BC Alumni Newsletter

November 2022
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Eagles Spotlight
Brittany German ‘12
I have so many beautiful memories of my time at Burke. One of my favorite
memories is being able to utilize the music room while everyone was at lunch.
Ms. Lattanzio would always allow me the opportunity to play the piano or
practice my trumpet during my lunchtime, as I was/am very passionate about
music. Another great memory near and dear to my heart was always having the
ability to talk to some of my teachers when I struggled with academics or life.
Ms. Lattanzio, Ms. O'Donnel, Mrs. Rivieccio, and Mrs. Albarino were always
there to lend an ear and push me to achieve my goals. I appreciate all they did
for me, and I just want to say Thank you.

Growing up, I always wanted to be an architect, but I quickly realized drawing

and art in general, weren't my strongest skill. At this point in my life, I was stuck on what my career path would
look like. I knew I loved psychology and music, but I knew I did not want to do music education. It was Mrs.
Albarino who brought up the idea of Music Therapy. After lots of research and finding schools that offered Mu-
sic therapy, I attended SUNY Fredonia, where I graduated with a BS in Music Therapy, BA in Applied Music
with a focus on trumpet, and a minor in psychology. To further my knowledge and love of Music Therapy, I at-
tended SUNY New Paltz, where I received an MS in Music Therapy. If it wasn't for
Mrs. Albarino and her help figuring out my life's path, I don't know what I'd be do-
ing now.

Currently, I am working as a Music Therapist/ Mental Health Therapist at an agency

called The Thrive Network located in Cherry Hill, NJ. I provide trauma-informed
music therapy and play therapy services both at in-home and outpatient settings to
individuals ages 4-25 with various diagnoses and who have experienced significant
trauma. I have been with the company for about seven months now and love what I
do. I love this job so much that I am currently looking into becoming a licensed play
therapist, as well as being certified in Trauma-informed play therapy. The beautiful
thing about music therapy and play therapy is that you do not need words to process
emotions or trauma, the play and music help children and adults process in a safe
and trusting environment.

I married my husband, Kevin Taylor, this past October. When I'm not working, I'm spending time with my hus-
band and our fur baby Dallas, working out, doing photography, or reading.
 ,

Eagles Rising In May 2023, I will gradu-

ate from JMU with a
Collette Higgins ‘19 Bachelors of Science de-
gree in Engineering and
It’s funny how nearly minors in Mathematics
five years seems like a and Honors Interdiscipli-
lifetime ago and yester- nary Studies. I will have
day in the same breath. completed two thesis
Long gone are the days projects; both focused on
of planning an off-the- Engineering Education
wall topic as a distrac- for K-12 students and
tion in Mr. McGinnis’ STEM outreach efforts.
class, showing up an- This upcoming summer,
nounced to Ms. I will attend the annual American Society of Engi-
Nemeth’s office, or de- neering Education conference for the second time
bating human tempera- to present my work and then return for the fourth
ment as a part of English year as the supervisor for all STEM and Arts pro-
with Mrs. Ross. gramming at a summer camp for neurodivergent
students in Pennsylvania. Following that, I am
During my time at Burke, I got to see many currently exploring and applying for Ph.D. pro-
new community and volunteer efforts realized, from a grams and positions with Americorps. I hope to
Three Kings Day celebration with local children to a continue to live a life full of the values learned
charity tea party. Each one was successful because of and honed in me by the community and people
the resources and support of the faculty and staff at from my earlier years at Burke Catholic.
Burke, all of whom believe in and practice the idea of
“Not words but deeds” continuously. After graduating
from Burke in 2019, I studied at James Madison Univer-
sity in Virginia. I began my college career with the same
values instilled in me throughout high school. One
month before starting classes, I participated in an Alter-
native Break in July to help rebuild homes devastated by
hurricanes with the Fuller Center in North Carolina.
Coming into this year, my senior year, it all came full
circle when I proposed and then led an Alternative
Break co-sponsored by JMU’s Department of Engineer-
ing to Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia.

There are many more things I did in my four years of

college that I can now reflect on, and I remain proud of
my work ethic and morals. I attribute that tenacity and
drive to my time at Burke, where the faculty constantly
advanced and pushed just the right amount to help me
realize my potential. I learned leadership, communica-
tion, teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking skills
that have served me well in class projects, research as-
sistantship positions, teaching assistant positions, and
employment opportunities. Burke taught me never to
undervalue time, energy and compassion poured into
people and communities, as making a difference in this
world does not need to be large, just intentional.
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Eagles & Sports

Commitment. Integrity. Pride.

General Martin Dempsey ‘ 70

Chairman of the Board of USA Basketball

USA Basketball is the National Governing Body for all teams representing our country in in-
ternational competitions. Fielding teams from U16 up to and including the World Cup and
the Olympics, men, and women, 5x5 and 3x3.

In this picture, I’m celebrating with our Women’s National Team after they won the World
Cup final against China in Sydney, Australia, in September. The World Cup is held every four
years, and this was our fourth consecutive World Cup gold medal.

Go USA. Go Burke Eagles.

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Eagles Making a Difference

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it
teaches you to know what if feels like to win and lose—it teaches
you about life” - Billie Jean King

Andy Lake ‘88.

Director of Tennis at
Hawks Landing Club in
Plantation FL.
37 years coaching

Michael Kelly ‘13

Varsity Football and Basketball Assistant at
Valley Central HS Year
6 years coaching
,

Emily Stallings ‘08

Assistant Women's Basketball Coach,
Wake Forest University.
Coaching 10 years

Matt Weiss ‘87– AAU Basketball

,

Larissa Compito ‘16 Jess Compito ‘20

BC Head Coach Varsity Football Cheer,
Varsity Basketball Cheer , Head Coach BC
Pep Football & Basketball Cheer.
6 years coaching
BC Assistant Coach Varsity Football &
Basketball Cheer, Assistant Coach Pep
Football and Basketball Cheer & Head
Coach JV Basketball Cheer
3 years coaching

Rick Welch Class ‘75

BC Head Coach Varsity Boys Golf,

Head Coach Varsity Boys & Varsity Girls Swimming

16 years coaching
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Heath Hoovler ‘18

Wide Receiver's Coach, SUNY Morrisville
5 years coaching

Andrew Jackson ‘ 06 Assistant Coach

Defensive Line, West Virginia University
9 years coaching
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Matt Cushing ‘17

Burke Catholic Assistant Varsity Football Coach &
Assistant Coach BC Track (throwers)
1 year coaching

Steve Cushing ‘15

Defensive Coordinator, Cortland State University
4 years coaching
,

Anthony Van Curen ‘08

Head Football Coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University
8 years coaching

John Szefc ‘85

Head Baseball Coach, Virginia Tech University

32 years coaching

“It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that.

It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”
—Paul “Bear” Bryant
 Eagles Together
Family & Friends & Turkey Trots
The Class of 1982 gathered for our 40th High School Reunion, and I’m not sure if
it was the beautiful weather, the Apropos ‘80s music, the many memories, the al-
cohol, the hugs, the smiles, or just the love in the room but we were all trans-
formed into 18-year-olds who had just seen each other in class the day before. It
was like nothing had ever changed and like nothing you’ve ever seen before…the
bond of this class was and is still incredibly strong after 40 years! The weekend
was a resounding success, with many friendships rekindled and perhaps new ones
formed, but the overall feeling was that there was an undeniable connection that
none of us can explain, nor do we want to.
.
Cheers and Love to the Crew of 82!!
Thank you
Jeanine O’Leary DeVogel
Burke Catholics very own Jimmy Kelly was made an honorary member of
the town of Goshen Police Department on November 23 right here on
Fletcher Street!
Congratulations Jimmy!
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars and join us on Fletcher Steet
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Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars and join us on Fletcher Steet
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars and join us on Fletcher Steet
 The BC Connection
The BC Connection every Friday at noon.
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM
Innovation. Education.
MILESTONES
Veronica DiPaul ‘16– starting a new posi-
tion as Emergency Room Nurse at Mount Sinai
Morningside.
Brendan Douthit ‘20- accepted an intern-
ship with Gallagher - GBS New York Metro office.

Coaching Positions
Interested in joining the BC Coaching
Staff?
Email Adam Kless, BC Athletic Director
akless@burkecatholic.org

Yearbook Needed
A message from Mrs. Ruiz-

I am trying to put together the most complete set of

yearbooks for our archives. I am missing a copy of the
1957 yearbook. If anyone is willing to donate their copy
please email jruiz@burkecatholic.org

Many of our BC Alumni are looking for internships. If your compa-

ny offers internships or mentorships please contact
Karen at kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
We are compiling a list of all our BC Alumni authors and their works.
If you would like to be included please contact
kdwyer@burkecatholic.org

A writer never has a vacation.

For a writer life consists of either
writing or thinking about writing.
~Eugene Ionesco
BC Alumni Giving

ReVitalize, ReEngage, ReConnect

Office of Alumni and Advancement

Your gift will have an immediate impact on all BCHS students.

Light the way for today’s students, so that they can find their way to impact
the world.

To make your gift today, please visit

www.burkecatholic.com

To double the impact of your donation check to see if your company participates in a matching
gift program - please visit

https://doublethedonation.com/BCHS
 If you would like to be in-
cluded in the next news-
letter or have a Milestone
or story you would like to
share, contact Karen Dwyer:
kdwyer@burkecatholic.org

Contact Information
John S. Burke Catholic High School
Office of Admissions, Alumni and Advancement
80 Fletcher St, Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 294-5481 ext 132

burkecatholic.com
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