On behalf of the entire St. Benedict’s Prep community, thank you for the overwhelming support that made our Annual Scholarship Gala a night to remember. Together, we celebrated the spirit of community, leadership, and faith that have shaped generations of Gray Bees.
If you missed the event, or simply want to experience the inspiration again, watch our featured video, This is St. Benedict’s, and see how our students, alumni and friends are building a future rooted in courage, compassion, and community.
Meet This Year's Honorees
Senpectae Award: Val Philippe '02
Val Philippe ’02 is the inaugural recipient of the Senpectae Award. The Chief Operating Officer of Reverence Capital Partners, Mr. Philippe serves on the Board of Trustees and is a member of the Finance Committee. An active and committed Gray Bee, he set a powerful example to younger alumni through his service to the School and long record of giving which includes annual gifts, creating an endowed scholarship and including St. Benedict’s in his estate plans.
1868 Loyalty Award: Marco Oliveira '94 & J.B. Hawkins, Esq. '87 & Ayesha Blackwell-Hawkins, Esq.
J.B. Hawkins, Esq. ’87 and Ayesha Blackwell-Hawkins, Esq. and Marco Oliveira ’94 are the first recipients of the 1868 Loyalty Award. Their commitment to St. Benedict’s has impacted students and the community in demonstrable ways. Mr. Oliveira has been instrumental in strengthening the Gray Bee network through his support of events and by always showing up for Benedict’s. St. Benedict’s means a great deal to the Hawkins family. Ayesha’s mother, Regina L. Blackwell H’10, was a beloved figure at St. Benedict’s and served as school nurse for many years. The couple established a scholarship in her memory in 2016.
Medal of St. Benedict's: William V. Engel, Esq. H'87 & Joseph A. Hayden, Jr. Esq. '62
The School’s highest honor, the Medal of St. Benedict’s, will be awarded to William V. Engel, Esq. H’87 and Joseph A. Hayden, Jr. Esq. ’62. Mr. Engel, a partner at Engel Devlin Sgambati, LLC, is a leading philanthropist in New Jersey having served as a trustee for numerous non-profit organizations. For 40 consecutive years, Mr. Engel has generously supported The Hive. Moreover, his advocacy as a philanthropic leader has inspired steadfast support from four charitable foundations.
Mr. Hayden is a partner at Pashman, Stein, Walder, Hayden, New Jersey’s leading litigation firm. As a college student, he participated in the civil rights marches in Selma, Ala., in 1965, and wrote about it for this magazine. Widely recognized for his skill, integrity and success as a trial attorney, he is the 2014 recipient of the Justice William J. Brennan Award from the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. Mr. Hayden received the St. Benedict’s Prep Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015.