Paul VI High School’s Blue and White Gala Celebrated the School’s 50th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Induction

Paul VI High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Induction with the Blue and White Gala on Saturday, October 15th at Lucien’s Manor, Berlin, New Jersey. Throughout the past year, faculty, students, alumni, and friends have marked the anniversary with many events. The celebrations culminated with the gala. Nearly 360 alumni, parents, and friends attended the event, which featured a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, reflection, and the Hall of Fame induction.

The school was dedicated on November 6, 1966 by the late Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano, a strong champion of Catholic education.

“We’re thankful to Almighty God for the last 50 years and the important ministry of all who made Catholic education a reality… (We) remember all those innumerable priests, sisters, teachers and parents who during the years of building and maturing laid a strong foundation that has left us the legacy Paul VI enjoys today,” said Sister Marianne McCann.

In addition to faculty, that legacy was built by alumni who’ve made important contributions to the school. At the gala, eight individuals, one family and one athletic team were honored for their outstanding contributions to both Paul VI and the larger community.

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

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, and SJ 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 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. Sadly this varsity team has lost four members, the late Tim Barnett, Tony Callahan, Tim Curry, and Garrison Hallman.

“Recognition of these outstanding alumni perfectly complemented our celebration of the 50 year anniversary of Paul VI High School. These honorees exemplify the motto of the school’s founder, the late Archbishop Celestine Damiano – ‘Fortis in Fide,’ I am strong because I have faith,” said Michael Chambers, president, Paul VI High School.

******

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 forty-five 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.