BC Alumni Newsletter

August 2022
 Welcome to another great year at Burke Catholic

There are many great things happening at Burke Catholic, the

premier high school and college preparatory school in the NY
Hudson Valley.
We are grateful to have our incredible Burke Catholic High School
students back, and look forward to another year of our highly suc-
cessful Burke Catholic Academy 6 th -8 th grades.
The BC Re-Vitalization Campaign continues to grow with close to
$1M in renovations to our track, STEM science labs, bleachers, sound systems, and new Stu-
dent Union Center. We invest annually to upgrade and improve our college level iPad Canvas
- Learning Management System to enhance our student learning experience.
Every decision at BC is made with only one focus: to provide our students with a safe, caring,
learning environment that provides a sound foundation for future growth.
We are honored and humbled by the continued trust our BC Alumni Family places in us as we
prepare our students to become lifelong learners and successful leaders, entrepreneurs and
professionals.
Your generosity and support allow us to carry on the great legacy and tradition of
Burke Catholic.

We look forward to seeing you on campus

soon.
God bless you all. Non Vox Sed Votum.

John Douthit ’86

President
Burke Catholic High School & Burke
Catholic Academy
 Alumni Spotlight
Michelle Lenzi ‘14
I have so many wonderful memories of my time at Burke Catholic. One of my
favorites was going to see Great Gatsby in the theater with our whole Junior
class, it was so cool to see the book we had just read on screen, and it was a
great bonding experience! We also had to run for cover inside cause the seniors
were waiting for us to return with water guns! Opening night of Footloose! I
had never genuinely sung in front of my family, let alone a whole audience of people. I was not at all expect-
ing to get the lead and it was such an amazing experience.

There were so many wonderful mentors who helped shape who I would become, Mrs. Rivieccio, Ms. Reid, Ms.
Lattanzio, and Mrs. Dolan were all incredibly influential in my growth as a teenager. I had them all as teach-
ers or directors for at least two years and they instilled such confidence in me and my abilities!

My BC theater experience absolutely helped shape my speaking/

communication/sales skills which has led me to an amazing career in re-
cruiting. I also believe being inspired by the many women who taught me at
BC led to my passion for introducing more women to the historically male
dominated field of Finance. This passed year, I had the honor of being
awarded Northwestern Mutual’s National Women Recruiter of the Year. I
truly don’t believe I’d be where I am if it wasn’t for BC. Burke Catholic’s val-
ues also led me to choose to work for a company that values compassion, giving back, inclusivity, and doing
the right thing
,

Voice of Eagles Past

Gregory Luhan ‘85
My fondest or most partnerships intersect. I
impactful memories of teach architecture de-
high school relate to sign studios
athletics either running and Heritage Conserva-
track and playing tion seminars on design
baseball making it to
the sectionals each theory, systems thinking
year, supporting my and design computing.
classmates who were My expertise includes
playing basketball or digital visualization lead-
soccer, hanging out ing to digital manufactur-
after school playing ing with applications to
guitar, and organizing design-build projects,
a student walkout in
support of our faculty full-scale assembly, and the incorporation of
who at the time were significantly unpaid. I was also a ecological design features in affordable, resili-
contributor to the school newsletter at a time when the ent housing design. My professional practice
athletic facilities were transitioning to world class facili- includes award-winning, research-driven pro-
ties. I thoroughly enjoyed writing about those transi- jects which enabled me to forge collaborative
tions. relationships with disciplines outside architec-
ture, most notably engineering, education,
As a student participating in advanced placement
course and honors based science + math + art curricu- business, physics, arts & sciences, and the
lum, my education at Burke enabled my to participate fine arts.
at a very high level of education and career placement.
I can point to one assignment in my Honors English
class where Mrs. Gazzaniga asked us to interview a
person in the community whose career you wanted to
emulate. My father was an engineer and launched
rockets and satellites in space, my mother studied
fashion design and publication relations, my older
brother was a fine artist and into computation as was
my younger brother. I was in between these disciplines
and focused on combination of art and engineering
which was architecture. The architect that I interviewed
enabled me to think expansively about what architec-
ture is and could be. After graduation, I was in the hon-
ors program at Virginia Tech (thanks to Dr. Cliff Wil-
son) where I received a Bachelor of Architecture,
Princeton University where I received a Master of Ar-
chitecture, and Texas A&M University where I received
a PhD in Architecture.

Now I am the Ward V. Wells Endowed Professor of

Architecture and the Department Head at Texas A&M
University after spending 24 years at the University of
Kentucky as the John Russell Groves Endowed Pro-
fessor of Architecture at the University of Kentucky
College of Design, a University Research Professor at
the Lewis Honors College, and a research fellow at the
College of Engineering Center for Visualization. I am
an internationally recognized architect, scholar, author,
professor, and academic leader whose work investi-
gates how design, emerging digital technologies, criti-
cal theory, pedagogy, practice, and academic-industry
,

Eagles taking flight!

My time at Burke Catholic was filled with so many wonderful moments. Some of my favorite memories
that I have at Burke are definitely the football games. That was
something I always looked forward to. I had so much fun cheering
with my teammates on the sidelines whether we were winning or
losing.
I am headed off to the University of Scranton. I will be pursuing a
career in Nursing. It is very exciting to take the next step while also
super scary at the same time. It is an amazing opportunity to move
away and get to start new. Yet it is also hard to leave behind all you
have ever known and what you are most used to. I know that my
time at Burke has prepared me and my classmates for what lies
ahead. Good luck to all my fellow Eagles as we start our new adven-
ture!
Gabby Sullivan ‘22

“We send off our college students, praying they will

keep their roots, while producing new blossoms.”
-Anonymous
,
,

Eagles Soaring
BC Alumni doing amazing work with summer internships.

This summer I was selected to be a summer intern with NASA Space Life Sci-
ences, which is a 10-week program of an individual research project, profes-
sional development, and a group project with 9 other interns. I worked with
some incredible people and learned a ton over such a short period of time. As
this internship was virtual, I formulated my own computational research pro-
ject, focusing on Microorganisms in Space and the fluid dynamics associated
with microgravity conditions. It was my first time doing compbio so there was
definitely a learning curve, but it allowed me to expand on the math I’ve
learned as an engineer and apply it to space biology. This fall I will be pre-
senting my research in Houston, and continuing working with my PI on my
projects!
A bit about SLSTP (The Space Life Sciences Training Program at Ames Research Center)
In this rigorous program, students work closely with renowned NASA scientists and engineers on cutting-edge
research, benefitting from the concentration of bioscience expertise at Ames. One goal of SLSTP is to ensure
that the students interact and work as a “team”. Students focus 80% of their time on mentor-led independent
research projects, and spend the remaining 20% time on a group project and professional development activi-
ties, lecture series, and facility tours.
SLSTP students are exposed to a broad scope of space biosciences research performed by NASA scientists.
While learning about the tools and methodology that enable biological experiments to be conducted in flight,
students acquire skills and knowledge required for the design and execution of life science research conducted
on Earth and in microgravity
The Space Life Sciences Training Program (SLSTP) provides undergraduate students entering their junior or
senior years, and entering graduate students, with professional experience in space life science disciplines. This
challenging ten-week summer program is hosted by NASA’s Ames Research Center in the heart of California’s
Silicon Valley. The primary goal of the program is to train the next generation of scientists and engineers, ena-
bling NASA to meet future research and development challenges in the space life sciences.
,

Eagles Soaring
BC Alumni doing amazing work with summer internships.

This summer, I participated in a 6-week archeological field school in Northern

Maine. The project's scope was to locate remnants of old-world stone technology,
mainly Red Munsungun Chert. My work consisted of digging STP's, opening exca-
vation pits, cataloging, recording, and labeling findings. I initially found the ex-
treme camping conditions difficult, but the work was intense and incredibly re-
warding, and I quickly adjusted. It was my first hands-on experience, and the first
time I was able to apply lessons from the classroom to the real world. Collaborat-
ing with archeologists from other regions of the country ( Maryland, Wyoming)
afforded me knowledge and insight to grow.

This experience taught me to adjust and think on my feet while working in real-
time at a live dig. I also learned patience, as much of the work was tedious and
time-consuming. Learning how to record and file reports with the local Micmac
Tribe was another new skill I gained.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from some fantastic archeologists. I am indebted to the Micmac
Tribe for giving us the honor of studying their culture and land.
ours

Adding to the Eagle Bookshelf

Celebrate alongside Burke Alum Tom Weirich (98’) as his
book We Took the Risk launches officially!
Tom will be hosting a series of book launch receptions in
NYC, San Francisco, Washington, DC and Houston.
The Burke Catholic community is welcome to participate
and will need to pre-register using the link below.

The book launch officially kicks off with the NYC event on
October 6th.

We Took the Risk will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble starting on October
1st

Find a location near you:

New York City (October 6th)

San Francisco (October 27th)
Washington, D.C., (November 9th)
Houston (Week of November 14th)

Registration open until September 7th

https://forms.office.com/r/7TFgrYBs3x.
 2022 Golf Outing
Only a few spots remaining - register while you still can!

Join us on September 16th at

Mansion Ridge Country Club for
a great day of golf in support of
Burke Catholic.

Sponsors are the key to our suc-

cess. If you would like to be a
sponsor, please use the same link
as the golf registration. We ap-
preciate the support!

This year Professor

Tony Gilmore has
blessed BC with a
$25,000 matching
gift towards the BC
Revitalization Fund!

Please help us to
reach this goal.
Non Vox Sed Votum.
 Congratulations to our incredible BC Student-Athletes, AD Adam Kless,
coaches, and our dedicated BC Faculty! Non Vox Sed Votum!

NYSPHSAA School of Distinction. This is the second time in three years BC

has earned this prestigious award!

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are to unite varsity
coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor. This year, 86 schools
earned the School of Distinction Award and 148 schools earned the School of Excellence Award.

“The School of Excellence and School of Distinction Awards highlight the best student-athletes
in New York State”, said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “For 234 member
schools to be honored for their commitment to academics as well as athletics is a testament to
the outstanding leadership and student-athletes we have in this state.”

Schools can apply for School of Distinction status by having 100% of its varsity teams qualify for
and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To earn the
School of Excellence Award, 75% of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-
Athlete team award.
 The BC Connection
The BC Connection every Friday at noon.
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM
Innovation. Education.
Yearbook Needed
A message from Mrs. Ruiz-
I am trying to put together the most complete set of
yearbooks for our archives. I am missing a copy of the
1957 yearbook. If anyone is willing to donate their copy
please email jruiz@burkecatholic.org
Many of our BC Alumni are looking for internships. If your compa-
ny offers internships or mentorships please contact
Karen at kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
MILESTONES
Career:
Nora (O’Sullivan) Mason ‘81– named
Director of Advancement at Holy Cross
High School, Waterbury, CT.
Births:
Marissa (Santory)Delcantaro ‘07– and
husband Matthew announce the birth of
their son, Leonardo Peter, born July 14.
Nick & Taylor (Herrick) Owens ‘14–
announce the birth of their son, Trevor Da-
vid, born May 31.
Weddings:
Andrew Jackson ‘06– Andrew and Blair
Jackson were married July 2.
Meaghan Ruiz ‘16– Megan Ruiz married
Dr. Michael W. Bayer July 23.
Coaching Positions
Interested in joining the BC Coaching
Staff?
Email Adam Kless, BC Athletic Director
akless@burkecatholic.org
We are compiling a list of all our BC Alumni authors and their works.
If you would like to be included please contact
kdwyer@burkecatholic.org

A writer never has a vacation.

For a writer life consists of either
writing or thinking about writing.
~Eugene Ionesco
BC Alumni Giving

ReVitalize, ReEngage, ReConnect

Office of Alumni and Advancement

Your gift will have an immediate impact on all BCHS students.

Light the way for today’s students, so that they can find their way to impact
the world.

To make your gift today, please visit

www.burkecatholic.com

To double the impact of your donation check to see if your company participates in a matching
gift program - please visit

https://doublethedonation.com/BCHS
 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 ext 132

burkecatholic.com
facebook.com/burkecatholichighschool
facebook.com/BCadmissionsandadvancement
twitter.com/burkecatholichs
instagram.com/burkecatholichs