|
Proudly Sponsored by Our "Guardian Angels"
The Alumni Association Hudson Catholic High School, Inc.
| | "Enter To Learn, Leave to Serve" | | |
Class of 2026:
Share your email address with the school!
| | |
Let's Give Jane Tuers Her Due!
A Heroine of the American Revolution,
Her Deeds Led to the Undoing of Benedict Arnold
(And We Sat on the Site of Her Jersey City Farm)
| | |
Jane Tuers is a Revolutionary War Hero on whose property, once a farm, Hudson Catholic stands today.
Other than having the street bounding Hudson Catholic on its east side named in her honor, Tuers is most famous for having shared intel that led all the way to General George Washington about Benedict Arnold wanting to turn over West Point, an integral strategic location that led to favorable results for the American army in the war, to the British, effectively exposing him as the now-famous traitor to the American cause. Without her intervention, having overheard such talk among British soldiers at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan, history may have proven very different.
Jane Van Reypen Tuers was born in 1745 and died in 1834 in Jersey City. She is buried in the Old Bergen Church burial ground across the street and one block north from Hudson Catholic.
She has been immortalized with a plaque on the outside wall of Hudson Catholic near the corner of Bergen Avenue and Mercer Street. The plaque is meant to denote the historical significance of the site on which Hudson Catholic stands. Commissioned in 1925 by the Jane Tuers Society, the plaque has displayed at its present location since the school opening in 1965.
| | |
Shrine of St. Joseph
Continues Strong Support of Hudson Catholic
| | |
Committee members Gordy Close (Auction Committee Chair), Rod Donovan (Auctioneer), Marge Dukes, and Don Hart of the Emmaus Christian Community at the Shrine of St. Joseph, Stirling, NJ, presented a check in the amount of $27,000 to President-Principal Terry Matthews at the start of the new school year, for tuition assistance to deserving Hawk students in need. This is their second major gift to Hudson Catholic, following a gift of $10,000 presented a year ago.
We take this repeat and increased gift as a sign of trust and confidence in the delivery of the Lasallian mission to our students. An "Emmaus journey" symbolizes moving from despair to hope, or from confusion to clarity -- a spiritual awakening where individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles, finding comfort and companionship in their darkest times. This is a good parallel to the modern day educational and life journey on which many of our Hawks and their families find themselves.
We are grateful to have the support of the Emmaus Christian Community at the Shrine of St. Joseph.
| | A letter sent from the Chief Advancement Officer to thank a Hawk for a recent gift -- a meaningful gift, and one that came as a bit of a surprise, following ten years that transpired between gifts -- was followed by an even greater surprise -- a note of heartfelt affinity. Very simply, but ever so emblematic of Hudson Catholic alumni, it said: "This is truly my pleasure. We have much to be grateful for, and more work in the service of Christ to be done." | | |
Newest Wall of Honor Banners on Display
We had our Induction Ceremony in May. And now the banners honoring our newest members of the Wall of Honor have been installed in the Rocky Pope Gymnasium. Along with all members of the Hawk community, we encourage the families and friends of Jillian Ward '18, Thomas Bender III '04, Dennis Cronin '81, Paul Santasieri '74, Rocky Pope, and the 1976 State Champion Basketball Team to come by and see how you look! Special thanks to Larry Basinski '70, Frank Martineau '75 and Fred Barbi '86 for doing the hoisting honors!
| | |
As the summer flies by and our recent graduates stop by to say goodbye as they head off to college, I am reminded of just how thankful we are to our stakeholders. The support we receive, whether it be time, talent and/or treasure, is what enables us to have those moments. My biggest wish is that each and every one of you would have the chance to meet our students in person. I am certain you would be as amazed as I am by our incredible young people! You will never receive a more tangible, fulfilling return on your investment than when you see a Hudson Catholic graduate head off to their next step on their life journey and you know that your assistance helped make it possible.
Education opens doors to opportunity. Education changes lives. As such, our many supporters are quite literally changing lives and giving opportunity to our future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You do God’s work and create miracles in the process.
| | |
Invest in Hudson Catholic
and Help Secure Our Future
Hudson Catholic receives, and you take a tax deduction for, 100% of the value of the donation
Tap on the box for Instructions
| | |
August 15th
Who Will Sponsor HATS?
| | |
The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Club
16th Avenue in Belmar - 2-6pm
In the Donald M. Wuefling ('69) Room
No Inflation -- Same Mere $85 as Past Years
| | |
Rest in Pace
Mr. Richard Heubel
1945 - 2026
| | |
We have learned of the passing of Former Faculty member Richard Heubel on April 10th of this year, at age 81. Mr. Heubel served at Hudson Catholic from 1970 to 1977, teaching Spanish Language & Spanish Literature and moderating the Spanish Club during his tenure. He was one of many ‘young’ teachers and Brothers during the early years. He came to Hudson following a tour in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America.
He left teaching to become an attorney in 1977. He is remembered by Robert Michelin ’74 as one of his favorite teachers. Robert even had the opportunity to use Counselor Heubel's services in the early ‘80s. Based on tributes from many of his clients, Richard Heubel always remained an honest, trustworthy person. He will be missed, especially by a good number of Hawks from the '70s who spent time in the classroom with him.
From the Jersey Journal in Spring, 1972.
| | Emani Capers, a rising sophomore, is at it again, displaying her creative talents, having won the Sounds and Visions of JC Festival in her 12-15 age division with the performance of her poem "Finding Hope." At the same competition, Hawks Astra Belmonte and Abigail Degnan received many accolades for their vocal performances as well. | | |
As with June, July brings a spate of departures from and arrivals to Hudson Catholic staff. And we love a good return to the Nest!
We are sorry to see Ms. Tara McDonough of English Faculty depart but she is also leaving the teaching field. Tara will enter the field of writing and publishing. Good luck, and thank you for your service to Hudson Catholic.
We also wish the very best to Ms. Allison Ryan, a Hawk Guidance Counselor, as she leaves the Hudson Catholic family to assume a new position as a a public school counselor closer to her home and family. Many Hawks have Allison to thank for the colleges they ended up attending.
Wall of Honor member and Hall of Famer, former Hawk Hockey Coach Mr. Cory Robinson returns to the Nest as Director of Athletics. He began his education career here at Hudson Catholic, where he taught History and led our Ice Hockey program to multiple Handchen Cup Championships as well as the overall New Jersey State Championship in 2000. Cory spent 23 years as Director of Athletics at Fair Lawn High School and brings a wealth of administrative and coaching experience to the AD position.
| | The Student/Partner Aliiance is seeking one female mentor to pair up with a Hudson Catholic female student entering the Class of 2030 this fall. A mentor is a trusted and experienced individual willing to make a four-year commitment to provide coaching and advice to a student attending a college prep school in the northern New Jersey area. Get in touch with Gary Ferrari at gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org to express interest. | | "Good mentors do not create followers. They create other mentors. That is how influence scales. Without ego. Without noise. Without control." -- Joe Slota '72, author of From the Streets to Global Seats and The Uncoded Advantage. | | |
Getcha Hawk Merch!
Many have inquired about how best to obtain Hawk merch.
It is now available through our school website.
Here are a few samples of what you will find there.
| | |
Alumni Spotlight
Leadership, Service, Achievements
(and occasional whimsy)
| | |
Playing with the Big Boys. Zanai Jones '21 has switched teams with the Harlem Globetrotters. Having played professionally with the Women's team, she has been named as the newest addition to the 2026 Harlem Globetrotters men's team roster, selected as part of the elite 2026 rookie class out of SMU. As one of six women on this year's Globetrotter team, her professional name is Zanai 'Biz-z' Jones. The Harlem Globetrotters, a/k/a "The Ambassadors of Basketball," are coming up on their centennial season. Their tour tips off on December 14th at Madison Square Garden and will proceed to hundreds of national and international markets. We hope they will bring Zanai back to The Hawks Nest for a fundraiser as part of their '100 Year Tour'.
| | |
To the 'nth' Degree. Julia Franchesca Escarez '21 is a Second Degree Accelerated BSN student at Rutgers School of Nursing. Julia was our 2021 Class Valedictorian who completed the HC-SPU Dual Degree Program to earn an Associate Degree in Social Science from St. Peter's University simultaneously with her Hudson Catholic diploma. She went on to graduate from Stony Brook University, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor degree in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences with concentration in Public Health, before entering Rutgers University.
| | |
Policy Wonk. The lure of our nation's capital proved strong for Elodie Offord '15. After graduating Rutgers University with dual bachelor degrees in Communications & Media Studies, and Political Science & Government, she headed off to D.C. to American University for a Master of Public Policy, International Development and Comparative Public Policy. Elodie has spent the past five years working with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, currently in the role of Legislative and Policy Analyst.
| | |
On the Road. Ben Senger '02 completed 20 years of service at AECOM in th Philadelphia area, where he is Associate Vice President and Area Manager for the Civil/Highway Engineering Departments in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
| | |
Man for All Seasons. Former Hawk Hockey standout Ryan Klimkowski '98 coached the Bayonne 10&U Little League All Stars to the District 7 (Hudson County) Championship, with a convincing 8-4 victory over Hoboken, earning a trip to the Sectionals.
| | |
Exploring childhood trauma. Giuseppe Fazari '93 will host a private screening of his documentary film titled Hole in My World at Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre on September 19th. The film is based on the memoir of Richard Rhodes, recounting his experience with childhood trauma and tracing his journey through adversity to become a celebrated author known worldwide. Connecting Rhodes' personal narrative with leading research on trauma, the film explores how traumatic experiences can shape mental, physical, and social outcomes across the lifespan.
| | |
Among the Bravest. Sean Verdi '86 is a Battalion Chief with the Jersey City Fire Department.
| | Protecting Their Nest. It may not be Phase 3 of Del Boca Vista, but Dennis Danilewicz '71 and Larry Sansevere '75 have been elected to the Board of Trustees for the Greenbriar II Community in Brick Township. | | With the graduation this year of four daughters of Hawk alumni (Chowanec, Eatman, Rea, and Holmes), the ranks of Hawk Legacy Families have swelled to 45 Legacy Parents (all fathers) who have now sent 57 of their children to Hudson Catholic -- 45 sons and 13 daughters. Three more of those daughters are presently attending The Home of The Hawks and we await, in the years ahead, the first mother-daughter Hawk Legacy. | | |
Tell Us
Just one of many things that unites us as Hawks is that Hudson Catholic alumni spread around the nation and the world are making incredible contributions to their communities, professions, and to Hudson Catholic.
If you know of an exceptional Hawk deserving recognition, we invite you to share why, by writing to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org with examples of Hawk alumni and alumnae leadership, service, and achievement...........and occasional whimsy.
| | |
...... that Bobby 'Roscoe' Quirk '73, our perennial host of HATS, was a two-way star at Receiver and Safety for the Hawks, and was the very first Hawk to be named First Team All County in football by the Jersey Journal in 1972, setting the school's single-game (20 points) and season (40 points) scoring records at that time?
........ and that the Class of '69 graduated 21 Hawks who came to call themselves musicians?
| | |
Gotham Run-in. Mr. Frank McGady of Faculty scored a summer gig at Xavier High School in Greenwich Village (don't get any ideas, Frank!). On a recent afternoon after school let out, Frank was walking on 6th Avenue towards the PATH Station on 9th Street (what Hawk from the '70s wasn't familiar with that station?). He ran into some of his students and while talking with them, heard his name called out by a voice that belonged to one of his former History students -- none other than Tyler Barrett '23, who was coming from a job interview. And like a tenacious Hawk, word is Tyler scored the job!
| | '80s Storytelling at Bistro 107 in Moonachie. The storytellers: sitting, Tom Engleke, Jerry Colligan, Ken Such, Ray Pipher, and filmmaker P.J. Leonard, recently recovered from a serious injury -- good to see you PJ! We had the Hawks praying for you. Standing: Keith Brennan, Steve Grocki, Mike Kitsos, Ed Hickey, Kevin Carroll. | | |
Blasts From the Past
(a/k/a Black 'n' White Theatre)
| | In 1968, the first Hawk Drama Society stage productions played at Hudson Catholic. Stalag 17 featured the interrogation of a German Spy played by the late, great Ken Wagner '69. Eager interrogators are William Rupp '68, Ernie Scarpati '69, the late Joe Carroll '68, the late Kevin White '70, Mike Malik '69, George Gilcher '68, Joe Cola-Pinto '68, and Vinnie Vita '70. | | 50 years ago, the January edition of The Commentator had plenty of sports news to Hawk-squawk about: completion of the best football season in Hawk history to date, ditto for Soccer, and a report of the opening game of the season in what would become the greatest season in Hawk Basketball ever! To quote 'The Chairman of the Board', "it was a verry good year." | | 1986 Hawk Baseball star Jim O'Hea '86 got the Jersey Journal treatment 40 years ago. | | 30 years ago, the Jersey Journal was there again, reporting that the 1996 Garden State Games had called for two of our Hawk soccer stars, Mark Sa '98 and Philip Luis '98, and our Hall of Fame Coach John Cruitt. Anybody have a good photo of that year's Hawk soccer shirts? | | |
Do You Have a 'Blast From The Past' to Share?
Whether from the 60s, or all the way up to the Aughts and beyond
(at least ten years old), or in between,
if you have a great rare memory, artifact, or whimsical item,
send it to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
and we will try to share it with the HC community
| | The Changing Neighborhood | | Kean University and New Jersey City University officially merged on July 1st, creating Kean Jersey City. NJCU was absorbed into the Kean system to preserve its presence in Hudson County, expanding Kean's global reach to nearly 25,000 students. | | |
Korrections Korner
In our zest to publish, we sometimes make omissions. You know, where you see the xxx's that serve as placeholders in the draft for information that we are trying to acquire. For example, in the July issue, we have esteemed alum Maykel Khilla '06 returning to the Nest to teach 'xxx'. Last we looked, that is not a course at Hudson, but Math is!
And this is our disclaimer, should you spot any more of those xxx's in this or future issues.
| | |
If you can't take it with you,
why not leave it to Hudson Catholic?
(or, at least part of it?)
| | |
Where it can provide perhaps the greatest gift of all
THE GIFT OF EDUCATION
For more information on ways to arrange a meaningful planned gift
Contact the Chief Advancement Officer, Gary Ferrari '73 at gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org or 201-888-6276.
| | |
You can help Hudson Catholic
with 'likes' & 'shares' of our posts to your networks, from
| | |
No Hawk Left Behind
We lose touch with some of our graduates who move around, go off to college, start careers, get married, etc. In some cases, they retire, having used their work email to receive ' BTL', and forget to notify us of a personal email address. 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.
| | |
Robert Humak ‘68
Phil Pietro '68
Michael DiGeronimo '69
Walter Earls ‘69
Steve Ryan '69
Jack Fry ‘70
Thomas Long '70
James Dischler ‘71
Ray O’Brien ‘72
Gary Sumowski '72
Joseph Beronio ‘74
Steven Mongon ‘75
Gary Muce ‘75
Guy Natelli ‘75
John O’Connor ‘75
David Raffaele ‘75
Thomas Riordan ‘75
Gary Roberts ‘75
Henry Saminski ‘75
John Tracey ‘76
Brian Connelly ‘77
Angelo Guarnaccio ‘77
Jim Hickey ‘77
Michael Stanton ‘78
Joseph Kim ‘79
Charles Angotti ‘80
Martin Botte ‘80
Robert Bugliaro ‘80
Michael Chapple ‘80
Robert O’Hea ‘80
Peter Tsang ‘80
Gregory Tyrka ‘80
Robert Varsalona ‘80
Robert Verpent ’80
Kevin Walsh ‘80
Dominick Conte ‘81
Edward Baksa ‘82
Joseph Buchalski ‘82
Pasquale Buzzelli ‘82
William D’Eridita ‘82
Michael DiTore ‘82
Manuel Fernandez ‘82
Thomas Flanagan ‘82
George Gillis ‘82
Thomas Gorski ‘82
Thomas Greene ‘82
John Helminski ‘82
Mark Cunningham ‘82
| |  | |
Lawrence Quish ‘82
Sahir Ibrahim ’84
Leon Hampton '86
James O’Hea ‘86
Achilles Amante ‘86
John Toussas '89
Thomas Hartje ‘90
John Kosky ‘90
Luis Ramos ‘90
Richard Romanowski ‘90
James Dischler ‘91
Andrzej Slugocki ‘92
Michael Rea ‘93
Orlando Basile ‘94
Michael Collins ‘94
Onyekachi Enyinna ‘94
Christopher Harrison ‘94
Shawn Lionakis ‘94
James Monaco ‘94
Jose Negron ‘94
Joseph Rolon ‘94
Brigham Smith ‘94
Janak Bhimani ‘96
Cupid Causing ‘99
Ryan Friend ‘99
Thomas Steinel '01
Leonard Urbanski ‘02
Steven Torre '04
AJ Drago '04
Ricardo Gonzalez '04
Nicholas Lopez '04
Jose Santana '04
Raymond Ubaldo '04
Darren Wright '04
Michael Guevara ‘09
Christian Spiegel ’13
Nick Vaccaro '14
Hashem Ziden ‘15
Malcolm Stewart ‘16
Khashawn Decker ‘17
Kayla Gomez '17
Gregory Paulino Rubel ‘20
Alan Sanchez ‘20
Michael Rea ‘22
Salome Torres ‘25
Karley-Dey Holmes '26
Madison Hughes ‘26
| | |
Reminders
Drop a note to
advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
To advertise your business or service
and support this newsletter for $30 per month or $350 annually
Plan a visit back to The Hawks Nest,
Obtain or donate a Hawk Yearbook
through the Yearbook Exchange,
If you receive our email at your workplace
We may not be getting through to you if our email is being intercepted by your spam filter. Only you can correct that by placing us on your safe list, which would allow communications from our Constant Contact email platform to reach you.
For Hawks at or nearing retirement age
and receive this newsletter at your workplace email address
Please send us your personal email address at hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected, or we will lose touch with you! This happens often.
Death Notifications
may be sent to
info@hawkalumni.org
| | |
Catch up on back issues of
Building The Legacy
| | |
Do you have a newsworthy item or something from the present or past to share with the Hawk community?
· Landed your first job? Taken a new one?
· Received a promotion or honor?
· Gotten engaged or married?
· Celebrated a milestone anniversary?
· Welcomed a child or grandchild?
· Reminisced with fellow Hawks recently?
· Relocated?
· Retired from your last job?
Hudson Catholic welcomes any and all news about your career, education, family life, and reconnecting with other alumni.
Submit a note and share photos with the Hudson Catholic community at
advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
| | |
"If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
-- King George III of England, upon hearing that George Washngton would surrender power and go home.
"Smooth seas never made for a skilled sailor."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
"For all that has been, Thanks. For all that will be, Yes!"
-- Dag Hammarskjold,
former Secretary General of the United Nations
| | |
Requiescant in Pace
Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur
(Life is changed, not ended)
___________________________
Charles Cavallo, 68
brother of John Cavallo '72
Donald Monahan '69
Richard Heubel,
Faculty, 1970 - 1974
Steven Ricciardi,
Varsity Basketball Coach, 2000-2007
__________________________
Will be remembered in the annual
Alumni Mass of Remembrance
on November 1st, 2026
| | |
We Remember
Det. Marc DiNardo '89
End of Watch 7/21/09
| | |
Marc left us 17 years ago. The following excerpts are reprinted, with permission, from the Hudson County Chronicles digital publication:
"Seventeen years have passed, but July 21 still carries weight in Jersey City. It is the day we lost one of our own. Marc Dinardo was from my era.....a familiar name from our generation. A Hudson Catholic graduate. A St. Peter's College man. A member of the Jersey City Police Department's Emergency Services Unit, one of the Department's most dangerous assignments. His wife Mary Leppard DiNardo was also from our generation. I went to school with Mary. When you know the family, even from years ago, a story like this never feels distant......Marc and Mary were raising three children, Gwendolyn, MarcAnthony II, and Ella.
On July 16, 2009, Marc responded with the ESU to what became known as the Reed Street shootout. Officers were attempting to apprehend armed suspects who had barricaded themselves inside an apartment after an earlier shooting.
As the ESU team entered, they were met with a barrage of gunfire. Marc was critically wounded by a shotgun blast. Four other Jersey City police officers were also wounded during the exchange. Marc fought for five days before passing away, one day before his 38th birthday.
The Jersey City Police Department honored him with a posthumous promotion to Detective, ensuring his service and sacrifice would forever be recognized.
His funeral brought thousands of police officers from across New Jersey and the country to Jersey City. They stood shoulder to shoulder to honor a fallen brother. It was one of those moments when badges, departments, and jurisdictions no longer mattered. Respect did.
Jersey City also renamed P.S. 23 in his memory, so generations of children would know the name of a man who gave everything for his city.
He was one of us. On this anniversary, may we remember a Forever Young Jersey City 80s kid, Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo, his courage, his family, and the sacrifice he made for the city he loved."
| | Detective Marc DiNardo '89 served 10 years with the Jersey City Police Department and was assigned to the Emergency Services Unit. He is survived by his wife and three children, his mother Maria DiNardo, and his brother Paul DiNardo '85. In May 2011, his former elementary school, P.S. 23, was renamed Marc Anthony DiNardo School. | | |
Voted Best Burger in Baltimore Magazine
Find Fuzzies at Orioles Park at Camden Yards and Nationals Park in Our Nation's Capital
Hiring at fuzziesburgers.com/careers
| | | | |
