Garnet - Girard College

IN THIS ISSUE
Volunteering at Girard ........................1-3
Good Friends Gala ................................. 4
5K Trailblazer Results ........................... 4
Fall Sports Wrap-Up ............................. 4
National Honor Society Inductees ... 4
Lower School Open House ................. 4
School Store ............................................. 4
MLK Day of Service ................................5
Fall/winter Highlights ............................6
Student Profiles .......................................7
Editorial/Contact info:
This publication is produced by members
of the Girard College Development Office.
Your feedback is welcome!
Contact the editor, Polly Mitchell, at:
pmitchell@girardcollege.edu
or 215.787.2735.
u
Volunteer
Harry
Strahlendorf ’62
enjoys one of
the perks
of his job.
Read more
about him
inside.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: u
* Joe scheduled the first insterscholastic game against
Bryn Mawr College in February. “Always play against
someone stronger than you are,” he says.
Interested in supporting or following
the team or in contacting Joe?
E-mail him at smashunicorn@yahoo.com.
Girard
Today
GivinG Back: Volunteering at Girard
We like to say that Stephen Girard’s most famous quote is at the heart of every thing
we do. “My deeds must be my life; when I am dead, they must speak for me.”
Many examples easily come to mind, including:
164 years of tuition-free education
Preparing economically disadvantaged students for higher education
Placing an emphasis on community service and service learning
Those of us who work at Girard are proud of the mission of the school and our good
work, honoring the legacy of our founder. But we don’t do this without many helping hands, often behind the
scenes, supporting academic, athletic and social goals of our dedicated staff and diligent students.
The following profiles represent just a few of the volunteers working now at Girard.
Joe Swartz ’55
RETIRED, Pennsburg, PA
• COACHING BADMINTON •
“It’s a blast.”
Joe Swartz is a positive guy. Whether talking about his role as coach at Girard; his years playing darts (45), soccer
(35), badminton (21), bocce (16), or shuffleboard (6); his work in the insurance industry (39) or as an air-traffic
controller (6); Swartz has something good to say.
A Girard “lifer” from the class of 1955, Swartz contacted then-new president Autumn Graves in 2009, and she set
up a meeting between Swartz and Ken Taylor, Director of Wellness and Physical Activity. Looking for a variety of
activities to offer as part of E3 (Extended Educational Experience) and the Fit Campus programs, Taylor was happy
to welcome Swartz to Girard as a volunteer coach.
Twice a week, Swartz makes the 88-mile round trip from his home in Pennsburg, PA to Girard College to coach
badminton in the Armory basement, where five courts were created in 2010. He works in two shifts, coaching
grades six to 12 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and the fourth and fifth graders from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
“Right now, this is a club sport,” Swartz says, “but I’d love to start an interscholastic girls team.”* (There are no boys
teams in Philadelphia.)
“My goal is to work with young students and help them along,” Swartz says. “I teach them badminton, of course,
but I also keep track of their grades and try to encourage them when they need a boost.”
Characteristically optimistic, Swartz believes that, if a young person can be aimed in the proper direction, then
perhaps he will become a better person and have a positive impact on his own “life community,” wherever that
happens to be.
Winter 2012
“I believe in and try to live by the statement engraved on the Chapel wall at Girard attributed to Stephen Girard: “My
deeds must be my life. When
I am dead, my actions must
speak for me.”
u Coach Swartz and
Upper School students
practice twice a week. Left
to right: Montrell Henderson,
Nadira Boddie, Brandon
Dixon, Eyen McAllister, Aaliyah
Jordan, and Delaney Vincent.
See Volunteers on page 2

2 | GiRaRD Today www.girardcollege.edu
Did You
know?
As the signature site
for 2012 MLK Day of
Service in January,
Girard College was the
largest site in the country,
hosting more than
3,000 people and over
100 service projects.
Hildaliz Matos
STuDENT, university of Phoenix,
Philadelphia, PA
• MENTORING •
Hildaliz Matos has made a strong connection with a
third grader at Girard College. “We are a good match,”
she says, smiling broadly. “We are both smiley, and we
like to talk together.”
Since October of 2011, Matos has been coming to
Girard once every two weeks to spend time with her
mentee, an eight-year-old who just needed someone
to talk to now and then. Mathos brings games or a
volunTeeR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . today
At Girard, we are proud of the supportive
community in which we live and work.
If you would like to be a part of it,
here are some opportunities:
Help out at a Girard community event:
Girard Cares day (Sat., May 5, 9 a.m. to noon)
Be a Lower school or Upper school
residentiaL OffiCe assistant, Mon. - Thurs.
4:00 - 9:00 p.m. (preferably two days per week)
serve as sCOUt Leaders (Girl Scouts, Brownies,
Webelos or Cub Scouts), Tuesdays 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
and one weekend event each month.
Be a part Of e3: extended educational experience
for grades 1-11, Mon.-Thurs. 3:30 - 5:15 p.m.
• Assist with an already existing afterschool class
• Write a proposal for a new afterschool class you
would like to teach
sUppOrt the fit CampUs: grades 7-11, two days/
week, 3:30 - 5:15 p.m.
• Volunteers needed to help with drill team,
aerobics, ultimate frisbee, martial arts, baseball/
softball (pitching coach), golf, fitness classes
mentOr a Girard College student or group of
students, week night (bi-weekly/monthly on campus)
Ongoing/as-needed:
SpeAk At CAreer DAy • HoSt A StuDent
intern • proViDe A job-SHADoWing
experienCe • be A ClASSroom SpeAker
volunteering continued from page 1
� Smiley Hildaliz Matos mentors a third grader,
serving as a special friend and good listener.
project, and spends time with her new friend, getting
comfortable and being a good listener.
“I believe that a good mentor can raise someone’s
self-esteem,” Matos says, “but my mentee is actually
doing that for me. As young as she is, she has drive and
strength that inspire me.”
Matos worked as a legal secretary but was laid off last
year. She signed up for online classes at the University
of Phoenix, majoring in psychology. But something
was missing.
“I wanted to do something unselfish,” she says, “and
better someone else’s life.”
Coming to Girard has fulfilled that desire, and Matos
has enjoyed every minute.
“The best thing about being
a mentor is the satisfaction of
playing a supportive, positive role
in a youth’s development,” she
adds. “My goal is to inspire and
motivate with a non-judgmental
tone. If I try to impose my
judgment, I get the ‘shut-down
face.’”
Matos adds that the staff at
Girard plays an active role with
the volunteers and make the
experience successful.
“You don’t have to have a special
skill in psychology; being a mentor
is for everyone and takes only a
few hours out of the month,” she
says. “But I have to be honest; I
usually stay a little longer.”
Lindsey Hanson
BANKER, Philadelphia, PA
• TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY •
About a year ago, ING DIRECT employee Lindsey
Hanson and her colleagues from the Philadelphia
café were frustrated. They were trying to develop a
relationship with a few schools in the city, but were
not having much luck. Someone on the ING team
mentioned Girard College, and Hanson called Tamara
LeClair, Director of Admissions and Community
Partnerships and coordinator of volunteer activities.
LeClair was delighted!
ING DIRECT is an entirely online bank, with “cafés”
in eight cities around the U.S. that offer customers
human contact and serve as the face of the bank. As a
corporation, ING is committed to non-profit work in
these communities.
Once a month, the Philadelphia ING café associates
teach financial literacy in Girard’s fifth and sixth grades.
Their goal is to help young people learn skills that will
help them to make an easier transition to real life. About
four or five ING staff members arrive on campus armed
with the “Planet Orange” curriculum. Also available
on their website (www.orangekids.com) for customers,
parents or the general public, Planet Orange deals with
topics such as investing, earning, saving and spending.
“My colleagues and I are frequently amazed by what
these 11- and 12-year-olds already know,” Hansen says.
“They have already thought about what they value, and
some have begun saving for college.”
The Planet Orange curriculum fits nicely into social
studies as well as math because the children learn about
taxation, salaries, paychecks and living on credit.
q ING staff Meredith Freeborn (standing) and
Lindsey Hanson work with (left to right) fifth and
sixth graders like Jada Boykin and Mervin Williams.

www.girardcollege.edu GiRaRD Today | 3
Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2012
“I have to say that what is most fun about our
involvement at Girard are the students,” Hansen says.
“It’s important to give back to the community, and so
much fun to work with kids who have so many great
ideas about their futures.”
� Temple law student Catherine Cramer, attorneys
Seth Goldberg and Nolan Atkinson with students.
Standing: Tommy Eldridge, Saafi Hall, Marissa
Curbello, Georgie Spencer Minor, Lawra Tidwell and
Ivori Ibuaka; seated: Chelsea Adebiyi, Anya Johnson
and Chelsea Little.
Seth Goldberg
ATTORNEY, Philadelphia, PA
• COACHING MOCK TRIAL •
Seth Goldberg is a partner at Duane Morris, a fullservice
law firm with more than 700 attorneys in offices
across the United States and around the world, with
its headquarters in Philadelphia, where the firm was
founded more than 100 years ago.
In conjunction with its law practice, Duane Morris
has an explicit policy encouraging diversity and
inclusion within the firm and throughout the greater
community. Annually, the firm holds a Diversity &
Inclusion Retreat allowing Duane Morris lawyers from
throughout the United States to spend a weekend
discussing topics of diversity and inclusion. In
2008, the retreat was conducted, in part, on Girard’s
campus. At the Saturday evening dinner, a video was
shown of an interview with William Coleman, the
distinguished lawyer who led the fight to open Girard
College to students of all races. Inspired by that special
presentation, Duane Morris created a mentoring
program to be initiated at Girard College during the
following fall.
In 2009-10, Goldberg and Nolan Atkinson, partner
and Chairman of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion
Committee, worked with four Girard juniors who
expressed an interest in becoming lawyers. In the next
year, the program expanded to three seniors and four
juniors with a similar interest in the law. Goldberg
wrote a curriculum that offered direction to the
students, helping them position themselves for college
and law school and achieve their ultimate goal of
becoming lawyers. Most recently, Goldberg, Atkinson
and Girard College have taken the program in a new
direction, forming a Mock Trial Club that includes
student from 9th through 11th grades.
We Need Your Help to keep eep in Touch
There is a lot going on at Girard, and we’d like to share news
and information with you more than just quarterly!
Help us to keep in touch. Send your e-mail address to
tcoffey@girardcollege.edu so we can keep you in the loop.
“All high schools in the Philadelphia area compete in
the city-wide competition,” said Goldberg. “It seemed
obvious that Girard should be represented, and we
jumped at the chance to work with such energetic and
bright students.”
Goldberg recalls one particular student’s comments
that help to define the attitude that motivates him to
continue volunteering at Girard.
When asked why she wanted to join the Mock Trial
team, one young lady said, “I’m on a sports team, and
I’m not the best player, but not being the best won’t
stop me from trying something new.”
Harry Strahlendorf ’62
RETIRED, Swedesboro, NJ
• HELPING OuT at the LOWER SCHOOL •
“Mr. Harry,” as he is known, does a little bit of
everything. Officially asked to be the Lower School
greeter on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Harry Strahlendorf
answers the phone, makes coffee and copies, reads to
children in the library, delivers mail and, yes, even
greets visitors.
Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2011
Feature Story
“I am truly blessed to be in the presence of these
people,” Strahlendorf says, “I can’t tell you how
rewarding it is.”
Strahlendorf is a Girard “lifer,” having spent all of his
elementary and high school years at Girard College.
When he drives onto campus and motors down the
road, he feels as though he has come home.
“I met my wife when I was a senior here,” he says. “She
lived across the street, 20th and Poplar, and I saw her
sitting on her doorstep one day.”
Happily married to Annie for 49 years, Strahlendorf
retired from the Simplex Grinell company in 2009
after 34 years in the fire alarm industry. He noticed
a reference to volunteering on Girard’s website, and
thought this would be a great way to give back.
“I love kids, and I’m happy to provide a male presence
for some of them,” he says.
Working with the younger students provides plenty of
light-hearted moments. Strahlendorf wore pajamas to
school one say to participate in the first grade’s “Polar
Express” acitvities and went to the Armory with the
fifth graders when the Philadelphia Eagles mascot
Swoop paid a visit. (see photo page 1.)
And his favorite question came when one of the
younger children asked, “Mr. Harry, was Stephen
Girard alive when you were a student here?”
“I tell everyone that volunteering at Girard is easy to
do,” he says, “and the volunteer gains so much.”
q Pajama-clad Harry Strahlendorf participated as reader in
the first-grade’s “Polar Express” event in December.
Visit us on Facebook at
Friends of Girard College (FOGC)
and follow us on Twitter
@GirardCollege!

4 | GiRaRD Today www.girardcollege.edu
5K TRAILBLAZER
Benefitted Girard
More than 100 people “blazed a trail” for Girard at the
fall fund raiser!
The Trailblazer took place Saturday morning October
22, bringing new faces and old friends to campus on a
cold, sunny morning. At least 112 people participated,
raising more than $32,000 to benefit the school, its
programs and its students.
Primary sponsors were ABA, Aflac and Wellnet. Aflac
brought its Ford Fusion Show Car for display and
Wellnet offered free health screenings.
photo credit: H.k. kim 2011
Mario & Luigi
Youngsters raced in a preliminary
“Costume Dash,”
before the main event that
began at 9:00 a.m. Prizes
were awarded to the male
and female top finishers of
various age groups as well as
to the team that raised the
most funds ... and to the
best kid’s costume in
the dash!
FALL SPORTS WRAP-UP
BOYS SOCCER – Jeff Levin (head coach) & Dan Escot (assistant)
Overall Record: 6 wins - 11 losses - 1 tie
GIRLS SOCCER – John Romano (head coach) & Kevin Giorno (assistant)
Overall Record 3 wins - 11 losses - 0 ties
BOYS / GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY – Rick Leek (head coach)
& Wadell Carter (assistant)
BOYS: Penn-Jersey League Champions for the fifth consecutive year
GIRLS: They did not have enough girls to score for the year, but the
girls who ran all made significant improvements.
GIRLS TENNIS:
Overall Record 0 wins - 6 losses
Finished third in the Penn-Jersey League Championships
2012 GALA
Set for april 13
Girard College is proud to announce that alumnus
and Board of Managers chair Peter Shoemaker ’60 will
be the Corinthian Award winner, honored at the 2012
Gala on April 13. Gala planning is in full swing, and
fund raising efforts have tapped national organizations
such as Xerox Foundation, Global Imaging Systems,
US Trust, Aramark and UPS. To date, sponsorship
pledges have exceeded last year’s extremely successful
Gala, and alumni support is way up.
You can honor Peter and support the children of
Girard College by purchasing and ad in the program
book ($1000 for a full page ad; $500 for a half page)
or by making a direct contribution to the event at
www.girardcollege.com/gala.
Our talented on-campus photographer Keith Steininger
took hundreds of photos, available to view at smugmug.
com. Search for “Girard 5K.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated in or supported the 5K Trailblazer!
Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2011
Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2011
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER – Joe Gibbons
Overall Record 1 win - 7 losses
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER – Joe Gibbons
Overall Record 0 wins - 8 losses
FEBRUARY 4 OPEN HOUSE
WelcoMeD 104 FaMileS
On Saturday, February 4, families and potential new
students attended the Lower School Open House.
Many had already applied and simply toured the
campus, and others applied during their visit.
THREE STUDENTS NAMED
To national Honor Society
Three Girard students were ceremoniously inducted
into the National Honor Society on January 13 in the
Chapel in front of classmates, teachers, RAs and family
members. They are, left to right: Jason Truong (inducted
in 2011), Georgie Spencer Minor, DeShaun Picket and
Shermier Porter.
NHS guest speaker Judge Thomas Dempsey addressed
the entire Upper School community, sharing stories
of his years in the juvenile division of Family Court
in Philadelphia. Senior Jason Truong, inducted to the
NHS during his junior year, welcomed each student
into the NHS.
SHOP AT
GiRaRD’S ScHool SToRe
A recent addition to our website has been the school
store. Shopping for Girard shirts, hats, bags and other
items is fun but also supports our programs. Girard
College receives a portion of all purchases.
Go to www.girardcollege.edu, choose QUICKLINKS
and scroll down to SCHOOL STORE.
Thank you!
Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2011

Photo credits page 5: Keith Steininger 2012
www.girardcollege.edu GiRaRD Today | 5
GIRARD’S MLK DAY OF SERVICE
largest in nation
The MLK Day of Service in the Philadelphia Area is a very big deal. The numbers are
impressive:
• 85,000 volunteers
• more than 1,300 service projects
• 100,000 meals packaged as part of the theme to end hunger
Girard College is the “signature site” for this important event – the largest in the country
– for the third consecutive year. Beautifully planned and organized by Global Citizen,
thousands of volunteers worked on hundreds of projects on our 43-acre campus, including
a Job Fair for more than 500 job seekers.
The day is really a work day for the volunteers and a chance for their organizations to
collect donated items and to attract new supporters. And of course Girard benefits in
many ways: numerous new visitors to our campus and more meaningful relationships with
our community partners, for example.
A brief press conference was held at 9:00 a.m. to kick off the day and to remind everyone
why we were working together. VIPs such as Mayor Michael Nutter, Lieutenant
Governor Jim Cawley, Senator Bob Casey and Congressmen Bob Brady, Chaka Fattah
and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz were in attendance on the dais. Girard President
Autumn Graves welcomed everyone, expressing her gratitude that Stephen Girard
and Martin Luther King Jr. both believed in access to quality education, especially for
underprivileged children in our local community.
But the 2012 MLK Day of Service had a very special guest, Vice President Joe Biden.
Biden’s arrival drew a lot of attention, added to the traffic congestion and upped the level
of security on campus. But the attendees didn’t seem to mind. He was enthusiastically
cheered before, during and after his remarks.
Biden told a rapt audience, “Today there is too much pessimism,” he said. “Sometimes
we lose faith.” He referred to the burning of Wilmington, Delaware, when he was a
young lawyer, and recalled the violence associated with racial tensions of the time.
Biden reminded everyone that, years later, he was privileged to ride the train through
Wilmington with the first African-American U.S. President.
“To quote Martin Luther King Jr., ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends
toward justice,’” Biden said.
After speaking, Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden joined other volunteers packing food
boxes for the hungry.
Read more about the MLK Day of Service and Vice President Biden’s remarks on our
website inder CAMPUS NEWS and UPCOMING EVENTS.
� Various cultural and community groups were represented at the MLK Day of
Service, including these performers celebrating the Year of the Dragon.
Campus News
� (Top:) Thousands of volunteers filled the Armory; (center:) President Autumn
A. Graves welcomed guests from the podium; (bottom:) Vice President Joe Biden
and wife Jill packed food for the “End Hunger Now” project.

Photo credit: Keith Steininger 2011
6 | GiRaRD Today www.girardcollege.edu
FALL AND WINTER HIGHLIGHTS
Student accolades
• A cycling award was named after ninth-grader
John Clark, a member of the Cadence Cycling Club. �
• Junior Markim Corbett received the Widener University
High School Leadership Award.
• Najaii Comfort, class of 2013, was selected to be a part
of the Phillies RBI All-Star softball team.
• Upper School students Shermeir Porter, Georgie
Spencer-Minor and Deshaun Picket were named to the
National Honor Society.
• Student Edgar Pagan was published in Philadelphia-area
Spanish magazine, “Motivos.”
chapel Speakers Series
In planning Girard’s monthly chapels,
President Graves seriously considers the
spiritual development of our students as
outlined in Stephen Girard’s will. Because
he believed that lay people are best equipped
to teach morals and ethics, our Chapels
have often featured teachers and
administrators.
This year, Graves has reached out to
others whose new voices will challenge
our students to think and grow. Many of
them have addressed one of our five Core
Values: respect, responsibility, integrity,
self-discipline and compassion. Others have
attempted to give a personal example of
Stephen Girard’s most famous quote: “My
deeds must be my life. When I am dead,
they must speak for me.”
Without exception, the fall and winter
speakers have made significant connections
with our students and staff.
community Service Projects
• Lower School students held a coat drive.
• Eighth grade submitted 16 bowls to the “Empty Bowl
Project” at Chestnut Hill College.
• Upper and Lower School families collected more than
1,200 Box Tops to benefit Girard College.
• The Student Council Canned Food Drive gathered
more than 1,140 cans to donate to food pantry.
• The eighth-grade Language Arts classes wrote letters and
created festive Holiday Cards for alumni and other troops
in Afghanistan.
• Upper School students sang Christmas carols in the
Philadelphia Nursing Home across the street.
• Student Council sold Christmas-grams, raising
enough money to donate to the GCDF (Girard College
Development Fund).
• The sixth grade constructed a “Giving Tree” and
collected donations for Food for the Poor.
• A Lower School service club, Lovers of the Flag be
Starred (LFBS), correctly and respectfully deposited
several used, worn and tattered flags in an American
Legion collection box. u
STUDENT PROJECT PAYS RESPECT
TO ALUMNI GRAVES
The Student Council has begun to plan trips to Girard
College’s plots at Laurel Hill Cemetery to pay their
respects to the Girard alumni who are buried there. The
first visit will be the week prior to Founder’s Day where
students will be placing carnations on each of the graves.
cHaPel SPeakeRS To DaTe
October:
Steven R. Lewis, CEO, Montgomery County Head Start
November:
Kenneth “Freedom Smitty” Salaam,
Civil Rights Activist, Philadelphia Freedom Fighter
Thanksgiving Chapel:
Renée Amoore, founder and president of
The Amoore Group (consulting firm)
December:
First Deputy Police Commissioner
Richard J. Ross Jr.
January:
Mark Tucker, president of
Tucker Development Plus LLC (consulting firm)
February:
Dennis Maple,
President, Aramark Education
Student opportunities
• The Flyers ran an assembly on teamwork.
• Upper School formed a new Mock Trial Team.
• Alumnus Aaron Davis ’89 with 21-yr Navy career
talked to students on Veteran’s Day.
• Upper School Stock Market team is competing against
six area schools.
• Juniors visited Temple University with Mayor Nutter.
• Grades 5-6 benefit from the NFL Play 60 fitness
program, kicked off by a visit from Eagles mascot “Swoop.”
Stephen Girard Film
Premiered Dec. 6
A film about Stephen Girard premiered December 6
at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.
Produced by History Making Productions, underwritten
by Girard College alumni (Peter Scotese ’37 and
Bunny and Jim O’Neill ’51) and presented by
Girard College, the 18-minute film tells the story of
a great Philadelphian – and American – whose
life has been generally unsung.
A crowd of over 300 people from more than 35
Philadelphia-area organizations attended, including
The World Affairs Council, United Way of SEPA,
The National Archives at Philadelphia, Comcast,
The National Constitution Center, The Greater
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and others.
These guests learned about the French immigrant
who arrived here in June of 1776, making
Philadelphia his home and accumulating great wealth.
The film concentrated on his role as good citizen, citing
examples including his creation of the Delaware Avenue
port, managing the Yellow Fever crisis of 1793 and bank
rolling the U.S. government during the War of 1812.
Of course, Girard’s endowment to create Girard College
was a significant part of the story as was the school’s
desegregation. Owen Gowen, one of the first four
African-American boys to enroll at Girard in 1968,
was in the film and attended the premiere. Several
members of the group known as the Cecil B. Moore
Freedom Fighters were also in attendance.
TO VIEW THE FILM, go to our website
(girardcollege.edu) and click on the large video box
in the lower left. You may also enjoy reading more
complete articles under CAMPUS NEWS.

7 | GiRaRD Today www.girardcollege.edu
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Student opportunities on the Job
and off campus
Girard College’s mission is to prepare scholarship students
for advanced education and life as informed, ethical and
productive citizens through a rigorous education program
that promotes intellectual, social and emotional growth.
As we prepare our students – in the classroom, on the
playing fields and in the dorms – we are readying them
for college, work and life.
Certain Upper School students have begun the journey
outside of the usual boundaries of education, working
on and off campus, stretching their wings and gaining
experience. Here are profiles of two such students who
are making the most of their opportunities.
CHRISTOPHER ALAMO
National Constitution Center
Senior Chris Alamo didn’t want to come to Girard at
first. But his mother was convinced this change was a
good one, and he soon came to agree with her.
“Today I understand that there are opportunities at
Girard that I wouldn’t get anywhere else,” he says.
Some of those opportunities occur off campus. Every
Saturday and Sunday, Alamo works at Philadelphia’s
National Constitution Center from 9 to 5 as a “public
program exhibit educator.” He talks to visitors about
the Constitution Center and answers their questions.
Friendly and helpful, he carries his expertise with pride.
“I know that Girard College is respected in the city,”
Alamo says, “and the name helps on a job application.”
In spite of his obvious enthusiasm for his job and
workplace, Alamo is actually most interested in
science, planning to attend University of Arizona and
major in wildlife biology.
� Senior Chris Alamo poses in the Signer’s Hall of
the National Constitution Center.
� Senior Kaylin Cardreon dons scrubs before she
heads over to Temple University Hospital.
KAYLIN CARDREON
Temple university Hospital
Kaylin Cardreon arrived at Girard College 11 years ago
but was never homesick.
“My sister was already a student here, and I knew my
mom had to work,” she says. “Girard was better, more
stable than public school.”
Cardreon appreciates the atmosphere of support that
exists at Girard.
“The teachers are great, and other groups mentor students
along the way,” she added.
One organization that works closely with Girard College
and other schools is PYN, the Philadelphia Youth
Network. With the slogan “investing in tomorrow’s
workforce today,” PYN offers career exposure, skillbuilding
opportunities and mentoring through adult
connections.
PYN helped Cardreon to get a summer job at Temple
working in the CAT Scan department. She was so reliable
and diligent that her summertime boss asked her to
return during the school year as an intern.
This is a great fit for Cardreon, who wants to become
a nurse.
“My plan is to attend the Gwynedd-Mercy College for
nursing,” she says. “Girard and PYN have given me a
great head start.”
Student Profiles
GIRARD
STUDENTS
neeD YouR HelP
Girard students and young alumni
are looking for opportunities.
Can you help? They need:
• summer internships
• school-year internships
• job shadowing
• jobs
Contact Karen Campbell,
Director of Young Alumni Support
kacampbell@girardcollege.edu
215-787-4439
CORRECTION
Donor name
omission
In the fall issue of Girard Today,
we inadvertently left two names
off our list of generous donors:
ERIK HIRSCH &
MARGARET McALLISTER
ROBERT TROSTEL ’72
Your support of Girard College
is greatly valued.
DO WE HAVE
YOUR CURRENT,
CORRECT
E-MAIL ADDRESS?
We send out news more than four times a year,
via electronic newsletters and invitations. Help us
to keep you in the loop. Please let Teresa Coffey
(Development Office) know your contact information.
tcoffey@girardcollege.edu
215-787-4436

STEEL &
HOMECOMING DAY 2011
This year, we celebrated Homecoming Day on October
22, a bit later than normal, so we could join with the
school and the 5K Trailblazer Walk/Run. It is hard
to remember a more beautiful fall day than the one
we reserved for Homecoming. The sun was out all
day, there was a mild breeze and the temperature was
perfect for soccer.
We started the day off with a soccer game featuring
the alumni’s finest vs. the girl’s varsity soccer team.
Although the final score was 4-2 with the old timers
winning, that might have been because we only played
two 30-minute halves. Had the game been any longer,
the final score might have been different, with the
alumni team wheezing as they left the field. Just before
the game, Paul Guida, ’52 performed a ceremonial
kick-off in celebration of the 60th anniversary of his
service as Captain of the Hum soccer team.
To honor this year’s inductees to the Girard College
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame, we held a luncheon
in Founder’s Hall. The seven new members of the
Athletic Hall of Fame include:
• Michael Roman ’51 (Soccer)
• Harry Naughton ’50 (Soccer)
• William Freudenberger ’49 (Soccer)
• Irvin Miller ’49 (Soccer)
• Robert Anderson ’49 (Soccer)
• Stanley Blazowski ’51 (Soccer)
• Thomas Triol ’35 (Track)
With Tony Schiavo, ’59 serving as the Master of
Ceremonies, the luncheon was a big hit with the
inductees, their families and friends. Thomas Triol,
who was inducted to the Hall of Fame posthumously,
was to have his brother John Triol, ’42 accept the award
for him, but John fell and broke his hip a few days
before Homecoming Day. Tom’s daughters accepted
the award for him. (Read boxed comments page 3 .)
In the evening, we celebrated the 2011 Award of
Merit honorees with a dinner in Founder’s Hall. The
ballroom was packed with the families and friends of
each of the five honorees as well as a large contingent of
past Award of Merit winners and Alumni Association
officers. Alumni President Vince Cavacini, ’65 served
as emcee, assisted by Tony Schiavo, ’59. The honorees
included:
• Joseph Sadowski ’49
• Fran Manley ’53
• Gil McDonald ’59
• George Westfall ’63
• Dennis Lalli ’68
All Homecoming photo credits: Garry Norton ’67
1.
2.
Garnet
4. 5.
3.
Winter 2011-12

www.girardcollege.edu STEEL & GARNET | 3
6.
7.
8.
11.
9. 12.
10.
1. The Girard College alumni team
2. Tony Schiavo ’59 with Paul Guida ’52 who offered the ceremonial tap-off
to celebrate his 60th anniversary as captain of the GC varsity soccer team
3. Girard College girls varsity soccer team
4. Ed Gallagher ’99 stands in goal.
5. Interim Director of GCAA George Westfall ’63 with awards committee
chair Jim Slover ’55 and his lovely wife Betty
6. ’49ers support their honoree classmates. From left: Tony Puglisi, Ramsey
Koumjian, Bob Anderson, Simon Koumjian, John Glowacki, Sam Weiner
7. Mike Roman,’51 with Schiavo
8. Anthony Puglisi, ’49 accepts the award for Bill Freudenberger ’49
9. Irv Miller ’49
10. Bob Anderson ’49
11. Stanley (Buzz) Blasowski ’51 with emcee Schiavo
12. Harry Naughton ’50 with emcee Schiavo and Westfall
Thomas F. Triol, Class of 1935 was inducted posthumously into the
Girard College Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 22, 2011.
His daughter, Helen Triol-Drozd accepted the award for him. The following
is the acceptance speech delivered by Ms. Triol-Drozd.
On behalf of our entire family and especially my father, Thomas F. Triol, we
gratefully accept this honor acknowledging his contribution to sports while he
was at Girard College. We are all so proud of him, and he would be pleased
with this recognition.
Our dad, like so many other boys, came to Girard due to tragic circumstances.
As a young boy, he was bewildered and lost when he arrived, but within a
couple of years, Girard was not only his home, but his castle. His experiences
at Girard became the most defining part of his life—his participation in
sports being important, but secondary to the development of his character. At
Girard, Dad not only learned how to study, sing and play the violin, he also
developed discipline, work ethic, compassion for those in need, a love for life
and especially a love for God. Dad continued to excel in athletics, earning 11
letters in track, gymnastics and soccer at West Chester State College and even
competed in track at the 1936 Olympic trials.
He wanted to teach biology and be a track, soccer and gymnastics coach. After
his service as a Naval Officer in WWII, he received his master’s degree from
Columbia University and went on to teach and coach at Brooklyn Poly Prep,
Stevens Institute of Technology and West Point Military Academy. Then, he
and our mother began working as a team running The Children’s Home in
Easton, PA. They later moved to Georgia where he was headmaster while she
taught at the Savannah Country Day School. But Dad didn’t stay behind a
desk. He continued to teach and coach—even demonstrating to the track
teams how to clear hurdles up until his retirement.
Although he was the president of the Southern Association of Independent
Schools and consulted with schools throughout the country, he is remembered
most for his desire to impact young people on a personal level. He was
devoted to his students and instilled in them the same values he learned at
Girard. He knew not only how they were doing, but knew their interests and
the interests of their families. He would stand in at sports events and banquets
for those children who had no fathers. He sought out ways to help others find
the best in themselves, often believing in them more than they did. Although
his early childhood could have left him bitter, my Dad was the most positive
person I have ever known. He could find good in every situation, offering
encouragement and support no matter what the odds. He was a bright star
that shone his light on everyone else.
Dad loved Girard. He was so happy to have shared many years here with his
youngest brother Jack. He told everyone he met what a fantastic opportunity
he was given at Girard. Even after countless moves and the loss of most of his
possessions in a hurricane, we still have the Girard hymnal he received in first
grade, his Girard beanie and photo of his graduation class (of which he was
vice president). They represent treasured memories of his alma mater. Several
years before he died, Dad wrote “Girard gave me the tools to become a man
and face the world with strength of character forged from my years at Girard”.
Thank you for recognizing him in the Girard College Alumni Athletic Hall of
Fame. The determination, dedication and discipline he learned, on and off the
field, are a tribute to Girard and the great man he became.
— Helen Triol-Drozd, October 22, 2011

4 | STEEL & GARNET www.girardcollege.edu
Former Steel & Garnet Editor
Selected for 2012 Stephen Girard Award
Jon Newton ’56 joins list of distinguished graduates
who have won alumni association’s highest honor.
At the Girard College Alumni Association’s December
meeting of its Board of Governors, the Awards
Committee Chair, James Slover ’55, nominated Jon
Newton, Class of 1956, to be the 2012 Stephen Girard
Award recipient. The nomination was approved and the
award will be presented at a ceremony in the Chapel on
Founder’s Day, Saturday, May 19.
The Stephen Girard Award is presented to a Girard
College graduate who has previously won the GCAA
Award of Merit and whose continued accomplishments
reflect honor on Stephen Girard and acclaim on Girard
College and its alumni.
GCAA members and non-members alike, as well as
the extended Girard community, know Newton as the
editor of Steel & Garnet, the venerable transcript of
alumni issues and events. It has been continuously
published since the turn of the last century. Newton
held the post from 1998 to 2010 and during that
tenure transformed the publication editorially and
graphically into a lively magazine format that provided,
among other regular departments, a forum for
discussing the Girard experience from many points of
view. In 2005, Newton began to draw on the talents
of photographer Garry Norton ’67 and together they
produced many colorful photo essays featuring the
school’s legendary campus and historical buildings.
In reacting to the award announcement, actor Russell
Johnson (“the professor” on the long-running sit
com Gilligan’s Island), who had originally nominated
Newton, remarked: “ Jon’s service to Girard has been
long and vital as editor of Steel & Garnet, which he has
brought to a much respected level of journalism.”
Former GCAA Texas Chapter President Rex Bierko’
54 further commented: ”Jon has rendered outstanding
service to Girard College as editor and principal
writer of the Steel & Garnet. His thought provoking
articles and critical commentary raised the level of
that publication to a standard that is not likely to be
matched for a very long time.
Classmate Tim Worrell, who also put Newton’s
name into nomination for the SGA, reflected that he
couldn’t remember when Newton wasn’t writing one
thing or another: “When we were in middle school
and junior high his stories were in several editions of
The Girardian, a quarterly collection of student work.
In our junior year he was made a columnist for The
Girard News, and in our senior year he was one of the
yearbook editors. He became a Navy journalist and after
that wrote award-winning copy and campaigns as the
creative director of his own advertising firm.”
After graduating from Girard, Newton joined the U.
S. Navy and trained to be a journalist. He was assigned
to the task group command icebreaker for Operation
Deep Freeze IV, the Navy’s support program for the
International Geophysical Year expedition to Antarctica
— the earth’s last frontier. As the public information
specialist on site, he filed stories on expedition activities
with the Navy and State Departments that were then
funneled to the national news media.
Leaving the Navy in 1960, Newton began his long
career in marketing communications, eventually
founding his own advertising agency and serving as
its creative director. In the early ‘70s his firm did the
promotion work for the Eagles and the Phillies among
other high-profile area clients. The firm specialized in
highly creative output and was regularly recognized for
its work with industry awards, among them: five Telly
Awards for creative excellence in television commercials;
five Silver Microphone Awards for excellence in radio
commercials; three Business/Marketing Association
national awards, plus awards from the Philadelphia
Art Director’s Club and the International Film & TV
Festival of New York.
Newton sold his ad agency to the employees in 2003
and now works as a communications, branding, and
public relations consultant. He serves on the board of
the Navy Icebreaker USS Edisto Association and is its
historian/journalist. Newton is also a founder and the
committee chair for Founder’s Keepers — the initiative
to restore and preserve Founder’s Hall, a National
Historic Landmark.
Jon Newton is married to KT Newton, a Federal
Prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern
District of Pennsylvania and an Adjunct Professor of
Trial Advocacy at the Villanova University School of
Law. They reside in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Newton has a son and a daughter by a previous marriage
and two grandsons.
Son Eric is an actor and aerialist who has performed
with the famed Cirque du Soleil. He currently teaches
aerial performance in Hollywood. Daughter Melissa
resides in Ramona, CA and is raising a future MLB lefthanded
pitcher who can also hit from either side of the
plate.
Congratulations, Jon!
Alumni, let us know what
YOU are up to! Go to the
alumni portal on the website
and submit Class Notes.
www.girardcollege.edu
For more information and assistance,
read all about the alumni portal
on page 7. WE NEED YOU
to make the online community
as vibrant as possible!

Photo credit: Garry Norton ’67
www.girardcollege.edu STEEL & GARNET | 5
Happy new Year Girardians,
Girard families and
Friends of Girard:
2012 will be a challenging year for our school as Girard moves
forward in developing and implementing a fiscally responsible
plan that will best serve her students.
Your GCAA officers and Board of Governors have developed
and implemented a fiscally responsible plan that we believe
serves our students and alumni better and at a lower cost.
This issue of “Steel & Garnet” is one example of cost reduction
and better product. As you all know the cost of postage is soaring
and the service declining and will be severely tested in 2012.
Our combined mailing of the “Steel & Garnet” with the Girard
newsletter to all Girardians allows us to mail to all instead of
just paid members and communicate the Girard story of school and alumni in one message. The shared mailing
expense and publishing costs are reduced for our school and the GCAA.
This past year the GCAA, for the first time, formed a scholarship team of GCAA members and the school’s
teachers and administrators. This team was led by Karen Campbell, Director of Young Alumni Support, and
George Westfall, (then) GCAA Director. The results were that every student who applied for assistance for an
undergraduate degree received scholarship monies from the GCAA Scholarship Fund and the Sundry Trusts for
Girard College. This was a first. These scholarships will follow the students through their college years, and progress
will be monitored for learning success that leads to graduation. (See photo on outside cover.)
This year we have also pooled school and GCAA resources to conduct bus trips and overnight accommodations
so that our students could visit local colleges together. Those schools were excited to host our students for informative
visits.
We implemented a fun and exciting Secret Santa campaign this past year. (See article page 6 ) This program has
been reconfigured to include all students and to be especially considerate of those students with the most need.
The entire Lower School, “West End,” attended a “Santa Night”, party with Santa, stockings for all, candy, cake
and goodies provided by your generous gifts. The Upper School was treated to a night of shopping at a local
discount outlet mall. Your generosity provided the transportation and gift cards for those students who had no
funds to buy gifts for their moms, family members or themselves. The smiling faces were rewards we wish we
could share with all of our alumni.
It has been a busy year at your alumni association as we worked to be more professional in our approach to
workplace and community standards. We have implemented a Harassment-Free-Workplace policy, a Conflictof-Interest
policy, and a Child-Protection policy. We are confident that the work we are doing will protect our
members, our students and our assets.
In 2012, we plan to work on tools to assist alumni in their work world using the power of social media, such
as LinkedIn and Facebook, as well as a new Alumni Directory, the first since 1996. Many alums have received
postcards from the directory publisher, “PCI,” requesting and update of your information. The mailings have
been divided into quarters so that PCI can handle the phones calls from our alumni. There is no cost to the
GCAA; the only revenue to PCI is income they receive from selling the directories to you, our alumni. The
GCAA receives none of these monies and none of the costs associated with mailings and phone responses. We
have a vetted contract with the publisher protecting your privacy, and all records revert back to the GCAA at the
end of the campaign.
We hope in 2012, that our alumni will utilize our Web Portal to communicate
with classmates, chapter members, and the GCAA to keep informed of life at Girard
and life of our alumni. Class Notes can be a useful tool for chapters to utilize,
as well as Friends of Girard College (FOGC) on Facebook. If you need assistance
to login into our website, just call the GCAA office and Alicia Orehowsky, our
administrative assistant can help you to make it easy and effortless. Alicia has been
a great asset to our GCAA this past year and we appreciate the thoughtfulness you
express on your communications to her and the office.
Best wishes for a great 2012 to all Hummers and friends of Girard!
Vince Cavacini, President GCAA
ALUMNI BAND
We have a suggestion from several old band members to
resurrect the Girard College Alumni Band. Those
embarrassing maroon uniforms are long gone, and we
wouldn’t ask anyone to wear one again, anyway. Likewise
the old battalion uniforms have been retired – forever. We’re
certain we can find something more casual for all to wear.
The suggestion is for us to gather musicians who want to
play together for fun, learning and camaraderie, certainly
nothing too serious. Perhaps the Girard College Alumni
Band will play Sousa marches on the lawn on Founder’s Day
or dance music at the dinner in Founder’s Hall.
If you think you might be interested in picking up that old
clarinet, trumpet or sax again, please call the Alumni Office
at 215-232-8882 or Sammie McNeil ’79 at 484-832-1396.
StUDENt WINS AWARD
From American Legion
Bill Clark ’68, Commander of the Stephen Girard
American Legion Post No. 320, and Gil McDonald ’59,
Post Adjutant, presented the American Legion Medal
to Xhonia Robinson, class of 2014 at the
October 2011 Board of Governors meeting. The
American Legion Medal is awarded to a ninth-grade
student attaining the best combined record in
scholarship, athletics and citizenship.
Congratulations Xhonia!
SoUtH JERSEy WAvE
Chapter Elects New Leader
The South Jersey Wave Chapter elected Anthony
Schiavo ’59 as its new president. Tony is currently the
Second Vice President of the GCAA after having served
two terms as president. The SJW chapter recently held
its annual holiday luncheon at Mirabella’s in Cherry
Hill, New Jersey, attended by a crowd of 47. Good
food, good friends and a good cause.
The South Jersey Wave Chapter has supported seventhgrade
science projects in recent years. In addition, the
class has travelled to the Atlantic Ocean for a day of
fun in the sun. For many of the children, this has been
their first glimpse of the ocean and their first experience
with salt water.

6 | STEEL & GARNET www.girardcollege.edu
GCAA SANtA PRoGRAMS tHRIvES
Secret Santa 2011 was a big hit!
The Girard College Alumni Association and its members have always accepted the responsibility of trying to assure that
Girard students are not overlooked at Christmas time. This tradition goes back more than 60 years, if we include the
activities of what was once known as the Girard Ginger Association, another organization made up of Girard College
alumni. Christmas 2011 cannot be any different. The need to assure that no child is overlooked at the holidays is
even more important as the economy continues to flounder and unemployment continues at unusual rates.
This year, we provided a slightly different program for the Girard
children. The Alumni Association sponsored Santa Night for
the Lower School children (175 children in Grades 1 through
6). Santa Night was a party for all the Lower School children
where Santa brought a stocking full of goodies and a small gift
for each child. Local Hummers were invited to attend and assist
the staff at Girard make Santa Night a big success. The gift of the
adult time was especially appreciated by the children. And what
a great opportunity for them to see faces behind those stories of
the Girard alumni! Also, some alums sent us a truck, a doll, art
supplies, a miniature Etch-a-Sketch or a stuffed animal that were
used as prizes for some of the games the children played at
Santa Night.
Of course, there was a different approach for the Upper School
children (ages 14 to 18). For these older children, we solicited
the aid of the Upper School counselors and teachers to identify
those children who might not have a Merry Christmas without
our help. Girard College sponsors a shopping night for the
children in grades 7 through 12. This year the Upper School
children were taken to the Franklin Mills Mall in Bensalem,
PA. Accompanied by their resident advisors, the entire Upper
School went on the shopping trip to pick out presents for their
moms, grandmothers and other family members. The Alumni
Association helped by sponsoring the bus trip and secretly
providing gift cards to a select few (about 25) particularly needy
children so they would be able to participate in the shopping
event. We distributed the gift cards through the counselors who
advised the children on the use of the money, how to select gifts
and encouraged them to save a portion for gifts for those who
may be special in their lives.
The Secret Santa Program we developed, with the help of the
residential staff at Girard, benefitted every student at Girard.
Of course, this takes money, and we are asking you to make a contribution to assist us in making next Christmas a memorable
occasion for all of the children at Girard and especially those children who might otherwise not be able to celebrate Christmas.
Please send your contribution to:
Girard College Alumni Association
2101 S. College Avenue, #605
Philadelphia, PA 19121
A GIRARD
CHRISTMAS REMEMBERED ...
Very long ago, at Christmas, maybe 1936, money
was so tight that I could not even go home to
Catasauqua, Pa. where my mom lived. Expecting
a bleak holiday season, I remember how surprised
I was to receive a really nice Christmas present at a
special party for those Girard boys who did not get
to go home for the holidays.
I received a wrapped gift that turned out to be a
pair of roller skates. They were the steel-wheeled
type that clamped on to my Hum brogues. They
were very sturdy and surely cost much more than I
would have been able to save on my own. I could
not think of a more welcome or useful present.
I learned to skate so well that I became an informal
skating coach. Lefty Reitmeier and Chink Shaffer,
both of the class of June ’40, were also avid skaters.
Back then, we were permitted to skate around
the main wooden drill floor of the Armory (now
also known as the Herrick Field House). When
something else was going on in the main floor, we
could go down and use either of the two big rooms
in the basement as our roller rink.
I know that what we give this year will also be much
appreciated. But I don’t believe you will top the
sheer pleasure I got out of my “Christmas” skates so
long ago.
Russell Roberts, June ’40
editor’s note ...
Yes, Russell, there is a Santa Claus. And the
tradition you spoke of continues at Girard,
thanks to Hummers such as you and so many
others who responded to our call for assistance
with our Secret Santa program. Please read
the story to the left.
If you have any questions, please call Alicia Orehowsky or (new GCAA Director) Joe Paoletti at
the Alumni Office, 215-232-8882. Thank you. Everyone in the office hopes you and your family
enjoyed a happy, healthy holiday season.
PIttSBURGH ALUMNI
Support Basketball Teams
Girard basketball players participated in a tournament in western
Pennsylvania in December. The boys team beat Indiana in
a thriller 57-56 and Grove City 59-56 to win the whole tournament.
Enthusiastic alumni attended the game and posed for this photo.
GO CAVALIERS!
SPORTS FANS:
Keep your eye on Girard athletics via the website.
www.girardcollege.edu -- CAMPUS LIFE -- ATHLETICS

7 | STEEL & GARNET www.girardcollege.edu
ALERt!
Go Electronic
The limited staff in the Girard College Alumni Office
works diligently to keep you informed of events and
happenings both at Girard College and around the
country. They use several media to accomplish this,
including:
First Class Mail (USPS)
Bulk Mail (USPS)
Internet
E-mail
The Alumni Association has always relied on
the discounted bulk rates offered to non-profit
organizations. Unfortunately, bulk mail appears
to be moving more and more slowly these days. A
recent mailing of the Girard Newsletter/Steel &
Garnet arrived in some homes within a week of our
dropping them off at the USPS processing center,
but other copies did not arrive at their intended
destination for weeks. With a sample size of several
thousand pieces of mail addressed to nearly every
state in the Union, we believe our conclusions are
valid. Current plans recently announced by the
USPS will likely slow the process even further. We
fear the day will come when we can no longer rely on
bulk mail to communicate with our members.
The First Class postage rate has increased to $0.45
for a simple letter. Although we have had success in
having our first-class letters delivered promptly in the
past, the threatened elimination of an additional 200plus
mail processing centers could result in a slowing
in first-class postal services. Just the same, postage
expenditures are one of the largest line items in the
GCAA’s budget.
You may have noticed that we have discontinued our
use of Postage Reply Envelopes (PRE) after more
than 60 years. Although we recognize the PREs are
a cost and energy saver to our members, the delay in
receiving responses sent in PRE envelopes has been as
much as two weeks, causing issues for our members
who are using those envelopes to reserve dinner
seats, etc. When we have brought this situation to
the attention of senior employees at the USPS, the
problem is resolved short term only to haunt us again a
few weeks later.
This brings us to the Internet.
The GCAA has struggled with the creation and
maintenance of a GCAA website for more than 10
years. After several false starts, we have joined with
Girard College and developed an Alumni Portal that
meets the needs of both the school and the GCAA.
As a bonus, visitors to the website can access informa-
tion about the school and the GCAA in one place.
NEW WEBSITE:
If you haven’t already done so, you may access the new
website at www.girardcollege.edu.
ALUMNI PORTAL:
Look for the LOGIN button (blue, lower center of the
screen). Then enter your user name and password.
Every alumnus/a for whom we had a postal mailing
address received a postcard in August that included a
unique user name and password and that also explained
how to use the portal.
If you have not
received your user
name and password
to enter the Alumni
Portal (access
limited to alums),
or if you need help
logging in, please
call the Alumni Office and we will be pleased to assist
you. 215-232-8882.
Finally, the most efficient method of communicating
to large groups in this century appears to be via
e-mail. The staff in the Alumni Office attempts to
communicate to our alums every day via the Internet,
but we have only a small portion of the e-mail addresses
we need to effectively communicate with our members. If
you want to be placed on the GCAA e-mail lists, it is
simple. Just send an email to mail@girardalumni.org
and let the staff know you want to be placed on the
GCAA email list. If you are not certain we have your
latest e-mail address, send us an email and ask us to
check it out.
Interim GCAA Director George Westfall and Administrative
Assistant Alicia Orehowsky.
New GCAA Director Joe Paoletti ’86 began his service to the
GCAA on January 30.
PoCoNo CHAPtER SPoNSoRS CoAL MINE toURS
On October 6, 41 sixth-grade Girard College students, accompanied by
six adults, including President Autumn A. Graves, traveled to northeastern
Pennsylvania to tour the Lackawanna Coal Mine and Museum. After a
relatively long bus ride, the students were lowered by cable car 300 feet into
the ground to the bottom on a now out-of-service coal mine to get a sense of
the work done by thousands of immigrants from Germany, Wales and eastern
Europe. The children learned that some of the individuals who labored in the
mines were about their age.
Later, the children were given a tour of the museum by elderly gentlemen who
worked the coal mines as children. They were given a thorough history of the
mines, the development of anthracite coal as a major source of fuel and the
commerce the coal industry afforded the northeastern region of Pennsylvania.
Our thanks to chapter president, John Pekar ’71, and all the chapter members
for arranging the trip and for their continued support of our students.
Photo credit: Garry Norton ’67

8 | STEEL & GARNET www.girardcollege.edu
GCAA Business Directory
ACCOUNTING
John Perazzelli ’61 CPA
Business or Personal
South Jersey
856-627-0800
George Westfall ’63 CPA
GCAA’s Numbers Guy
Not-for-Profits a Specialty
Business or Personal
215-493-6758
george@georgewestfall.com
Charles A. McCullough ’63 CPA
Tax Consulting & Preparation
609-923-5879
camcpavalue@gmail.com
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Roy Achmoody ’63
Full Service Advertising and Marketing
Government Approved Contractor
602-944-3900
AUTOMOBILE SALES & SERVICE
Bob Vendetti
Gateway Kia
Quakertown, PA
215-538-3500
Tony Stills ‘86
Mobile Oil Changes at Home or Office
301-776-1206
BED & BREAKFAST
Joe Lingg ’62
1886 House B&B
Chesterfield, MA 413-296-0223
CATERING FOOD SERVICE
Nick Silvano ’56
Italian Deli & Food Catering
South Philadelphia
215-336-4733
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR
Joe Dollarton ’74
Additions, Remodeling and Roofing
Tri-State Area
215-379-1004
CUSTOM FRAMING/PHOTO RESTORATION
Rita Gaudet deVecchis ‘58
deVecchis Gallery
404 ½ South Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-922-5708
HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
Murray Blumberg ’72
Alarm Systems for Home or Business
215-742-1246
INSURANCE
Bill Jewett ’51
Long Term Care Insurance in Florida
239-541-1202
JEWELRY DESIGN & SALES
Hershal Wiggins ’78
Custom Jewelry in Argentium Silver
215-796-3225
www.argentium1.esty.com
LOCKSMITH
Bill Clark ’68
New or Replacement Locks
Delaware Valley
856-845-2056
PHOTOGRAPHER
Garry W. Norton ’67
Official Photographer of the GCAA
Weddings, Portraits and Business
Delaware Valley
610-857-0175
photoranger@comcast.net
Photo credit: Garry Norton ’67
PORTRAITS
JoAnne Castelli Castor ’55
Official Portrait Artist of the GCAA
Portraiture, Fine Art, Murals
856-939-0664
www.casstellicastor.com
REAL ESTATE
Vince Cavacini ’65
Residential Real Estate
Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties
610-742-7223
Ron Glass ’94
Residential Real Estate
Bucks and Montgomery Counties
215-493-1954
Charles A. McCullough ’63
Real Estate Appraisal/Business Valuation
609-923-5879
camcpavalue@gmail.com
Bruce Perazzelli ’57 GRI, CRS
Commercial/Residential Broker
South Jersey
856-784-6000
www.bruceassociatesrealtors.com
RESTAURANTS
Bill Tillinghast ‘78
Chef/Director
Art Institute of Philadelphia Culinary School
215-518-7645
Tom Rupp ’71
Owner
Union Barrel Works
Reamstown, PA
717-335-7837
Web & Graphic Design
Ed Crawford ’96
Design and Creation of Web Sites
215-868-7833
In a business or practice you
would like other Hummers to
be aware of? You can be listed
in the GCAA Business Directory
simply by calling the office at
215-232-8882.
FoUNDER’S HALL
Update
Official GCAA photographer and good friend Garry Norton ’67 recently sent
us some photos of Founder’s Hall, including a few that showed pieces of stone
that seem to have fallen off the building.
In fact, architects from the Kelly Maiello firm deliberately and carefully
removed several pieces as part of their detailed assessment of Founder’s Hall.
Removed pieces will be professionally readhered to preserve the building.
Our thanks to Garry for giving us the opportunity to update the entire Girard
family. We continue to cherish Founder’s Hall as the jewel in the crown of our
beautiful and historic campus.

www.girardcollege.edu STEEL & GARNET | 9
ALUMNI oBItUARIES
Jaroslaw Kunycia ’62
Jaroslaw Kunycia, class of 1962, died after a rapidly deteriorating
struggle with cancer on November 14, 2011
at the age of 67 and was cremated the following day in
accordance with his wishes.
Jar was born in Poland and immigrated to the U.S. with
his mother Maria, a librarian at Haverford College in
Ardmore until her retirement. Shortly following their
arrival in Camden, N.J., he was admitted to Girard
College where he distinguished himself scholastically,
graduating in the top fifth of his class.
After graduation from Girard in 1962, Jar went on to
Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. to pursue his undergraduate
studies in architecture where he received a
Fulbright Scholarship to continue advanced studies at
the American University in Ankara, Turkey. Upon his
graduation, he was employed by the architectural firm
of Vito Tricarico in New York City.
After gaining considerable experience and expertise in
retail interior architecture and design, he proceeded to
open his own office, Jar Kunycia, Architect, on Madison
Ave., in Manhattan where he directed a team of architects
and designers in service to the growing demand
by large retail outlets for creative solutions to displaying
and marketing a wide range of consumer products.
He eventually down-sized his practice in the latter stages
of his career and chose to specialize in residential architecture,
renovations and additions in the New Jersey
area where he resided and maintained his office.
Jar, as his classmates will agree, was an enthusiastic
supporter of Girard College and an active participant
in the Alumni Association by advocating that the high
standards he had known as a student be maintained
and lamenting at the gradual demolition of the many
buildings that he believed had become so intrinsic and
symbolic a part of the school’s unique architectural identity
and long history.
He was a loyal and constant presence at every Founder’s
Day and could be seen fraternizing with not only the
members of his own class of ‘62 but with many others
whom he had known and befriended over the years.
His engaging personality, his smile, wry sense of humor
and staunch devotion to all things Girard will be sorely
missed.
He is survived by his nephew, George Egler, Girard class
of ‘63 of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, his sister-in-law,
Mrs. Waltraud Kunycia of Wellesly Hills, Massachusetts,
his cousins, Mrs. Enora Rogers of Texas and Mrs. Doris
Wright of Maine.
’Til our hearts be still …
Recently deceased Brothers and Sisters
of Girard College
Robert Bohn, ’59
Paul Wolff, ’59
Thomas Dzurenda, June ’48
Raymond Smith, June ’53
Fred Mayer, Jan. ’47
Russell Floyd, Jan. ’50
Chet Hoffnagle, ’61
George Brayton Marrow, Jan. ’37
Frank William Evans, Jan. ’41
Gustav Beckman, June ’37
Wesley Uplinger, June ’47
Russell Dunkelberger, June ’38
James Groome, Jan. ’52
Robert (Herbie) Harbison, ’56
Jaroslaw (Jar) Kunycia, ’62
Samuel Johnson June ’37
Robert J. Whitehouse, Jan. ’46
Leo Campanella, Jan. ’40
Devone Coleman, ’03
Richard Fiore, ’61
GCAA OFFICERS
Vincent Cavacini ’65
President
Joseph Samuel ’88
First Vice President
Anthony J. Schiavo ’59
Second Vice President
J. Victor Jurciukonis ’58
Treasurer
Joe Paoletti ’86
Director of Alumni
Relations & Development
CHAPTERS
ARIZONA DESERT
Bert Levin ’47
(480) 860-2831
CAVALIERS
Ed Crawford ’96
(215) 868-7833
DELAWARE COUNTY
Fran (Dixie) Dugan ’40
(215) 913-9428
FLORIDA
Bill Rowe, June ’48
(305) 271-8574
LEHIGH VALLEY
Dennis Oswald ’71
(610) 433-7628
POCONO-NORTHEAST
John Pekar ’71
(570) 824-0863
NEW YORK-EMPIRE
Dennis Lalli ’68
(212) 777-9223
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Richard Bohner ’79
(310) 375-9752
SOUTH JERSEY WAVE
Anthony J. Schiavo ’59
(856) 466-9216
TEXAS LONE STAR
Jim O’Neill ’51
(214) 361-6633
WASHINGTON D.C.
Bernie Oliver ’78
(443) 324-3620
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Rich O’Brien ’65
(412) 422-9528
S&G Quarterly newsletter
A publication of the
Girard College Alumni Association
mail@girardalumni.org

NON-PROFIT
citizens through a rigorous educational program that promotes intellectual, social and emotional growth.
each headed by a single parent or guardian. Girard’s mission is to prepare students for advanced education and life as informed, ethical and productive
Girard College is a independent boarding school for academically capable students, grades 1 through 12, from families with limited financial resources,
Obituaries ................................................................................8
GCAA Officers/Chapters .................................................8
Business Directory ................................................................ 7
Founder’s Hall News .......................................................... 7
GCAA Request for E-Communication ...........................6
Students Visit Coal Mine ..................................................6
GCAA Secret Santa ............................................................... 5
Alumni Attend Pittsburgh Game .................................. 5
GCAA President’s Letter .....................................................4
Join the Alumni Band .......................................................4
Student Wins Legion Award ..........................................4
SJ Wave Gets New Leader..............................................4
Newton Wins Stephen Girard Award ............................. 3
Homecoming 2011 ...............................................................1-2
ORGANIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
P A I D
Welcome to the winter issue of GIRARD TODAY and the STeel & GARneT.
This is the second issue produced collaboratively by Girard College and the GCAA
(Girard College Alumni Association). When you finish reading one division, turn
the newsletter over and upside down, and start again!
ENJOY OUR COLLABORATIVE NEWSLETTER
CINNAMINSON, NJ
Permit No. 579
Steel & Garnet
Development Fund
2101 S College Avenue ste 307
Philadelphia, PA 19121-4860
IN THIS ISSUE
STEEL &
Garnet
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Photo Galleries
Updated Calendar
Under QUICKlInKS:
link to the School Store
18-minute video about
Stephen Girard (main page)
WHAT’S NEW
ON THE WEB
RIGHT NOW: Register online as a volunteer.
Activities on and off campus will include
golf, dinner, wreath ceremony, Chapel, alumni
athletics, campus tours and more! Check the
Alumni Portal @ www.girardcollege.edu for
details on this year’s Founder’s Day
schedule in the coming weeks.
ALUMNI:
Keep an eye out for details about
Founder’s Day, May 19.
Lower School Graduation June 15
Upper School Graduation June 7
Founder’s Day May 19
Good Friends Gala April 13
Spring Break March 12-16
Mark Your
Calendar
GCAA, Girard College Work Together to Provide Scholarships
last year for the first time, the GCAA and Girard College formed a scholarship team led by Karen
Campbell, Director of Young Alumni Support, and George Westfall, (then) GCAA Director. As a result,
every student who applied for assistance for an undergraduate degree received scholarship monies from
the GCAA Scholarship Fund and/or the Sundry Trusts for Girard College. These scholarships will
follow the students through their college years. Scholarship beneficiaries were invited back to campus
on January 4 for a congratulatory dinner. Pictured above are Bill Smeader ’56, Jesse Hackenberg ’63
(members of the GCAA Finance Committee) and Christopher Jones ’10 (Millersville University).