BC Alumni Newsletter

November 2020

ReVitalize, ReEngage, ReConnect

Office of Alumni and Advancement

Thank You! Thank You ! Thank You!

To all who have responded to the Add a Zero Campaign we are so very grateful!
Your continued support is what powers BCHS.

Burke Catholic continues to invest in our students, our curriculum and our facilities, making us
the premier college-preparatory high school in the Hudson Valley. We simply cannot do this
without the continued support of our BC Family. Our Add a Zero Campaign will allow us to con-
tinue this tradition. We are asking that you add a 0 to the number of years since you graduated.
It’s simple: 3 years - $30, 5 years - $50, 10 years - $100

Donate at www.burkecatholic.com
Alumni Spotlight
Ellen Roesch
(‘78)
I am a 1978 graduate of Burke Catholic, and
the oldest of five Burke Catholic Alums ( Anne
‘79, Susan ‘80, Matt ‘82, Carol ‘83) . My
memories of my four years at Burke are some
of my greatest memories. It was a really ex-
citing time to be a Catholic. The election of
Pope John Paul II in 1978 brought a new en-
ergy to our religious traditions at school. I es-
pecially remember our weekly Mass in the
gym, where we had the full accompaniment of
drums, cymbals and brass for our latest rock
renditions of Holy, Holy and Lamb of God.
During those years, Burke Students were in-
vited to Madison Square Garden to join with
thousands of other young Catholic students to
sing some hits from Superstar and Godspell
for the Holy Father. These experiences were
so meaningful to me that many years later
when I had an opportunity to see Pope John
Paul’s successor Pope Benedict, I was thrilled
to bring my young daughter with me to watch
the Pope Mobile round the bases at Yankee
Stadium!
essays, choosing their standardized tests, and
submitting their application. It’s been very re-
warding and exciting to assist students
throughout New York and on the East and
West coasts. Anyone out there who is read-
ing this and feeling that the college search
process is overwhelming for you and your
child please reach out to me for some tips!
Over the years I have been back to Burke on
several occasions, and I’m always excited to
meet students and chat with old and new
friends. A favorite event of mine is the annual
Baccalaureate dinner where my family pre-
sents a scholarship to a senior in memory of
our mother, Sheila, who passed away in 2018.
She was a devoted Burke mom who could al-
ways be found cheering on the bleachers, sit-
ting quietly in the chapel, or working the
bookstore. It’s the highlight of the graduation
season for me each year!

Following college and law school I began

practicing in Albany. I have worked in both
private sector and the public sector. Current-
ly, I am counsel to the New York State Depart-
ment of Taxation & Finance. I have also start-
ed a successful consulting business which I
call “Ellen Roesch, Your College Coach”. I
work on this business outside of my normal
work hours. I assist high school juniors, sen-
iors and transfer students with everything from
narrowing their college choices, writing their
Voice of Eagles Past
were the Crowning of Mary ceremonies in
the courtyard on Ascension Thursdays, the
conference days spent with the teachers
from Lourdes and Coleman and the foreign
language department members all going to-
gether to the Annual Foreign Language
Conferences at the Concord Hotel in Kia-
mesha Lake.

I loved being able to integrate my spirituality

into my lessons and starting all of my for-
eign language classes by having students
say the Hail Mary and the Our Father in the
target language. I always felt welcome and
accepted by the faculty and staff and devel-
oped many lifelong friendships with them
that I will always treasure.

What I loved the most, though, were my stu-

dents. I love my students first and subject
Bill Gunn matter second. I am hoping that a few of
them might even be reading this newsletter
1985-1996 now. If you are, please know that you have
remained in my heart and prayers all these
BCHS Faculty - Languages
years. I know that a least one of my former
students is reading this. She was in my
very first French 2 class. She remains one
I remember when I first applied to teach at Burke of my all time favorite students. The won-
Catholic. I had gone to Manhattanville College’s derful woman is now the Principal of Burke
job placement office toward the end of my last Catholic, Mrs. Janice Clark. God Bless you,
semester in the spring of 1985. I saw an ad in Janice, and everyone else from the Burke
the binder for job openings in the Archdiocese of Catholic Community.
New York. A few days after graduation, I re-
ceived a phone call from Burke. I interviewed
with Sr. Josephine Ortner, the Principal, and a
few days after that was hired. Burke became my
home away from home for 11 years. I will be for-
ever grateful to Sr. Josephine for taking a chance
on a new, young teacher, and for all the lessons
learned that I still apply in my classroom 35 years
later.

Some of my finest memories of my days at Burke

Do you remember… Carousel 1966
We love hearing from alumni—Stanley Jankowski
stopped by and dropped off a copy of the program from
Carousel… Enjoy!
 Please keeps these coming!
Email kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
 )

Not Words But Deeds

Patrick Monroe ‘20
On November 6th Patrick Monroe
graduated from Marine Corps basic
training. Patrick has been accepted
into the Marine Corps Intelligence
Division.

Patrick is next headed for five

weeks of Marine Corps Combat
Training at Camp Geiger North Car-
olina. Followed by twelve months
at the Defensive Language Insti-
tute, College of Army Intelligence ,
in Monterey California.
Honor to the solider and sailor everywhere, who bravely
bares his country’s cause—Abraham Lincoln

Alumni at Burke
Liam Drumgoole (BC ‘16)
Burke welcomed Liam to the Math Department this Sep-
tember. Liam brings with him a respect for Catholic
School education that traces back to his time at Burke as
student. A Mathematics major with a concentration in Sec-
ondary Education, Liam is a graduate of Immaculata Uni-
versity in Pennsylvania. “ I never thought I ‘d end up back
at Burke. It’s good to be back at the school that game me
so many great memories”. We are blessed to have Liam as
a member of our Faculty and BCHS Family.

Faculty Spotlight
Aaron Hasbrouck
Our Faculty Friday for the month of November
goes to Mr. Aaron Hasbrouck.
Mr. Hasbrouck is now in his 7th year at Burke
Catholic, where he currently serves as the Dean
of Student Affairs. While you would imagine
most students would dread to step inside the
Deans Office, interactions with Mr. Hasbrouck
are met with friendly understanding, positive
constructiveness and his shining humor is sure
to brighten anyone’s day. Mr. Hasbrouck’s
Anatomy & Physiology class is among the fa-
vorites of our Eagle upperclassmen. Mr.
Hasbrouck is a regular presence in the BC Stu-
dent life. From chaperoning the senior trip to
Disney, operating the score board at the girls'
and boy’s basketball games, coaching a range
of sports (including Football, Girl's Lacrosse and
Track & Field), attending the school musicals
with his daughters, to keeping an eye on all the
school dances, Mr. Hasbrouck is there for all
the BC functions. In true Eagle fashion, Mr.
Hasbrouck is most of all a family man who loves
his two daughters, Brynn and Emilie (honorary
BC Cheerleaders), son Ryan, and is always
proud of his wife Kristen, who is an ICU nurse.
Mr. Hasbrouck is certainly an important part of
the BC Family!!
“Mr. Hasbrouck is on of the most amazing
teachers I have ever had while at Burke. His
personality lights up the hallways and if you
ever need anything, he is always there for
everyone. He used to play Bones episodes
during our anatomy class, and that class is
where I have some of my best memories.
Not only is he an amazing teacher but he is
one of the funniest people I have ever met.
The way he was able to take a lesson in
class and relate to something he experienced
always put a smile on our faces. He is an ex-
traordinary person and teacher and Burke is
so lucky to have him.” Caileigh Costello BC
Class 2020
“Coach Hasbrouck truly cares for every stu-
dent in the building and represents everything
Burke Catholic stands for. As a former foot-
ball player for Coach Hasbrouck I enjoyed
playing under Coach Hasbrouck as he’s
brought success and positive press to the
Burke Catholic Football program. Burke
would undoubtedly be a different place with-
out Coach Hasbrouck.”
Heath Hoovler BC Class 2018
“Congratulations Aaron Hasbrouck for being
a part of BC Faculty Friday! Aaron has been
one of my fantastic Disney senior trip chaper-
ones for the last few years. I can always
count on him to keep the seniors (and Mr.
Kless!) in order and have as much fun or
even more fun than them! He’s also great at
picking out the perfect Disney princess to
bring home to his two daughters! If you need
a Disney princess...he’s your guy! What I ad-
mire most about Mr. Hasbrouck is his sincere
relationship with the entire Burke Catholic
Family. I believe he’s loved by many because
of his enthusiasm, his animated funny stories,
his willingness to always lend an ear or a
hand, his ability to play fair on and off the
field, his strong connection and commitment
to the students and most probably because of
his three adorable children and his lovely
wife! Again congratulations Mr. Hasbrouck!
Go Eagles!”
Mrs. Christine Morgan, BC Fine Art Chairper-
son & Art Teacher
Thank you Mr. Hasbrouck for your continued
service at Burke Catholic!
BC Eagles = Lifelong Friends

Siena Roommates!
Noelle Burlew & Makaila Benzinger
Marissa Santory DelCantro & Amand Undersinger BC Class of 2020
BC Class 2007

Crew of 2018 at Lake Placid

Jared Wood, Ethan Kless, Spencer Strack, Mike Coyne, , Robert Wood & Robert Farrell

Gino Narcise, Zack Nadrotowicz BC Class of 1986

 What’s New at BC

Burke Catholic continues to expand and grow,

offering exciting new programs to our students!

A note from our Athletic Director about ESPORTS

Greetings BC Nation!
Burke Catholic is excited to announce the newest addition to our extra-curricular program offer-
ings, BC ESports!
BC has partnered with Concorde Education to help launch this new program as an opportunity
for students to engage in a safe, fun, and educationally based activity. ESports are now recog-
nized nationally as a competitive high school activity. In fact, many colleges and universities are
offering scholarship opportunities to students who master the leadership and teamwork skills
that participation in ESports can develop.

If you have any question, please contact Mr. Kless: akless@burkecatholic.org

 MENTORSHIP AND
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Elizabeth Brady ‘98 - Plexus.
Plexus is a company that focuses
on gut health. I joined the compa-
ny 3 years ago, after suffering
from debilitating migraines, 3-4
times a month and regular stom-
ach bugs that would put me in the
hospital. Never did I think I would
end up working the business part
of it, but these products have
changed my life. They have bioa-
vailable clean supplements and an
incredible compensation plan tied
to their business model. If helping
people with wellness and contrib-
uting financially to your family is
something that motivates you, this
is for you! Please reach out to me
on Facebook: Elizabeth Megan or
IG: beth_megan11.
Ellen Roesch (BC Class of ‘78)
CEO of Ellen Roesch Your Col-
lege Coach. Let Ellen simplify the
college process for you. She of-
fers full service college selection
and application coaching. Ellen is
Please send information regarding career,
internship and mentorship opportunities to
Kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
experienced and knowledgeable
in selection criteria, application
success & how to write a great
essay. You will get personal one-
on-one attention from beginning
to end. Priced to fit all budgets
and needs. Learn more at your-
collegecoach.org . You can
reach Ellen at taxlaw-
yer20@gmail.com.
Jeanine Grillo (BC Class of
‘12) is a graduate of St. Thomas
Aquinas (2016) and works as a
Senior Associate for Innovation
& Enterprise Solutions at
KPMG. She has been working
with students through KPMG’s
University and Internship pro-
gram and also offers her ser-
vices independently. Jeanine is
ready to help young profession-
als navigate the job market and
coach them early on in their ca-
reers.
Contact info:jgrillo@kpmg.com
MILESTONES
Veronica Di Paul ’16 -RN, BSN
started at Montefiore St. Luke’s
Cornwall
Heath Hoovler ’18 - named
Football Director at Orange
County Sports Club
Jessica Cooney ‘15 - named
Business Development Account
Executive at Miami Dolphins
and Hard Rock Stadium Miami
Marissa Santory ‘ 07- married
Matthew DelCantaro November
6th
Jean Brown Allision ‘01
Support SEEK Safely’ s
mission to empower seek-
ers of self-help and im-
prove this unregulated in-
dustry. Online auction
until Dec, 6th.
The auction can be found
at:
charityauction.bid/
SEEKSafely2020
Save the Date
What is GivingTuesday?
A day that encourages people
to do good. Started in 2012, it
has grown into a global move-
ment that inspires hundreds of
millions of people to give to
causes they care about.
Give to what you love!
Together We give
Giving Tuesday
December 1, 2020
 If you would like to be in-
cluded in the next news-
letter or have a Milestone
or story you would like to
share, contact Karen Dwyer:
kdwyer@burkecatholic.org

Contact Information
John S. Burke Catholic High School
Office of Admissions, Alumni and Advancement
80 Fletcher St, Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 294-5481

burkecatholic.com
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