Please congratulate the following members of the class of 2013 on the collegiate athletic commitments:

CREW
Alex Will (Syracuse)

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
Connor Perry (UMBC )

WRESTLING
Conan Schuster (Sacred Heart)

BASKETBALL
Mitch Cross (West Virginia Wesleyan University)

SWIMMING
Thomas Brennan (University of Massachusetts)
Dominic Breschi (Towson University)
Alex Bennett (Dickinson)
Kevin Blum (Georgetown)

SOCCER
Jeremy DeGraffenreidt (Louisville)
Mike DeGraffenreidt (Louisville)
Tony Butta (Catholic University)
Andrew Rueling (Catholic University)
John Jlopleh (Villanova)
Dante Raggio (American International)

FOOTBALL
Alex Hunt (Stetson U.)
Cole Boozer (Temple)
Jordan Jenkins (Hamilton)
Dennis Dimiao (Lycoming)
Alec Scheetz (William & Mary)
Jake Clise (Louisiana State University)

LACROSSE
Bennett Bradley (U.S. Military Academy)
Mike Freiji (St. Mary’s College of MD.)
Kevin Jackson (Roanoke)
Victor Licata (Catholic University)
Tyler Llewellyn (Dickinson)
Cole Luthy (Sacred Heart U.)
Devin McNamara (Villanova)
Tyler Muneses (Catholic University)
Kevin O’Toole (Johns Hopkins)

BASEBALL
Conor Reynolds (Johns Hopkins)
Bruce Zimmerman (Towson University)
James O’Malley (Catholic University)

RUGBY
Daniel Villarreal (Wheeling Jesuit University)

Sean Hogan '13 (left) and Kurt Imhoff '13 (right) took home Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively at the 2013 Baltimore Cappies Gala on Sunday, May 19 at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore. The Blakefield Payers also won for Best Song ("One Day More", Les Miserables). 

The Cappies is the National Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre.

Below is a full list of Loyola nominees.

Baltimore Cappies Nominees 2013:  

Sets Nominee: Daniel Unitas, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition  

Stage Crew Nominee: Danny Brennan and Loyola Blakefield Stage Crew, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition

Ensemble in a Musical Nominee:The Students, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition  

Featured Actor in a Musical Nominees: Sean Hogan, Into the Woods - Notre Dame Preparatory Matt LaRoche, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition

Comic Actor in a Musical Nominee: Dan O'Neill, Notre Dame Preparatory, Into the Woods

Supporting Actor in a Musical Nominee: Kurt Imhoff, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition

Lead Actor in a Musical Nominee: Sean Hogan, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition

Song Nominee: One Day More, Loyola Blakefield, Les Miserables School Edition

Musical Nominee: Les Miserables School Edition, Loyola Blakefield

Students from Loyola Blakefield's Forensics Program came together on Friday, May 17 to showcase their performances from this past year to faculty, staff, friends, family and peers.

Loyola Lacrosse finished off their magical playoff run on Friday, May 17 at Johnny Unitas Stadium with a come-from-behind victory against #1 Boys' Latin. Down 6-0 after the first quarter, the Dons held Boys' Latin's offense to only three goals for the rest of the game for a 10-9 victory.

For a full writeup, read Inside Lacrosse's article here.

Watch highlights from the championship game below:

Over 50 Loyola students and faculty participated in Maryland's Bike to Work/School Day this morning. They started their trek from the Towson courthouse, which is one of many rally points in the state of Maryland, and finished by coming through the Chestnut Ave. entrance of Loyola Blakefield.

As co-president of the League of Committed Cycling Commuters of Blakefield, and as someone who has done Bike to Work Day for the last five years, Loyola science teacher Chris Cucuzzella thinks its a great event for an even greater cause.

"The goal of the event is to show strength in numbers to lobby powers that be to think of bike/pedestrian concerns when planning roads," said Cucuzzella. "Go to Philadelphia or Washington DC and you will see a much more bike friendly environment. I hope we can start to work towards that in the Baltimore metro area."

In the past few years, Loyola Blakefield has been the only school group to participate from the Towson rally point.

To view more pictures from the event, click here.

- RYAN BROMWELL, SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

It’s been happening for millions of years. Ancient denizens of the Atlantic coast – horseshoe crabs – crawl from the depths and converge to mate on the shores of Delaware Bay. It turns out that much of the coastline of Delaware and New Jersey surrounding Delaware Bay is prime breeding habitat for the crabs. And they come by the thousands.

On an evening in May, when the tides are strong, the crabs so densely pack the surf that you would have to jump eight feet to clear the pile. Females dragging males clamber up the beach and lay their eggs which are quickly fertilized. A single female can lay up to 4,000 eggs at a time – up to 88,000 in a single year. This bounty doesn’t go unnoticed. Shorebirds consume large amounts of them. Some birds like the tiny red knot layover in Delaware Bay for only a few weeks to dine on the nutritious eggs before continuing their flight from Tierra del Fuego in Southern Argentina to the Canadian Arctic. Horseshoe crab eggs are an attractive source of energy, especially if you are a little bird making a long migration.

This amazing convergence of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds recently attracted three Dons (Michael Bell '16, Wyatt Rahl '16 and Erik Van Zijl '13) and three Loyola Blakefield faculty members (Ryan Bromwell - Science, Sally Waller - English and Leandra Laird - Art).

They joined students from the National Aquarium’s "Aquarium on Wheels" program to census horseshoe crabs and catch a glimpse of the elusive red knots. To count the crabs, students donned headlamps for night walk along Pickering Beach in central Delaware.

Horseshoe crabs mate under the cover of darkness at high tide. By placing a quadrat, a one meter square PVC frame, into the surf at fifteen meter intervals, the students sampled the number of male and female crabs. The data will be forwarded to the National Horseshoe Crab Survey project coordinated by scientists at the University of Delaware.  The preliminary results were promising. Students were finding three to five females in each quadrat. Male counts ranged from the teens into the twenties. By the end of the late night census, the crabs had begun to crawl back into the sea, and the students were ready to crawl into bed.

The next morning students witnessed a less idyllic result of the previous evening’s horseshoe crab jubilee. At a second beach, Port Mahon, many crabs had gotten stuck. Rip-rap, rocks piled along the coast to prevent shoreline erosion, had proven a tricky obstacle for the crabs. Horseshoe crabs driven ashore by the tides and the millennia-old urge to spawn had become trapped in the rocks. Dons to the rescue! Senior Erik Van Zijl noted, “We saved a lot of horseshoe crabs. I learned how much of an impact these animals have and what a small thought they are often given.”

Another student rescued a diamondback terrapin caught in the rocks. Usually at home in the vegetated shallows of marshes, terrapins head for higher and dryer ground each spring to lay their own eggs. A closer inspection of our rescued female confirmed that she was carrying eggs. Without our help, the rip-rap may have proven an impenetrable barrier. As a light rain began to fall, the students reluctantly left Port Mahon behind. All agreed that the challenges horseshoe crabs face are significant.

Finally, the trip culminated with a visit to the DuPoint Nature Center in Slaughter Beach. Along a narrow strip of protected barrier beach shorebirds of all types flock. Hoping to spot the brown and white wings and auburn tummy of a red knot, students scanned the beach using binoculars.  Patient students were rewarded. Amid the clamoring gulls, cormorants, dunlins, willets, sandpipers, and ruddy turnstones, a few red knots skittered about.

Unfortunately, this may be the only time. As horseshoe crab numbers have declined in recent years, so too have red knot populations. “The red knots need the horseshoe crab eggs to survive their migration,” notes Rahl. Staving off the decline is a problem that not only affects birds but humans as well.

Horseshoe crabs are used as bait for fishermen who use them to attract whelks (locally called conch) and eels – two fisheries that have become increasingly lucrative as Asian markets for them grow. In addition, horseshoe crabs possess specialized amoebocyte cells in their blood that swarm around invading bacteria. Chemical extracts from these cells called Limulus amoebocyte lysate or LAL, for short, are used today to test pharmaceuticals for bacterial contamination. The test works so well that it was adopted by the Food and Drug Administration as a standard test for pharmaceutical contamination in 1983.

Many students never get to witness firsthand the biology and ecology of animals and plants that we humans rely on every day. The horseshoe crab is a remarkable example of a resilient species, but one that needs our conservation efforts too. Seeing the crabs and shorebirds, especially the red knot, at this time of the year was a great opportunity for our students and we are grateful to our partners at the National Aquarium who invited us to join them.

View more pictures from the trip here.

Call it luck, skill, fate or what you will, but Loyola Blakefield Varsity Lacrosse is headed to the MIAA "A" Conference Finals for a second straight year.

After nearly missing the playoffs, they were able to get the sixth seed thanks to Mt. St. Joseph's overtime win against St. Mary's-Annapolis.

The Dons have made the most of their second chance though, beating No. 2 seed McDonogh 13-4 Tuesday to earn a birth in Friday’s title game.

Up 4-2 at halftime, the Dons scored a total of nine goals in the seond half to beat the Eagles.

Don midfielder Alex Rosener notched four goals, including three in the fourth quarter, to put the game away, to lead Loyola in goals. Senior teammate Devin McNamara (Villanova) scored his two goals and three of his five assists in the second half. Senior Tyler Llewellyn also scored two goals, again both after halftime. Loyola senior Kevin Jackson also added three goals and one assist. Ryan Conrad added two goals and an assist, while Tim Nordbrook and Kevin O’Toole combined for three assists for the Dons.

Loyola Blakefield will face off against #1 Boys’ Latin this Friday at 8 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson University.

Loyola and Boys' Latin have only met once during the regular season this year, where BL won 13-8 at home.

On July 4^th, Ryan Quesenberry ’11 will head to Kazan, Russia to represent the USA Volleyball team in the 2013 World University Games.

The World University Games, also known as the Universiade, is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes all around the world by the International University Sports Federation. The first official World University Games were organized in 1924.

“The World University Games are like the Olympics for college athletes,” said Quesenberry. “We will be put in an Olympic village in the heart of Kazan.”

Every two years, USA Volleyball sends a team to participate in the Universiade. This year, they contacted Springfield Volleyball Coach Charlie Sullivan, who has worked with USA Volleyball, and asked if Springfield would like to represent the United States in the 2013 Games.

Sullivan had to select 12 players out of the 21 on Springfield’s roster. He saw this opportunity as a chance for the program to develop, so he decided to select only two graduating seniors and the other ten are all players who will be returning to the team next season.

“Many of the players who are going don’t have much on-court experience from their college careers, including myself,” said Quesenberry. “Coach Sullivan sees this as a great learning experience and a chance for us to develop and prepare for the 2014 season.”

Ryan recently finished up his sophomore year at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., where his school has won the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship for two consecutive years now (2012 & 2013).

During his freshman year, Ryan tore the labrum in his shoulder and was sidelined for the majority of the season. Last summer, he had surgery on his shoulder and rehabbed during the entire offseason.

Because there were two seniors ahead of him in his position, he did not get many chances to play during his sophomore season either. However, he was able to make a full recovery and help his team win their second DIII National Championship on April 28^th.

After being chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Ryan hopes to prove that his injury-ridden days are over.

“Russia will be the first time I’ve really been healthy during my college career and will be my first opportunity to gain on-court experience playing Opposite,” said Quesenberry. “I’m going to prepare very hard to make a statement and prove my abilities as a volleyball player, so I can start for Springfield in the 2014 season.”

Preparations for the Games include a rigorous practice schedule accompanied by lifting weights, conditioning, eating right and staying healthy by going to the athletic trainers regularly.

“When we aren’t at school, we lift weights on our own during the summer and keep our endurance up by running and doing plyometric exercises,” said Quesenberry. “Eating right is one of the most important things we do besides practice because it allows us to gain healthy weight and build a stronger core.”

With all that he has seen and done in his two years at Springfield, Ryan still never forgets where he came from.

“When I started playing volleyball at Loyola my freshman year, I had no idea it would provide me with so many amazing opportunities. If someone told me five years ago I would be a 2-time national champion and headed to Russia to play for my country, I wouldn't believe them. And I'm only halfway done.”

Tonight, Loyola Lacrosse is set to face off against the McDonogh Eagles at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. These two teams only met once during the regular season, where McDonogh won 8-6 in a close contest at Loyola.

#1 Boys' Latin faces off against Calvert Hall in the other MIAA "A" Conference semifinal matchup at 5 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

This year’s recipient of The Troy M. Vance '85 Endowed Scholarship is Jordan Jenkins. The scholarship is awarded annually to a senior who resembles Troy in that he excels in sports and academics and exemplifies what it means to be a "Man-for-Others."

Jordan will be attending Hamilton College in the fall, where he will join his brother, Jeff ’12 on the football team.

Varsity tennis defeated Beth Tfiloh 5-0 yesterday to reach their 12th MIAA semifinal in the last 13 years.

Reid Burch, Grant Palmer and Brendan Galloway won singles and Max Hernandez, Ray McDermott, Grant Edrington and Chris Paszkiewicz won doubles.

The Dons will take on top seeded Mount St. Joseph in the semifinal match tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. at UMBC.

This Thursday, May 9, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., the art department will be hosting its annual student art exhibition in Burk Hall. Every student taking an art class at Loyola will have at least one piece in the show. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Come out to show your support. 

Read this article about Matt Ryan '13 attending the Maryland Institute College of Art's (MICA) month long Pre-College Summer Program last summer as he received a $12,000 scholarship to MICA for this fall.

The following poster was created by Matt Ryan and Colin Roddy '14:

For any pitcher, from high school to the majors, throwing a no-hitter is somewhat of a distant reality, an event that comes around maybe once in a career. For Mason Kapelanski ‘14, this dream became a reality on the mound against Yorktown High School (VA) on Saturday during the 3^rd Annual Bill Bowman Tournament sponsored by St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C.

The humble junior didn’t even know of his accomplishment until the game was over and he entered the dugout.

“Everyone was giving me hugs and shaking my hand and congratulating me and I couldn’t figure out why. I just thought they were happy that we won. Then finally someone came out with it and a big smile ran across my face.”

The game started out as a pitchers’ duel with no runs coming from either ball club until late in the game.

Having to wait that long for some run support was a little nerve-racking for Kapelanski, but Loyola’s offense finally broke through in the 6th, scoring all 14 of their runs in the final two innings. Bruce Zimmerman had four hits for Loyola, while Conor Reynolds and Trevor Janoskie had three hits each.

“I wasn’t really keeping track of how many hits I had or hadn't given up throughout the game and I don’t think my coaches were either. They finally realized it during the last three outs."

Kapelanski said not knowing about the no-hitter kept him more focused.

"I was thinking about each individual out, rather than getting ahead of myself.”

Kapelanski doesn’t think of himself as a strikeout pitcher, but that could be up for debate after striking out eight batters during his performance on Saturday.

“I often rely on the guys behind me to help get the job done, but this time my pitches were just falling in the right places.”

Kapelanski attributes his success this year to just about everyone but himself.

“Every time I’ve pitched this year, I’ve gotten good run support. It doesn’t always happen for every pitcher that goes out there, so I’ve been lucky to be going out there when our bats have been hot.”

He also owes his interest in pitching and baseball to his 21-year-old brother, who was a pitcher for Century High School in Eldersburg, Md.

“Watching him play when I was younger really got me into the game," said Kapelanski. “I even pitch righty and bat lefty; the same as him."

When Kapelanski broke his arm at 13, it took a lot out of him. He knew he had to come back stronger and his brother and family really stood behind him in this.

As for Loyola’s coaching staff, Kapelanski had nothing but great things to say.

“I’m on board with Coach Crowley’s style. What he has done for the team is great. He is giving all of us chances to show what we can do. I had a rough winter and Coach Crowley stuck with me into the spring.”

One wouldn’t suspect Kapelanski had a rough offseason, nor would one think this was his first year on varsity with an undefeated 5-0 record so far this season.

After being asked if he’s peaked at the age of 16, Mason replied, “I sure hope not.”

After his final year at Loyola next year, Kapelanski hopes to continue his baseball career at Cornell, Michigan or Penn. His ultimate dream would be to play for the Detroit Tigers, but he is taking it one step at a time.

Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first no-hitter for Kapelanski. When he was 12, he pitched a no-hitter on his Cooperstown travel team, again without even knowing it.

“The other team had four runs on the board, but it turned out those four runs were all unearned due to errors. Obviously this time around it feels a little better with the shutout and the level of competition that I faced.”

Kapelanski will look to win his sixth straight either Friday vs. Archbishop Spalding or Saturday afternoon vs. Mount St. Joseph.

Dons win 3rd Annual Bill Bowman Tournament:

In the championship game, Loyola defeated Avalon School 6-0 behind a two-hit shutout by Eric McDonough, who went the distance.  Billy Plunkett had two hits and two RBI, while Joey Dinoto and Stetson Cox also added two hits.

With the victories, Loyola Baseball raised its overall record to 19-9 on the season.

The English Department is hosting a reading in Father George, Wheeler Lounge with guest author, Douglas Watson.

The reading is from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm. It is free and open to the public.

Come and listen to Mr. Watson read his tremendous stories!

About Douglas Watson:
Douglas Watson’s first book, a collection of stories called The Era of Not Quite, won the inaugural BOA Editions Short Fiction Prize and will be published by BOA in May 2013. He also recently completed a short novel, which is being represented by Georges Borchardt Inc. His fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in Fifty-two Stories, Tin House Flash Fridays, One Story, Sou’wester, The Journal, Ecotone, Salt Hill, and other publications. His story “Life on the Moon” was chosen by Dan Chaon and Wigleaf in 2012 as one of the year’s top fifty very short fictions. He will be featured as a literary debutante at One Story’s 2013 Literary Debutante Ball.

“The Era of Not Quite (BOA, 2013) is a fiction story collection chock-a-block with deaths, births, sea and land voyages, excursions to the library, philosophical asides, and things like wolves. People fall in and out of love, walk in and out of buildings, take two steps forward and two steps back. Futility is a theme of the book, but so is the necessity of trying.”

For more on Mr. Watson’s work, please visit: www.douglaswatsonfiction.com

The Loyola Blakefield Players are pleased to announce that their final production of the 2012 – 2013 season is “The Fantasticks.”

This longest-running Off-Broadway musical was written by Tom Jones, with music by Harvey Schmidt. The show is based on a 19^th century play called “Les Romanesques’ by Edmond Rostand.

The story is a comic version of “Romeo and Juliet,” in which two fathers pretend to be feuding in order to trick their children into marriage.  Loyola Blakefield senior Kurt Imhoff and junior Daniel Unitas play the conniving fathers, and the duped lovers are portrayed by Loyola sophomore Matthew Demetrides and Carver Center sophomore, Anna Snow.

“The Fantasticks” will be presented in the Mary G. Creaghan Library Thursday through Saturday evenings, May 9, 10, and 11 at 7:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 12 at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $10.00 for the general public and can be purchased Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at the Loyola School Store located in Knott Hall on campus. 

For more information call The Loyola Blakefield Players at (443) 841-3224.

Students in Ms. Runge's Foundations of Computer Science class are programming their own computer games based off of arcade classics such as Frogger and Pong. Students are using Scratch, a software developed by MIT to teach K-12 students the basics of programming.

Ben Mariano ’13, Brendan Galloway ’13 and Daniel Fitzgerald ‘13 were recognized as Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic School Distinctive Scholars at the scholars convocation yesterday. They were accompanied by Modern Language Depart Chair Mr. Dan Ranalli.

Today, we were honored to have Archbishop Lori and Fr. DeAscanis as our guests. In addition to celebrating Mass with the Loyola Blakefield community, Archbishop Lori spent time meeting students and touring our campus.

View pictures from Archbishop Lori's visit here. 

On April 23, 126 scholarship recipients and 36 benefactors had a chance to meet, chat and share a meal at the annual Scholarship Luncheon held in Fr. George, S.J. Lounge in Wheeler Hall.

Students networked and began forging relationships with several of Loyola Blakefield's generous donors. 

Henry Hines '13 and benefactor Carroll Bodie '63 both spoke to the importance of giving back to a place as special as Loyola.

At the conclusion of the event, over a dozen Dons stood up and introduced themselves to all the benefactors in the room, thanking them for their support of Loyola.

View photos from the event here.

Photography and Visual Arts teacher Matthew Zimmerman had one of his abstract video pieces exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City on Sunday, April 17. The video was part of a special event hosted by PopRally, a group that puts on several events at the MoMA throughout the year. This event was called "Abstract Currents: An Interactive Video Event" and focused solely on abstract video art.

"I was honored to have my work chosen, as MoMA is the often considered the holy grail of modern/contemporary artwork," said Zimmerman.

The videos were displayed on monitors and projections in MoMA's lobby and atrium during the event.

"It was incredibly rewarding to see my art on display in such a highly regarded venue."

According to Zimmerman, video submissions for the event were open to the public. It was required that the submissions focused on the concept of abstraction. The videos that met the appropriate criteria and standards were included to be shown.

"The exciting thing for me was that I didn't actually submit my work. Instead, the MoMA PopRally administrators found my video online and added it to the collection."

Mr. Zimmerman's video is featured below:

On April 6^th, Loyola Blakefield Forensics won its third consecutive Chesapeake District Championship, placing first in speech sweepstakes, first in debate and first overall. With this win, eight students – Kurt Imhoff ‘13, Jack Scaletta ‘14, Ryan Miller ‘13, Zach Phillips ‘15, Aleks Jaunzemis ‘14, Tyler Good-Cohn ‘13, Kurt Manion ‘15, and Matthew Demetrides ’15 – qualified for the National Forensics League’s (NFL) National Speech & Debate Tournament held in Birmingham, Ala. from June 16-21.

“Given the amount of work that these guys put into the team, it’s very rewarding to see them succeed, but we also never take it for granted because we know there are other teams working just as hard,” said Forensics coach Charles Donovan.

The team also won its 10^th consecutive state championship at Mount St. Joseph in March with 5 of 6 entrants in the final round in two events (duo interpretation and dramatic performance).

“The great thing about a streak is that everyone wants it to continue, so the guys work extremely hard to try to keep the streak alive,” said Donovan.

During the state championship, the team set two school records: first to take the top 5 places in a single event (duo interpretation) and highest speech sweepstakes score (77 points) topping the 2008 team’s speech score.

“The easiest way to describe the scoring is to compare it to a swim or track meet,” said Donovan. “There are many different events that the students can compete in and win individual awards and how they perform will go towards the team total.”

Based on their performance at states, 18 students qualified to compete in the National Catholic Forensics League’s (NCFL) Grand National Tournament taking place in Philadelphia over Memorial Day weekend.

The team is headed by seven seniors this year who act as role models by helping other teammates select what to perform, listening and offering critiques and mentoring the younger students.

Leading that group of seven seniors is Forensics president Kurt Imhoff. Imhoff has been a part of the team since he first arrived at Loyola, joining in 6^th grade and attending competitions as a middle school student. He will attend Northwestern University in the fall and has been invited to join their prestigious speech team.

“It’s been amazing to see Kurt’s progress throughout his years on the team. He’s done an outstanding job of becoming the face of the team to the community and leading the team from the inside,” said Donovan.

“Leadership through Speech” is the NCFL’s motto which truly embodies everything that Loyola Forensics wants to accomplish. Communication, ability to argue a point and effectively sharing ideas with others are all skills that these students will take away from this experience.

“Ultimately, the purpose of this program is that when these students graduate, they can use the skills they have learned here in leadership roles wherever they are in society,” said Donovan.

The team will compete in some smaller tournaments over the next few weeks to keep the students fresh before attending the Grand National Tournament in May. We congratulate the team on their amazing accomplishments so far this season and wish them the best of luck at nationals.

The Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association is pleased to recognize William J. “Bill” McCarthy, Jr. ‘79 as the 2013 recipient of the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal.

The Reverend Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal, regarded as the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola graduate, honors an alumnus who is outstanding by reason of distinction gained in business or civic affairs. This person is recognized as a role model in his personal, family, and public life and thus serves as an example to the students and graduates of Loyola Blakefield.

McCarthy has received distinction in both the private and public sectors, serving as the President of the Greater Baltimore Division of Sun Trust Bank from 2000 until 2009 before moving on to become the Executive Director of Catholic Charities. Mr. McCarthy currently serves as a Trustee or Board Member of several local institutions, including Maryland Public Television, The Greater Baltimore Committee, and Loyola Blakefield.

When Mr. McCarthy accepted his position as Executive Director of Catholic Charities, he stated: “I View my leadership of Catholic Charities as a calling because my personal goal is to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.”

The following Loyola German students won awards from the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) for their performance on the National German Exam, scoring in the 85th or 90th percentile. These students will be recognized with prizes (including cash prizes) at the AATG Awards Banquet on May 5th at Zion Lutheran Church:

Dan O’Neill ‘14
Lorenzo Raras ‘15
Evan Pham ‘16
Josh Glenn ‘16
Aidan Bissell-Siders ‘16

Dan O’Neill will speak at the event as a past trip winner.

AATG sponsors including the German Society of Maryland, the Goethe Institute and the German Embassy will also be present to recognize the students' achievements with prizes and a certificate of merit.

Come out to Chick-Fil-A Night this Wednesday, April 10, to support the VetDogs organization on behalf of the Loyola Varsity Lacrosse team.

Just mention VetDogs or Loyola when ordering and a percentage of the proceeds from carry-out or dine-in orders will go directly to America’s VetDogs. The donation will be presented at the annual Blakefest celebration on Saturday, April 27.

On April 6th, many from the Loyola community participated in the Ignatian 5K held at Patterson Park in Baltimore. There were over 200 runners total. Loyola alumni Chip Cooke ’92 and Bill Macsherry ’88 helped put the event together. Funds raised from the race will bring attention to the Jesuit organizations that serve those in need and will benefit the work of these Maryland Province organizations.

For more pictures from the event, visit here.

Students enrolled in Mr. Steve Shapiro's architecture class have been working on an interior design regarding the new facility for Murray Learning Services. On April 9th, they presented their designs to Interim President Anthony Day and Murray Learning Director Mrs. Fran Finnegan.

Students were Zane Elliott '12, Will Warner '12, Austin Illiano '12, Tony Butta '12, Bruce Zimmerman '12 and David Villarreal '11.

Yesterday, several Dons participated in the MORE sponsored Project Clean Stream at Loch Raven Watershed during their spring break. Students included Ian Hannafin '13, Mark Grothman '15, Andrew McDonald '15, Justin Ferrans '15, Phillip McDonald '17, Sebastian Schrieber-Pan '17 and Max Trail '16 and were led by alumni Matt Hellmers '94 and Mike Keeney '93.

The Forensics team, led by Charles Donovan, won its third consecutive Chesapeake District Championship this past weekend, earning first place in the speech sweepstakes, first place in debate, and first place overall. The team also received the Leading Chapter Award from the National Forensic League, for overall excellence from 2005-2012.

Please congratulate the following students for their award-winning presentations:

Kurt Manion: 4th Place in United States Extemporaneous Speaking
2nd Place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Ryan Miller: District Champion in Dramatic Interpretation
4th Place in Original Oratory

Mike Fiocco: 5th Place in Original Oratory
3rd Place in Dramatic Interpretation

Joe Ferlise: 3rd Place in Original Oratory

Aleks Jaunzemis: 4th Place in Humorous Interpretation

Zach Phillips: 3rd Place in Humorous Interpretation

Kurt Imhoff: 2nd Place in Humorous Interpretation

Jack Scaletta: District Champion in Humorous Interpretation

Aleks Jaunzemis and Jack Scaletta: District Champions in Duo Interpretation

Zach Phillips and Kurt Imhoff: 3rd Place in Duo Interpretation

Lucas Iverson: 4th Place in Dramatic Interpretation

Matthew Demetrides: 2nd Place in Dramatic Interpretation

Jack Morton: 5th Place in Student Congress (Senate)
Semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Tyler Good-Cohn: District Champion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

John Huebler: Semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Based on their performances, a Loyola-high eight students – Kurt Imhoff, Jack Scaletta, Ryan Miller, Zach Phillips, Aleks Jaunzemis, Tyler Good-Cohn, Kurt Manion, and Matthew Demetrides – have qualified for the National Forensic League Championship in Birmingham this June.

How did the team preform last year?

The team was incredibly strong, led by seven seniors. We ended the season 9-3 and placed 3^rd in the conference. For the first time in a very long time we beat McDonogh, which is a powerhouse in tennis. We also beat eight opponents 5-0 which is unbelievable.

Having had seven seniors graduate last year, are there any key players returning this season who have stepped up?

We have three returning varsity players: Reid Burch ‘14, Grant Palmer ‘14 and Brendan Galloway ‘13. They are in great shape and will be our first three singles players so far. We have a freshman on the team this year, Ray McDermott ‘16, who is very promising. We also have a group of guys that came up from the JV team that are playing very well: Grant Edrington ‘13, Grant Kunkel ‘13, Chris Paszkiewicz ‘14, and Max Hernandez ‘13.

How do scrimmages help to prepare the team for the season?

Scrimmages help a great, great deal. When we have players who have never played on varsity, they get out there live against another team and the experience is invaluable. The players get nervous, so they have to break through the nerves by gaining that experience. We started out with a scrimmage against Gonzaga College High, which is a very talented team. When we play a good team like that, it challenges our players to be on top of their game.

Is there a specific match you’re looking forward to most?

We always look forward to the matches against our two rivals, McDonogh and Gilman. Also, Mount St. Joseph, the defending champion, has three nationally ranked players. I think they will be the toughest challenge for us. All of the teams pose a good challenge. This is the most exciting league in the state with some very well-played tennis.

How do the players prepare in the offseason?

The guys play year-round tennis and partake in tournaments and hitting groups. Some use professional instruction in the offseason as well. They put a great deal of work and practice into it in order to play at this level.

Is there anything unique about Loyola’s tennis team that sets you apart from other teams?

Well, we always stress that we want to be the team with the best sportsmanship in the league in order to represent our school’s mission. Tennis can get very heated and problematic because we call our own lines. Because of this, we make sure we are the best sports and call our lines fairly. We also put a huge emphasis on the fact that we are a team. We all root for each other and help one another out at practice. The players get a real sense of belonging and have fun playing for their school.

How did the varsity team do last season and what are your expectations for this season?

We had a good season last year, placing 4^th in the league. This year, we look forward to the league championship and everything we do throughout the season is to prepare for that meet. Our distance team is incredibly strong and we’re as good as anyone in the league. We’re going to be very competitive this year.

How does the team stay in shape and prepare for the season?

We try to avoid injury by doing too much, too soon. The distance runners and some of the track runners are on the cross country and indoor track teams, so that keeps them in shape. We do get some that don’t participate in either and they just join us for outdoor, so they’re all fresh. To prepare those guys for the season, we start in late February and have two weeks of getting into shape so they’re ready for the first meet. The guys work on increasing mileage and we race our way into shape going from competition to competition.

How many meets will you participate in this season and how many events take place at each meet?

We will compete in five dual-meets, where only two teams compete against each other, and about five invitationals. Then, we will end the season with the championship. A typical track meet will have four relays and 14 events. Sprints include 100m, 200m and 400m. Middle distance consists of 800m, 1 mile and 2 miles; hurdles are 110m and 300m. The different field events are long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, discus and shot put. We have guys participating in each event and usually there are three varsity guys and three JV guys per event and a couple relays.

Are there any athletes on the varsity team who stand out this year?

Yes, our cross country group has been outstanding on the track. The best of the bunch is probably Tyler Spear ’13. He is an excellent 1-mile and 2-mile runner. Ted Terpos ’13 is also a very good distance runner. Connor Cunningham ’14 and Dominic Piedmont ’13 are two of our best sprinters. Connor is also a long and triple jumper and is one of the best in the state. We also have John Horton ’13, who is a very good discus thrower, and Kyle O’Malley '14 and Spencer Schenking '14 are two very talented pole vaulters.

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Loyola Lacrosse defeated Penn Charter 15-5 in season opener on March 8.

Loyola jumped out to an early 8-1 lead and cruised to a 15-5 win over Penn Charter at a cold and windy Hargaden Field. The Dons were paced by their starting attack unit of Devin McNamara, Kevin Jackson, and Tyler Llewellyn, which accounted for 12 of Loyola's 15 goals.  It was the season opener for both teams and marked the fifth straight year in which the two teams played each other to start their respective seasons. 

The final score was also surprisingly one-sided. In the past 4 years, Loyola and Penn Charter have split all 4 games, with PC winning in 2009 and 2011, while the Dons took the 2010 and 2012 contests. During that time, no game was decided by more than a two goal margin, and the visitor did not managed to win any contest in the series.

Penn Charter's next opponent is Boys Latin, while Loyola travels to the Philadelphia area next Saturday for their annual matchup against Malvern Prep. 

Scoring Statistics:

Goals:
PC: Murphy, Murray, P. Vandergrift, L. Vandergrift, White
LOY: Llewellyn 6, Jackson 3, McNamara 3, Lombardo 2, Nordbrook, Roesner

Assists:
PC: L. Vandergrift 2, Guinta, Murphy, Roseman
LOY: Conrad 4, McNamara 4, Llewellyn, Roesner, Williams

Saves:
PC: Galant 6
LOY: Newton 6, Juzwiak 2

How did you become involved in strength and conditioning and what is your daily schedule here?

I grew up as the son of a basketball coach and the brother of a high school and college coach. I also served as a marine for four year. I’ve been around sports and fitness my whole life. This path wasn’t planned, but it was just a natural fit for me. I’ve worked with kids through camps for 20 years now and have been at Loyola for the last 13 years. I design a lot of individual programs for students here, while also maintaining the fitness center by cleaning the equipment and making sure everything is working properly. I also help out with physical education classes, making sure they are exercising the most effective way.

How do different sports teams use the fitness center?

During the preseason, each sports team uses the facility as a unit. For example, the lacrosse guys do two days of strength and conditioning and two days on the field for the ten weeks leading up to their season while the football guys are here five days a week all summer.

From 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. afterschool everyday there’s a buzz in here. It can get crazy, but it’s a controlled chaos. There might be 50-70 guys in here at one time as we flip them in and out between strength and conditioning and speed workouts. There are about 28 machines and 14,000 pounds of black metal in here. We also have nine pieces of cardio equipment plus two indoor tracks and an outdoor track. Other schools have nice facilities, but this is something special. We have everything we need, so there’s no excuse for our kids not to be mentally and physically prepared to perform at the highest level.

Do you have to be an athlete to use the fitness center?

No. This is a common misconception we get here. Throughout the year, I get calls from parents who want to build individual plans for their son(s). It could be a student who is overweight, lacks self-esteem or just a kid who doesn’t want to play sports here, but still wants to stay in shape. Some students come in here and might feel intimidated at first. That is why I try to build relationships with the kids, because a weight room can be an overwhelming environment for someone new to it. However, sooner rather than later the weight room is almost like a safe haven for them. The fitness center is also open to all faculty and staff as well.

What is the 1,000 Pound Club and how did it come about?

We started the 1,000 Pound Club in 2003 and right now we have 32 guys in the club. It’s based on lifting a cumulative 1,000 lbs. combining three lifts: bench press, dead lift and squat. We had six guys who joined in 2012 and this year we’ll have between 6-8 guys. All 32 members are football players, but we do have one guy joining the club this year who is not a football player, and that’s pretty cool. You don’t have to be an athlete to be in great shape.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The best part of my job is building relationships with the coaches and the students. Most of the coaches are my good friends, and it’s great that they entrust the strength and conditioning of their players to me. It’s a give-and-take relationship. Some coaches do their own things and then incorporate it with a little bit of what I do here in the fitness center; whatever works for them. It’s also great to see alumni come back to work out over the summer, winter and spring breaks.

How did the team perform last season?

CRAWFORD: Last season we made it to the MIAA finals but lost to Calvert Hall. We had a very experienced group of guys with a large senior class. I think there were about 20 seniors in all. Since we had all that experience, we were in a situation where we could expect to handle just about any competition. The thing we had to guard against in a situation like that was complacency and overconfidence.

How is this year’s team shaping up?

CRAWFORD: We lost a lot of seniors last year and we have a very small senior class coming back, but the group coming back is very cohesive. They tend to play very well together and seem to enjoy playing with each other as well. We’re looking forward to having them step up and lead the team. So far they’ve been doing a good job of that. They don’t have as much game experience as last year’s senior class, but a lot of them have been on varsity for a few years now so they know how things work.

How do the guys stay in shape during the offseason?

CRAWFORD: Here, we really like to encourage our kids to play multiple sports if they’re interested in doing so. We never want to limit them to just one sport. The guys that don’t play other sports are usually involved in some kind of strength and conditioning program either on campus or off. We have strength and conditioning programs that Greg Baker runs for kids who want to stay in shape. We also have voluntary practices during late fall and winter for kids who want to come out and play about twice a week. That’s worked out well. Most kids are playing club lacrosse during summer and fall as well to stay sharp.

Who are some key players returning this year?

CRAWFORD: Our captains this year are Devin McNamara ’13, Mike Freiji ’13, Kevin O’Toole ’13 and Bennett Bradley ‘13. McNamara is a returning First Team All-Metro player. He started for us as a sophomore. Last year he was our leading scorer as a junior. He’s going to play Division I Lacrosse at Villanova next year, so he’s obviously a real key to the team’s success. O’Toole (Hopkins) and Bradley (Army) are two midfielders who we’re going to need to shine this year as well. Both are faceoff specialists and Bradley is a defensive midfield specialist as well.

How do the renovations to Hargaden Field help the team?

CRAWFORD: Now that we actually have an artificial field, we can get a lot more work done. That was a big obstacle for us in the past and having the turf now allows us to get up to speed quicker than before when we had to worry about weather being a factor.

How has the team looked during the preseason and how do you keep the team motivated during this time?

CRAWFORD: We’ve scrimmaged against Good Counsel and Bullis School so far. We have one more preseason game tonight against Landon. In our first two scrimmages we tried mixing and matching different guys and it’s really been a learning experience for the whole team regarding what is and isn’t working. For a lot of guys these preseason games are a chance to show that they should be getting regular playing time once the season starts. Also, it’s a time for them to learn a great deal about their position because if they’re younger guys or have less experience it’s their chance to get out there in a competitive situation against somebody else and learn how to play that position under pressure.

We don’t usually have to worry about the kids being motivated when they’re practicing because it’s so competitive and there are so many good players that if you’re not getting the job done there will be somebody else who will.

Which matchups are you looking forward to most this season?

CRAWFORD: Our season opener against Penn Charter is always a big one since we’ve played them in our first game of the season for four or five years now. They’re very good and well coached so we’re looking forward to that because it’s really a chance for us to show where we are against other competitive teams. Another game I’m looking forward to is the March 23^rd game against Garden City from Long Island at M&T Bank stadium. They were the #1 team in the county last year so that’s going to tell us a lot about where we are on a national level. And of course the league schedule is always tough and exciting so we’re really looking forward to figuring out early in the season what our strengths and weaknesses are before league play starts in early April.

Loyola plays Penn Charter in their season opener on Friday, March 8 at 4:00 p.m. on Hargaden Field.

Mrs. Patti Santoni has joined Loyola Blakefield as its new Director of Major Gifts in the Advancement Office. Patti has fifteen years of professional fundraising experience, working in a variety of development roles at St. Agnes Hospital, Franklin Square Hospital, the American Urological Association Foundation, and for the past five years at the American Cancer Society. Patti and her husband Rob ’84 have a son who is a freshman at Loyola Blakefield.

Patti received her B.S. in Health & Human Development fom Penn State University.

How did the varsity team perform last season?

COACH: We ended up tying for first place last year, but didn’t get into the championship game based on our point differential, so we’re pretty motivated coming into this year.

Are there any key players coming back this year?

COACH: Our two captains this year are returning starters Jordan Jenkins '13 and Brady Frantz '13. Alex Hunt '13, Sam Evans '13 and Rob Szymanik '13 are returning varsity players as well. Two new senior players who we expect a lot from are Kenny Maher and Cole Boozer. Cole played his sophomore year so he's got some experience already. Juniors Andrew Will, Ekene Nkem-Mmekam, Jack Curly, Tyler Cole and James Banta are also looking to have strong showings. We have a real solid group of guys for the varsity team.

How has the start to the season been so far?

COACH: Well since there are only six MIAA league games in a season, we have included nine scrimmages spread throughout. This past weekend we scrimmaged Gonzaga High School and the Northern Virginia (NOVA) club team. The field conditions were pretty bad because it was raining all night and day, but I would say our opening 20 minutes were very good, considering we had only been practicing for four days. Our returning guys really knew what they were doing.

Who is next on the schedule?

COACH: Tomorrow, we play our first home scrimmage against Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. It’s a club team based out of Poly High School. Rugby is not an official sport at the school, so they have players from Towson High and I think even a few from Gilman as well.

How do these scrimmages benefit your team?

COACH: Each scrimmage is a learning opportunity for the guys. They become motivated with success. We saw a lot of success this past weekend against NOVA and Gonzaga and we hope to continue that tomorrow night. We also learn what we need to work on. That tangible experience of getting beat on a play makes our guys want to fix what isn't working because they don't want to experience getting beat again. We've definitely got a dedicated group of guys this year.

What matchup are you looking forward to most this season?

COACH: That’s a good question. There are only four teams in the MIAA and we only play each team twice, so each matchup defines our season. Calvert Hall is a natural rivalry, Mount St. Joe is a big rivalry now because we played them in the championship game a few years ago and Spalding knocked us out of the championship last year so that's a big rivalry now as well.

Are any alumni back to help out this year?

COACH: Rugby alumni are always looking for opportunities to come back and lend a hand. We've got Brian Fitzpatrick ’08, Matt Cranston ’05 and Steve James '06 helping out this year. Steve and Matt are taking over more of the coaching side of things this year. I'm doing a little more of the administrative side. Mike DeCesare is a new coach this year. He played rugby for 20 years so he is going to be a great resource for us. His son, Marc, is a freshman here. 

Varsity Rugby plays their first MIAA Conference game at Calvert Hall on March 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Two weeks ago, senior Thomas Brennan attended the Maryland General Assembly as a Baltimore County page, serving Maryland’s House of Delegates.

According to the Maryland General Assembly’s website, each year 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across the state to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis.

During the 13 weeks of session, which runs from the second week in January to early April, each page serves one week during the first eight weeks and returns for a second week during the last five.

“I was nominated by Mr. Dziedzic in the history department to represent Loyola,” said Brennan. “After being nominated, I had to apply through the Baltimore County School System.”

“We select a candidate from our AP Government students every year," said Loyola History Chair Zachary Dziedzic. "Tom’s teacher, Dan Hoehler, has the final say in the selection. Mr. Hoehler selected Tom because he wants to major in political science and is interested in a career in politics."

According to Dziedzic, this is not the first time a student from Loyola Blakefield has been selected.

"Prior to Tom, Brendan Madigan '11 was selected, and some time before that Chris Chaulk '04 won. I don't know if we had other candidates accepted before I came here eight years ago."

Page Program Coordinator Jane Hudiburg said the program was started by House Speaker Thomas Hunter Lowe and approved by the Maryland State Board of Education.

“Since 1970, Maryland's high school seniors have had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process by serving as student pages in the Senate and the House of Delegates during the annual session of the Maryland General Assembly.”

Students are chosen based on different criteria from county to county. Rex Sheppard from Baltimore County’s Office of Secondary Social Studies is in charge of selecting students from Baltimore County.

“The criteria for the selection of pages in Baltimore County are scholarship, leadership, involvement in extracurricular activities and career goals related to government,” said Sheppard. “Students are required to write at least a five paragraph essay on how they demonstrate these qualities and describe how the page experience would benefit them in learning and contributing to the governmental process.”

A total of 14 students from Baltimore County were selected for the program.

“The number of pages from each county is based on the total student population," said Hudiburg. “Baltimore County has one of the largest groups of representatives.”

After being selected, students are randomly assigned to either the House of Delegates or the Senate and given further instructions.

“I received a call from Mrs. Hudiburg informing me that I was selected and she provided me with information regarding when I would be serving, what my duties would be, housing accommodations and travel arrangements.”

The General Assembly’s website specifies that each page is paid a stipend of $55 per day worked to cover expenses and housed within walking or a short driving distance of the State House.

According to Hudiburg, duties include keeping the members' bill books up to date, distributing materials on the floor to the members, running errands, answering the phone, assisting visitors and delivering messages to the members. The duties of the page revolve around the schedule of the chamber to which the page is assigned. Whenever their assigned chamber is in session, pages must be present.

“I wasn’t just fetching coffee,” said Brennan. “I was in the middle of everything, hearing about the death penalty and listening to a hearing about the Offshore Wind Energy Act. Just being in the place where all the decisions are made and where the state is run was an extraordinary experience.”

Session ran from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. and the hearings on bills began around 1:00 p.m.

During his lunch breaks, Brennan sat down to talk with Delegates Stephen Lafferty, Susan Aumann and State Senator Jim Brochin.

“The experience really made me appreciate those whom we elect and trust,” said Brennan. “It takes a lot of time to craft legislation, get support for bills and allow the public to voice their opinion. There is a lot of compromise and it can take weeks and months to get something passed.”

Brennan plans to study political science in college next year and pursue a role in politics later on.

“Whether I end up a politician or public servant of some kind, my goal is to craft legislation to make this world a better place.”

Brennan will serve his second week in the General Assembly during the last week of March.

Please congratulate senior Conan Schuster on placing 7^th at the National Prep Tournament this past weekend at Lehigh University. Conan repeats his prep All-America status, as he placed 5^th last year. In addition, he and senior David Mohler smashed Dan Natterman’s (’01) all-time wins record at Loyola (139). Conan finished his career with 148 varsity wins and David a close second with 147.

We finally got a chance to sit down with three of the German exchange students who are taking classes at Loyola Blakefield and staying with Loyola host families during their nine-day visit to the United States. Henrik Derra [left], Emilia Schramm [middle] and Max Auer [right] are high school sophomores from Dientzenhofer Gymnasium, a school in Bamberg, Germany.

How did you get involved in the exchange program?

Henrik: Last June, our teacher, Mr. Auer, asked our 9th grade class who wanted to make an exchange to America and he ended up selecting 23 students out of about 53 who applied. We were selected based on our grades, our fluency in English and our behavior in school.

What was your first impression of Loyola Blakefield?

Max: We couldn't believe this was a school. It looks much more like a palace or a church. There is no school in Germany that looks like Loyola.

Henrik: The first time I saw it was down from Charles Street and Wheeler Hall looked like Hogwarts to me. It's so cool and so much bigger than our entire school.

Emilia: Knott Hall is about the size of our school and we have about 500 more students than Loyola.

What has been your favorite class during your time at Loyola?

Henrik: Definitely Web Design because it's so cool to experience the programs that students are working with here like Photoshop and NetBeans. We don't have programs like that at our school because we don't have money for them. It's been very cool to work with these programs here and the teacher is even cool too.

Emilia: Our school in Bamberg only has two small computer labs, so experiencing all the equipment here has been really great. I had a photography class the other day and we were developing pictures in the dark room and I was just standing there amazed that the school has a dark room. We would never have something like that in Bamberg. Having 13 Macs in one room is also very impressive.

Do you have afterschool activities at your school in Bamberg?

Max: We usually go to school until either 1:00 p.m. or 3:15 p.m., then we go home and then go to our clubs. They are private clubs sponsored by our town, like different basketball teams and soccer teams. We do have some activities in school but they are usually during the summer. Basketball is a big sport in Bamberg because we were national champions last year.

Emilia: I have track and field two times a week and besides that I usually just hang with friends and study because we have exams around this time of year.

How has it been living with your host families during your visit here?

Emilia: It's been so much fun. They are so polite. It's amazing. The students have done a great job showing us around the school and the area as well.

Max: All Americans are so friendly and the houses are like palaces too.

Henrik: Yeah, it must be great to live here. The only thing I don't like is that we have to drive 45 minutes just to get to school in the morning, but the house is great! 

How were your trips to Washington, D.C. and Downtown Baltimore?

Max: I didn't expect D.C. to have that many interesting buildings so close to each other. It was like one great building after the next.

Henrik: I didn't get a chance to see Downtown Baltimore because I slept in from being so exhausted, but D.C. was very impressive and I'm glad we got to see the White House.

Emilia: I love Baltimore. I've never been here before and I just think it's a very beautiful city from the harbor to the stadiums, and all the shopping of course.

Did you enjoy going to the Towson/Hopkins lacrosse game on Saturday night?

Henrik: It was a fun atmosphere. I think lacrosse is actually a very interesting sport. I don't know why we don't play it in Germany. I really like it, but it was very, very cold. That's why we left after the first half.

How was your first mall shopping experience?

Henrik: Well there's a very funny story about that. On Sunday, my host student, Ben, and I went to meet two other German girls, Katrin and Ann-Catrin, at the Towson mall to hang out. They had already shopped for quite a while before we got there, but decided then they weren't finished. We're pretty sure they were there until the mall closed at 6:00 p.m. and their host, Chris, had to stay with them the whole time. Man, I felt sorry for him.

Emilia: We don't have many malls at all in Germany. In Germany, if you go shopping you go to places like Bamberg Dowtown and there's just a bunch of stores there.

Max: We only have malls in the very big cities like Berlin. There we have the biggest shopping center in Germany called KaDeWe und Europacenter.

What is like being at an All-Boys' school?

Max: It's a bit strange to us. If I was in a school with only guys I wouldn't want to be as dressed up as they are here. I would want to be in much more relaxed clothes. Also, during our first day here we had a tour of the school and as we were passing by the classrooms everyone kind of looked up and stopped what they were doing in their classes. It was a funny sight.

Henrik: I'm in two all-boys' classes back in Bamberg so I'm kind of used to it.

Max: He's only in those all-boys' classes because he chose the wrong subjects. German girls don't like Latin or Chemistry.

Emilia: It's been weird here especially as a girl because when I walk through the hall every head starts turning as if I'm an alien or something.

Are there any All-Boys' schools or private schools in Bamberg?

Henrik: Well no, but I think there are two schools that only have girls. We only have 300 girls out of 1,500 students at our school though.

Emilia: That's because our school used to be an all-boys' school about 40 or 50 years ago. That's why we still have so many more guys than girls.

Max: Students usually only go to private schools in Germany if their behavior isn't good enough for public school.

What is it like applying for college in Germany?

Emilia: So in 12th grade we take a huge exam similar to the SATs and then we receive one final grade for our whole time in school and with that we apply to universities. If you have a good grade, you will most likely be able to study at any university in Germany. If you want to be something like a doctor then you need to have an 'A' and if you don't you either have no chance of becoming a doctor, or if you're lucky you might be put on a waiting list for like three years.

What professions are each of you interested in?

Henrik: I want study mechanical engineering.

Max: I want to become a pilot for Lufthansa German Airlines.

Emilia: I'm still deciding.

When you go back to Bamberg, will you have to report on what you experienced here?

Max: What are you talking about going back? I don't think any of us want to leave! My English teacher just wants us to report about the exchange because she is very interested in private schools and if student behavior is better here. In my opinion, it definitely is.

Henrik: My teacher wants a few of us to create a 45-minute presentation about all that we've done here, so that's why we are taking so many pictures.

On Monday, February 18th, the basketball teams from Loyola Blakefield and Calvert Hall came together in service for the Annual Baltimore Catholic League Tournament Service Day. Adults from Gallagher Services spent the afternoon playing basketball at Loyola with both varsity basketball teams. The Dons will take on Mt. St. Joseph Friday night at Mt. St. Joseph in the opening round game, tip-off is set for 6:00 pm.

View a photo montage of the service day here.

In an attempt to combine resources, the Society of Jesus recently decided to merge the provinces of Maryland, New York and New England into a generalized Northeast Province.

In response to this news, Loyola Blakefield and Fordham Preparatory School, located on the campus of Fordham University in the Bronx, have begun piloting a teacher exchange program.

“We wondered if there was some way, in anticipation of the merge, to share resources among faculty across all Jesuit schools in the Northeast,” said Bob Schlichtig, Religious Studies teacher at Loyola Blakefield.

The goal of the program is to have teachers from each school in the province spend 3-4 days immersed in another school’s environment to observe cultural and educational similarities and differences.

The idea first came about at a Jesuit Secondary Education Association (JSEA) symposium that took place at Marquette University last summer.

“The theme of the symposium was collaboration,” said Schlichtig. “That theme is what really sparked the dialogue about collaboration between our schools.”

After the symposium, Schlichtig met with Loyola Blakefield Assistant Principal John McCaul and Principal Anthony Day to further develop the idea of broadening the world view of Loyola’s teachers, while inviting teachers from other Jesuit schools to Loyola Blakefield to do the same.

“We call it an Ignatian Teacher Exchange,” said McCaul. “As the New York, New England and Maryland provinces continue to merge, this program provides an opportunity to foster an environment in our schools that encourages collaboration among teachers and students, familiarity with other campuses and a clear understanding of the strengths we share and the challenges all of our schools face as 21st century Ignatian Educators.”

Dr. David Gelpi, a religious studies teacher at Fordham Prep, was the first to pilot this program. During his visit to Loyola Blakefield, he did not just limit his time to observing religion classes. His schedule reflected a bit of everything that Loyola offers including courses like creative writing, engineering, photography and even mathematics.

“I teach a class that involves using a lot of stories,” said Dr. Gelpi. “So I wanted to visit English classes here and see how the teachers involve stories in their lessons. I also sat in on a few technology classes to see how teachers, as well as students, are using the broad range of tools available to them.”

McCaul notes that the exchange also provides a perspective beyond academics. “The teachers aren’t just visiting to observe classes. They are visiting to learn more about the school’s culture as well,” said McCaul, who is acting as somewhat of a travel agent, working with teachers in the exchange to help coordinate visits, figure out what classes they will visit and what activities they will attend.

During his visit, Dr. Gelpi noticed one major difference between Loyola and Fordham Prep: the overall demeanor of the students.

“Fordham seems a little noisier. There’s a different feel here at Loyola. Everyone talks to each other with a great deal of respect in the classroom. It seems a little bit more orderly here as the students understand what’s expected of them.”

After Dr. Gelpi’s visit, he was required to fill out a brief reflection worksheet to share with his fellow faculty members.

“The Jesuit mission revolves heavily around reflection,” said Dr. Gelpi.  “These questions will help me think about how I felt during my experience at Loyola and how I can advance upon my own teaching when I return to Fordham Prep.”

Schlichtig will spend a few days at Fordham Prep in April and go through the same process. Meanwhile, both teachers look to recruit more candidates from other schools to participate in the program.

“We plan on running a small workshop at the JSEA colloquium next summer to gain some more interest in this program and to get more teachers from different schools involved,” said Schlichtig.

“The JSEA offers a lot of great programs for educators to attend, but I’m going to these events with people from Dallas, San Francisco and Oregon,” said Dr. Gelpi. “I’m not doing anything with the people right down the street and this program looks to change that.”

The Northeast province, now the largest in the country, consists of 12 Jesuit schools. Seven of which are located in New York.

“We have Canisius, McQuaid, St. Peter’s, Regis, Xavier, Fordham, and Loyola. Four out of seven of those schools are in downstate New York. We’re just so wrapped up in our own practices and our own cultures that we don’t even think to look to each other for help.”

McCaul believes the sky is the limit for a program like this.

“The 46 Jesuit High Schools in North America serve nearly 44,000 young men and women. I would love to see this program create fertile ground for collaboration with all of the other Jesuit High Schools and the students,” said McCaul. “I think this is part of the process of globalizing our students’ and teachers’ educational and service experiences.  This type of one-on-one, face-to-face collaboration is true to Jesuit ideals reaching as far back to Matteo Ricci (16^th Century Italian Jesuit who helped found the Jesuit China Mission), and will enhance our plans for blended learning experiences through the Jesuit Virtual Learning Academy.”

With the merging of the provinces, a program like this becomes harder to organize, but the end reward is all the more gratifying for these 12 schools that have invested so much over the years to provide an extraordinary Catholic education for thousands of young men and women.

Dr. David Gelpi graduated Cardinal Hayes High School in 1982 and went on to earn his B.A. in Religious Studies in 1986 at Siena College in Loundonville, NY. Later on, he received his M.S. (1995) and Ph.D (2008) from the School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University. He has been a part of the Religious Studies Department at Fordham Prep since 1992 where he currently teaches Christology, Sacramental Theology, and The Quest for the Male Soul. Dr. Gelpi has spoken at conferences for the National Association for Single Sex Public Education, the JSEA Colloquium in Santa Clara and the New York Province Jesuit Secondary Education Colloquium in New York. He has been presenting on character development and boys since 2009. 

Loyola Blakefield Head Lacrosse Coach Jack Crawford alongside Steele Stanwick '08 (UVA '12) are hosting a winter lacrosse clinic for boys ages 8-14 on Saturday, February 23.

The clinic will focus on attack and defense. Space is limited. Don't miss out on this great opportunity for your son.

To register for this lacrosse clinic, fill out and return this form.

Loyola's varsity swim team crushed the competition at this year’s MIAA “A” Conference Swimming Championships hosted by McDonogh School on Saturday night, claiming their 19^th title in 20 years.

The Dons finished the meet with 438.50 points, outscoring the closest competition, McDonogh (281), by more than 150 points. Calvert Hall finished third (158), followed by Mount St. Joseph (150.50) and Gilman (88).

Loyola exuded dominance throughout the entire night, winning nearly every race including the 400 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 100 Butterfly, 100 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke and 50 Freestyle.

Winning the last 18 out of 19 MIAA Championships, the Dons entered the meet with one goal in mind: to redeem the title from last year’s loss to McDonogh.

“We were swimming with a bit of a chip on our shoulder from last year and I think that’s what pushed us even more,” said Varsity Swim Coach Keith Schertle. “The emphasis was not to crush the other teams; the emphasis was to show them that we have a very talented group of guys.”

This talented group of guys now includes eight All-MIAA athletes (Alex Bennett ‘13, Kevin Blum ’13, Tommy Brennan ’13, Nick Breschi ’13, Cole Buese ’15, J.P. Clancy ‘14, Dan Moreno ’14 and Trey Perry ’14).

The JV swim team also won their division with flying colors, outscoring second place Calvert Hall by more than 200 points.

“What Coach Schertle is doing with this program is phenomenal,” said Loyola Blakefield Athletic Director Michael Keeney. “He is not just developing great athletes; he’s developing great role models as well.”

This year’s team slogan —“Tradition Never Graduates”— added a great deal of motivation and support for the students throughout the season.

“We have a lot of swim alumni who come back and are interested to see how the current group is performing. Some alumni even write letters of encouragement that we put on the locker room walls throughout the year,” said Schertle. “It creates a sense of family and pride for the students.”

With this very successful season coming to a close, the Dons prepare for one last competition. The team will head to LaSalle University for the Eastern Swimming and Diving Championships on Feb. 22 and 23.

Today, five student-athletes at Loyola Blakefield committed to their respective universities during a ceremony in the Alumni Lounge in Knott Hall.

Sam Evans ’13 will be joining the Towson University football team in the fall. “Sam is an all-around leader who truly defines the word competitor. His passion for the game will help him to be successful at the next level,” said Brant Hall, Varsity Football Head Coach of Loyola Blakefield. Alec Scheetz is committing to play football at William and Mary. “Alec has put in so much hard work and has recovered from a knee injury. I have very high hopes for him,” said Hall.

John Jlopleh ‘13 committed to Villanova University for soccer. Brothers, Jeremy DeGraffenreidt ’13 and Mike DeGraffenreidt ’13, are both headed to University of Louisville to play soccer. 

“Loyola Blakefield congratulates these young men on their outstanding accomplishments on and off the field. We are exceptionally proud of their achievements, and we wish them the best of luck in the future,” said Principal of Loyola Blakefield, Anthony Day.

Read more from The Baltimore Sun.

Loyola "Aqua Dons" hoisted the First Place trophy at the 2013 National Catholic Swimming Championship hosted by Loyola University yesterday.

Click here to view more pictures from yesterday's 2013 National Catholic Swimming Championship.

Catching Up with Ryan Black '12, Jeff Jenkins '12, and Jordan Floyd '12 

January is an exciting time here at Loyola. A New Year has just begun, the hope of a snow day is renewed and then there are mid-term exams (not always exciting for our Dons). However, one of the best parts of this time of year is the opportunity to see so many of our recent graduates back on campus. With a break from their studies, they’ll often come back to visit with their former teachers and classmates, work out in the gymnasium and fitness center or perhaps fulfill a craving for Baltimore’s best spicy buffalo chicken. Last week, we caught up with three members of the class of 2012: Jeff Jenkins (Hamilton College) Jordan Floyd (UConn) and Ryan Black (Bryant University).

Each of these young men distinguished themselves during their time at Blakefield both in and out of the classroom, demonstrating the type of discipline, dedication and work ethic that our Dons strive for in all they do. During their visit, they took time away from their workouts in the fitness center to share some updates on how their first year of college is going and discussed some of the lessons they learned as student athletes at Loyola.

“We are lucky to have young men like Jeff, Ryan and Jordan come back here and provide such a positive example for our current Dons,” said Greg Baker, Fitness Center Director at Loyola Blakefield. “These guys may have made a name for themselves on the field, but they worked just as hard in the classroom and have found success there as well.” In describing their hard work and commitment to being successful student athletes, Baker points to their achievement as members of Loyola’s 1,000 Pound Club as one small measure of their determination. Created in 2003, the 1,000 Pound Club includes 32 members and is achieved through the cumulative total of a bench press, squat and dead lift (view full list of club members). “It’s one accolade, but it speaks volumes about the type of men they are,” said Baker.

Jenkins recalls the first time he saw the list of club members hanging on the wall outside of the Fitness Center. “I looked at it and never thought I’d see my name on that list,” said Jenkins. “But that’s the thing that being here at Loyola does for you; you see a goal, however distant in your mind and you forge a path that takes you there.” Jenkins cites the long journey of a student athlete where your days are filled with multiple workouts, team activities and when it is all said and done, you’re left with less time for everything else. “You are more fatigued than you want to be, you have less time for homework than is ideal and just like other busy students who take part in activities such as Forensics or Drama, you give so much of yourself to one thing and then have to discipline yourself to ensure that you don’t let up on anything else, especially when it comes to academics.” Jenkins, who is a Right Tackle on Hamilton’s Football team and interested in studying Computer Science, notes that his experience at Blakefield helped him sharpen his time management skills so that he was fully prepared for college.  “You learn to push yourself and of course, one of the benefits of being part of any team activity is that you have others around you to push you.”

Floyd, who spends up to seven hours a day in the fall preparing for football says that being a successful student athlete comes with sacrifice. “Every kid looks forward to summer and taking it easy, but for me summer was about getting up early, working out and trying to improve,” said Floyd. “And now, I see my friends going off to watch movies or hang out and it’s time for me to hunker down and focus on my studies. Sacrifice…it’s just the price you pay to reach your goals.” Floyd, a three-sport standout at Blakefield is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and was a redshirt freshman for the Huskies in the fall.

Black, who red-shirted at Bryant this year is pursuing a degree in Finance and Accounting and credits his parents for instilling in him the ideal that academics are the first priority and that any success in athletics can best be born from lessons learned while pursuing goals in the classroom. “I knew that success in academics, as in athletics, was about picturing yourself achieving your goal and having a plan to get there,” said Black. “Playing football in college was a goal for me since before I started high school, but I would not be where I am if I had not also succeeded in my studies.”

These young men are yet another example of the excellent leaders and learners that we are proud to call Loyola Dons.

Darrius Coleman '16 [far right], who survived a rare form of cancer known as synovial sarcoma last year, has looked to both his family and wrestling for inspiration. Read the full story from The Varsity Sports Network here.

The Loyola Swim Team managed to raise $10,000 for their annual 100 Mile Swim in support of this year's beneficiary, The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy Hospital.

The swim started at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21 and was completed roughly 27.5 hours later at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22nd.

This year's fundraiser hit closer to home for the entire Loyola Blakefield community as the relay was in support of Loyola alumnus and middle school swim coach Mr. Tim Pierce, who is receiving treatment for colon cancer at Mercy.

In his years at Blakefield, Tim Pierce has served a number of roles including English Teacher, Head of Admissions, Head of Middle School, Head of Technology, Grant Writer for the Development Office and Varsity Swim Coach.

Since 1998, Loyola Blakefield's swim team has worked to raise over $88,000 for deserving charities in the greater Baltimore area.

Thanks go out varsity swim coach Keith Schertle and the entire swim team for making this event a success, as well as faculty members Mr. Kraft, Mrs. Breschi and Mr. Bromwell who helped out with the dodgeball tournament which raised $1,200 alone.

Special thanks to varsity captains Kevin Blum '13 and Alex Bennett '13 for their undying efforts and support throughout December.

Read full story from The Baltimore Sun.

Loyola Indoor Track and Field athlete Connor Cunningham '14 was named The Baltimore Sun's Athlete of the Week for Jan. 9, 2013 with another great performance in last Friday's 12-team MIAA group meet, winning two individual events and taking part in a winning relay. 

Read the full story from The Baltimore Sun here.

This is the second consecutive week a Don has been named a Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Week.

photo credited to The Baltimore Sun.

Taylor Janoskie '12 won Scout Team Player of the Year Award at Bryant University for the 2012 football season. Taylor played Special Teams for the Bulldogs. Read more here.

Connor Cunningham '14, Dominic Piedmont '13, Conor Reynolds '13 and Bernard Little '13 won the 4 X 200 meter relay in Friday's MIAA Varsity Indoor Track meet. Their time shattered the old school record and is now a top fifty time in the nation. Congratulations to these four student athletes.

Watch a highlight of the race here.

Conan Schuster '13 is The Baltimore Sun's Athlete of the Week for Jan. 2, 2013. Schuster dominated the 170-pound class, pinning all five of his opponents in the first period during the Mount Mat Madness tournament at UMBC this past weekend to become the Dons' first-ever individual champion at the prestigious event.

Read the whole story from The Baltimore Sun here.

Read full story from The Baltimore Sun.

Loyola students attended the 15th Annual Ignatian Family Teach-In For Justice national conference during Nov. 16-18 in Washington, DC. The conference is geared towards those who are passionate about social justice grounded in the Catholic Social Teaching and the spirituality of St. Ignatius.

Read more about this year's conference here.

Read the full story from The Baltimore Sun.

In May 2012, a Bone Marrow Drive dubbed “Senior Swab Day” took place at Loyola Blakefield. The drive was inspired by the “Join for Joe” effort in memory of Joe Gorman ’14. Joe’s classmates, Dan McLaughlin ‘14 and Danny Finley ’14 helped launch the effort on campus and continue to organize drives to get others to swab and enter into the donor database. (In 2011, Joe was the recipient of the “Children’s’ Hope Medal of Honor” presented by Heroes of Hope, a program under the World Health Foundation for his part in inspiring and assisting in a bone marrow drive that resulted in the registration of nearly 900 new bone marrow donors. He, himself, was the recipient of a bone marrow transplant.)

Austin Luera ’12 was aware of Joe’s courageous battle against leukemia and when it came time for Loyola seniors to volunteer to be swabbed, he seized the opportunity. “There is nothing inconvenient about getting swabbed and being entered as a donor,” said Luera. “It’s something that anyone can and should do.”

The summer months passed and Luera was off to the University of South Carolina where he now studies Exercise Science and takes part in the ROTC program. His first semester of college began like any other, but in mid-September his mother received a phone call from DKMS (a German Bone Marrow Donor Center) informing her that her son was considered a viable match for an eight-year old boy battling leukemia.

When Luera heard the news, he immediately knew that this was his chance to help save a life. “I had a younger cousin who passed away at a very young age due to a brain tumor and my family has been very involved in fundraising efforts to assist other families as they struggle through the hardships that come along with having children battling a life-threatening illness,” said Luera. “As soon as the situation was explained to me, I made the decision to become a bone marrow donor.”

Working with a medical team at Georgetown University, Luera underwent several additional screenings, sometimes stopping into his campus wellness center to have tests administered then shipped north for further evaluation. “The coordination and understanding between the medical staff, the wellness center at the university and DKMS was amazing and made this process run very smoothly,” said Luera.

After weeks of waiting, Luera was set to travel to Georgetown for his bone marrow procedure. “I was fully committed to the process, but admittedly asked the doctors to tell me as little as necessary about the procedure,” said Luera. “Essentially they made two incisions on either side of my hip bone and went in 15 times on each side to extract the necessary amount of bone marrow.”

Although aware of the eventual pain and discomfort following the procedure, Luera is thankful to have the support of his teachers and ROTC instructors. “There is a period of recovery and everyone at the university could not be more understanding,” said Luera. “The healing process has gone fast and I’ll ease back into physical training soon.”

Any after-effects of the procedure were never part of the equation in Luera’s decision. “I might feel a little pain for a few weeks, but when you have a young person dealing with something much more serious, you need to think beyond yourself and do whatever you can to help them,” said Luera.

A native of Towson, MD, Austin Luera is a graduate of Loyola Blakefield’s Class of 2012. For more information about DKMS visit: www.dkmsamericas.org.

- Lauren Clifton (Marketing)

Loyola Blakefield’s freshman soccer team went undefeated this fall with a 15 – 0 – 2 record. They defeated all freshman teams in the MIAA “A” Conference, along with two junior varsity “B” teams, St. Paul’s and Boy’s Latin, and a few schools from the D.C. area.

The season started off strong as the team went five straight games without a loss. This feat raised the team’s spirits and instilled the idea to potentially go through the whole season without a loss.

Even though Loyola was on the high road to success, the team still encountered a few struggles, but never failed to come out on top. They believed their most difficult game of the season was when they traveled to the Georgetown Preparatory School in the D.C. area.

“Both teams were undefeated, and we were unsure how the game would play out.  It turned out to be extremely physical. Fortunately by taking the win, it allowed the boys to believe they could now go the whole season undefeated,” said Chris Caldwell (Head Coach).

Thinking about the possibility of going undefeated throughout the entire season did not seem realistic at the beginning, however the boys pulled through and showed everyone wrong.

“In the beginning I wasn’t sure if the boys were going to be able to pull it off, but by the middle of the season with still an undefeated record, they showed me they were able to stay level headed and treat each game individually,” said Caldwell.

Team camaraderie and trust played a large role in the team’s success. Each member of the freshman soccer team worked well together, and they have learned to support one another through both their ups and downs. 

Caldwell pushes for his team to work together, while also trying to teach sportsmanlike values. Through his faith and dedication to his team, every athlete displays an unselfish mindset, which also played a key role in the Don’s victory.

The Loyola Blakefield freshman soccer team was the only team in the entire MIAA “A” Conference that went undefeated in the Fall 2012 season. Congratulations and job well done to the Loyola freshman soccer team!

In 2011, the Department of Campus Ministry hosted the first overnight freshmen retreat on the campus of Loyola Blakefield, and it was such a success that the Campus Ministry team decided to keep the momentum going by making this year’s retreat even bigger. The 2012 freshmen retreat focused on creating bonds between the students with the overall theme of “IGNITE! Breaking Barriers and Sparking Friendships.” 

The title of the retreat combines the words Ignatius and Night and Loyola’s Campus Ministry team hopes to continue growing this experience for years to come.

The motto of this year’s retreat, Breaking Barriers and Sparking Friendships, was chosen by the retreat leaders and is a message they hope is conveyed to freshmen students throughout the retreat.

“We really want the freshmen to open up and break down nervous barriers between one another. By the end, we as leaders strive for a significant amount of camaraderie among the students,” said student retreat leader, Brendan Galloway ’13.

The retreat is designed to open the eyes of all students in the freshmen class by bringing them together in an intimate and spiritual setting. Numerous team building exercises are involved, which allow the freshmen to form new ties and bonds with their fellow classmates.

Aside from daytime activities, the overnight aspect of the retreat gives freshmen the opportunity to let down their guard, which may not happen in a typical day-to-day setting.

“Many of the special elements that happen during the retreat occur overnight mainly because it is a time where the students allow others to get to know them on a deeper level,” said Joe Cordella, Director of Campus Ministry at Loyola Blakefield.

Both the faculty and student leaders put in a countless amount of effort when planning and executing IGNITE!  They wanted each student to see themselves united as one class by the time the retreat concluded.  This unified friendship that the leaders help students make during the retreat is one that is meant to be fostered for years to come.

Encouraging freshmen to become involved in extracurricular activities and clubs during their four years of high school is another area of concentration for the retreat.

“The leaders want the freshmen to make the best of their four years at Loyola by getting involved in what the school has to offer. Time flies whether they believe it or not, and regret is not an option the leaders want them to have when they graduate,” said Cordella.

While bringing the students together is an important part of the retreat, instilling the ideals of St. Ignatius and showing them how vital it is to incorporate those ideals in their everyday life is key. 

IGNITE! is helping the freshmen students become better ‘Men for Others’ both on Loyola’s campus and in their everyday lives.

Mr. Terry Levering's Civil War class recently took a trip to Antietam National Battlefield, where they stopped for a photo at Burnside Bridge and received a cannon firing demonstration.

"Walking the battlefield helps the students gain an understanding of how terrain affects battle tactics. You really can't understand a battle without seeing the actual ground. They also got to see firsthand how time consuming the process of firing a Civil War era cannon is."

- Mr. Terry Levering

On Friday, Nov. 9th the Middle School hosted the 6^th Annual Michael Destino Memorial Scholarship Run.

Michael was a rising seventh grader in 2007 whose life, as well as his father’s, were tragically cut short as the result of an automobile accident. 

Last week students ran a one-mile run on the field across from Sheridan Hall in Michael's memory and honor.

It was a special event this year because this is the year Michael would have graduated from Loyola Blakefield, so the senior class was allowed to run the race in his honor as well.

Mrs. Mary Destino stood at the finish line of the one-mile course to thank each young man as he crossed the line and awarded him a Michael Destino Memorial wrist band.

All proceeds from the race will go towards the Michael Destino Memorial Scholarship.

Led by Tyler Spear's first place finish in a time of 15:58, the Dons Varsity Cross Country team captured its 4th straight MIAA Championship at Oregon Ridge Park.

Please congratulate the following members of the varsity squad: Tyler Spear, Ted Terpos, Kevin Wegner, Frankie Legambi, Zach Nerenberg, Sean Duffy, Ben Hosford, Dom Piedmont, Conor Perry, Jack Brower, Paul Murphy, Matt Thompson and Logan Gibbs.

This year marks the 4th straight year in which a Loyola runner has finished first in the MIAA Championship (M. Jablonski in 2009 and 2010, Kevin Corbusier in 2012).

ROLL DONS ROLL!




 

This weekend at the opening Baltimore Catholic Forensic League (BCFL) tournament at Catonsville High School, Loyola earned the First Place Team Sweepstakes Award, shared with Notre Dame Prep. 

Please congratulate the following students for their award-winning presentations:

Austin Cramer & Michael Fiocco – Silver Medalists in Duo Interpretation

Joe Ferlise & Zach Phillips – Silver Medalists in Duo Interpretation 

Ian Cumberpatch – Honorable Mention in Dramatic Performance 

Kurt Imhoff – Silver Medalist in Dramatic Performance 

Zach Phillips – Gold Medalist in Dramatic Performance 

Elliot Queale – Honorable Mention in Impromptu Speaking

                      Honorable Mention in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Joshua Alonsozana – Silver Medalist in Impromptu Speaking

                                Honorable Mention in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Tyler Good-Cohn – Honorable Mention in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Kurt Manion – Honorable Mention in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Joseph Ferlise – Silver Medalist in Individual Sweepstakes (Triathlon)

Aleks Jaunzemis – Gold Medalist in Individual Sweepstakes (Triathlon)

Additionally, Aidan Bissell-Siders and Jack Morton made their team debuts.

(photo credited to Mr. John Imhoff)

Matthew Ryan '13 attended the Maryland Institute College of Art's (MICA) month long Pre-College Summer Program this past summer and received a $12,000 scholarship to MICA for next fall.

The program allowed 180 high school students from all over the world a glimpse inside the life of a college art student at MICA, while offering three different college level art courses.

The three classes that Ryan attended included a core class in graphic design Monday through Wednesday from 8 - 3 p.m., a video workshop and an art history lecture every Friday.

Throughout the four weeks, Ryan spent most of his time perfecting his final project, which included a t-shirt design of one of his favorite bands (shown above) along with a new font created by using the street grid of a section of Baltimore city.

Ryan had to apply with a portfolio, get a letter of recommendation and write essays pertaining to how he would benefit from such a program.

"It was very similar to applying for college," said Ryan.

Ryan recieved a lot of support from the art department.

"Mrs. Petr was the one who told me about the program and suggested that I should apply, and Mr. Zimmerman wrote my recommendation."

The program was open to juniors and seniors on an international level. Students were selected from all over the world, including Venezuela and Asia.

"There were a lot of different kids from a variety of backgrounds and their artistic inspirations varied, which led it to feel more like a college experience," said Ryan.

One thing that made it different from a typical college experience was the endgame prize of a $12,000 scholarship, awarded to a handful of students who showed the most promise during the program.

"The scholarship was awarded based on the work done during the program. The professors and Teaching Assistant Resident Counselors (TARPs) were the ones who collectively voted on who they thought should receive the scholarships based on interactions with the students over the four weeks," said Mr. Matthew Zimmerman, Loyola's graphic design teacher.

An average of two students from each core class ended up receiving a scholarship. In the graphic design core, there was a total of 40 students, split into two classes.

Ryan is still unsure about what art form(s) he wants to pursue in college. According to him, most first year art students are usually immersed into a melting pot of different forms anyways.

"Each art form lends itself to creating a different type of work," said Ryan. "Having another year to grow and decide what I want to pursue will definitely be helpful."

All in all, Matthew appreciates what he has learned from his teachers at Loyola.

"They supplied me with the motivation and the skills to succeed in this. They really helped hone my perception of good work versus bad work. What they're teaching up there [in Burk] is obviously working."

Matthew's work is on display on the wall across from the Chapel of Our Lady of Monserrat next to the Burk Hall entrance.

- Lauren Clifton (Loyola Blakefield - Marketing & Communications)

Loyola Blakefield’s varsity volleyball team has been on the high road to success since the start of the 2012 season. For the past two seasons, the team has won the MIAA championship and this year they are going for their third consecutive conference crown.

Currently, the Dons are undefeated with an 8 - 0 record after recent wins over St. Paul’s, Gilman and Archbishop Curley.

The team is hopeful that they will keep up the hard work and inch closer to grasping another MIAA championship. Head coach Tim Baier leads his team through the reinforcement that success is always possible. One of his top priorities is making sure each athlete knows that they are capable of playing better than the game before.

“Success in the past has been achieved through hard work and dedication to the sport, but having a good time while competing is what keeps the team’s spirits high,” said Baier.

Members of the team also attribute their success to the mentality of working hard, while having fun. “You might not think that having fun is a winning formula, but for Loyola, it’s what works,” said Devin McNamara ‘13.  McNamara feels that much of the team’s success is not only credited to the mentality of having fun, but also being a family. “The team has been so successful because of how close we are and our camaraderie has allowed us to overcome any obstacle as a whole,” said McNamara.

Having a sense of family and enjoying the game are two key elements that make up the equation for a winning team. The Loyola Blakefield varsity volleyball team demonstrates both and has the numbers to prove it.

With the season in full swing, the team is playing better than ever and hopes to end the season with another MIAA championship trophy.

Let’s go Dons!

Last Friday, English teacher Jane Donovan and American History teacher Zach Dziedzic entwined history and rhetoric by hosting a joint class in the Rev. Lloyd George, S.J. Lounge to recreate the debate of the Olive Branch Petition of 1775.

With the combination of persuasive writing skills and knowledge of the historical context surrounding the debate, students were able to recreate the many different personas in the debate using their own interpretations.

Yesterday, Loyola teachers Chris Cucuzzella, Ryan Bromwell, Laurie Thompson, Sally Waller, Tim Bersin, Kelly Breschi and Jane Donovan accompanied 12 Loyola students on a ten mile Appalachian Trail hike from Gathland State Park to Harper’s Ferry. Before the hike, the students learned about the history of the Appalachian Trail, which is the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. 

The first six miles of the hike followed the rolling wooded trail on the top of South Mountain. The group stopped for lunch at the scenic Weaverton Cliffs which overlooked the Potomac River. After the descent from Weaverton, the Dons walked the last flat section which coincides with the C and O Canal Towpath. Ice cream in Harper’s Ferry was a great finish to the day.

Six students, led by Loyola Blakefield’s Director of Technology, Steve Morrill, are headed to the finals of the second annual Maryland Cyber Challenge & Competition (MDC3) only weeks after founding the Cyber Security Club on campus.

As part of Loyola’s continuing commitment to the Informatics program, Morrill is mentoring the students as they work to win the statewide cyber security competition which will be held on Tuesday, Oct.16 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The competition is hosted by UMBC and the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

 “We put the word out quietly, and overnight we had six guys,” said Morrill. The team is comprised of five seniors and one sophomore.

(Above: Left to right) Christopher Rodriguez ’13, Andrew Steinitz ’13, James Lortz ’15, Rafael Baino ’13, Jeremy Krach ’13 and Mason Dowell ’13 all come from different backgrounds, but their love for computers and problem solving are what unite them.

“Each student has something unique to offer the team, and they aren’t all rooted in the computer science field,” said Morrill. “We have traditional hardcore IT (Information Technology) students; we have a couple of guys who are into mathematics, and even a few students into English, which bodes well for thinking critically.”

“With each of us working at our own pace and finding our niches, we’ve achieved a good balance of talent,” said senior and captain Chris Rodriguez.

According to Morrill, strong teamwork skills are essential in a competition like this and so far the students have operated seamlessly together in such a short amount of time.

Each round of competition is explained on the MDC3 website:

Teams within each level will battle it out in a series of exciting, real-world cyber security games that put their critical thinking skills to the ultimate test.

Online qualification rounds test each team’s cyber defense skills, including their ability to harden systems against vulnerabilities, maintain critical services, and communicate timely and effectively. As teams advance, the qualification rounds increase in complexity and intensity.

The finals—to be hosted at CyberMaryland 2012—include a Capture the Flag/King of the Hill variation which introduces more exercise problems as the game progresses.

The team did extraordinarily well in the first two qualifying rounds, which took place on Sept. 20 and Sept. 27.

According to Morrill, round one was all about defense.

“They gave the students an image and asked them to find the vulnerabilities within the system. The students had to do some research on the system to find out what critical services they had to keep up, while still defending and securing the system.”

The students had to commit to a six hour window once they started the process and were in the computer lab on campus until almost 10:00 p.m.

“Before the first round we had some practice sessions going over basic network security, but we really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into because we weren’t given any information beforehand,” said Rodriguez. “It was a bit of surprise to us, but at the end of the day we adapted well and worked together as a team.”

Round two was more of a forensics analysis. Students had to decode and decrypt several files. In addition, they were given four files that had been “carved,” or damaged, and needed to be forensically reconstructed.

The decryptions required the students to work together to come up with the correct cipher key to decode the embedded messages, similar to solving a puzzle or riddle.

“They did great on the decrypt and decodes, but were not successful in rebuilding any of the file carves,” said Morrill.

This round proved tougher, but the students worked together using each other’s strengths to pull through and qualify for the finals.

The finals will be a mix of the first two rounds. The students will be actively defending their own system while trying to work through a scenario and crack the other teams’ defenses.

Loyola is one of eight high schools across Maryland that qualified for the finals. The first place prize includes a $5,000 scholarship for each student sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and a paid internship at SAIC over the summer. Students on the second place team each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Beyond the competition itself, the students will be attending the Cyber Maryland 2012 Conference, which is a great opportunity for the students to be exposed to experts in this rapidly growing field.

Next week, Morrill is having guest speakers from the NSA and Homeland Security come in and talk to the students about different professions in the cyber security industry as well.

Be on the lookout for the results from the final round of the competition in two weeks.

Loyola's 2nd Annual FIFA Tournament Fundraiser was successful in raising over $600 to help the Red Cloud School subsidize the cost of their upcoming visit to Loyola Blakefield and some nearby Jesuit universities.

Nearly 80 students signed up for the tournament and it went a long way to promoting awareness for a good cause, while giving students a chance to have some fun during their lunch periods.

The tournament was hosted by Loyola's Campus Ministry. Special thanks go out to Mr. Joe Cordella, Mr. Ben Horgan, Mr. Mike Lackner and Mr. Steve Swiech for helping organize the event.

Click here for a video recap of the event, as well as an interview with the Director of Campus Ministry, Joe Cordella.

The 2011-12 Forensics team, led by Charles Donovan and Tom Durkin, was recently inducted into the National Forensic League's annual 100 Club.

This recognition is earned by achieving a combined total of at least 100 award levels or "degrees" at competitions in a single school year.

Loyola's 2011-12 Forensics team participated in 29 tournaments last season and earned well over the 100 point mark, placing them in the top 10% of high school Forensics programs in the country, according to the NFL.

 View the entire letter from the National Forensic League here.

Austin Cramer '14 and Mike Fiocco '14 earned 6^th place in duo interpretation at the Yale Invitational tournament this past weekend. Austin and Mike performed a humorous interpretation of “Best Movie Ever: Batman and Robin” by Olaf Oggleson.

Read about Sean Flanigan's (English Department Chair) participation in a development project at Miller's Square. In addition to helping revitalize a section of the city, the project includes several incentives for law enforcement and teaching professionals.

Patrick McCleary '10 (right) and his debate partner, Colin McElhinny (left), have recently been invited to the annual Kentucky Round Robin tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky. This tournament is considered the most prestigious round robin tournament in collegiate debate.

McCleary and his partner are the first team from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA ever to be invited to any round robin tournament. 

The tournament will be held from October 2-3 on the University of Kentucky's campus. Other schools competing include Michigan State, Northwestern, Georgetown and Dartmouth.

McCleary received a debating scholarship to UMW his senior year at Loyola.

Daniel Felipe Villarreal ‘13 was awarded the Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award at the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

VIEW VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


Villarreal maintains a grade point average of 3.64 in a challenging curriculum of honors and Advanced Placement courses. He has taken honors courses in Algebra I, Precalculus, English I, French I, Geometry, Biology I, American Literature and Algebra II. Additionally, he has challenged himself in Advanced Placement courses in Biology and U.S. Government and Politics. Aside from his academic achievements, he is a member of Loyola’s Integritas committee.

On campus, he is a member the Rugby team and participates in a variety of intramurals.  He is also active in extracurricular clubs, student spiritual retreats, and recently participated in a summer service trip to Philadelphia with his peers. He worked with Vincentian service agencies by volunteering his time to help others.  

The Dan McNeal Award is presented annually to a member of the junior or senior class that exemplifies the characteristics that Loyola Blakefield holds dear in Jesuit education – a commitment to academic excellence, involvement in his community, and, in his words and in his deeds, he is a true man for others. The award is given in loving memory of Dan McNeal, a member of the Loyola Blakefield class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal. Dan died tragically in the World Trade Centers on the morning of September 11, 2001. Dan led his life, always choosing to think of others first.

According to science teacher Chris Cucuzzella, Loyola's Environmental/Outdoor Club will be organizing four seperate hikes for students through the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail this year.

The trips are being offered to both high school and middle school students and will not only teach students the basics of hiking (i.e. how to read a topographic map and compass skills), but will also inform students about Leave No Trace, an environmental program that encourages and trains hikers and campers to leave minimal impact on public recreational areas. 

The idea to host these hikes was thought up and encouraged by several faculty members over the summer break. 

The first hike is scheduled for Monday, October 8th. The second hike is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, November 4th. Space is limited, so contact Mr. Cucuzzella at ccucuzzella@loyolablakefield.org or Mr. Bromwell at rbromwell@loyolablakefield.org for permission slips as soon as possible. Parents and alumni interested in chaperoning a hike are more than welcome to contact Mr. Cucuzzella or Mr. Bromwell as well.

Other activities that the Environmental Club has been involved with include promoting Ride Your Bike to Work Day last spring and participating in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources "Bay Grasses in the Classes" program, which educated students about the environmental issues facing the Chesapeake Bay.

This is also a special time for the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, as the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam is celebrated this year.

“Start spreading the news…”

That’s right, we’re coming to New York! Please join us for a Loyola Blakefield Alumni Reception on

WHEN: Thursday, September 27th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Papillon Bistro (22 East 54^th Street; New York, NY 10022, www.papillonbistro.com)

Come out after work and share your Loyola pride with President John Weetenkamp ’65 and other NYC-area Dons!

DETAILS:
REGISTRATION: No cost, but online registration is required
BAR: Cash bar, with appetizers provided by Loyola Blakefield
ROOM: “Pool Table Room” (and for those who bleed Purple and Black, I’ve been assured that there will be a TV showing the Ravens pregame on NFL Network)

To REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

Loyola Varsity Lacrosse Coach Jack Crawford assisted the USA Under-19 Men's Lacrosse Team to win the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 Men's World Championships in Turku, Finland on Saturday, July 21 by beating Canada in the finals.

Read more here. 

Starting Monday, July 23, John Feeley will be Loyola Blakefield's new Director of Admissions.

Feeley has been a member of Loyola's English Department since 2002, during which he served as a strong Ignatian mentor to all students he interacted with.

His passion for Loyola, growth in business leadership, ability to work strategically and openness to doing whatever it takes to build a successful enrollment management plan will aid in making Loyola the school of choice in the Baltimore metro area.

Incoming freshman Biafra Okoronkwo is one of 117 students already earning college credits by participating in Howard Community College's Startalk Critical Language Program. The program is meant to teach students critical languages including Chinese, Arabic, Hindi and Persian to help garner interest in pursuing careers in foreign affairs.

Read more here. 

Loyola grad Alek Ferro was awarded the Norman J. Goldring Award from the University of Pennsylvania's Athletics Department on April 16 for playing NCAA Division I men's lacrosse. The Goldring Award is given to one graduating male and female student-athlete with the highest GPA who earned a varsity letter in his/her senior year.

Read more about Alek's involvement at Penn and see pictures from Penn's Senior Awards Banquet here.

Thomas Brennan III '13 earned the rank of Eagle Scout on June 12 with his work involving soil conservation and erosion prevention at Loyola Blakefield. Brennan is the president of Loyola Blakefield's Environmental Club.

Read more here.

Michael J. Nitti has joined Loyola Blakefield as its new Multimedia Communications Coordinator.

A spring 2012 graduate of Towson University, Nitti completed a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a minor in Mass Communication. At Towson, he served in a variety or student leadership roles including Programming Chair for the Campus Activities Board and Editor-in-Chief of Grub Street Literary & Arts Magazine.

In this newly created position, Nitti will be responsible for supporting Loyola Blakefield’s marketing & communications efforts through increased electronic communications, social networking and public relations activities.

“I spent several months as a marketing intern at Blakefield and came to realize the high quality of education the school offers,” said Nitti. “I am excited to join the Loyola community and hope that my efforts elevate our profile and shed light on the great work that is being done here.”

“We are pleased to have Michael join us,” said Robert Robinson, Director of Marketing & Communications. “His passion and enthusiasm for our mission, coupled with a multifaceted skill set will make him a valuable member of our staff.”

Oliver Bennett '11 will represent Loyola Blakefield Aquatics at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

View this interview with Oliver, who is currently attending Princeton University.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTX_YIwKogw&feature=youtu.be

Click here to view the 2012 Loyola Blakefield Commencement Awards.

The world's largest speech and debate tournament came to Baltimore over the weekend and Loyola Blakefield hosted Saturday Extemporaneous Speaking category. Loyola had 17 students competing in this year's tournament.

Click here to view WMAR's coverage of the event.

Also, please congratulate the following students for their award-winning performances:

Kurt Imhoff – 6^th Place in Oral Interpretation of Literature

Joe Ferlise – Octafinalist in Declamation (top speaker after preliminary rounds)

Stephen Phillips – Semifinalist in Student Congress

The Loyola freshman lacrosse team completed a perfect season going 17-0 by defeating St. Paul’s 13-3 in the MIAA championship game played on Hargaden Field, Friday, May 11th.



The highlight of the season was a 9 – 8 overtime win vs. Gilman in the last regular season game. Gilman needed to win to remain in contention for a spot in the championship game and led 8-6 with a minute to play, but the young Dons tied the game with seconds to play, won in overtime,  and ended Gilman’s season.

The Troy M. Vance '85 Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior who resembles Troy in that he excels in sports and academics and exemplifies what it means to be a "Man-for-Others." John will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.
 

Read full story here.

The Reverend Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal, regarded as the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola graduate, honors an alumnus who is outstanding by reason of distinction gained in business or civic affairs. This person is recognized as a role model in his personal, family, and public life and thus serves as an example to the students and graduates of Loyola Blakefield.

The recipient of the 2012 Rev. Kelley Medal is Mr. David G. Greenwood of the Class of 1953 of Loyola High School.
 
After graduating from Loyola High School in 1953 and then from Loyola College in 1957, David embarked on what would be a thirty-four year career of service and dedication in Baltimore County Public Schools. Having begun as a biology and general science teacher at Dundalk High School in 1958, David ended his career with BCPS as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in 1992. During those thirty-four years as a teacher and administrator, he touched many lives, and one of the many results of his commitment to shaping the lives of others is a Kelley Medal nomination like none the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association has ever seen. Those who have known him best - his family, friends, students, and colleagues - are best equipped to explain why David G. Greenwood is deserving of this honor.

On his years at Blakefield: “David used to spend the two hours or so on the bus returning home doing his homework. His study habits and quiet work ethic caught the attention of Fr. John “Buck” Sheridan, S.J., who, knowing of the daily travel challenges, asked David how he got all of his assignments done on time and neatly. David admitted that after he arrived home he took the time to re-write the compositions that were a bit ‘jiggled’ by the turbulent ride home. Fr. Sheridan told David he was happy to read his ‘jiggled’ work and to stop re-writing it.” - Melvin E. Schaefer ‘53

On long-term commitment to his students: “Mr. Greenwood was a role model long before that term became popular and he continued to be so for generation after generation of students. What inspires me most about his influence on me and many, many other students is that it endured long beyond our actual association. I have carried with me his spirit, energy, and subtle lessons throughout a lifetime.” - Barbara Hetrick, Senior Vice President, The Council of Independent Colleges

On being a Man for Others: “I was struck by the inordinate amount of time Dave was willing to commit to the students, teachers, and members of the community… I would venture to guess that Dave was the most beloved and deeply respected principal that Patapsco High School ever had.” - Stephen W. Fisher, Principal, Catonsville High School (Retired)

Finally, on marital teamwork: “The physical disabilities that David has experienced would have normally prevented him from being such a prime mover in our class’s activities had not Sueanne been such a support system. He still makes every meeting and calls continuously, sometimes with artificial tools, but always with Sueanne’s help and support. While many married couples work as a team, the Greenwoods have demonstrated teamwork to an extraordinary level. Very little that David has accomplished in the past twenty years could have been done without Sueanne.” - James L. Redifer ‘53

This past weekend at Mt. St. Joseph High School, Loyola Forensics won its 9th consecutive state championship, and the 13th in 14 years. Loyola was the 1st Place School in the Speech Sweepstakes, 2nd Place in Debate, and 1st overall.  It was a great team effort, highlighted by strong individual performances and unselfish team play.    

Please congratulate the following students for their award-winning presentations:
 
Stephen Phillips:  Champion in Student Congress

Clark Stallings:  6th Place in Student Congress

Tom Cameron and Liam Fowl:  Semifinalists in Policy Debate

Josh Alonsozana:  Semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Tyler Good-Cohn:  Qualifier in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Michael Scheiner:  3rd Place in Extemporaneous Speaking

Bernard Little:  Qualifier in Extemporaneous Speaking

Jack Scaletta and Michael Scheiner:  Champions in Duo Intepretation

Austin Cramer and Joseph Ferlise:  4th Place in Duo Interpretation

Kurt Imhoff and A.J. Unitas:  6th Place in Duo Interpretation

Joseph Ferlise:  Champion in Declamation

Jack Scaletta:  5th Place in Declamation
                          Champion in Oral Interpretation of Literature
                          2nd Place in Individual Sweepstakes (Triathlon)

Austin Cramer:  2nd Place in Children’s Literature

Lucas Iverson:  5th Place in Children’s Literature
                           Qualifier in Dramatic Performance

Ryan Miller:  Champion in Dramatic Performance
                       5th Place in Oral Interpretation of Literature

Kurt Imhoff:  4th Place in Dramatic Performance
                      2nd Place in Oral Interpretation
                      3rd Place in Individual Sweepstakes (Triathlon)

A.J. Unitas:  3rd Place in Original Oratory
                      Champion in Impromptu Speaking

Anebi Adoga:  6th Place in Original Oratory

Aleks Jaunzemis:  3rd Place in Oral Interpretation of Literature

Tim Neil:  Qualifier in Original Oratory

As a result of these performances, 17 Loyola students will represent the Archdiocese of Baltimore at nationals, which we will be hosting over Memorial Day weekend.

Loyola Blakefield alumnus, Mike Lookingland ’01, was recently named a 2011-12 All- Major Indoor Soccer League First-Team All-Star for his defensive excellence on the Baltimore Blast.
Lookingland is joined on the Baltimore Blast professional soccer team by two other Loyola Blakefield alumni, goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald ’06 and defenseman Mike Deasel ’07.



Lookingland was drafted in the second round of the Major League Soccer supplemental draft by Real Salt Lake, but signed with the Baltimore Blast in 2005. In the 2010-11 season, Lookingland was a Second-Team All-MISL selection and ranked second on the Blast and third in the MISL with 35 blocks.

Blakefield’s varsity soccer coach Lee Tschantret, who recently retired from professional soccer, won multiple championships and set scoring records with the Baltimore Blast.

Click here to read full story from ABC - 2 News.

Two former Loyola Dons are enjoying the moment with college teams as they take part in the NCAA College Basketball Tournament otherwise known as "March Madness." Eddie Bradley '10 and Patrick O'Connell '06 are both taking part in the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament this week with their respective teams. Patrick is a graduate assistant coach at Florida State University for the basketball team. Patrick was a four year letter winner in Men's basketball at Johns Hopkins University, a 2007 member of the Centennial Conference Championship Team (24-5) and is second all-time in career steals at Hopkins. At Loyola, O'Connell was a three-year varsity letter winner and a member of the First Team All Baltimore Catholic League his senior season. The photo (left) shows O'Connell holding the ACC championship trophy, and wearing the championship t-shirt and hat following last Sunday's victory over North Carolina that earned the Seminoles their first ever ACC Basketball Tournament Championship.  O'Connell said, "Being a part of Florida State's first ever ACC Championship is a memory I will never forget.....standing on the court as the confetti poured down and everyone jumping around in excitement was an unbelievable feeling." As a graduate assistant, O'Connell has a variety of duties including helping break down game film of opponents examining individual players tendencies.  "I watch clips of each player and pull specific tendencies.  By studying these tendencies, our guys can know what to expect and anticipate when guarding each player."  He also assists in the individual development of each of the players helping them with workouts outside of their given practice times.  O'Connell shared, "I am there to help put them through whatever workout they want to help them improve."   

Eddie Bradley '10 also will be taking part in this year's NCAA College Basketball Tournament as a sophomore student manager for the Georgetown men's basketball team. Bradley who joined the Hoyas staff this season as a sophomore has quickly proven very valuable. Sophomore Markel Starks recently credited Bradley for his role in preparing him for a career high 18-point scoring effort. “I told our manager Eddie Bradley - before every game he and I go out and shoot and I just told him, that 'I'm loose. I feel good today,” Starks said. The photo below shows Eddie with three Georgetown players as their number three seed was announced during the nationally televised CBS broadcast of the NCAA Men's Tournament Selection Show.

Stay tuned to the NCAA tournament and cheer on our Dons!

Dan Bollinger ’12, Collin Zoll ’13 and Shane Sheppard ’15 are each participating in the Young Artists Showcase, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Timonium and the Towson Arts Collective. The event will take place on Friday, March 9th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Towson Arts Collective located at 406 York Road (Lower Level), Towson, MD 21204. All are welcome to attend.

On March 23rd and 24th, the LacrossePlayground.com Spring Classic will bring together some of the best high school lacrosse programs in the nation. Hosted at the iconic Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on the Naval Academy Campus, the 12 teams taking part in the event represent the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. The Dons are scheduled to face off against Upper Arlington High School at Noon on March 24th.

For more information, click here.

For ticket information, click here.

Brant Hall ’98 has been named Loyola Blakefield’s new Varsity Football Coach. Hall has served as Offensive Coordinator for nine years. Hall also works as Assistant Director of Admissions and will continue in that role. “Brant is a true man-for-others who has proven him to be well respected by students, players and faculty alike, “said Anthony Day, Principal.

A three-year varsity starter during his time at Loyola Blakefield, Hall was named the Baltimore Sun’s Metro Player of the year in 1997. He was a member of two tri-championship teams and one MIAA Championship squad. He attended Lehigh University, where he was twice named 1st Team All-Patriot League. During his tenure at Lehigh, the team won 4 consecutive Patriot League Championships. Hall currently stands as the winningest QB in Lehigh history.

“The Search Committee was charged with finding the best candidate for the job, and it turned out we had him right here in-house. Brant is an alumnus of Loyola; he knows our traditions and our students. We are excited to have him lead the program,” said Mike Keeney ’65, Athletic Director.

Hall cites his playing days at Loyola and tutelage under Coach Joe Brune ’53 as a major influence on his success as a player and rise to Head Coach. “Coach Brune was a tremendous influence in teaching me to be a better player and leader in and out of the classroom,” said Hall. “Most importantly, though he taught me how to be a good person and a better citizen. It was never about the wins and losses and those values are what made me want to coach.”

Brian Abbott, who stepped down after 10 years as Head Coach also served as a mentor to Hall. “Coach Abbott and Coach Brune really emphasized the importance of a team believing in one another,” said Hall. “Brian is great at enabling the kids to build bonds and when its crunch time, they believe in their teammates and work together.”

After a successful high school and college playing career and several years as an assistant and coordinator, Hall sees Loyola as the perfect fit. “Beyond football, this place means so much to me,” said Hall. “I knew that I always wanted to be a head coach and I honestly could not imagine myself coaching anywhere else.”

The players, managers and coaches from Loyola Blakefield's varsity basketball team participated in the Baltimore Catholic League service day with adults from Gallagher Services.

Gallagher Services, an extension of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, serves people with developmental disabilities.

The Loyola players joined forces with the Calvert Hall Cardinals who hosted the experience. Everyone involved enjoyed a few hours of playing basketball as well as lunch. This was the second year in a row that the Dons and Cardinals worked together to create a fun and engaging exprience for the wonderful people at Gallagher Services.

Several Loyola athletes signed their letters of intent today.

(Pictured from left to right, with sport/school)

Jamie Dubyoski (Soccer, U.S. Naval Academy); Kevin Corbusier (Cross Country, Villanova); Ryan Black (Football, Bryant); Jon Moran (Football, Dartmouth); Taylor Janoskie (Football, Bryant); Jordan Floyd (Football, UCONN); Jordan Horne (Football, Bryant); Jeff Jenkins (Football, Hamilton).

During the 4^th Annual Symposium hosted by the Catholic University of America’s School of Library and Information Science, Terry Darr, MLS presented her findings from a study that began during the 2009-10 school year.

“Beginning in 2009, I have worked with Mr. Jack Crawford (History Instructor) and his junior/senior students,” said Darr. “He provides their topic choices and I provide information literacy instruction.”

Darr’s research aimed to measure the research and information literacy skills of students in a private secondary school, a setting that Darr explains has been largely ignored. “There has been scarce examination of the research skills of students in private secondary school and boys, as a subgroup have also been ignored,” said Darr. Her presentation is framed by a clear message for college librarians from high school students: “What You Need To Know About Our Research Skills Before We Arrive at College.”

As she continues to look at the increasingly important marriage between the 21^st century classroom and library, Darr realizes that information literacy will play a vital role in the success of students in high school and beyond. Her unique partnership with instructors at Loyola will undoubtedly continue to yield great results. “It is important for kids to understand the method and mechanics of writing a paper not just from a physical standpoint but from the mental organization process of finding, evaluating and organizing information into a coherent argument, “ said Crawford. “ It’s a vital skill for students to attain.”

Read full story from The Baltimore Sun.

Read full story.

Read full story here.

Todd R. Langenberg has joined Loyola Blakefield as its new Director of Institutional Advancement. Langenberg brings more than 18 years of experience in business development, customer relationship management, marketing and strategic planning with a focus in not-for-profit and higher education organizations.Most recently, Langenberg served as Vice President of Development for he United Way of Central Maryland where he acted at the lead development officer for all fundraising and communication activities including annual solicitation and stewardship of over 500,000 individuals across Maryland resulting in 125,000 donors and $34M in foundation, corporate and individual contributions. He has also worked for the American Heart Association and served as an Associate Director for Capital Campaign at Loyola University where he graduated in 1993 with a bachelor of Business Administration degree. At Loyola, he will guide the fundraising efforts, including growth of the school’s Annual Fund, corporate/foundation giving and increased scholarship support.

“Graduates of Loyola have told me how much they treasure their educational experience. I am looking forward to helping them reconnect with their alma mater,” said Langenberg. “As an alumnus of a Jesuit institution, I’m aware of the tremendous impact an Ignatian education can have. I feel an instant connection to Loyola Blakefield because it embodies all of the ideals that exist within the Jesuit philosophy of educating the whole person.”

Langenberg has served on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore.

“The entire Loyola Blakefield community is pleased to have Todd join us,” said Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J., President. “His years of fundraising and marketing experience, coupled with a passion for Jesuit education will enable us to expand our fundraising capacity and advance the mission of Loyola Blakefield.”

Tim Bolte '08, a senior at Bucknell has been named a finalist for the Campbell Trophy. 

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

The NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 finalists as National Scholar-Athletes, and the results will be announced via a national press release on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Each recipient will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, and they will vie as finalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy. Each member of the 2011 National Scholar-Athlete Class will also travel to New York City be honored Dec. 6 during the 54th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria. One member of the class will also be announced live at the event as the winner of the Campbell Trophy.

Click here to read more.

Anthony Joseph Unitas, Jr. '12 was awarded the Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award at the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Unitas maintains a cumulative grade point average of 4.34 in a demanding curriculum. He has challenged himself in Advanced Placement courses in U.S. History, Latin Vergil, Literature, U.S. Government and Politics, Composition, Calculus AB, Physics, Comparative Government and Politics. Additionally, he has taken honors courses in Latin I, English I, Geometry, Biology, Latin II, American Literature, Algebra II, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Precalculus, and Advanced Classical Studies.

On campus, he is a four year member of the Integritas Committee, the Blakefield Choir, the J-Notes, and the Blakefield Players. During his sophomore year, he joined the Forensics Team. He has also taken part in theater productions at Notre Dame Preparatory School. He has also served as a Sacristan at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

The Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award is presented annually to a member of the junior or senior class that exemplifies the characteristics that Loyola Blakefield holds dear in Jesuit education – a commitment to academic excellence, involvement in his community, and, in his words and in his deeds, he is a true man for others. The award is given in loving memory of Dan McNeal, a member of the Loyola Blakefield class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal. Dan died tragically in the World Trade Centers on the morning of September 11, 2001. Dan led his life, always choosing to think of others first.

Read full story here.

The award-winning, Blakefield Players have announced their 2011-2012 season...

This fall, Loyola Soccer will resurrect its traditional Alumni game in conjunction with the Varsity and JV games to be played on October 8^th. This year’s matchup of Odd-Year Alumni (captained by Mike Jenkins ’83) vs. Even-Year Alumni (captained by Matt Schroeder ’06) will serve as a preamble to the Varsity and JV games vs. Malvern Prep, scheduled to begin simultaneously at 4pm. Alumni are encouraged to stay and support the current Dons before heading out to continue reliving and exaggerating their former glory somewhere in the Towson area.

Mike and Matt are working hard to fill out their rosters, so please RSVP to secure your roster spot on the team! Soccer alums, please send your name, class year, email address, position, and most recent mile time (kidding!) to:
                Odd-Year Graduating Classes: Mike Jenkins ’83 - mikemmmj@verizon.net
                Even-Year Graduating Classes: Matt Schroeder ’06 - matths4@vt.edu

Hope to see you on the 8^th!

In his new role, Tim joins the Office of Institutional Advancement and will work closely with alumni of all ages, focusing on reunion activities and outreach. After graduating from Loyola, Tim attended Princeton University where he completed a bachelor's degree in English and subsequently earned a master's degree from Middlebury College.

In 2005, he began teaching English in the Middle School at Loyola and in 2007, moved to the Upper School where he taught Religion to Freshmen and a Shakespeare elective for Seniors. During his tenure at Loyola, Tim has served as head coach for the ice hockey team as well as an assistant lacrosse coach.

Steele Stanwick '08, (junior attack, University of Virginia) received the 2011 Tewaaraton Award, the pre-eminent lacrosse award, which is annually awarded to the NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse player of the year.

VIEW VIDEO

Alex Porter '11 and Matt Jablonski '11 were both invited to attend the Baltimore Sun's High School Athletes of the Year event on June 1st. Alex is an All-American swimmer and Matt is recognized as one of the top high school runners in the nation. In the fall, Alex will attend the University of Pennsyvlania, while Matt will attend the University of Oregon.

Growth chamber with four bins of wild celery (Valisneria americana)		Sean Campbell ’11 – draining water from the growth chambers (preparing to transport the chambers from the classroom to the bay)
Students and DNR staff investigate the contents of a seine to survey the aquatic life near the planting site.		Tom Brennan III ’13 and Andrew Vinton ’11 plant wild celery guided by DNR staff.

The Bay Grasses in Classes (BGIC) program began its thirteenth season in 2010. This year, a total of 65 teachers from 15 counties and Baltimore City raised wild celery, redhead grass and water stargrass. Throughout May and June, most classes will participate in a meaningful bay experience by attending a BGIC planting field trip. In addition to planting the grasses grown in the classroom, students will use seine nets to survey the aquatic life and learn to test the local water quality with the help of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists.

Over 1,832 classes and 45,796 students participated in BGIC since it began in 1998. During this time students have planted over 3.25 acres of bottom surface in the Bay with the 500,000 plants grown in their classrooms. Surveys taken each year by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) continue to map healthy grass beds planted by students in the program.

To learn more, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/bgic/

Troy Lyons '01, a Legislative Assistant for the Senior Senator of Texas, stopped by Blakefield to speak to Mr. Dan Hoehler's A.P. U.S. Government classes. "Troy was able to provide a real behind-the-scenes perspective of life on the Hill," said Hoehler. "He’s worked on the staff of two U.S. Senators, so Troy emphasized the role of a Senate staffer."

After graduating from Loyola in 2001, Troy attended Randolph Macon, where he studied Political Science and Communication. In 2006, he worked as a Legislative Correspondent for Senator George Allen of Virginia followed by two years in the Small Business Administration in the Bush White House. "I was happy to be able to bring a very realistic view of how government can operate, especially since it's not always something you'll find in a text book," said Lyons.

Troy currently resides in Washington D.C. and has a wedding planned for October 2011.

Loyola won the Chesapeake District Championship (MD/DC/Northern VA) this past weekend for the first time, topping five-time defending champion Walt Whitman High School.  Team president Connor Acle was honored with the District Student of the Year Award.  This award is presented annually to the student “whose attitude transcends trophies and accolades; a student who characterizes the very traits of humility, integrity, leadership, respect and service.”

Please also congratulate the following students for their award-winning presentations:

Tom Cameron:  District Champion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

                            3^rd Place in Student Congress (House)

Steve Phillips:  Semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Connor Acle:  2^nd Place in Student Congress (House)

Liam Fowl & John Hanley:  Semifinalists in Policy Debate

Kurt Imhoff & A.J. Unitas:  District Champions in Duo Interpretation

A.J. Unitas:  District Champion in Original Oratory

Ryan Miller & Aleks Jaunzemis:  2^nd Place in Duo Interpretation

Ryan Miller:  6^th Place in Dramatic Interpretation

Connor Manning:  2^nd Place in Humorous Interpretation

                                3^rd Place in Original Oratory

Juniors, along with their family and Loyola faculty and staff, celebrated their Junior Ring Mass this morning. Tomorrow, they will take part in the annual Junior Ring Dance to be held at Loyola's Knott Hall

Click here to read full story (Baltimore Sun)

On Friday, February 11, the Loyola Blakefield Student Government Association hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive. More than 80 donors participated and the SGA exceeded its goal in collecting 75 units.

The Loyola Blakefield Players are pleased to announce that their spring musical of the 2010 - 2011 season is “Children of Eden.” The music and book for this musical was originally written for the stage in 1986 by Steven Schwartz in a version he entitled “Family Tree.” The show was then produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company as “Children of Eden” under the direction of John Caird in 1991. Since then, the musical has been produced many times in the U.S., most notably at the Paper Mill Playhouse starring Stephanie Mills.   

The uplifting and heartfelt story is a musical retelling of the events in the first nine chapters of the book of Genesis including the Creation of the Earth; Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; the Tree of Life; Cain and Abel; and Noah and the Great Flood. The 26 member ensemble cast features male students from Loyola Blakefield, and female students from Notre Dame Preparatory, Saint Paul’s School for Girls, Carver Center for the Arts, and Towson High School.

“Children of Eden” will be presented in the Mary G. Creaghan Library on the Loyola Blakefield Campus, 500 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, Md. 21204.   Performance dates are Friday and Saturday evenings, March 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on March 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for students and can be purchased Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at the Loyola School Store located in Knott Hall on campus. For more information call The Loyola Blakefield Players at (443) 841-3224.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/bs-sp-va-profile-qa-0902-20100901,0,5791187.story

Click here to view shows for the 2010-11 season

NEWS RELEASE

LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD SET TO RENOVATE, EXPAND WHEELER HALL

TOWSON, MD. JULY 23, 2010 – Originally constructed over 75 years ago, Loyola Blakefield’s Wheeler Hall is set to be renovated and expanded, delivering enhancements to the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology systems. The expansion will include an “end-cap” on the building’s north end, which will provide a new ADA compliant entrance, equipped with a four-story elevator, new internal stairwell and classroom space. Work is expected to begin in January 2011.

The building, which served as the original academic center of the campus, currently houses classrooms, faculty offices and the Mary G. Creaghan Library. The project utilizes tax-exempt revenue bonds authorized by Baltimore County with bank qualified financing provided by PNC Bank. Loyola has named Global Facilities Management, LLC as Owner’s Representative and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Inc. as Construction Manager. Paul D'Alessandro, Inc. will provide capital campaign consulting services.

Loyola recently completed its 75th academic year at its Blakefield Campus. Prior to 1934, the school was located on Calvert Street in Baltimore City. Loyola’s most recent capital project, Knott Hall, was completed in 2002. The building features a dining hall, student and alumni lounges, bookstore, administrative offices, as well as conference, athletic and classroom facilities.

“These systemic updates and expansion of our flagship academic building represent a great step forward, but also an investment in our future by means of preserving our past,” said Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J., President of Loyola Blakefield. “Our plans are bold, necessary and timely given our celebration of 75 years on the Blakefield Campus.”

In the coming weeks and months, Loyola will continue to share more details concerning the Wheeler Hall project with its constituents, including those residents who neighbor the campus. In the meantime, for inquiries regarding the project, please contact Robert Robinson, Director of Marketing & Communications (443-841-3674) or rrobinson@loyolablakefield.org

The online version of the Summer 2010 issue of Blakefield Magazine is now available. The issue includes stories highlighting two faculty members and their 40 years of service, the success of the Rugby and Forensics teams, as well as Classnotes, campus news items and more.

After completing a historic undefeated regular season, the Dons defeated Mt. St. Joseph's on Thursday, May 20. to claim their third consecutive MIAA crown.

Read the full story from The New York Times.

Read full story here.

"Four Jesuits in history have had asteroids named after them...the two living astronomers with that distinction share their observations of life, faith, friendship, and the universe from their seats in the Vatican Observatory."
 - American Public Media

LISTEN TO RADIO BROADCAST


Rev. Coyne is director emeritus of the Vatican Observatory and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation and Consolmagno is curator of meteorites at the Vatican Observatory. The Vatican Observatory is located in Castel Gondolfo, Italy.

To learn more about the Vatican Observatory or Rev. Coyne and Brother Consolmagno, click here.

75 Years of Growth: Read full story at Examiner.com.