June 15, 2016
On Thursday, June 2, 2016 we celebrated our annual Caritas Awards Ceremony. Pictured above is honoree Dr. G. Scott Drew '79, recipient of the Holy Cross Award. For more photos from the event, see the Caritas article below.
In this issue...
  

Another school year has officially come to an end. As we reflect on this past academic year, we thank each and every one of you, our alumni, faculty, staff and community for your support. We couldn't fulfill our mission of providing a Holy Cross education to our students, the leaders of the future, without you. 

We have some great photos from our recent events, such as our Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony and Caritas Awards Ceremony. Check them out below! We also have announcements and news from alumni that you don't want to miss!

Thank you again to everyone for your support this year, and in the years to come!

We hope you enjoy this latest edition of the Mustang Minute!
Alumni Events & News
Do More 24

Thanks to everyone who showed their support for Bishop McNamara High School during Do More 24, we raised almost $2,000 in support of the School! 

Thank you to everyone who donated, keep an eye out for next year's Do More 24 activities and contests!
Caritas Awards 2016 - Thank you for Attending!

Our Caritas Awards Ceremony was a great success! We were so happy to see so many alumni, family and friends at the event in support of our honorees. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to our awardees who are stellar examples of what it means to put Holy Cross values into action.

Click here for more photos from the event.



Distinguished Alumni: Hon. DaNeeka Cotton LR '84


St. Andre Caritas Award: Mrs. Fatima Perez '07

Holy Cross Award: Dr. G. Scott Drew '79

Young Alumni Award: Mr. Darius Baxter '11

Distinguished Volunteer: Dr. Tom Donahue

Presidential Award: Mrs. Peggy Ball

Distinguished Staff Service: Mrs. Karen Vinci

Distinguished Faculty Service: Mr. Jim Monahan
Make your End-of-Year Donations!

Another academic year has come to an end, which means the end of the fiscal year is upon us as well. June 30 is officially the last day to make your donations to Bishop McNamara High School for fiscal year 2016-17.

Your donations support our School, faculty, staff and of course our students, the true benefactors of your generosity. If you would like to make your donations for a specific scholarship fund or endowment, you can make that specification when you use our Online Giving Form.
 
Thank you for your support!
Courtney Harris '10 Performed on America's Got Talent!

On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Courtney Harris '10 a.k.a. Bobbie Michelle performed with her group Good Girl on America's Got Talent. After their performance, Courtney and her group got four 'yes' votes and are proceeding to the next round!

Click here to watch their performance.

Congratulations Courtney to you and the rest of your group! We wish you the best of luck throughout the competition, and your Bishop McNamara will be cheering you on all the way!
 
District Heights to Build Veterans Memorial

The city of District Heights has recently reached out to Bishop McNamara High School. In honor of deceased military personnel from the District Heights area, plans to construct a memorial are underway.  

If you know of any alumni who have passed away and were members of our nation's military, please contact Bob Nolte, Director of Alumni Relations at robert.nolte@bmhs.org so that they may be included on the memorial.
Donate your Old Smartphones to Support BMHS Learning!

Image courtesy of Google
In an effort to spread the word about Bishop McNamara High School and the extraordinary education we provide, BMHS seeks to integrate Google's newest Virtual Reality viewer called Google Cardboard.

With Google Cardboard, you can explore  360 degree video on YouTube or  360 degree images and video in Google Streetview. Google Cardboard utilizes a cardboard viewer, which resembles goggles, which can be purchased from a variety of vendors or made by the more craft-y individuals among us.

Smartphones are the driving force behind Google Cardboard. If you have old smartphones that you are no longer using, you can donate them to Bishop McNamara and receive a tax deduction for your donation.

Google Cardboard will help with promoting the School to potential students and families by allowing them to view the campus even if they are nowhere near Forestville, Md. The smartphones and use of the virtual reality viewer will also help support Bishop McNamara in integrating 21st-century learning into our classrooms by allowing students to experience foreign places with their own eyes.

To make your donations, or if you have any questions, please  contact L'oreal Edmondson '98, Director of Institutional Advancement. Click here to learn more about Google Carboard.
BMHS and LRHS Class of 1981 Reunion

The Class of 1981 for Bishop McNamara and La Reine High Schools will be having their 35-Year Reunion Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at The Barking Dog in Bethesda, Md.

The Barking Dog
4723 Elm Street
Bethesda, MD 20814

The even will begin at 7 p.m. and end around 11 p.m. If you have any questions or need to update your contact information, please contact John Fanelli '81 at  john.fanelli@hughes.com
BMHS and LRHS Class of 1986 Reunion

The Class of 1986 for Bishop McNamara and La Reine High Schools will be having their 30-Year Reunion Saturday Aug. 6, 2016 at Blackwall Hitch restaurant in Annapolis, Md. 

Blackwall Hitch
400 Sixth Street
Annapolis, MD 21403

Lunch will begin at 12 p.m. To update your contact information, Bishop McNamara alumni please contact Mike Del Borrello '86 at mdelborrello@hotmail.com and La Reine alumni please contact Mary King Evers '86 at lareinehs1986reunion@gmail.com.

Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets will be available for purchase until April 30, 2016

Visit the La Reine & Bishop McNamara High School Class of '86 Facebook Page for updates, details and to reconnect with classmates!
BMHS Class of 2006 Reunion
Washington, D.C.

The Bishop McNamara High School Class of 2006 will be holding their 10-Year Reunion on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Penn Social in Washington, D.C.

Penn Social 
801 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004


The event will start at 7 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. Tickets will include food and can be purchased for  $35 per person and can be purchased by clicking here. Contact Ninia Agustin '06 or Richard Bean '06 to register or if you have any questions.
Calling all La Reine Class of 1976 Alumnae!

The La Reine Class of 1976 is planning its 40th reunion and would like to schedule it for this fall. Class of 1976, please contact the reunion committee as soon as possible for details and to help with planning to make your 40th reunion a success!
BMHS & LRHS  Reunion  Plans

 

Bishop McNamara is reaching out to the following Bishop McNamara and La Reine High School classes to help organize their upcoming reunions:

 

La Reine High School: '66

 

Bishop McNamara & La Reine High Schools: 

'71, '76, '81 and '91

 

Bishop McNamara High School: '96, and '01

 

If you or any of your classmates have questions, need help or are interested in forming a reunion committee, please contact Bob Nolte, Director of Alumni Relations, at 301.735.8401 ext. 111 or robert.nolte@bmhs.org

Calling All Social Media Gurus!

We have some wonderful student and alumni events, and we would love to spread our good word and get the crowds rolling in! 

How can you help boost awareness for our school and our incredible students? Become a Social Media Advocate for Bishop McNamara High School! 

How it works is very simple: When we make posts on our social media pages, we'll e-mail our advocates to make sure they're on the lookout for the posts to share on their own pages. That's all there is to it!

Interested in becoming an official Social Media Advocate? Let us know by e-mailing our Advancement Office with the e-mail address you want listed as a contact. Help support Bishop McNamara with the click of a button!
Program Coordinator Positions with Jesuit Volunteer Corps

Former BMHS Campus Minister Ms. Angie Moloney is seeking Bishop McNamara and La Reine Alumni to apply for the Program Coordinator positions with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. The organization has openings in Baltimore, Detroit, or Santa Clara, Calif.

Ideal candidates will have a passion for faith and service, are organized, good public speakers and enjoy travel! For more information please e-mail Ms. Moloney at amoloney@jesuitvolunteers.org or check out their website.  
Alumni Weddings
Melissa Velasquez '07
Oxon Hill, Md.
 

Congratulations to Melissa Velasquez '07 on her marriage to Matthew Schwartz! Melissa and Matthew married on June 4, 2016 at St. Columba Church in Oxon Hill, Md. Several Bishop McNamara alumni were in attendance.

We wish the best for both of you, Melissa and Matthew! Our thoughts and prayers are with you always!
Monica Daley '97


Congratulations to Monica Daley '97 on her recent marriage to Kevin Phillips!  Welcome to the Mustang family, Kevin! We wish you both the best as you begin this new chapter of your lives together!
Alumni Careers
Kellie Primrose '11

After graduating from Towson University, Kellie Primrose '11 has gone beyond United States borders. Kellie is currently teaching in two elementary schools in Japan through The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) for U.S. citizens.

The JET Program has a very competitive application process involving several thousand applications each year. Only a portion of those applicants are invited to interview for the program. While the program allows Kellie to teach, it also allows her the opportunity to learn more about Japan and the culture of its people. 

Congratulations Kellie! We hope you are safe in Japan and that you have fun during your involvement with the JET Program.
Sr. Chris Treichel LR '64
Auburn, N.Y.

Chris Treichel LR '64 (pictured right)
Image courtesy of auburnpub.com
Recently, Sr. Chris Treichel LR '64 announced her retirement as a Franciscan Sister after serving the Church for 50 years.

Chris joined the sisters in 1965 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in education from St. Bonaventure University. 

Click here for an article by The Citizen detailing Chris' life and experiences as a Franciscan Sister.

"God hasn't let me down," Chris said. "In 50 years, I've had wonderful opportunities in ministry."

You're an example to us all, Chris! Congratulations on celebrating 50 years in faith and service.
Alumni Spotted on Campus

Isaiah Chambers '14 and Khristian LaRoche '14

Breana Ross '15

From left to right:
Front: Amina Dunn '14, Karimah Simon '13, Moreau Fellow Allison Bahneman '11
Back: Noah Konohia '15, Moreau Fellow Darius Brown '11, Alexis Kelly '13
Alumni: On Campus?
Stop by for a visit!

For more pictures, go to
Alumni Education
Stephanie Doleman '09

On April 30, 2016 Stephanie Doleman '09 graduated from Florida A&M University with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. Congratulations Stephanie! We know you will put your degree and talents to good use for those in need and in your community! We are very proud of you and your accomplishments thus far.
Zuri Foreman '09
New York, N.Y.

Zuri Foreman '09 is lighting up the stage in New York City! This February, Zuri completed an 18-month intensive program and graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with a Conservatory Performing Arts Certificate.  Zuri is now dancing in three Broadway caliber shows: Roll Out the Barrel, Celtic Fyre, and London Rocks at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.  

Congratulations Zuri! We're so proud that you're pursuing your passion and doing so well - we hope your fellow Mustangs are able to come out to Busch Gardens this summer and see your performances! 
Michael Piazza '12
Adelphi, Md.

Congratulations to Michael Piazza '12 on being named to the University of Maryland University College Dean's List for the fourth semester straight! Currently Michael is majoring in information technology with a minor in cyber security.

Keep up the great work Michael! We know you will continue to do well with all your hard work and dedication!
Graduating from College, Graduate School? 
We want to know! 

If you are an alumni from our school and are graduating from college, graduate school, law school, or any other sort of promotional institute, we want to know! 

Email us at advancement@bmhs.org and we'll include you in our next Mustang Minute.
Around Campus
Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony

Congratulations to the 2016 graduating class of Bishop McNamara High School! We celebrated our 50th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 27 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 

Click here for photos from the event.

We can't wait to see what our newest alumni plan to do with this next chapter of their lives! Congratulations to you all! Once a Mustang, always a Mustang.
 
Raina Cooper '17 Named Athlete of the Week
Raina Cooper '17 during her
CTV interview
 

On June 2, our own Raina Cooper '17 was named CTV's Athlete of the Week! Raina is an honor student who plays center field for the Lady Mustangs Varsity Softball.

Click here for the video announcement from CTV.

Congratulations Raina! Keep up that Mustang Spirit! 

Moreau Fellowship Program 2016-17

Attention BMHS Class of 2012: Applications are now open for the Moreau Fellowship for the 2016-17 school year! If you are or know of anyone who would make skilled volunteers for our community for next school year, please click here to apply!

This is a ten-month position (August-June) for a young Bishop McNamara graduate who is dedicated to service and community life, upon their graduation from college with a bachelor's degree. The Moreau Fellow will work as a full-time employee. Possible responsibilities include: Serving as a substitute teacher, coach, club moderator and/or chaperone for certain overnight events, proctoring, etc.  

We encourage you to share the spirit of faith and service that you experienced here at Bishop McNamara with our current students!
Join us for our Summer Camps!


Bishop McNamara High School will be hosting our annual Summer Camp Program from June 13 to Aug. 5, 2016. Camp offerings have been broken down into four categories:

Academics

Athletics

Fine Arts

Leadership

These enriching opportunities are a great way for your child to spend their summer - they'll engage in fun and educational activities. Click here for more details on our Summer Camp Program!
 
BMHS Employment Opportunities

Bishop McNamara High School currently has the following job openings: 
Holy Cross - What does it Mean?



"We are Bishop McNamara. We are Holy Cross"

Students repeat these words every day. They are a part of the Bishop McNamara mission and creed. We know what it means to be a part of Bishop McNamara - but do we know what it means to be Holy Cross? Why do we ask Saint Andre Bessette and Blessed Father Basil Moreau to pray for us? 

Brothers of the Holy Cross, as well as faculty, staff and students from Holy Cross Schools explain just what it means to be Holy Cross in this video.
Calling All Project PRIDE Graduates!

We want to reconnect with you! In celebration of Project PRIDE's 15 years of success, we would love to hear what you've been doing since graduation, and update you on updates to the program. Additionally, we would like to get graduates of the Project PRIDE program to get involved with our currently-enrolled students. 

We'd love for our current students to see how the program impacted you and your education at Bishop McNamara. 

For more information, please contact LaSandra M. Hayes, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students and Project PRIDE Program Director at LaSandra.Hayes@bmhs.org or by phone at 301-735-8401 ext. 119.
You Shop Amazon - Amazon Gives to BMHS
  • Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to BMHS.
  • AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
  • Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support BMHS every time you shop, at no additional cost to you. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price total to BMHS.
In Memory of...
religion_church.jpg

Robert Bohrer, a former teacher for Bishop McNamara and La Reine High Schools, passed away Dec. 24, 2015. Click here for his obituary. 

Wayne Dellibove '67 passed away Nov. 29, 2015. His obituary can be found here

Catherine Nerpiol Farley LR '72, sister of  Cynthia Nerpiol Toomey LR '71,  passed away  May 29, 2016  in Crown Point, Ind. Click here to sign the electronic guestbook, her obituary can be found here.
 
Cecil Rucker Sr., father of  Roxane Rucker LR '77 passed away June 8, 2016. Click here for his obituary. Services will be held this  Friday, June 17 , at Turner Memorial AME Church in Hyattsville, Md. Visitation will start at 10 a.m.  and funeral services will start at 11 a.m.  Turner Memorial is located at 7201 - 16th Place, Hyattsville, MD 20783. Roxane or C.J. can be contacted for any questions or details.

Blanche Williams, mother of Michelle Williams Weaver LR '72 and Christopher D. Williams '78 and mother-in-law of John Weaver '71 passed away on April 24, 2016. Click here for her obituary.

Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
The Memorial Garden 

Our Memorial Garden, named in honor of student Terrell Edelen '14, is complete and will give our community the opportunity to honor other deceased loved ones, family, friends and/or teachers. For more information on how to purchase bricks or benches in the Memorial Garden, please contact L'oreal Edmondson '98 at Loreal.Edmondson@bmhs.org. Take time to come by for a visit to reminisce, or even just for quiet reflection.
C ontact Holy Cross Brothers/Bernardine Sisters
Bernardine Sisters on Facebook


Bishop McNamara and La Reine alumni are invited to like the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Facebook Page.

Get the latest news on the Sisters from La Reine and see what incredible pictures and events they have posted.
 
The retired Brothers of the Holy Cross and Bernardine Sisters would love to hear from you. To contact them, use the information listed below. Thanks!

For the Brothers:
St. Joseph's Center
495 Maple Lane
Valatie, New York 12184
For the Sisters:
Sacred Heart Convent
460 St. Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania 19607-1737
BMHS Bookstore
We have Bishop McNamara and La Reine Alumni Items!

You can order these items and more at this link - Mustang Shop or at 301-735-8401 ext. 114. Tell them you saw it in the Mustang Minute. Like us on Facebook and get discounts on selected products.
Ways to Stay Connected
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow me on Twitter
View our videos on YouTube Visit our blog Follow me on Twitter
View our profile on LinkedIn

Seal BMHS Full Color
Website

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.  Also, follow BMHS' own  President/CEO Dr. Marco Clark '85 and Athletic Director Anthony Johnson '88, both on Twitter (see links above).


Contact us for more information,
 to visit, or just 
to keep us informed.  

Click on the image at right to update your information.
 
Advancement Office Team