Keeping you up to date on all things Hudson Catholic, past and present

‘A Shining School on a Hill’!

A Personal Note from the Chief Advancement Officer

I have 530 kids.

Which is why I do this work I do in Advancement. I do not see them everyday. I do not teach them. Nor mentor them. But I see their promise, I revel in their achievements, and I know their aspirations, just as I knew mine a half century ago. They are why I do my job, and come to it everyday with a zest and a zeal to try and give them the very best high school experience and life changing education, the same as I can say that I had, that we had.

As we end our 59th year of operation, we pause to take stock in where we are as a school and school community, taking the oft-given advice given among individuals, to “stop and smell the roses.”

Hudson Catholic is a school where kids come each day, looking forward to being here and in no rush to go home at the end of the day. They are with friends, caring teachers, strong and resolved administrators, all enjoined in delivering a Lasallian education, gifted to us by our beloved Christian Brothers de La Salle, that addresses the whole person and stresses the importance of service to others.

We are a school that consistently delivers better than expected outcomes given the socio-economic and academic backgrounds from which many of our students originate.

With aid from our Alumni Association, we are a school that conquered the pandemic, never closing or losing time to widespread illness or misguided policy decisions. Our last three graduating classes took a direct hit from the restrictions and limitations placed upon society for two years, starting in March 2020. They toughed through it and came out the other end just as strongly as other classes before them.

Fifty one of them to date have taken and received credit for college level courses delivered at Hudson Catholic and St. Peter’s University, not for a year, but for three years, and earned an Associates Degree at SPU Commencement two weeks before conferral of their Hudson Catholic diplomas! In the process, they collectively saved their families college tuition valued at over $5.5million!

Not to be outdone, NJCU completed its first year offering of the Media Arts Certificate Program for 17 more Hawks. Our STEM program grows with the building of pathways to Stevens Institute of Technology through their ACES Program. And, our Medical Arts Program graduated its first group of Hawks who worked their way through this three-year tract, on their way to medical and health-related studies and career paths at colleges and universities near and far.

Hawks are attending their colleges of choice all across the nation, many with valuable scholarships and grants, if not full rides.

Our athletic program remains the envy of many, with football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and softball regularly delivering winning records and adding titles to the Gym walls.

Our Theatre Group is back in full swing and growing, delivering its spring production of Chicago (the teen version) on the newly-minted Jack Campion Stage at Hudson Catholic.

Life at Hudson Catholic is good. Very good. It is vibrant. It shines! It is building incredible stories in the lives of our students. And it has terrific supporters in its alumni and friends, whose gifts and donations enable so many of these incredible outcomes.

For OUR 530 kids.

Why I Choose to Support Hudson Catholic

by Guest Columnist Jack Cullen ‘76

In 1976, Paul Anka had a major hit called "The Times of My Life". While I was never a big Paul Anka fan, the song and its title always reminded me of my days at Hudson Catholic. As a graduate of the Class of '76, I fondly look back at those four years as the best Times of My Life. Flash forward and it has been 51 years since I first walked into the halls of the orange brick building on 790 Bergen Avenue. That building may not look like much on the outside, but inside those walls, a lifetime of incredible memories were created. And along the way, lifelong friendships evolved.

As I reflect back on the years that passed since graduating from Hudson Catholic, I realized that I needed to 'Pay it Forward' and help create those same, wonderful experiences for future Hawks. Like many of us, I don't get into Jersey City very much but I try to visit our school once or twice a year. While much has changed, a lot has remained the same. There is something about the spirit that resonates with students who have chosen to attend Hudson. 

I have been incredibly impressed with what the Administration has been able to accomplish despite the limited financial resources that we have for running the school. When you speak with our President and Principal, Terry Matthews (a man who has poured his heart and soul into our school), you will learn just how important our donations (of any amount) are to Hudson Catholic. Terry, Gary Ferrari, and their team make it extremely easy to donate to the cause you have an interest in supporting. Whether that is the Athletic Program, our Fine Arts Department, tuition aid to a student in need, the John P. Higgins Scholarship, or to the much-needed facilities improvements, you have total say in where your donation goes. 

I wish I could go back to those good old times of 1972-76. They truly were the best years of my life. But since that's probably not going to happen, I will continue to do the next best thing -- reflect on my memories and do everything possible to help create these experiences for future Hawks.

Congratulations, Hawks!

Year-End Challenge

Ushers the Annual Fund over the Goal Line

For Hawk Pride and Generosity

Oklahoma approves first publicly funded Catholic school in U.S.

Reuters was the first to report that an Oklahoma school board on Monday approved the Catholic Church's application to create the first taxpayer-funded religious charter school in the U.S. Oklahoma's Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved the plan to create the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in a 3-2 vote. Board members have emphasized repeatedly that they were not voting on the constitutionality of such a school, but only whether the application met the board's standards.

Roman Catholic organizers proposed creating St. Isidore to offer an online education for kindergarten through high school initially for 500 students and eventually 1,500. The idea came from the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and the law school at the University of Notre Dame helped with the application. The school would cost Oklahoma taxpayers up to $25.7 million over its first five years of operation, its organizers said.

Opponents of the school have vowed a legal challenge, which promises to be a long court battle testing the U.S. Constitution's concept of separation of church and state. Any legal fight could test the scope of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment "establishment clause," which restricts government officials from endorsing any particular religion, or promoting religion over non-religion. Church officials have said they hope the case will reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where a 6-3 conservative majority has taken an expansive view of religious rights, including in two rulings since 2020 concerning schools in Maine and Montana.

Hudson Catholic Welcomes

Dan Hicks

President-Principal Terry Matthews has announced the hiring of Dan Hicks as Hudson Catholic's Head Football Coach after Lou Zampella '93 stepped down following 11 years at the helm.  Said Matthews, “I have known Lou since he was 13 years old, having taught him and coached him, so it’s bittersweet that he will be moving on to new challenges, and I cannot thank him enough for his efforts here at Hudson Catholic.  However, the program is in able hands as we are thrilled to get a man of Coach Hicks’ character and coaching pedigree, and I look forward to having him as part of the Hudson Catholic family.”

Hicks comes to Jersey City with prior varsity high school coaching experience as well as collegiate coaching experience. At Harrison High, he took a 1-7 squad in 2017 and produced a 5-5 record in 2018. Since then, he has worked at the collegiate level, as a Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at American International College, a Defensive Analyst at Duke University, and most recently at University of Massachusetts.

In Hicks' first statement about his hiring, he thanked President Matthews, Athletic Director Nick Mariniello, and the rest of the Hudson Catholic community for trusting him to lead the Hudson Catholic Football Program. "It is a great honor. My goal will not only be to continue the winning tradition on the football field, but also to create a program that fosters Hudson Catholic's vision to build teamwork, character and sportsmanship, enabling the students to identify and achieve their goals at Hudson Catholic and beyond. Go Hawks!"

Coach Hicks was introduced to the team and parents last week at Hudson Catholic and is currently finalizing his staff and summer schedule. Coach Hicks will also teach Religion at Hudson. We welcome Coach Hicks to Hudson Catholic and extend our support and well wishes for success with our program.

A Message From the Prez

In the last edition of BTL, I mentioned the outstanding job that our Guidance Department did in expanding the geographic footprint of our seniors’ college choices. In today’s edition, I wanted to let you know where they are heading and to remind you that none of these life-changing events are possible without YOU!  Our 2023 graduates will be attending some 49 colleges/universities spread out over fifteen different states - Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia!

EVENT SCHEDULE

July 22nd

At our Usual Place

Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Club - 16th Ave, Belmar

3-6pm / buffet and open bar / $85

Open to all Hawks and friends

Register at hudsoncatholic.org/HATS

What will this year's swag be?

September 28

October 14th

Class of '73 -- 50 Year Reunion

at The Hawks Nest,

Where all of our triumphs and misdeeds occurred

Get there by #16 Public Service or Bergen Ave Bus,

but GET THERE!

Registration details to follow

November 11

In St. Petersburg, Florida

Contact: Emil 'Rocco' Filerino at filerino@gmail.com or Darren Scarpa '79 at djs713@duck.com

It's Bobby Bonilla Day!

No not our Bobby, from Class of '80. The other Bobby Bonilla who, every July 1st, through 2035, receives $1.19M as part of a contract he signed with the New York Mets in 2011.

Hey, Bobby, how about a nice charitable gift to Hudson Catholic? We’ll even name our baseball field after you!

Alumni Spotlight

To the oft-asked question, "How do I get in Alumni Spotlight?", the direct, Jersey City response is: 'you send me your stuff'. To: gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org

This! 2013 apparently was a very good year. This is the class that enrolled four-year co-eds for the first time in school history. It turns out that Vince Ratto of that class took note. He and his classmate, Cynthia Soto were married in Puerto Rico on March 24, 2023!

And it gets better as a Hawk Family story. Accompanying Vince as groomsmen were fellow Hawks Angelo Ratto ‘10, Correy Mezzina ’11, Raymond Gonzalez ‘08, and Nelson Gonzalez ‘19. Correy’s wife, Jillian, and Raymond’s wife, Helene, were bridesmaids. Cynthia and Vince are keeping the Hawk family strong! (Fast forward 14 years: this will be some Legacy Hawk Family!)

As we prepare to celebrate our nation's independence,

we bring you some of our Hawks who serve(d) to protect it.

Luis Fernandez '92, shown here in his USMC official portrait, served our country in the Marine Corps from 1992 to 1996. He settled in the area of Fort Bragg, where he served, and now resides in Jacksonville, NC With sons Louie, 20, and Daniel, 17. After military service, Luis tried his hand at loss prevention in retail, armored car security, armed guard, and retail management. Ultimately, owing to his like for engaging people, gift of gab, New Jersey upbringing, training in the Marines, and his experience as a leader, team builder, and mentor, he settled on his career in human resources, and is now a Director at a local business. He went back to school at 42 and obtained his undergrad degree in business administration and has returned to school once more, with three classes to go to earn his Masters degree. Luis says he owes a lot to the friends he made at Hudson, and the amazing teachers who never gave up on him when he had all but given up on himself. 

High Seas Tech. Matthew Hawk ’93 (we kid you not!) is a Machinery Technician with the United States Coast Guard. [Photo unavailable at press time - we think he was out at sea!]

He Wants You! Joe O’Donnell ’80 USA (ret.) was Assistant Director of Recruiting, Marketing, and Incentives for the United States Army for the US Army Cadet Command when he retired in 2020. Joe attended the University of Scranton where he earned an Army ROTC scholarship that paid his tuition and earned him a commission as a Second Lieutenant in Armor upon his college graduation. His service for 21 years included commanding a Tank Company in Desert Shield/Storm, teaching ROTC at his alma mater, and training Reservists all over the Southeast United States. The Army provided many opportunities to travel to places like Korea, Panama, France, and Kuwait. But what he is most grateful for is the opportunity to have led some of America’s finest young men and women, and to have been mentored by some of America’s finest leaders, and that his three sons have also chosen to serve our nation. Son Joe is serving as a Major at Fort Polk Louisiana. Son Luke served seven years as a Cavalry Scout and Cyber Non-Commissioned Officer. And son Conan is an ROTC Cadet at the University of Scranton who will graduate and receive a commission in 2025. 

Hawk Alumni/Alumnae Legacies

With the recent graduation of our Class of '23, we have two Hawk Legacies entering the ranks of alumni, both daughters! They are Maya Thybulle, daughter of Louis Thybulle '86 and sister of Miles '21, and Elizabeth Soliman, daughter of Tom Soliman '94.

A Look Back at

the Historic 2015 Penn Relays

April 23, 2015. The Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia saw for the first time in school history a girls' relay team compete for Hudson Catholic. In the 4x100 meter relay, the team of Janoa Watson '16, Tatianna Bleasdell '16, Nautica Smith '17 and Kaylarose Scott '16 ran 55.13. In the 4x400 meter relay, Janoa (65.70), Tatiana (64.27), Violeta Sanders '18 (70.93) and Crystal Ortiz (65.80) ran 4:26.41.

April 25, 2015. On a cold and windy morning, the Penn Relays delivered Hudson Catholic track history, a 1st place finish in the 4x400 meter relay, that earned the Penn Relays Plaque. The team of Raevon Floyd-Bennett '15 (52.70), Terrell Bush '16 (53.93), Courtney Johnson '17 (52.87) and Evander Pierre '15 (48.55) ran 3:28.05.

From the LaSalle Archives:

An Unofficial History of the

Brothers of the Christian Schools

at Hudson Catholic

When the founding Christian Brothers arrived in Jersey City in August of 1964, they did so by way of Orange, where the FSC had been in residence at St. John’s Parish School since 1894, leaving there in 1964 to open up Hudson Catholic. 

From Brother Felix Francis McCormick, who led the inaugural FSC presence into Jersey City in the first Christian Brothers community of six at St. Patrick’s Parish on Bramhall Street, to Brother James Dries, who is on record as being the last ‘new’ FSC to join the Hudson Catholic community at 790 Bergen Ave in September 2007 as what would be our last FSC head of school, a total of 104 Christian Brothers have taught at or administered Hudson Catholic High School, or lived within the Brothers Community as a Director or sub-Director for the Community in residence. All told, the FSC provided 572 years of service to the students and families of Hudson Catholic.

From that initial group of six - Francis McCormick, Albert Lautenslauger, Lloyd Hepburn, Robert Annas, Norbert Dunn, and Bernard Gresh, the community grew quickly, along with enrollment at Hudson Catholic, into a community of 18 in 1967-68, the highest total ever reached. From there, it held steady, through 1991-92, ranging between 13 and 17, before slipping below 10 in 1993-94. From there, it vacillated between 9 and 11 through 2000-01. The next year, Christian Brothers roster made a ‘comeback’ of sorts, rising to 13, holding steady for three years, before beginning a slow, steady decline to 11 in 2004-05, nine in 2005-06, seven in 2008-09, and then six in 2009-10, where it stabilized for three years, until it was no longer viable to maintain a functioning Brothers community in residence in Jersey City.

Those six in 2009-10 were the same Brothers -- Luke Maher and Patrick King from among the storied and Hall of Fame Founding Christian Brothers group of the first four years at Hudson Catholic; Hall Famer Ray Murphy, Larry Shine, Tom Dunn, and Peter Costello -- who held steady in residence those last three years, following Brother Paul Joslin’s departure from the community in June 2009 after 18 years served in the community.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE. Brother Albert Lautenslager of the ‘original six’ holds the distinction of being the longest serving Brother from the inception of the school, at 13 years, from 1964 through 1977. Brother Patrick King is distinguished as the Brother with the highest total of years served, 36, at Hudson Catholic, compiled over three separate assignments into Jersey City. Brother John Condon holds the distinction of serving the longest uninterrupted period at Hudson Catholic, 29 years, from 1967 through 1996. Brother Patrick Cassidy experienced the longest lapsed period between his 1987 departure from, and subsequent 2001 return to, Hudson Catholic - 14 years between assignments.

BY THE NUMBERS. The top ten Christian Brothers in terms of total years served are Ray Murphy (35), Patrick King (33), John Condon (29), Luke Maher (22), Greg O’Donnell (19), Paul Joslin (18), Antonio Gonzalez (17), Larry Shine (16), Tim Ahern (15), and ‘Brother Al’ (13). While the average length of service for all FSC who served in the school’s history is 5.42 years, these top ten devoted Brothers collectively served 38% of all the years of FSC service to our school. Just 15 FSC served ten or greater years in Jersey City, while 38 reached 5 to 9 years or higher.

EVOLVING TIMES. Perhaps the first sign of things to come was the appointment, in 1989, of the first layperson to school leadership, this being the late, revered Mr. James Quirke, who served in the post of Assistant Principal for Student Affairs.

Of course, as the FSC numbers declined over time, it became necessary to place the administration of the school into Lay hands, the first being Dr. Paul Ward as President-Principal in 2005-06. It is important to note that the presence of FSC teaching and administrating in large numbers over the years served to optimize the cost of operations over the years, but each time our FSC contingent declined from one year to the next, the cost of instruction or administration would rise with the addition of lay faculty and administrators to compensate for their loss. In the later years of FSC residence, their dwindling numbers were accompanied by dramatically rising costs for salaries, benefits and pensions.

Looking at this evolution through another lens, we can see how the organization of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, or the French ‘Institut des Freres des Ecoles chretiennes’, reflected the declining numbers in the ranks of the order. When the FSC arrived at Hudson Catholic, it was as members of the District of Baltimore, founded at Calvert Hall in downtown Baltimore in 1878, before moving to Ammandale, MD, where the Provincialate remained through 1965. That year, the FSC relocated to a little town near Frederick called Adamstown, MD, where the new HQ was in an old brick house right next to their “new” retreat house.

Which is how it stayed until September 9, 2009, when the organization expanded by contraction, merging the districts of Baltimore, Long Island-New England, and New York, and adding the Delegation (small district) of Toronto to become the District of Eastern North America (DENA), with HQ moving to ‘centrally located’ Eatontown, NJ, where the Novitiate remains today, just a rock’s throw from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. CBA, it should be noted, originated as a New York District FSC school, hence, we see no history of shared Brothers between CBA and Hudson Catholic until the construction of DENA among multiple Districts. Today, Hawk Hall of Famer Brother Tim Ahern proudly serves in his 11th year at CBA.

Editor’s Note: With special thanks and acknowledgement to Brother Joseph Grabanstein, FSC, a friend to all Lasallian schools and Honorary Hawk who, on the campus of La Salle University in Philadelphia, serves as the Archivist for the Legacy Baltimore District and as Co-Archivist for the District of Eastern North America for the De La Salle Christian Brothers. As an added note, we might expect to hear from Brother Joe in next issue’s Korrections Korner, as he is a meticulous fact-checker and will undoubtedly spot any misstated facts in this article.

If you’ve got a favorite Christian Brother and a favorite story about him that you would like to share with BTL readership, send it along to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org and we’ll do our best to reprint it.

What's in a Name (2.0)?

Another trip through the Hawk Database unearthed some equally distinctive names among our alumni

As you might expect at a school named Hudson Catholic, we have three Lords and 7 Christians, by name. Is that symbolic? Or Cimbalak, as in William ‘97?

Can William Texas ’82 tell us if everything is really bigger in that state?

John O’Neill ’80 was a student when then Brother Emmitt O’Neill took up the corner office as Principal. After departing from Hudson, Brother Emmitt left the FSC and assumed his civilian name of, you guessed it, John O’Neill. 

We have one half of the classic children’s breakfast cereal that once was ubiquitous among Saturday morning cartoon viewing -- Joseph Quispe ’96 & Carlos Quispe ’98. No Quakes, though.

Hawks are well represented in the sports world. Was that our Brian Boswell (Boz) ’95 who was an All American linebacker at Oklahoma and starred for ‘Da Bears’?! Won a lot of games until he ran into Champion Smith ’13. We hear they both enjoy playing the Madden NFL video game, originated, no doubt by John Madden ’82. We are also well repped in the baseball world, by playing greats and broadcasters Alex Rodriguez ’90 and Keith Hernandez ’06. And, of course, there is Bobby Bonilla ’80 who gets the biggest shout out elsewhere in this issue.

And what other school could basketball player Allen Hudson ‘94 have suited up for, but our very own (James) Hawkes ‘80?

In the literary world, if playwrights are your thing, we have Eugene O’Neill, either the ’83 or ’84 version. And not to be forgotten is the master of the macabre, Edgar Allen Rey ‘95

In the entertainment world, we have some serious acting going on, by the younger Jon Vogt ’91, the mature John Vogt ’70, and Dennis Weaver ’79! Of course, Christopher Soprano '93 needs no introduction. For comic relief, was that Samantha Stevens ’14 starring in the re-boot of Bewitched? We hear that during their days at Hudson, Eddie Murphy '82 was a standup guy, Joe Walsh ’87 was rock star, Joe-el Pamintuan ’02 was a Superman, and Brianna Karioki ’22 spent all her time singing to strangers. And let's not forget Orlando Garcia '06, the 'OG', of course.

Historically speaking, Einstein Albert ’08 just had to have the added pressure to be class valedictorian! Robert (J.) Lee ’76 was not at Gettysburg. Scott Carpenter ’80 was born too late to be one of the original seven Mercury astronauts. It could not be verified by press time that John Kenny ’02 had his middle name legally changed to drop the initial V. so as to avoid reference to his days running the Jersey City political machine.

Around Hudson, can Robert Newby ’05 ever gain veteran status? The Repetitive Alumnus Award goes to Gil Gil ’01. And it is not too difficult to surmise who Ray Murphy ’78 ‘s favorite faculty member was during his days at Bergen and Mercer.

What’s in a name, you ask? Was Marshall O’Keefe ‘85 aptly named for a career in the service of the JC Fire Department, where he earned the rank of Captain? After graduating, did Chelsea Diggs ’21 move to the west side of Manhattan?

Lastly, with the Presidential election cycle about to hit high gear, we’d like to know if DeSantis - Joe ‘94 or Mauro ’05, will throw a hat in the ring for ’24?

Faculty Focus

The Hawks Nest is losing a good one. Religion teacher Ms. Paulina Biason, who has been a constant nurturing presence in the lives of our students, is leaving Hudson Catholic after a 17-year tenure. As her Religion colleague, Mr. James Falconer, stated: “Some of us come here for a year or two, then move on. Some stay for decades! Whatever the time-frame, once a Hawk always a Hawk. After 17 years of love and service Paulina Biason is flying from the Hawk’s Nest to pastures new.” We wish Paulina the very best of what life may offer her in her post-Hawk career and life. The doors remain open to her at any time of her choosing.

Hawk Get-Togethers

Gathered at the recent Hall of Fame Gala: John Mulkeen '89, Brother Tim Ahern HOF '16, President-Principal Terry Matthews, Curt Zegler '89 / HOF '21, Brother Kevin Stanton HOF '23, Carlos Laborde ’89, Ralph Racine '89, and Marco Poisler '88 

Hawk Football Stalwarts through the years reunite to tell tall tales at Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant in June. Left to right Kenny Peck ‘85, Jimmy Greene ‘85, George Gaspar ‘84, Michael Gordon ‘84, George Bailey ‘80, former Coach Orlando Cortes, Len Anglin ’68, Bill Waddleton ‘86, Joe Sabia ‘86, Frank Manzo ‘86, Larry Basinski ‘70. We also hear that Lou Zampella ’93 (below, right) and former Board member Eileen Higgins (below, left) were out in force as well.

Graduate of Stevens?

Let Us Know

Our alumni records are outdated and incomplete in some areas, for example, for the colleges and universities from which you graduated. We’d like to know that, so feel free to go to hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to make updates, or just to be doubly sure.

In particular, we’d like to get a good tally of how many of our Hawks have degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology through the years. For that, you may go to ‘stay-connected’, or simply drop a note to gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org

Readers Respond

(with Jim Hague Testimonials)

Ed Roselle '80 wrote to say: "In 1978, HC wrestled Prep. At heavyweight, I was the wrestler for the Hawks. The Prep wrestler was a mountain of a man, his name, Jim Hague. After a tough first period, I pinned him, helping the Hawks to the [match] win. Jim was gracious in losing and, believe it or not, that match started a lifelong friendship in which we would both reference that match and call for a rematch, which never happened, but our friendship endured. During our relationship, I got to realize one thing, that the only things bigger than Jim himself was his heart, his love for athletics, and his love for the only love of his life, his wife [Mary]. Someday after I leave this earth, you might hear a loud roar of thunder - that's just me and Jim getting [on with] our rematch! God bless Big Jim, may you rest in peace. No more pain, no more struggles."

Chris Reed '79 said: "Friend for 55 years, from grammar school through college through professional careers.....I remember broadcasting the '73 World Series at his home with wooden spoons for microphones, and working the Jersey City Indians games at Roosevelt Stadium in our high school years."

Former President-Principal and HC Hall of Famer Richard Garibell offered this: "Jim always treated our athletes with great respect. A legend who will be missed."

President-Principal Terry Matthews: "I've known Jimmy since we were in high school when he was 2 years ahead of me. We became great friends over the years, in large part to our life-long devotion to our hapless NY Mets. Jim, myself and two of our friends would text in a group chat throughout each Mets game to share our misery. Every one of our phone calls ended with him saying 'Love ya, T.' and me saying, 'Love ya, James.' I'll miss him."

______________________________________________________________

Mr. Frank McGady, who should know, wrote to tell us that we erred in identifying one of his students, Destiny Arroyo, in our last issue as a Sophomore, who was pictured with her HCSP Sponsors, Mike Pecklers '71 and Anjelica Santamauro. Destiny, at the time, was, in fact, a Junior. And at this time, that makes her a Rising Senior!

Turn Your Brothers and Sisters In!

(We Need Their Email Addresses)

We lose touch with some of our graduates who move around, go off to college, start careers, get married, etc. Help us find them again and make it harder for us to lose touch. Many on this list have siblings who are Hawk alumni, so turn them in at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org or send them to hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to update their contact info.

We Remember

So that we may continue to acknowledge the passings of alumni and immediate family members, and include families in invitations to our annual Alumni Mass of Remembrance traditionally held on the weekend following All Souls Day, please remember to pass along obituary notices to the school at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org and to the Alumni Association at info@hawkalumni.org

FYI

Note:

If any link in this issue is not clickable,

please copy and paste the 'link' into your browser's address window

advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to:

Advertise your business card here for $25 per issue

Plan a visit back to the Hawks Nest

Obtain or donate a yearbook through The Yearbook Exchange

Convey an obituary notice

Purchase Hawk gear online at:

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/newjersey/jerseycity/hudson-catholic-high-school

For Hawk Chatter on Social Media:

Facebook: Hudson Catholic Regional High School Friends, a private group with 1,300 members and climbing.

Linkedin: Hudson Catholic Regional High School page

Maxims to Live By

“The energy you give into the world will come back to you.

Time is fleeting, so make it count.

Hug the ones close to you.

Pray for the ones that once were.”

Requiescant in Pace

Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur

(Life is changed, not ended)



Chester 'Chet' Zegler, father of Curt '89 and Staci, former Administrative Volunteer

Welcome our newest Alumni Sponsor, Ajay Hathiwala '09

Michael Skea '74

Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor at the Jersey Shore