Paul VI High School to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Gala and Hall of Fame Induction

Paul VI High School opened its doors in September 1966 to 613 freshman and sophomore boys and girls. The late Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano’s intention for the school was to, “Help students of this locality to draw closer to Christ, because the youth of today is the hope of tomorrow.” In its 50 years of existence more than 13,000 students have graduated, armed with academic knowledge and a foundation of faith to help them in all facets of life. Throughout the past year, Paul VI High School has commemorated its anniversary with numerous events, which will culminate with the Blue and White Gala celebrating its 50th Anniversary and Alumni Hall of Fame Induction on Saturday, October 15th, at 7:00 p.m., at Lucien’s Manor, in Berlin, New Jersey.

Every three years, members of the Paul VI community are named to the Hall of Fame. It is not easy for the school to select from its many successful alumni. “We have graduates who are successful in every field—business, government, education, law, science, health care, performing arts, and more. Many graduates are committed to serving the Catholic Church as laypeople, priests, and religious, and many alumni elect to send their own children to Paul VI” said Sister Marianne McCann, MPF, Principal.

This year, the school will honor eight individuals, one family and one athletic team for their outstanding contributions to both Paul VI and the larger community.

The 2016 inductees into the Paul VI Alumni Hall of Fame are:

Tami Bach-Slonis, M.D., Ph.D., class of 1987. Tami is an accomplished medical oncologist and hematologist at The Minniti Center for Medical Oncology and Hematology. She also directs a transition clinic for Penn Hemophilia, which she started in Woodbury Heights, and is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is noted nationally for her research and published works and is recognized in Philadelphia Magazine, South Jersey Magazine as a “Top Doc” in her field.

Matthew Brady, M.B.A., class of 1983. Matt was a member of the 1983 Paul VI Parochial A State Championship team. He was twice selected to the All South Jersey team while at Paul VI and a member of the Courier-Post 1980s All-Decade Basketball Team. He played college basketball for Siena College where he received a bachelor of arts. After receiving an MBA from Wagner University, he began coaching. Most recently, he was the head coach at James Madison University where he won 139 games in eight seasons and led the Dukes to a CAA Championship and an NCAA Tournament Bid in 2013. He is now the assistant coach at LaSalle University.

Most Reverend James Francis Checchio, J.C.D., class of 1984, honored for Lifetime Service to the Catholic Church. Bishop Checchio was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Camden in 1992. He held various roles in the Diocese including serving as secretary to Bishop James T. McHugh, vice chancellor, director of communications, moderator of the curia, and episcopal vicar for administration of the diocese. He also served on the Tribunal and as a member of the College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Investment Committee, and Diocesan Finance Council. In addition, he was parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish, Blackwood, and assisted at St. Jude Parish, Blackwood. Bishop Checchio was appointed a Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and was granted the title of monsignor. He served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from January 2006 to January 2016, after serving as vice rector there for two and a half years. He was appointed a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011, a papal honor bestowed on diocesan priests. In March, 2016 Pope Francis named him the Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen. He was ordained and installed as the fifth Bishop of Metuchen in May.

The DelGiorno Family. Mary DelGiorno and her late husband, Dr. John DelGiorno, chose Paul VI High School for all six of their children. All attended St. Joseph’s University and went onto successful careers.

· Thomas C. DelGiorno, M.D., class of 1989 is a nephrologist

· Joseph J. DelGiorno, M.D., class of 1990, is a pediatrician

· Charles DelGiorno, M.D., class of 1991, is an endocrinologist

· Tamara M. Fisicaro, M.D., class of 1994, after a short career as a professional ballerina, attended medical school and became an internist

· John M. DelGiorno, M.D., class of 1996, holds a doctorate in physical therapy and is a pediatrician

· Michele L. DelGiorno, M.A., class of 2000, earned a master’s degree in linguistics and now teaches Chinese and social studies.

Mary is a member of the Paul VI Board of Trustees and has remained serving on the board since its inception in 2002. She has continued to serve as the chairperson for the Academic and Student Life Committee.

Adam S. Derengowski, B.S., class of 1986. As a senior wrestler at Paul VI, Adam won the District 28, Region 7, and NJ State Championships. He went on to wrestle for Rider University where he became a three-time East Coast Conference Champion and placed third at the NCAA Division I Championships, earning All-American honors. Adam finished fourth in the World Team Trials, represented the United States in international competition with Russia, and was a member of the National Team in 1994. He was an assistant coach for 2 years at Iowa State University and 1 year at Cornell University. Currently, Adam is considered one of the area’s premier wrestling coaches.

Jason DiJoseph, B.A., class of 1989. Jason DiJoseph is one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of Paul VI High School. As a senior, Jason placed second in the National Cross Country Championship and won every other race he ran. He led the Paul VI cross country team to an undefeated season, the Parochial A State Championship Title and an All Group Meet Championship Title as the best team in the state of New Jersey. In spring track he was the top runner in the state of New Jersey. After college, Jason served in the Marines and led a command in Afghanistan in 2002. From there, he began working with the FBI.

Bernadette Mulligan Janis, Ed.D., class of 1985. Bernadette is the coaching coordinator for the Penn Literacy Network at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She teaches graduate-level courses and implements school-wide literacy coaching programs, including a program for faculty at Paul VI High School. Bernadette co-founded an Annual Summer Literacy Program at St. Rose of Lima Parish in 2004.

Karen (Robinson) Keyes, M.S.A., class of 1987. Karen excelled as both a student and an athlete at Paul VI. As a basketball player, she was a 1,000 point scorer, named an All-American, and played on the east team at the U.S. Olympic Festival of Teams in 1987 and 1989. She attended Notre Dame University as a full scholarship athlete. She was a team captain, 1,000 point scorer, District All-American, Conference Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991, and Team MVP and Athlete of the Year in 1991 for the Fighting Irish women’s basketball team. She graduated as the university’s all-time leading scorer in program history. She went on to play basketball professionally in Switzerland before she began her successful coaching career.

Terri Klausner, class of 1973. Terri was a pioneer in the early days of the Paul VI performing arts program. She has starred in a number of Broadway hits, including A Chorus Line and Sophisticated Ladies, and she played Eva Peron in Evita. She has performed numerous times at Carnegie Hall and at the White House. Terri’s voice adds support to the Rockettes for their Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, and she can be heard on cast albums. She has done extensive voiceover work, and she continues to perform, direct, and is a vocal coach.

1981 State Championship Football Team. The 1981 Paul VI Football Team, led by Coach Dave Capozzi ,is regarded as one of the best high school football teams in South Jersey history. The team placed 18th in the State South Jersey Sports Club ranking of the top 20 teams in all sports over the past three decades. The '81 Varsity Team consisted of: Tim Barnett, Kevin Breeze, George Burten, Tony Callahan, Joe Callahan, Phil Caracciolo, Bernie Colaccio, Tim Curry, Greg Devone, Frank DiGiacomo, Jack Franchi, John Frazier, Willie Fussell, Bill Gans, Garrison Hallman, Pat Harlan, Tim Kernan, Scott Lattimer, Glen Leary, Tommy Lee, Joe McGrail, Brian Orseno, Craig Power, Frank Risica, Frank Scaramuzzo, Curt Tegeler, Daryl Washington, and Tom Wilson. The team members went on to earn college degrees from military academies, Ivy League schools and other great colleges and universities and some played semi-professional sports.

“On behalf of Sr. Marianne McCann, and myself, it is a pleasure to honor these individuals who have made such a positive impact on Paul VI High School, their fields of expertise, the Church, and the community overall. It truly adds to our celebration of 50 years of excellence in learning and excellence in life,” said Michael Chambers, president, Paul VI High School.

In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, Paul VI’s Blue and White Gala will feature a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing with music by the Big City Band.

Paul VI High School is a regional college-preparatory high school with 18 advanced placement courses, over 100 athletic conference championships, serving over 1100 students from throughout South Jersey. Paul VI is located on thirty-five acres in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The school has fifty years of academic excellence grounded in Christian values and Catholic doctrine and educates for academic achievement and a total development of spiritual, moral, and social values. Paul VI is a vital presence in the educational community, helping to form young men and women capable of leading us in this century.

For more information about Paul VI High School, please visit www.pvihs.org or call (856) 858-4900.

Photos: Matthew Brady, M.B.A.;Bishop James Francis Checchio, J.C.D.; the DelGiorno Family; Adam S. Derengowski, B.S.; Jason DiJoseph, B.A.;Bernadette Mulligan Janis, Ed.D.; Karen (Robinson) Keyes, M.S.A.; and Terri Klausner; and Tami Bach-Slonis, M.D., Ph.D.