BC Alumni Newsletter

April 2023
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I have a lifetime of memories
from my time at BC. On a fall day
in 1987, I arrived to a sea of
strangers and left four years later
with lifelong friendships. I fondly
remember our days of choral and
Ms. Bayno’s great laugh and
bright lipstick; hoping for classes
in the “new” wing; and guided
meditations in religion class that
I continue to use to this day. BC shaped my character, my pas-
sions and my career path, offering the experiences of service,
the gifts of volunteerism, and experiences that built my charac-
ter and integrity. I took the school’s motto to heart in my ca-
reer path, “Non Vox Sed Votum,” which means “not words, but
deeds.” I am blessed to spend my days partnered with others in
the carrying out of deeds to advance health equity, human
rights and compassion.
Today, I am honored to serve as the Deputy Commissioner,
Health Equity and Human Rights for the New York State De-
partment of Health (NYSDOH). Appointed in August 2022 as a
member of the Department’s Cabinet, to work with a dynamic
team across a workforce of about 5,000 people. The Office of
Health Equity and Human Rights enhances, develops and inte-
grates the key equity strategies of the Department both inter-
nally and externally. The Office leads the Department’s com-
mitment and strategy to be a diverse, anti-racist, equitable, and
inclusive organization. The Office is responsible for setting and
implementing an overarching vision and framework of diversi-
ty, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the leadership, programmatic
and administrative levels. Collectively, we work to eliminate
systemic organizational marginalization and promote inclu-
sion, anti-racist practices, and equity principles evidenced
through policy, programming, and recruitment.
Eagles Soaring
Johanne Morne ‘91
My early career included administrative and clinical
leadership positions in public health, domestic vio-
lence, substance use, organizational development, and
organizational change management. Over the last 30
years I have had great opportunities to lead and join
others in the development and implementation of
statewide and national public health responses. Like
everyone else the COVID-19 pandemic brought me
new experiences and life lessons. As an essential work-
er, I joined thousands of other New Yorkers in our
statewide response, while also responding to emerging
and existing public health priorities exacerbated by
persistent inequities.
I came to Albany in 1991 to attend the College of St.
Rose. The Capital District has been my home since.
Along with my husband, George, and my two pups,
Jake and Tilly, home is just outside of Albany. Original-
ly from Newburgh, NY, I travel down the Thruway of-
ten to see my mom. Same house. Same street. Child-
hood and high school memories are everywhere.
The truth is, many of my BC lessons have only been
recognized as I matured and experienced life. Today, I
recognize the significant privilege I had and continue
to have. All in all I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m blessed
to wake up each day and engage in meaningful work
that I feel passionate about. I am grateful for the peo-
ple I serve and the people I love. As I head to the mile-
stone age of 50, I can reflect on the past and present
with a smile. I look forward to what the future holds.

Prior to this ap- The most frequent advice I offer to others? ‘Be nice’.
pointment, I
worked for the
NYSDOH AIDS In-
stitute for 15 years,
serving as the Direc-
tor for six of those
years. Working with
a multidisciplinary
team of more than
500 people, the days
are focused on HIV
and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and
care, viral hepatitis prevention and treatment, drug user health
and wellness, and LGBTQ+ health and human services. I con-
tinue to work with incredible colleagues and partners across
New York State to advance the State’s Ending the (HIV) Epi-
demic, Hepatitis C Elimination and a recently announced goal
to eliminate congenital syphilis.
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Alumni Spotlight
Pat Welsh ‘67
My time at Burke Catholic High Looking back, for someone like me, that is extremely
School remains to this day as remarkable.
four of the most enjoyable and
After my time at Burke Catholic, I graduated from
memorable years of my life.
Manhattan College, married my college sweetheart
While I have many fond memo-
Wendy Ward and embarked on what became a 45-year
ries of those years, a couple
career in the telecommunications industry. In addition,
stand out as a bit extra special.
Wendy and I began our “career” as parents of three
We arrived at the “old” Garr children and today we have been blessed with nine
Hall and St. John’s High School building on Goshen’s Erie wonderful grandchildren. These nine blessings, ranging
Street in September, 1963—the first freshman class in the in age from 8 to 21, keep us busy and have afforded us
newly named John S. Burke Catholic High School. Shortly more joy and happiness than we ever thought possible.
after that day, the entire student body marched down Murray I’m also fortunate to be able to do some volunteer work
Avenue to Fletcher Street and down the hill to a large open in our Monroe, NY and Bonita Springs, FL communities
and empty lot. We were met by Francis Cardinal Spellman, and I proudly served on Burke Catholic’s Board of Trus-
Archbishop of New York along with Mrs. John S. Burke, wid- tees for nine years.
ow of our school’s namesake, and several dignitaries from the
Several years ago, the Burke Catholic Foundation be-
Archdiocese. This occasion was the groundbreaking ceremo-
stowed on me the honor of a lifetime—induction into
ny for the new high school which was about to be built; the
the Burke Catholic Hall of Fame. It’s difficult to put in-
school officially opened its doors in January 1965. After a fu-
to words how much this honor means to me other than
ture expansion and a number of recent modernization pro-
to say how proud I am to represent, with many other
jects, the school remains today as the home of the Burke
outstanding honorees, my beloved high school in this
Catholic Eagles.
distinguished institution.
During my four years at Burke Catholic, in addition to aca-
Lastly, perhaps my proudest moment going forward as
demics, athletics pretty much dominated my time. We went
a Burke Catholic alumnus was when our grandson Tim-
from a school with basketball as the only competitive sport
othy Brogan decided, with the support of his Mom and
with no gymnasium (it was converted into three freshman
Dad, to attend Burke Catholic. He is now in his fresh-
homerooms) to a brand-new campus with a fabulous gym,
man year and is enjoying life as an Eagle. There is no
locker rooms and bleachers. The next several years saw the
doubt that the spiritual, scholastic, athletic and social
addition of girls’ basketball, soccer, track & field and baseball.
experiences that he enjoys at Burke Catholic will pre-
That growth has continued over time with the addition of
pare him for the many challenges he will face in the
additional sports teams for boys and girls, increased partici-
years to come. I know that it certainly did for me.
pation and a number of New York Section 9 and State cham-
pionship teams.
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Alumni Spotlight
Kevin Callahan ‘80

My family’s nearly 58-year association with our alma mater,

John S. Burke Catholic High School, remains a source of tre-
mendous pride for me and also for my sister (Mary Ann ‘69),
brothers (John ‘70, Jim and Tom ‘74) and Tom’s wife, Doro-
thy Rutkowski ‘75, who all attended Burke Catholic between
the years of 1965 - 1980. We all feel that we received a tre-
mendous high school education at Burke which not only
prepared us for college, but also prepared us for success in
our chosen professions. We are thankful to our parents, the outstanding Burke faculty/staff, and
especially the Presentation Sisters, who helped to guide us
on our path of life during our years at Burke Catholic.

After spending more than fifteen years working in con-

sumer finance for several mortgage banks and Wall Street
firms, I made the move to non-profit management. I cur-
rently serve as Director of Institutional Advancement at
Saints Peter & Paul High School in Easton, MD (on the
Eastern Shore of Maryland). Previously I served in senior
development roles at Iona University, Notre Dame High
School in New
Jersey, The
Catholic Uni-
versity of
America and
with Covenant
House Inter-
national. In 2017, I proudly served as Commence-
ment Speaker at Burke Catholic and in 2019, I was in-
ducted in the Burke Catholic Hall of Fame.

My wife, Anne Galvin Callahan (who I met working at

Covenant House), and I have been married for 27
years and have two grown children, Aidan and Maire-
ad, who both live and work in the New York City area.
 1st Annual Burke Catholic Faculty Reunion

Sr. Noreen Perelli had a wish to see some of her former colleagues. She mentioned it
to Bill Gunn, and a few months later her wish came true at a reunion of BC Faculty
from the late ‘80s to mid ‘90s.

It was a wonderful day, a lovely example of what it means to be part of the Burke
Catholic of Family. We are already looking forward to next year and seeing even
more familiar faces. Stay tuned for information.

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Burke Catholic Never Sleeps!

Just a few photos of the many amazing things happening everyday.

First BCA Spring Intramural Program

BCA Modified Girls Lacrosse Game

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Ms. Lattanzio and her BC music students

Burke Catholic Annual Blood Drive

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BC Alumni Reunions!
We have a few reunions in the planning stages.
You can find contact information on the next few pages and look for information
to be posted in the coming weeks on the alumni page of our website.

Calling the Class of 2003!

It will be 20 years since the class of 2003 graduated high school!

We all know what this means! Our 20 year reunion!
Please reach out to Deirdre Dillion at the email below.
Let the planning begin!

deirdredillon07@gmail.com
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Save the date Class of 1978

Let’s celebrate the Class of ‘78

It is time for our 45th Reunion

October 7, 2023
The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame of the Trotter

We want to get in touch with as many classmates as possible; please share

this information and reach out to one of the committee members below.

Jim Brannigan bjames71@aol.com

Coleen Minnock cminnock1@gmail.com
Mike Phipps Phippsmcp@aol.com

Looking forward to October!

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

 Class of ‘73
50 Year Reunion

Save the date Class of 1973!

There will be a 50th High School reunion for members of the class of 1973 on September 30, 2023
at Delancey’s in Goshen NY.

If you are on Facebook, there is a group to join for our class:

JS Burke Class Of ’73

Also, if you are in touch with a classmate, please share this date.

Looking forward to being together in September.

More information to follow!

We are seeking mailing and email addresses.

Please email any of the following class members with your contact information.

Peg (Dickerson) Cullen Peggycullen1@yahoo.com

Patty (Arceri) Wojehowski pwoje@yahoo.com
Bob Frederick captainbobservices@hotmail.com
Mary Kaye (Dougherty) Koch mkkoch@optonline.net
David Roach droachcmd@hotmail.com
Rita Flynn ritaflynn01@optonline.net
Mary Kay (Swanwick) Jankowski swanski55@gmail.com
 Class of ‘87
36 Year Reunion

Join us Saturday, November 4

Location to be determined

A message from Len Pawliczk…

“Hey everyone - after visiting BCHS the other day to speak with the students
at Career Day- I felt a little nostalgic for the old days! This year is 36 years
since we graduated and 6 years from the last reunion. Against my better
judgement on organizing this (men suck at organizing - just ask my wife),
here we go!”
If you are on Facebook, there is a group to join for our class:

John S. Burke Class Of ’87

Also, if you are in touch with a classmate, please share this date.

Contact Len at Lenny@awrgroupinc.com

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BCHS Family, Friends & Alumni Gala

Join us for the biggest party of the year!
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3rd Annual Alumni BBQ

Families Welcome!
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2nd Annual Alumni Reception

 The BC Connection
The BC Connection every Friday at noon.
You can connect at 1110 AM or 93.5 FM
Innovation. Education.
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 company
offers internships or mentorships please contact
Karen at kdwyer@burkecatholic.org
Internships
Jerry O’Donnell ‘85 –Named Director of
Sales - Infrastructure at Proterial Cable
America.
Gabriella Crown ‘14 - Named Senior
Fund Accountant at Rockit Solutions, LLC.
Ariana Peralo ‘14 - Starting a new position
as Marketing & Legal Coordinator at Gamut
Capital Management.
Kandace Roberts ‘15 - Senior Digital Mar-
keting Associate at Dandelion Energy.
Sarah Bradley ‘16 - Elected Student Body
President for the College of Medicine
at Medical University of South Carolina.
Makayla Davies ‘16 –Promoted to Prod-
uct Specialist at Tactile Medical.
Veronic DiPaul ‘16 - Started as pre and
post op Registered Nurse at White Plains
Hospital.
Teresa Lenzi ‘20 –Starting at PwC as a
Summer 2024 Audit Intern in the New York
City office.
Coaching Positions
Interested in joining the BC Coaching Staff?
Email Adam Kless, BC Athletic Director
akless@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
facebook.com/burkecatholichighschool
facebook.com/BCadmissionsandadvancement
twitter.com/burkecatholichs
instagram.com/burkecatholichs