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

Renewal and Rebirth

for

Alumni Leadership Program

at Hudson Catholic

$34,500

in new awards

The launch of the Alumni Leadership Program as a key component of Hudson Catholic tuition assistance efforts that benefit 80% of the student body commences with the establishment of six awards.

Gerry McGraw ’72 has funded three ALP awards, comprising three-year awards of $7,500 to be issued to current Sophomores, making the total commitment to our Hawks $22,500.

Joining in initiating new ALP Awards is George Carfora ’71. George has pledged $12,000 over four years for three students who will be coming from Jerry Walker’s Team Walker After School Program.

In total, these represent $34,500 in new commitments for Alumni Leadership Program awards.

We would welcome company from among other alumni in support of our young Hawks.

Hudson Happenings



Fall Theatre Group is Registering

The Theatre Group@ Hudson Catholic announces that registration is open for their Fall Theater Intensive. Open to students in grades 4-12, from any elementary or high school, this program begins on Tuesday September 19th at 3:15pm at Hudson Catholic. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursday and show dates are Nov 10th and 11th. The cost to join is $150 for Hudson students and $250 for any other student.

The Fall Theatre Intensive is directed by Sandra McGrath, who is in her 4th theater intensive workshop with us! Sandra is the wife of Patrick. McGrath ‘xx.

FTI serves as a component of our recruiting efforts to bring elementary students into and participate as part of The Home of The Hawks.

To our alumni and friends with children or grandchildren in the vicinity, this would be a great opportunity to introduce them to Hudson Catholic.

Register at this link: https://forms.gle/uAvjwBV7xqoHAeRY8

Questions to sbarbi@hudsoncatholic.org or theatre@hudsoncatholic.org

Alumni & Friends

Invited to Share in the Liturgy

at Student Masses & Prayer Services

Hawks, become more connected by joining in our school masses this year. We will be setting up a live stream when the student body goes to mass, for you to freely share in the Liturgy. See the Mass Schedule below in the Events section.

Steps for connecting to the livestream of the Masses at St Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church

a) click https://www.facebook.com/StAedansJC 

b) If you have a FB account, type St Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church 

c) If you have no FB account, google St Aedan's: The St Peter's University Church and click the highlighted St Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church.

In addition, student prayers services, which are themed for each month, are being recorded and can be shared with you. Please contact Mr. Anthony Romano at aromano@hudsoncatholic.org and he and the Peer Ministers overseeing the prayer services will make arrangements for you to receive the recordings.

Call for S/PA Mentors

The Student/Partner Alliance, which gifts $130,000 in tuition assistance to Hudson Catholic students annually, is seeking Hawk alums to volunteer to mentor a Hawk student this year, particularly our new incoming Hawks. All mentors will be offered training, resources and support from the Student/Partner Alliance. Throughout the academic year, the S/PA will be organizing events at which you may get together with your assigned student. Interested in volunteering or learning more? Contact David Carbone '74, our Mentoring Moderator who will coordinate with the S/PA on behalf of our mentors, at dcarbonephd@msn.com

President's Message

about Hawk Football

Today's issue was held up from publication for a day while the matter addressed in the following letter to the Hudson Catholic school community was being brought to resolution.

Dear Hawk Families,

Today we met with our student-athletes who are members of the Football team to deliver the news that, after an extensive review of our current team’s status, we are unable to complete the remainder of the season. Please know that a decision of this magnitude is not easily made nor done in haste.  After consulting with our trainer, Coach Hicks and Mr. Mariniello, the Athletic Director, we determined that we do not have enough healthy and physically able players to fulfill our remaining schedule.  This was a difficult decision, but as the leader of our community, I cannot compromise the safety and well-being of our student-athletes.

I have a life-long love for the sport of Football, having played it in both high school and college, coached it on the high school level, and oversaw it during my own 10 years as an Athletic Director. I recognize the important role it plays in a high school, as well as its formative and positive impact on the young men who play.  Because of this, the decision was extremely difficult and every angle was looked at in an attempt to come up with a different option.  The unfortunate reality is that our football team lost a significant number of players to transfer shortly before the start of the season, and has been decimated by injuries in the varsity games we have played.  Coach Hicks and his staff have tried everything in their power to create a safe, competitive environment for all of our players.  However, football is a contact sport in which the players need to be able to protect themselves and those around them.  To date, key players have been unable to complete games and it’s unfair and unsafe to put substitutes in games in which they are physically over-matched.  Several others have yet to be cleared for return to play.  Many of our young men are first-year players who are still learning the basics of the game and are not yet ready to play games against our current level of competition.  We cannot put them in unmanageable and potentially dangerous situations.

I am acutely aware that a decision like this is difficult for all, but directly impacts our seniors who will be unable to finish their senior season.  Part of our discussions focused on creating a transition plan that would address their particular needs.  Coach Hicks has put a plan in place to address the needs of our seniors who want to attempt to play football after high school.  

We have already begun forming a plan to ensure that nothing like this occurs again.  Both Mr. Mariniello and I have received assurance from the Super Football Conference executives that they will work to create a balanced and appropriate competition schedule in the upcoming 2-year cycle for Hudson Catholic Football.  The school will work towards improving facilities and infrastructure, and increasing staff.  In addition, Coach Hicks will shortly begin a comprehensive off-season plan for the program that will give our players a head start on the upcoming season.  With a proper plan in place, Hudson Catholic Football will emerge stronger.

The team is being addressed by Coach Hicks and Mr. Mariniello as you receive this email.  After talking with your son tonight, should you wish to meet in the upcoming days, please reach out to myself, Mr. Mariniello or Coach Hicks to schedule a meeting during a school day.

tmatthews@hudsoncatholic.org

nmariniello@hudsoncatholic.org

dhicks@hudsoncatholic.org

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthews

In Good Hands

5 Questions with

Sarah Degnan-Barbi

Mrs. Sarah Degnan-Barbi is Hudson Catholic’s Assistant Principal, having come to the role in the fall of 2021. Sarah is a graduate of the Academy of St. Aloysius and served eight years as an administrator at St. Dominic Academy, the last five of which were as Head of School.

BTL: What are your primary responsibilities in your role as Assistant Principal?

SDB: I lead the teaching faculty and support staff, oversee all curricular endeavors, and manage day-to-day oversight of the school. I also work closely with the Dean of Students on any issues that arise, the Guidance Office and Director of College Programs on mental health issues, college applications, and acceptances, and our four college partnerships. And, I chair the English and Religion Departments and teach two English classes. My day begins and ends by touching base with our President/Principal to support his leadership initiatives.

BTL: What attracted you to Hudson Catholic, and have your expectations and observations changed after two full years in role?

SDB: My work in Catholic schools for over 20 years provided me with a familiarity of Hudson Catholic. After leading Saint Dominic Academy through the 2020 pandemic and the subsequent hybrid school model for the 2021 year, I welcomed a change, realizing that while embracing many aspects of school leadership, I missed the daily classroom interaction with students. My initial interest in a role at Hudson Catholic was to oversee the Theater Arts Program but, while discussing that with Mr. Matthews, I learned that the open position of Assistant Principal matched my skill set nicely. This position allows me to serve as a school leader and work in the classroom, along with directing the school drama and musical productions -- all thngs that I love doing. As I start my third year, my joy at coming to work every day has grown and I’ve come to embrace every aspect of “Hawk Life.” Hudson Catholic is an important place for my family -- my husband is a graduate of the class of 86, and in 2 years, we plan to send our daughter here as well!

BTL: What is the most gratifying aspect of your role, and what would you cite as Hudson Catholic’s biggest challenge?

SDB: While truly loving all aspects of my role, at Hudson. it would come as no surprise to my colleagues that the most gratifying part of my role is directing the fall drama and the spring musical shows. Performing Arts programs are essential to schools and, at each place I’ve worked, I’ve played a role in the development of those programs. To be able to lead the program here and partner with elementary school students for our summer theater program, our fall theater workshop, and now our Rising Star Saturday Program for selected elementary students, is truly a joy for me. As to our biggest challenge, it is the same challenge faced by Catholic schools overall: how can we make faith-based education affordable and accessible to any and all families who wish to be part of the Catholic school community. As a parent, I know well that Catholic school tuition requires sacrifice on the part of parents. To be able to offer that education, along with aid for those who need it, is a challenge we continually face.

BTL: You’ve led an all-girls school. Was an adjustment needed to move to a co-ed environment?

SDB: Although my prior role was as head of an all-girls school, I've worked in co-ed schools on the high school and elementary levels, as a teacher and administrator. Within my first week, it was as if I never left the co-ed environment and I find that I am at my happiest when I am working with both young men and women. The world is not single sex and so, teaching our students to work cooperatively, to respect each other, and to get to know the other gender in terms of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, is such a valuable and essential part of the high school experience. I’m happy to be back at a co-ed school.

BTL: What would be your vision for Hudson Catholic in the course of your future tenure?

SDB: I want to see Hudson Catholic viewed as the premier school of choice for Hudson County and beyond. It is my hope that our partnerships with colleges and universities grow, not only for acceptance, but in conjunction with the current college level programs we offer here. I want to see our athletics continue to grow and thrive and attract more student athletes. It is my hope that our Performing Arts grow and put roots into the community, so that we are known throughout the county for our A’s: Academics, Athletics, Arts. To me, Hudson is a perfect mix of all the best high school experiences, and I hope that we can continue to get that message across to everyone who is looking for a faith-based education rooted in success!

Editor’s Note:

Sarah has been a member of the Hawk family since marrying Fred Barbi ’86 in August 2020. Sarah and Fred have two children, Joseph Barbi Roccasano, age 23, who is training to be an FDNY firefighter, and Abigail Rowan Degnan, age 12, who attends All Saints Catholic Academy in Bayonne, where she is a part of their choir, volleyball team, and musical theater troupe, and performs as a part of Hudson Catholic’s theater program. 

Prior to serving as Head of School at Saint Dominic Academy, Sarah was the Academic Dean for 3 years, the High School Placement Coordinator and Reading Specialist at Robert Treat Academy, and served at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair as Director of Admissions, Guidance Counselor and English Department Chairperson. Sarah began her career in education at her alma mater, the Academy of Saint Aloysius as Assistant Advancement/Admissions Coordinator. A strong supporter of Catholic education, Sarah has been honored by All Saints Catholic Academy for her “Service to Catholic Education” and has served as a class parent since Abigail was in Pre K 3. This year, she will also serve as the All Saints winter cheerleading coach. In her (limited) spare time, Sarah is also trained as a Hospice volunteer.

School Mass Schedule

Sept. 22 Opening Liturgy / Nov. 1 All Saints Day Liturgy

Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception Liturgy

Feb. 14- Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Graduation mass date/time TBD

September 28th

October 12th

O'Leary's Publik House -- 788 Garfield Ave, JC

Drinks. of course, will be on Terry

October 14th

The Class of '73 invites 1971, 1972, 1974 & 1975

to join in the reminiscing and celebration.

Our school years spent with you meant a great deal to us.

We'd be happy to see you again.

October 15th

Memorial Mass for Brother Patrick King, FSC

St. Aedan's Church, 3pm

Light Refreshments in Hudson Catholic Caf following

RSVP Oct. 8th to Gary Ferrari for the reception gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org

November 11th

First-ever Florida Event

Hollander Hotel -- St. Petersburg -- 1230pm Poolside

All Graduation Years / Family Friendly /Food & Drinks Available

Contact 'Rocco' Filerino '80 at filerino@gmail.com or Darren Scarpa '80 at djs713@duck.com

November 17th

Induction Event

at Hudson Catholic

Honoring the Greatest Athletes in Hudson Catholic History

Nomination forms may be completed and submitted at

https://hudsoncatholic.org/woh

through October 1st

Reunion Reminders

40 years: 1983              30 years: 1993 

20 years: 2003             10 years: 2013

Contact Jill Cypher at jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org

to express interest in having and helping with

a reunion for your class

Tree of Life Reminder

If you would like to reserve a leaf on the HC Tree of Life that greets visitors in the lobby of the school, and do so in time for the

Alumni Mass of Remembrance on November 5^th

Place your order, no later than October 1st, at

hudsoncatholic.org/tree

Extra-Curricula Activities

Fuel the Development of our Hawks

Co-curricular activities are those which complement traditional classroom teaching but do not fall under the normal curriculum of a school. Examples are the school paper and yearbook, chess, photography, language, and STEM clubs, Theatre group, peer ministry, and athletics.

Numerous national studies have concluded about the benefits to students from involvement in co-curricular activities, with different types of activities yielding different benefits. In general, it is found that those who partake in co-curricular activities also have a higher rate of academic success, along increased motivation and attendance.

Specific benefits are noted in creative expression, self-esteem, social skills, relationship nurturing, problem-solving, time management, appreciate for working in groups, appreciation for long-term commitments, and exposure to a vast range of activities that can help students identify their interests, tap into their talents, and lead to a chosen field of study and career path.

These are all important considerations for when and how you choose to support Hudson Catholic and our young Hawks, particularly because such activities cannot always be adequately funded in the school’s operating budget. You can help to ensure the full effectiveness and richness of the experience by giving to the Fund for Hudson Catholic on a one-time or recurring basis in an unrestricted manner or by designating your gift to a particular program or activity.

Alumni Spotlight

Chef Nick Lucci ’04 is the Culinary Director for New York City’s ‘The Butcher’s Daughter’ vegan restaurants in Williamsburg, NoLita, and the West Village.



Back to School. Sean Spencer '96 has traded in his gun and shield for a gym whistle and his next gig, as the Physical Ed/ Health Instructor at Holy Family School in Nazareth, PA. He joined the NYPD in July 2001 and along the way became a Counter Terrorism Officer for 8 of his 20 years served in NYC.

On the Move. Mark Moloughney ‘90 has accepted the position of Chief Technology Officer at DomiDocs, Inc. in Fort Myers, Fla.

Human Intelligence. Walt Bukowski ’85 is a Senior Technology Client Advisor at IBM, focused on transforming business through digitization and the application of artificial intelligence (AI).



Gone Fishin’. Mike Ambrose ’70 moved to Port St. Lucie, Fl in 2022 following his retirement. Mike was one of the record 17 Hawks recognized in the class of 1970 as National Honor Society semi-finalists and one of 9 Hawks from that class who went on to Stevens Institute of Technology. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and went to work for Levers Brothers (later Unilever) in Edgewater, NJ, supporting the refinery operations that produced both powdered detergent AND margarine! After five years at Lever Bros., Mike moved on to BASF, where he worked in Engineering for 27 years, in Parsippany and for two stints in Geismar, Louisiana. In 2006, rather than take a permanent role in Louisiana, Mike moved over to GAF Materials Corporation in New Jersey in 2006, until his retirement in October of last year. He says his biggest failure in life was his inability to convince three younger brothers to enroll as Hawks rather than that boys school downtown. However, he is thrilled that all four Ambrose brothers got to experience the great Jack Campion in the classroom.

Blasts From the Past

The Three Horsemen

Three venerable middle distance runners back in the day were Fred Miller '71, Bill Cullen '72, and Wall of Honor member Al Long '73, who went on to run collegiately at Rutgers, Temple, and St. John's, respectively. Here they are, reunited during their college days, at an Indoor Quad meet at Princeton’s Jadwin Gymnasium, including LaSalle.

The photo came to us from Cullen. When shared with Miller, Fred said "OHH.... when we were young, and had more hair and less avoirdupois. This is a wonderful memory of three quarters of our really strong Hawk 4x800 meter relay team from back in the day! All we needed was Tommy McCann.” 

Mass Truancy?

It’s either a famed Hawk Walk-a-Thon, or a full-out invasion of its downtown rival school by the Hawk student body! What year would this have been? Responses to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org, please.

Korrections Korner

Adding to Our Alumni Varsity Coaches

That makes 11. Lenny Anglin ‘68 became the head football coach in 1985.

That makes 12. John ‘Tomahawk’ Lenczuk ‘81 was the first alumnus to be named Head Football Coach, serving for the 1989, 1990, and 1991 seasons. He also worked for his brother, Wall of Honor member Mr. Paul Lenczuk for 10 years assisting the Track and Field program, who assisted John as a Line Coach during John’s tenure, as did Mr. Terry Matthews, who coached Receivers & Defensive Backs in 1989.

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.

“In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

-- Thomas Jefferson

Requiescant in Pace

Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur

(Life is changed, not ended)

Agueda Pineda, mother of Louis Pineda ‘94

______________________________________________

She will be remembered in our annual

Alumni Mass of Remembrance

on November 5th

Michael Skea '74

Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor at the Jersey Shore 

Ajay Hathiwala '09