BC Alumni Newsletter

March 2024
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Eagles Milestone
Girls Varsity Flag Football Team
“The first ever girls flag football season is underway at Burke Catholic this year and everyone is excited
about it. We have over 30 girls who joined the team and they have been working hard and learning the
game since the start of the Spring Sports Season. The Eagles are coached by Coach Hasbrouck the Boys
Varsity Football Coach and Dean of Students, Coach Fandl the Girls Varsity Soccer Coach and Director
of Student Activities, and Coach Pezzullo one of our assistant Football Coaches. The make up of the
team is girls from grades 9-12 from all different sports backgrounds and some playing a sport for the
first time. We are having a lot of fun and looking forward to competing with other teams in Section 9.”
- Head Coach Aaron Hasbrouck

"Being part of the first Burke Flag football team has united us girls in a special bond. We're all navi-
gating this new adventure together, learning new plays and adjusting to a sport we’ve never played be-
fore. Spending time with the coaches and different teammates has made the experience really enjoyable
and memorable."
-Senior Olivia Harrison
(4 sport athlete at Burke. Soccer, Basketball, Track + Field, and now Flag Football )

“We are excited about the newest addition to our Spring sports program, Girls Flag Football. Interest
from our student-athletes for this emerging sport in Section IX has been tremendous. The girls, Coach
Hasbrouck and Coach Fandl are building a strong foundation for the program. Our Inaugural season
promises to be fun for the entire BC Community .”

- Adam Kless, Burke Catholic Athletic Director

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Eagles Mentoring Eagles

“On the third Thursday of each March, Burke Catholic welcomes alumni, parents, and family and
community members to speak to our high school students about their career paths. Since 2019, over
85 speakers have volunteered their time to meet with our students. More than half of these present-
ers are BC Alumni who continue to exemplify our school motto, “Not Words, But Deeds.”

While sharing an hour of their time, it is clear that these speakers have had a profound effect on the
future of our students. In a survey done after our 2023 Career Day, 73% of our students noted that
one or more speakers had made such an impact on them that they were now considering a career in
a field that they had not thought of before.

We are grateful for the many speakers who come to Burke Catholic to discuss educational and ca-
reer opportunities and welcome any alumni, family or community members who would like to join
this great program in the future.” -Janice Clark, Principal

Susan McHale McGahan ‘83

Assistant Vice President-Senior Legal Counsel, AT & T

Susan has a background in engineering and then went on to

law school and became a patent attorney. She has worked in
small boutique, New York law firms, as well as in large law
firms and has been in-house for over two decades. Susan was a
woman in STEM long before it was cool, but the opportunities
that were presented to her have led to a wonderful career in
technology, working with one of the largest telecom providers
in the nation.

”After 40 years, I return up the hill to Burke Catholic. It was a pleasure to speak to a mixed
class of sophomores, juniors, and seniors about my career in law. I reminded the students
that I sat in the same seats and was instilled by the Catholic values taught to me by Burke to
give back and make an impact in the world. Despite being a corporate patent lawyer for AT&T
for the last 25 years I discussed my pro bono representation of a death row inmate in Ala-
bama and my annual trip to Guatemala to build a home for the Mayan workers working
with fromhousestohomes.org. The students were curious that you needed an engineering
background to become a patent attorney and life of an in-house lawyer.”
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Christ Canonico ‘84

Area Vice President, Bun and Bradstreet

Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in Manage-

ment, Information Systems, and Marketing from
Dominican University. He is the Area Vice Presi-
dent for Dun & Bradstreet, the leading global pro-
vider of business decisioning data and analytics,
enabling companies to improve business perfor-
mance. He consistently excels in a sales leadership
role, guiding team and business growth across
their North America customer base. Chris dis-
cussed with the students how he got the job he has
today, what his job entails, and other careers
relative to his field.

Mary Obremski Sarantopulous 85

Dental Hygienist, Smile Works

Mary discussed with the students different

options available to those that are interested
in working as a dental hygienist as well as
what path to take in schooling and licensing.

“Being a graduate of Burke Catholic it was

nice to go back to the school for Career Day
and speak to the students. I had a good time
seeing former teachers and other alumni as
well.”
 Alison Sullivan ‘94
MD, Psychiatrist

Dr. Alison Sullivan spoke with the students about her journey to becoming
a psychiatrist and her training as a pediatrician.

Stanley Lupinski ‘95

Police Sergeant, Town of Goshen Police Dept & BC Parent

Sergeant Lupinski spoke with the students about

the path to becoming a local Law Enforcement
Officer and the impact of working in your commu-
nity.

“This was my second year, invited to speak at Burke's

Career Day. I am frequently in the school building as a
police presence with our "Badges in the Building" Pro-
gram that was a collaboration between President
Douthit, Principal Clark and the Town of Goshen Police.
Career Day gives me the chance to speak to the students
at a more personal level and explain what being a local
police officer in the community you grew up in is like. As a BC parent, I think that Career Day
is a great opportunity for the students to hear from Burke alumni and explore different fields of
employment that they might not have been exposed to.”

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Tricia Murdy Scala ‘00

CPWD Zone Manager, Ford Motor Company
Tricia worked for Mercedes-Benz for 13 years in Consumer Re-
lations, as an Analyst, and in Marketing and Communica-
tions. She also worked 8 years at Benjamin Moore as a Retail-
er Programs Specialist. Tricia currently works at a Ford Motor
Company. She is responsible for supporting 38 New York Re-
gion Certified Parts Wholesaling Dealers throughout the tri-
state area. She collaborates and builds relationships with key
stakeholders to capitalize on parts sales growth opportuni-
ties. Tricia manages the development and implementation of
effective programs, events (promotions, incentives, training
sessions, etc..) and advertising/merchandising strategies to-
ward meeting/exceeding Retail & Wholesale parts and accessories objectives.

Jeffry Thoelen ‘00

Lieutenant-Bureau Commander of Operations
City of Middletown Police Department
Jeffry graduated from BC along with his twin sister Jaimee,
and his wife Lauren. As Bureau Commander he is respon-
sible for oversight of the department’s Patrol Division,
which is make up of approximately 50 patrol officers and
10 supervisors. He holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting
from Mount Saint Mary’s University Maryland and a Mas-
ter’s in Public Administration from John Jay College of
Criminal Justice in New York. Jeffry discussed with the stu-
dents his career in law enforcement, how the field of law
enforcement is both challenging and rewarding. He shared
a comprehensive overview of the hiring process, civil servicer ules, and the steps stu-
dents can take that would put them in the best position to serve as a member of law en-
forcement.
“This was my third opportunity to come back and speak with the students at Burke about a career in law enforce-
ment, and I am honored to be able to take part in this annual tradition. All of the students who I spoke with were
attentive and engaged, and I can only hope that they will consider applying the time honored values and lessons
that they have learned at Burke to proudly serve their communities. Burke prepared me so well to meet the chal-
lenges that I have faced in my academic and professional careers, and I know that all of us who participated in
Career Day would be blessed to have any of these bright young men and women join us in our professions.”
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Laura Rico ‘02

Burke Catholic School Counselor, LMHC
After graduating from Drew University with a BA in
Psychology and a minor in Sociology Laura went on
the get her MS in Mental Health Counseling at
SUNY New Paltz. She worked in private practice for
10 years before becoming an ADAPP counselor and
finally coming back to BC. Laura discussed with the
students what it is like to major in Psychology as
well as the different career outcomes, focusing on
the mental health field. She spoke to them about
the paths to licensure following graduation and fielded questions about what
it is like to work as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in different settings
(school, hospital, and private practice).

Brian Contay ‘10

Sullivan County District Attorney

After graduating from BC, Brian attended West

Virginia University earning a Bachelor in Sci-
ence for Sports Management with minors in
Business Administration, Communication Stud-
ies, and Person Training. Upon graduation Bri-
an underwent a summer internship at the Sulli-
van County District Attorney’s Office under Dis-
trict Attorney James Farrell. He then attended
Touro Law Center, graduating in the top 5% of
his class in 2017 earing his Doctor of Jurisprudence. Brian spoke to the
students about the path he took leading to becoming District Attorney
and what the duties and responsibilities of a District Attorney are.
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Steven Cushing ‘15

Assistant Football Coach, SUNY Cortland

Steven attended Misericordia University graduating with a Bachelor of Sci-

ence in Business Marketing. He has since been coaching at SUNY Cortland,
helping lead the team to the Division III National Championship where they
were victorious. He spoke to the students about his career path and the steps
he took to get to where he is now. Steven shared advise related to how to enter
the coaching profession and he detailed the responsibilities of his job.

Ciara Serpa ‘17

Lead Pharmacy Technician/Inventory Specialist, CVS

Ciara earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Infor-

mation Systems from Iona University in 2021. She went on to earn her
Master of Science in Data Science from Fordham with an Advanced Certi-
fication in Financial Econometrics and Data Analysis.
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Mia Serrano ‘17

Quality Control Technician, Takasago International Corporation

After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemis-

try Mia is now working in cosmetic raw materials
and manufacturing. She spoke to the students
about her work and the many aspects of her ca-
reer as a perfumer, and in quality assurance, re-
search and development, flavoring, and food sci-
ence.

Myriam Moise ‘18

Senior Microbiology Lab Technician, KDC/ONE Port Jervis

Myriam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural

Science (Neuroscience). She spoke with the
students about her career path and how the
lab experience she earned has helped her in
her pursuit in pre-professional programs. She
shared information about lab positions, re-
search positions, product manufacturing, en-
gineering and the role of a plant hygienist.
Myriam is currently a pre-med student.
,

Jordan Morris ‘19

Client Service and Operations Lead Associate
Darrow Wealth Management
Jordan attended Bentley University for both
her undergrad and graduate school degrees.
She earned her Bachelor’s in Finance and Fi-
nancial Management Services and her Mas-
ter’s in Finance. Upon graduation she passed
her CFP exam to become a Certified Financial
Planner. Jordan shared with the students the
demands and every day routines of a career in
Wealth Management and Finance.

If you would like to be a part of BC Career Day

Email Kathleen Conroy at
kconroy@burkecatholic.org
 Eagles Celebrating the Season
St. Patrick's Day Festivities & Easter Celebrations

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Time Is Almost Up-Get Your Tickets Today!

2024 BC Family & Friends Hall of Fame Gala

Join us on Saturday, April 20th, for a celebration honoring Burke Catholic and welcoming our
newest inductees into the BC Hall of Fame.
Save the date and be part of this fabulous evening as we unite to
honor the past and embrace the future.
 The 2024 Burke Catholic Family, Friends and Alumni Gala serves as one of the major fundraising
events of our school year. All proceeds raised will be directed to the B.C. Revitalization Campaign.
The Gala serves as a celebration of the past, present and future of Burke Catholic. This year’s cele-
bration will be held on Saturday, April 20 at the Villa Venezia in Middletown.

Purchasing a Gala Sponsorship or Journal Ad is an opportunity to support our fundraising efforts, while
gaining positive exposure for your business, company or organization. Please see the enclosed infor-
mation for Sponsorship opportunities.

Thank you in advance for your support,

The Burke Catholic Foundation

visit www.burkecatholic.com to purchase your Sponsorship or Journal Advertisement

OR you may email Adam Kless at
adkless@burkecatholic.org
 Save the Date

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2nd Annual BC Faculty Reunion

April 27, 2024

Please share and let us know you are coming!

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BC Alumni Reunions!
We have a few reunions in the planning stages.
You can find contact information on the next few pages and look for information
to be posted in the coming weeks on the alumni page of our website.

Calling the Class of 1985!

A few folks have reached out looking to get a committee together
to start planning our next reunion. If you are interested in help-
ing to kick off the planning please email
Karen Dwyer at kdwyer@burkecatholic.com
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Class of 1971
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Class of 2014
It is time to celebrate!
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Class of 1994
Can you believe it's been 30 years since we walked the halls of Burke Catholic? Time flies, doesn't it? It's
hard to believe, but our milestone 30-year reunion is just around the corner!

We're excited to announce that planning for this special event is officially underway. But we can't do it
alone. We're reaching out to all of our fellow classmates to see if anyone would like to lend a hand and
help make this reunion unforgettable.

If you're interested in getting involved or have any ideas to share, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Your input and participation would mean the world to us as we come together to celebrate three dec-
ades of memories, friendships, and achievements.

Stay tuned for updates on dates, locations, and more details about the reunion festivities. In the mean-
time spread the word to other classmates!

Let's make our 30-year reunion one for the books.

We can't wait to reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories together.

Email Karen at Kdwyer@burkecatholic.org (your information will be forwarded to committee)

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Class of 1974
Details are still being ironed out for your epic reunion, but in the meantime some of
your classmates have put together a little video. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/905019609
 Stay tuned for details...
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We are looking for pictures!

Do you remember the magic of our senior trips? Exploring the wonders of Europe, or touring through
the charming streets of Quebec? Those moments are etched in our memories forever.

As we continue to cherish and celebrate our time at BC, we're reaching out to all Eagles who participat-
ed in these unforgettable trips. We're inviting you to dust off those old photo albums and share your fa-
vorite snapshots from your BC adventures. Whether it's a group photo in front of Cinderella's Castle, a
candid shot from the streets of Paris, or a scenic view from Quebec City, we'd love to see them all!

Please send your photos along with a brief caption or memory to kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
 The BC Connection
The BC Connection every Friday at noon.
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM
Innovation. Education.
Milestones
Jerry O’Donnell ‘85– started a new position as
Account Manager with CommScope: East PA,
South NJ and DE.
Bridget King ‘15– promoted to Senior Benefits
Coordinator at Columbia University .
Patricia Whelan ‘16– has been admitted to the
New York State Bar.
Matthew Ehret ‘18– started a new position as
Sales Development Representative at
CheckedUp!.
Heath Hoovler ‘18- started new position as As-
sistant Football Coach at Wilkes University.
Myriam Moise ‘18– obtained a new certifica-
tion: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Spe-
cialist from NY State Bureau of Emergency Medi-
cal Services and Trauma Systems.
Colin Shust ‘18- obtained a new certification:
Securities Industry Essentials (SIE).
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
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Exciting News
Stay connected to BC with Hudl

Burke Catholic is thrilled to announce the addition of an innovative new “live-

streaming" network that will be offered FREE to the Burke Catholic Community -
Hudl.

This service provides unlimited remote access to select BC Events, including home
athletic contests, school-wide Mass, plays, shows, and educational seminars.

Our partnership with Hudl, will enhance the experience for every Burke Catholic
student, and connect the BC Family to “The Eagles Nest” from wherever they now
call home!

Here is the link to the new B.C. Hudl Fan Page

https://fan.hudl.com/.../20247/Burke-Catholic-High-School

We are thrilled to embrace the many benefits of this new technology to share the
excitement of the Burke Catholic Experience with all past, present and future
members of BC Nation!

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of Burke Catholic!

John Douthit, Janice Clark, Adam Kless
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