugh. One student said quietly, "Duh, that's what we are." I must admit, the same thought was going through my mind. But after being at the Washington monument with so many people of so many diverse backgrounds, after thinking through what this day really means in the history of America, after thinking about the apathy that I tend to believe exists among Americans, suddenly her words had more impact and far more meaning. Truly there was a great feeling and a great energy among all of the people gathered on the Mall. It was amazing to see so many Americans coming together to celebrate.

This experience is what I needed, not only to feel that I have been a part of the history, but also to reaffirm the belief that we are making tremendous progress, that many people are interested in getting past the pain of the past, and are willing to focus on the future. This experience gave me several things to reflect on, not only for my own life, but also for my life with my students.

The first thing that stood out was on the Metro riding into D.C., was that other than our students, there were not many people of color in the car. I turned to Farad and asked if he agreed that most were headed to the Inauguration and he did. I then asked him what he noticed. He pointed out that there were almost no black people on train with us.

On any other day, this probably would not have been as significant, but the Inauguration of the first black President should certainly appeal to black people. It would even make sense for it to appeal to other people of color who could not only take some encouragement from this event but who also have an understanding of the struggles that some people in this country have had for years. But, that most of the people traveling to see the Inauguration, just like the majority of people who voted for Obama, were white sent a significant message to me that we are moving step-by-step closer to the day when we can celebrate differences, rather than having those differences cause walls to be built between groups.

The second thing, of course, is the next phase of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us, myself included, never believed that we would see a black President. Spending the time with the students from St. Andrew's helped to reaffirm my conviction that teenagers are far more accepting and including of everybody. There is no doubt in my mind that we are heading to better times, as long as the youth stick to their beliefs that everyone can and should be equal.

The third reflection comes from the video feed of Barack Obama walking through the halls of the Capitol building, approaching the door to the dais. As the other dignitaries were announced and marched onto the dais, they almost always did so with someone beside them - a wife, husband, children, etc. However, after Michelle Obama and the children were introduced and put in place long before Barack came out. Joe Biden and his wife were already on the dais. President Bush and Laura were in their seats too. And, while there were a few people who technically escorted him, Barack was shown walking well behind them and ultimately by himself. This to me was a very significant visual. As President of the United States, Barack Obama must rely on the work and advice of many people. He must find ways to work with all kinds of people in the various functions of government. But when all is said and done, he alone must make certain decisions. In the end, President Obama alone must be able to answer for what he did or didn't do.

Isn't this the case for all of us though? In my own life, I must make numerous decisions. Some only affect me; others either directly or indirectly affect others. I may be able to seek opinions and information to help in making decisions, but ultimately, I must stand alone and be able to defend my own decisions and actions. How often in life do I or we push off our actions or decisions on someone else? How often do we try to say, "He (or she) told me to do it that way?" As President Obama said today, "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly..."

John 12:12-13 reads: "The next day the great crowd that had come for the feast heard that Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, so they got palm branches and came out to meet him. They kept shouting: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel.'" But we know that Jesus then went on trial and ultimately was crucified. I've always wondered what happened to all of those people who were waving palm branches on the first day he was in Jerusalem? All of a sudden Jesus was left to himself to make the journey on his own. It is important that we as a country, especially all of the millions who traveled to see the ceremonies today, are prepared to stand behind President Obama throughout the tough times of his presidency. It's important that we remember that the decisions will not be easy and the sacrifices may be great, but if we really want to make the changes that we claim we want to see, we must be prepared to make the changes first in our own lives. Jesus was most popular on the first day of that last trip to Jerusalem. I hope that we don't make the best day of Obama's presidency his first day in office.

My sincere hope is that we will all heed the call that the President has given us. That is, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

Jan. 25, 2009

Turtgotokh Luvsandorj proved to the rest of New Jersey what followers of St. Benedict's knew all along - Gray Bees wrestlers are just as good as any the state has to offer.

Luvsandorj, a Prep All-American, made a point of that in Sunday's New Jersey Coaches All-Star Invitational when he went out and put forth a quality effort with a resounding, 5-2, verdict over Southern Regional's Brian Broderick.

Luvsandorj, who raised his record to 31-1 this season, was the first St. Benedict's wrestler to ever get a chance to compete in the invitation-only event.

"We should have had guys invited before this, but we're okay with that," said St. Benedict's coach Mike DiPiano, who had a large following in tow from Newark to take in the spectacle at the Shore. "Today, Turtotokh not only won for himself, but he showed the state what we're made of here at St. Benedict's and that we have a quality program."