"Enter To Learn, Leave to Serve"

Class of 2025: share your email address with the school!

Building The Legacy Asks:

What Will Be Your Hudson Catholic Legacy?

You’ve executed or updated a Last Will and Testament, selected an Executor or Personal Representative, and informed the non-profits that you’ve included in your estate. All good things to have done. Now for writing or recording a Legacy Letter. This is your way of explaining your decisions about your assets by providing perspective and clarity to your loved ones, particularly if you included Hudson Catholic in your will or trust.

Consider the experiences that have shaped your values and identify the values that are most important to you, the major events that have affected your view of life, and who and what have been you biggest influences. Keep the letter with your estate planning documents or a copy of a recording with your estate planning attorney.

The true gift to your loved ones isn’t your assets – it’s you! Let them take comfort in your words and gain a deeper understanding of the people and causes you held dear.

If you’d like your legacy to include a gift to Hudson Catholic, contact Chief Advancement Officer Gary Ferrari at gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org or 201-888-6276.

365 for $365 for 365?

$365 sounds like a hefty donation if it is done all at once. But like many of those non-profit commercials on TV, "just a dollar a day will help.......(in our case) educate a Hawk throughout this school year.

Under the 2025-2026 battle cry, 'MORE HAWKS -- we need More Hawks!', we are looking for 365 Hawks to commit to a gift of $365 over the next 365 days.

Here's how we propose you do it, if not all at once. Consider making a recurring gift of $30.42 per month, over the next 12 months, using a credit or debit card at hudsoncatholic.org/1964.

By committing to an average of $1 per day, 365 Hawks could deliver an additional $133,000 ($11,102 per month) to The Fund for Hudson Catholic! Go Hawks!

Alum Gift of $25,000

Set for the Alumni Leadership Program

Paul Mlynarski '84 is the latest alum to commit to the power of tuition assistance awards manifested in the Alumni Leadership Program, which is in its 32nd year of existence. The 'ALP' is a program initiated by the Alumni Association in 1994 and moved over to the school Advancement function two years ago that has benefited hundreds of Hawks, now alumni, with over $600,000 of aid over the course of the program's 30 years.

Continuing in the same vein, Paul and his wife, Karen recently gifted $25,000 to alma mater and designated it to be spread over five years to one or more Hawks for the duration of their enrollment at the Nest.

Paul has graciously allowed us to use his name in the event it might motivate other Hawk alumni to make a gift of this type so that young Hawks in need can confidently move forward in their years as students without worry of financial distress.

This program truly demonstrates its name -- alumni leadership! And there is nothing better than the ability to provide the life-changing gift of education! THANK YOU, PAUL & KAREN MLYNARSKI!

Beyond Your Gifts

Your continued support of Hudson Catholic is needed in ways well beyond your gifts and donations -- by attending an event or sponsoring a testimonial in honor of the achievements of other Hawks, attending a class reunion, or most easily, by spreading the good news about what a great educational institution Hudson Catholic -- your Hudson Catholic -- is. Viral promotion of Hudson Catholic can lead to unanticipated enrollment or unexpected gifts or events sponsorships by outside parties who are either impressed by you personally or who value your endorsement of your school.

Four Hawks to be Honored

at April 24th Wall of Honor Banner Raising

Along with the 1976 State Basketball Championship Team, led by All-State and All-Time School Leading Scorer and Rebounder, Michael 'O'Koren '76, and that team's Coach, the late Joseph 'Rocky' Pope, both featured in the last issue of Building The Legacy, four Hawk athletes from varying eras will be suitably honored by having their banners raised on to the Courtyard Wall of the 'Rocky Pope Gym' on the night of April 24th. Plan to join us and celebrate. Details below in Events section.

Message From The Prez

I write this from my hotel room in Houston, Texas, where I am attending the Lasallian Association of Secondary School Leaders Association Conference. This conference is another part of our journey towards reaffiliation with the De La Salle Christian Brothers and the District of Eastern North America. As we progress towards full affiliation, it’s important to note that reaffiliation does not mean that the Christian Brothers will once again walk the halls at 790 Bergen Ave. Rather, it means that we will be formally recognized as a Lasallian educational institution that has, as its charism, the teachings of St. John Baptist de La Salle. It means that we will once again be officially LASALLIAN…although, truth be told, we have never stopped living those principles every day at the Hawks Nest. In our next BTL issue, will share some of the things I pick up at this conference, as well as a chronological record of our journey towards reaffiliation…the first high school to ever do so.

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

March 28th

At The Hawks Nest

Register below

April 7th

5th Annual

Please Plan to Be Generous

at www.hudsoncatholic.org/1964

April 24th

June 27th

As a public service to our friends from Marist High School, Bayonne, we are sharing this notice with our Hawks who know many Marist graduates, and our Marist Alumni mailing list, formulated during the time when Marist donated the equipment for our Medical Arts Room upon the closure of their school. Thereafter, we solicited donations to the Marist Legacy Scholarship at Hudson Catholic. Hawks, in the spirit of Catholic education, help spread the word!

REUNION REMINDERS

Hey '76ers!

This is Your Year!

get started early on planning your

50-Year Reunion

For that matter,

'86, '01, and '16

are reaching a nice round number this year

Contact Jill Cypher at jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org

to express interest in having / helping with your class reunion

Hawk Happenings

Athletic Excellence on Display

Congratulations to Kharington Schwindt '26, pictured with Coach Chris Hernandez,, the newest and fourth member of the Girls Basketball 1,000 Point Club. Her name will soon be added to the 1,000 Point Club Banner on display in the Rocky Pope Gym. Added note: Kharington is also President of the Student Council.



Congratulations to the Girls Indoor Track Team that took 3rd Place in the Non-Public 'B' State Championship Meet. In the process, both Breanna Miller and Kimora Sims qualified for the Meet of Champions on March 8th.

Congratulations to Breanna Miller '26 for recently placing second overall in the High Jump, with a leap of 5'2" at The 50th Colgate Women's Games, the longest running track and field series for girls and women in the nation. The Games are open to competitors from across the nation, and take place at the Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory in New York City. What a tremendous accomplishment! During the indoor season, Breanna also broke the School Record in the 55M Hurdles at 8.96, topping the prior record holder, the late Jessica Hill '14 at 9.05

Congratulations to Kimora Sims '26 who broke her own School Record of 59 seconds in the 400m event, taking second place at the North Shore Pre-Nationals Invitational, running in 58.146. In a rather rare occurrence, in the same race, Breanna Miller also broke the old school record in 58.892, finishing just behind her teammate!

Congratulations to Andre Marcus '26 who placed second in the 55M Dash at the State Championship Meet with a School Record time of 6:46, besting the old record of 6:51 that was held by football and track great Jason Hendricks '09. Andre also qualified for the Meet of Champions, as his time is Top 5 in New Jersey. This is the second School Record Andre has broken this season. As previously reported, he set the new record of 22.39 in the 200M, topping the old record of 22.42 held by Kai'leel Jefferson.

Congratulations to Roniel Sanchez '26 who broke his own School Record in the 55M Hurldes at 7.76, topping his prior best of 7.81.

Below, Roniel is on the left and Andre on the right.

Proudly, We're # Two!

That's not a pejorative! Rather, it is a proclamation of how both the Hawks Girls and Boys Basketball teams had very successful seasons, of which we can all be proud. No other school could claim two teams in the County Championship games.

In a rarity for sure, on the same day, February 21st, the Girls and Boys Teams featured in the County Championship Games, both facing off against teams defending their County Championship - the Girls Team vs. Bayonne, and the Boys facing St. Peter's Prep. They each put up a strong fight but unfortunately came out on the short end of their scores. The Girls pushed Bayonne all the way into overtime before falling one bucket short in a 48-46 heartbreaker. Just an incredible effort, after bowing to Bayonne in the regular season in a game that was not close. The Boys experienced a somewhat similar result. After bowing decidedly in a game at the Prep in-season, they worked hard to overcome a size and experience differential in the title game with the #2 State-ranked Marauders, but could not make it up, falling 54-43.

And the future is bright for both of our young teams. With no rest for the weary, both teams dive back into action on TODAY for the beginning of the State Playoffs, featuring a home doubleheader at The Nest -- Girls vs. St. Dom's at 430pm; Boys vs Don Bosco Prep at 600pm. Good luck and Go Hawks!!

Hawk Track Records are Online

In athletic competition, they say that records are made to be broken. Hey, Hawk silksters, have you ever wondered who broke YOUR record down through Hudson History? Well, you can at least get a glimpse at which Hawk Track & Field Stars presently hold the records in a variety of events.

To see how far behind the current records your 'Personal Bests' from your Glory Days may be, go to: https://nj.milesplit.com/teams/15125-hudson-catholic-hs/rankings

Any challenges to the records should be lodged with Coach Anthony Campbell at acampbell@hudsoncatholic.org, and to 'BTL' at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org.

The Swiss Army Knife of Charitable Intent

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming a common part of the vernacular as their popularity grows in the public forum. They are being referred to, colloquially, as DAFs. Three letters.

And three reasons why they are becoming the Swiss Army Knife of the charitable giving landscape. First, the tax benefit timing is brilliant -- contribute to the DAF in the year that you need to, e.g, when your capital gains are high, take an immediate deduction, and then distribute grants to charities and non-profits on your own timeline.

Second, they've democratized what used to be private foundation territory, bringing sophisticated philanthropy to a much wider audience.

Third, they are remarkably simple. No separate tax returns, no board meetings, no administrative overhead. Just you (and maybe your philanthropic advisor), your charitable intent, and a streamlined vehicle to make it happen.

DAFs are commonly funded by non-IRA money -- after-tax cash or appreciated securities. You may not go directly from an IRA to a DAF. To get there would entail two separate events: a taxable IRA withdrawal, and a subsequent tax-deductible donation to a DAF. The deduction from the DAF contribution often cancels out the income tax from the withdrawal, resulting in zero net tax liability. But for maximum tax efficiency, the IRA custodian should transfer the withdrawn funds directly to DAFs. All that said, it is advisable to consult a tax professional to ensure the deduction effectively offsets the withdrawal.

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.

Hudson Hawks

Gold-trimmed Tee

HC Zip-up

3.14 is Pi Day!

Serve Your Legacy: Cut HC a Slice of Pie, please

For a moment, think of your estate as a pie. You can create a legacy AND protect your loved ones at the same time, regardless of its size. Just cut a small slice for Hudson Catholic.

A common component of estate plans is the bequest of 10% of the balance of a Retirement account such as an IRA or 401K. It is a simple gesture easily made: perhaps you might consider doing the same?

Such a gesture requires no money today, just a designation of a percentage of a particular asset, such as an IRA or insurance policy, by naming Hudson Catholic Regional High School as a beneficiary.

Alternatively to designating Hudson Catholic as a beneficiary to a particular asset, you might do so through your will, or a trust.

Trusts are created to protect one’s beneficiaries through the avoidance of probate, a lengthy, costly, public court process to administer to asset management and distribution, as an alternative to a will.  A living trust, a/k/a revocable trust, can be changed or dissolved during your lifetime. A wide range of assets can be transferred into a trust, such as real estate, bank accounts, non-retirement investment accounts, business interests, and personal property like jewelry, vehicles, and art.

Retirement accounts may not be transferred into a trust but can be aligned with a trust through the naming of beneficiaries. A grantor who creates a trust is often the initial trustee but must name a successor trustee in the event of their incapacitation or death. A successor trustee is usually a family member, a friend, or a professional fiduciary. A trustee manages and controls a trust’s assets according to the trust document’s instructions for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

Contact the Chief Advancement Officer, Gary Ferrari at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to let us know that you have cut Hudson Catholic a slice of your pie, or to seek assistance in how to do so.

Alumni Spotlight

Leadership, Service, Achievements

(and occasional whimsy)

Financier. Tenzin Choeying '25 will be working as a Private Equity Analyst for Spring/Summer with Cedar Park Capital, a New York-based investment firm.



Marketeer. Bernadette Matutino '21 has commenced a full-time role as an Experiential Marketing Coordinator at Verisk, a leading strategic data, analytics, and technology partner to the global insurance industry, in Jersey City.



Guest Relations. Lee Ann Acuna '17 has joined the Jersey City Medical Center as a Patient Access Representative.

Taking the plunge. John Pein '95 participated in the NJ Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights on February 28th.

The Buck Stops with Him. Edward Ceberio '90 is the Chief Legal Officer for Private Funds, leading the legal team that supports Prudential's global private and alternative investment products across private and public credit, infrastructure, private equity, and real estate. He has spent the past 20 years honing his legal craft in various positions throughout Prudential.Following Hudson Catholic, Edward obtained his BA from Vassar College in Political Science, then went on to earn his Doctor of Law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Good fit. Eduardo Pena '90 has started a new position as Director at RealSource Group, supporting the expansion of Fitness International's brands, such as LA Fitness, across the country by leading expansion / site selection efforts in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.

Full circle. Anthony Luna '89, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Pearl S. Buck International. Pearl is best known for her vision of connecting East and West through storytelling, compassion, and a deep belief in our common humanity. For Anthony, this is a full circle moment -- he first joined Pearl S. Buck in 1998, serving 18 years -- ten as VP- Development. He launched major gift and planned giving programs, completed a historic preservation campaign, and a capital improvement initiative, secured one of the organization's largest bequests, and represented the organization internationally, including media engagements in the Philippines. The full circle part is incomplete without telling that Anthony is a child of East and West -- of a Filipino-American father and an Irish/German-American mother. "Growing up, I never thought of them in terms of difference. They were simply my parents," Anthony said, adding "The same truth shaped Pearl S. Buck's life and work. She devoted her life to helping people recognize the dignity of every person, especially vulnerable children."

Pearl S. Buck

Thank You For Your Service. Capt. Tom McGrath '78, U.S. Navy. Tom served 27 years in the U.S. Navy -- five active duty (1984 - 1989) and 22 as a selected reservist (1992-2014). While active, Tom served as an Assistant Supply Officer on board the USS Ainsworth frigate, completing two six-month deployments to the Mediterranean Sea. He also participated in the April 1986 Operations in the Vicinity of Libya. As a Reservist, Tom received nine reserve assignments as a Navy and Joint Logistics Officer throughout the United States -- tours included four Command assignments -- and he was deployed as Officer in Charge for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, June through December, 2003.

His Defense Never Rests. He of the signature bow tie, Hall of Famer Brian Neary '69, one of the most prestigious alumni in the annals of Hudson Catholic, is celebrating his 50-year career as an attorney. And he keeps going, and going......and going. Brian has served on both sides of the aisle -- as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He continues to grace the inside of a courtroom -- why? He loves the challenge and the drama of that courtroom. Brian was recently featured -- and celebrated -- in northjersey.com, the online version of the old Bergen Record, in an article titled What Has Kept This Well Known NJ Attorney Going for 50 Years?, which contains a nice reference to The Home of the Hawks. Of note, Brian has recently merged his firm with powerhouse Jersey City firm Connell Foley.

St. Joe's in Hawk History. Bill Guyre '68 was the first Hawk to come south to Jersey City from the Parish of St. Joseph's of the Palisades in West New York. As Hawk History will note, that parish is the one that gave us our first 38 female Hawks in the fall of 2009 as a result of the closing of St. Joseph's WNY High School in June of that year, and the girls' subsequent transfer to The Home of The Hawks, for graduation in the classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

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.

Hawk Gatherings

Cooling their jets. That's Bill Mahoney '69 and wife Josephine on the left, and classmate, Hall of Famer Tom Bender, Jr. '69 and his wife Katie on the right, taking in the temperate island clime of St. Maarten in mid-winter.

In a recent Florida gathering, we have Attorney John Nealon '73 and Dr. Richard Dreiss '73 flanked by their HC Faculty mentors, Jack Campion on the left and Jim Gannon on the right.

The ties that bind. On January 11th, while out at lunch, Maria Carroll Mullahey, daughter of the late Pioneer Hawk Joe Carroll '68, ran into a trio of Joe's classmates -- Gerry Norcia, Rich Muizkar, and Norman Guerra. Maria said: "They had nothing but amazing things to say about [Joe]. Taking a picture with them was such a special full-circle moment. It reminded me just how loved and respected he was, and how proud I am to be his daughter." Joe Carroll left us on April 28, 2009.

Blasts From the Past

In a five-year anniversary tribute to the 'Miracle on Ice' USA 1980 Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Champions, our 1984-85 Hawk Hockey squad reenacted the celebration scene in Lake Placid that followed the USA's vanquishing of the heavily-favored USSR team.

Room 327 was originally a lecture hall (2 classrooms combined) but, over the years, its utility evolved. When desktop computers became en vogue in the '80s, it became a Computer Room containing the technology of the day. Fast forward to the aughts and to now, and that room is the HCTV Studio, home of Hudson Catholic TV, with capabilities for shooting videos in the 'green room' and for in-house broadcasts.

The late Steve Dzincielewski '82 was an All County Football player in his days at the Nest, and the Jersey Journal shouted him out in the fall of 1981 for his outstanding two-way performance.

Sorry, had to run this again. We were there! On the 46th anniversary of the Gold Medal USA Hockey Team, coincident with the celebration of the latest USA Hockey Gold Medal Team, that is '73 best friends Mike Finley and Gary Ferrari wearing younger men's clothes in Lake Placid in 1980 and at the Gold Medal Ceremony. The thrill of a lifetime!

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

If you can't take it with you,

why not leave it to Hudson Catholic?

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.

Reader's, (Please) Respond

We came across this movie promo for H is for Hawk and welcome a review. It seems the producers have lifted a title that may be registered at 790 Bergen Avenue! Send your movie review to us at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org



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.

Reminders

To advertise your business or service

and support this newsletter,

Plan a visit back to The Hawks Nest,

Obtain or donate a Hawk Yearbook

through the Yearbook Exchange,

drop a note to

advancement@hudsoncatholic.org

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

Words of Wisdom

"In a world of Olympians, be a Jack Hughes."

-- Marko Herceg, PhD on Linkedin

"Don't forget God when you get what you have been praying for.”

-- Robert Griffin III, former NFL QB

"A dream is not that which you see while sleeping. It is something that does not let you sleep."

-- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,

Indian aerospace scientist and President of India, 2002-07

"The amount of good things in your life depends upon your ability to notice them."

-- Anonymous

Requiescant in Pace

Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur

(Life is changed, not ended)

___________________________

Thomas Bloomer '73

Doris Doyle,

mother of Joseph Doyle '73

John Haglund,

Father of Peter Haglund '01

Felmor Menor,

father of Christopher Menor '94

___________________________

Will be remembered in the annual

Alumni Mass of Remembrance

on November 1st, 2026

The Office of Advancement ~ Gary, Jill & Jenine

201-332-5970 x118

Advancement@hudsoncatholic.org ~ OR ~ gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org

We Thank

Our Alumni Sponsors