Albertus Magnus High School

Newsletter

Joseph T. Troy, President/Principal May, 2015

Christopher Power, Assistant Principal Volume 55, Number 6

May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and this year it is also the month in which we celebrate the solemnity of

Pentecost. What links these two tremendous mysteries? One answer: beauty.

The way of beauty

Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, has called for a “way of beauty” – via pulchritudinis. The Holy Father explains: “Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendor and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus” (#167). Who fulfills this better than the Blessed Virgin Mary? As J. R. R. Tolkien put it, “All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady.” Why a way of beauty? I once heard a remarkable talk by the poet Dana Gioia in which he said that the absence of beauty in the world has left a hole in our thinking. People instinctively seek beauty, not logic. Those who manage to change the world do so by embodying their ideas-turning them into something beautiful. He contended that if the Church fails to offer a beautiful vision to the world, then people will stay away. And I think he is right.

The allure of beauty

But beauty can be perilous. Saint Bonaventure points to the pivotal role beauty played in the fall of the angels: “When the sight of Lucifer’s own beauty and eminence made him fall in love with himself and his private good, he presumed upon the lofty state already his to aspire to an excellence that he had not yet attained. The fallen angel perverted every-thing to feed his pride, expecting people to revere and adore him as if he were God.” In our fallenness, we are prone to the same trap. To save us, God gives us a glorious way of beauty in the Holy Spirit and in the Mother of God. Caught up in this via pulchritudinis, when we glimpse our own beauty the sight moves us to surrender ourselves more fully to God in faith, aspiring humbly to an excellence that is ours only as a gift from him.

The concretization of beauty The Holy Spirit “concretizes beauty in the Church” (T. Dubay). By giving birth to the Word of God made flesh, we can say the same of Mary, who is called the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that “art is on the part of the Holy Spirit who is the principal mover, not human beings.” How does this “concretization of beauty” take place? The Catechism teaches us this:

The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God (737).

But if you look back to a few paragraphs just before this -722-725 –we read how the Holy Spirit acted in the life of Mary. For some reason, there is no cross reference in the margins of the Catechism linking these paragraphs with 737, but the parallel is uncanny…mystical even (right down to the italicization)! The Catechism states that “the Holy Spirit prepared Mary by his grace” (722). “In Mary, the Holy Spirit fulfills the plan of the Father’s loving goodness” (723). “In Mary, the Holy Spirit manifests the Son of the Father” (724). And, “through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men…into communion with Christ” (725). How very much we need to be more and more prepared for the life of faith…we need to experience personally the Fa-ther’s plan of loving goodness…we need the mystery of Christ to be a Presence in our life…and we need to be brought into a communion with God that defeats all loneliness and misery. The wondrous truth is that all of this is our through the incomparable way of beauty that comes to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and through the never-ending maternal mediation of the illustrious and ever-blessed Virgin Mary.

MAGNIFICAT EDITORIAL Father Peter John Cameron, O.P., Editor in Chief

HONOR ROLL

FIRST HONORS is awarded to a student who achieves an average of 95% with no failing grade.

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FROM THE OFFICE OF CAMPUS MINISTRY

As I write this we are preparing for our last Midnight Run of the school year. On May 8th, 20 of our freshman will experience this invaluable experience of direct service to the homeless. I am grateful to the cooperation of all of our parents for their support of these service trips. Whether you drive or donate clothing/supplies we could not do this without your help. On April 1st, the Preaching Team presented the Stations of the Cross to the student body. Each station was portrayed through art, music or poetry. I am grateful for all the hard work that went into this and the many other Preaching Team activities that have occurred. In their inaugural year they have made a difference in many ways. On April 12th the team joined the St. Thomas Aquinas College Preachers in a special commit-ment ceremony at Dominican Convent. Ten juniors have taken part in the training for Eucharistic Ministers. They will be commissioned by Msgr. Nevin, the Dean of Rockland County at Mass on May 20th. They will serve the AM community next year at our Masses. I am grateful to our present Eucharistic Ministers who will graduate this year. I wish them many blessings as they go off to college and pray they will carry this experience with them always. A special event took place at AM on April 29th, the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. Sr. Nancy Murray, O.P. a Dominican Sister from Adrian, Michigan performed her world renowned one women show on the life of St. Catherine. Sr. Nancy has been doing this show for 15 years and has performed it across the U.S. and on sev-eral continents. She gave us great insights into the life of this Dominican woman, leaving us with her message so relevant our students:. “IF YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO BE, YOU WILL SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.” May we remember during this month of May our mothers, grandmothers and women who have positively

influenced our lives and lift them in prayer to our Blessed Mother who watches over us all.

Submitted by Sr. Nancy Richter, O.P.

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Todd Campanella Jr. Elizabeth Benedetto Emily Auld Maxx Annunziata

Gia Cricchio Medgine Boutin Michelle Barry Griffin Favre

Kieran Doherty Samantha Brosius Casey Bischoff Allison Fisher

Kiera Egan Philip Cipollina Megan Bragaglia Sean Healey

Tyler Guarino Christopher Cooney Zachary Cunillera Kelly Houlihan

Danielle LaRochelle Paiyam Kardgar Erin Curley Kaitlyn Joong

Carly Mackle Melissa Lagueras Paulina Dore Kelly Kozar

Katelyn Mager Helaina Lopez Reilly Golden Ashley Lara

Toni Linn Moore Chloe Martinez Samantha Heavner Kevin Leddy

Caitlin O'Dowd Christopher McAvoy Timothy A. O'Connor Maria Maguire

Jessica O'Neill Valerie Monaco Jacklyn L. Onody Madison McGrath

Samantha Pisano Matthew Quinones Michael J. Padron Lauren Milano

Erin Santos Jake Rivera Katherine A. Reilly Elisabeth Pappalardo

Hailey Tyler Meaghan Sullivan Giordana Scaffidi Gianna Pisano

Jenna Tyrrell Jaclyn Travaglini Stephen R. Storms Emily Roff

Kayla Vogelsang Jenna Vogelsang Carly M. Winchell Rianna Scanlon

. Heba Z. Yacoub Kiera Townsend

Chelsea L. Yagel Gabrielle Valdez

Michael Waldron

HONOR ROLL

SECOND HONORS is awarded to a student who achieves an average of 90% with no failing grade.

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Julia Adams Gabriella Angeletti Kyra Berkner Edward Amaba

Sarah Agosto Brandon Breece Olivia Berkner Ronald Arvanites

Mary Amonica Jacqueline Cerrati Isabella Bono Catherine Cain

Erin Arduini James Clifford Brendan Callahan Victoria Cipollina

Isabelle Cavallo Josephine Coyne Joseph Campitiello Joseph Denise

Francesca Clement Niles Davies Erin Ciborowski Andrew DiScenza

Elizabeth Collins Alexandra DiNardo Carly Clinton Andrew Gallagher

Caitlin Crowley Megan Donelan Cortney Desrivieres Samantha Giuliano

Brianna Dechabert Michael Dunne Kelly DeVizio Michael Goff

Megan Ferguson Julia Fahey Edward Faro Claire Hatala

Kieran Flanagan Gabrielle Favre Maria Fernandes Kevin Hayes

Katelyn Hall Nicoll Flores Tonny Francois Jacqueline Hennelly

Samantha Kay Grace Freeman Mary Gavin Daniela Herrera

Shannon Kelly Daniel Giudice Matthew Grieco John Humphrey

Jessica Kilb Anna Hennelly Annalise Gutenberger Michael Lang

Kathleen Kunz Leah Hopson Lillian Haltner Melissa Lao

Eva LoPresti Tamara Jones Matthew Hawker Michael LaRosa

Eden McConnell Paulina Kanburiyan Gleyra Herrera Victoria Lord

Karishma Melwani Kaitlyn Kreider Brendan Hilliard Alexia Mazis

Kaylee Ortiz John Maguire Theresa Hutton Christopher Munno

Victoria Paciello Gregory McAvoy Samantha Joseph Katherine O'Connell

Caitlyn Pauyo Patrick McConnell Angela Koza Anita Oolut

Victoria Rooney Alison Moutinho Gabriel Lara Jade Ortiz

Connor Silverstein Selena Roberts John Lauder Shyanne Ottosi

Seamus Townsend Jack Rockhill Katarina Lopez Amber Pandya

Kylie Trombino Kathryn Ruzzi Dillon N. Maher Anthony Parisi, Jr.

Alexa Untener Michael Sakmann Deonna E. Mangione Andrew Pierre

Zachary Shaffer Ashley L. Maturo Kirsten Rico

Berry Shupe Richard Michel Kristin Rivera

Gabrielle Smith James B. Musngi Emily Ryan

Whitnie Torchon Emily A. Nealon Kimberly Sano

Abigail Urena Sydney Newbury Sean TenEyck

Natalie Walker Christopher J. Ott Allyson Tierney

Tonianne Zottoli Jason A. Pappalardo Joanna Todd

Jordan C. Rivera Matthew Tyler

Stephen R. Rodriguez Katrina Valenza

Amanda M. Silvestri Victoria Vieira

Jessica N. Stagnari Megan Witt

Ashley Tortorella Caroline Zemsky

Jacqueline M. Traub

Music Notes DAMN YANKEES HITS A HOME RUN Over 1000 people packed the gym during the weekend on March 27th-29th. "Damn Yankees" was an amazing show with an amazing cast and crew! It will be one of the best memories of the 2014-2015 school year!

NUMBERS FOR NYSSMA RISE AGAIN For the 6th consecutive year, the number of students preparing for and participating in a NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Festival have increased! This year, Mrs. Rizzo prepared 51 students! Congratulations to all who participated; this is a great opportunity for students to showcase their musical abilities while being adjudicated on their performance. 9th Grade (14) 10th Grade: (10) Gia Cricchio-voice Jackie Cerrati-voice, ensemble Elizabeth Collins, voice Mark Covais-voice Kiera Egan-piano, voice Anita Daley-voice, ensemble Kasey Kemmer-voice Niles Davies-piano Carly Mackle-voice Leah Hopson-snare drum Karishma Melwani-voice Matthew Quinones-voice Samantha Pisano-voice Selena Roberts-alto saxophone Jaden Poterbin-voice Gianna Scollo-voice, ensemble Victoria Rooney-voice Sara Wojnicki-voice Erin Santos-clarinet Tonianne Zottoli-flute, voice Connor Silverstein-voice Ryan Silverstein-voice Steven Tillette-voice 12th Grade: (15) Jenna Tyrell-voice Edward Amaba-ensemble Carmangelo Capasso-voice, ensemble 11th Grade: (12) Casey Davies-voice, ensemble Allison Fisher-ensemble Addie Gerber-voice, ensemble Kyle Francis-voice, ensemble Mary Gavin-voice, ensemble Ashley Lara-ensemble Reilly Golden-voice, ensemble Aja Neptune-ensemble Joseph Hahnenfeld-guitar, voice Jade Ortiz -ensemble Lillian Haltner-alto saxophone Bryan Perez-ensemble Samantha Heavner-voice, ensemble Andrew Pierre-voice, ensemble Gleyra Herrera-violin Gianna Pisano-ensemble Derek Kelly-voice, ensemble Emily Roff-voice, ensemble James Musngi-voice Matthew Tavolacci-ensemble Kelly Nicholson-voice, ensemble Kiera Townsend-ensemble Hugo Rodriguez-voice Matthew Tyler-ensemble Dominique Smith-voice

Music Notes

SPRING SOUNDS: You are invited to the annual Spring Concert, which will be held on Thursday, May 14th at 7:00pm in the gym. Performances by the Band, Veritas, and Chorus.

MUSIC IN THE PARKS On Friday, May 15th, Veritas will travel to Hershey, PA to participate in their 7th annual Music In The Parks Competition. The ensemble is adjudicated by two college-level music educators, and re-ceives feedback and scores for their performance.

SINGING FOR A WORTHY CAUSE: Members of Veritas and the AMHS Spring Musical per-formed at the Gala Auction on May 2nd. This is very special as funds are being raised for new light-ing and sound on the stage!

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ALBERTUS MAGNUS ACADEMIC JEOPARDY

Albertus Magnus hosted its annual Academic Jeopardy for 7th grade students from the surrounding Catholic schools on Tuesday, April 28th. We had 141 students in attendance. As always, the event was a great success. Having the students come together in a friendly competitive atmosphere while challenging their knowledge is a great mix. Mr. McAn-drew and Mr. McFadden shared the job of MC, while Tim Ga-van, Casey Ehrie, and Noreen Power were members of the judge’s panel. The AM cheerleaders (Megan Witt, Kelly Jean-Charles, Daniela Herrera, Emily Ryan, Casey Bischoff and Gabriella Angeletti) along with Freddie the Falcon (Michael Goff) did a great job of encouraging the spirit of the schools as they cheered on their student peers competing in the academic jeopardy rounds as well as competing for the Spirit Award. Congratula-tions to this year’s Academic Jeopardy winner, St. Gregory Barbarigo of Garnerville, and to the Spirit Award winner, St. Paul School of Congers.

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CYO Art Contest-Spring 2015 Rockland County Winners

Expert Division

1st Place: Gabrielle Smith/Albertus Magnus High School 2nd Place: Berry Shupe/Albertus Magnus High School

3rd Place: Gabrielle Angeletti/Albertus Magnus High School

Elite Division 1st Place: Nicholas Proscia/Albertus Magnus High School 2nd Place: Carly Winchell/Albertus Magnus High School 3rd Place: Kendra Mayne/Albertus Magnus High School

The following article, with photos, was printed in the May 2015 Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, NY “Update Newsletter”

Saturday, May 2nd: Farewell to President Troy; Hello to New Project

Our annual spring fundraiser, the AMHS Parent Association Gala Auction, was held last Saturday evening at the Patriot Hills Golf Club in Stony Point, New York with more than 250 guests in attendance. There were also 40 soon-to-be graduating seniors in the clubhouse helping the Gala Committee make certain all participants were “well-cared” for and enjoying themselves! This year’s celebration was distinctive in a couple of other ways, as well. First off, this year’s “Gala Goal” is to raise needed funds to replace and modernize the Stage’s Light/Sound System in the Tom Collins Center, after spending the last five years focusing on rebuilding the Science Wing. That point was made even stronger by our Honors Choir, VERITAS, led by Musical Director, Nadia Rizzo, who serenaded the Gala guests with a number of songs—even one from our recently performed, Spring Musi-cal, Damn Yankees…”You’ve Gotta Have Heart” brought the Gala assembly to its collective feet with raucous applause! The second unique element to last Saturday’s gathering was that it marks the last time Joseph T. Troy will offi-ciate the Gala as President/Principal. As the guiding force for this event over the years; and for his inspired leadership as the school’s chief executive for the past two decades, Joe Troy was praised, thanked and offered best wishes in page after page of the Gala Journal/Program! This year’s co-chairs, Marie Lorenz P’15 & P’17 and Jeanmarie Cooney P’17, were extremely able managers of a very dynamic group of volunteers—The 2015 Gala Committee---their commitment to AMHS is truly inspiring!! And speaking of inspirational, Coach Pat McFadden, performed masterfully as the special guest auctioneer---“Coach Paddy” was his usual funny, engaging, invigorating and fiery self! He had the bidding crowd in a laugh-ing (and giving!) frenzy! Thank you so much, Coach McFadden!! The evening concluded with the selection of winning tickets for the Specialty Raffles—and even with this activ-

ity, there were more great stories to tell! The Parahus Family won the Semester’s Free Tuition Raffle—they’ll

have two children at AMHS next year, while other “babies” are studying in college or in Catholic grade school!

Albertus Parent & Patron, Patrick Onody, was the Super 50/50 Cash Raffle winner; and Mr. Thomas Hilliard,

Sr. won the Nissan Sentra S for the Car Raffle. Mr. Hilliard is the grandfather of current Albertus student,

Brendan Hilliard ’16.

SAVE THE DATE

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

AMHS GOLF & TENNIS INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Start your summer vacation on Monday, June 29th at the Paramount Country Club in New City, NY with one more “Albertus Celebration” by “Hitting the Links” or “Hitting that Fuzzy Yellow Ball” and participate in either our golf or tennis tourna-ment at the beautiful Paramount Country Club (formerly the Dellwood CC) at 60 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956. This event will be the last formal fundraiser hosted by President Joe Troy as he will retire as Albertus President the following day on Tuesday, June 30th. The good peo-ple at Paramount CC have designated Monday, 6/29/15, as “Falcon Day” at their Club, as we will be given use of the course, the courts and the pool! Formal invitations will go out within the next 10 days and we invite all AM families to participate in this last “Joyous Gathering” for Mr. Troy; and before everyone heads out for summertime destinations! All monies raised from this special event will benefit the Falcons’ Athletic Depart-

ment! Go AM!!

Seniors Seniors Please go to Naviance for Scholarship opportunities, deadlines for many are fast ap-

proaching. New scholarship applications are being added on a regular basis and are available

for download.

The Brian C. Novotny Memorial Scholarship application is available on Naviance. The due date

is May 15th.

***Students are reminded that notice must be given to the Guidance Department no later than

May 18th of all college scholarships/grants and awards in order for that information to be in-

cluded in the Graduation Program.

Junior Year TO DO LIST

Research and visit colleges and universities that fit your academic and extracurricular profile

Complete Resume/Activity sheet

Request teacher letter of recommendation via Naviance

Register with NCAA if you plan on playing a Div I or Div II sport

Register and take SAT and or ACT test

Keep an eye on Naviance for college table dates for the fall

AMHS HS CODE 330447

AMHS Test Center number 33138

Upcoming Test Dates for Spring 2014

SAT : June 6th (To register go to Collegeboard.com)

ACT: June 13th (To register go to ACT student.org)

Guidance Corner

Director of Guidance (A-K) Casey Ehrie (ext. 233) Director of Admissions/Guidance Counselor (9th) Noreen Power (ext. 206)

Guidance Counselor (L-Z) Missi Holland (ext. 232) Guidance Administrative Assistant - Marianne O’Brien (ext. 202)

Albertus Magnus Guidance Department has kicked off the Albertus Magnus

Guidance Department Facebook Page. Like us on Face book for important

information, updates and reminders.

Albertus Magnus High School College Representative Panel was a huge success. Thank you to panelist from Fordham University - Mr. Dan McDermott, Manhattan College - Ms. Anne Rotundo, Marist College - Mr. Julio A. Torres, Jr., Rockland Community College Honors Program -Ms. Hannah Lowney Sacred Heart University - Ms. Julia Morgillo. Thank you also to over 100 parents and students that came out for this valuable event.

Freshmen/Sophomores

It’s never too soon to get started with your college search!

Here are few ideas:

Visit Naviance Career Explorations and begin your search.

Stop by Guidance to pick up free School Guides and College Conference newspapers on

table outside the Guidance Office.

Visit College websites and start researching colleges that you may be interested in visiting.

Parents & Students interested in additional AP/Regents review – visit passtheregents.com

Good Luck to all our students preparing for and taking AP exams, regents exams & final exams!

-From Your Albertus Magnus Guidance Department

AMHS Parent Association & AMHS Guidance Department

Presents

DATES TO REMEMBER Saturday, May 2 - SAT @ AMHS Auction Gala at Patriot Hills May 5—May 14 - AP Exams Tuesday, May 5 - Eucharistic Minister Training Friday, May 8 - Freshman Midnight Run May 11—May 14 - Art Show Thursday, May 14 - Ascension Thursday—MASS Spring Concert—7:00 pm Friday, May 15 - Progress Reports Mailed VERITAS Trip to Hershey Park Wednesday, May 20 - Junior Ring Mass & Eucharistic Minister Induction Thursday, May 21 - Junior Trip to NYC Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day—No School Tuesday, May 26 - Class of 2015 Senior Prom May 26—May 29 - Senior Week Tuesday, June 2 - Common Core Testing CYO Art Show & Reception 5:30 pm—7:00 pm Wednesday, June 3 - Graduation Practice—11:00 am Baccalaureate Mass—6:30 pm—St. Francis of Assisi Church Friday, June 5 - Graduation—Class of 2015—6:30 pm June 15—June 23 - Regents & School Exams Monday, June 29 - Report Cards Mailed Golf Tournament—Paramount Country Club Friday, June 3 - Independence Day observed