2025 Annual Scholarship Gala

Six honorees set to receive three awards 

St. Benedict’s Prep community will honor six alumni and teammates at the 2025 Annual Scholarship Gala on May 14. In addition to the Medal of St. Benedict’s, the School will debut two awards: the Senpectae Award, recognizing alumni from the past 25 years who exemplify the values of the Benedict’s mission, and the 1868 Loyalty Award, honoring advocates and steadfast champions of St. Benedict’s Prep.

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. 

J.B. Hawkins, Esq. ’87 and Ayesha Blackwell-Hawkins, Esq. and Marco Oliveira ’98 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. 

“It’s important for us to recognize the many different ways that alumni and teammates contribute to The Hive and its students,” said Chief Advancement Officer Mike Fazio. “These two new awards allow us to tell the stories of individuals and organizations whose support serves as an inspiration to us all.” 

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. 

The 2025 Annual Scholarship Gala will be held at Nanina’s in the Park. Proceeds from the event sustain a robust financial assistance program that serves 85% of Middle and Prep Divisions annually. 

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For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement Mary Hauck H’17 at (973) 792-5776 or email graybee@sbp.org.