BC Alumni Newsletter

February 2023
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Alumni Spotlight
Montana Prais ‘20
My best memory at Burke Catholic is being a part of the Burke Catholic
Track and Field team. I was the captain my senior year of both Winter and
Spring track. It was always refreshing to end my school day with track prac-
tice. Especially in winter, going to West Point on Friday nights and compet-
ing was always exciting. The team was basically a huge friend group, and
there was never a dull moment during practic-
es or meets.

My time at Burke Catholic was enjoyable and I

found the fun in both my friends and my academics. I remember
Mr. Cossentino, Mr. Rivas, and Mr. Celuch were my favorite teach-
ers; they inspired some part of who I am today, I always loved their
classes. Also, Coach Hasbrouck, Coach DePierro and Mrs. Kelly
Newhard all inspired my athletics and my passion towards it. Alt-
hough I don't run track anymore, since New Paltz doesn't have a
team, the discipline, passion, and character I learned from my
teachers and my coaches I apply to all areas of my life.

I've been continuing my education at SUNY New Paltz as a Me-

chanical Engineering major, soon to graduate in just a year! I hope
to pursue some type of medical field using my major. College has
given me the chance to get to know so many new friends and travel.
 ,

Eagles Soaring
Dolores Figluizzi ‘97
This fall, I had the privilege of working on my first movie set as
an Associate Producer and Production Assistant with a great Di-
rector named Scott Goldberg. The movie is called THE FOREST
HILLS, and the world premiere is in March in Saugerties. This
film will star Chiko Mendes, Dee Wallace, Eddie Furlong, and
Shelly Duvall, to name a few. This opened doors for me in my
professional career in television and movies!

I thank my film teacher from John S. Burke, the late and great
Mr. Kevin Keating. He taught
me not only about movies and television but also about life and how to be
the best at my craft. Another teacher I want to thank is the late Ms. Sophia
Bayno. She was my second mother, therapist, teacher, mentor, and, later in
life, friend. She taught me to be my authentic self, always fight for what I
believe in, and never let any Director, Artist, or boss tell me I cannot! She
also taught me how to be a spiritual being and to love my fellow man. This
spring, I will be working on a show where I will be a supporting actress! This
show will wrap up by the end of year! John S . Burke taught me so many
things while I attended there, especially the importance of community and
giving back!

Currently, I work at Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegra-

tion in Kingston, NY. I am the Assistant to the Director of the VET2VET pro-
gram there. Working alongside my fellow Veterans is my way of giving back
to my community. It gives me and others a sense of belonging, knowing we
are always there for our brothers and sisters. Without my education at John
S. Burke, I would not be the wife, mother, daughter, actor, and Veteran Peer
Specialist I am. I owe everything to this
school!
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Hall of Fame 2023

Suzanne Grant Lewis ‘74
Chair of Education Science and Policy—Education.org
We asked Suzanne to share a few memories of her time at Burke Catholic
along with how her time here shaped her path...

So many memories! Participating in the Model United Nations in Washington, DC with Mr. and Mrs. Gonyea as
chaperones. I participated twice, when we represented Rwanda and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The
dinner parties at Cathy O’Connor’s (now goes my Mary C. O’Connor). Of course, Carousel with Mrs. Sophie
Bayno and Religion with Mr. Bill Toth: “Love is a choice”
When I think of how BC shaped the path I took I reflect on two main points: The start of a history of firsts: There
is a clear thread from my being the 1st on the Boys Track Team and the 1st female President of Student Council to
being the 1st female Director of UNESCO’s International Institute for Education Planning. I must also credit my
family upbringing, with a feminist father, a supportive mother, and a big family in which one had to compete to
be heard. Interest in education and Africa: It was stimulated by Mr. Dolan’s Non-Western Civilization course
sophomore year. I went on to design my own major at Syracuse University, combining African Studies and Com-
parative & International Education. It is still amazing that 40+ years on, I am still working in this field.
I retired from UNESCO in May 2021 and I wanted a break from management at a complex organization of 130+
people with offices in three countries (Paris, Buenos Aires and Dakar). I now work for a new initiative, Educa-
tion.org which produces synthesizes evidence in a way that speaks to the pragmatic questions of government and
other decision makers in education. We are
working to amplify knowledge produced
through practice and which does not always get
published.
It is quite humbling to be selected for the John
S. Burke Hall of Fame. There are many induc-
tees who have contributed more directly to
maintaining the academic excellence of J.S.
Burke or provided service to the school, includ-
ing several from the mighty class of 1974. I am
using the occasion to have a sibling
reunion. I think my parents, major
Burke Athletic Boosters, would have
enjoyed having all seven Grant chil-
dren together for this occasion, includ-
ing the five Burke alums: Sue (’74), Ti-
na (’75), Beth (’78), Bill (’79), and Matt
(’83).
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Hall of Fame 2023

Michael Newhard ‘72
Mayor, Village of Warwick

Michael shared a bit about what being inducted into the Hall of Fame means
to him and caught us up on what he is doing now…

I am honored to be selected for the John S Burke Hall of Fame. I graduated

in 1972. Prior to Burke Catholic, I went to St. John's Elementary School and
was taught by the Sisters of the Presentation in both elementary and high
school. At Burke, I served as Senior Class President and President of the Student Council. I have many great
memories of John S. Burke as well as lifetime friendships.

I remain grateful to the amazing women who I had as educators. Sister Patricia McSorley taught art and was a
fundamental link to my personal development as an artist. Her openness and her ability to share and nurture
talent was a gift that has affected me for my entire life. Sister Nora Cronin was the Student Council coordinator
and helped me at this early stage to recognize my leadership skills. Many years later, when I was living in NYC
as a starving artist Sr. Nora and I reconnected. She was the head Administrator for the Loyola School and gave
me an opportunity to teach art there. Sister Pat and Sister Nora affected me in meaningful ways to help shape
me and grow. They were remarkable women who remain my role models, and over time I've grown to have a
deeper understanding of their dedication as educators.

My sisters Elizabeth, Mary, and I have owned and run a successful retail store, Newhard's The Home Source on
Main Street in Warwick, for 37 years. The store has evolved and is considered an anchor to a vibrant business
district. I am married to artist Judy Petersen, a children's book author and illustrator. We have one son Henry,
22, who just completed his degree in Preservation Carpentry from North Bennet Street School in Boston. I was
first appointed to the Village Board of Trustees in 1997 to complete my late father's term of office. I was elected
Mayor of the Village of Warwick in 2001 and have served in that capacity since then. I was recently re-elected in
2022 for a 5-year term. I still maintain my art-making as an activity though I no longer exhibit

I was shocked to be informed about the nomination to the Hall of Fame. Its significance to me personally is that
my accomplishments were readily a result of my John S. Burke experience. This honor has given me a moment
to reflect on that and John S Burke's impact on my life.
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Save the Date

2023 Family, Friends & Alumni Gala
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BC Alumni supporting their Eagles

Ellen Barrett-Kelly ‘93 with

daughter Anya ‘23

Ali (Muenkel) & Peter Byrons

with daughter Michaela ‘23

Theresa O’Sullivan-Conlon ‘93

with daughter Rose ‘23

Stacie(Gamma) DeMaro ‘91 and sons Jake

‘23 and Dylan ‘25
Tracy (Conrad) Shust ‘87 and son Ryan ‘25
Gillian (Carr) Farrell ‘93 and son Rory ‘24
 Class of ‘73
50 Year Reunion

Save the date Class of 1973!

There will be a 50th High School reunion for members of the class of 1973 on September 30, 2023
at Delancey’s in Goshen NY.

If you are on Facebook, there is a group to join for our class:

JS Burke Class Of ’73

Also, if you are in touch with a classmate, please share this date.

Looking forward to being together in September.

More information to follow!

We are seeking mailing and email addresses.

Please email any of the following class members with your contact information.

Peg (Dickerson) Cullen Peggycullen1@yahoo.com

Patty (Arceri) Wojehowski pwoje@yahoo.com
Bob Frederick captainbobservices@hotmail.com
Mary Kaye (Dougherty) Koch mkkoch@optonline.net
David Roach droachcmd@hotmail.com
Rita Flynn ritaflynn01@optonline.net
Mary Kay (Swanwick) Jankowski swanski55@gmail.com
,

Looking for BC Faculty & Staff

A message from Bill Gunn
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And sometimes it’s ok to brag...

Father George Hafemann, BC Board of Trustee and Pastor of St. John The Evangelist, shared this
testament of Burke Catholic.
We thank Father for his unwavering support of Burke Catholic Students.
 The BC Connection
The BC Connection every Friday at noon.
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM
Innovation. Education.
MILESTONES
Richard Douglas ‘11– starting a new
position as Manager at PwC
Jeanine Grillo ‘12- starting a new posi-
tion as Manager - Advisory Business In-
telligence at KPMG US.

Coaching Positions
Interested in joining the BC Coaching
Staff?
Email Adam Kless, BC Athletic Director
akless@burkecatholic.org

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
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
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