BC Alumni Newsletter
July 2024
,
Rising Alumni
Elena Crown ‘20
I am proud to call myself a third-generation Burke Catholic graduate.
My grandmother, Maria Torre, graduated in 1964, as part of the first
graduating class in the school’s current building. Her children followed
suit, with my mom graduating in 1988. My two older siblings also
paved the way for me, graduating in 2014 and 2016. BC is undeniably a
strong legacy school, which aids in making it the close-knit, family-
oriented atmosphere that it always has been.
After recently graduating from Providence College this spring, I could-
n’t help but feel nostalgic thinking back to my days in high school as a
2020 graduate. Where did all the time go? It feels like just yesterday
that our senior year was cut short because of the pandemic. Despite the
losses of our senior festivities, I had an amazing high school experi-
ence. One of my favorite moments was our intimate graduation ceremony on the field at Burke, where it
was incredibly special to have my mom present me with my diploma. Mr. Yates also gave me the great hon-
or of receiving the theology award for our graduating class. It was such a happy day for us.
Choosing a college with a similar atmosphere to Burke’s, I thrived in the same small Catholic school envi-
ronment at Providence. This familiar setting helped me appreciate the teachers and faculty at Burke even
more, who made the transition to higher education seamless. Mrs. Rivieccio and Mrs. Ross taught me how
to write a strong essay, while Mr. Rivas, Ms. King, and Mr. McGinnis taught me to appreciate what I was
learning and come to enjoy it. I am thankful for the guidance I received from the faculty and staff and will
always miss running into Mrs. Kish and Jimmy, who never failed to put a smile on our faces.
Since high school, I’ve had the opportunity to intern at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and I
received the JBLS Memorial Fund’s Orange County Legal Intern Award shortly thereafter. I graduated from
Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in May and will be attending Columbus School of
Law at the Catholic University of America in the fall.
I am incredibly grateful for every meaningful moment and memory I have of my time at Burke Catholic. The
school has played a significant role for my family and me, shaping us into the people we are today. Burke
will always hold a special place in my heart!
,
Eagles Spotlight
Jen Zemanek ‘09
One of my fondest memories from Burke Catholic was participating in the
Drama Club during my junior year. We performed “Seussical,” and I cher-
ished every moment spent practicing song and dance numbers, helping with
the set, and assisting with hair and makeup. Many of my friends were also in
the club, making it a truly enjoyable experience.
In addition to drama, I was involved in both the chorus and the band, where I
played the trombone. Music and the performing arts have always been a pas-
sion of mine, and these activities allowed me to express that love through
performance.
My time at Burke Catholic wasn’t without its challenges. I struggled with experimenting with drugs and alcohol, men-
tal health issues such as depression and anxiety, and a tense home environment. This led to behavioral issues and nu-
merous demerits, in-school suspensions, and detentions. Despite these difficulties, Burke never gave up on me. They
disciplined me and provided resources to help me succeed, even when I couldn’t see it at the
time.
The school’s motto, “Non Vox Sed Votum” (“Not words but deeds”), holds significant mean-
ing for me today. After high school, I battled drug addiction for years, and my words were
often empty. Now, as a woman in long-term recovery, I live by this motto, understanding
the importance of aligning my actions with my words, and many times, letting my actions
speak for themselves.
My journey with mental health and addiction ultimately led me to a career in the behavioral
health field. Professionally, I have a background in sales, health insurance sales, and man-
agement. After building a strong foundation in recovery and practicing spiritual principles, I
was guided to my current role as a Treatment Placement Specialist with Acadia Healthcare.
In this role, I help individuals struggling with mental health, substance use, and eating con-
cerns find the most appropriate residential treatment facility. I also educate and support
their families and provide aftercare recommendations for their return home. Additionally, I
serve as a resource for doctors and behavioral health professionals, offering a concierge ser-
vice to assist their patients needing higher levels of care.
I firmly believe that nothing in God’s world is wasted or happens by mistake. I’m grateful for the struggles I’ve experi-
enced, as they have shaped who I am today. Recovery has connected me to God, and my personal story is my strength,
allowing me to help others.
Looking ahead, my future
goal is to earn a Master’s in
Social Work.
Thank you, Burke Catholic,
for the foundation and sup-
port that helped shape my
journey. GO EAGLES!
,
BC Faculty Spotlight
Meet Justin DePierro
Justin DePierro serves as the BC Communications Coordinator and teaches
business electives in Technology at Burke Catholic. He oversees the digital
and print media produced by the school, ensuring our community stays in-
formed and engaged. If you see him around campus with a camera, be sure
to smile and wave—you might just make it into the weekly Eagle Update!
This year, Mr. DePierro is particularly excited to teach the Emerging Tech-
nology class, where students will delve into the latest technological ad-
vancements and their potential impacts on the future.
In addition to his roles at BC, Mr. DePierro is an avid runner, cur-
rently training for his 12th marathon and his 3rd ultra marathon
this fall. He also leads the Orange Runners Club as its president, a
USATF-sanctioned non-profit running organization in Orange
County.
Since joining Burke Catholic in 2016, Justin has been a dedicated
coach for the Football and Track & Field teams. As the offensive
coordinator, he eagerly anticipates the upcoming football season,
preparing the team for a dynamic offensive performance. In Track
& Field, Coach DePierro has a special fondness for relay events,
appreciating the teamwork and strategy they require. He particu-
larly enjoys the sprint and distance medleys during the indoor sea-
son.
Mr. DePierro is passionate about working at BC, largely due to the quality of the students. "They are talent-
ed in the classroom, dedicated to their improvement, and genuinely caring about their peers," he says.
"Their pride in representing BC is palpable, and it’s heartening to see the love and support from our alum-
ni."
Eagle Milestones
Sharing in one another's joy
"To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with."
– Mark Twain
Gabriella Crown ‘14 Amanda Testani ‘07
and husband with husband Mike
Erik Slavinjak and daughter
Jordanna
,
,
BC Annual Golf Outing at Mansion Ridge
Tee Off For A Great Cause!
Get ready to swing into action! Join us for a fantastic day of golf, fun, and community at our annual Burke
Catholic Golf Outing. This is one of our two biggest fundraising events of the year, and it’s an incredible
opportunity to support the future of Burke Catholic while enjoying a great game.
This year, our goal at this event is to raise $50,000 towards the $150,000 Technology Infrastructure
Campaign, an integral part of our Burke Catholic Revitalization Campaign.
Can’t make it to the greens? No problem! You can still make a difference by becoming a sponsor. Your
support will help us reach our goal, ensuring a bright future for our school.
Find all the details on sponsorships, tickets, and dinner at the links below and on the next few pages.
Together, we’re driving the mission of Burke Catholic forward and making a lasting impact.
We look forward to seeing you there!
,
Event schedule, registration
and sponsorship information
can be found at:
2024 Burke Catholic Golf Outing - John S. Burke Catho-
lic High School
You can also see the information below.
Any questions contact
John Douthit or Adam Kless
(their contact info is on the flyer)
,
Save the Date
Hey Eagle Alumni! Get ready for our upcoming Alumni Huddle and Friends and Family Gala!
These events are all about catching up, having fun, and showing some school spirit. When we gather together,
we make BC stronger and more connected. So, mark your calendars and join us for a fantastic time with old
friends and new faces.
More details coming soon—don’t miss out!
,
A Message for BC Classes from ‘09 to ‘24
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College Boot Camp
Brought to you by the BCHS Guidance Department
Currently there are 3 open
seats in the second session.
Contact JoEllen Nemeth
BC Director of Guidance at
[email protected]
,
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
[email protected] Class of 1971
It is just around the corner!
Details & Payment Information Below
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!
50th Reunion-HD 720p on Vimeo
Class of 1994
Important Update
We have secured a location and date for our 30th Reunion!
November 30, 2024 at Aspire Brewing
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.
Be sure to spread the word to other classmates!
Let's make our 30-year reunion one for the books.
Class of 1984
40th Reunion!
It is our turn to celebrate!
Friday, November 29, 2024
Delancys in Goshen 5:30pm
Reunion Committee Contact:
Sylvia Gortz :
[email protected] Keep them coming! 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 participated
in these unforgettable trips. We're inviting you to dust off those old photo albums and share your favorite
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 [email protected]
The BC Connection Milestones
The BC Connection every Friday at noon. Tara McCartney ‘89– obtained a new certifica-
tion as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM from Evergreen Certifications.
Meghan Gallivan ‘12– started new position as
Innovation. Education.
Vice President, Banker at J.P. Morgan Private
Bank, Philadelphia.
Gabriella Crown ‘14– obtained a new certifica-
tion; Certified Public Accountant from NY State
Education Department.
Brandon Rawlins ‘15– started a new position as
a Registered Nurse Emergency Dept. at Virginia
Hospital Center - Arlington.
Kieran DeHaan ‘20– started a new position as
Portfolio Manager at Orange Bank & Trust Com-
pany.
Maggie Feng ‘20– started a new position at
JD.com as a Logistics Account Manager in their
California office.
Caitlin McCartney ‘20– graduated from Catho-
lic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychol-
ogy and has begun a Master of Arts in Teaching
Special Education at University of Virginia.
Aaron McCartney ‘21- started as Marketing Ac-
tivation Intern at Orsted.
Introducing
Burke Catholic Technology Infrastructure Campaign
“We are excited to launch the next phase of the BC Re-Vitalization Campaign with
the $150,000 Burke Catholic Technology Infrastructure Campaign to invest in our in-
dustry-best One-to-One iPad Canvas Learning Management System.
This Campaign will include upgrades to the Burke Catholic School Information Sys-
tems and Server Infrastructure allowing our incredible Burke Catholic Faculty to offer
new and unique educational opportunities for our incredible BC students!”
- John Douthit, President Burke Catholic High School & Academy
BC Alumni Giving
ReVitalize, ReEngage, ReConnect
Office of Alumni and Advancement
The Add A Zero Alumni Campaign was started in 2020 as a way for our amazing
BC Alumni Community to give back to Burke Catholic and to ensure the tradition
of excellence continues for generations to come. Your gift will have an immedi-
ate impact on all BCHS students. Light the way for today’s students, so they can
find their path 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
We are compiling a list of all our BC Alumni authors and their works.
If you would like to be included please contact
[email protected]
A writer never has a vacation.
For a writer life consists of either
writing or thinking about writing.
~Eugene Ionesco
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:
[email protected]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
